Wednesday, July 09, 2003


funky coffee, new machine?

since klatch at 9 maiden lane has now been open for a few months and things have settled down, i finally stopped in.

nice funky college-type coffee bar atmosphere with chill-out music, bad student art on the walls, and a lovely lovely astoria superautomatic espresso machine with what looked to me like a mazzer major grinder.

the bleached blond guy acting as person-behind-the-counter didn't know what a doppio macchiato was, but at least the portafilters were in the grouphead!

when i explained to him what i wanted, he did have the wit to ask if i wanted the shots short or long, so i specified ristretti. again, he didn't know the italian, but there's hope for him i think.

it's a nice atmosphere, but alas the coffee was from porto rico, which meant it was over-roasted to my taste. . . .it was reasonably fresh.

if you're in the nabe, i recommend it. however, it's still far better to make your own at home.

and this i intend to do even better than before, thanks to gary and todd of wholelattelove, who so sweetly sweetly sent me an expobar!

i took it out of its huge box last night, but haven't yet taken the baby blue protective tape off. first task -- to find a level surface so that i can properly prime and autofill it.

in my charming apartment in the historic district, a level surface isn't exactly easy to find; the building is beyond settling, well into slumping. . .

but dear readers, silvia will not be forgotten, and i will truly give you the in-depth day-by-day skinny on thermosyphon living.

the advantages of the expobar should be -- more consistent espresso shots, more syrupy espresso body, no wait time to steam milk, improved microfoam milk texture for silkier cappucinos, and better pressure and temperature stability.

silvia has a 2 or 3 week learning curve; and i expect the same of the expobar.

ok, dear readers, please use the comment field below. i need to name my new expobar. tell me your ideas please! look at the pic and give me your best and most fun ideas.

how about phineas?

posted by fortune | 11:28 AM | top | link to this | email this: | | | 0 comments