Best of Boston

2003 Best Coffee

Torrefazione Italia

Aunt Bette often says there’s nothing worse than a bad cup of tea, but she’s wrong. A bad cup of coffee is a greater offense. And there are far too many chains these days pouring vats of watered-down-but-too-hot-to-taste-the-difference-anyway brews. That’s why, when we need some real java, we make a beeline for Torrefazione (Italian for “coffee roaster”), where the espresso is rich and bracing, the cappuccino has just the right amount of foamy milk on top, and ordering a regular means choosing from an aromatic selection of light or dark blends. If you’re not getting your joe to go, sit and savor your caffeine in a handpainted Deruta coffee cup, also an Italian import.

85 Newbury St., Boston, 617-424-0951,