The LMWDP guide to lever espresso stands of the world - Page 2

[peacecup]

..for a lever espresso. And I did. Last week. In Anchorage. I walked a mile across frozen sidewalks and icy streets in 10-degree weather (windchill not included) to get to Side Street Espresso in downtown Anchorage:

http://touchngo.com/lglcntr/akbldg/sidestreet.htm

I passed about three people on the entire walk. Unfortunately, I arrived at 3:15 PM, only to find they'd closed at three. The next day, after a few more pump espressos from a NS semiautomatic at the Sheraton, I did the frigid trek again, this time being sure to arrive before 3. I did get a great shot, and had a nice chat with Debra and George, who are very fond of their SS Astoria. It is a very nice machine, and they've been pulling shots on it since it was new or thereabouts, 20 + years ago. Not sure if that old Astoia made it through the Quake in '64, but the building did, and Side Street Espresso has been there a long time.

Despite the best efforts of a very patient barista and some Cafe D'arte Firenze, the shots from the NS pump machine at the Sheraton just couldn't compare the the one I got from Debra on the Astoria.

PC

[roastaroma]

Ciao,

I think it'd be great to compile a list of coffeehouses that have lever machines and people who know how to use them -- that is, if such a list doesn't already exist somewhere (if you know, please post a link).

The Blue Bottle Cafe here in San Francisco is the only one I'm aware of so far (theirs is a La San Marco 2-group). Let's put our heads together -- it'll be good for all of us when we travel around.

Grazie mille,
Wayne

[caeffe]

Lux Caffe in Phoenix also has a LSM lever. I can't recall whether it's a 3 or 4 group though. Perhaps some Home Barista's in Phoenix can confirm

[peacecup]

Somewhere way back in the lever forums there is a thread almost identical to this, where we posted photos and even maps of shops with lever machines. If someone can find it we can merge them, and make it a Sticky thread so its always available.

PC

[Kaffee Bitte]

The General Merchantile. Helena Montana. Two vintage La Pavoni two group levers.

It was my introduction to lever machines (and really espresso in general).

[roastaroma]

Ciao Peacecup,

This must be the thread you were referring to -- it just turned up in the "Related Topics" box:

http://www.home-barista.com/forum...f-world-t1574.html

Neato... BTW, I wouldn't mind having a Ponte Vecchio as my next macchina! In red, if possible!

"Mmmm, two levers."



Happy Brewing,
Wayne

[r-gordon-7]

Ah the General Mercantile in Helena... I used to live in Helena in what now seems like several lifetimes ago... That was back in the 1975-1979 time frame... and I do remember the General Merc - though I really wasn't a coffee drinker back then and don't recall what machines they might've had. However, I was indeed a drinker of other liquid refreshments back then - and, along those lines, if I recall correctly the General Merc was in the same building as the original Bert & Ernie's (which, from what I now see on the web, appears to have moved since I was last there, all those many years ago...)

r-gordon-7

[Psyd]

Ciao,

I think it'd be great to compile a list of coffeehouses that have lever machines and people who know how to use them -- that is, if such a list doesn't already exist somewhere (if you know, please post a link).

'The Safehouse' in Tucson, and the baristi don't suck at all. Not even a little. The coffee is not my favorite, but that doesn't mean that it's not good, just not my choice. The atmosphere is a great combi of new youth and old vintage coffee shop. Weird and eclectic, focussed on the coffee.

[Psyd]

Clean-up on post two!

[CremaKatz]

The Blue Bottle Cafe here in San Francisco is the only one I'm aware of so far (theirs is a La San Marco 2-group). Let's put our heads together -- it'll be good for all of us when we travel around.

As I understand it, a lot of places won't let you put in a lever
machine anymore- code regulations because they can present
a physical danger (spring loaded lever snapping up). Precedent,
if I remember correctly, was a woman in Colorado who broke her jaw.

But perhaps that's just chatter. I dunno.

I am curious as to how James got permission. Maybe
because he already had an automatic machine as his
main machine, and the San Marco is a backup?

Sadly, I can't think of a single cafe with a lever machine,
at least off the top of my head.

Edit: I believe Blue Bottle runs a lever machine (Astoria maybe?)
at the Temescal Farmer's Market on Sundays. It's on Claremont
in Oakland, near Telegraph, in the DMV parking lot.

I am adding that since this will be something of a reference and
I want the reader to have SOMETHING in the East Bay.

[zin1953]

Sadly, I can't think of a single cafe with a lever machine,
at least off the top of my head.

No, neither can I -- they've all been replaced by pumps . .

[HB]

Somewhere way back in the lever forums there is a thread almost identical to this, where we posted photos and even maps of shops with lever machines. If someone can find it we can merge them, and make it a Sticky thread so its always available.

Merged as suggested. Sticky threads should be used sparingly; I added this thread to this forum's FAQs and Favorites for easier reference (it will automatically appear in the FAQs and Favorites Digest).

[Psyd]

and if you know the make of lever machine or have comments on the service you got, put them there as well.

I went one better and posted a photo of the machine! Unfortunately, something is going on with my ISP and my submissions are being duplicated a few times, here, there, and everywhere. If you could, would you remove three or four of the copies of the photos from the photo section? I've tried, but Frappr won't let me.

[coffeefrog]

There is a lever machine in a restaurant in Melbourne (Victoria, Australia), near the parliament building, a Victoria Arduino, but it just appeared to be a backup machine the night I ate there. It was late at night after last minute preparations for a presentation the next day. The food was fine, the coffee was not good: style triumphed over delivery.

Greg

[realdoctor]

If anyone happens to be in the central coast of California during the summer, try the farmer's market in Avila Beach (near San Luis Obispo). A woman brings a cart out with a single group Gaggia lever. She pulls a very nice espresso. The market is a pleasant late afternoon stop and probably the best place to buy fresh fish in the area. The market does not run every day - check locally.

[fflewddur]

They have 10 locations in Ashland, Eugene, Corvallis, Salem & Albany. I talked to the service dept. in Albany who said they are all manual levers--the only way to go. They were also kind enough to send a set of seals for my Conti.

The service department is great at Allan Bros. I rebuilt a 2-group Conti about 14 years (or so ago) and they provided seals, sight glass and other misc. parts that needed refurbed (or I broke while dismantling). I'm glad to hear they still carry them and promote the use of lever machines. I pulled some great shots out of that Conti.

I used to manage a shop that used to carry their beans and I wasn't a fan of their very, very, very dark espresso roasts, but this may have changed recently and I'll gladly be corrected with more recent info; I haven't stopped by one of the beaneries for about 5 years.

Where I am currently, there's a 2 group lever machine in use at soulfood books in Redmond, Washington. I believe it's a new Astoria. They serve sleepy monk espresso and it's decent. There's also a happening local music scene there on the weekends and of course books.

[orphanespresso]

Went to the Lux today in Pheonix as recommended........all we can say is thanks for the tip, sure made our day, and tomorrow morning as well.....may just have to stay here a few days to catch up on espresso.

Doug and Barb

[caeffe]

Went to the Lux today in Pheonix as recommended........all we can say is thanks for the tip, sure made our day, and tomorrow morning as well.....may just have to stay here a few days to catch up on espresso.

Doug and Barb<image>
<image>

Doug and Barb - that decal on their bean package tells me that it is a 3 group LSM! I'll be in Phoenix next week and hope to be able to swing by and have some espresso! I thought their fresh roasted beans were pretty good also!.

BTW, did you get to try the shop next door? I hear they have pretty good calzones. Every time I go there it's either too early (morning) or too late (after 6).

[orphanespresso]

It is a 3 group - David pulled the first cups (those pic'd above), and Eric pulled the next two - sucked dry before I could get a photo! Eric also does the roasting. Absolutely wonderful! We arrived too late for the next-door eats on the first night, and too early the next day for non-breakfast food for me (which is about 3pm.....not an early eater!) but it looked great!

Tried the Safehouse in Tucson, unfortunately only an ok cup. They use a 3 group Astoria. Should have asked for a single pull on the double prep, taste was ok, over extracted, cup full to the brim. Could have been better.

Tried the Ragin Sage Coffee in Tucson also, button pusher. WAY too hot, drinkable only as a go-with for the Pecan Bars...

It's worth going to Phoenix just to partake at the Lux - even if you have no other reason to go there!

[Jasper]

If you ever visit Amsterdam, The Netherlands,

http://www.espressofabriek.nl/
Gosschalklaan 7
Amsterdam



http://dekoffiesalon.nl/
Utrechtsestraat 130
Amsterdam



Two lovely espressobars with a Kees van der Westen Idrocompresso machine....


Maybe we can put al these adresses in Google Earth, as a "my Places" Document!