FONDI BAR CAFFÈ, VIA MILAZZO 16-18, 00185 ROMA

Rating: Standard, decent mid-range Roman coffee

The Fondi Bar Caffè is a nice find in the East of Termini area. It's environs are packed with African immigrants who's loud joviality brings back needed life to a neighborhood that seems to be slowly sinking into oblivion. The vivid conversations and lots of movement in these streets, added to the lost tourists trying to find their hotels or moments makes this neighborhood really fun. I've found the quality in these places, given the varied clientele, too varied, too poor in fact. But here was a nice oasis, a nice coffee haven. And the staff was super nice to boot. And I'll add that its apparently been around since 1936, ... It's nice to see a place still paying attention to honing in a 'winning' equation for their customers.

Asking for a coffee got this really great response:

Presentation: Water wasn't offered, but I was the only soul in the place and the barista/owner seemed like a nice older lady who'd happily oblige. The cupe was clean, it was round, rather large, and I liked the handle. The position of the spoon was great. On the baristas right hand side, and to my left. I wonder if any right handed person puts sugar in their coffee with their left hand?

Temperature of Cup: It was at a very good temperature. Not scalding hot, just right. Not all Roman cafes are the same!

Quantity: The shot was short for the cup. So it was either an optical effect or, in fact, as it did turn out to be, it was a short shot. Not ristretto, but not overboard. The barista knew what she was doing.

Temperature: Espresso was warm, not lukewarm, but good. I could taste the espresso without cringing. Another positive point in this coffee experience.

Volume/Consistency: It was a bit watery, it wasn't thick, and yet I couldn't help thinking how much better it was than the Trombetta Caffè flagship store I had just tried a few minutes ago.

Crema: It was uniform, thick, persistent throughout the whole drink. Yet it wasn't oily nor did it betray any type of live coffee bean product.

Odor: It didn't hit me as I delved my nose into the cup. When I do this, most baristas look at me and realize something odd is up about this guy.... but nope, it wasn't here.

Taste: It was yes, extremely bitter. Not that I'm sensitive to bitterness, but this was the gamut of taste, nothing subtle, nothing complex, bitter. But it wasn't rancid. And that's the last point of this coffee.

Overall: It was a decent, non offensive, very well cared for traditional Roman espresso. It was perfect on the size, temperature, crema was 'by the book' and the taste cutting, sharp and to the point. Everything a spot on Roman espresso should be. Why isn't it above in the 'best Roman espresso' because it lacked body, thickness, and some character. Given the good setup already, i feel if the barista would be exposed to a drink like this she'd know how to dial in the machine.

The setup: We had a four-group Royal Espresso machine, very nice and based on the E61 group head. The grinder I couldn't see, but it was probably a proprietary one. All was there to make a classic creamy espresso. They were near... The coffee being roasted was the Classico Caffè Circi. This is an East-Roman roaster and I would say that this is a very good representation of their coffee. Hell, it beats out Trombetta right around the corner. And it does so with a lot simpler and down to earth espresso machine.

The fact that the bar was clean, courteaous, and that the coffee was good seems to be reflected by these 'TripAdviser' awards... so yes, there's a point to them after all!