"Welcome to Five Senses Coffee"

At Five Senses we don’t usually like seeing ‘Pablo’ and ‘coffee’ in the same sentence, but for Kevin Cortez, owner of Rojo Bar and Café, we will make an exception. For this talented man making music holds almost as much passion as making coffee. When Kevin is not brewing up a storm on his Synesso, he is the front man in the band ‘Pablo’s Dust’ ... and in fact it’s not uncommon to see him singin’ the odd tune in situ at the cafe.

Rojo Bar and Café is the port in the storm of Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station and DFO Centre in Spencer Street: an oasis in the desert for travellers arriving from all points of the State.

Kevin comes from a background of hospitality: his Mum, Isabelle, was the chef at Festa Café in downtown Fremantle for 30 years — a haunt well know to West Australians. Kevin and his family took over Rojo Café in November last year and hit the ground running.

The three group Synesso Sabre and Mazzer Robur grinder together with award winning blend, City Espresso, are like magnets to weary travellers and DFO shoppers. The lovely fresh salads, breads, foccacias, baguettes, tortillas and wraps — not to mention the selection for the sweet tooths — cater for the steady stream arriving at Kevin’s door … in fact, he must feel like the ‘Statue of Liberty’ sometimes!

Rojo Bar and Café: DFO Centre, Spencer Street Melbourne (open 10am — 6pm, 7 days per week)

‘Pablo’s Dust’ performs at P J O’Briens Irish Bar, Southbank