Best Espresso '95

Best Espresso

Milagro Fine Coffees
3703 N. Campbell Ave.

READERS' PICK: Walking into Milagro Fine Coffees sometimes seems like marching into the ultimate Coffee Laboratory. We almost expect the help to wear white lab coats instead of black T-shirts. The area behind the counter is so packed full of impressive black and chrome machinery and coffee accoutrements, that we know we're in for some really serious coffee. And that's precisely why we came. Like the decor, Milagro's espresso is simply stated--a Herculean taste in a Lilliputian cup. Your delicate grasp of the demitasse belies the strength of the coffee. It's fuerte. They also make a Caffe Macchiato--a sweet shot of espresso with a dollop of steamed milk froth. The menu says macchiato is a way of drawing an espresso shot to maximize flavor and minimizes bitterness. See what we mean about the scientific method here? All we know, in our unscientific sip and gulp tests, is neither Milagro's espresso nor Caffe Macchiato ever misfires.

READERS' POLL RUNNER-UP: TIE--Coffee Etc., 2830 N. Campbell Ave. and 6091 N. Oracle Road; and Bentley's House of Coffee & Tea, 1730 E. Speedway.

STAFF PICK: Nectar may have been the preferred drink of the Greek and Roman gods, but for mere mortals like us there are few liquid substances that are more conducive to moments of deep satisfaction and joy than a perfectly brewed cup of coffee. And for the true aficionado the absolute crème de la crème of bean-inspired beverages is espresso, a dark, rich wallop of java joy. Nowhere in Tucson will you find a finer espresso than at the B&B Café, 330 S. Scott Ave., at the Temple of Music and Art. Your espresso arrives at your table in a small demitasse cup--as is customary--and is accompanied by at least one sugar cube (since the folks at B&B always seem anxious to please, we assume that additional sugar cubes and a zest of lemon would be provided gladly upon request). Never bitter, never tepid or timid, espresso imbided at B&B can be a transcendent experience. Although many people these days opt for the decaffeinated version of espresso we prefer to reach our target heart rate with the real thing. If you're feeling a bit sluggish there's no tastier pick-me-up than the espresso at B&B.

1998 Winner: Cuppuccinos Coffee House
1997 Winner: Cuppuccinos Coffee House
1996 Winner: Cuppuccinos Coffee House