It does the job beautifully and it even look great; just go for it!!
Positive Product Points
It works well and makes proper expresso and cappuccino, the way is supposed to be ! It's from Milano (where I am from) and where caffe' espresso has been invented...
Negative Product Points
For my usage I would definitely like a direct water line attachment; but I have been using it without it for 3 months, and I am still alive ;-)
Detailed Commentary
I am Italian, and for me espresso (or simply " caffe' " as we say), it's not something connected to a new fashion or a way to play with yet another toy ;-) For me is pretty much necessity, and I can tell you that it is almost impossible to get a decent espresso in this country. I almost like the Starbucks environment (if they would just get rid of all the gadgets and other commercial stuff, and try to get a cappuccino done in less than 2 minutes); but Starbucks caffe' sucks (Starsucks?). Nothing new here: for some strange reason this country can get people on the moon but not make a decent Pizza, or Italian & French food, bread, cheese, etc... The worst are the so labeled "Italian Restaurants"...; most of them have a 7000 USD machine and they have nobody that can use it at all... By the way, the "lemon slice" they serve you with the coffee has no reason to be there..., in fact squeezing a lemon into a doppio espresso is the perfect solution for an hang-over, because it immediately makes you puke, therefore cleaning up your stomac..., so, to all the pseudo italian restaurants out there: What is the message you are giving with your espresso with lemon at the end of the meal ???
Now, regarding the machine, I have to say that it works well, does what is supposed to do, and it looks very good aestetically...
Forget all the fancy features.., the only test is good espresso, with the right crema color, flowing at the right speed, not too hot to burn all the taste and hot enought ot extract all the essential oils and taste... This machine does the job.
Buying Experience
A special positive feedback for Chris. Very knowledgeable and incredibly available (always). We bought from him 2 Isomacs, 2 Mini Mazzers, 4 sets of Illy cups for expresso and cappuccino, etc... I would recommend him to anybody out there!
