top of page
Roasters In Rome
Check back soon
Once posts are published, you’ll see them here.
Lastest Posts

CASABLANCA CAFE, VIA GIUSEPPE DEZZA 2, 00153 ROMA

Rating: Standard, a low-end interpretation of Palombini


I passed by this cafe quite a few times before going in. I like the name, Casablanca Cafe. Almost as if you’re promised something somewhat ‘exotic’ in Rome. Or almost nostalgic of some other time and place…Well… the interior was very nice, charming, but not what the name evokes. It was quaint, clean, and again, proper.


Asking for a coffee I get the following:​

​Presentation: I’m surprised by the Palombini cup, … and was immediately skeptical. No water offered. Period.


Temperature of Cup: It was starting out well with a perfect temperature cup.


Quantity: Short espresso, not too long. Good.


Temperature: Actually, after 30 seconds the espresso was cold!


Volume/Consistency: Here’s where we start, it was watery, and this is probably a good thing for this brand of coffee.


Crema: It was very thin, and again, points to not packing the portafilter properly, or not tuning the grind to the temperature of the water.​

​

Odor: There was some nice smell of coffee, but not fruity.


Taste: Here’s where I was pleasantly surprised. A very burnt taste, not rancid at all like the ‘parent’ cafe, but overall burnt taste. Yet happily not rancid!​

​Overall: Given the experience I had at Palombini, we can say that this was definitely better. Yet it’s still a low-end incarnation of Palombini and what could, in all probability, be done if more attention was paid to fine tuning the coffee, grinder and machine combo.


They were brewing Palombini with a Faema E78 President three-group semi-automatic. Clean setup, and lots of potential. ​

​

The clientele and bar seemed aimed for upper class and a bit older crowd. A place I’d go for cake and tea, not spectacular espresso.


Casablanca Cafe,

Losada sas di Reiva S.

Via Giuseppe Dezza, 2

00153 Roma


Comments

bottom of page