Up an office building lobby escalator to the second floor, you'll find both Spiaggia and Cafe Spiaggia. Both are the product of Chicago chef Tony Mantuano and represent some of the city's finer Italian food. The café is the less formal, less expensive sibling to the neighboring restaurant. Inside there are a number of small tables plus stool seating at a bar. Using a UNIC machine in the kitchen, they pull shots of espresso with a moderate, medium brown crema. It's a healthier crema than you'll find at most restaurants, even with Illy beans. It's also slightly more flavorful in the Illy realm of restaurant espresso - though it's the usual mild spices and wood. Served in Illy designer ACF cups with a biscotti on the side.
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