Grischa's blog

The final episode of my coffee adventure. A happy ending at last, and funny too!
Actually it has two parts:
First: I went to a café near the Uni of Chicago, Istria Café. I asked for a small cappuccino in a cup and the woman produced from a hidden corner a proper sized cappuccino cup! What a pleasant suprise! The cappuccino was mediocre, too strong and bath foam milk on top. However, the cup had “Intelligentsia” written on it.
Second: I went to meed a friend in the city (“downtown”) and walked past a café, which had “Intelligensia” written all over it. I figured that they would also have these proper cups there. Later we went to try the coffee and it turned out really nice! A proper cappuccino, with creamy milk and normal strength. Very nice. I went back the next day and had another one, which was also nice. Wow!!! If you happen to be in Chicago, it’s west of South Michigan on Randolph St.
What was funny? Well, to order this type of coffee, usually called “cappuccino” in Italy, Germany and Australia and many other countries, here you have to order a “single traditional cappuccino in a ceramic cup”!!! HAHAHA I will scan the receipt and show you, as proof. I wouldn’t believe myself if I had not kept the evidence.
Well, that concludes my coffee adventure in Chicago.

My coffee adventures in Chicago are going to be a story in three episodes!!! What an amazing country! (amazing is meant in a suprised and not in any positive way in this case)
So, I did go to the Lavazza café that I mentioned in my last post. The decoration was similar to the current global Lavazza corporate id, see their website. So I thought it would be safe to order a normal/small cappuccino there and did so.
What I got was made from china alright. A soup mug full of coffee and milk, but way too strong or a funny roast that Lavazza makes only for the US. At least the milk was creamy and not the usual bath foam type. Now that would still be in the range of things to be expected in this country. However, there was a shelf with things for sale, and besides Lavazza coffee beans and chocolate sprinkles they had the original cup and saucer set from Lavazza, Made in Italy, a perfect cappuccino cup.
So my question was: WHY? didn’t they use those cups?
An American friend gave a possible answer later: Starbucks. Starbucks took over everything coffee in the US and everyone’s expectations here are based on their products. My humble request to you then is: Please don’t ever go to Starbucks or similar (eg. Gloria Jean in Australia).

So, I am in Chicago again (just for a week). Yesterday afternoon I went “downtown”, ie. to the city, for some shopping. I also wanted to get a coffee and I insisted to find one served in a real china cup.
It sounds like a normal request for non-North Americans. However, it proved to be quite difficult, albeit entertaining. Finally I saw a tea shop, Argo Tea, where I could spot some china cups and Illy coffee at the coffee machine. I went inside to order a cappuccino and asked for a real cup. My coffee was called “cappuccino 4 here”, as opposed to a coffee “to go”. There were many people around me sitting at tables not about “to go” anywhere, but they all had cardboard cups. My coffee came in a mug, not cup, and without saucer or spoon… Well better than cardboard. It was the only one in sight. And if you also wonder if the coffee was any good, no surprises here, it was pretty crap.
Good news are, however: Later in the day I walked past a Lavazza shop where I only saw real cups, and also saucers and spoons. Unfortunately I did not want another coffee. Hopefully I will get a chance to try in the next few days.