This is the best thing that has happened to the Chicago when it comes to cafes - just like in Europe. The espresso drinks are spectacular. I am adventurous and am working my way through the very creative specialty coffee menu (honey, Nutella or gelato - mixed with espresso, sounds strange but it's really delish). I'm addicted.

The food is great - they bake muffins, cookies, etc. fresh - and all the salads and sandwiches I have tried were very good (tuna, caprese, etc.). It's great that they make these fresh while you wait - there is always one ingredient or another that I ask them to skip or substitute. Inexpensive too.

What else? Yummy gelato, fresh OJ, you get served at the table with real plates and silverware; there is a good ambiance, and a fun mix of people. Dancers, lawyers, TV personalities and in general people who have an appreciation for the good things in life.

I'm Italian, I love coffee
usually I do not spoil my elixir with anything else, no sugar, no added alcohol or anything
this is THE shop, you do not want to go anywere else.
as I said above I usually do not take "creative" coffee drinks really seriously, Giancarlo however made me try some of his creations and I love them (when in search for really sweet stuff)

go there
get the best you can have in Chicago

As a recent convert to the world of coffee, I am very particular about the brands and types of coffee creations I try. After trying Lavazza during a shopping trip to State street, I'm not sure I'll ever be satisfied with another brand. Besides the fact that the store is elegant, the staff is awesome and the food is fresh and delicious, the sheer size of their menu give you limitless possibilities for coffee sampling. They have hot drink, cold drinks, gelato, OJ, you name it, and it is all amazing.

Can't get enough of great coffee and here's a spot that offers the best that I've tasted since I was in Europe. Lavazza is a 4th generation coffee company from Italy and they chose Chicago to enter the US market. Go figure? The espresso is terrific and there's a lot of drink selections that are unique to the US. You may go in for a plain espresso and quickly discover that there's a lot of other goodies that keep you coming back. They have a variety of cold drinks, great for the summer. They also have gelato, freshly squeesed oj to order, fresh baked muffins, imported prosciutto di parma, panini sandwiches, tiramisu and salads. They serve their drinks in martini glasses, procelain cups, and shot glasses...very different and classy. The feel is more European and it's a great escape in the center of Chicago. They have two other Loop locations, one on Jackson and one on LaSalle. All worth checking out.