Lusso Arrives, Sirena Goes Walkabout

Buon Anno!

I decided to treat myself (& my girlfriend, who also benefits) to a new macchina, the Ponte Vecchio Lusso 2-group. Actually the term "new" doesn't fit in every sense: the Lusso design dates back to the '70s, so it really qualifies as "old school". The good news is that it really works, despite a few petty annoyances; it's a major upgrade from the Sirena. One thing I really like is that I can now bang out two cappas in record time. And the Lusso just fits our tiny kitchen counter (we don't call our flat "The Submarine" for nothing).

And here's Cappa #4: not bad for a lever newbie, I reckon!



Sirena's going to my best friend in Flagstaff, AZ. His old Krups is kaputt, and the Sirena will be an upgrade for him, just as the Lusso is for me. It's all good.

Fame Strikes Again!

Recently Cari Tuna, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, contacted me for an interview about my involvement with latte art. Eventually we shot a video of me attempting to do the deed, and the results appeared online today. Here's the link to the full article: "Foam Sweet Foam: Latte Art Heats Up in Home Kitchens"

Progress Marches On!

Allora, after that first rosetta, I spent the last two months trying to figure out how to replicate it! Last week the light bulb finally went on, and here's the result. The trick is positioning the steam wand tip very precisely at the correct depth in the pitcher, for the right length of time. The choice of milk may be a contributing factor; I recently switched to Clover Organic, and it's marvelous stuff. The coffee is Blue Bottle's Yemen Sana'ani, truly superb for cappuccini and quite user-friendly.

Today also happens to be my girlfriend's birthday, and I must give her credit for inspiring me to take up espresso-making in the first place. She provided the cup, from Brunetti's in Melbourne. Happy Birthday, Darling! You created a monster!

Finalmente!

It's not like this every day, of course. But piano, piano, I'm getting there.

Uh-Oh, I'm Hooked Now!

Well, there are worse addictions to have, I reckon. This is a sure sign I've gone over the edge: getting a naked (bottomless) portafilter and taking pictures of the espresso as it spooges out! Still, for San Francisco, this is pretty tame stuff.

Yeah, it tasted mighty good, too! Single-origin Caturra from Cooperativa Vasquez in Nicaragua, a COE coffee roasted by Blue Bottle 6 days earlier. Its flavor is on the light citrusy side, not the chocolate/caramel end of the spectrum. A vacuum-pot might reveal more of its subtlety. BTW, I've switched to Blue Bottle's "Roman Espresso" for my daily fix. Not the easiest blend to work with -- I had to learn temperature-surfing to get the best shots -- but quite satisfying.

As for the latte art, ehh... This one at least had some originality. I'll nail the rosetta one of these days -- I'm just not into milk drinks as much nowadays, and it does take practice.

(ULO) Unidentified Latte Object:

The Way of Espresso

You might as well have a good time while the Empire crumbles. As trivial pursuits go, making real espresso is one of the best. About a month ago my girlfriend helped me get a Starbucks Sirena at a huge discount, thanks to her friendship with a Starbucks manager. After taking off the "training wheels" (the back-pressure adapter & the panarello froth-aider) I started learning real barista skills, and now I'm pulling double shots and making cappuccinos that surpass anything they serve at Starbucks. Here's my detailed review of the Sirena.

Yesterday I snagged the last bag of Blue Bottle's "Retrofit Espresso" beans at the Farmers Market -- roasted just 2 days ago. Today I used it to make a cappuccino and took these pix:

Woof! Look at that crema! That's almost pornographic!

Add the steamed milk, and bingo! As for latte art, that'll come later. Just getting microfoam is enough for now. Yumm!

I'm having a religious experience!

The Access-to-Insiders Racket

Last night I had a free taste of the latest version of Hollywood's parasite industry, Hollywood By Phone: wannabe writers join a conference call with some big producer or studio executive in the hope of launching their careers. In practice, what it amounts to is eavesdropping on a live interview for an hour, during which you hope to get in a question or two; due to a technical malfunction, we had to e-mail in our questions and let the moderator ask them -- they say normally you can ask the VIPs directly (if they get around to you -- last night there were about 100 callers, 'cause it was a freebie).

Last night's guest, Jason Blumenthal of Escape Artists, had an engaging, passionate personality, but for me there were few revelations. I've rubbed elbows with producers & scouts before -- for ex., at a Let's Do Lunch event, and Mr. Blumenthal reminded me of why I left L.A. He has an eye for highly commercial material, whatever is easily marketable to the crucial teen-young adult demographic. The desires of the 40+ crowd are simply not considered by Hollywood -- the explanation is that dinosaurs like us have many other things to do with our free time besides going to movies (esp. stupid, puerile movies, I would add).

He did have some sound advice for those who want to inhabit his world. One really does have to think like a producer: How does one sell the movie? Who's the target audience? Hint: If what you're offering is totally unique, unlike anything they've seen before, you're doomed. And just as crucial: Is this a movie that "should" be made? He was referring IMO to the level of passion required, i.e., it's not enough that you love a story -- it has to be a story that demands to be made into a film. I can appreciate that, as it applies to, for ex., "The Pursuit of Happyness" (which, incidentally, I appear in as an extra). However, contemplating one of Blumenthal's projects in development, "I Want to *____* Your Sister," I seriously have to wonder why that needs to be made, aside from making a few people filthy rich.

To me, the best part of the freebie is that I get to e-mail a query to Escape Artists (they're in business with Sony Pictures, btw). Then again, I don't think this newbie-level access should be considered a special favor. Anyone should be able to write query letters to studios -- ok, you might have to buy a special directory to get the right person & address. But paying some intermediary just for a chance to pitch your little one-liner about your script? That's what thousands of wannabes are doing in L.A., at pitch festivals, script websites, insider magazines, etc. etc. -- a big endless cash-machine for the people involved. And this is before the agents & managers get their piece of the action. And let's not forget the script doctors, the writers groups, the writing seminars, on & on & on... Step right this way, folks!