Café Hunt: The Attic, Fremantle

Yesterday I went to Fremantle for the day, where I haven't been in forever. I've had heaps of people recommend The Attic to me, but I'd never been before. I finally decided to trek it, and found myself in urban heaven. Gorgeous exposed brick attic seating, beautiful winter attic venue- with a quirky vibe, and a relaxing blend of light, brick, timber with retro fittings. Well worth adventuring down the alley way off the main cafe strip. I would love to live in a house that looks like this place! The staff were also super friendly and chatty, I actually got to sit down and have a chat with one of the baristas (after I complimented him on his choice necklace piece of the Thirty Seconds to Mars triad!) and he mentioned that he often see's readers exactly where I was sitting, completely absorbed in a good book.

The cappuccino I ordered was also perfect; velvet smooth milk coupled with delicious rich coffee. Using Black Swan by Toby's Estate and a seasonal single origin, the barista does a good job with both milk and black coffee. My favourite spot is on the edge of the attic peering down at the cafe staff working hard in this rather busy but calm cafe. Perfectly extracted shots, flawless milk texture and the coffees were always delivered to my table while still fresh and in peak condition.

In terms of reading material, I picked up a book called 'Nookietown' written by V.C Chickering. The story surrounds recently divorced Lucy, who's a middle aged single mum, and feeling a little lonely and deprived of physical attention. Her long-time, trusted married friend, Nancy, begs Lucy to sleep with her husband to save her marriage, and Lucy agrees. It's such a success that the two friends invent a town-wide underground barter system whereby Nancy's married girlfriends sub-contract Lucy's divorcee friends to sleep with their husbands so they don't have to as often. It's a win, win, win for a while, until it all goes to hell in a hand-basket.

This book is hilarious, and I often embarrassingly caught myself laughing out loud in the middle of the café. It's emotionally provocative, and at times racy. A tale of risk-taking, marriage, honesty and desire, and what women rationalise in order to get what they want.

As I chatted to the barista, he asked what my book was about. I felt way too embarrassed to tell him I was reading tales of a woman who sleeps around to help people's marriages.

"The emotional sacrifices women make in order to make marriage work" I say.

Half true. He goes along with it and asks if he can get me another cappuccino. Who am I to say no to another smoothly blended cup of goodness.

Anyway, I 100% recommend this café to anyone in Perth who feels like getting away for a day; to people watch, read, catch up with friends, or just to drink really freaking good coffee.

Atmosphere: 4/5 ★

Coffee: 5/5 ★

Service: 5/5 ★

Readability: 4/5 ★