Lavazza Cafe's Outdoor Seating and Refreshing Iced Creations Bring the Pleasures of Coffee and Other Delightful Treats to Chicagoans

CHICAGO -- There are many places in Chicago to enjoy an outdoor iced coffee delight, but none as authentically and wonderfully Italian as the three Lavazza Cafes in downtown Chicago. Lavazza's quality and creativity cannot be matched-even Time Magazine recognized that when it named Lavazza's unique Èspesso ($2.49) as one of the best food inventions of 2006.

With summer finally here, Lavazza's outdoor seating areas are now open for business at two locations: 134 N. LaSalle (312-977-9701) and 27 W. Washington at Dearborn (312-977-9971). The cafés offer a wonderful variety of cold refreshing treats. Chicagoans can choose from delicious icy coffee creations and gelato to non-coffee blended beverages. The Jackson location (111 W. Jackson; 312-447-0000) does not have outdoor seating but does carry the same delicious hot and cold beverage and food treats as the other locations. All are the perfect place to relax and chat or simply enjoy I Piaceri del Caffe, the pleasures of coffee, the way only the Italians know how.

For those who love coffee and desire something cool to battle the heat, Caffè Shakerato ($3.29) is the delicious signature iced espresso drink, refreshing and thirst quenching. Espresso Crema Shakerato ($3.29) adds a layer of cold milk to iced coffee and then it's frothed in a shaker, with an option to add chocolate or hazelnut flavors. Ice Bianco Espresso ($3.29) is a luscious combination of iced coffee and heavy cream with an option of amaretto, orange-chocolate, chocolate or hazelnut flavors. Espresso Crema ($3.05) combines classic espresso with smooth cold milk and an option of amaretto, orange-chocolate, chocolate or hazelnut flavors.

The Lavazza icy cooler menu goes far beyond coffee-based drinks, and offers a wide range of non-coffee cold refreshers. Lovers of freshly squeezed orange juice can choose a Juice Shake ($3.85) made from freshly squeezed orange juice and choice of fruit sorbet, blended with ice. Italian sorbetto lovers can enjoy a Berrissimo in three sizes ($2.95-$3.95), made of assorted fruit sorbets and berry nectars, or a Milk Shake ($3.85) made with choice of gelato flavor.

Discerning ice cream connoisseurs love Italian gelato, and Lavazza's gelato bar is special indeed. There are ten creamy flavors in the display case at any given time, which may include Strawberry, Pistachio, Grand Mariner, Hazelnut, Vanilla, Espresso, Chocolate Chip, Lemon Sorbet and Wild Berry Sorbet (three sizes from $1.75 to $3.40).

In addition to these rich gelato treats, guests can opt for a unique Blendissimo, a blended coffee drink which comes in three sizes, priced from $2.85-$4.20 and in many flavors. Blendissimos start with a coffee base, then vanilla gelato is added and finally, a flavored syrup. There are a myriad of other possible flavor combinations, as customers can choose the gelato and syrup flavors they want. For those who want an authentic taste of Italian refreshment can choose the popular Taglio al Caffe ($3.29): a scoop of delicious gelato topped with a shot of hot Lavazza espresso. Taglio is a nearly perfect choice for an afternoon break on a warm sunny day: the temperatures and flavors slowly mingle to create a heavenly taste sensation, with just enough coffee buzz to get you through your busy day.

Lavazza cafés, which feature exceptional coffee beverages as well as a wide range of delicious, freshly prepared breakfast items, sandwiches, salads and gelato, are located at 27 West Washington, Chicago, IL (312-997-9971), 134 North La Salle, Chicago, IL (312-977-9701) and 111 West Jackson, Chicago, IL (312-447-0000). Hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (Washington location); 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday (LaSalle location); 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (Jackson location). American Express, Visa, and MasterCard are accepted. Smoking is not permitted per city ordinance.