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THE place to go whether you're fighting a speeding ticket or bailing out relatives. Landmark café/roastery across the S.F. Hall of Justice, sister to the North Beach institution. Inside is a homage to Rome and coffee roasting. Lawyers in suits at several dark café tables and counterspaces under bright windows facing the courthouse. (Though early mornings you'll find more uniformed police and a barista who amusingly ends most of his sentences with "my friend".) A row of stool seating along the Gilbert St. windows. Clean and modern. Roasting operation at the rear with roasted retail beans unfortunately oxidizing in old school bins. Using a two-group La Spaziale, the pull modestly sized shots of espresso with a thin layer of richer crema that dissipates somewhat quickly. Bold, complex taste of spice and earthy elements and a pungent edge of cloves. Good microfoam has very even, consistently fine microbubbles in their milk-based drinks (it's actually slightly better than their espresso). Served in classic brown ACF cups.
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