Weekend Mini-Tour of Seattle

[seattlesetters]

The wife and I stopped in at six different Seattle cafes over the weekend. We were trying to arrive at a consensus for which blend we're going to start out with when Alexia and the Max Hybrid arrive later this week. Here's a brief re-cap of our impressions. Please keep in mind my preferred drink is doppio ristretto, my wife's, doppio macchiato. Also keep in mind my palate is not the be-all end-all...this is by no means a definitive rating, just our newbie impressions on a particular day. We were just out having a good time!

In order in which they were visited:

1. Caffe D'Arte (3-group Nuova Simonelli Aurelia) - My doppio seemed a bit over-extracted. A touch weak and bitter, it had a light spot in the middle of the darker crema. My wife's macchiato was nice. The extraction seemed good, with smooth, chocolate & caramel notes in the mouth. Best latte art of the day, as well. C
2. Caffe Vita (Capital Hill - 3-group Synesso Cyncra) - My doppio was the third God shot I've had in my life. Gorgeous, reddish-brown crema led to a rich mouthfeel and beautiful, intense flavors of chocolate, caramel & spice. The finish lasted forever. My wife's macchiato was equally good. Note: The barista who pulled my shot asked another barista to pull the shot, steam the milk and make the machiatto. After tasting it, I know why...she did an outstanding job, and my wife loved the latte art. A+
3. Victrola (Pike Street - 2-group Synesso Cyncra) - A nice shot but not the best I've had from Victrola. Streamline is one of my favorite blends, but that day, the brown-sugar finish wasn't there like the chocolate and nutty flavors were. Not sure what the issue was. My wife's macchiato was OK, but the milk's bubbles were a bit large. C+
4. Espresso Vivace (Denny Way - 3-group Synesso Cyncra) - Typical Vivace. Everything was great....this cafe always seems to operate at at least 95% of perfect, never less. No bad shots, no bad drinks. You either get something that is better than 95% of everything out there, or you get something that is better than anything. Super-consistent, this day was no different. My shot was vintage Dolce, my wife's drink was vintage Vita. Ho hum. A
5. Lighthouse Roasters (3-group LM FB/70) - A great shot with lovely, brown/red/tan crema. The first sip yielded notes of chocolate & spice. The last sip gave way to powerful notes of berry & spice. My wife's macchiato was a nice drink...the milk was steamed perfectly. The shot in her drink wasn't quite up with mine, though. A-
6. Caffe Vita (Fremont - 4-group LM Linea) - Another terrific shot, although not as full in the mouth or intense as the previous day's shot on Cap Hill. My wife's macchiato was nice....great milk, art and a pleasant, chocolatey taste. B+

[Ozark_61]

I'm sure you may have gone already, but if not, try Cafe Umbria down by Pioneer Square, and Zoka in Wallingford.

[Abe Carmeli]

Thanks for the nice report. Some pictures would have been welcome. Three A's for straight shots is a very successful tour I must say. I should try Vita next time I'm in Seattle. As to Vivace, I could not agree more. Everything about his shop on Denny Way screams of excellence. From the interior design, to the staff, the patrons, and the drinks. Schomer doesn't cut corners.

[seattlesetters]

I'm sure you may have gone already, but if not, try Cafe Umbria down by Pioneer Square, and Zoka in Wallingford.

Geoff - Cafe Umbria is not one I get to. We tend to stay in the northern parts of the city when out & about...I'll have to try it next time I go to a Mariners game. Appreciate the tip!

I do get to Zoka.... a lot. My daughter goes to the UW, and her sorority house is literally three blocks from Zoka University. We go to Green Lake all the time when the weather is nice, and the Tangletown Zoka is an easy stroll from there. In fact, I get to Zoka probably two or three times as much as all the others combined.

Thanks for the nice report. Some pictures would have been welcome. Three A's for straight shots is a very successful tour I must say. I should try Vita next time I'm in Seattle. As to Vivace, I could not agree more. Everything about his shop on Denny Way screams of excellence. From the interior design, to the staff, the patrons, and the drinks. Schomer doesn't cut corners.

Abe - The A- given to Lighthouse was probably generous. I just couldn't get past the flavors in their Espresso Blend....something different and delightful with every sip and at every temperature. It is really tasty stuff! However, Vivace was Vivace, and anything less than an A would have been a surprise. And Vita's Capital Hill location on Pike Street just hit a home run on Saturday. We went in when they weren't busy, there were three baristas working and I was the only person in line. The look on the barista's face when I ordered a doppio and a macchiato told me I might be in for a treat. He even let another barista make the macchiato, and although I can't say for sure, I think he did so because she was better at it than he and he knew it. He wanted the guy who didn't order a vanilla soy half decaf grande latte to have a good shot, and his wife to have a great macchiato. Mission accomplished on both fronts.