Features
Makes espresso, cappuccino, caffe latte, and other coffee drinks
Lever lets you control speed
Makes 16 cups at a time without heating more water
Includes automatic milk foamer, measuring spoon, and 1- and 2-cup filters
11 inches long by 7 inches wide by 12 inches high; weighs 17 pounds
Product Review
With La Pavoni's Romantica espresso machine, you'll make coffee like a true barista, "pulling" an espresso with a lever instead of punching a button and relying on an automatic pump's whims. By forcing water through the coffee yourself, using the lever to precisely control speed, you get the full flavor and thick cap of crema that are the hallmarks of a perfect espresso. Outfitted with a pressure gauge and featuring a burnished brass housing, polished wood handles, and a steam-control knob, this machine looks like it's from the 19th century, but it operates with 21st-century reliability. A steam wand heats milk for hot chocolate and creates foam for cappuccinos, lattes, and other coffee drinks. An alternate wand with a frothing attachment automatically pours heaps of foam directly into cups. The water tank holds 38 ounces, enough to make 16 cups before the tank (accessible under the machine's removable dome) needs refilling. A glass tube permits water level monitoring, and the pressure gauge tells you when the ideal 1-pound pressure is attained. A thermostat triggering a green light signals when water reaches the correct crema-producing temperature. (The heating element's rating is 1,000 watts.) An internal fuse, which can be reset in the base, prevents overheating.
Pulling an espresso the old-fashioned way is enormously gratifying, and the video that accompanies this machine will teach anyone the skills needed to become a true barista. This machine will look gorgeous in your kitchen and is sure to please even your most gastronomically correct friends. --Fred Brack
Related Topics
La Pavoni PG-16 Romantica 16-Cup Espresso Machine,Brass,La Pavoni,PG-16
