Espresso Machine £350ish. Gaggia?

[KungFuPanda]

I'm after an espresso machine for the house. It'll probably make up to 6 cups a day. No need for an integrated grinder. Will need the milk steaming function.

Research suggests Gaggia seem to fit the bill. Something like the Carezza?

[KungFuPanda]

Thanks for that advice. I'm only based in Manchester and didn't know there was a Gaggia outlet down he M62. I might venture over soon. Hmm could tie it in with a curry in Bradford...

[KungFuPanda]

Well went to the Gaggia Outlet store and ended up walking out with their top of the range Accademia model. Justified by man maths somehow.

[KungFuPanda]

Illy coffee and Illy cups thieved from my restaurant.

[KungFuPanda]

Been getting along with the new machine fine at the moment.

Bought 1kg of Lavazza Rosso and 1kg of Lavazza Espresso blend too. £13.50 for the Rosso and £10 from Amazon for the blend. I'm happy with the flavour of the Lavazza stuff. I'm, in Manchester so there are a couple of small in house roasters that are doing beans for around £7 per 250g. Would the price differential produce an appreciably nicer tasting coffee?

[KungFuPanda]

Had the Academia for a week now. Spent more than I budgeted but me and the girlfriend are really happy with it. Just pour the beans and water into their respective tanks, fill the milk tank and the machine does the rest. Brilliant coffee and the espresso has a lovely crema on.

First lot of coffee was a bag of beans from M&S. Then I switched to Lavazza. £10 a kilo from Amazon and I'm pretty happy with it.

[KungFuPanda]

Just got a bag of beans with a roast date of this month. Going to give it a try.

I drink espresso. Girlfriend has cappuccinos.