Vif Wine | Coffee

****NOTE: This review was done prior to the Covid-19 outbreak. Of course, things are much different at the moment, but we hope things will get back to normal soon and hope you will continue to support these local businesses****

Vif Wine | Coffee

Description on  Vif Wine|Coffee’s website: Vif Wine|Coffee offers a new approach to how wine and coffee are presented and sold in Seattle. Our focus — offering products that are alive, real and natural — sets us apart from all other wine merchants and cafes.

Neighborhood:  Fremont

Address:  4401 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103

Music Playing: Islands On The Coast by Band of Horses

What we ate/drank: Cortado, Apple Croissant

Comments: Many years ago I used to live in this neighborhood.  If I remember correctly, this used to be a teriyaki joint and then became a burger joint.  The folks at Vif have definitely done a good job of turning the space from a nondescript grab and go teriyaki/burger spot to an inviting space where you can enjoy a coffee or a wine since they opened in 2013.  The plain exterior of the building left by the previous businesses belie the relaxing interior.

There is a wall of windows on three sides of the building, which makes it bright and includes a U-shaped bench with plenty of electrical outlets.  Beware: No laptops allowed on the weekends during brunch hours – 8am-3pm.  Vif also has a good sized patio area and one of the rarest of conveniences, an adjoining free parking lot.  A good amount of the space displays their natural wine selection.

Vif offers a nice place to have a coffee/dessert after eating a heavy meal at Uneeda Burger, Paseo or Fremont Bowl, which are right down the street. They’ve also got some competition with Lighthouse Coffee Roasters and Caffe Vita nearby. What Vif has going for it though, is the in house made pastries as well as a few lighter dishes, such as salads, breakfast sandwiches and avocado tartine.

According to this Stranger article ( https://www.thestranger.com/food-and-drink/feature/2015/10/28/23071788/some-of-the-tastiest-food-can-be-found-at-a-wine-shop-in-fremont) :

The inspiration for Vif came while the two were traveling in France. Feldman(owner) says Vif is modeled after a type of business that’s common there but rare in the United States. “It’s called cave à manger—basically a wine shop where you can get a bite to eat.

Mead and Feldman avoided calling their business a cave à manger because, says Feldman, “no one knows what that means and it sounds a little elitist when you use words that no one understands.”

This concept might be common in France, but it’s definitely rare in Seattle. And the wine that Vif specializes in is natural wine, which is made with as little human intervention as possible. No color additives, added yeasts or chemicals.

There appears to be a second location in the works in Beacon Hill.

Ratings(1-5)

Favorite Thing: The unexpected transformation from teriyaki/burger joint to a relaxing café.

Atmosphere:  4.50

Service: 4.25

Food Options: 4.50

Overall: 4.40

Eavedropping  Convo:

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• Our New Seattle Coffee Shop Discoveries in 2019
• Part 5 – Best Seattle Coffee Shops for Food Options, Friendliest Service