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Major Nikon

(36,827 posts) Sun Apr 8, 2012, 10:30 PM Apr 2012

Anyone else a big fan of espresso?

By espresso I don't mean drinks made with espresso, I mean real espresso served in a real espresso cup. If so, how do you enjoy it? Do you make it yourself or do you have a favorite espresso bar? If you have a favorite espresso bar, please mention it as I'm always looking for new ones to try. My favorite is Intelligentsia's Millennium Park location in Chicago.

For the most part, I make my own. I have yet to find a decent espresso bar in the Dallas area. I've been meaning to try the Mercantile Coffeehouse in downtown Dallas, but I don't make it over to downtown Dallas very often. I've tried many others in Dallas and Fort Worth, none of which I thought made a passable espresso.

I still love brewed coffee and an occassional cappuccino, but to me espresso (when done right) is just the epitome of what coffee should be. The sad part is there are just too many ways to do it wrong and only a few ways to do it right.

11 replies

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Highlight:

Anyone else a big fan of espresso? (Original Post) Major Nikon Apr 2012 OP

I had my first Espresso in Bologna... NYC_SKP Apr 2012 #1

When done right, it's a beautiful thing Major Nikon Apr 2012 #3

Sort of; I drink americanos (espresso with hot water) REP Apr 2012 #2

what beans do you buy? grasswire Apr 2012 #4

I primarily use Intelligentsia Black Cat Major Nikon Apr 2012 #9

Used to have my own espresso maker. BlueIris Apr 2012 #5

There's nothing inherently wrong with "drinks made from espresso" Major Nikon Apr 2012 #11

I make my own. Chan790 Apr 2012 #6

I'm an Americano drinker. denbot Apr 2012 #7

love it lovemydog Apr 2012 #8

I wouldn't say no one, but the good ones are few and far between Major Nikon Apr 2012 #10

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)

1. I had my first Espresso in Bologna...

Reply to Major Nikon (Original post)

Sun Apr 8, 2012, 10:33 PM

Apr 2012

Nothing here has ever tasted as good.

Major Nikon

(36,827 posts)

3. When done right, it's a beautiful thing

Reply to NYC_SKP (Reply #1)

Sun Apr 8, 2012, 10:52 PM

Apr 2012

REP

(21,691 posts)

2. Sort of; I drink americanos (espresso with hot water)

Reply to Major Nikon (Original post)

Sun Apr 8, 2012, 10:41 PM

Apr 2012

And I have two espresso machines, a Magnifica and a Gran Dama and will have a Miele plumbed in at my house.

grasswire

(50,130 posts)

4. what beans do you buy?

Reply to Major Nikon (Original post)

Mon Apr 9, 2012, 03:02 AM

Apr 2012

I'm fussy about beans.

Major Nikon

(36,827 posts)

9. I primarily use Intelligentsia Black Cat

Reply to grasswire (Reply #4)

Mon Apr 9, 2012, 05:22 AM

Apr 2012

This seems to work best with my machine (HX). Occassionally I will buy other beans for something different, but I always come back to Black Cat. I order two pounds at a time and throw one in the freezer. Each pound lasts about 2 weeks.

BlueIris

(29,135 posts)

5. Used to have my own espresso maker.

Reply to Major Nikon (Original post)

Mon Apr 9, 2012, 03:27 AM

Apr 2012

Last edited Mon Apr 9, 2012, 11:46 AM - Edit history (1)

I mostly just drink those obviously inferior "drinks made with espresso," though. I have really been enjoying the cappuccino tastiness lately.

Major Nikon

(36,827 posts)

11. There's nothing inherently wrong with "drinks made from espresso"

Reply to BlueIris (Reply #5)

Mon Apr 9, 2012, 05:30 AM

Apr 2012

However, the American version of that (and increasingly so in other places) means a 12 oz (or larger) drink. With that much milk it doesn't really matter if the espresso is good or bad.

Chan790

(20,176 posts)

6. I make my own.

Reply to Major Nikon (Original post)

Mon Apr 9, 2012, 03:32 AM

Apr 2012

I figure if I have one actual expertise in life, namely being an award-winning coffeemaster and competition-barista, I should use that skill-set.

denbot

(9,901 posts)

7. I'm an Americano drinker.

Reply to Major Nikon (Original post)

Mon Apr 9, 2012, 04:09 AM

Apr 2012

I brew at home when I have the time, using beans I roast.

lovemydog

(11,833 posts)

8. love it

Reply to Major Nikon (Original post)

Mon Apr 9, 2012, 04:58 AM

Apr 2012

I have a buddy from Rome who makes it at his house. He insists no one else here makes good espresso. Now I tend to believe it.

Major Nikon

(36,827 posts)

10. I wouldn't say no one, but the good ones are few and far between

Reply to lovemydog (Reply #8)

Mon Apr 9, 2012, 05:25 AM

Apr 2012

Unless you live close to a big city, you're probably out of luck and even then you may have a hard time finding a good spot. Seattle, Chicago, and NYC seems to be the best bet from what I've found.

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