Torrefazione Italia - CLOSED

 

8

119

Juli F.

Palo Alto, CA

Is it weird to review a cafe that's shut down that I used to work at?  Oh well.  I was the assistant manager at Torrefazione way back in 2001, and regardless of my bias, there WAS NO better place to get coffee in palo alto.  We knew what we were doing, we were well trained, and we worked our asses off.  A big part was great management.  Our bosses instilled pride and knowledge into us.  And we were mostly just a bunch of kids.

Either way, the baristas at Torrefazione knew how to steam milk beautifully, make cappuccino foam like melted ice cream, and how to treat our customers right.  The cafe was cleaned with care every evening, and the food stored and handled properly.

It's a local tragedy that this place was shut down.  F Starbucks for buying out, then shutting down the competition.  I've moved on from my barista days and now have a proper professional career, but I pine for my coffee-slinging days quite often.  And Torrefazione Italia will always have a place in my heart.

Vive Torrefazione!

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87

115

Benjamin L.

Palo Alto, CA

This is a great place to sit and have a mid-afternoon coffee and snack, or a little something early in the evening. Their coffee is a more dessert coffee, so not that kick-in-the-pants you might need early in the morning, but great for sitting with friends, sipping a cup and having a little dessert tart. I also like the art on the walls a lot of the time, and they rotate pretty frequently. One of the few places I have purchased a piece from the wall.

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133

Julia O.

Palo Alto, CA

I'm mad cause they closed this place down and it was my favorite place on University to get a goddamn latte that didn't taste like crap.

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Elite '08

190

390

Oksana T.

San Francisco, CA

I love this tall and skinny place. There is a little 'loft' area if you go up the stairs - it fits only 4 tables, but its an awsome place to study, work, or hang out with a group of friends. The atmosphere is perfect for a mid-day stop to relax and drop that cushion on something horizontal or for an evening pre-dinner run. They have great coffee, but they still can't beat the Coupa's cups. Desserts are close to exceptional.

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21

85

Julia W.

Palo Alto, CA

Great ambiance, skilled Baristas, and the best Chai in Palo Alto!!  Oh and really good lunch food too.  Need I say more??

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4

8

Jesse H.

Palo Alto, CA

Peaceful atmosphere. Once you step in you almost forget about the bustle of University outside. Drop your cares for a while and pick up a delicious espresso drink made with quality and care. Sit upstairs and hunker down with a book, or gaze dreamily out the front windows downstairs while the traffic whizzes by. Also has two tables outside on the sidewalk, but they seem to be always occupied. If they're free, I'd suggest grabbing one and seeing what all the fuss is about!

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21

April V.

Palo Alto, CA

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