tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324910092024-03-07T09:44:39.231-08:00Coffee Shops In Seattle, Portland and ManhattanWe're two girls with a love for cafes and coffee.
Here are some reviews of different coffee shops in Seattle, WA, Portland, OR and New York, NY.
ENJOY!Rikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593344360287558612noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-5484305794790460622010-12-16T14:07:00.000-08:002010-12-16T14:07:14.229-08:00If there is such a place as the most hipster coffee shop it would have to be <a href="http://www.backspace.bz/">Backspace</a>. This coffee shop is in Portland on Northwest 5th Ave in Portland on the boarder of Chinatown. Backspace is a large space with concrete floors covered in old oriental rugs and red brick walls with local art hung tastefully about the space. There are wooden tables and chairs all around the space with a couple of nice well used couches (when I came in the door there were a couple of lesbians curled up knitting, now there's a hipster guy sitting reading a zine). The music they're currently playing is very mellow piano and string music.<br />
Backspace is also a music venue and has a tech help desk in the back where you can get your computer fixed or rent a computer. All of the food they serve is vegetarian with the ability to be vegan. Everything is a reasonable price, I bought a (fake) turkey and avocado wrap, which came with a garden salad (or chips) for $7. I just ate half of it and it was really filling so I'm saving the other half for later. My only complaint is that the wrap is mostly tortilla, but it's still pretty tasty.Rikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593344360287558612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-66918816213377679632010-11-19T21:38:00.000-08:002010-11-19T21:39:43.933-08:00Dear Followers,<br /><br />I (Kaya) recently stared attending college at NYU. I will try to add some New York coffee shops to the blog. Sadly they are few and far between (coffee on the East coast is...well...not too good).<br /><br />With much fondness,<br /><br />Kayamomentwasrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13027070232989981649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-34304643740077276942010-08-18T18:00:00.000-07:002010-08-18T18:14:57.711-07:00This past week I discovered <a href="http://www.cafeallegro.info/">Cafe Allegro</a>. A cafe which has the potential to be super cute and mysterious. It is tucked away in an alley off of the Ave, near the University Bookstore. As I said it could be super cute. But it's super "ehhhhh". <br /><br />I stumbled upon Cafe Allegro while looking for a new yoga place (Universe City Yoga, super awesome, super great, take a class with Richelle, it will change your life). I thought to myself, "Oooh! A cafe in an alley, how mysterious" and I didn't let the smell of the nearby dumpsters deter me on my quest for adorable Seattle Cafes. Only then I went in and got an americano and got some serious snubbery (and snobbery) from the barista. But I was on my way to do yoga! Nothing would make me sad! NOTHING! My americano (my new drink of choice since I am now both soy and lactose intolerant) was okay. It was frothy and beautiful and it smelled good and it tasted fine. I did my yoga and I forgot the snobby barista man. <br /><br />But today, I went back before my (life changing) yoga class. I had forgotten my water bottle and so I went to the counter and I asked <br /><br />"Do you sell bottles of water?" <br />"We have mineral water"<br />"Oh. Okay. You don't have plain water?"<br />"We have a water fountain over there"<br />"Oh, that's okay. Thanks for your help!"<br />And I went back to my friends, ignoring the water fountain and cups because I have worked food service and while it is important to quench people's thirst, it is also important to buy something if you are going to take something and create more work for others. <br /><br />BUT on my way out he yells (yes, yells) "We would appreciate it if you bought something if you are going to take our water". <br /><br />To which I say (very quietly) "I didn't... That would be rude" and say in my head (very loudly): "I didn't take your water you snobby barista man!" <br /><br />So say no to Cafe Allegro, where the coffee is okay and the service smells as much as the dumpsters outside.momentwasrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13027070232989981649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-31751360889408022402010-04-23T09:57:00.001-07:002010-04-23T10:03:38.715-07:00<b>Water Avenue Coffee</b><br /><br />This place is so frickin cute. Right now it's at a temporary location right next door to my favorite Yoga place in Portland Yoga Bhoga (it's also the only yoga studio I've been to in Portland, so I'm really biased). Water Avenue Coffee, has great lattes, no sugar is required! It's the only thing I've gotten there so far, but the barista is cute and the place is spacious, so I'll be back. When they move, they're just going to be right around the corner, so it's not a big jump.<br /><br />-RikkiRikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593344360287558612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-66107110423529503412010-03-13T14:45:00.000-08:002010-03-13T14:54:48.957-08:00<a href="http://www.oddfellowscafe.com/">Oddfellows Cafe</a><br /><br />I went to the Oddfellows Cafe this morning for breakfast. It was delicious and simple. I had their pear coffee cake and a soy latte. Everything was delicious. My friend had some tea (irish breakfast or earl grey? Two very different teas, but she had one of them). She really liked the tea and it smelled really nice. The space is pretty big, very open and spacious. It's tucked away between Pike and Pine and the Broadway Park. I wish that I'd had more time to just chill there. The baristas were very nice. I plan to return.momentwasrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13027070232989981649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-8504904278007053172010-02-22T14:03:00.000-08:002010-02-22T14:29:30.949-08:00<a href="http://www.joebar.org/p.php?ID=1">Joe Bar</a><br /><br />Joe Bar is my new favorite cafe in Seattle (before it might have been El Diablo, but they removed "heaven" and it all went to hell. Okay, not really, El Diablo is still a lovely cafe, but without the upstairs its become kind of cramped).<br /><br />But back to Joe Bar. They serve delicious crêpes and the best coffee I've ever had. Located at the end of Broadway, you can find Joe Bar tucked away on Roy Street. They have an adorable loft where you can sit and look down on the rest of the café. I had their lemon and sugar crêpe with strawberries and a decaf americano with soy. The coffee was creamy and the crêpe was warm and tasty. The cafe is not too loud or busy. It's just the right spot to set up with a book or some homework. I definitely plan to find a reason to go back. Plus, the Baristas are very nice, hipstery and accommodating.<br /><br />Kaya<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.joebar.org/img/JoeBarWindow.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 460px; height: 345px;" src="http://www.joebar.org/img/JoeBarWindow.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />(I did not take this photo, but I will take and post one soon)momentwasrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13027070232989981649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-49787724729195004522009-09-20T10:40:00.000-07:002009-12-03T13:21:47.374-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdpJ8k6Y3-RNop8aG1yc_0P46_L9YcCMZlMw0Yb9oOxEPI8qcbySh9KigP-9uB12E1lfmkGlZsmiUkCo8Ll5pyUl7K02cQKgfutg17zvIr3xndE2ELarqFmTq7GBGNB-rebGYIQ/s1600-h/piedcow3.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdpJ8k6Y3-RNop8aG1yc_0P46_L9YcCMZlMw0Yb9oOxEPI8qcbySh9KigP-9uB12E1lfmkGlZsmiUkCo8Ll5pyUl7K02cQKgfutg17zvIr3xndE2ELarqFmTq7GBGNB-rebGYIQ/s320/piedcow3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411123069310563778" /></a><br />I went to <b>Pied Cow Coffeehouse</b> last night for my roommates birthday. It's more of a sit down place on Bellmont and 34th street in Portland that is a house with a few tables inside, but most of the tables are out on a patio to the side. Pied Cow is very colorful, with lots of lights and colorful walls. The waiters were all really nice and all looked very earthy with long hair pulled back or braided. <br />The coffeehouse also has hookah for $16, but they don't really pay attention to it all that much. They have a large selection of different food and drinks. I really liked their chai, and one of my friends described the lavender steamer as a "hug in a mug". For food, you can get anything from bread with balsamic vinegar and olive oil to a soup, salad or a sandwich. They also have a $50 dessert (which is what we came for, I arrived late and only got to see the bottom of a huge bowl) which is a bowl filled with ice cream, pie, cake, cherries, brownies and anything else you can possibly think of.<br />The only down side to this place is that it can get really cold at night and they don't have any outside heaters, so bring a jacket.<br /><br />-Rikki<br /><br />Disclaimer: I did not take this picture, found this in a google search. I'm hoping to go back and take my own picture, but for now this will have to do.Rikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593344360287558612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-1914502240358253402009-09-15T18:35:00.000-07:002009-11-24T19:45:48.879-08:00<b>The Artisan Cafe</b> is a cute, very small, cafe on the corner of 5th and Vine in downtown Seattle. Nothing extraordinary about it. The coffee is good, with a nutty taste. None of the food is made in the cafe, it all comes from different bakeries in the Seattle area and serves sandwiches more than pastries.<br />I'd recommend the place if you just need to some coffee before work, but not for meeting up with friends, it's too small.<br /><br />-RikkiRikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593344360287558612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-90182189549616928652009-08-20T08:51:00.000-07:002009-12-03T13:23:53.304-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijanU4m4HYHgpOuY8KKTzjzcwmy_lrC3KnChi2vSSywwRumPQrmWeK3U8mECtxfnOe0LIbgKxfuHFvt7SvC9QqB2SM1lSjjpyL8e25D_9s2CVox6vsmRKMbatZU4ewFu6O26NZ4Q/s1600-h/showPic.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijanU4m4HYHgpOuY8KKTzjzcwmy_lrC3KnChi2vSSywwRumPQrmWeK3U8mECtxfnOe0LIbgKxfuHFvt7SvC9QqB2SM1lSjjpyL8e25D_9s2CVox6vsmRKMbatZU4ewFu6O26NZ4Q/s320/showPic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411123601972345522" /></a><br /><b><a href="http://caffesensounico.com">Cafe Senso Unico</a></b> is a little cafe on Olive off 7th. I've been walking by there the last couple of days on my way to work, but already had a coffee in hand, so I never stopped in. Senso Unico is a small Itallian cafe with sturdy padded chairs and brightly colored walls with tiled designs above the door and on the tables. Their coffee is a very interesting, with a nutty brown taste to it and it doesn't need any sugar. They have the usual array of food options you'll find anywhere else, with a heavy lean towards coissants with different fillings (I recommend the rasberry cream cheese). As I was sitting in the cafe I heard a couple people order the mocha and the barista warned them that it's really sweet.<br />All the people who work there are Itallian and speak in a mixture of english and itallian which is interesting to listen to and watch. The older Barista whistles as he works, which I would usually find annoying, but it wasn't. The people who came in and out seemed to be regulars and the young woman who worked there knew what some of them wanted before they asked and she complimented their outfits.<br />The accoustics in the cafe aren't the best, although the music is soft the espresso machine they use is really loud, so the cafe probably isn't the best place to catch up with friends, but if you need to stop in for a cup of coffee and a pastry I would difinetly reccomend it.<br /><br />-Rikki<br /><br />Disclaimer: I did not take this picture, I found it on a google search. I'm hoping to go and take my own picture soon.Rikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593344360287558612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-86113027605441958812009-04-12T13:33:00.000-07:002010-11-14T20:45:11.471-08:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Papachino's (which is now Bella's Garage</span> is a little coffee shop (I think it's a garage turned coffee shop) across the street from Market of Choice on Southwest Terwilliger. Kaya and I have taken the bus by here a lot but never stopped in to work on some essays. Whenever I talk with anyone about having this blog they always tell me to check the place out, so we finally did!<br />
And finally about the place:<br />
Papachino's has a great atmosphere, good music and it's very open with lots of places to sit, but beware, they don't have any outlets to plug in laptops. You have to ask to use the extension cord they keep coiled under the counter (which they will be happy to let you use). Neither of us have had their coffee yet, but their chai is very good and not like anything you would normally get. You have a choice of spicy or sweet chai (I had the sweet chai) which they sprinkle cinnamon on top of (much to Kaya's glee. She loves cinnamon in and on everything). <br />
I'll go back again soon and write more, last time we were so worried about catching the bus back to campus to get dinner we didn't get to hang out for too long.<br />
<br />
-Rikki<br />
<br />
Hey! Kaya here. We were at Papachino's for about 3 to 4 hours doing work. It was a fabulous atmosphere for doing homework and just chilling. I bought a pastry and some tea. Good tea, stale pastry. I plan to go back anyway, maybe try something else.<br />
<br />
Happy sipping.<br />
<br />
-KayaRikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593344360287558612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-39743434647840808132009-03-20T20:17:00.000-07:002009-11-24T19:44:16.592-08:00<span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.twotartsbakery.com/">Two Tarts Bakery</a></span> is in Portland on 23rd next to a cute toy story. I have yet to try their coffee or tea, but their specialty is really their tiny delicious cookies. They are about two bites of yummy goodness ranging from the basics: chocolate chip cookies (okay, not so basic, there's a sprinkle of salt on top) to s'mores in cookie form (graham cracker cookie with a marshmallow on the inside, dipped in chocolate). Oh my goodness so good. They have lemon bars and marion berry cookies. 75 cents for yummy goodness!<br /><br />The venue is a little bitty, but and they have chairs and a table out front too. The women that work there are really nice. Go eat yummy cookies. I just bought 2 dozen. Assorted yummieness for friends over spring break.<br /><br />-Kayamomentwasrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13027070232989981649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-2323097411488286142009-02-08T02:04:00.000-08:002010-02-22T14:29:03.986-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFSsKFHefx7nXRtsfsvEUkHOGrgg1ONyNUe_IC8r9quKqpnnKtSe8pWfRHFHlmK8kwoIW0PD2EhRtr3oNEZdSbQzYXB1S6O2Z78n_y98G0Wxikon7r61qp6GwmsYBiqpZGGhzqQ/s1600-h/323384820_be05025563.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFSsKFHefx7nXRtsfsvEUkHOGrgg1ONyNUe_IC8r9quKqpnnKtSe8pWfRHFHlmK8kwoIW0PD2EhRtr3oNEZdSbQzYXB1S6O2Z78n_y98G0Wxikon7r61qp6GwmsYBiqpZGGhzqQ/s320/323384820_be05025563.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411122062315614226" /></a><br /><b><a href="http://www.viadelizia.com/">Via Delizia</a></b> is a little cafe in the Pearl District of Portland, but it's not just any little Italian cafe. The place looks like it's outside... on the inside.<br />This is probably blowing your mind right now. When I heard about it, I was like "whaaaaat?" <br />But yes. The place has been made to look like you are sitting outside a cafe with "trees" and "windows" next to the tables.<br />Okay, now about the stuff that really matters:<br />Their chai is AMAZING. They sprinkle nutmeg or cinnamon on top and it's to die for. I got one and I ran around to all my friends and made them try it.<br />They also have very good gelato, from the normal chocolate and vanilla to coconut and nutella, this place has got the flavor. <br />Via Delizia does breakfast, lunch and dinner as well, I have yet to try any of it, but from looking on the site it looks great and reasonably priced.<br /><br />-Rikki<br /><br />(Disclaimer: I did not take this picture, I found it in a google search.)<br /><br />Hey All, Kaya here.<br /><br />I did end up getting breakfast here with a friend of mine. It was the most delicious and perfect breakfast ever. I had a make-your-own omelet which came with toast, a green salad and a fruit salad. This sounds like a lot of food, but they give you just the right portions of everything. It was soo-o-o-o good. And as Rikki says, their goblets of chai are to die for.Rikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593344360287558612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-16637171519235936932009-01-20T13:24:00.000-08:002009-11-24T19:45:48.880-08:00<a href="http://www.hiroki.us/"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Hiroki</span></a> is an adorable little cafe which serves Victrola coffee and has THE BEST PASTRY YOU WILL EVER EAT! It's run by a really sweet Japanese man and he makes the most exquisite French pastries and cake and cookies you will ever taste. It's a tiny place up on North 56th, it's so tiny if you drive too fast down the street (which you shouldn't) you will miss it. So yummy!<br /><br />Go forth and eat and drink of the good coffee and desserts!<br /><br />-Kayamomentwasrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13027070232989981649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-73067579232981806142009-01-15T11:16:00.000-08:002009-01-15T11:21:00.310-08:00Rikki and I have been discussing (or rather, she mentioned while I was in a half awake, half asleep state and I smile and said, "ooh, huh, maybe") the idea of video blog posts on here. <br /><br />I would like to bring this "discussion" out to you, our reader. If you exist, since silence seems to be your virtue (one I wish you would rid yourself of), what are your thoughts on Twinly video recorded banter about coffee shops in the Seattle/Portland area? Is that something you would like to see/hear/experience? Or do you like our blog as it is. A blog in writing alone.<br /><br />Your thoughts are greatly appreciated. Be silent no more! Speak!<br /><br />-Kayamomentwasrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13027070232989981649noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-25762150387527893282008-11-13T02:32:00.000-08:002009-11-24T19:44:16.593-08:00<a href="http://www.teazone.com/"><b>Tea Zone</b></a> is one of the worst tea shops I've ever been to.<br /><br />I can see how the atmosphere could be considered relaxing, with its dim lighting, curtained walls and jazz music.<br /><br />However, the place is not a good working environment or a good place to meet up with people. The lights are too dim to read and the music is too loud to allow you to focus. The $7 "tea for two" only gives you three cups of tea and they put way too much tea leaves into the tea pots. The "flat bread" is just a small, expensive grease soaked pizza. The waiters aren't very attentive or very nice.<br />Over all, the place is pretentious and crowed.<br /><br />There are so many amazing tea and coffee shops in Portland and this is not one of them.<br /><br />-RikkiRikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593344360287558612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-29210519022795383142008-09-30T13:04:00.000-07:002009-12-03T13:16:04.420-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkCpYmC4oOsKCXeqthk2ek3rgbXvRfHZusZvnnOKS5cUsRdDi6p6obsai0jL9o7bPOrXFmIL414L6_7WYYU8F3N2R9PcR3OEKelcO8vs4adpIH4iOsL7xAIqi7LEpezLyenKWGQ/s1600-h/V-PDXOR-55060046_ID94924_guide_inclusion.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkCpYmC4oOsKCXeqthk2ek3rgbXvRfHZusZvnnOKS5cUsRdDi6p6obsai0jL9o7bPOrXFmIL414L6_7WYYU8F3N2R9PcR3OEKelcO8vs4adpIH4iOsL7xAIqi7LEpezLyenKWGQ/s320/V-PDXOR-55060046_ID94924_guide_inclusion.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411121736467597474" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.teachaite.com/"><b>Tea Chai Té</b></a> in PORTLAND on 23rd and NW Johnson<br /><br />Is probably the best tea place I've ever been to. Yes I know, this is not a coffee place, but they serve drinks of the hot variety, so I believe that reviewing them is okay. SO GOOD! <br />They have chai (made with lots of sugar and cream, I got mine with soy, damn my lactose intolerance), and all teas imaginable. My favorite to date is Lady Londonberry, said to be the favorite of Princess Diana. <br />They have comfy chairs and games to play. I insist you go and people watch as well.<br /><br />Going back this afternoon.<br /><br />much love,<br /><br />-Kayamomentwasrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13027070232989981649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-56372524693650194252008-09-23T22:35:00.000-07:002009-11-24T19:44:16.593-08:00<a href="http://www.kensartisan.com/"><b>Ken's Artisan Bakery</b></a> in Portland!<br /><br />OH MY GOD SO GOOD! I had the Ken's specialty croissant, and a canelle (I promptly bought two to bring back to have with tea in my dorm, funny how I'm currently eating it... sans tea, not in my dorm...) and a very yummy shortbread cookie. These were all split with Rikki mind you. I am not that greedy now that I'm at college (but if you want to give me free food, yes please!).<br /><br />Anyway. FABULOUS pastries, good iced tea, stumptown coffee so also good coffee I assume (haven't had that yet, but I will return for more!). They also have soups, pizza, sandwiches. I see food-based adventures in my future all concerning this fabulous little patisserie. <br /><br />GO EAT AND BE HAPPY!<br /><br />UPDATE: I went back and had their grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. The grilled cheese was unlike any grilled cheese I've ever had. Meaning it was made with bree cheese instead of good old cheddar. I prefer cheddar. The soup however was quite fabulous (it had a blue cheese swirl, so much yum).<br /><br />happily content with her canelles from Ken's,<br /><br />-Kayamomentwasrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13027070232989981649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-24795822581554607912008-09-07T16:26:00.000-07:002009-11-24T19:44:16.594-08:00First Portland Coffee Shop to be reviewed! YAY!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.annabannanascoffee.com/"><b>Anna Bannana</b></a> is located on 23rd street in Portland. It's a little house near a salon called "Leepin Lizards".<br />I didn't actually get anything to drink, I stole my friends drinks, which were all very good. It's the only place I've been to that makes Chia milkshakes. <br />AND VERY GOOD ONES AT THAT!<br />Another apparently very good beverage choice if you're looking towards the warm variety is the "Anna Banana Latte," if you like bananas they're supposedly very good.<br />I don't like Bananas so I didn't try it.<br />Sorry!<br />Anyway, the place has free wifi and sketchy downstairs area that is a nice quiet and cool place to sit, but kind of smells funny and you have to be 18 to go down there.<br /><br />-RikkiRikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593344360287558612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-4429540550168040092008-08-02T09:58:00.000-07:002009-11-24T19:45:48.880-08:00<span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.sugardelights.com/">Sugar Bakery and Cafe</a></span>is a very cute cafe located on Madison. The walls are painted Pink and white and all the cupcakes and things look very good. Their coffee is delightful, they brew Cafe Vita, like I've noticed a lot of independent coffee shops have doing. Cafe Vita coffee has a sharp taste and is very strong.<br />When I went there I had a latte and a brownie. The brownie was good, but did not taste very brownie-ish. It had brownie texture and looked like a brownie, but it tasted more like hazelnut, which was something I was not expecting. So if you like hazelnuts, go for it.<br /><br />-Rikki<br /><br />I would like to add to Rikki's review of Sugar....<br /><br />I agree the store is adorable. I was expecting a japanese bakery because of it's sanrio-esque exterior. Walking inside I was surprised to find that the pastries are all very french and there is nothing Japanese about the place.<br />I have visited Sugar Bakery on several occasions and loved it! The first time I had the most amazing coconut snowball (a cushy puffy outside rolled in coconut and sugar filled with a coconut cream inside), so good and one of my friends had a chocolate chip cookie. Oh so chocolate-y. <br /><br />The second time I had a fabulous goat cheese and chive scone with a soy latte (so good!) and my friend had a lemon cookie that was very lemony. <br /><br />My only grumble with this cafe/bakery is the neighborhood (it's on the more sketch part of Madison) and their lack of choices. I went there for brunch on a Wednesday morning around 10 am and they were out of a lot of things that I would have loved to try. Who runs out of goodies at 10 am?<br /><br />-KayaRikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593344360287558612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-3180648815828565562008-07-20T17:12:00.000-07:002009-11-24T19:45:48.881-08:00<b>Piroshky on Madison</b> is a little cafe/piroshky place on, well, Madison. The owner is very nice and the coffee and piroshkies are very good, although they don't have very many veggie options. Everything is made fresh, which is AMAZING. If you're looking for a pastry, try the ricotta and cranberry thing is lovely.<br />If you buy a coffee in the morning, you get a free cookie if they aren't out yet which are very tasty. They're kind of like mini, slightly fluffy snickerdoodles.<br />They also give out stamp card, which is nice. But you have to get two: one for piroshkies and one for coffee.<br /><br />-RikkiRikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593344360287558612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-30299502008940038742008-07-14T15:15:00.000-07:002009-11-24T19:45:48.881-08:00<span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.bottegaitaliana.com/">Bottega Italiana</a></span> has best gelato and coffee ever. They have two venues in Seattle one on Greenlake, and the other in Pike Place. I've never been to the Pike Place one, but the Greenlake one is fabulous. An amazing array of mouth melting flavors which change from day to day. My favorite is carmel (Latte Mou). They use Illy coffee, like the kind you find in European cafes. Really smooth and no bitter after taste. <br /><br />The baristas are very nice, the chairs aren't as comfy as the look, but the food is good. A summer cafe must. <br /><br />-Kayamomentwasrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13027070232989981649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-82726143784416930102008-07-04T19:37:00.000-07:002009-11-24T19:45:48.881-08:00<span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.cupcakeroyale.com/">Cupcake Royale</a></span><br /><br />Why I haven't reviewed this cafe before is beyond me. It's fabulous and they have cupcakes! They have two venues: one in Ballard and one in West Seattle. And my friend Zoe says they have one in Madrona. I believe her. Though I've never seen it. <br /><br />Anyway: Good iced tea, good coffee (by Verite), and AMAZING CUPCAKES. They have every flavor and then some. Like, lavender. Sounds weird, but it's good. My favorite is red velvet. Very good.<br /><br />I prefer the West Seattle venue. No reason. The atmosphere I guess. Although Ballard, to me, feels very much like West Seattle. <br /><br />This is a very scatted review. Anyhow, the base of this post is: Cupcake Royale is AMAZING. So good. Go there. Take a dozen cupcakes home, plus buy one for later, or in the car or for the walk to your car. Or for me. <br /><br />-Kayamomentwasrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13027070232989981649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-18585899875063436712008-06-24T16:03:00.000-07:002009-11-24T19:45:48.881-08:00Hello to anyone who reads this, and I don't know if anyone does, but if you do you're awesome.<br /><br />We will both be attending Lewis & Clark College (located right outside of Portland) next year, so we're going to start adding coffee shops that are located in Portland too!<br /><br />Hope that it's helpful and enjoyable!<br /><br />And we'll try to make sure it's obvious what City/State the Coffee shop is in.Rikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593344360287558612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-66573348933127682182008-06-16T11:39:00.000-07:002009-11-24T19:45:48.881-08:00<span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.bakerynouveau.com/"> Bakery Nouveau</a></span><br /><br />The closest thing to Paris in Seattle. The pastries are exquisite (just like in Paris), the coffee is okay (just like in Paris) and the atmosphere is old fashioned (just like in Paris). They have everything you might want to get walking the streets of Paris, even my favorite french pastry une pistole, although labeled something else at Nouveau, tastes divine. <br /><br />For those that don't know what une pistole is (go eat one. You are missing out on Heaven itself), it is a french pastry filled with honey cream and melted chocolate. The pastry outside is either made of a light coating of brioche break or, imagine the butter, a few layers of croissant dough, baked to perfection. So good. My mouth is watering just typing about it.<br /><br />Sadly the venue is a little cramped (just like in Paris!) and very popular so finding a good place to sit it difficult. AND it's in West Seattle, which is fine if you live in West Seattle, but I don't, nor do most people I know, so it's a bit of a trek over the viaduct. But a trek worth making.<br /><br />-Kayamomentwasrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13027070232989981649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32491009.post-6033341950978155872008-01-25T22:29:00.000-08:002009-11-24T19:45:48.882-08:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Cafe Solstice</span><br /><br />Although I really have never had their coffee, or actually been there during actual café hours, the venue is amazing.<br /><br />Then again, I've only been there while the Senate is playing. And they could make any venue amazing. Awesome actually. <br /><br />Someday, I plan on having a cup of their coffee and when I do, I'm sure it will be worth it.<br /><br />-Kaya<br /><br />Just adding on to this post from Kaya:<br />There's a reason we don't try their drinks- They aren't very good. If I remember correctly the brownies are good though.<br /><3<br /><br />-Rikkimomentwasrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13027070232989981649noreply@blogger.com0