This was in the back hall at a local restaurant...

#1: Post by **bluesman** » January 17th, 2017, 5:14 pm

but it hasn't been used for years. We'd never been there before, as it's almost an hour from us and we're surrounded by wonderful Italian restaurants that are much closer. But it's a favorite of friends who live near it, and we're always game for a new food find - so we drove up last night. The waiter told me they stopped using this machine "a long time ago" in favor of an automatic that I could only glimpse through the doorway and didn't recognize. Sad!

January 17th, 2017, 6:28 pm

That is a real shame. She's a real beauty!
Any idea of make & model?

#3: Post by **dominico** » January 17th, 2017, 6:32 pm

It's a Gaggia Orione.

There was a single group available in the Buy/Sell forum for a while.

#4: Post by **redbone** » January 18th, 2017, 8:08 am

Functional art. I could see a the setting of a classic Italian restaurant or cafe being the ideal location for this machine. A little to ornate for home use for me even if single group. Thanks for sharing a classic, always great to look at and ponder.

January 18th, 2017, 3:31 pm

redbone wrote:A little to ornate for home use for me.

Right - my wife took one look, stared me down, and said "no". I didn't even ask - really, I didn't!!

#6: Post by **dominico** » January 18th, 2017, 3:35 pm

My response would be "but Lou Ferrigno has one in his house!"

But then again, that excuse didn't work on her when I wanted to exclusively wear purple spandex pants either.

#7: Post by **TomC** » January 18th, 2017, 4:05 pm

Michael Jackson had one in his Neverland estate. It went up for action in his estate sale with an estimate of $1000-2000.

#8: Post by **grog** » January 18th, 2017, 5:30 pm

That whole top assembly is purely ornamental and can be removed. IMO it looks much better without the crazy gear on top. If you google 'Gaggia Orione' you will find many photos of stripped-down versions.

January 18th, 2017, 5:36 pm

grog wrote:That whole top assembly is purely ornamental and can be removed.

Or you can steam lobsters in it.......

#10: Post by **bronsht** » January 18th, 2017, 8:19 pm

That is gorgeous! I want one but I'll have to first purchase a new home to fit it into.