La Pavoni Europiccola EPC-8

Pros: Fully manual, you do everything.

Cons: Fully manual, you do everything.

The Bottom Line: If you are willing to learn the art of great espresso there is no better machine. For the true connoisseur only.

Review: If you want great espresso at home and are willing to learn the art of espresso making, this is the machine for you. Beautiful to look at and completely functional this machine is built to last. While listed as an 8 cup machine, its more like four...

Pros: Best espresso I've ever had. Will last long enough for my son to inherit.

Cons: Must hold onto it while pressing the lever or it will tip forward.

The Bottom Line: I highly recommend this machine. Makes much better espresso than any of the "super automatics" and costs much less.

Review: My wife and I spent 2 weeks in Italy this past fall with our 1 year old son. One of the most enjoyable parts of the trip for us were the prime colazioni (breakfasts) which almost all of the hotels/locande provided with the room. There were no ...

Pros: A beautiful machine, is functional and attractive. The best espresso machine you can buy.

Cons: As with all supermodels, hot to touch, high maintenance, and it doesn’t come cheap.

The Bottom Line: This is a purchase that will wake you up in the morning, improve your love-life, and impress your friends with your obvious flare for design.

Review: The Romantica is lust, love, and the official juicer of the nectar of the gods. If you have a true love for great espresso then the La Pavoni is the machine for you. Of course, as with all loves in life; a substantial about of care and effort must be ...

Pros: Beautiful You control every aspect of the shot

Cons: Does get hot Needs time devoted to learning Not good for continuous use

The Bottom Line: Bought mine and never looked back. Best machine money can buy but needs knowledge to use.

Review: If you have a passion for coffee and don't mind spending some time learning about how espresso is made then this is the machine for you. If not then go and buy some nasty press the button and get a coffee type machine. With this machine you control ...

Pros: Rebuilding it is not hard; its long lasting; No stops at Starbucks

Cons: chrome base model tends to rust; neglect it,the steam valve will blow--both loud and startling;

The Bottom Line: After owning 4 different style and makes of pump driven machines I will never go back to them.

Review: I burned out about 6 machines before buying this one 7 years ago. An employee of commercial espresso machine dealer told me that over 10 uses a week definitely put me in the commercial use category. We run out machine at least 14 times a week. My wife ...

Pros: Excellent espresso and cappuccino. Beautiful, like a work of art.

Cons: There is a learning curve. Water tank gets very hot.

The Bottom Line: There are cheaper pump-driven espresso machines out there, but none as beautiful as this.

Review: My wife bought a Europiccola as a wedding present for me. That was five years ago. I have been using my La Pavoni every weekend that I am home since then. And it still catches my eye everytime I see it. It is kitchen sculpture.

If you are a...

Pros: Deep, dark espresso with a lovely crema

Cons: A few design glitches make it less than completely convenient or safe to use

The Bottom Line: Fabulous coffee and attractive appearance, but the design flaws force me to reluctantly down-rate this machine from five stars to four.

Review: My dearly beloved husband and I spent most of June 2000 in Italy. We gorged ourselves on the wonderful food, especially the pastas and risottos, but the best part of the gustatory experience came in the morning, at la prima colazione...