Oh shit, I saw all this coming a full decade ago when you started seeing CVS's pop up roughly every 1/4 mile.

All this shit was built with REIT money so nobody's really on the hook either.

'splain?

Instead of say Developer A going to a bank and borrowing the money construct something like a shopping center they can secure investment through these Real Estate Investment Trusts (more commonly referred to as a "Wall Street loan"). Its money that flowed with a lot less regulation and oversight and it always seemed really fucking fishy to me but I could never really understand the consequences until a year or so ago.

Yeah, OK... I get the scam (i mean, investment tool) just couldn't pull the acronym outta my butt.

I hate these pod things.

I have one of these:

[img][330:500]http://cerinicoffee.com/images%2Fproducts%2Fproducts2%2Fnew_classic_brushed.jpg[/img]

although mine is sort of vintage, red, from the 80s. and I use a french press quite often.

sorry guys, i own a regular old coffeemaker like a good man should. i'll ask my wife for her opinion on irons so i can actively contribute to the next one of these whoppers you guys whip up

french press for coffee

nespresso machine for espresso (and a bialetti for backup). The Nespresso machine was a gift, but it pours great and pretty much hassle free, assuming you take care of it correctly.

also, you're not going to get a good manual machine for $300 or less.

I've never been in a BB&B, but I really don't do well in stores like that anyway.

Ive got a ten year old krups espresso machine that i'm really getting tired of looking at. This nespresso thing seems like a good idea but not sure i want to have to use their beans. What i really need is an intern to bring me drinks

FWIW, I got the Nepresso and I like it. It's actually pretty good and for the price it's excellent. Using only their beans is a drawback. They have got a decent variety though.

I like the variety (my go-to is the Roma, then the Livanti), but yeah, it can be a pain in the ass to order more. Fortunately, they show up in like a day.

Just remember to run it dry after use.

So I'm gonna bite the bullet and buy my wife an espresso machine for her birthday next month. I'm tired of having to run out to get her coffee on a Saturday morning, especially with the kid around now.

I know this thread was originally about the Nespresso machine, but...no...not an option.

She worked in a coffee shop for over five years, so she knows what she's doing. I want a machine that doesn't take up much space, but is good at what it does.

$$ isn't as much a concern as quality.

I don't drink coffee or any of that shit, so yeah...I need help.

There's a great guide at coffeegeek.

Good luck. I personally wouldn't buy a manual, but for a gal who knows what she's doing, it might make her swoon.

http://coffeegeek.com/guides/howtobuyan ... almachines

my buddy who worked at starbucks years ago recommended me their "barista" espresso machine:



i think it ran about $329 for the stainless steel one, and he got me his discount on top of it. very solid machine, made by saeco. doesn't take up much room, easy to use, clean, etc. i've had it almost 3 years now and haven't had a single problem. invest in a good burr grinder as well.