I'm a big fan of coffee. I drink about half a pot every morning. (That could explain why I get very little sleep and am a bit too chipper for most people at 7am and friends and family have to tell me "SLOW DOWN" when I speak.) However, I don't like Starbucks and even when I go to Intelligentsia or Caribou I tend to be a purist: large coffee. No cappucino, no latte, no fancy beans that are only grown on the south side of the mountain and picked by a fourth generation coffee grower who lives among the beans in a cabin built out of used coffee filters. Nope. Just coffee. That's all about to change.

Lavazza is a family-owned Italian coffee company that opened three cafes in the Loop last year. These are the only Lavazza Cafes in the world, and there are no plans to open any more any time soon. Which is a darn shame, because I would go every day. I'd start off with a muffin that's been baked in the store and a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice. Their OJ reminds me slightly - and this is not a bad thing - of Tang because it's so incredibly sweet. I'd go back mid-morning for a Cappugiro, which is an "inverted cappuccino." Normally I have to add sweetener to any coffee I drink, but theirs is so smooth that it didn't need anything. Luigi Lavazza invented coffee bean blending (think Meritage if you're a wine lover) and apparently they've continued to hone the process of creating a non-bitter, smooth beverage.

Since service is key here, for lunch I'd have a seat while they brought me my Prosciutto Baguette or tuna salad. The prosciutto is, of course, imported from Italy (as is the tiramisu - don't get me started on that). The tuna is mixed with oil and vinegar instead of mayo so you can actually taste the tuna. Then I'd head out with my Berrissimo. I took one sip of this berry smoothie made with gelato and exclaimed "WOW." I couldn't help it. The flavor was so strong and clear it jumped on my tongue and made it do a little dance.

In the afternoon I'd stop in for a Caffe Shakerato. Who would think to take espresso and milk foam and flavored syrup, shake over ice, and pour them into a martini glass? This is just one of the many coffee "creations" they feature. Another, which really needs to be eaten with a spoon, is the Meringato. Espresso, nutella, meringue, and whipped cream. Need I say more?

Unless you're taking your drink to go it's served in a glass or a real coffee cup. You get to eat with real silverware on breakable plates. Unless they're super busy, they'll bring your order to you. This is not a dash in, run out type of coffee shop, although I could just run in for that no-frills cup I usually get. It's modeled after an Italian coffee cafe, where food and drink are meant to be experienced and not rushed through like a chore that needs to be finished before racing off to the next.

Obviously I'm a big fan. I suppose it's a good thing they won't be opening one in my neighborhood any time soon. I'd have to take a sedative to counteract all the espresso.

LAVAZZA
Coffee
27 W WASHINGTON
(312)997-9971
Hours: Mon - Fri 7am to 5pm, Sat 9am to 2pm
134 N LASALLE
(312)977-9701
Hours: Mon - Fri 6am to 6pm
111 W JACKSON
(312)447-0000
Hours: Mon - Fri 6am to 5pm