You will probably remember the story of Dante Valentinis.
If there is such a thing as Newcastle coffee folklore, then it was this enterprising teenager who signed his name into the pages of it a couple of years ago.
Before the local council shut his operation down in early 2018, a 15-year-old Valentinis had designed and made famous an old kitchen cabinet that he completely repurposed as a coffee cart and then set up overlooking the ocean at Bar Beach.
By the time he poured his last latte, by the time the council had been sneered at for its sometimes-but-not-always support for homespun entrepreneurship, Valentinis had become world news.
Well you can't keep a good man down for long. Dante's in Newcastle is a cafe that marks the keenly-awaited return of Valentinis to the local coffee scene.
As far as reputations go, it's hard to think of many other 19-year-old baristas who have built one so quickly. Who else in this town could make a statement merely by painting their first name on the facade of an espresso bar?
Around here the name Dante translates instantly into a larger idea, an attitude that speaks to the youthful rebel in all of us, the local kid that jumps all the hurdles and still manages to run his own race.
But ask him about his coffee and you will learn something else about this creative young man - Valentinis supports those who support him.
He is the first to acknowledge that his coffee projects, old and new, could only have been borne out of the support of his close-knit Italian family. Just like his Mum, Dad and cousins were once crucial to his Bar Beach operation, his choice to pour Red Parrot coffee in 2020 turned on his family's long-held connection with the Islington roastery.
And it makes perfect sense that his choice of blend would be named after the city that he knows best.
The Newcastle blend from Red Parrot is a fruity mix of Mexican, New Guinean, Indian and Honduran beans that have been roasted on the lighter side to let the flavours run free. It's a bolder and newer way.
In other words, it's a roast that's a lot like Dante himself. Innovative and unconventional.
Yet it's not all about the new trends ushering out the old. A generous array of cold drinks complement his espresso selection and an iced coffee ($7) still arrives in the traditional fashion, enormously crowned with whipped cream.
Milkshakes ($6.50), thickshakes ($7.50) and Dante's own "D-Shakes" ($8.50) blend the well-worn milk bar favourites with some creative twists and variations.
The Strawberries & Cream is indulgent and dreamy, the sort of ice cold shake that cools you down and wears you out, a perfect end to another scorcher spent lazily at the beach.
Deli sandwiches ($11) can either be served fresh, toasted or pressed. An Italiano (of course) is the pick and layers salami, tomato and tasty cheese with rocket and avocado.
