Check back soon
Once posts are published, you’ll see them here.
Rating: Standard, low- to mid-range Roman Espresso
On the same strip of public park that you have the Alari Caffè Pasticceria, which was rather deserted when I visited it, you have the Willy Bar Caffè. I’ve probably passed by it half a dozen times, and it’s always got people sitting in it, or lounging about outside. This morning wasn’t an exception. The small place was packed with people and I had to wait a minute to get space at the bar. The interior was packed with a very healthy mix of older folks, younger preppy and alternative people. Running the cash register was a constantly smiling Asian lady, while the barista seemed to be either Colombian or Cuban. I mention this to share the vibe that was in the café- it was great, busy, loud, welcoming and happy.
When I asked for a coffee (which a different person than the barista took the order), I got the following:
Presentation: It was too busy for water, but they’d probably give it to me. But none was given nor offered. The spook was a good size, a bit flimsy and worn out, but seen it’s fair share of action. And I like it when the spoon falls this way on a cup (facedown). The cup was the shape/form that I love, and we’re doing good.
Temperature of Cup: Mamma, was it hot! It was very warm and I had to sit there staring at my coffee and listening to the conversations around me while hogging bar space before I could consider tasting it.
Quantity: It was a short shot- a very precise, clinical and perfectly measured shot.
Temperature: Man, still very hot. I had to wait yet longer than I thought, and when I went for it, it was still just too hot.
Volume/Consistency: Once I had the guts to taste it, where I knew I wouldn’t get burnt, the coffee was thin. The Crema was still there, but it was runny, watery and not thick in any way.
Crema: Well, what do you think? Having a look it felt like I was looking at the top of a pumpkin pie. It was cakey, and felt that it’d be spicy or something. It was grainy, darker than the photo, and persistent. However, not oily, or slick and rich. Ok, yes, rich, but somehow too chunky.
Odor: Wow! Yes, the coffee smelled like dark-roasted coffee! We’ve got something there!
Taste: So as I expected from this brand, it was very bitter. No other complex flavors. It wasn’t in any way rancid, but it was just packed with straight bitterness.
Overall: It wasn’t all there- it was too hot, the crema raspy, the volume very thin, and the taste sharp without complexity. It wasn’t in any way rancid, so not a terrible coffee, but not altogether remarkable. Other places just down the street from here had better coffee. So it’s a low to mid-level espresso, more towards the bottom end of the spectrum. What the coffee lacked, the locale and ambience made up for it!
The setup: They had a very nice Astoria machine, quite large, and a nice Mazzer grinder. I couldn’t take a closer picture as people where already a bit ‘iffy’ about me shooting images of the coffee. So yes, there it is. The coffee being served was a brand that I’ve come to like: Gima Caffè, a Roman-based roaster that gives very powerful, yet usually very rich espresso.
Willy Bar S.R.L.
Via Cesare Pascarella 50
00153 Roma
Tel. 06 5833 5051