There's a good reason why Starbucks has revolutionized the espresso drink, and it's mostly because of their baristas. Every single wannabe barista has to go to Coffee College (yup, that's really what they call it) and pass a certification test before they're even allowed near the espresso machines. We should know--we've been there, done that. All that training means the baristas know the very science of espresso; they're esp-erts, if you will. Sure, there's not much room for creativity outside of the Starbucks drink formula, but essentially, Starbucks baristas are the Ivy League graduates of the espresso world.
Runners up:
2. Raging Sage, 2458 N. Campbell Ave., 320-5203
3. Epic Café, 745 N. Fourth Ave., 624-6844, www.epic-cafe.com