Heaven help me, I've found Shangri-La!
So, for those of you in the know, (i.e. EVERYBODY), I’ve recently moved and am now “settled” in this neighborhood. Part of this process for me involves finding core essentials in my new area. These would be, in order of importance - a coffee house, a grocery store, and a reasonably priced restaurant. I am pleased to announce that I have found all three, within a block of each other right along my bus route home and to work. I’m here to present a review of one.
No, it’s not a review of the Safeway (although I must say, it is a very nice store).
This is important. Pay attention. There bloody well might be a quiz afterwards.
Now, anyone who knows me, knows I love the whole coffee experience. I felt betrayed when I moved here from Colorado to what I perceived to be the Shangri-La of coffee culture only to find chain stores that close at eight to be the rule. I’ve been in Seattle since January of 1997, and I had yet to find anywhere as good as my old local haunt. Don’t get me wrong, here. I can hear you in the back shouting, “Hey, punk! There are lots of great independent coffee houses in Seattle!” Sure. There is lots of great coffee in Seattle. But no one had the right combination of elements.
Until now.
Wayward Coffeehouse, ( http://www.waywardcoffee.com/ )
on Greenwood Ave. and between 85th and 86th is my Shangri-La. Walk with me now, and I’ll show you how it breaks down on my time-tested four point ratings scale.
Coffee - Yeah, this seems like a no-brainer, but really, it’s the most important thing. If you’re one of those saps who drinks corporate coffee because you like the flavor (Tully’s excepted…that’s good coffee), then sit up and take notice. This, my friends, is how coffee is SUPPOSED to taste. It’s all 100% Organic, Fair Trade, and Shade Grown coffee, so it’s not only nice on the palate, it’s nice all around. In addition, they have hot tea, chai, soy milk, a variety of syrups.
Staff - Not only friendly, but also very geek friendly. I was remembered on my second trip and greeted warmly, even though over a week had passed since my first visit. And just this evening, I just spent a while talking to both the owner and another full-time coffee jockey about “Firefly”, of which they are both huge fans. It’s not a make or break thing for me, but it helps to feel welcome and not be treated like just another cup of coffee.
Atmosphere - I’m a huge fan of coffee culture. Did I say that already? If you said “Yes” you get a point. (See, I said there might be a quiz!) For me that means decent music at a reasonable volume, comfortable seating (also a fan of miss-matched furniture…I find it quirky and charming), a feeling like you could just hang out there sipping coffee for hours, diversions (a bookshelf stocked with paperbacks, many of which would delight any geek, and board games galore), and scheduled entertainment (live music on Saturday nights, Open Mic poetry on Sunday nights, Game night on Wed. after eight, and Children’s story time Tuesday morning at 10:30….see their web page for full calendar). In addition, it is spacious, brightly lit, full of local artists on display, and has free Wi-Fi.
Finally, Hours of Operation - This is important. What’s the deal with corporate coffee (except for select locations) closing at 7 or 8? That doesn’t work for me. Wayward Coffeehouse opens at 6 AM (7 on weekends) and is open every night until 11. You heard me right. ELEVEN! As in one hour before midnight. And what better time to top off your grande mocha than 10:30 on a Tuesday night? When I saw their hours for the first time I almost cried. I was so happy to find a place open late in what I was afraid was going to be a sleepy close up everything at 8 kind of neighborhood.
In summation, I LOVE the Wayward Coffeehouse. If it needed a kidney, I would give it one of mine. If the tissue wasn’t a match, I’d stalk the back alleys of the city with a scalpel looking for one that was. Ok, maybe not, but you get the picture. I’ve been looking for a coffeehouse to call home for almost a decade, and I’ve finally found one!
Thankfully, they don’t need a kidney. What they could use, however, is a little word of mouth. They’ve been open since sometime in September, and I don’t understand why they aren’t busier. Granted, that neighborhood used to be kind of sketchy not too many years ago, even though it’s on the fast track to stardom now. And granted, they can be hard to find. (Look for the building with the tin siding, green neon “open” sign, just south of the very distinctively Chinese restaurant.) But if this place doesn’t make it, I’ve just flat out lost my faith in humanity.
Stop by for a cup of coffee or an event. Have an organic donut. (I swear, they don’t taste at all organic, otherwise I wouldn’t recommend them. Very tasty indeed!) Bring your dojo down after a work out, or have a pre or after dinner cup of caffeine or herbal tea. You will not be disappointed. And while you’re at it, tell your friends.
In a world of sub-standard corporate coffee, this place is where the Browncoats get their coffee fix. And if you’re a “Firefly” fan, then you’ll know what I mean.
No, it’s not a review of the Safeway (although I must say, it is a very nice store).
This is important. Pay attention. There bloody well might be a quiz afterwards.
Now, anyone who knows me, knows I love the whole coffee experience. I felt betrayed when I moved here from Colorado to what I perceived to be the Shangri-La of coffee culture only to find chain stores that close at eight to be the rule. I’ve been in Seattle since January of 1997, and I had yet to find anywhere as good as my old local haunt. Don’t get me wrong, here. I can hear you in the back shouting, “Hey, punk! There are lots of great independent coffee houses in Seattle!” Sure. There is lots of great coffee in Seattle. But no one had the right combination of elements.
Until now.
Wayward Coffeehouse, ( http://www.waywardcoffee.com/ )
on Greenwood Ave. and between 85th and 86th is my Shangri-La. Walk with me now, and I’ll show you how it breaks down on my time-tested four point ratings scale.
Coffee - Yeah, this seems like a no-brainer, but really, it’s the most important thing. If you’re one of those saps who drinks corporate coffee because you like the flavor (Tully’s excepted…that’s good coffee), then sit up and take notice. This, my friends, is how coffee is SUPPOSED to taste. It’s all 100% Organic, Fair Trade, and Shade Grown coffee, so it’s not only nice on the palate, it’s nice all around. In addition, they have hot tea, chai, soy milk, a variety of syrups.
Staff - Not only friendly, but also very geek friendly. I was remembered on my second trip and greeted warmly, even though over a week had passed since my first visit. And just this evening, I just spent a while talking to both the owner and another full-time coffee jockey about “Firefly”, of which they are both huge fans. It’s not a make or break thing for me, but it helps to feel welcome and not be treated like just another cup of coffee.
Atmosphere - I’m a huge fan of coffee culture. Did I say that already? If you said “Yes” you get a point. (See, I said there might be a quiz!) For me that means decent music at a reasonable volume, comfortable seating (also a fan of miss-matched furniture…I find it quirky and charming), a feeling like you could just hang out there sipping coffee for hours, diversions (a bookshelf stocked with paperbacks, many of which would delight any geek, and board games galore), and scheduled entertainment (live music on Saturday nights, Open Mic poetry on Sunday nights, Game night on Wed. after eight, and Children’s story time Tuesday morning at 10:30….see their web page for full calendar). In addition, it is spacious, brightly lit, full of local artists on display, and has free Wi-Fi.
Finally, Hours of Operation - This is important. What’s the deal with corporate coffee (except for select locations) closing at 7 or 8? That doesn’t work for me. Wayward Coffeehouse opens at 6 AM (7 on weekends) and is open every night until 11. You heard me right. ELEVEN! As in one hour before midnight. And what better time to top off your grande mocha than 10:30 on a Tuesday night? When I saw their hours for the first time I almost cried. I was so happy to find a place open late in what I was afraid was going to be a sleepy close up everything at 8 kind of neighborhood.
In summation, I LOVE the Wayward Coffeehouse. If it needed a kidney, I would give it one of mine. If the tissue wasn’t a match, I’d stalk the back alleys of the city with a scalpel looking for one that was. Ok, maybe not, but you get the picture. I’ve been looking for a coffeehouse to call home for almost a decade, and I’ve finally found one!
Thankfully, they don’t need a kidney. What they could use, however, is a little word of mouth. They’ve been open since sometime in September, and I don’t understand why they aren’t busier. Granted, that neighborhood used to be kind of sketchy not too many years ago, even though it’s on the fast track to stardom now. And granted, they can be hard to find. (Look for the building with the tin siding, green neon “open” sign, just south of the very distinctively Chinese restaurant.) But if this place doesn’t make it, I’ve just flat out lost my faith in humanity.
Stop by for a cup of coffee or an event. Have an organic donut. (I swear, they don’t taste at all organic, otherwise I wouldn’t recommend them. Very tasty indeed!) Bring your dojo down after a work out, or have a pre or after dinner cup of caffeine or herbal tea. You will not be disappointed. And while you’re at it, tell your friends.
In a world of sub-standard corporate coffee, this place is where the Browncoats get their coffee fix. And if you’re a “Firefly” fan, then you’ll know what I mean.