This coffee house was at the ground level of The Drake Hotel. AWESOME spread of danishes and muffins including fresh fruit and yogurt as options. Â The staff is highly professional and courteous. Â Free Wi-Fi. Â Cozy environment with interesting pics and art on the wall. Â Careful with the revolving door as the areas right by the door don't feel the wind you feel the WIND with the Chicago air coming in....
Happy we got to try this place. Plus, it's also located at the top of the John Hancock Observatory. :)
Since being acquired by The Drake the service and quality of the food has gone down hill. The food is terrible. Most of their sandwiches are toasted to cover up how poor their ingredients are. Anybody who ever cared about customer service has since left and what's left is a lazy bunch of people who never clean the tables and use take out cups whenever they can so they don't have to do the washing up. Lavazza the brand should take a hard look at their association with this store.
Review Source:Go for espresso but stay away from the food.
With a location right off Michigan next to the Drake and Knickerbocker this place sees an average amount of traffic. The menu clearly highlights their only true specialty; espresso. Personally, I dislike coffee and my wife, who ordered the espresso, isn't exactly a fan. But they did look good, and with the many options on the menu, I'm sure they are above average.
However, any shred of hope for this place stops there. This place has the laziness of a typical cheap chain franchise that clearly doesn't care about quality, flavor, or repeat business. They go for location in touristy areas knowing that they don't have to fight for repeat customers; and they seem to make plenty of money on passerby tourists.
My wife ordered a breakfast croissant and I ordered a breakfast Panini with the fresh squeezed orange juice. Both sandwiches came with bacon, eggs, and an assortment of veggies. Â Both the Panini and croissant were obviously a few days old and purchased fully cooked. The bacon was pre-cooked and reheated for 15 seconds in the microwave; and it didn't even look as good Subway's pre-cooked bacon. The worst part was the egg. The egg patty had griddle marks... You heard right, griddle marks. It is painfully obvious the eggs are purchased in precooked patties and then thrown on a griddle to heat them up. It is also clear that they are thrown on the griddle frozen because the griddle marks were black and the rest of the patty was typical neon yellow. To make matters worse, each breakfast sandwich was accompanied by a mixed green salad (greens only) drizzled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Who puts a small tasteless salad as a side for breakfast? To finish off this embarrassment called "food," the orange juice was indeed freshly squeezed, but served room temperature. The ladies behind the counter acted like this was some sort of delicacy; warm orange juice. Never have I heard people so proud to advertise "fresh squeezed orange juice, served room temperature".
Total cost for 2 sandwiches, 1 orange juice, & 1 espress: Approx. $25
Buy a coffee at Starbucks and then grab 2 breakfast sandwiches at McDonalds. Half the price, double the flavor.
I feel like I've walked into Europe every time I come here (if only that was possible). Â The coffee and espresso drinks are great but what I really love is the space itself. Â I read some reviews that slammed Lavazza for being dirty but I've never noticed that. Â Maybe I was too caught up in hearing an elegant, beautiful young couple speaking in Italian to each other just as I was thinking, "I feel like I'm in Italy." Â Definitely a chic place to stop for a coffee if you're in the neighborhood.
Review Source:It breaks my heart to only give 3 stars. This is/was my neighborhood - I often get work right in this area so sometimes hang out  in between or just take my morning espresso here, sometimes have the occasional date here. I've made several friends with the regulars. I'm also rather fond of some of the staff!
I've read through a couple of the reviews (I'm writing to management) and it is true. The place can use a cleaning, more staff designated just for that. I try not to look in the corners but I do - and they are not clean. The expectations are higher for the reasons listed. I believe Hilton bought this place, and the Drake? Not clear how they are connected. But when I've stayed in the Drake I definitely hung out here. I would describe the Drake itself in a similar way. It needs a cleaning.
They are great about turning down the music. I like the coffee and free wifi.
It's a coffee shop. Â It's adjacent to the Drake hotel. Â And it's usually easy to grab a seat and a cup of tea and wile away some time in a colorful environment with pretty comfortable chairs.
The challenge to me is always the help. Â It seems that every time I go and order a large tea for "here", there begins a debate as to what kind of cup I should get. Â Usually I get a huge cup that is only filled half way by the time I pour my tiny pot of water and tea in the cup. The positive? Â They do have a pretty wide selection of tea.
And trust me . . . .it's the best $2.05 you can spend if you are looking for a warm drink in the area!
I've gone into the Lavazza at The Drake Hotel about twice a month for last year (only when the Starbucks on Rush is too packed) and while I think the food and drinks are very good the appearance and cleanliness of the place stinks. Everytime I come in, no matter what time of day, the floors are filthy and there is usually a table that has not been cleaned. It's one of these places that just never seems to get it right. Even when it's not busy the employees just stay behind the counter and never bother to clean the place. Even behind the counter the place is a mess. This is supposed to be a high-end Italian joint and the whole affair is just amateurish. The walls are dirty, the corners of the floors haven't been mopped, the chairs have dirt ground into them, the rugs are never straight, cabinets that are broke go weeks without being fixed and even the bar stools are dirty!!! Where are the managers??? Why isn't The Drake Hotel talking to the Lavazza owners reading them the riot act to shape up or ship out! This place needs to hire someone from Starbucks to whip it into shape!!
Review Source:This place could be great, but it consistently falls short. Every couple of months, after enough time has passed since my last visit, I get lured back by the funky midcentury-mod decor, the great photos on the wall, and the high-quality coffee. Then I sit down for a few minutes, and I remember why I don't come here all the time. The place is dingy all around the edges, with wobbly tables, spills left uncleaned for a bit too long, a few flies hovering near the overfull trash cans, etc.
It breaks my heart, because the concept is so cool and the place is right in my neighborhood. If they could combine the look and taste of this place with the simple attention to detail found in every friggin' Starbucks, they'd have a real winner.
While visiting Chicago, my sister and I became fast fans of Lavazza. Luckily for us, this particular Espression by Lavazza was located in our hotel, so we got to go there daily. The banana bread with chocolate chips is to die for, perfectly moist and sweet, as is their gelato (I personally enjoy a mix of chocolate and hazelnut). My sister is partial to their croissants and mocha Blendissimo. On top of the great coffee and delightful snacks, the atmosphere is quirky and fun. Overall, it's a perfect place to chat or jump on your laptop.
Review Source:I will say this - the food and bakery items here looked amazing and the IDis beautiful. Â also, i witnessed a touching scene involving a very well-dressed, elegant woman and her grand-daughter eating ice cream together at the counter.
i ordered a grandissimo iced mocha: decaf, no-fat, no whip. Â it was my birthday and i wanted a special treat. Â i got my drink and went outside to wait for the valet from the drake to pull up our car. Â i took one sip of my drink and BLECH!!! Â SLUDGE! Â it tasted almost like a powdered diet breakfast drink that wasn't very well mixed and sludge. Â it was DISGUSTING! Â i tried to mix it up and it didn't work. Â sad face. Â i LOVE specialty coffee drinks and have ordered the same thing everywhere from borders to starbuck's to caribou to local coffee shops around the nation. Â what are you doing to coffee lavazza? Â shame on you!
Espression by Lavazza is a nice place to get some coffee and relax. Located next to the Drake Hotel, it is also a good place to jump on the free wi-fi. It has a very chic, contemporary look and feel to it and there are some comfortable places to sit and enjoy your time. Delicious drinks and friendly service, with fair prices as well.
Review Source:I never would have noticed this place if it wasn't for today's Groupon Now $1 for $6 deal at Expression by Lavazza.
Based on Nicole's recommendations, I ordered the following:
- Salame di carcio.
- Crema shakerato, regular, hazelnut.
The sandwich was really good--I loved the combination of salame, tomatoes, artichokes, and shredded cheese (I forgot what type) on the French baguette. You could really taste the different ingredients in the sandwich. The baguette was a little hard, but that's okay. It was still good. And the tomatoes were so fresh! I loved it. It came with a side salad drizzled with some sort of balsalmic sauce (you can taste the balsalmic vinegar, I just don't know what makes the sauce so thick!).
The espresso was out of this world! Ha. Nicole described it as "edible espresso." I had no idea what this meant, but I thought I'd try it anyway. It sounded good! She said it was topped with mousse and gave me an array of flavors to choose from. I chose hazelnut, and she said it would be "shaken" in the espresso. Ok... I still don't know much about coffee (even though I attended the Yelp Gets Cultured event at Asado) and I don't understand her lingo, but I needed something to wake me up because I was very tired! And I think I was most intrigued that it was going to be a cold drink. The drink came to me in a martini glass. Whoa, fancy! Everyone was staring at me as if I was crazy to be ordering a martini in the middle of the day. It's 5 o'clock somewhere though, right? Ha! (The drink is non-alcoholic though). And the taste? It was very good. The frothiness of the mousse added just another sweet touch to the already less-bitter taste of the hazelnut flavored espresso. The drink was sweet, but not too sweet. Perfect.
My subtotal came out to be $10.54. Since the Groupon Now is new, the computer messed up a little bit. It only discounted the last item on my receipt. Luckily I noticed this halfway through my meal as I kept thinking, "Something's wrong if I paid close to $8 when my total, including tax came out to be $11 something." Nicole was already gone. She was only there to help out with the lunchtime rush because she's the marketing person. But Carlos helped me out and refunded me the rest of my discount. My total, including tax now is little over $5. What awesome service!
So, good sandwiches (I love sandwiches; and they're better in quality than L'Appetito, which is also Italian), fancy espressos (I've gained a greater appreciation for coffee since the aforementioned Yelp event), great customer service in a beautiful place (it's fancier than Starbucks and Caribou Coffee)? AND it's near my work place? Yeah, I'll be back.
I went there for a "Girlfriends' Circle" thing that was supposed to help those new to the city of Chicago (i.e., me) meet other women. Only 2 women showed up (besides me). One I had met before. She did not like me much (called me "too chatty"). The other one biked in and entered wearing her biking helmet. I parked in the Drake Hotel Parking Lot, which is pricey. I had not eaten, so I ordered quiche. It was cold. I ate it cold, because, as others have said, the service is nearly non-existent and I had to basically wait on myself.As it turns out, the place CLOSES AT 8:00 P.M. This would not have mattered, except that this "Girlfriends' Circle" thing began at 7:00 pm. I did not realize there were time constraints (and no booze) or I would have wofled my food. In an attempt to be polite, I asked each of the other women present to give me their e-mail address, not really planning on using it/them, but because it seemed as though it would be the easiest way to re-connect. (Bike helmet lady seemed like a free spirit who might be fun to attend a concert with; "Diane," the other woman, refused to give me her last name...and I had MET HER TWICE BEFORe! I admit I forgot her last name, but Geez! Then, the 2 of them just BOLTED for the door, saying, "Oh, they're closing!" We had been there about 45 minutes, and I still had food in front of me, since I did not know they closed so soon. This was a very deserted, very expensive, very ungood experience. I got back to the Drake parking place 3 minutes after the hour, so my parking amount increased by $4 so that I could be treated rudely by 2 women I had never met and never want to meet again. And the cafe and help and coffee and food? Uh...no. Never again. (Obviously, my personality requires a stiff drink, which is what I went home and had, after THIS place.0
Review Source:Being in the neighborhood, I decided to try Expressions by Lavazza in the Drake. Â I enjoy the Lavazza coffee shops in the loop every day and wanted to see how the new Expressions line compared. Â I was sadly disappointed. Â It was only 9:30 in the morning and I expected the place to be hopping. Â There were two patrons sitting with their breakfast and a women at the counter spending an ungodly amount of time ordering and being totally neurotic, rechecking her stamp three times and asking the same question over and over again and discussing her life ad nauseum. Â The cashier had no clue how to deal with the woman and rather kept her engaged, prolonging my dismay at having to wait so long. Â When it was my turn at the register, I was treated without any passion, and I must say rather rudely, and without a hello or welcoming smile. Â I had asked for the manager, but he was not in, it was his day off. Â I then when to the counter to wait for my drink. Â The two staff members there could not stop talking, which in itself is not bad, but I had to wait 8 minutes for my simple hot beverage to be made when I was the only customer in there. Â I was not impressed. Â Perhaps this store should be closed and the space put to better use. Â I don't think I would ever return. Â For "Expressions by Lavazza," my expression is yuk! Â I will stick to my favorite Lavazza coffee houses in the loop where the staff get to know you and get you your purchase with a smile and, right away. Â After all, drinking coffee or eating breakfast should be a relaxing and enjoyable time, not rushed because you could not get someone to take care of your order.
Review Source:This was the worst coffee house I've ever been to. Â I've had better experiences at a McDonalds for coffee. Â First I went in, no one in line, three people behind the register & it took them a couple minutes to "assist" me. Â Told them I would like some Tea and the first guy says "oh I dunno I don't drink tea, talk to this guy, then just walks away and asks someone else to come talk to me. Â That next person knew even less. Â They had no tea menu posted or available for me to browse, so the guy rattled off 10 very basic teas so fast I couldn't even catch them all. Â I asked how the green tea is (strong, mild etc) and he said "i dunno I don't drink tea either." Â Ordered the green tea (what the heck) when the man handed it to me he spilled SCAULDING hot water all down my hand burning me, with out offering me a napkin or some ice, and then proceeds to tell me I should have let him set it down on the counter first (no sorry, no mention that he held the glass out to me to take from him. Â It's not like I was blocking the counter. Â After this I will never return to a Lavazza and I will tell EVERYONE I know what a crappy experience I had. Â
By the way, the green tea was terrible. Â I've had better lipton and that's pathetic.
************* REVIEW 141 ****************
Staying at the Drake so I came down for some coffee & quick snack before my adventure in the city.
Modern, chic & cool cafe shop with awesome photograph of beautiful women drinking their LavAzza cafe through out the wall, very slick, I must say.
Beside coffee, they offer pastries, sandwiches, & gelato as well. The mini macaroons are so yummy & the latte was good.
Service - not a Drake Hotel level = fail!
Great interior and good drinks, but all of that is null and void to me because of the horrible service I've now experienced twice. The first time in February/March-ish and again yesterday.
Yesterday afternoon, I wandered in around 3:30, continuing my quest for the city's best readily available chai.
I was shocked by how empty the place was--one guy sitting near the front at a table, and a couple of teenage girls sitting at the bar in the back. When I walked in, one of the employees sheepishly looked my way but said nothing. I approached the counter, giving the menu a once over just in case something sounded better than chai.
The associate behind the counter stared at me blankly. No hello, no what can I get for you...nothing. I ordered, and he finally spoke: "Do you want a receipt?"
I waited at the end of the bar for my drink. It was placed on the counter without a word. I walked out, confused.
The chai was good, but I've had better. If I do ever come here again, I will focus on the coffee and not the service, but with Illy coffee available a block closer to home (at L'Appetito) the odds of my giving this place another shot are slim.
Actually not the best espressos, but I welcome this place with open arms just because it's not another Starbucks.  Interior is very sexy with  some eye popping art.  Espression breaks that hippie, let's play board games for hours on end, poetry readin', guitar playin', pretending to study mold.  They have some interesting flavors like the orange mocha mio and meringato (don't worry there's no essence of cat in it).  And of course the Ferran Adria's espesso creation.  Lavazza branches have been one of my faves since opening on Jackson, and now I'm quite happy there's one on the Gold Coast.
Review Source:The coffee here is really good, like at all the Lavazzas, and the decor is cool. It's very modern with mismatched chairs, low tables and interesting artwork on the walls. The service was good too. There aren't a lot of windows for watching people, but there are enough interesting characters inside (European tourists, crazy rich people from the Drake, business men meeting much younger women). It's worth the stop if you are near by and craving a good cup o' joe.
Review Source:The design of Expression by Lavazza is awesome and I love the pictures a lot. It feels really comfortable sitting there and enjoy my coffee and my breakfast. I order the almond croissant and it tastes really good. Â :-)
We stay at THE DRAKE and we went to Expression to have breakfast the first day we were in Chicago and the last day before we fly back home. ACtually i do miss this place because i love the white wall and it reminds me of the space theme.
0 for 2. I give up. Go for coffee, not food.
So the breakfast croissant was bad. How about lunch? - Not quite so bad, but not worth crossing the street.
I arrived at 12:30pm, and was the only person ordering food until 1:15. Not much turnover. Not much volume. And, reflecting the lack of business, not much selection. Other than sweets, the offering was two quiches and a dozen sandwiches. All had interesting ingredients, and I settled on a goat cheese and sun dried tomato quiche. Looked good. Arrived cold. After a second round in the cooker, where they sliced the quiche horizontally in half to heat it, they reassembled it and served it. Mmmm, doesn't that make it sound and look yummy!! It tasted like I would expect a Pillsbury frozen quiche to taste (if there is such a thing). Very cheesy, but not goat cheesy. Not worth ever ordering again.
The cappuccino was again great, and I'd go back for coffee. But not for food. Even the scoop of gelato I had for dessert was ordinary. A comfortable but empty place, fulfilling a need for the Drake Hotel I guess. Â But not for me.
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