IL POZZO CAFFÈ, VIALE ISACCO NEWTON 84/86, 00151 ROMA

Rating: Standard, good quality Roman coffee

This is one of those places that surprises. It was a Thursday, late in the morning when I walked in to the Il Pozzo Caffè, and it was buzzing with people, busy, active and well to do clientele to boot. Not knowing what area of Rome is ‘hip’ or ‘expensive’ has it’s positive benefits, I walk into every place with an open mind (nearly always!). Here I was impressed first by the size of the locale, it was a double locale, and deep. It opened up like a theater, and had its interior sectioned off in different ‘thematic’ areas. One for sweets and gelato, on the right for wines, eating, and the back for a bakery and cafe. It was upscale, preppy looking and clean and professional. The fact that the staff was extra nice, made me like this place immediately. If they had been snotty like in most touristy areas, I would have said this place was not worth it, but they were nice. And they made you feel at home even if you didn’t wear Gucci underwear…

After paying at the right hand side cash-register, and moving to the bar on the left hand, I got this after being politely asked what I’d like:

Presentation: Water served automatically, the bar tender was conscientious and even moved the cup to me when I moved a bit closer to the coffee machines on the bar.

Temperature of Cup: Good temp. cup, I was happy. Finally a preppy place that doesn’t char everything under its roof.

Quantity: Ahh… nice short-short short-shot.

Temperature: Coffee was on the spot, not scalding, but not cold. Good.

Volume/Consistency: It was very light coffee. It wasn’t heavy, nor watery. But lightish…

Crema: To this corresponded a very light colored crema (looks darker in the photo), it was thin, non persistent, and not oily.

Odor: Not much of an odor here.

Taste: Good espresso, not heavy, not rancid, I was good to go. I could savor the espresso in my mouth, taste the dark roasted coffee.

Overall: I was happy. It wasn’t rancid, it wasn’t scalding hot, it wasn’t too long. The only thing was that it was indeed a traditional Roman coffee experience, but ‘light’ we might say. It was a coffee that was stout in its flavor, yet without the accompanying ‘bite’ that they have here, and of course without the actual complexity of taste or of flavors we expect of Third Wave roasts. But now we know, and you won’t be disappointed with your well earned 90 cents.

The setup: This was quite an impressive setup going on. They had two three-group La Cimbali machines, with like grinders humming, and these were being operated by two baristas. Then, in front of the machines there were an additional two baristas placing the coffees on the counter.

Given that the cup and sugar bags had the bar’s name on it:

I had to ask what coffee was being roasted. I usually confirm what coffee they’re roasting (unless it’s Illy or something), but the barista said that they were serving Caffè Tintori. This, to recall, is the Roman roaster that is situated just a block away from the Piramide metro station and the Ostiense Station. So very much a local coffee experience. And it was interesting to taste their brand, in a very good incarnation of the coffee’s potential, but just toned down a notch from how Cafe du Parc was serving it.

Check out the decor and space of this cafe: