Browsing Tag: Downtown

Caffe Senso Unico – Downtown 

Description on  Caffe Senso Unico website: They ain’t got one. 

Neighborhood:Downtown 

Address:622 Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98101 

Music playing:Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall by Ella Fitzgerald 

What we ate/drank:Americano & Apple Struddel  

Comments: I’ve been going to Caffe Senso Unico(which means, “One Way” in Italian) for at least 8 years since one of my former co-workers loved the place. They just recently moved right next door from their old location.

The funny thing is with the opportunity to change some things around when moving to a new location, the setup is exactly the same unlike the major changes that Revolutions Coffee made from their old location to their new location.

If you hadn’t been to Caffe Senso Unico in a while you’d think it’s the same place, just remodeled to a more modern style. Both the old and new location have a glass display of sandwiches and pastries as soon as you walk in, counter for ordering, prepping drinks and pick up on the right side and seats/tables on the patio, in the front window, along the side and in the back.

Both places also showcase art that changes every so often. One of the few differences is the walls are now grey, where before the front section was green and the back section was a bright red. It actually does make a big difference in the mood of the place.  

Anybody who has been here, will no doubt know who Mario is. He’s the owner(from Italy) of Caffe Senso Unico and no one person in any of the coffee places in Seattle imparts his personality on a cafe like he does. He’s pretty charismatic and runs a pretty efficient line.

If you stay here for your drink, you’ll notice he’ll greet the regulars and make small talk while they wait for their drinks. You get the feeling he knows what he’s doing and knows how to run a business. I think he’s a pretty detail-oriented guy. I remember seeing him training a new employee on how to fold the aprons in a particular way.  

Similar to places like, Elm Coffee Roasters, which doesn’t have a lot of electrical outlets for laptop camping, Caffe Senso Unico, has very few if any outlets and no Wifi. I believe the goal for both these places is to encourage chatting over coffee versus 30 silent individuals on their laptops. I can respect that.  

I had the apple struddel and an Americano when I went this particular time. They also have quiche, pastries(from Macrina I believe) and sandwiches. The coffee is from Caffe Umbria. During peak hours, there’s a line out the door, but off peak it’s not difficult to find a place to sit.  

One thing that sets Caffe Senso Unico apart from the rest is their high quality chairs, their tiled tables and handmade mugs(see pic below) and dishes.

These are not your mish mosh of hard wooden chairs and tables that you see in a lot of cafes. The seats are either leather or upholstered wood chairs. The other thing that’s different is that they accept Euros and they have a little dish near the register where they put your change or credit card on after you’ve paid.  

People say it’s a little slice of Europe in Seattle, but honestly with the exception of the tabletops, mugs and owner, the atmosphere is like your normal café.  

Ratings(1-5) 

Favorite Thing:   Use of hand made mugs and dishes. It’s a nice touch.  

Atmosphere:3.75 

Service:4.5 

Food Options:4.75   

Overall:4.25 

EavedroppingConvo:  This one is a doozy, folks. Guy was talking on the phone. He looked like a young college student,  wearing baggy jeans, a hoodie and a backpack. 

Guy-I think we’re fine because there’s no paper trail, but I think we need to let her down easy, because she can still screw us.  

Quiet

Guy-No, treat it just like Angela.  Tell her we’ll accept her demands on the (….serverance?-couldn’t hear) 

Quiet 

Guy-Yeah, we can give her a good reference, but just not to our friends.  

I thought he was talking about getting rid of a real estate agent at first, but I think they were firing a co-worker.  

Pegasus Coffee Bar

Description on Pegasus Coffee website: Pegasus Coffee began roasting arabica coffee beans for Bainbridge Island coffee lovers in 1979. From the beginning, we have focused on using the highest quality coffee beans from each growing region of the world and carefully roasting our coffee one batch at a time. 

Neighborhood: Downtown 

Address: 1218 3rd Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 

Music playing:  None 

What we ate/drank:  Double Espresso from Pegasus Roaster 

Comments: I wanted to get a quick coffee before going to work and just relax. I intended to go to Caffe Migliore, but as I walked up to the door I saw somebody that I knew in there. I really wanted to just relax and I knew if I walked in, I’d have to talk and hang out. I’m anti-social that way prior to getting my coffee. I looked on Google Maps for nearby suggestions and I saw Pegasus Coffee was around the corner. I had always known about it because my bus passes by it everyday on my way to work. Off I went. 

Pegasus Coffee Bar is located in the Seattle Tower which at one point was the tallest building in Seattle. The builders decided to make it one floor taller than the more famous Smith Tower, whose bar I mentioned briefly in our Best Seattle Bars For Each Stage of Dating post.  The interesting thing is the Smith Tower from top to bottom is actually taller, but the Seattle Tower was built at a higher elevation so looking at the downtown skyline it’s taller. Both buildings are now considered small fries among the newer downtown buildings.  

I had no idea the space was this small. There are literally two single seats that look out on 3rd Ave. And they are not together, so if you stay here you’re sitting solo. 3rd Ave in downtown is a main bus lane in the morning, so they probably get a lot of traffic from people getting off the bus before going to their jobs.  It’s also right across the street from the University Street Link Light Rail station. For these two reasons, I’d say 98% of the people who come here, get their coffee to go.  

They have another location a few blocks away that’s also on 3rd Ave. Although, that location looks like something out of a strip mall. I know it’s not their fault since they probably took over the spot from another business or the building architects just built it that way, but if you have a choice between the two, come to one located in the Seattle Tower.  It’s a really charming small shop that according to the baristas used to be a cigar shop. Once they said that you can almost see the cigar shop qualities-the high ceilings, darker lighting and off course the dark mahogany wood. I really don’t think much has been done to this spot since the building opened, so it has a feeling of preserved history. I

I ordered a doppio espresso. $2! You are reading that right, only 2 bucks! I ordered it to drink there and the barista said, “Oh, thank you for drinking it here. It’s always nice to drink espresso out of a proper cup”.  Like I said, I don’t think too many people stay there to drink due to its size. There were a small case for pastries and a separate one for bagels. The choices aren’t many. There was a cooler for cold drinks and also multiple canisters of tea. Their roaster is out on Bainbridge Island.  

The place is so small you can’t help but make small talk with the two baristas if you decide to stay there to drink. The two gals there were really friendly and you could tell they enjoyed working together and had a passion for café culture. We talked about plans for the weekend and I asked when they weren’t at Pegasus Coffee working, what coffee places do they frequent(See below).   

Ratings(1-5) 

Favorite Thing:  The charming historic look of this small place and the two friendly gals working there.  

Atmosphere: 5

Service:  5 

Food Options:  2.5 

Overall:  4.25 

Eavedropping Convo: Since I was the only one there, there was no eavesdropping conversations to overhear, so I just spoke to the baristas there.   

Me-When you’re not drinking coffee here, where do you like to go? 

Barista 1(B1)- I really like La Marzocco. 

Barista 2(B2)- Oh yeah, La Marzocco. Their history, the café’s ambiance and the fact that there are only 3 La Marzocco cafes in the world….. 

B1- I really like Zeitgeist. I’m one of those people you can spend hours on my laptop so I like that place.

B2- yeah, she lives in Pioneer Square so it’s close by.  

B1- I like C&P Coffee   

Me-C&P?  Never heard of it. Where is it?  

B1-It’s in West Seattle. It’s like in somebody’s house and it’s been around forever.  

Me-I don’t get out to West Seattle much, but I’ll have to check it out. 

B1-I like Caffe Vita and Victrola, but I’ve only been to the one on 15th, not the main one.  

Couple new places to look into. I’ve passed by Zeitgeist, but have never been. And I’d never heard of C&P Coffee, but in researching the place, it seems like a much beloved place. Just earlier this month they were in danger of losing the place, but the community was able to raise $77,240 on GoFundMe to save the place!  We’ll for sure have to see for ourselves. 

Name: Caffe Ladro 

Description on their web:  At Caffe Ladro, we strive to provide profound service.
We believe that profound service improves the world.

Neighborhood: Downtown, but has 15 locations(9 in Seattle, 2 up north and 4 on the East Side)

Address:  801 Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98101

Music playing:  What Do You Love? by YG

What we ate/drank:  Medici, Gibraltar

Comments:  Although each Caffe Ladro location is different, this one is way different. Some locations are inviting/homey and others are minimalist modern. I always felt like this location is straight out of the Jetsons. Even though the walls and cashier/barista station are covered with dark wood, the rest of the space looks like what one would envision as futuristic in the 60/70’s. This location is on the bottom floor of the 801 Tower, which was constructed in 1970. Most Seattlites know about this apartment building because it’s a circular building like a rocket and was one of the few high rise apartment buildings in NE part of downtown until recently. The cafe has slanted floor to ceiling windows all the way around the front and side which makes this Caffe Ladro location super bright. Another reason for the Jetson feel might be the 5 planetary-looking hanging lamps.

Caffe Ladro is known for their Medici. And though I’m normally an espresso/americano person, when in Rome….

The Medici is a doppio esprseso poured over chocolate syrup and orange peel, with whipped cream on top. I thought it would be super sweet but it wasn’t and quite good. The Medici was actually created in Seattle at an espresso bar no longer in existence, Last Exit on Brooklyn, which was located in the University District near UW.

They have some limited pastries

As for the seating options. There’s only a short bar with stools facing out on Pine, a few individual leather seats and few small tables with stools. There’s also a small bar near the cashier that seats three and a very small patio section.

The grand Hyatt hotel is one block away, so all the taxi drivers line up on the street right next to Caffe Ladro. One thing I noticed is the number of taxi drivers who come in for their cup of joe at Caffe Ladro while waiting for the hotel to call them to pick up a fare.

Mystery Solved– I asked the workers what the logo of the silhouetted man represented(Got the coffee place right this time). They said Ladro is Italian for thief, so the figure is supposed to be a cloaked mysterious in-the-shadows thief. Ah-ha…..

Mystery Really Solved– See review of Caffe Ladro(1800 9th Building)

Ratings(Scale 1-5)

Favorite Thing: The unconventional “Jetsons” architecture.

Atmosphere: 4

Service:  5

Food Options:  3.25 

Overall:  4.25

Eavesdropping Convos:    A regular comes in…

Barista(B)- Hey, haven’t seen you in a while. Normal macchiato?

Customer(C) –You got it. How’s your morning so far?

B-So far, so good. Does it feel hot in here? *Waves her hand at her face to cool off* I’m feeling hot. 

C-And I’m a heating seeking missile. **laughs**

Related Articles:

• Café Allegro- The Secret Cafe
• Eastern Cafe
• Zeitgeist Coffee
• Caffe Umbria

Voxx Coffee

Description on Voxx website: We start with our own custom blend of premium beans sourced through farmers in the world’s best coffee growing regions. We are proud to partner with Lighthouse Roasters, a Seattle pioneer in roasting since 1995. We are believers in doing what you love and loving what you do. And we make coffee for people who love coffee.

Neighborhood:  Downtown

Address: 1200 6th Ave, Seattle WA 98101

Music playing:  Lake Superior- The Arcs

What we ate/drank:  Americano and White Knuckle Obrien breakfast burrito(eggs, potatoes, onions, bell peppers, and cheddar)

Comments:

Voxx Coffee is on the bottom floor of the Park Place Building right near the entrance. It’s also near the Convention Center so it’s a good option if you happen to be there. First thing I noticed are two phone booth sized express work stations meant for less than 20 minute increments. Good if you need some privacy. Towards the back is a narrow bar meant for enjoying your coffee while standing, but near the front area is a wider bar along the front window with four seats.

There’s a “living room area” with a couch, corner table, seat and coffee table. And along the side are long benches and 6 tables for two.  Although it’s a small space, they’ve maxed the areas to enjoy your stay. It would definitely be difficult to find seating if you came with a bigger group. The front area with the “living room area” and benches has warm lighting. The other side of the space with the express work stations seems like a different place with plain exposed concrete walls and darker lighting.

Food options are various Macrina Bakery pastries and White Knuckle sandwiches and burritos. In watching the three folks working the morning I went, they were making a concerted effort to keep the line moving in an efficient manner without being pushy, cognizant of the morning folks trying to get to work.  When I ordered an Americano and burrito, the cashier rung me up, a 2nd person filled the cup with hot water and handed off to the barista and the burrito was put in the panini press before I was finished paying. It’s the first time I’ve seen a burrito warmed with a panini press which made it toasty on the outside.

Ratings 

This is more of a coffee shop that I’d go to if I was only in the area. I mean their coffee is good and the service is great, but it’s just not the type of space where I’d want to relax and spend some time. On the other hand, their location in Eastlake is bright, airy and more inviting.

Favorite Thing:

Ratings(Scale 1-5)

Atmosphere: 3.5

Service:  5 

Food Options:  4.0

Overall:  4.25

Eavesdropping Convos:    

I heard you’re looking for a house this weekend?

Noooo, looking to rent. Renting. Renting. We thought about buying, but some things are out of your control like if the owner wants to sell to you or not versus renting where I have more control over how much I want to pay, distance of commute or if I want to stay longterm. If we could stay in our little one bedroom apartment with a two minute commute to downtown, I would.

Related Articles:

• Caffe Senso Unico
• Cafe Hitchcock
• Pegasus Coffee
• Bauhaus

Anchorhead Coffee Co

Description on their web: We are believers in doing what you love and loving what you do. And we make coffee for people who love coffee.

Neighborhood:  Downtown

Address: 1600 7th Ave, Seattle WA 98101

Music playing:  It Is Not Meant To Be-Tame Imapla

What we ate/drank:  Americano

Comments: In our post, Seattle Bars For Each Stage of Dating, we talked about Suite 410 as being the bar where you’d take a date to impress. It had to be quiet, chill and have dark lighting to set the mood for romance. Anchorhead Coffee Co is the coffee shop equivalent of Suite 410. First of all, Anchorhead is located on the bottom floor of an office building so it would normally be hard to spot from the street, but you can’t miss it because of the word, “COFFEE”(see below) in huge letters in the window. First thing I noticed is how dark it is there, which makes it more conducive to a relaxed, winding down from a hard day at work feel. It’s the perfect place to grab a coffee before seeing an evening movie or a show down the street at the Paramount. It does get busy in the morning with all the Nordstrom employees in the building getting their caffiene intake.

There are leather industrial stools along the front glass window facing the street. The same stools are also placed at the opposite end of the space along two long tables. In the middle of the space are two turquoise leather chairs and leather sofa with a narrow wood coffee table between them. Along the side are more traditional tables but with leather rolling office chairs. There’s also some limited outdoor seating when the weather is warmer.

The food choices are above average. They had berry banana oat muffins, banana loaves, bacon cheddar chive scones and croissant breakfast sandwiches with bacon, egg and cheese. All were huge. They have your normal espresso drinks as well as a pretty extensive pour over menu and nitro cold brew. In the winter they also have seasonal drinks like pumpkin latte, mulled apple ciders and mochas with mint. They have a few beers on tap. Bale Breaker, one of my favorites, among them. 

There’s definitely a lot of competition in the area. Anchorhead Coffee Co is surrounded by Caffe Senso Unico, Mr West Cafe, Caffe Ladro, Made Coffee and of course, Starbucks, but they more than hold their own.

Note: When I first saw a sign saying Anchorhead Coffee Co was opening, I thought that Anchored Ship Coffee, a place in Ballard was opening another branch. The similar name and very similar logo really tripped me up.

Ratings(Scale 1-5)

Favorite Thing: Our choice for a nice relaxing romantic atmosphere.

Atmosphere: 4.5

Service:  5 

Food Options:  4.75

Overall:  4.75

Eavesdropping Convos:    

Gal 1(G1)- Have you ever been to Baltic Room?

Gal 2(G2) – Yeah

G1-I was there the other night with friends and there was this guy there. Super cute. This girl goes right up to him and starts flirting with him. I aspire to be that girl someday. You know, just doesn’t care and just goes after what she wants.

Related Articles:

• Preserve and Gather
• Capitol Coffee Works 
• Kaladi Brothers Coffee
• Realfine Coffee

Mr West Cafe Bar  

Description on their web: Easy Drinking. Tasty Fare. Morning, noon, night. 

Neighborhood: Downtown 

Address: 720 Olive Way, Seattle WA 98101 

Music playing:  Multi-Love by Unknown Mortal Orchestra 

What we ate/drank:  Doppio Espresso, Apple Fagotinni, Americano

Comments:  As we stated in Our Seattle Coffee Shop Thoughts, this is our favorite coffee place in Seattle. As mentioned it’s just a great combination of cozy and modern with tons of seating options, great food choices and great atmosphere. Honestly, when Mr West Cafe Bar first opened, I wasn’t sure it would survive. At the time, my bus stop was across the street, so I could see if it was full or empty inside and most of the time it was empty. It’s in a weird area right on the outskirts of downtown and South Lake Union, but walking distance from Capitol Hill. I’m glad they persevered, because now the place is always packed. The scummy Greyhound station used to be across the street, but now a brand new Hyatt Regency is replacing it, so I’m sure it will be even more crowded. It goes without saying the coffee is superb, but what separates Mr West Café Bar from the rest is their variety of food options and atmosphere. They have your normal sweet pastries, but they also have sandwiches, salads, toasts with cheese, avocado, cured salmon and cheese/meat boards. If you’re not in the mood for coffee, they also serve wine, cocktails and have beers on tap.   There are all types of seating-single seats along the front window, booth seating, long tables for groups, bar seating and patio seating. It feels comfortable whether you are working/studying, catching up with friends or having a group outing. The barista and food prep is located in the middle of the cafe and everybody is seated around them. If you are staying for drink and/or food, they will give you a number on a stand, which you place on your table and they’ll bring out your order when it’s ready.  

For me personally, what I really like is their music selection. It feels like I’m constantly Shazam’ing the music they play. They’ve turned me on to The Radio Dept, Whitney, Leisure, Tora, Real Estate, Day Wave, Hazel English, The National, Hooded Fang, Harlem, Skaters, 

Ratings:

Favorite Thing: Their music choice and atmosphere 

Atmosphere: 5 

Service:  5 

Food Options:  5 

Overall:  5 

Eavesdropping Convos:    

These were two co-workers having a meeting while having some coffee, but I couldn’t tell if it was a boss and subordinate or just two colleagues.

Girl 1: I just wanted to talk to you. It’s really nothing. 

Girl 2: Well it’s not nothing, it must be something. I’m a very blunt person so you won’t have to worry about me providing feedback. 

1: I get the feeling that you don’t like me and it’s fine if you don’t like me, but I feel it’s getting in the way of working together. I just want to clear the air and find out why. 

2: I fully admit I’ve been in a funk lately, but I’m not going to take all the hits. From the very beginning I asked you out to lunch a couple of times and it was never reciprocated. I also asked you to coffee before, I didn’t know if you drink coffee, but again never reciprocated. I’m the type of person where I’m going to try and if I’m ignored, I’m going to stop and not try anymore. Also, you know my cat just died, that was a big deal. I’m still not over it and you’re the only person who didn’t console me. The only person.  (long pause)……. As a woman that’s a big deal.  

1: I own that, but I feel that you’ve been very cold to me, so it’s hard to talk to you. 

2: We haven’t really worked on any projects together, so I don’t hate you. I don’t even know you. 

The conversation was getting juicy, but in a way it was uncomfortable and tried to tune them out. They were both rather loud, so it wasn’t like I had to lean my ear in their direction.  Girl 2 kept saying over and over again …. I don’t hate you, I don’t even know you. 

Related Articles:

• Storyville Coffee Co
• Raised Doughnuts
• Preserve and Gather
• Caffé Vita