Espressamente

Kidney-shaped Coffee Art

Espressamente is Illy's retail shop, franchised in about 200 shops around the world. I think there are about 9 or 10 in the US. There's 1 in SF at 123 Battery St. and opened about a year and a half ago, blowing much of its own fanfare. Illy is considered the grand Dame of Italian espresso roasts and really, if you check them out at all, they are quite impressive. They have a 'University' training center where baristas are trained in the Illy way.

But this Espressamente has slid down the bean hill, fast.

My visit was a sad, frustrating experience. There were two people behind the counter, a barista and the order taker. And while pleasant and professional, they both seemed... Inexperienced and ill prepared for the amount of people coming through, which was not a lot by any means in a busy downtown. It was as though they hadn't been properly trained to handle things.  They seemed to be trying though.  I even got cappuccino art.  A kidney shape that depressed me even more.

Espresso Cup Chandelier

The space was slick and shiny. There's a pretty cool espresso cup chandelier. They offer coffee, juices, baked goods and lunch items.

Generally, I expect my cup to start warm and 'caramely' and move into a fruity, acidic finish. (I call it sour). But it was flat and dull the entire cup. No personality, no depth. It didn't really taste scorched so much as tamped incorrectly.

The shop had an overall depressing, stagnant feel to it. I'm pretty sure I won't be back.

3 of 7 stars: Meh! Go to Starbucks or Peets instead.