Espressamente illy cafe – Dubai Festival City

Ah my first visit to illy cafe. illy is an Italian coffee. They produce their own coffee using Arabica beans(specific species of coffee). They seem to be an expertise in making espresso. One thing I really liked about their menu was that it catered well for part time coffee drinkers like me. Their menu was crystal clear. They dedicated each page for each coffee with crystal clear picture, description and pricing. So clear that you knew what to expect since they were able to deliver as shown on their menu. From the above picture you can see a glimpse of that menu book i am talking about.

That’s my pretty looking order. So good looking that I was staring at my drink for a minute before i actually touched it. It’s called Marocchino caldo

Marocchino caldo: shot glass with a bottom layer of hot chocolate, illy espresso dusted with cocoa, topped with hot frothed milk: beautiful and delicious.

I first went layer by layer to see what each layer tasted like. Once I stirred the drink and took a sip I realized their espresso shot was quite powerful to overpower the hot chocolate as well as the milk. Its more tasting espresso than anything else.

All their silverwares(spoons), chairs, cups, glasses used were quality products. There spoons were great to hold and came from a designer cutlery set. Never felt so good holding a spoon. Be it even a stirrer they didn’t use cheap wooden/plastic sticks like how you see in other coffee shops but they gave you an elegant silverware. You can see the stirrer in this picture with my Marocchino caldo.

Tiramisu with illy espresso – The intense, delicate and unique taste of the italian home-made tradition. It comes sprinkled with chocolate and together with illy espresso.

Tiramisu is supposed to be an italian special and the most attractive looking dessert from their row of pastries. It also comes with an espresso which we pour on top of it and then wait for 5 minutes or so for tiramisu to absorb it which will make it a little more softer. Then you take your fork and rest is history! Tiramisu is generally not very sweet, just right enough for you to enjoy a piece of dessert 🙂 and if you love coffee then you should enjoy this dessert even more.

Affogato: Thick, dense cream will slowly melt into a shot of illy espresso covered with whipped cream and coca powder.

My earlier drink was dominated by illy espresso but this drink was completely different. It’s a cold coffee. This was a better drink for me. Enjoyed every sip. The taste was new and very rejuvenating. To me it was more like having a cold dessert than coffee. I’d also ask everyone to try this unique drink from illy cafe.

To me the next good looking dessert after their Tiramisu was the Chocolate Fondant. I did not regret it one inch. The cold ice cream on top and the hot chocolate sauce on the inside of this wall..wow what a joy it was 😀

Once you visit illy it’s difficult for you to go back home without taking anything for home. I mean they sell everything for a coffee at home including coffee machines with mind blowing design, accessories, coffee cups, plates etc.

Kiki Smith Espresso Cup Collection – Set of 6 Espresso Cups
illy Art Collection was designed by renowned contemporary artist Kiki Smith. Kiki Smith contributes her boundless imagination to a simple, joyful, everyday act such as sipping an illy espresso. Inspired by classical mythology, folk tales and a fascination with animals, Smith celebrates nature with colorful celestial motifs and gossamer-winged butterflies in this beautifully evocative collection. These exclusive cup sets are all numbered and signed by the artist. Available as a set of 6 espresso cups.

They sell both semi automatic and manual coffee machines. My eyes were on their semi automatic coffee machine. It was the design and ease of use. It’s really easy to operate. I think we should just go for the semi automatic and there onwards you can have premium coffee at low price once you start making from home. Of course when you buy this machine you need to also buy their coffee capsule. You get a pack of 21 capsules for Dhs 65. These capsules comes in different varieties and strengths that you prefer so not to worry about it like medium roast, dark roast, decaffeinated etc.

I bumped into this beautiful video on how you can use illy coffee machine along with haagen daazs ice creams to create a wonderful iced coffee at home. The same good looking coffee which you get at their coffee shop. Please do check out the video on the link above and you’ll know what i mean.