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1. beachcat
   Member Profile

   Is there any place in Seattle (preferably West Seattle) to get a good, Italian style cappuccino? We recently returned from a trip to Italy, where, in 21 days with at least 2 cappuccini per day, from all kinds of places, never had a single bitter one. So far, back in Seattle, I've only been able to find them either a) very bitter or b) with way too much foam or c) both. Help. I'm going through cappuccino withdrawal.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

2. angelescrest
   Member Profile

   

   Caffe Umbria in Pioneer Square in the little plaza between First and Third and Jackson. Great gelato.
   http://www.caffeumbria.com/v2/seattlecafe.html

   Also, I finally bought one of those stove-top Italian espresso makers: I love it, and the last issue of Bon Appetit was the Italian issue, with instructions how to brew the espreso...and some geat recipes, too.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

3. wsgolfer
   Member Profile

   

   Second the recommendation by angelescrest. It isn't West Seattle, but Umbria makes a mean espresso. I'm fortunate to work in the same building as them & have now developed quite the Macchiato habit.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

4. cjboffoli
   Member Profile

   

   To my palate, the double ristretto cappuccino at Vivace in South Lake Union (227 Yale Ave N.) is totally authentic. Just remember that in Italy it is a morning drink. The Italians think that to have milk anytime in the afternoon or later will slow you down.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

5. angelescrest
   Member Profile

   

   Is Vivace across from the REI? It was good!

   Posted 1 year ago #         

6. thesonics
   Member Profile

   I've heard Cafe Umbria brews good coffee. Haven't tried it myself though. I think I'll pass by there one morning on the way to work. Isn't too far from where I live.

   Posted 6 months ago #         

7. shihtzu
   Member Profile

   We too got a stovetop espresso maker...and little white cups. Not the same, but pretty close :)

   Posted 6 months ago #         

8. NikiS
   Member Profile

   In West Seattle, Hotwire espresso can't be beat. I've never had a bitter cup of anything there, including in Americanos, which appears to be a tricky feat. I find that to get a better cappuccino (generally) it helps to ask for it bone dry, b/c somehow cappuccinos and lattes have gotten conflated here, and so baristas default to a latte-like cappuccino even when they know better. Downtown, one of my fave places is Cafe d'Arte, on the corner of 2nd and Stewart; I believe the owner is Italian, or the original owner was...?

   Posted 6 months ago #         

9. singularname
   Member Profile

   Beachcat ... For shame. You shoulda purchased a Pavoni when in Italy. Got mine in 1975 (or technically, picked them up every other summer for my dad, a pilot, who oddly became the favorite house for lunch to hang out at--10ish farmers and hunters always sippin' their cappis around the kitchen) ... it's still blastin' strong and the best coffee in All Seattle. I think you can get a Pavoni now for about a thousand bucks ... you could do the math and see how many years it would take to pay for itself. Unexpectedly, the Admiral Safeway grinder (#2) is better/more accurate than the Met Market and two local Starbucks ones. Cheers ...

   Posted 6 months ago #         

10. allidennis9
    Member Profile

    Vivace, hands down! Yes, across from REI flagship store downtown.

    Posted 6 months ago #         

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