Sippin’ in Seattle (WW Draft 2)

Coffee…an “art” in Seattle. My daughters think that I am a little crazy. I enjoy beautiful designs in my coffee, and I take pictures of those beautiful designs. Yes, they are on my camera memory card. The "art", although temporary (it disappears as you drink it) is amazing to me. So, now my summer has a new challenge…finding more places with coffee art.  My daughters and husband seem up to the challenge.

Seattle is known for their coffee. Starbuck’s headquarters is here, along with Tully’s (both brands which are available in supermarkets). Taste is important, but experience is equally important.

While in Seattle, one would be amazed to find the various numbers of coffee establishments which we have.  There are literally coffee shops on each corner, in many places. The first thing that I was surprised about was the different types of buildings that you would find them in. 

One finds many “boutique” types of coffee houses, along with funky ones, and then there are the drive-thru espresso stands. Yes, those old drive-thru photo processing booths have been turned into quick coffee stops. You do not have to go far to find these places.

The coffee cafe that we went to yesterday, in downtown Edmonds, once was an old auto repair garage. The yellow “window” is a glass garage door.  They opened during nice weather.  I think that it is a wonderful way to re-use buildings in a new way.  By the way, the coffee shop is called the Walnut Street Cafe.  If you are lucky to get a table, or cushy chair, on a Saturday morning, you’ll find that this is where many of the locals come, talk, read the paper, etc.  It has such a wonderful feel, plus the coffee is awesome!

While trying to find a Driver's License office where my daughter could take her "written" test, we stopped at Caffe Ladro. I ordered my decaf mocha. Here is what they gave me. Isn't it beautiful!

Caffe D'arte in downtown Seattle is another place where we enjoy going to. It is just a block or two from Pike's Place Market on the corner of Pine and Second Street. Now while the original Starbucks is located in the Pike's Place area, you don't get the beautiful coffee design. This is one of mine from the Caffe D'arte.

While Caffe D'arte is a small place, they do roast their own coffee, and the chocolate that they give you on the side is delicious! (They also have the most amazing choices for sugars--cubed, hard brown candied, white candied, brown sugar, artificial, etc.)

Another spot that we used to enjoy going to was the Triple "J" in Kirkland. Unfortunately, they are now closed. The atmosphere was like the TV show "Friends". There was a huge fireplace, overstuffed sofas and chairs around it, along with a beat-up coffee table. Small two-person tables scattered throughout. It was a clean-up your own mess type of spot. Very laid-back, very busy, and awesome coffee. They also roasted it themselves. Here is another picture for you to savor.

Saturday, my husband and I went to the Red Twig, about two blocks from the Walnut Street Cafe, located in Edmonds, WA.  They roast their own coffee there.  As I was talking to the barista, she was telling me that it is easier to make art on latte’s than on mochas (plain, espresso’s, cappuccinos are not decorated).  Mochas require stirring, and the steamed milk in the chocolate reacts differently than just adding steamed milk to a latte.

Each barista has their own decorations that they make. Most learn on their own through trial and error, but there are classes that one may take, too.  Baristas use the steamed milk. The decoration is made through their pouring technique, and sometimes chocolate is added and a stir-stick is dragged through the chocolate and foamed milk. 

To Seattle-ites, coffee is just more than the caffeine. It is an experience.