In this detailed review, we'll be looking at several key factors, discussing each one at length:

• History and Out of the Box, including initial impressions of the Micro Casa, some history of the device, published specifications, materials and build, and some notes from the company's literature as well as third party resources. I'll also detail the 'out of the box" experience.
  
  
• Operation and Maintenance, which looks at the everyday workability of the machine, how to get the most out of it, and more. We put the machine through the paces and point out things we liked and don't like, as well as how easy (or difficult) it is to maintain. Note, this page is the biggest one in this review - about 350kb with photos and text.
  
  
• Machine Performance, where we get down to the serious issues of how the machine performs as compared to other espresso machines. We also evaluate our expectations of the machine and whether or not it delivers.
  
  
• Comparisons, will have head to head looks at the Micro Casa against the La Pavoni Professional and some other competing machines.
  
  
• Conclusion, is where we provide our final say on this product, and our recommendations and ratings.
  
  

As I stated in the La Pavoni review last month, the Elektra Micro Casa gave me more joy as a test machine than almost any other machine I've evaluated in recent memory. If you are someone really into quality espresso and the artistry that surrounds it, there's something almost mystical, personal about using a lever machine for hand crafting the world's most perfect yet elusive beverage.

When I am done evaluating espresso machines, and the detailed reviews are written, it's tough for me to "give up" the machine, to pack it away and move on to the next product, but I have to tell you, it's almost impossible for me to give up on the Elektra. The day I pack this back up in its box is a sad day indeed.

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