Seattle - Washington State - page 94

mélange of flavors to its dishes. Because the menu changes daily, you never know
what you might find when you drop by.
1270 Carillon Point, Kirkland. & 425/889-0303. www.ybbeachcafe.com. Reservations recommended. Main
courses $13-$21. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10:30pm.
COFFEE, TEA, BAKERIES & PASTRY SHOPS
CAFES, COFFEE BARS & TEA SHOPS
Unless you've been on Mars for the past decade, you're likely aware that Seattle
has become the espresso capital of America. Seattleites are positively rabid about
coffee, which isn't just a hot drink or a caffeine fix anymore, but rather a way of
life. You'll never be more than about a block from your next cup. There are
espresso carts on the sidewalks, drive-through espresso windows, espresso bars,
gas station espresso counters, espresso milkshakes, espresso chocolates, even
eggnog lattes at Christmas.
Starbucks, the ruling king of coffee, is seemingly everywhere you turn in
Seattle. They sell some 36 types and blends of coffee beans. SBC, also known as
Seattle's Best Coffee, and Torrefazione, two of Seattle's other favorite espresso-
bar chains, were both bought up by Starbucks in 2003, so though the decor may
be different, you can expect the same Starbucks coffee and service at these other
two chains. Close on the heels of Starbucks and SBC in popularity and citywide
coverage is the Tully's chain, which seems to have an espresso bar on every cor-
ner that doesn't already have a Starbucks or an SBC. Serious espresso junkies,
however, swear by Caffe Ladro and Caffé Vita. If you see one of either of these
chains, check it out and see what you think.
Coffee bars and cafes are as popular as bars and pubs as places to hang out
and visit with friends. Among our favorite Seattle cafes are the following (organ-
ized by neighborhood):
Pioneer Square & the International District
The Pioneer Square location of Torrefazione , 320 Occidental Ave. S.
( & 206/624-5847 ), with its hand-painted Italian crockery, has a very old-world
feel. The foam on the lattes here is absolutely perfect. It has great pastries, too.
Other Torrefaziones can be found at 622 Olive Way ( & 206/624-1429 ), 1310
Fourth Ave. ( & 206/583-8970 ), and in Fremont at 701 N. 34th St. ( & 206/
545-2721 ).
Zeitgeist Art/Coffee , 171 S. Jackson St. ( & 206/583-0497 ), with its big
windows and local artwork, is popular with the Pioneer Square art crowd.
In the International District, don't miss the atmospheric Panama Hotel Tea
& Coffee House , 607 S. Main St. ( & 206/515-4000 ), which is filled with
historic photos and offers a fascinating glimpse into the neighborhood's past.
Belltown & Pike Place Market
Seattle is legendary as a city of coffeeholics, and Starbucks is the main reason.
This company has coffeehouses all over town (and all over the world), but the
original Starbucks, 1912 Pike Place ( & 206/448-8762 ), is in Pike Place Mar-
ket. In fact, this is the only chain store allowed in the market. Although you
won't find any tables or chairs here, Starbucks fans shouldn't miss an opportu-
nity to get their coffee at the source.
The Seattle Center & Queen Anne Areas
Caffe Ladro Espresso Bar & Bakery , 2205 Queen Anne Ave. N. ( & 206/
282-5313 ), in the heart of the pleasant Upper Queen Anne area, has the feel of
a cozy neighborhood coffeehouse. There's another Caffe Ladro in the MarQueen