I've been going to the cozy haunt of C4 since 2001. The food is excellent, the prices are rich and it's a great place to loiter. But, most unfortunately, they cannot make a decent espresso. Really. I drink the stuff straight and it's often bitter and only sometimes has a decent head on it. Not up to Starbucks -- and this is something I really don't wish to write out loud because I'm mostly against promoting ANYTHING that is big, global and corporate.
I've never made espresso at home but I gather it's not an easy thing to get right. The also-fun Fire Creek Coffee down the road from C4 also can't get it right. Too bad.