Simon Campbell

Posted at 1555 hours on 08/06/11 | Posted in My 100 best things, Life

Barista brillance

I have always adored great coffee and Angela promised to buy me the ultimate machine for my 50th birthday. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find anyone with the knowledge to advise us, but then we met Allan Fair, owner of the Velvet Lobster and the Isle of Man’s consumate coffee connoisseur. Three years late, but worth the wait.

Over the years I have owned many coffee machines: filters, cafetieres, vintage moka pots (macchinetta) and low grade espresso machines (yes espresso, not expresso).

These have all come and gone though the Campbell household and unfortunately, we have never achieved the level of satisfaction and joy as we do in a great coffee shop with a superb Barista.

The Isle of Man seemed to be a coffee wasteland until we discovered the Velvet Lobster which is located on North Quay in the capital, Douglas. Here we found an establishment that not only served excellent food and wine, but really understood great coffee.

Anyway, Angela and I were having lunch one day talking to the owner Allan Fair about my search for the ultimate coffee experience. He ‘just happened’ to be a distributor for coffee and machines and recommended the La Spaziole S1 ‘Mini Vivaldi’ plus a high end grinder.

Although pretty pricy we ordered one and within a few days Allan’s partner in Freak The Bean delivered and installed the machine, giving me a full demonstration on how to use it.

They were not particularly happy with the grinder they originally specified and lent me one of their high end MAHLKÖNIG ‘Vario’ units, which they eventually gave us as they only wanted us to have the best. What service!!!

La Spaziale make a fantastic, industrial grade machine for sure and providing it’s cleaned regularly and you use great, properly ground coffee, it delivers a magnificent cup every time!

The creation of great microfoam is more tricky but since installation we have had an ever increasing number of people calling at the house who were ‘just passing’.

The practice is certainly assisting in my quest for Barista excellence, but impacting heavily on my wallet.

If you are a real coffee fiend apparently London is at the epicentre of the international scene so why not try: Kaffeine, Tapped & Packed, Taylor St Baristas or Flat White. You wont be disappointed.

This is truly one of my 100 best things. Enjoy!!!

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