Tokyo 東京 Espresso エスプレッソ

Eataly Japan >>MAP 20-23 Daikanyama-cho, Shibuya-ku TEL: 03-5784-2736 東京都渋谷区代官山町20-23 I must confess to serious mixed feelings about this place. (Thank you to Daniel N. for his tip.) It's one part Disney, two parts mall food court plopped down ungraciously in Daikanyama, one of Tokyo's trendiest shopping districts. Its lofty mission is to provide Tokyo with an Italian wine and food center. The result? Gobs of people wandering confusedly from market to cafe to wine bar to deli counter and tons of staff members (all of whom seem to be going on break or just coming off break). Not a relaxing experience in the least. That being said, the deli products on offer (San Marzano tomatoes, great selection of salami, prosciutto, pancetta, fresh pasta and mozzarella, etc.), bakery, and pizzeria are a welcome addition here. The espresso? Um . . . no. The barista, an Italian fellow (but that's irrelevant), didn't grind fresh the entire 60 minutes I sat in front of h...

deborah >>MAP 2-6-6 Sangenjaya, Setagaya-ku TEL: 03-3422-2653 東京都世田谷区三軒茶屋 2-6-6 井筒屋ビル　 Another hipper-than-thou Tokyo café with the exception that espresso is passable here.

Café Delight >>MAP 1-24-12, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, 東京都渋谷区恵比寿1-24-12 TEL: 03-3444-1818 Excellent bar/restaurant with a deft hand at food and mixed drinks (had the best-tasting vodka tonic, or, I should say, tonics, in many a moon). Espresso is only slightly better than marginal (which is sad because Cafe Delight has all the right tools: grinder, two-group machine, etc.).

Analog >>MAP 1-8-3 4F Ebisu-Minami, Shibuya-ku TEL: 03-3760-0955 渋谷区恵比寿南 1-8-3 4F There is nothing to recommend on the espresso front here. Analog relies on a super-automatic machine and results are predictably disappointing. However, there is much to recommend about the café in terms of atmosphere and vibe. It’s a unique space if you can tolerate the cigarette smoke and the hand-job parlor two floors below.

Markt Café >>MAP 1-17-16 Tamagawa Setagaya-ku TEL: 03-3708-7723 東京都世田谷区玉川 1-17-16 A lovely café/antique shop close to Futako-tamagawa, Markt Café’s strong suit is food. Just look at the preparation on that smoked salmon! Espresso was fair—and only offered as a double.

Del Sole >>MAP 6-8-14 Roppongi, Patata Roppongi 1F Minato-ku, Tokyo TEL：03-3401-3521　 東京都港区六本木6-8-14 Patata六本木1F A former Japan Barista Champion and WBC runner-up is here. And that is why it is utterly shocking how mediocre and sloppy the espresso is. Del Sole is more restaurant than cafe. Its aim seems to be churning through food service as quickly as possible (with uninspired food--a flaccid pizza here, a lifeless and stingy smoked salmon sandwich there), with pulls of espresso as mere afterthoughts. Mine was not ground to order and seemed to have been sitting for a minute or so before being served. A monumental disappointment.

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.

Savoy (Pizza) >>MAP Moto Azabu 3-10-1, 2F Tel: 03-5770-7899 元麻布３丁目１０－1 Savoy consistently turns out some of the better pizza in Tokyo. Be prepared for serious attitude, though. The staff is not afraid to tell you to leave when you're done eating (due to the popularity of the place). If you order espresso, beg off the unsolicited addition of sugar. Nice grappa list. Reservations are strongly recommended as there are only 8 seats or so. Open until 4:00 a.m. most nights.