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Permalink Reply by Brian Sell on August 16, 2009 at 8:22am

Thanks Bam Bam!!

I'm really looking forward to coming to Seattle next month.

I really appreciate the suggestions. Since I'll be attending CF, I'm staying dowtown. How much is walkable from there?

I will probably do a few of the "touristy" things: Space Needle, Pike's Market, and the Waterfront, but that is really it. I'm more interested in visiting all the cool coffee shops. Hopefully since it is Sept, there won't be as many tourists (like myself).

Hope to see you at CF!

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Permalink Reply by Jarred Hoffpauir on August 16, 2009 at 10:40am

If you go to Pikes Market make reservations for lunch and eat at Matts in the Market. You can also take a passenger ferry over to West Seattle and enjoy Alki Beach. While you are there have some fish and chips at Spuds. If you can head up the hill to "the Junction" in W. Seattle have some of the Vashon roast espresso at "Coffee to a Tea with Sugar", its a coffee and cupcake house and is about the best one there is within 300miles.

I dont think Cap hill is worth the trouble these days except the single exception of Vivance. I am not a fan of Stumptown coffee but other people think they are great. They do have a public cupping at 3pm daily at their 12th ave location that is worth doing.

Pacific Place Downtown is a nice place to see once as well. The courtyard out front is a great example of a place where you can stand in one spot and see Different Starbucks Locations which is just nuts. In the center of that Vortex is Mobatta Crepes which is about as good as they get (can also twitter @mobatta) to let them know you love them and are coming for crepes. From Pacific Place you can take the monorail to the Space Needle area if you want to check out that area. If you go and end up there in the evening one of my favorite Martini bars in Seattle is Tini Bigs (my second favorite is Marcuses Martini Heaven in Pioneer Square) its well worth the visit for a $10 martini that you can cup in two hands.

If I think of more great things to do in the city ill post. If you want to follow me on Twitter while your here im at @jhoffpauir, Ill be at CF as well with Chef Stack so stop by and say hello.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Sell on September 8, 2009 at 5:43pm

Thanks for the tips Jarred!! As the time gets closer, I'm getting really excited. I plan on visiting Pikes Place, the Space Needle, Pioneer Square Area, and Broadway in Capitol Hill to get my fill of the "touristy things". I want to visit the coffee shops in those areas. I'm hoping that I have enough time to head over to Alki Beach for a few hours. I only have 3 extra days so I'm not sure I'll get to see everything.

Is Seattle a pretty safe place to be touring on foot? Is there anything I need to know or avoid? I live near Philly and some areas are great; others not so much.

Jarred Hoffpauir said:

If you go to Pikes Market make reservations for lunch and eat at Matts in the Market. You can also take a passenger ferry over to West Seattle and enjoy Alki Beach. While you are there have some fish and chips at Spuds. If you can head up the hill to "the Junction" in W. Seattle have some of the Vashon roast espresso at "Coffee to a Tea with Sugar", its a coffee and cupcake house and is about the best one there is within 300miles.

I dont think Cap hill is worth the trouble these days except the single exception of Vivance. I am not a fan of Stumptown coffee but other people think they are great. They do have a public cupping at 3pm daily at their 12th ave location that is worth doing.

Pacific Place Downtown is a nice place to see once as well. The courtyard out front is a great example of a place where you can stand in one spot and see Different Starbucks Locations which is just nuts. In the center of that Vortex is Mobatta Crepes which is about as good as they get (can also twitter @mobatta) to let them know you love them and are coming for crepes. From Pacific Place you can take the monorail to the Space Needle area if you want to check out that area. If you go and end up there in the evening one of my favorite Martini bars in Seattle is Tini Bigs (my second favorite is Marcuses Martini Heaven in Pioneer Square) its well worth the visit for a $10 martini that you can cup in two hands.

If I think of more great things to do in the city ill post. If you want to follow me on Twitter while your here im at @jhoffpauir, Ill be at CF as well with Chef Stack so stop by and say hello.

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Permalink Reply by Jarred Hoffpauir on September 8, 2009 at 9:25pm

As for "Is Seattle safe?" For the most part yes. Stay out of the alleys and out of South Seattle (South of the Stadiums). If you want to head to Alki from downtown you can take a water ferry, its passenger only and pretty fun. It leaves from docks just west of Pikes Place Market.

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Permalink Reply by John P on September 9, 2009 at 5:33pm

if you want GOOD Japanese food, Maneki, in the International district.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Sell on September 9, 2009 at 7:17pm

Thanks for all the addresses Ricky! Espresso Vivace is one of my top coffee shop stops.

John P. - I'm looking for some good places to eat. Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Alex Negranza on September 9, 2009 at 8:19pm

I saw all the usual coffee shop recommendations, but here are some of the lesser known establishments that deserve attention...

Herkimer Coffee is doing great things. Strongly recommend.
Makeda is an awesome little cafe.
Tougo Coffee, one in First Hill area and one in Westlake/Downtown. Don't know exact locations.
Porchlight on 14th between Pike and Pine or Madison or something like that.
Fonte Coffee Roasters just put opened up their new location downtown by the Four Seasons on 1st Ave.
Seattle Coffee Works also just opened a newer location downtown on Pike between 1st and 2nd. Roastery next door.
15th Ave Coffee and Tea (the new Starbucks concept) and soon to be Roy Street Coffee

And here are my personal favorites:
Aster Coffee Lounge in Ballard. Clover, Synesso, Anfim, INTELLIGENTSIA COFFEE (only place in Seattle that slangs it well.) as well as NOVO (which I believe they are now private label?)

Trabant has a location at 2nd and James in Pioneer Square, and one in the U-District at 45th and University. (49th Parallel Coffees!) Synesso, Anfims, Clovers. Baristas are solid people.

And then of course, Vivace, Victrola, Stumptown.

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