1. La Prima – it is, after all, the original. With the retirement of Ellio, La Prima moved one of its best barista to the 22 St. location to carry on the tradition of excellence. The beans are their own Miscella Bar which are roasted just around the corner on Smallmen St. and are never burnt and this is perhaps the most “Italian” of coffee bars in the city. By this I mean that this bar is often frequented by native Italians and there is no seating (just like in Italy).
   
2. Intermezzo – while I have yet to visit their new location in the Frick building (with its Synesso machine) the original Smallmen St. location in the strip has perhaps the most consistent offering of any coffee bar around. This is simply because the shots are always pulled by one of the 2 owners. Not having a staff means that they are limited in what they can do…but they do it so well. They use Intelly’s BC.
   
3. Aldo’s on Washington Rd. in Mt. Lebanon in a real nice neighborhood coffee bar where they have the city’s only Swift grinder (AFAIK). Hubby & wife owners, Rich & Melanie care a lot. Unfortunately, some of the baristas are less then stellar in their performance but the same can be said for every coffee bar where there is a staff of non-owners.  They also use Intelly’s BC.
   
4. Affagato on Lincoln Ave. in Bellvue is another great place. Its owner (a mere “kid” of 23) puts out a nice product and maintains a dedicated clientele. The nice feature here is the round bar which encourages inter-customer chat. La Prima MB is used here.
   
5. The Vault on California Ave. near Ohio River Blvd. is another good place. Drew & Brad are conscientious and care a lot about what is served. They use Orinocco beans.
   
   

Worldman Said:

I have lived in the "Burgh" since 1971 when I came here to go to school and was drinking espresso by the end of the 1970's. In those days there were NO espresso bars in the city. This all changed in the 1980's when Las Prima opened its doors. Today, there are lots of coffee bars and espresso is plentiful…probably it is the same story in most other cities throughout the USA. But now, just because there is espresso available all over the city, is it something you want to drink? Unfortunately, the answer is all too often a resounding ”NO!”

Of the coffee bars that are out there, many of them do try to offer a good product and have a knowledgeable and conscientious staff. Of the myriad of local coffee bars, the best IMHO are:
Aldo’s on Washington Rd. in Mt. Lebanon in a real nice neighborhood coffee bar where they have the city’s only Swift grinder (AFAIK). Hubby & wife owners, Rich & Melanie care a lot. Unfortunately, some of the baristas are less then stellar in their performance but the same can be said for every coffee bar where there is a staff of non-owners.  They also use Intelly’s BC.

OK, I also “suspect” that Simpatico Espresso in the Alcoa Bldg on 6th Ave., downtown is probably real good – though I have never visited yet. They use La Prima MB beans as I do for Tazza d'Oro and a couple of other places.

There are other shops which used seem to be OK but are now just so so.

OK, you fellow Pittsburghers, any other places to suggest?

Len

Posted February 3, 2007 link

mayhew Said:

I almost only go to LP on Saturdays. Used to be really good. It starting going downhill about the time red-heads starting working behind the bar.  I think a few years ago everyone was one generation removed from "off the boat"?

Posted February 6, 2007 link

mayhew Said:

Nope, Uptown uses LP. I've asked and seen the bags. They might advertise it, too. Buy me an espresso and I'll deign to set foot in there ;)

Posted February 6, 2007 link