My espresso machine at our SC place died . SOOO I did what any addict would do and ordered another one. After two days of drinking bad coffee and internet searching, I finally decided on a Saeco Spidem Villa Espresso Machine since it was the lower cost model and seemed to have the best reviews overall for machines of its type. I sometimes HATE my espresso/crema coffee/cappy/latte addiction, but since I'm an abject coffee geek, my mantra is "life is too short to drink bad coffee."

 

You are correct, it is an addiction.
Congrats on the new machine, did you get it from Whole Latte Love?

 

Yes. They offered the best warranty (2 yr) and best price. They also price match and I've always liked their service, etc. I've now bought 3 super autos from them (2 gaggias and now the saeco). In my geek search, I discovered that Saeco owns Gaggia as well. I just couldn't stomach Gaggia's pricing. I still am in awe after years of being able to whip up coffee drinks that I love first thing in the morning. I bought a latte at a local coffee shop the other day and got sticker shock: $4!! At the rate I drink the stuff I'd be totally broke or in a rehab center within a couple of days.

 

Funny, funny valentine. (((HUG)))

I'm glad you're back in business.

 

{{ hugs to you too, Patty}} . Its good to know I only have to endure a few more days of nasty coffee before I can whip up my own fru fru stuff.

 

^Oh, waiting on delivery? So, are you in SC, then?

If so, how's the weather? I talked to my sister yesterday, she being in the Colorado Springs area, and me in So Cal. I had about 74* and she was being snowed on. Of course I sent her photos. I'll get her to my new house yet.

 

I tend to crank up the espresso machine only when we have visitors. Normally we drink Tschibo --- a great German roast in the mornings. I make it with an old fashioned Melitta filter. That's what I had in Colorado for the group, and MsPerky was the early morning coffee brewer.

Since it is not a staple item, though, the coffee store frequently runs out of it, and we have to drink "bad coffee" until it restocks. No matter how much we buy, we still run out sometimes.

 

The Gaggia pricing is a bit over the top.
Did you find better pricing on line for the Saeco unit?

As for the $4 coffee, yeah and too many times when I get a cap, it's really a latte (I like a lot less milk and a lot more foam). I was going to keep track of the number of cups that I made this year to justify my purchase, but that wasn't necessary, I think that I am ahead of the game and it's less than a year of ownership.

Have you ever considered a separate e-machine and grinder?

 

Can you get it on-line?

 

Good to hear that you'll be back on good coffee soon - I hate it when our machine is on the fritz - once we had to send it in for warranty work, another time for repairs. The week or so without it was painful. We use a french press to get us through those periods - no standard drip for us if we can help it.

Yes, the addiction is sometimes a curse, but I'll take it over any other option....


Mmmmmm... come to think of it, I've only had one cup today. Gonna make another cuppa....



JonasM