Cafes using lever espresso machines

[yoma]

Its been a long time since Ive had an espresso pulled from a lever machine.
Does anyone know of any in use around Melbourne?

[acoggins]

Re: Cafes using lever espresso machines

Not in use, but I saw what looked like an antique one in Dimattinas Cafe on Clarendon St Sth Melb today.

[buff]

Re: Cafes using lever espresso machines

Pretty sure when I was last in Melbourne (August) that they were using one in Journal, Flinders Lane
cheers

[takeaim]

Re: Cafes using lever espresso machines

Seen a few around in Melbourne but many have seen better days and need work and then there are some using stale coffee.

I had the pleasure of using a lever machine the other day and it was amazing.
Will let you know when and where its installed soon...

[luca]

Re: Cafes using lever espresso machines

Vittoria Arduino were bought out by Nuova Simonelli a while back, so you NS Australia (in Box Hill) have a few of the VA lever machines.  I didnt ask, but I think that the lever NS Mac isnt being imported into Australia.

Some cafes that use NS also have a VA lever machine.  Sounds like Journal has one.  I know that the European has one for espresso only, running alongside an Aurelia.  I had an espresso there and it was fairly impressive for the first few minutes, then it tasted thoroughly ashy and awful.  The barista seemed to have done a good job, so I suspect that its the coffee that they were using, which, I think, was an import.  So if it can make imported coffee taste palatable even for the first few minutes, Im certainly interested in playing around with these machines more!

I spoke to Andrea, the excellent tech from NS about these machines a while back and he reckons that theyre the way to go for espresso.  I havent yet taken him up on the offer to try one out, but I really ought to.  Unfortunately, though, NS does not manufacture these machines in single group.  A single group lever machine with a less expensive exterior than the VA could be very interesting to play around with.  

Many other manufacturers offer a traditional lever machine and I think that CMA still manufactures a lever group, which others can purchase and use in the same way that various manufacturers e61 type groups are incorporated into machines made by other manufacturers.  Whether or not the local importers bring them in is another question.

Cheers,

Luca

[Fresh_Coffee]

Re: Cafes using lever espresso machines

personal opinion only.........but

...."amazing" because it is interesting, old world, a novelty........

Model T fords are also interesting and a novelty.  Would I keep one in my collection...yes certainly.....but would I run my taxi service with one? Certainly not.

Regardz,
Attilio.

[Fresh_Coffee]

Re: Cafes using lever espresso machines

oh yeah should have mentioned......I DO have one in my collection, a 2 grouper in really good (external) original condition.

Attilio.

[takeaim]

Re: Cafes using lever espresso machines

The one I used and those I referred to were all 50s and 60s machines, not new ones.

[yoma]

Re: Cafes using lever espresso machines

Whilst overseas (15 years ago) I had a ripper espresso, still amongst the best to this day.  I didnt even notice the machine until the barista pulled the shot on a 2 lever machine.   I was reminded of this when I recently read a glowing review of a SO shot out of a newly acquired Bosco machine.  They got the Bosco to use just for their SO espressos.   Seems like some folk out there think the levers have something to offer.  Unfortunately, this place is oseas too.

[Fresh_Coffee]

Re: Cafes using lever espresso machines

The thing you need to realise about this kind of info is its all subjective, and much of it is "designed" to appeal from a straight out marketing point of view......its great marketing to let it be known that you (he, she, someone) bought some kind of uncommon machine just to use with a "special type of coffee" or to just brew a "special type of brew".

We could say something like......
a) I use a particular type of machine just to brew esp with when its busy,
b) I use a diffferent type of machine to brew coffee when its slow, because it has a much better thermal stability when left for periods when there is little through put,
c) I use a third type of machine which is signature specced only for use with SOs from the central americas
d) I use a fourth type of machine which is signature specced onoy for use with the heavier bodied indonesian coffees,
e) I use a fifth type of signature specced machine just for organics, and of course

e) I use three grinders for each machine (total of 15 grinders) and that would be
f) one grinder for caffeinated coffee
g) one grinder for decaffeinated coffee
h) one grinder for organic coffee

Not to mention the the sixth machine (and other 3 grinders) we keep for those people that specify they will only drink coffee brewed with a manual lever machine!

Lovely. great marketing....I think Ill use this in my next venture.....grows the coffee drinking market no end....definitely adds "exclusivity" and high image.......but is it based on any kind of fact? Dont think so....its the sizzle that sells the sausage. Careful however not to start believeing all the hype.

regardz,
Attilio
first / original CS site sponsor

[yoma]

Re: Cafes using lever espresso machines

but is it based on any kind of fact? Dont think so....its the sizzle that sells the sausage. Careful however not to start believeing all the hype.

Thats exactly what this topic is - to try for myself - not sure of any other fact I can base it on.

[AndyL]

Re: Cafes using lever espresso machines

Yes a lot of cafes have used the lever for marketing, but you can also say people use Mistrals , Clovers, FB80s and synessos as marketing tools. It still takes a skilled barista to use any of these machines.
What I find exciting about the lever is its the heart and soul of espresso coffee. It would have been so exciting making espresso in the 50s and to have experience that feeling, would be amazing. Its a shame cafes have been buying these machines just for the attention and putting stale coffee thru it. Commercially it would be hard to use, but in a controlled environment a lever machine would be awesome.
Taste..... Its the only way to have a ristretto.

[_moby_]

Re: Cafes using lever espresso machines

I haven’t been there for a while but there used to be one at the European in Spring Street that they used just for espressos.

Also Gills Diner (Gills alley off Little Collins) have one.  I’ve eaten there a few times and don’t remember what I thought of the coffee because the food was so overwhelmingly good.