Coffee Art + Chocolate + Music = Happiness

Day 1 of Seattle’s 5 Best Caffes…

The most coffee I drink in a day is one cup. Aside from late-night, college paper-writing pounding sessions, and cappuccino blizzards, coffee just hasn’t been on my list of priorities. I often wonder why??? I’m from Seattle, everyone around me guzzles it, and yeah, aside from the slight perspiration it induces, I enjoy the smell, taste and energy of coffee. Its appeal is kind of like wine to me; I really appreciate coffee expertise. To make a long story short, I found myself examining the Seattle caffe scene, and I created a mission for myself—to visit 5 of Seattle’s best coffeehouses in 2 days. By doing this, not only would I get a chance to get to know Seattle’s prestigious coffee scene, I might also figure out just why coffee and I aren’t better friends.

1. Victrola – 411 15^th Avenue in Capital Hill.

A victrola is an antique record player.

Victrola's signature and exotic coffee blends.

I began my two-day coffee binge in Capital Hill at Victrola coffee house. I had read online about the in-house, coffee-art competition that Victrola had held in mid-August, and saw all of the great pictures of the latte art that baristas from around the area had created. So, when I got to the counter, I made sure to order something that would look pretty. As the time came for Marcie to embellish my hazelnut latte, nerves were up. I was waiting with a camera around my neck to snap a photo, but when the moment arrived for her to do her magic I had to look away…

“Okay. It’s ready,” I finally heard her say. When I turned around, there waiting for me in a big, white mug was a beautiful latte masterpiece.

Way to go, Marcie!

For food I had The Dillinger sandwich, toasted with prosciutto, provolone, greens and tomato. It was pretty good, but I do always loathe paying more than the Subway $5 for a sandwich. In addition to a bunch of coffee drinks, Victrola also sells beer, featuring Hale’s Mongoose IPA and Pike’s Naughty Nellie Golden Ale, both of which are brewed locally.

This 15th Ave caffe was full of kindly hipsters.

2. Caffe Vita – 1005 E Pike St.

Caffe Vita

John helped me out at Caffé Vita and hooked me up with a Macchiato. A Macchiato is an Italian-inspired drink, and is a shot of espresso stopped a bit early so what you drink is the smoothest and sweetest of the brew. Then an ounce of steamed milk and foam is added and walla! The word Macchiato is Italian meaning “to mark.”

Served with a tiny cup, spoon, and saucer, this Macchiato was once almost as beautiful as my hazelnut latte from Victrola. However, I thought this marketing idea was pretty cool.

The café was very dark on the first floor. Dark wood paneling lined the floors and ceilings, and vibrant, colorful paintings stood out along the painted black walls.

They have a great upstairs study area overlooking popular Pike St. on Capital Hill. This is one of the best places to go in Seattle if you need to get work done. It was like a miniature library up here!

Although the Macchiato was great, the main reason I came to Caffe Vita was because, like so many others, I’d heard of a delicious new partnership that has emerged this year between two of Seattle’s best roasters: Chocolate + Coffee = Happiness. It’s the talk of the town—1^st Friday morning coffee and chocolate pairings sponsored by Caffé Vita and Theo’s Chocolate; even the NYTimes has mentioned it. This free cupping and tasting event is held at Caffe Vita and gives the public a chance to sample specialty coffees from around the globe, paired with the perfect chocolate liquors made from roasted exotic cacao seeds. You can read more about it at: www.taleoftworoasters.com.

Theo’s Chocolate has been featured in magazines all across the country for their delicious chocolate; however, I noticed that they were also mentioned in this week’s edition of The Stranger for hosting Jane Goodall as she promotes her new book about bringing animals back from extinction. That’s pretty amazing for a chocolate shop if you ask me!

3. The “Original” Starbucks at Pike Place Market.

Market performers in front of Starbucks. Check out the silver cello!

My last stop of Day 1 was at the most popular Starbucks in the world–the Pike Place Market Starbucks. I didn’t go into this caffe because, c’mon, by now we all know that Starbucks is really cool. This Starbucks is well-known for being the original, numero uno Starbucks; however, recently I heard a rumor that this isn’t entirely true. The original is said to have been built across town in a different Seattle location, but then burnt down shortly after. So that means that this is actually Starbucks #2, and though is may be the oldest, it’s not the original.

Thankfully, there are more reasons to check this place out. One is because it’s the only spot that still uses the original two-tailed mermaid as its logo. And another is because of the great music found here. Whether it be a 5-part a capella group, or a 3-piece band, rain-or-shine there’s always one of the Market’s best musical acts drawing a crowd around this Starbucks’ front doorstep.    You can walk to the Original Starbuck’s from most Seattle boutique hotels. 

That’s it for day 1! Stay tuned next week when I review 2 more caffes in North Seattle!

Pike Place Market – Golden Rays

The Seattle sun blessed the worried Northwest with its presence again, but the forecast predicted heavy rain for Labor Day weekend. Since the weather wasn’t good my last trip, I decided to head over to Seattle (while I still had the chance) so I could write about what Pike Place Market really has to offer. Summer-time Pike Place is the greatest, even though colder days can always be warmed, literally and figuratively, with a visit. I drove this time, and when I parked a friendly man offered me his window ticket so I didn’t have to pay the meter, and so his hour and a half of extra minutes wouldn’t be wasted. I gladly accepted—how nice! As opposed to the first intake of my last visit (coffee in hand staring at frozen fish), this time my first sight was of a police-horse munching on some grass in Victor Steinbrueck Park. There were even some pigeons nesting in the warm grass nearby, which is unusual because they’re usually scavenging near the benches and picnic tables. This park is on the north end of the Market, and it’s so great to eat fresh produce here, read a book, or take a quick snooze. Many days there are musicians playing up front by the tables and water look-out. There’s also a friendly man selling Kettle Corn and lemonade.

Pike Place Market flowers and lunch veranda in the summertime.

Victor Steinbrueck Park

Strolling down the outdoor sidewalk of vendors there were a few that caught my eye. One was a Chinese man who makes signs in 15 minutes, translating anything into beautiful Mandarin characters using black calligraphy ink. Sample signs hung on the chicken-wire wall that read, “Mike Loves Julie,” or simply, “Jessica.” One artist had compressed glass wine bottles, and turned them into kitchen ornaments. Each had a unique logo and was garnished with a hay bow around its neck. Other vendors were selling leather handbags, wooden garden signs, and unique jewelry.

Outdoor Boulevard

Wooden signs; Park and Puget Sound in the background.

I got to chatting with another artist who had watercolor prints and originals on display. He said he specialized in painting nude female figures, and also liked to challenge himself with water scenes. One vibrant print was of a crowd of rowboats floating atop the ocean at sunset; and his latest piece was a collection of colorful, Coy fish swimming underwater.

Inside there were a lot of delightful booths. The first stand I stopped at featured home-made, painted light-switch covers made of clay in all shapes and colors. Some had intricate designs carved into the borders, and others looked like Red Alder leaves, and were painted in rustic, fall colors. There was a professional spoonmaker, and Market penmaker. There was a table laden with inscripted stones. Some had funny sayings on them like, “YOU ROCK!” and “At least you’re not as old as this rock!” Others had inspirational quotes, and still there were larger rocks with more practical engravings like, “Please remove your shoes.”

Friendly craftsman.

Walking through the open-air promenade of Pike Place there’s a couple things you’ll always see—fresh produce and flowers. But farmers also bring their home-made spreads to sell, such as berry jams and honey; another vendor packages up dried snacks from his hazelnut orchard. I stopped by a Honey Farm booth and bought 4, 25-cent honey straws—one each in rootbeer, peach, pink lemonade and honey clover. There were also   whole jars of wild blackberry, rum spice, espresso, and spiced apple honey.

I spoke with a young flower arranger from Maika’s Garden about her family-owned flower farm in Carnation that has been selling flower bouquets at the Market for the past 19 years. She said that some of the senior flower arrangers had been there for more than 20 years.

Maika's Garden

Unlike my last trip, today was a great day for peach and nectarine samples from Sosio’s Fruit Produce. I also chatted with one of their produce experts and he explained that orange and red-crusted lobster mushrooms are on the harder side of mushrooms, so their rich, meaty flavor does well in soups. In addition to the great fruit samples and friendly staff, Sosio’s always has a wide assortment of unique produce, such as purple cauliflower and raspberry beans.

Fresh produce at Station No. 7; chili pepper bunches for sale hang from the ceiling.

To refuel, I stopped by the Athenian Restaurant, famous for being the bar in Sleepless in Seattle where Tom Hanks and his construction friend sit and discuss current dating trends. You might remember the friend saying, “Hellooo, Diane! Take a look at these swatches!” Anyways, since they offer beer and food, and are one of the restaurants in the market to offer widespread views of the sound, I stepped on in. I tried the Athenian Gyro, which features lamb sausage from Uli’s Famous Sausage stand (which I sampled from on my previous trip), and washed it down with Manny’s Pale Ale—a delightful, hoppy and crisp micro-beer brewed in West Seattle.

Manny’s Pale Ale and the Athenian Gyro from the 2nd story of Athenian Seafood Restaurant and Bar.

For dessert I sucked on a clover honey straw and stared out the restaurant’s second-story window watching a parasailor in the sun. The faint silhouette of the chiseled and snow-capped Olympic mountain range served as a backdrop, and the boats left sparkling, saltwater wakes along the Sound.

Pike Place Market – Silver Days

Foggy view of the Seattle skyline from the top of the Eastgate parking garage.

I got off the metro bus at the University Street underground tunnel stop, and grabbed a hot mocha in Benaroya Hall’s lobby-Starbucks for my 3 block walk, and beyond. Although the weather’s still cloudy when I arrive, the sight of the Market is always refreshing, especially in the summertime when all of the adorning plant-life is full of colorful blossoms.  

Famous 'Public Market Center' sign and clock.

Walking up to the market there’s an expected crowd around the famous fish stand that features 8 (15 at Christmastime) men in fishing waders and hats. It’s so fun to watch these guys toss seafood around in the air. Walking by I hear a low-baritone, “4 King Crab legs,” bellowed in unison after some lucky patron places an order. What’s even more awesome is that when a whole fish is bought and flung behind the counter to be wrapped in newspaper, whether or not the slippery King Salmon or Red Snapper is actually caught (I mean, it usually is), the mood never changes; the air is always thick with big laughs and camera flashes.  

Starbucks coffee; whole Salmon for sale.

Dungeness Crab on ice.

Since it was a bit dreary outside, I decided to avoid the main open-air promenade, and venture down the aromatic hallways and explore the lower levels of Pike Place. I pass a flower shop, and today they have a doorway-stand of blue roses. There’s a table packed with rows of packaged dried apricots, papayas, strawberries, and bananas. Jewelry cases are filled with a wide variety of accessories. From matching tin-man earrings, or sterling silver cross-pendants and chains, to unique owl and butterfly rings filled with colored stones of peridot, amethyst, onyx, and amber. I continue perusing, and wherever I am it seems I can always hear the faint sound of music in the breeze.   

Musician playing the Blues.

Banjo Player

In an airplane I once watched a special on “bizarre bazaars,” and remember the baskets of milled, exotic spices that filled the city-center market of Istanbul. Walking along the corridors I see MarketSpice; this great store has been selling ground spices, teas and coffees since 1911. 

Jars of ground spices line the shelves of a MarketSpice window.

 The lower levels of Pike Place are packed with great shopping. There are book stores, candy shops, antique and curiosity trade stores filled with everything from pink glass swans and old clocks, to framed bats and butterflies. There’s a busy barber shop, with old-fashioned red, white and blue-striped columns trimming the doorway. Penny Pincher machines stand outside the Pike Place Magic Shop. You’ll also find vintage clothing and jewelry, and parfumeries filled with medicinal teas and incense sticks. 

A collection of Where's Waldo books in a storefront window. These make great childrens' gifts.

There was a pig, too; the woman at the cash register said she left work smelling like Gummi Bears.

Window outside F n J Great Western Trading.

At this point, I definitely needed something to eat. I had tried a sample wedge of sausage from Uli’s, smelled chocolate pasta noodles at station No. 8, and walked by canned pickle stands and a few oceanview restaurants. Now I needed to eat the sustenance! Luckily, a stool opened up on an R & R platform, and I was able to eat my packed lunch on a wooden counter overlooking a very gray Puget Sound. It had started to rain, and through the streaming window I could see burnished-orange cranes standing off the southern shore of the industrial inlet, and white ferries looked like legos as they toted passengers to and from the islands. 

If I hadn’t packed a sandwich, I would’ve loved to eat at Crepe de France. "Crepe Au Salmon" and "Crepe Au Chocolat" looked especially enticing.

Back on the top floor, I could see many people grievously prop open their umbrellas, while some kids seemed to be okay walking around with balloon hats. As I weaved around the faded-teal columns propping up the roof of the upper floor, I was feeling a bit glum that it had started to rain as I was expecting the sun to break through. All of the sudden, I heard someone very energetically singing: “Then I saw her face, now I’m a believer.” As I got closer, I could see a couple of long-haired, smiling musicians standing atop plastic crates, dancing around, and belting that Monkeys tune out while cars sloshed over the glossy cobblestone street behind them. Rocky Raccoon came on next, and I had to give them 50 cents in dimes. Although they were lacking John Lennon’s fantastic harmonica for this song, they did boast an accordion. On this note, I headed for home.