Big Coffee-Life Change

[Martin]

I asked some questions on a "Marketplace" thread, got moved (appropriately) to Marshall's "Espresso Machines" thread (Dalla Corte Mini), and now decided to start my own thread here; after all, isn't this all about me ? Maybe there'll be some general interest. Maybe not.

Background: After 66 years in and around L.A. (minus a dozen or so years in various locales), my wife and I (and my 97 year-old father) are making a permanent move to NYC for some very nice job opportunities. With 8 weeks to go, all the changes and challenges feel "under control" except for Espresso! My future espresso status has me, - - - jittery. Here are some starter questions. I'll add and update as conditions evolve. Your musings and actual information appreciated.

1. New tank machine. Could be purchased here (LA). More likely after moving into 12 weeks of temporary housing, hopefully before a permanent lease. I've been considering the Dalla Corte Mini (features, size) just the past week or two. For me, the "endorsement" (selling of, using of) EspressoParts and Marshall seem to carry about as much weight as Chris combined with wider user base. But it's pretty new to me. Previously, the "obvious" choice was a LaSpaz Mini (current machine is the Vivaldi II).

2. What's NYC water about? Now I use a Chris double cannister to do battle w/ LA water. Will an in-tank softener be adequate? Needed? Optimal? I remember using one for a while with my Isomac Tea, but it seemed to require lots of attention. A carbon filter? Bottled?

3. Roasting! I've been roasting exclusively with a heatgun (and the same dogbowl) for 7 or more years. I'm pretty good at it. End of an era? For a time, I'll be in residences with puny exhaust fans and windows that don't open more than 3 inches. This is also an obstacle for off-the-shelf roaster--correct? No point in collecting info right now, but I'd love to find a walking-distance and excellent roaster when I arrive. I'll consider roasted/shipped, but I hate to give up the process.

Thanks for listening
Martin

[another_jim]

Hi Martin,

Good luck with your move. I can't help you on the machine. The water in NYC comes from two sources. The Finger Lakes water is about 50ppm minerals, no descaling or treatment required, and quite tasty for espresso. The water from the south is around 150ppm, and does require some treatment. It is less valued in terms of taste. You'll need to figure out which one you are getting. I use a small plastic duct fan (McMaster-Carr 19135K66) mounted on a board that I insert into the window, with a dryer duct and an improvised hood. This is somewhat expensive, but is works very well.

[Marshall]

3. Roasting! I've been roasting exclusively with a heatgun (and the same dogbowl) for 7 or more years. I'm pretty good at it. End of an era? For a time, I'll be in residences with puny exhaust fans and windows that don't open more than 3 inches. This is also an obstacle for off-the-shelf roaster--correct? No point in collecting info right now, but I'd love to find a walking-distance and excellent roaster when I arrive. I'll consider roasted/shipped, but I hate to give up the process.

NYC is full of good roasters and local outlets for out of town roasters. They are opening up so quickly, it is hard to keep up. Here is a recent NYT article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/13/dining/13coffee.html.

You would certainly also want to check out Oren's Daily Roast (several Manhattan locations), Gimme Coffee (air roasted!), Dallis Coffee (call Steve Schulman and ask what's new) and Donald Schoenholt's venerable Gillies Coffee.

Good luck in the Big Apple, David. You do realize you are moving in when your contemporaries are leaving for Florida?

[malachi]

9th St is good
Gimme is good
Grumpy is good
and Stumptown is opening in town

you'll have better options than all but a few when it comes to getting prepared coffee.

water shouldn't be a big issue. worst case scenario, get a single canister everpure system.
home roasting might be more of an issue. def need to sort out ventilation.

[Marshall]

Martin, another must-read: http://www.coffeegeek.com/opinions/pacnortheast/03-28-2008.

[Martin]

another must-read

I remember glancing at--but not reading this. Thanks for bringing it back.

You do realize you are moving in when your contemporaries are leaving for Florida?

I repeated this to a local (of a certain age) who informed me that Manhattan was the "world's best retirement community." So that'll be nice in about 30 years.
Thanks for the water info.

A few months of buying quality roasted might do me some good.

And moving along- - -
I sold my La Spaziale Viv II. PayPal pending. 2 days on CoffeeGeek.
Now, there's just a couple of cars and a house left to go.

I'm drifting toward the Dalla Corte Mini. Wish it made more sense to get it right away and then ship it in 2 months, but more likely I'll wait.

Martin

[Marshall]

I repeated this to a local (of a certain age) who informed me that Manhattan was the "world's best retirement community." So that'll be nice in about 30 years.

Makes sense. It's a great walking town. Dick Healy, L.A.'s godfather of microroasters, retired from Sherman Oaks to Manhattan a couple of years ago. But he kept a winter home in L.A.

[Martin]

Since the La Spaziale is gone, I'm regaining my appreciation for press and my very competent Newco brewer. Still can't get enthused about the clarity and physics-on-view of my neglected Royal Balance Brewer: all "appreciation" and no fun.

I've settled on the Dalla Corte Mini as next machine. Appears to share many qualities of my S1 Viv II, along with the smaller footprint that La Spaziale Mini doesn't offer. I can't assert that the Dala Corte will be a significant "upgrade," but the La Spaz Mini seems like a lateral move (ah, things could be worse, couldn't they? ) Regardless, it'll be another few weeks before I make the move.

Dilemma: Which vendor? I'm on the East Coast, closest to WLL; but I've had positive dealings with EspressoParts, and have a favorable impression of another west coast source. I'm not clear about the protocol of asking that question on this site, so if it's not appropriate to discuss here, maybe a pm if you have some thoughts.

Martin

[Martin]

Wrapping up my 1st week in NYC. Just starting to get out to sample espresso. 9th Street (at C) Hairbender was a revelation. I've had some home-shots as good but not often. Interesting "separation" of flavors with highs, sweets, and bitters all moving around, depending on what I'm paying attention to. Oren's at Central, and "Everyman's" Counter Culture-Toscana, very nice but I have to say no better than comparable to my own roasting and shot pulling. The Toscana left me with a bitter aftertaste, and in the hopper looked darker than I usually take a lighter blend.

The Dalla Corte is scheduled to arrive in 4 days, and I'm looking forward to seeing if I can do as well with the abundance of competent roasteds within walking distance (in good weather). No heatgun roasting until a more permanent move-----can't open a window wider than my cats' heads because I caught one hanging over the ledge 30 floors up

Martin