I am really big fan of the Metropolitan Market coffee shop. Really fun baristas, good drinks and suprisingly cheap prices (especially based on the location!). As a former barista, I must say though that the Starbucks on Alki APPEARS to be very poorly run. I love Sbux, but I try to stay away from that one.
Oh interesting. I have read the book sharing the same title and that sounds like it would have been interesting. Thanks for the post.
Testing a different user name … and the “change password” function. Think we’ll launch a separate forum about …. using the forums.
I agree that the 35th & Fauntleroy SBUX has bad service. I’ve never had a good or fast experience there (d/t or walk-up), nor has anyone else I know. The Morgan Junction SBUX has much friendlier service and I also like Caffe Ladro ocassionally. Oh, my sister highly recommends the espresso bar in Thriftway…great espresso and more affordable prices.
I thought it was only in our house that the S’bux drivethrough complaints were heard. Sorry to hear that we aren’t alone. Many wrong drinks here as well. Best way to bring about change is to say something, though. Hunt down the manager and say something. They’re not new anymore.
I love C&P Coffee Company on California. I’m not that picky about coffee so I can’t offer a critique on that, but I love the funky-cozy atmosphere and the live music.
Being a former employee for 7 years at a big coffee company, I can tell you that either people go to a coffee place because it’s popular, close by or accustomed to drinking Folgers at home. I don’t say this to be snarky, but ask for just a shot of espresso or solo, next time you go into your favorite coffee place and taste just the espresso and then go to another place and taste theirs and see if you can then tell the difference. This is the best way. I would suggest a place that does not use automated machines (these make the espresso taste awful) that pulls the shots around 16-20 secs. How they roast their coffee and how often they clean their machines plays a big part in this too. Hope this helps!
Great Harvest Bakery on California at the Junction – great service, great coffee and great treats too.
Hotwire is good and my wife and I walk there often. But my favorite is Freshys on California just north of PCC. Funky furniture, friendly staff, and great breakfast sandwiches.
Just an FYI, if you are interested in the facts of Jesus Christ, there is a free showing of “The Case for Christ” at the Admiral at 11:30am today, Saturday December 22, 2007. It is a very well done film researched by a former atheist. If anyone is interested please do not pass this opportunity.
God Bless!
I was at the Starbucks on 35th and Fauntleroy this afternoon in a long line of cars waiting for coffee. When I finally got to the head of the line, the barista said my coffee had been paid for by the car before me. So I paid for the car behind me. She told me the kindness had progressed through eight cars at that point. Pass it on.
Coffee fans, note that we are once again collecting holiday hours – haven’t gotten to all the coffee shops yet but the ones we have been able to check are listed on the Holidays page. The ones where we know for sure you’ll definitely be able to get your Christmas morning latte’ are Hotwire 8 am-2 pm and Tully’s/Morgan Junction, 8 am-2 pm.
I completely agree, Steph. That Starbucks is by far the worst I have ever been to. The service is beyond terrible – forgotten drinks, mis-made drinks, clueless baristas, and an apparent lack of management really lead to an adventure each visit there. I try and avoid that location if at all possible. I’ve worked at Starbucks before and all I can say is that it is completely unacceptable how that location is being run. They have no lobby to worry about and they have tons of space to work in! Maybe they just hired the wrong people, I don’t know, but it’s very bad and I have made numerous complaints to corporate about it.
rcrawley, the asian restaurant you’re thinking of next to Lee’s is Kamei – it’s a japanese place, and they serve a full japanese menu, not primarily sushi. I just got back from there – we go at least once a week. We love the people there and the food is inexpensive (for japanese food) and very good, despite it looking kinda dumpy. It’s probably the place I eat most at in the Junction.
Yep, that’s the one. There are two Asian restaurants north of Quidnunc; Lee’s is the most northern on that block. The other (the name escapes me) is mostly a sushi place. I do agree that Lee’s isn’t full Chinese, although they have a few of the traditional Chinese options like Mongolian Beef (which is so, so good) and Sesame Chicken (also great).
I can recommend House of Hong for Dim Sum, as well as Honey Court, both in the ID (although the latter is mostly fried Dim Sum). Then there’s P.F. Chang’s in Pacific Place, which is pretty good for a chain.
I can advise you to steer clear of Louie’s in Ballard. Granted, we’ve only been there once 9 years ago, and it was right after we’d moved here, so maybe it was just bad timing. But the egg roles were breaded and fried like fish from a fish ‘n chips place, and they served them with ketchup. Not my idea of Chinese. I remember those horrific egg roles like it was yesterday. :)
Is Lee’s by Quidnunc and Sweetie? Sue, I found Judy Fu’s Snappy Dragon pretty good. They make homemade chowmein noodles. Very good but they are in Maple Leaf area.
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My favorite place is Verite (based on the coffee, not necessarily the atmosphere). Don’t care for their cupcakes, but the coffee is great. Other than that, I like Uptown Espresso (Junction) or Hotwire. But my favorite coffee is Tony’s Organic at Alki Cafe.
Lee’s in the Junction is the best ever.
…thanks to Facebook anyway! I don’t know if it is just me, but the forum tab at the top of every page is UNDER the “search WSB” box. I am using Firefox on Windows XP.
