We asked seven exceptionally tasteful New Yorkers to tell us about an item they bought forever ago — and that they still love (and use) today. Here, il Buco owner Donna Lennard on the manual espresso machine she’s used every day for nearly two decades.
I’ve had this espresso-maker, which was originally bought in Berlin, for 18 years now. From day one, I thought it was fabulous. With electric espresso machines, you have to calibrate and monitor every part of the process. It can be very inconsistent. Then there’s this beautiful, simple machine that uses just a lever and makes perfect espresso every time. It takes all the guesswork out of it.
The process takes about ten minutes, if you stay on track. To prep, simply boil water, put coffee in the filter, and heat up milk (just be sure you’re focused and don’t burn your milk, which I often tend to do). Once everything’s heated, you put the milk underneath the filter, pour water at the top, lift up the arms, and press them down. It’s a Zen experience. The result is the most delicious coffee.
This has been my morning go-to for nearly two decades. I use it at my home in New York and bring it with me every time I travel to my country house. Guests who’ve stayed with me are fascinated with this. It’s become quite the conversation piece. (The only downside for me is making three to four extra cups starts to feel like a job.) I’ve even converted my friend Edwina von Gal. When I visited her house in the Springs, we used it every morning. She’s all about sustainability, so she was quite taken with the workhorse. By the end of the weekend, she ordered one for herself.
After probably thousands of espressos, this little machine looks almost the same as when I first got it. And I don’t do much to keep it that way. After using it, I just turn it upside down and rinse out the filter with some soap and water. Every month or so, I take the filter apart and really scrub in there, but it’s nothing too laborious.
Just last week, I was visiting my son for his college’s parents weekend and learned that his roommate is a self-proclaimed coffee aficionado. I told them about this coffee maker, and they were so excited. I placed an order for their dorm yesterday. While my son hasn’t been much of a coffee drinker to this point, I’m pretty positive this machine will convert him, too.
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