The Perfect Coffeemaker for New Yorkers, Part 2

Back in 2004, I traded in my Saeco Vienna Deluxe grinder/coffeemaker for the Nespresso D290, which is a convenient, capsule-based machine. A month ago, my Nespresso went on the fritz. My companion and I were in the middle of moving five years' worth of belongings to our new apartment, and we didn't have time to send in the old machine for repairs.

We settled into the new place, but the kitchen counter was bare and forlorn without a coffeemaker. I called Nespresso and was told that a repair would cost $135. I wondered if the money might not be better spent on an upgrade, and I started browsing Amazon.com. Somehow I happened upon the Lattissima: a one-touch DeLonghi machine that uses Nespresso capsules to make latte macchiatos, espressos, lungos and cappuccinos. Strangely, the red version was $300 less than the chrome model, and over $200 less than the black one. The chrome model featured a cup warmer, but the black model was identical to the red one. Was this too good to be true?

I had to find out, so I cancelled my D290 repair and splurged on the red model, for which Amazon provided free shipping. I received the machine today, and was instantly enthralled by it. After a brief rinsing, I filled the milk container (the pamphlet recommended part-skim or skim, but whole milk worked just as well), set it to produce the maximum amount of foam, placed a coffee capsule up top, put a tall glass underneath the spout, and pushed "latte macchiato." Soon, a beautiful, foamy beverage was prepared with the least amount of human effort. (I've never been able to produce satisfactory foam except with my Aeroccino, and I always worry about getting its electric base wet). Some of the Amazon customer reviews were critical about the temperature of the coffee, but I definitely found it hot enough.

Now, our new apartment feels like home.