Cool Hunting

by Julie Wolfson

For serious coffee fans without a lot of space, Nespresso's new CitiZ packs all of their first-rate-espresso-making punch into a machine with a footprint that's nearly half the size of their other models. Like the Latissima, Antoine Cahen from Les Ateliers du Nord in Lausanne, Swtizerland designed the slim architecturally-inspired coffee-maker, lending an art deco feel that comes in two versions. The Nespresso CitiZ, at just five inches wide, keeps it basic with a single head espresso machine, while the CitiZ & Milk features a built-in Aeroccino, Nespresso's highly efficient and superlative milk steamer.

Use of the machine wins points for dead-simple operation that yields delicious long and short espressos with impressive crema. A top-loading slot drops a pod into the machine, which applies Nespresso's 19 bars of pressure to make the coffee. Below the spout there's a cup tray, which flips up to accommodate larger beverages and a drip tray catches any spills.

The machine drops the pod into a compartment for neat disposal and the water container in the rear also minimizes mess and its one-liter capacity makes for a low-maintainance appliance.

The CitiZ come in fire engine red, steel gray and '60s white, with the milk option available in red and limo black. They're available exclusively at Sur La Table this month, starting at $280 for the basic model and $350 for the CitiZ & Milk. Starting 1 September 2009, the new machines will be available online from Nespresso, as well as at Nespresso Boutiques and from other retailers nationwide.