I was invited to join Tastemade at Spazio Caffe in Venice, CA this past Tuesday. They were hosting a summer celebration with a lovely Roman Holiday theme! Guests enjoyed house specialty espresso drinks, small bites, chef and barista demonstrations, a fun photo-booth outside, and the chance to check out the new Fiat 500e! Did I mention espresso drinks? So much caffeine.

Located at 245 Main St., this is Spazio Caffe‘s second U.S. location, the other being 1511 Montana Avenue in Santa Monica. Upon walking in, you could tell that there was great care taken to ensure the aesthetic matched the specialty espresso and Italian themes. With clean lines, contemporary seating, and beautiful photos illustrating every drink, the space was very inviting.

Throughout the night, we enjoyed various espresso drinks, with the occasional Peach Bellini. The menu boasts traditional latte’s and cappuccino’s, fueled by espresso and specialty roasts from the Italian coffee brand, Manuel, along with authentic sipping chocolates and gelato. Our favorites include the Baciami, Amaretto, and the Coccolo, all specialty espresso beverages. The Baciami is a hot espresso served with milk and hazelnut cream. I was originally going for something cold, but my ears perked up when I heard they used Nutella Hazelnut spread! It was my absolute favorite! Next, we indulged in two cold specialties, the Amaretto and the Coccolo. The Amaretto was too strong for my boyfriend’s taste, but I loved it! The espresso served with the ice-cold creamy milk and amaretto syrup was strong and rich. The Coccolo was the most pleasant surprise of the evening. Consisting of cold espresso, whole milk, and coconut syrup, this drink was very enjoyable and easy to drink. I am not the biggest coconut fan, but this might have changed my mind. I would definitely recommend this to someone easing themselves in to the espresso experience at Spazio Caffe. Along with the beverages, we enjoyed small bites prepared by Chef Pierpaolo Mattei. Spazio Caffe has a great selection of croissants, omelets, sandwiches, and salads to balance out your caffeine high. Check out Chef Mattei’s recent appearance on KCAL9 for more information on their upcoming seasonal options.

I loved my experience at Spazio Caffe and I can’t wait to return with friends. If you are looking for an Italian cafe experience, but don’t want to deal with the 13 hour flight, I recommend checking out their Venice or Santa Monica locations. I briefly spoke to one of the co-owners, David Sandor King, about his desire to open a location in Orange County in the next couple of years, so keep a look out!