calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,685 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Wed Jan 13, 2010, 2:37pm Subject: MUST stop at in Seattle? EDIT,, 5 stops in 1 night!
Yes I know the list but my work is sending me to Seattle this Sunday and I will be there until Friday afternoon, with a bunch of non coffee freaks.
They think I am a nut case or something for my love of coffee. I have made the statement that for me this trip is for COFFEE and work takes a distant second. I told them that if I need to, I would rent my own car and go out for coffee!
We will be about 30 miles south of Seattle at a major aircraft makers plant for training. I do plan to go to the city a few times but if there were only ONE shop to stop in, which would it be?
Nothing like asking a question that really has no "right" answer huh LOL!
EDIT:
Oh, BTW, one of my trip mates made the comment that "there is a Starbucks right across the street from the motel" I told him "good, that leaves more good coffee for me somewhere else!" Anyone know of a good shop 30 miles south of the city? Those of you who know the area know where I am talking about I am sure.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
jammin Senior Member Joined: 25 Nov 2009 Posts: 658 Location: Boise Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Speedster, Cremina Grinder: K10, Vario-W with Ditting... Vac Pot: Hario Drip: manual Roaster: quest m3, hottop b
Posted Wed Jan 13, 2010, 2:42pm Subject: Re: MUST stop at in Seattle?
If it were me, I would stop in at Stumptown in Seattle just before 3pm so you could check out the public coffee cupping that they do every day at that time.
Not to mention all the other goodness that they have to offer.
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,099 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Wed Jan 13, 2010, 3:21pm Subject: Re: MUST stop at in Seattle?
Wayne, my problem is that I have no idea what's around Boeing and/or Sea-Tac. All the places I know of are either downtown or slightly to the north (opposite direction).
Be that as it may, let me just give you my list of "must stops." Whether you make it there or not . . . .
Espresso Vivace Alley 24 (I always go here) 227 Yale Ave N Seattle, WA 98109 Telephone 206.388.5164 Hours: 6am until 11pm daily
Vivace Espresso Bar at Brix (I tried to find it once and got lost) 532 Broadway Ave East Seattle WA 98102 Telephone 206.860.2722 Hours: 6am until 11pm daily
Caffé Vita FREMONT 4301 Fremont Avenue North Seattle, Washington 98103 Telephone 206.632.3535 HOURS weekdays: 6am - 8pm; weekends: 7am - 8pm (NOTE: This is the location with the 5-group BOSCO lever machine; there are three other locations closer to Downtown Seattle, and one in Olympia)
Stumptown 616 East Pine Seattle, WA 98122 Telephone 206.329.0115 Hours: 7 am to 9 pm daily
Posted Wed Jan 13, 2010, 4:31pm Subject: Re: MUST stop at in Seattle?
I tried doing the same thing in just a couple days last September, check out this thread. I managed to hit 5-6 places including a couple local unknown places that were recommended by family members. The best 3 shots (in order) were;
Espresso Vivace, Alley 24 (One of the best shots I've ever had)
My understanding is that it is the original one; gets plenty of visitors due to such.
Regarding other coffee shops that may serve better brew, that is something that can be got at any large city.
However, how often does one get to plant their feet at the epicenter of the birthplace of the coffee empire a good many discussions on CG center around. Pro and Con.
Love 'em, or hate 'em, I'd consider it a must see.
Len
"Coffee leads men to trifle away their time, scald their chops, and spend their money, all for a little base, black, thick, nasty, bitter, stinking nauseous puddle water." ~The Women's Petition Against Coffee, 1674
espressoaddict Senior Member Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 346 Location: Seattle Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia V3 (Primary)... Grinder: Baratza Vario 2009 and... Vac Pot: None Drip: Melitta Single Cup, Bodum...
Posted Wed Jan 13, 2010, 7:21pm Subject: Re: MUST stop at in Seattle?
There are just so many great places to visit in the proper downtown area. Good luck on finding parking during the day. I found this to be a challenge.
One of my favorites places for Ristretto style Espresso and a great place to buy roasted beans is the Vivace location on 227 Yale Ave N. Typically during the day parking can be difficult. One workaround is to park inside the REI parking garage which is located directly across the street. If you don't want to feel guilty for parking, you can check out the HandPresso at REI.
Now if you are willing to head to Zoka's newest location in Kirkland. I highly recommend visiting this location if you are interested in their SO offerings. Typically feature two single origin coffees which they can serve as Espresso, as well as their traditional Zoka Paladino Espresso.
Now if you magically make the trip to Zoka's in Kirkland, then head to Whole Foods in Bellevue to check-out a vast selection of artisan roasted coffee. They are only minutes away from Kirkland and is definitely worth the trip.
What's unique at least for this location is the exclusive and highly touted Slayer. Only their single origin espressos are pulled on this machine. For preparing their traditional Paladino Blend espresso they use an entirely non-Slayer machine.
I won't be able to recommend a good place around where you will be working. Typically, South Seattle is not known to have stellar espresso shops. However, near your vicinity is Synesso. Maybe you just want to talk shop, see their equipment or pickup some extra accessories. Synesso, Inc • 309 S. Cloverdale Suite C41 • Seattle, WA 98108
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,685 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Thu Jan 14, 2010, 7:08am Subject: Re: MUST stop at in Seattle?
Thanks! These shops were pretty much on my must see list LOL! I have some coffee on my bar and had several nice cups this morning from Vivace (Espresso Dolce ) tasty indeed.
Jason, again a very nice post, lots of info! So you like the "alley" over one of the indoor locations? I know this was their first shop location.
Looking at espresso map, I did see that nearly everything is "north" of where we are going to be. The motel is very close to our training location but I would rather stay down town and commute in, I like the locations better up north GRIN!
We are going to be staying in Auburn but I will "borrow" the car when I can to take road trips. The GPS should help a lot and we will be going opposite to the normal work flow IE in to the city in the afternoon.
I will be checking out Zoka's that slayer would be nice to see in action!
I know my focus after work will be the coffee but the others will want to do things like sightseeing etc, what a waste of precious few hours that could be spent in coffee bars that I won't have a chance to get to see again for a while.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
If you catch them at the right time, you may be able to speak with the roaster. The roasting facility is within the cafe, separated by glass doors. So think of the roasting questions ahead......
If you call ahead, you can also test various espresso machines, including GS3, and purchase various accessories, at Visions Espresso. It is not a cafe, but I drank all I could and was slightly intoxicated.
The Zoka location near UW also had good coffee, but at least when I was there, no latte art, if you care for that kind of embellishment.
Vivace at Alley is just across from REI; it is one of the largest REI's I have seen. The Vivace sign is rather small. As espressoadict mentioned, park in the REI parking lot; the cafe is just a few yards away. You can also pick up green coffee beans there, packaged in one pound increments. Although called "Alley", it has plenty of inside seating.
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