Back in 2023 I had made a couple of visits to the Illy Cafe at the top of Park Street. On a recent visit to Bristol I did like the idea of a coffee and so headed to the Illy Cafe and was disappointed to find it had closed down. So, went to Caffe Nero instead.
A really excellent Illy coffee
I was visiting Cambridge and walking down Burleigh Street. I was on my way back to the railway station. However it started to rain. I did think about walking back to Fitzroy Street and visit the Caffe Nero there (as I had my £1 offer code). However I thought I might get too wet. On Burleigh Street was Giovanni’s caffe’ and pizzeria.
They had an Illy coffee sign outside, which is always a good sign so went in.
I was give a nice warm welcome by the chef attending the pizza oven, and beckoned to take a seat. Outside it was quite a modern building, inside it had more of an Italian taverna feel. The place was dominated by the huge pizza oven. I looked over the menu, if I was hungry I might have chosen a pizza, but I only really wanted a coffee.
I went up to the bar and ordered an espresso macchiato. They also had a lovely selection of cakes, and I did think about it, but in the end went with just the coffee. Went back to my table and waited for the coffee to arrive.
Really nice to get a “proper” coffee complete with a glass of water (and hidden around the back a biscuit).
It was an excellent coffee. I was very tempted to stay in Cambridge and go there for dinner. Another table had ordered pizza and it looked great.
No sooner had I finished my coffee, then the rain had stopped (or eased off) and I could head off to the station.
Illy Cortado
I had enjoyed the Capo Triestino I had had at the Illy Cafe up in Clifton. So on a recent visit to the area, I visited the Illy Cafe and this time I ordered a Cortado.
It probably wasn’t a Cortado, as this is a Spanish drink, and it wasn’t on the menu, when I looked. However the staff said they could make a Cortado. I took a seat and they brought the coffee over to my table.
It was a very nice coffee.
Never had one of these before!
I had a coffee I have never had before. I was up in Clifton and went to the Illy Cafe.
After a nice warm welcome I ordered the Capo Triestino. I took a seat and they brought the coffee over to me.
So what is a Capo Triestino?
An illy espresso with abundant cold emulsified milk served in a small Freddo glass.
I do like Illy coffee and really enjoyed this. I don’t get to Clifton very often these days, so think it will be a while before I can make a return visit. Hopefully not too long.
Decent Coffee
Last week I attended an event, this was a real in-person event in central London. I have not done one of those for a while. I think my last in-person event was back at the beginning of March 2020. One thing I hadn’t missed was the conference coffee which was dire. I wonder sometimes why I even bother drinking it, as it was terrible.
However the venue, The Business Design Centre, did have a cafe on site and they served Illy coffee. So during the afternoon break rather than have a conference coffee, I headed to the cafe and ordered a flat white.
This was a well made coffee and it was delicious.
Illy Coffee
I have been enjoying Illy coffee in my espresso machine. It is still probably my favourite coffee.
When I use to visit Italy a lot I would always try and ensure that the coffee I drank when out and about was Illy.
Even today when looking for coffee, if I see an Illy sign, I make a beeline for that cafe over any other.
A different cup of Illy
This morning I had a different cup of Illy. I have been buying the strength 4 tins (red) however yesterday I bought the strength 5 tin (black).
I was well impressed with the coffee I made, delicious.
Oh I got some Illy
Having mentioned Illy coffee before, which was after listening to Windows Weekly I went out and bought some Illy coffee for my espresso machine.
When I use to visit Italy a lot I would always try and ensure that the coffee I drank when out and about was Illy.
Well let me just say, it is as good as I remember, it was almost perfect.
What would make it perfect, well drinking it in an Italian pavement cafe would make it perfect.
Illy
Listening to Windows Weekly last week I was reminded by Leo Laport on how good Illy coffee is.
When I use to visit Italy a lot I would always try and ensure that the coffee I drank when out and about was Illy.
Even today when looking for coffee, if I see an Illy sign, I make a beeline for that cafe over any other.
Today when we have coffeeshops on every corner, we sometimes forget when we pay £2 ($4) a cup that really we should expect not any old coffee in that cup, but a really good cup of coffee.
I keep meaning to buy some Illy for my espresso machine, but in the meantime I have been using Percol’s organic freetrade coffee instead, which I also enjoy.