*crispy waffle*

Latte art (from the NY Times)

I usually don't see many stories that make me homesick for Seattle, but this was one of them. It's all about how Seattle baristas are transforming the NYC coffee scene with their latte art. The Dutch don't make terrible coffee, but you cannot get a slammin' latte anywhere in the vicinity, and definitely not one with the telltale fern-leaf pattern of an excellent one. It takes an excellent shot and perfect foam (more like thick paint than bubble-bath) to make a latte-art latte, so it's not a job for the Starbucks teen barista that just started yesterday. In my mind, it is the difference between a great coffee house and a so-so one, atmosphere be damned.

Bear in mind that you can't get something like this just anywhere in Seattle. Although Seattle considers it a coffee capital, of sorts, it actually is pretty hard to get a great latte. Most are the insipid Starbucks-type drinks: burnt, with quickly dissipating foam capping it off. But, here are a few great coffee places that I know of:

Zoka Coffee Roasters: I was estatic when they put one of these in our old neighborhood (there are two of them). Plus, a double shot is included in the basic latte. But, that said, I usually would take my coffee to go because the laptop snob scene is totally intolerable.
Zeitgeist Espresso: Great coffee in the pioneer square area
Caffe Ladro: a local chain that has an outlet in every hip neighborhood. Not as good as Zoka, but I've had above average coffee here in every shop I've been in.
Diva Espresso: nice latte art
Espresso Vivace: The Original, and where every barista seems to learn the art

I heart you, coffee! (from the Zoka website)

Anyway, that's all for my homesick post of the day. Seattlelites (and now New Yorkers) enjoy your coffee!

NY Times: Espresso's New Wave Hits Town

posted by sheryl | 5:50 PM |

hello crispy waffle! i came across your blog and the latte art really caught my attention. I adore coffee more so lattes and cappuccinos....i think they go well with crispy waffles !!! hahaha ;P
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in-JeN-iosiTy 9/20/06 6:34 AM