I've been coming here for many years, back when there used to be a connecting door to the adjacent hotel. That door has been gone for years - along with the upbeat service with a smile, and coffee that was hot. Last year I refrained from posting, hoping they were simply in a transition time. This year, the wonderful barista is gone, and so is the positive vibe. No one waited on us, which is generally a sign in Italy that you have to pay first. Then you wave your receipt at the bar, and someone makes your drink. I asked the woman at the cassa (cash register), in Italian, if we had to pay first. She said yes, took our order, tapped it into the register, and then asked us if we wanted to sit at a table. We said yes, as I'm hobbling around with a cast on my leg, and it was pouring rain. Why not sit for a few minutes? Then she told us we could pay later. She took us to a table, and removed all of the napkins, knives and forks, placemats. This is okay because we figured we wouldn't be charged a cover charge. She kept repeating the order as espresso, and I repeatedly told her I ordered macchiati (coffees with a touch of milk). She brought the espressi, and a small creamer with warm milk. The coffee wasn't even warm, the milk less so. Ahhh, rats. I remember when this place was a refuge and a joy. Everything changes, no? I guess I'm going to have to continue to look for a place that serves HOT espresso. The small apricot tart - just bigger than a thumbprint, was fresh and flakey. The chairs are comfortable, and it's worth putting up with the tourists and Italians alike who push at the bar for service. Someone! Tell me where I can have the perfect coffee near Piazza del Popolo that's also not Canova! I want a place where people aren't so jaded and the coffee is "com'e si deve!" read more