Any recommendations for beans for espresso? I was looking at the Black Cat Analog and Black Cat Classic, but I'd like to hear what people who've had their beans think.

My opinion:
You can't really go wrong with Intelligentsia period . Although I'm not a big decaf drinker, their Black Cat http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/products/coffee has excellent flavor. I know decaf can defeat the purpose of espresso for some but the taste is there!

Cannot go wrong with Black Cat but realize Black Cat Classic is a misnomer (I.M.O.) as it is not the same (nor even close) to the Black Cat that was available ~ 5 years ago (senior H-B members can give you better estimation of time change). Here are three links from senior H-B members (first two describe Black Cat Classic and third link Black Cat Analog):

Favorite Espresso Blends 2010

Intelligentsia Black Cat: June 2011 iteration

New Intelligentsia Black Cat tomorrow

I've been recommended by Intelligentsia customer service to try Black Cat Analog and told it is more like the older Black Cat. I have yet to try Analog at home as it's in the "on deck circle" (in deep freeze storage while I finish my current blend).

Of Intelligentsia's Chicago storefronts, I prefer the Broadway Street location: most seating & best chance for street parking (i.e. avoid parking lot fee). Also since you are from out of state, you may like walking around the Broadway Street, Belmont Street, Clark Street, Diversey Street areas.

Definitely recommend you go to 1750 W Division St. Caffe Streets for espresso. It will be a mind blowing
experience. The only bad thing is,you'll never pull a shot as good as they do. But you'll want too.

Check out Metropolis. Hop on the Red Line heading North and get off at the Granville stop. They are a block or so away from it. If you are going to stop by Intelli go to the Broadway location. It is their best location IMO. It is North of downtown and closer to Metropolis as well.

It's not a cafe, but CoffeeCon 2012 is this weekend in Chicago. Jim Schulman will be among the speakers.

I'll 2nd Caffe Streets. Top notch, imo.

Surprised Ipsento hasn't made the list. I do enjoy their Wildfire.

Also want to put in the suggestion of Star Lounge (serving Dark Matter - both from the same guy). I have been know to stop by my local food co-op just to smell their coffee.

I do hear a lot of people talking about Ipsento, but I have never personally been there so I hesitate to recommend it. I have heard great things about it though. It is over in Wicker Park.

Warrior372 wrote:I do hear a lot of people talking about Ipsento, but I have never personally been there so I hesitate to recommend it. I have heard great things about it though. It is over in Wicker Park.

Don't hesitate. Ipsento is worth the trek. They are the epitome of a small, personal and driven cafe. They serve great coffee too.

There's a great cafe crawl in Wicker Park -- Ipsento, Buzzkill, Wormhole, and Streets. These are all new guys; Metropolis and Intelligentsia are the established players.