A handful of Starbucks stores are using a Nuova Simonelli espresso machine. In Seattle, the Starbucks at 328 – 15th Avenue has a Simonelli, as well as the Wedgewood neighborhood Starbucks. Roy Street Coffee and Tea (fully operated by Starbucks) has a Simonelli. In this previous blog article, I mentioned that a couple of stores use a Simonelli espresso machine.
I would like Starbucks to put more Simonelli machines in their stores. It creates a beautiful shot of espresso. A reader sent me photos of the St. Martin’s Lane Starbucks in London which also uses a Simonelli espresso machine. Using the store locator, I am nearly sure it’s this store:
99 St Martins Lane
London
GB-ENG
WC2N 4AS
United Kingdom
02072405789
Their espresso machine is a thing of beauty. And at the St. Martin’s Lane Starbucks, they offer three different espresso choices: A customer can get traditional Espresso Roast, Guatemala Antigua, or lastly, a Reserve offering. Beans are always ground on demand. I think this is pretty cool!
Take a look:
I am still looking for more information on what Starbucks is doing with their test of the Simonelli manual machines – please email me if you know of more stores that no longer use a Mastrena, and have one of these special espresso machines.
If anyone wants to email me photos of the Starbucks in Chicago that has a Simonelli, that would be great. (It’s the Oak and Rush store. I know there are Instagram photos of that store but I don’t use pictures from any social media source for this blog.)
While I enjoy the espresso beverages at Starbucks, I think that having more stores with these machines would definitely elevate the espresso beverage experience to a new high. What do you think? Would you care if your Starbucks switched to a Simonelli?
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This machine, and the clover, make the case for two lines at a Starbucks. 😉
The first line would be for people who truly appreciate coffee, the art and craftsmanship (and don’t complain about the wait). These folks would get their beverage from the Simonelli and Clover machines.
The second line (and the drive thru) would get the Mastrena, conventional brew, and other fru fru beverages.
@Melody, you have brought a ray of hope to my day with this post. Thanks.
Folks, you need to take a look at Nuova Simonelli’s YouTube Channel (link follows).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLkWiDJIS3E&feature=youtu.be
Melody, you’re right about the address. It is that Starbucks. I go in there fairly regularly, and it was nice to see it get a remodel. It did need it. Despite the fact it gets a lot of tourist traffic it’s a nice store, with very friendly baristas.
@DadCooks – I kind of like the idea of a separate Clover area with a separate line. I think Starbucks sort of experimented with that at the University Village Starbucks, but ultimately found that there wasn’t the staffing and demand to support its own line? At least, that is the impression I got.
The Facebook side of this article has a ton of interesting conversation – I had no idea that a partner from this store is reading the facebook side of this blog!
Please do come over and meet us. Im a district coffee master in Covent Garden District and I do work in St. Martins Lane store. I always read what you write. It would be awesome to meet you and we can have a chat 🙂 Beautiful coffee tasting guaranteed :>
So glad you liked the photos!
Need to check this store out, love the Vigo st and conduit st clover stores.