Caffe Vita – Phinney Ridge

**********4/23/20- Oh No!  Unfortunately, This Cafe Has Closed Down**********

Description on  Caffe Vita’s website: We are pioneers of the Farm Direct movement, meticulously sourcing the best coffee available while developing long-term, mutually fruitful relationships with coffee growers in more than 11 countries. We work with and invest in farmers who are committed to sustainable practices. By creating an environment where the customer can see, touch, and taste the coffee they purchase, we provide a unique learning opportunity that allows our coffee to speak for itself. Caffe Vita is always fresh, imported directly from the farm and roasted on-site.

Neighborhood:  Phinney Ridge / Greenwood

Address: 7402 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103

Music Playing: Yernin by Sevyn Streeter

What we ate/drank: Macchiato and Apple Fritter from Mighty O Doughnuts

Comments:

We’ve already reviewed our favorite Caffe Vita location in Pioneer Square where I made a fool of myself.  We’ve also reviewed their Fremont location. We’ve also noted some of the most popular restaurants (Wandering Goose(RIP 2020), Portage Bay Cafe) in Seattle who serve Caffe Vita coffee. This is a review of their Caffe Vita – Phinney Ridge location.  They also have Seattle locations in Queen Anne, Capitol Hill and Seward Park as well as locations in New York(Brooklynn and Lower East Side), Portland and Los Angeles.

If you are interested in the history of Caffe Vita and it’s owner, I encourage you to read this fascinating article from the Seattle Met Magazine. I had no idea the owner was also a restaurateur and behind Via Tribulani. It also references the relationship between he and the owner of Herkimer Coffee(a co owner of Caffe Vita at one time) and the owner of Espresso Vivace (a mentor).

The  Caffe Vita – Phinney Ridge location leans more towards the smaller Fremont location than the huge double level location in Pioneer Square. It’s configuration is like many Seattle business with a long narrow set up that’s very bright in the front, but very dark in the back. It’s really dark from the mid-point of the space to the back, so much so that’s difficult to read any books or periodicals. If you bring a laptop you’re fine. They also have a patio in the back that might actually have more seating than the inside.

There’s also a small front outdoor seating area and a garage style door opening which does make the small indoor space feel a bit roomier. Like the other Caffe Vita locations, they serve a few pastries including Mighty O Doughnuts and their coffee is consistently good as always.

I had my coffee here, but in observing the clientele that came in while I was there, it’s more of a grab and go location, than a sit down and relax one.

Ratings(1-5)

Atmosphere:  4.25

Service: 4.75

Food Options: 3

Overall: 4.25

Eavedropping  Convo:   Guy and a gal sitting near me.  The Beatles, “Blackbird” starts playing.

Gal: Ohhhhh, I looooove this song.

Guy: You know John Lennon wrote this song and people say he’s the best songwriter of all time, but I think he’s overrated. I just don’t believe it.  Then he starts singing along – “…..Blackbird fly, blackbird fly. Into the light of a dark black night….”

Gal: If he’s so overrated, why are you singing along to the song? She starts laughing.

Guy: Just because I’m singing it, doesn’t mean I like it and it doesn’t mean I think John Lennon’s the best songwriter. I’m just singing because it’s catchy. I’ll probably have it stuck in my head for the rest of the day. Dammit.

For the record, I did some research.  Paul McCartney actually wrote the song even though Lennon-McCartney are given credit. So Lennon didn’t write it or co-write it. Also McCartney is the only one that appears on the song.  There are no other Beatles on the song. Also when it comes to the best songwriters of all time, according to Rolling Stone Magazine, the writing duo of Lennon-McCartney is ranked #2, John Lennon as solo artist is ranked #3 and Paul McCartney as a solo artist is ranked #5. Pretty damn good.

Related:

• What Visitors Think of Seattle
• Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Seattle Coffee Shops
• Best Seattle Coffee Shops For Each Stage of Dating
• Part 5 – Best Seattle Coffee Shops for Food Options, Friendliest Service