Tokyo 東京 Espresso エスプレッソ

Cafe Nico >>MAP 5-18-16 Yakumo-Meguro (adjoining Komazawa Park) TEL: 03-3717-6677 東京都目黒区八雲 5-18-16 Feel the LOHAS love at this hipper-than-thou café adjoining Komazawa Park. The espresso’s sh*t (see picture for Nico's perpetuation of bad espresso), but what it lacks in espresso prowess is more than made up for by location and atmosphere.

le Café Mamie >>MAP 5-1-11 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku TEL: 03-3716-1095 目黒区下目黒 5-1-11 A true touch of Paris on busy Meguro Avenue. The café au lait is served in a bowl. Mamie’s homemade cakes, tarts and cookies are exceptional. I would make this a regular stop if Meguro Dori wasn’t the noisy superhighway that it is.

Eau Café >>MAP 18-7 Daikanyama Daikanyama-suehiro Bldg. 3F, Shibuya-ku TEL: 03-5728-2839 渋谷区代官山町 18-7 代官山末廣ビル 3F An extremely atmospheric and comfortable café where coffee takes a backseat to food. There are now eight cafes from this restaurant group, including one in Shonan and another in Naka-Meguro (Huit). Espresso is serviceable here. However, both the espresso machine and grinder are hidden from view and I failed to hear the requisite sounds of grinding and dosing. I have to hand it to my server, though: she sent back the first pull of espresso because it lacked crema.

Caffé Cuore >>MAP 18-8 Daikanyama, Shibuya-ku TEL: 03-3464-6740 東京都渋谷区代官山町 18-8 2F UPDATE: THIS CAFE IS CLOSED . If you can put aside the antiseptic feel of this second-floor café in Daikanyama, there is much to recommend here in terms of espresso. The first thing that catches the eye when you enter (other than the grand piano) is a gorgeous copper Elektra espresso machine. Your hunch is right--the owner is serious about his espresso and his pours are everything espresso should be: mysterious, multi-faceted, complex, and silky.

Asuka Café >>MAP 12-34 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku TEL: 03-3464-0125 東京都渋谷区猿楽町 12-34 UPDATE: THIS CAFE IS CLOSED . Opened in July 2007, this cafe is devoted to organics--from food to coffee. Unfortunately, that laudable aim coupled with a gorgeous La Marzocca couldn't save my espresso from a severe case of over-extraction.

Coffee Roast Ookayama >>MAP 1-64-4 Kita-senzoku, Ota-ku TEL: 03-5731-6774 大田区北千束 1-64-4 The latest shop from a well-established roaster/importer. It's strictly beans only (no drink service), although the attendant will filter a cup while you wait for your order. If you haven't experienced gas-fired roasting before, this shop is a good place to start. Be forewarned: espresso roasts tend to be on the very dark side (read: burned).