I bought this espresso maker to use in the consulting room of my small catering company. I just wanted something that was compact and nice looking and could be used to make simple drinks for prospective clients. Basically, I bought it to impress people with my culinary acumen.

Unfortunately, this machine only succeeds on one count: it looks nice. It does look very nice in the stainless steel. Because it doesn't have any black panels like so many less expensive home espresso makers, it looks slightly more "professional". Unfortunately, it never works like a professional machine.

First of all, the frother doesn't froth so much as create strange bubbles in the milk. It doesn't head the milk very well and then makes big bubbles instead of a foam. It looks more like bath suds than properly steamed milk. Second, the machine really works best with the pods. It's tricky if the espresso isn't done absolutely correctly. Also, the drip part is very close to the warming plate, which means only espresso cups will fit beneath it. This is fine, but requires using an extra cup if you want more than a shot of espresso, say for a latte.

Which brings me to my next point: the machine is finicky. If the espresso isn't tamped down to the exact specifications, if it's too tight or too loose, the machine won't run. And it's not easy to un-tamp espresso. As is a problem with many coffee and espresso making devices, ground espresso gets everywhere inside. Unlike many devices that cans still function with the slight buildup, this one shuts down and needs to be cleaned out each and every time.

While there are definitely problems with the machine, it is constructed well and built solidly. And it makes excellent espresso. If it weren't for the design problems and the finicky operation, it would be a great machine.