On a recent trip to the Emerald City, my goal was to eat as many carbs as possible while catching up with friends. Thank goodness for outstanding espresso drinks to keep the mission on track.
Little Jaye South
What began as a wildly popular popup has grown into a very cool cafe — yes, that’s a painting of Anthony Bourdain and Dolly Parton posing American Gothic-style anchoring the warehouse-like space in the South Park neighborhood. This is the sweet spinoff of West Seattle’s Lady Jaye, a magnet for carnivores who appreciate meat cooked low-and-slow and served with a lot of style.
Walk into this order-at-the-counter bake shop and you’ll surely be tempted to try one of everything from the food porn-ish Rice Krispies treats — including a Fruity Pebbles and a potato chip embedded version — plus outstanding biscuits and breakfast sandwiches. Yes, please to crispy hash browns and bacon and eggs in between toasted brioche.
Loved this spot so much, I had to circle back for seconds later in the week. The biscuits and gravy were calling and I must go, said John Muir. OK, the famous naturalist never said that but consuming this filling breakfast classic surely would’ve got him further down the trail. It’s definitely the sausage-iest sausage gravy I’ve ever had the pleasure of devouring.
Little Jaye serves Stamp Act Coffee and features a daily latte special with various cereal milk, proving once again that Trix are not just for kids.
Congrats to chef Charlie Garrison and his crew for creating such an incredible place. So popular that they’re expanding into the space next door.
Bakery Nouveau
William and Heather Leaman opened their first Bakery Nouveau in West Seattle in 2006 and quickly became a beloved destination winning awards and accolades along the way. There are now three locations, all featuring cases filled with an extraordinary selection of sweets and savories that look as if they’ve been flown in from France. Nope, made right there by a team of devoted bakers.
It’s always a struggle to choose just one, but on the most recent visit, the caramelized mushroom tart spoke to me. It was absolutely perfect, each bite combining the flakiest pastry and the meaty mushrooms, grated parmesan on top. Ask them to warm it up a bit.
Not surprisingly, this shop offers a nice variety when it comes to coffee, too. Dancing Goats out of Olympia is the featured drip pour while the dark roast for espresso drinks comes from Lighthouse Roasters. The medium roast spotlight shines on a rotating purveyor and these days that’s Stamp Act.
If you’re looking to burn off some calories after the carb-loading feast, head over to Lincoln Park and walk down to the path along the water. Gorgeous scenery and a chance to take a selfie with one of the magnificent Northwest Trolls by Danish artist Thomas Dambo.
Caffè Umbria
Love this origin story, as told on the wholesale coffee roaster’s website:
Caffè Umbria is a full-service, wholesale coffee roaster based in Seattle, Washington. But the family’s roots in roasting go back to the 1940’s, when Ornello Bizzarri built his roastery in Perugia, Italy. The Arco Etrusco in our logo is a landmark of the Umbrian city.
Roaster Emanuele Bizzarri has always had coffee in his blood — from his grandfather Ornello to his father Umberto. When his family moved to Seattle from Italy, he became the third generation in a family of roasters, and he’s since carried that tradition on through Caffè Umbria with partners Jesse Sweeney and Pasquale Madeddu.
Cafes across the country feature these beans but I’ve got a special soft spot for the location in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. So much so that I was there when the doors opened at 7 a.m. on a cloudy Monday. The staff might’ve still been a little sleepy, but the latte was expertly made. Pastries are from Macrina Bakery and while the ham-studded biscuit was fine. It would have been even better had it been warmed up and served with jam.
On this visit, I stayed at the artsy CitizenM a few minutes walk from Umbria, a property that enjoys smashing waterfront views of Elliott Bay.
Shikorina Pastries
This sweet shop on Capitol Hill recently relocated from the Central District. Hana Yohannes founded the bake shop in 2020, looking for a way to share her passion for pastries with an appreciative audience.
While already famous for gorgeous cakes, there’s also an extensive lineup of creative cookies and other tempting treats. And get a load of those pretty Pop Tarts.
Coffee here is extra special. The team uses single origin Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee, hand roasting the beans following the traditional Eritrean/Ethiopian customs. The Americano I ordered was deeply delicious!
Caffe Vita at KEXP’s Gathering Space
This roastery got its start on Capitol Hill in 1995 and since expanded its reach from coast-to-coast with operations in Brooklyn and Phoenix and partners showcasing the beans all over the map.
It’s now part of the Yes Parade restaurant group and current owner Deming Maclise got his start in the business as a barista. His love of the process shows up in those fine espresso drinks. While sipping, indulge in one of those pastries from Macrina Bakery or Sea Wolf, a breakfast taco or that jar cleverly branded as Cake for Breakfast. There’s also a selection of prepared Middle Eastern dishes from Mamnoon and Vita also shines a spotlight on Ellenos Yogurt and Iggy’s kombucha, all local favorites.
Can’t imagine a more welcoming place to sip a cuppa than the vast Gathering Space at KEXP, the coolest station on the planet. Commercial-free, listener supported, KEXP began as a college station at the University of Washington and has grown to a mega-hit sensation among listeners everywhere.
Consider yourself lucky if you happen into the Gathering Space during a live performance, which turns the place into a dance party no matter what time of day. On chilly February morning, I had the good fortune to witness an electrifying set by Denver-based band DeVotchKa. By the time the last song finished, everyone in the crowd was plenty warmed up.
Dahlia Bakery
Most mornings, there’s a steady stream of regulars flowing into this downtown landmark, seeking something caffeinated to go with something sweet. Well, hello Oh Mochi Donuts. Those gluten-free rice flour pastries seems to be everywhere these days, but those at Dahlia are particularly pretty.
I’m always tempted by savory baked goods, too, and this talented pastry team delivers with intriguing creations such as the excellent mushroom and lemongrass puff. Best of both worlds experience has got to be Hudda’s Butterscotch Cookie made with smoked oats and finished with a liberal sprinkle of sea salt.
On the coffee side, please make mine a drip, no room for cream, thanks. Ahhh, that dark roast hits the spot. Yes, it’s Starbucks. You didn’t think we were going to skip the multinational roaster that put Seattle on the coffee map way back when. Tom Douglas Restaurants have been serving it for decades.