Olympia Cremina Portafilters at Zabar's

[Avi Fischer]

I visited the store this past weekend and discovered a box of old portafilters in a corner where all the coffee machines are displayed. They wanted $60 each (some had the chrome plating peeling off) but I thought they may be good for making naked PF's-in total they had 14 units, no handles---if anyone is interested. They also had original Olympia funnels ($1.98 )

[espressoperson]

I visited the store this past weekend and discovered a box of old portafilters in a corner where all the coffee machines are displayed. They wanted $60 each (some had the chrome plating peeling off) but I thought they may be good for making naked PF's-in total they had 14 units, no handles---if anyone is interested. They also had original Olympia funnels ($1.98 )

Sounded too good to be true. I just called to order a couple, all set to try to bargain the price down. But the guy in housewares said they were Pavoni portafilters, not Olympia.

[Avi Fischer]

That is strange, because I was there and spoke to the guy (sorry no name) who serviced that area and knew what Oly was (I had a whole conversation with him) and the La Pavoni portafilters are much cheaper ($40). I regret not buying one, But I wanted to double check pricing. Maybe if there is someone in the city, could go and double check. They had 14 units in the box......if this is wrong, I was obviously misled....

[espressoperson]

That is strange, because I was there and spoke to the guy (sorry no name) who serviced that area and knew what Oly was (I had a whole conversation with him) and the La Pavoni portafilters are much cheaper ($40). I regret not buying one, But I wanted to double check pricing. Maybe if there is someone in the city, could go and double check. They had 14 units in the box......if this is wrong, I was obviously misled....

Avi, You were right! I finally made it to Zabar's last week to check out the Cremina portafilters. There was a little fishbowl in the corner with six portafilters sans handles. Two Pavonis, two that had the same Cremina male thread handles but with asymmetrical "ears", and two bonafide Cremina portafilters, same as my original! They were missing some chrome on the outside, had some plating blemishes on the inside, no spouts, and no baskets. The sign on the fishbowl said $60. But Bernardo, the housewares floor manager charged me $10 each.

I asked if they had any more parts and Bernardo, the manager in housewares said he would check with Ozzie over at the their storage garage around the corner on 79th street. He came up with a few portafilter/lever handles, a couple double baskets, a steam wand, a boiler cap (see my note about that in another thread), and a site glass. Amazing to be able to get these parts at all, let alone at such a bargain price.

Anyone else here liberate any other portafilters? From the 14 Avi saw to the 6 that were left when I got there?

[Avi Fischer]

Thank you, Michael, for checking, I now feel vindicated. Congrats on your catch......I'll try to get there myself see whats left......

[espressoperson]

Thank you, Michael, for checking, I now feel vindicated. Congrats on your catch......I'll try to get there myself see whats left......

Avi,

Many thanks to you for passing on your find in the first place.

If you go, or even before, try to contact Ozzie or Bernardo to ask if they have any more portafilters or other Cremina parts you may want.