I went back to Las Vetas Lounge, despite my previous experience.  The steaming wands were still caked with milk.  Couldn’t bear trying a cappuccino with the apparent lack of attention given to the steaming wands (don’t want a sour drink), but I was still determined to give this place a chance while I was there.  So I ordered a double espresso.  Without asking, they gave it to me in a paper cup (although I probably should have mentioned I was going to drink it there).  The espresso itself was the classic under-extracted low-crema stuff you’ll find in places like these all over the country, and I wasn’t the least bit surprised, just disappointed.

This place would have so much potential if they only put more effort in learning how to make good espresso drinks… to train the baristas in the basics of steaming milk and pulling espresso shots.  They don’t seem to be having trouble getting folks to come in, but most people in Connecticut haven’t had a good cup of coffee to begin with.  But.. if they would take the time to improve their product, I’m sure it would pay off in the long run, and give that *$ down the street a new level of competition.  

Or at the very least, they could please, please wipe off those steaming wands.  A damp bar towel after every use, it’s very easy.  Much easier than having to chip that crud away at the end of the day (if they even do that).  That caked milk gets heated over and over again, and makes the milk being steamed a little misflavored.  And it’s also just gross.

But until I can work up the courage to go in this place again, when I’m in that neck of the woods, I think I’ll just drive a little further down the road into Black Rock to pop into Port Coffeehouse.  They always seem to do a good job.