After months of heavy use, machine continues to reliably make outstanding espresso with complete control: grind, amount of grounds per cup, size of pour for espresso shot and for crema, program to optionally purge each time turned on, … Can easily bypass hopper to do a shot from grounds you have prepared yourself: essential for us when entertaining for those who want decaf or for when my wife or I want to try a special roast.

Steams milk effectively and continually. Hot water for tea works fine. Easily kept spotless clean inside and out.

Bit of a coffee nut — roast my own specialty beans each week. This machine gets the most out of the carefully selected beans and carefully chosen roast levels. When we travel out-of-town for the weekend, I even have been known to sneak the Palazzo in the car knowing my wife will tease me but also knowing that there are very few local coffee shops around our state that take the care necessary to match what we will have at hand in the motel room.