it doesn't have to be pretty

i am back on caffeine. i don't ever go crazy - no 5 cups of office brew a day or anything - i just need ONE good cappuccino. it is remarkable how difficult it is to find that one good cappuccino - scalded milk, bubbly foam, burned beans, bad ratios... i don't think i'm being too critical - i want lovely rich espresso (not the stuff that bites you), melted together with nice hot whole milk (not scalding & not skim), then luscious foamy foam (not those harsh bubbles) in the top half of the cup (not the top 1/8th not the top 1/4). 

i'm obsessing. in a town with a starbucks on practically every corner you'd think everyone would try harder to get it right...

at cafe artigiano the other day the barrista actually winked at me as i was standing waiting (perhaps i looked fearful); he said: "don't worry it is going to be so pretty." "it doesn't have to be pretty", i said, "it just has to be delicious" (i didn't snap at him & i didn't snear).  i need a nap.