glcoffee Senior Member Joined: 15 Feb 2012 Posts: 67 Location: Los Angeles, CA & Taiwan Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Izzo Alex II Grinder: Vario Drip: Hario V60
Posted Thu Sep 20, 2012, 2:12pm Subject: Sometimes the cover of the book is more important than its content
I have a friend that is looking to get her first espresso machine. She came to me for recommendation and I shown her various HX machines and their pros/cons. However, one criteria she has given me is that the machine would have to look "pretty" sitting in the kitchen and not a clunk of stainless steel (referencing my Alex Duetto II).
Price range is below $3k USD, counter space/height is adequate. Extra water source is scarce so Plumb-In only is not an option.
What are some of your CG recommendations? Again, high emphasis on "pretty."
Something similar to this:
“Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” C.S. Lewis, The World's Last Night ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------ I am Taiwanese.
Posted Thu Sep 20, 2012, 3:19pm Subject: Re: Sometimes the cover of the book is more important than its content
I think you're brave to take this on !
Taste in the visual aspect of things is very personal, and unfortunately most domestic sized machines that actually work reasonably well are ugly looking (in my view) stainless steel boxes despite some manufacturers trying to fancy them up a bit with a few curves.
You might show her the La Spaziale Mini Vivaldi. I don't know if it looks "pretty" to her, but at least it is different in appearance, and has a good reputation. If I were buying today, it would be one of only 2 machines I'd be considering (the plumb in version though).
Some of the Elektra machines are a bit different. Would she like something like the miniverticale ? (bit, OTT for some tastes, but you never know). The Barlume is well out of her range for several reasons, but I've always like the retro looks.
Before everyone else chimes in, I'm sure you will already have told her to reserve part of the budget for a competent grinder, and choosing that is gonna be tricky too ;o)
Posted Thu Sep 20, 2012, 4:30pm Subject: Re: Sometimes the cover of the book is more important than its content
glcoffee Said:
I have a friend that is looking to get her first espresso machine... However, one criteria she has given me is that the machine would have to look "pretty" sitting in the kitchen and not a clunk of stainless steel...
These are both more rounded. I don't know what machine you showed the photo of but this is as close as I could think off. I think you can get the sides of the Bezzera in colors. If not they could be painted to match her kitchen. I want to paint my Oscar to match mine.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
Posted Fri Sep 21, 2012, 10:17am Subject: Re: Sometimes the cover of the book is more important than its content
I'd recommend she look at Rocket Expresso's Giotto Evoluzione or Premium models. Rocket excels at both the internals (content) and the external styling of their machines. So, she can have the best of both worlds.
Vacumatic Senior Member Joined: 17 Aug 2012 Posts: 2 Location: San Leandro, CA (Northern California) Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Rocket Giotto Evoluzione v2 Grinder: Mazzer Mini E Type A... Drip: Kitchenaid
Posted Fri Sep 21, 2012, 11:09am Subject: Re: Sometimes the cover of the book is more important than its content
I recently bought a Rocket Evoluzione Giotto V2 for its looks and functionality. I think it is a beautiful machine. It looks well put together inside as well.
Bgosselin Senior Member Joined: 26 Jul 2012 Posts: 51 Location: Canada,quebec Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Sep 21, 2012, 6:32pm Subject: Re: Sometimes the cover of the book is more important than its content
If she doesn't like the chrome look her choices are limited. I bought the R58 for it's features and it's esthetic. I personnaly love the chrome and e61 group head.
Posted Sat Sep 22, 2012, 10:33am Subject: Re: Sometimes the cover of the book is more important than its content
I'll second the NS Musica, maybe even the LUX if she doesn't like the black trim. There is also the Elektra Microcasa Semiautomatica, its not my taste but I can appreciate what its got going on. You might want to go with a Macap/Elektra grinder, they are sort of the only ones I can think of that could be associated with the word "decorative".
A really nice Modern set up would be a Maximatic and a HGOne (pending availability) or Versalab (ditto). Not everyone's cup of tea in term of use, but very clean and considered and very compact. More than a little bit over budget when purchased new however.
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 