Top Shops

Top Shops

1. Java Bean, Ballard- Great Atmosphere, personality, delicious coffee

2. Bahaus Coffee and Books, Capitol Hill-Amazing views, good coffee

3. Tully's, Ballard- Family Atmosphere, great service

Ballard Tully's

The first thing I noticed when I entered the Ballard Tully's was that is was very clean and well organized. All of the shelves were well-stocked, and the tables were all wiped, there was no trash, and even the condiment bar was immaculate and well-stocked.

The store was busy, several people sat at tables talking, sipping, and studying. One thing that was interesting was the number of families and children in the shop. I had not seen many kids at any other shop. At this Tully's, there was even a small table just for children. The atmosphere was friendly and easy-going, which was a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of most other shops I'd visited.

The barista, Shelby, was very friendly. She was the only barista working, but the store wasn't busy, so I didn't have to wait.

She conversed with me throughout the entire transaction and during drink making. She told me how much she enjoys working in Ballard. She loves the mix of people who visit the store, including families, and the Ballard fisherman. She likes the Tully's company, and the team she works with.

Shelby made my Americano perfectly, and it tasted sweet. I was impressed by the overall quality of the drinks and atmosphere in the store. I recommend this Tully's for any families or anyone visiting the Ballard area.

Java Bean, Ballard

I continued my quest to find the perfect Seattle coffee shop at a small shop in Ballard. The Java Bean was voted "Best Coffee in Ballard" in 2001, and a giant sign on their window proclaims it. I definitely had to stop in.

The shop is extremely "homey" and eclectic. They have Polaroids of regular customers and baristas on the walls and underneath the glass table coverings. Antlers adorn one of the light fixtures, and miniature teepees sit atop some of the tables.

The store had just one other customer, a older gentleman sipping a drink and reading.

I spoke with Asia, a bright and extremely cheerful barista. She had obvious pride for the shop. She talked willingly about how much she loves working as a barista, and the relationships she builds with the regular customers. She told me the name of the other gentleman in the shop, and explained that he is a long-time regular who sits in the same place every visit, and orders the same drink. She talked about another woman who drives from West Seattle to get a panini from the Java Bean, which also sells egg sandwiches and other breakfast food.

I noticed the baristas made drinks carefully and with precision, which was amazing. Java Bean definitely rates high on my scale of shops. Not only do they have AMAZING customer service, they make stellar drinks. It is rare for a coffee shop to master both aspects.

Definitely visit Java Bean in Ballard!

photo courtesy of pdgibson, www.flickr.com

Seattle's Best, 4th and Spring

In addition to scoping out coffee shops for you, readers, I decided to see which major chain is the best to work for, in case anyone wants a job as a barista. I began at Seattle's Best on 4th and Spring downtown. This shop was very clean, and cozy with big stuffed armed chairs and red-painted walls.

There was no line, but a few customers were seated in chairs around the store. This Seattle's Best is underneath the Executive Suites Hotel, so many of their customers are hotel guests. I spoke with Millia, one of the shift supervisors at Seattle's Best.

She has worked at Seattle's Best for one year, and she loves her job. Because Seattle's Best is owned by Starbucks, she is actually employed by Starbucks Co.

She explained that Starbucks has many opportunities for employees to advance in the company, which she'd like to do one day.

In her opinion, Seattle's Best focuses most on Customer Satisfaction. She said they aim to run their store in a way which please the customers. This is accomplished by making sure all members of the Seattle's Best team have a good knowledge of all aspects of the store. They do not focus heavily on making drinks, but rather interaction with the customer and creating a welcoming atmosphere.

I definitely noticed the atmosphere of the store was clean and welcoming, and the baristas were friendly. My drink, a caramel tea latte, was delicious. Millia's says her favorite drink is a Caramel Macchiato.

Millia enjoys the downtown location, as they get a variety of customers. She loves talking with the different people.

I would encourage anyone who wants a welcoming, friendly atmosphere, and who loves interacting with people to visit Seattle's Best.

Ballard Starbucks

I decided to venture away from the Downtown/Capitol Hill area and explore some coffee shops in different neighborhoods of Seattle. Armed with my backpack crammed with studying material, I headed over to Ballard. My first stop was the Ballard Starbucks. I noticed, standing on the corner of NW 45th, that from my vantage point I could see three different coffee shops. A Tully's, a Starbucks, and a Chai House. I expected these shops to be extra good in order to beat their close range competition.

I entered the Starbucks and was immediately greeted by the barista, which was impressive. The store had a few patrons, but wasnt busy. The barista's immediately whipped up my Americano, however, I noticed the barista demolished the crema (the description of a crema and the proper way to make an Americano were mentions in the post about Starbucks on 12th and Columbia, if youre interested), so it tasted slightly bitter. I am beginning to think bad Americano's is the norm at Starbucks.

Anyway, after I got my Americano I settled down to enjoy an afternoon of studying. This Starbucks was the perfect place as it was not too busy, like the stores downtown, nor were there many people in the store to distract me (like the stores on Capitol Hill).

Although the coffee wasnt that great, the atmosphere was perfect. I will definitely return to Ballard if I need some intense study time.

Starbucks 4th and Seneca

Wow! Its been a long week, and Ive been visiting coffee shops like crazy as I try to stay awake for my last few days of class! I was downtown the other day and stopped by the Starbucks on 4th and Seneca. A homeless man was seated in a seat right by the front door, and asked me to get him a donut and coffee as I walked in. I realize this is a public place, but it still made me uncomfortable.
This shop was really big, but most of the seats were filled, and there was a line. As I waited I looked around the shop. It is a typical downtown mix of people: Business men, students, a few transients and an older couple reading the paper. The store was slightly messy, there were empty cups on many of of the tables, a few spills on the floor, and newspapers strewn all about.
The line moved quickly despite it's length, and I ordered an Americano. The barista was nice, but in the name of being efficient, didnt try to converse with me.
I noticed they had six baristas working, which is more than Ive seen at any other shop. I liked that they were all working hard taking orders and making drinks. None of them were standing around.
My Americano tasted delicious, but my bliss was interrupted when the homeless man yelled at me as I walked away. Oh brother.

Starbucks- Madison and Summit

I stopped by Starbucks on Summit and Madison, below Nordstrom Tower, this morning to grab a drink. The store was packed, as it was 9am, prime coffee time. I waited nearly ten minutes before they got to me, but I got to watch all of the people bustling around. There were students studying, an older couple chatting, and nurses and doctors in scrubs. I enjoyed the up-beat atmosphere.
The store was very clean, no spills or stains anywhere. When it was my turn, the barista who took my order was EXTREMELY nice. Wow, was she was cheerful. If my coffee didnt wake me up, this girl's enthusiasm sure did. She took my order for an iced latte, asked how my day was going, speculated about the weather and told me she liked my hair. I was pleased to meet such an enthusiastic barista! I thanked her and put all my change in the tip jar.
My latte took a few minutes to come up, but when it did, it tasted great. On my way out, a barista who was sweeping the lobby held the door for me.
I must say this was the best customer service I have had so far. It truly brightened my morning. I will DEFINITELY be returning. I encourage anyone who needs a pick-me-up and is around Capitol Hill to go here.

Map of Shops

Need to find the shops I'm visiting? Check out a google map with all of the shops marked and easy to find!

Map of Seattle Coffee Shops

Coffee Drinks Guide!

It dawned on me that many of you may not even know what most of the coffee drinks are. Here I am throwing around words like macchiato and Frappuccino, which may sound like another language! I apologize. Here is a brief rundown of some of the most popular drinks:

LATTE- Espresso, Milk, Foam (Flavored syrup optional)

MOCHA- Espresso, Milk, Chocolate (Can have milk, dark, or white chocolate)

AMERICANO- Espresso and water

CARAMEL MACCHIATO- Espresso, Milk, Foam, Caramel

FRAPPUCCINO- Iced Blended Coffee Drink (Mocha, Coffee, Caramel and Vanilla Flavored)

BELLACCINO- The Tully's equivalent of a Frappuccino

CHAI LATTE- Chai tea concentrate and milk

ITALIAN SODA- Flavored Syrup, Seltzer Water, Cream

SOLO- One shot of Espresso

DOPPIO- Two Shots of Espresso

SOLO or DOPPIO MACCHIATO- Espresso with a dollop of foam

photo courtesy of brianna, flickr.com

More Interesting TIdbits and etiquette....

1. Barista's at Starbuck's wear green aprons. Once they become supervisors, they wear black aprons. Tully's employees have their position listed on their nametag.

2. Starbucks uses Tazo Chai tea mix, Tully's uses Oregon Chai.

3. Tully's offers plain soy milk and rice milk for those who dont like dairy. Starbucks only has vanilla flavored soy.

4. There is no such thing as a Frappuccino at Tully's. Dont order one, it annoys the baristas.

5. If you go to put milk in your coffee and the pitcher is empty, dont get angry. Do the barista a favor and bring it over to them. They will most likely be apologetic and fill it right up.

6. Only take as many napkins as you need. Baristas throw away countless napkins eveyday because people grab huge stacks for no reason.

7. Tully's uses Ghiradelli chocolate and caramel syrups for their drinks.

More to come...!

Interested in a Coffee Shop?

If you are interested in a certain coffee shop and want me to check it out for you, dont hesitate to leave me a comment or a tip!
I'd also love to hear about your favorite coffee shop, and maybe even visit it!

Bauhaus Coffee, 301 Pine St

Another place gaining popularity on Seattle's Capitol Hill is Bauhaus Coffee and Books on Pine St. A friends of mine goes to Bauhaus for hours on end to do homework, so I stopped in to check it out and grab a cup of coffee.

The shop has a vibe similar to that at Caffe Vita, funky and eclectic. It is two stories high, with plenty of tables and chairs for sitting. In the middle of the afternoon, the shop was bustling, but not packed.

One entire wall of the shop is covered with old hard-bound books, and the opposite wall is all windows, offering grand views of the city, water, and space needle from the second floor. The shop was very clean, the tables were all wiped, and there were no dirty dishes lying around.

There was only one barista working. She was not wearing a uniform or a name tag, and when I ordered, she didnt once look me in the eye. She poured my coffee (I specified a paper cup since I knew I would be leaving) but she didnt offer any information about the roast. I was slightly put off by her, so I didnt ask about it.

Once I got away from the bitter barista, I enjoyed my (not bitter!) coffee, and spent a few minutes admiring the views.

Bauhaus has free internet, so I think I will definitely return to do homework. Bauhaus would also be a nice afternoon retreat to read or chat with a friend. Just beware the unfriendly barista!

PS. If you visit Bauhaus, check out the bathroom--it's cool. Trust me.

Photo courtesy of mokolabs, flickr.com

Tully's-Harbor Steps

This afternoon I was downtown and needed a quick pick-me-up before heading to class, so I decided to stop in at a Tully's. The Tully's at Harbor Steps has a beautiful location, the cascading steps, a view of the water (only slightly blocked by the viaduct!), blossoming cherry tress and quaint little tables to sit on outside.

Inside the shop was just as nice...impeccably clean and well organized. There was a small fireplace inside, surrounded by comfortable looking chairs. If I had not been in a hurry, I would have sat down to enjoy my beverage.

There was only one barista working, but there were no other customers in the store, so I didnt have to wait at all. The barista cheerfully took my order, asked about my day, and chatted with me about the weather. She whipped up my iced latte in no time, and it tasted marvelous.

I asked her about Tully's new banana drinks, and she recommended the Banana Milkshake with a special twist: Dark Chocolate Chips.

I was impressed that she was so knowledgeable about the drinks, and liked that she was able to recommend a drink she enjoyed.

I hated to leave, I wanted to stay for awhile and enjoy the sun at one of the tables outside. After I expressed these sentiments to the barista, she mentioned to me that Harbor Steps hosts small, free concerts on the steps throughout the summer. I will definitely be attending!

Photo courtesy of Richard Hoppes, flickr.com

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP!

Do you have a favorite coffee shop in Seattle? Tell me about it on my interactive forum!

www.coffeelady.proboards106.com

Caffe Vita- Capitol Hill

Yesterday I decided to visit a coffee chop that is not one of the major Seattle chains. Caffe Vita has become popular in Seattle since it opened in Queen Anne in 1995, and they now have three shops around the city.
I brought my laptop computer to get some homework done and enjoy Vita's free internet access. The shop was packed with studying students and Seattleites enjoying a warm beverage while the rain poured outside.
Vita has a very typical "captiol hill" feel--for those of you who dont know, rather alternative and eclectic.
I waited in line only a few moments before I ordered a drip coffee, which was automatically served in a ceramic mug, which was a nice personal touch, like they wanted me to stay and enjoy their shop. (Note for you readers: remember to specify if you want to take your coffee to go!)
There were four or five baristas working, all of whom were friendly and efficient. The baristas dont wear uniforms, or even aprons, but they were all well -groomed and dressed appropriately. Their tattoos and piercings only added to the funky atmosphere.
When she handed me my steaming mug, the barista told me I was drinking the Bistro Blend. When I asked her about it, she kindly described the coffee: It's origin, roast, and different flavors. I was impressed by her knowledge!
I enjoyed my time at Vita, doing some homework and a lot of people watching. I could tell the barista's at Vita really knew their stuff, and cared about the quality of the coffee (they even make amazing designs in the foam of lattes!).
I will definitely visit Vita again, I encourage you all to visit their other locations.
For more information about Caffe Vita,visit http://www.caffevita.com/

Photo courtesy of peter_r, flickr.com

Starbucks, Pike and Broadway QFC

Three gold stars for the Starbucks coffee stand in the QFC on Pike and Broadway!

I decided to grab some coffee after some grocery shopping, and was pleasantly surprised by the efficiency, quality of drinks and cleanliness of the employees.

I ordered a vanilla latte from one of the two impeccably-groomed female barista's on duty, and the other had the drink completed before I even finished paying.

The latte was delicious: The foam was thick and velvety, it had the perfect amount of vanilla (not too sweet), and the espresso didn't taste burned or bitter.

As I was walking out, I heard the girls giving directions to a lost and frazzled Seattle tourist. Kudos to them for a job VERY well done! (Bummer that because the girls are actualyl employees of QFC, Icouldnt give them a tip, otherwise I would have--a big one.)

I will definitely be returning.

Photo courtesy of darrencarson, flickr.com

Little Interesting Tidbits

There are some small differences in the major chain coffee companies that you may want to note while selecting the shop thats right for you:

1. At Seattle's Best, the sizes are simply small, medium, and large. Makes it easy for those of you who are nervous about the fancy lingo.

2. As I mentioned before, Tully's has free internet at all of their locations. Starbucks and Seattle's Best do not.

3. Tully's requires all of their employees to wear name tags. A nice touch for personalizing your coffee shop visit.

4. Starbucks has Tazo Tea, Tully's carries Republic of Tea.

5. An interesting fact not many people know: Tully's iced drink sizes are actually 16oz (tall), 20 oz (grande), and 24oz(veinte). This allows room for ice, so you aren't getting only half the amount of beverage you paid for.

6. Starbucks almost always has two roasts of coffee brewing (one lighter, one darker), Tully's typically has only one.

7. Tully's offers a line of milk shakes, made with real soft-serve ice cream

Ordering at Starbucks!

Now for ordering at Starbucks!

The correct sequence for ordering Starbucks drinks is:
Size (Venti*, Grande, Tall, Short)
Iced or Hot
Decaf or Regular (you dont have to specify regular, only decaf)
Milk Preference (whole milk is standard)
Flavor
Extras
Drink

So....for example:
If I wanted a small mocha with peppermint syrup, non-fat milk, and whip cream, I would say
"I would like a tall non-fat peppermint with whip mocha."
or, if I wanted a large Americano decaf, with ice, room for cream, and caramel syrup, I would say:
"I would like an Venti Iced Decaf caramel syrup with room Americano."

*Note that Starbucks uses the word "VENTI" for their large drinks, not veinte, as per Tully's.

All the tips for ordering at Tully's can be applied at Starbucks as well...and remember, DONT PANIC! It's just coffee!

Photo courtesy of mostghimi, flickr.com

Guide to Ordering Tully's Drinks!

Because there are so many different coffee chains in Seattle, and each one feels the need to be unique, I will give a brief rundown on how to order properly at each place. We'll start with Tully's.
The correct sequence for ordering Tully's drinks is:
Iced or Hot
Decaf or Regular (you dont have to specify regular, only decaf)
Size (Veinte, Grande, Tall, Short)
Milk Preference (whole milk is standard)
Flavor
Drink
Extras

So....for example: If I wanted a small mocha with peppermint syrup, non-fat milk, and whip cream, I would say
"I would like a tall non-fat peppermint mocha with whip cream."
or, if I wanted a large Americano decaf, with ice, room for cream, and caramel syrup, I would say:
"I would like an Iced Decaf Veinte caramel syrup Americano with room for cream."

Some helpful hints to help the ordering process:
* Always say iced or hot FIRST, so the barista can grab the right cup
*If you do not specify decaf or iced, the barista will automatically give you regular espresso, hot
*Tully's and Starbucks have different words for "LARGE" Tully's is VEINTE, not venti.
*If you do not specify milk preference, the barista will give you whole milk.
*Tully's offers TWO types of caramel, REAL caramel syrup, ordered as caramel syrup, and caramel flavored syrup, ordered as caramel syrup. If you dont specify, the barista should ask you.
*Tully's does not advertise their short (8oz) size. If you say small, the barista will give you a tall (12 oz). You must request a short drink.
*Mocha's, Hot Cocoa and Milkshakes always come with whip cream. If you dont want whip cream, you must specify.

I know this seems like a lot to remember, but the baristas deal with confused customers everyday, they should be happy to help you figure out what you want to drink.
Oh, and remember to thank the baristas if they do a good job!

Tully's Pike and Broadway, Capitol Hill

I decided to continue my exploration of coffee shops on Capitol Hill with Starbucks arch nemesis, da da da duuum....Tullys. The Tully's on Pike and Broadway is an interesting place, to say the least.
I entered the store this morning around 8am, and immediately felt like an idiot as I tried to pull on their bizzare ornate front door. Turns out, the door pushes inward. duh.
Inside it was busy, but not nearly as crowded as Starbucks the day before. The interior of this Tully's is drab and worn, despite their valiant attempts to cover the walls with cheerful blue paint. The furniture is old, and the carpet (why put carpet in a coffee shop, a prime place for spills??), suprise, suprise, is stained. However, the retail is neatly arranged, and looked good, despite the shabby wooden shelves that housed it.
Moving on from the scruffy-looking shop... to the scruffy-looking employees. Two barista's were working, a male and female.
Now, like the carpet, I dont understand why Tully's has their employees wear white shirts. Again, prime for showcasing stains.
Anyway, the male was literally scruffy--obviously hadn't shaved this morning--his shirt was DIRTY, and he had about a million earrnings all over his face. OK, maybe thats a slight exaggeration, but still. I think when you are in the customer service industry, you need to look presentable. His female co worker was not much better. Her shirt was clean, but her hair was all over the place (yes, I checked my Americano for strays), and she had black make-up streaked all over her face. yuck.
Neither of them were very professional while taking my order, but they were friendly, and somewhat efficient, considering there wasnt anyone waiting in front of me.
I dont mean to be bashing these poor barista's, but half of the coffee experience is the ATMOSPHERE. This Tully's gets a whopping score of 1.5 in that category.
On a more positive note, I ordered an Americano, in order to compare it with my bitter Starbucks drink from yesterday. Congratulations to the female barista, who made my drink perfectly, and it tasted delicious. No broken crema, and no hair (suprisingly and thankfully).
I do not think I would choose to be in this store longer than absolutely necessary, but they DO make quality drinks--which is certainly important. I would stop here again to get coffee, but only if I was on my way to somewhere else.

Starbucks- 12th and Columbia

This morning I began my quest for the perfect coffee shop. I visited a Starbucks near my university that I visit often, though this time I went in with a more critical eye.
I decided to start with a Starbucks because the chain is so prominent in Seattle, and I want to determine the consistency and quality at different Starbucks around Seattle.
I entered this particular Starbucks around 7:30 am. Despite the early hour, the shop was already filled with students typing away at laptops and intensely reading textbooks. (I should mention here that Starbucks charges internet users $3.95 for 24 hours of internet access, internet is free at various other coffee chains.)
There were few places left to sit in the shop, and the line was nearly fifteen people long. The line was cleverly snaked between shelves of merchandise, which, like a good consumer, I perused while waiting to order. By the time I reached the register, I was almost tempted to buy one of the new Spring-inspired floral mugs, but I reminded myself if I was drinking my coffee at home in my new mug, I could not be writing this blog!
Anyway, despite the length, the line moved quickly, and I was ordering within five or six minutes. There were five baristas working, all of whom were very friendly and helpful. I was impressed by their positive attitude and efficient manner. The manager on duty was immacualtely dressed, and even wore a tie under his apron!
I ordered a grande (medium) Americano, one of the most basic drinks, simply espresso shots and hot water. Americano's are very revealing when it comes to the quality of the espresso beans and espresso machine, because you can taste the espresso so strongly.
A good Americano begins with fresh beans, which are ground and pulled into the cup on top of the hot water. Some coffee shops pull the shots first, and add hot water second. If done carefully, either method can produce a satisfactory result.
At 12th and Columbia, the barista, obviously in a hurry to get through the line of drinks, pulled the shots into the cup using an automatic machine (I must take a moment to tell you that all Starbucks now use automated espresso machines), and then added hot water to the center of espresso. This is not the best way to prepare an Americano. When you pull shots from a machine, a thick, lighter-colored layer appears on top of the espresso. This is called the "crema" and has a slightly sweeter taste than the espresso. The crema is necessary to ease the intital bitter taste of espresso, and pulling the hot water directly into the crema destroys it. A better method is to pull the shot into the cup and gently pour hot water down the the side of the cup to preserve the delicate crema.
Unfortunately, due to the barista's hasty drink-making, my Americano had a slightly bitter taste. Lucky for me, Americanos are one of the cheapest drinks on the menu, more expensive only than drip coffee.
All together, the Americano was drinkable, the atmosphere was comfortable and clean, and the staff was friendly (kudos to them, by the way, for dealing with stressed-tired-caffiene addicted students all day).
I would definitely visit this coffee shop again, but maybe only for drip coffee, which is hard to mess up, even when trying to move quickly.

Starbucks: Owner of All?

A common misconception in the coffee world is that coffee giant Starbucks also owns several major coffee chains (i.e. Tully's, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and Seattle's Best).
I'd like to clarify this myth in order to help you choose the best coffee place for you.
It is true that Seattle's Best is indeed owned by Starbucks Coffee Company, but Tully's and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf remain independent. For more information on any of these coffee companies, or to find out if your favorite independent shop is actually owned by a major comapny, visit their sites (listed below)! Starbucks www.starbucks.com
Tully's www.tullys.com
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf www.coffeebean.com

Your guide to Seattle's coffee shops

Welcome to my guide to Seattle's coffee shops! Specialty coffee shops have become an integral part of Seattle's social climate. Thanks to Starbucks, Tully's, Seattle's Best and others, grabbing a latte is now part of most Seattleites (and Americans!) daily routine. Words like Barista, Frappuccino and Venti have become part of our everyday vocabulary, and we have mastered the art of ordering even the most complex beverages.
However, with so many shops inundating Seattle, how does the inexperienced coffee drinker know where to go? As a barista and coffee addict, I can help you navigate the best places in Seattle to enjoy a coffee. My blog will help you find the coffee shop that's right for you, and as a bonus, I will help you learn to properly order beverages and offer instruction on coffee shop behavior, lest you commit a coffee faux paux!
I will post daily about different coffee shops in Seattle, describing the general atmosphere, friendliness of staff, and drink quality and consistency.
I hope both long-time coffee drinkers and newbies will find this blog useful in helping get a quality caffeine fix!
And now I'm off to sip my iced-triple-venti-carmel syrup not sauce-americano with room. (Dont panic! You'll learn the lingo soon enough!)

Coming soon... ordering made easy, and Tully's vs Starbucks....