Fonte -- Coffee Roaster and Wine Bar

The Basics
Fonte
888-783-6683

Where is it?
1321 1st Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101

When are they open?
Weekday: 6 am - 9 pm
Weekend: 7 am -10 pm

Is there parking?
Limited street parking and downtown parking garages.

Is there wi-fi?
Yes, they have free wi-fi, as well as a flat screen TV!!

What is the price range?
For 10 oz coffees, prices go from 1.75 to 2.85 dollars (plus taxes). Their signature drinks as well as their latte are 2.85 dollars each.

The Experience

We ordered two of their signature drinks: their Bronwen's Turkish Latte (which has a hint of vanilla) and their Melissa's Lusty Latte (cinnamon scented). I would recommend their coffee to people who dislike the sweet "Starbucks-like" drinks and enjoy the bitter taste of coffee mixed with other subtle aromas. Personally, I preferred the Turkish Latte which was sweeter and less bitter.

The service is really appropriate to the setting and atmosphere: discrete but attentive. In fact, this coffee shop is not a place to go do homework, but is more suited for a romantic evening or a private business discussion. It stands out as a high-class and intimate place. The lighting, music and decoration all contribute to the sophisticated and peaceful ambiance (the darker lighting fooled us into thinking the shop was closed). On each table, you will find candles, pink flowers floating in a dark blue dish, as well as a leather-bound menu. The walls are decorated with black and white illustrations of coffee brewing. The combination of modern and old styles contribute to giving the store a classy touch.

There is a lot of choice in terms of seating, giving you the possibility to either be alone or in a group. The seating is comfortable, and you can choose between lounge chairs, normal chairs and wall seats.

The best time to go is probably in the evening, which would bring out the relaxing atmosphere even more.

I would not recommend taking kids there, as there is no room for running around or playing and many things can break.

(Review by Alexandra)

Caffe Ladro -- Espresso Bar & Bakery

The Basics:

206-282-5313
Caffe Ladro

Where is it?
2205 Queen Anne Ave. N.
Seattle, WA

When are they open?
Everyday: 5:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Is there parking?
Yes, there is street parking in the front along Queen Anne Avenue and a few parking spots in the back behind the shop.


Is there wi-fi?
Yes, and it's free!

What's the price range?
At $1.75, tall americano is one of the cheapest options besides a cup of brewed coffee. A 12 oz. latte is $2.25, plus tax.

The Experience:
I ordered a hazelnut latte, hoping it would not be too sweet as a hazelnut latte often is. It was not too sweet, in fact, I could barely taste the hazelnut. The coffee's complex taste was certainly prevalent, but the espresso was quite bitter--too bitter for my liking. Also, a slight hint of burned espresso surprised me. The friendly barista seemed to take pride in her foam art display, and the presentation was wonderful as always.

In 2007, Caffe Ladro was voted Best Coffeehouse in Seattle's Weekly Reader's Poll and has been serving only Fair Trade, Organic & Shade Grown Coffee since 2002. Caffe Ladro's unique, artsy atmosphere gives it a character that not many coffeeshops possess. I visited the upper Queen Anne location, and discovered that it was the original Caffe Ladro location. It boasts a variety of unique art pieces that are available for purchase through an art service, and art may also be displayed or purchased at all other locations.

There were about a half-dozen people seated in the warmly decorated coffeeshop at the unique tables of a conglomerate mix of colorful stones. This particular location is fairly small, providing seating for a maximum of about 20 inside. There are comfortable chairs along the outside front wall that are made of 100% recycled milk cartons, and a small covered deck in the back features two large granite tables with nicely-crafted wood picnic benches for seating right by the backdoor parking.

I visited the coffeeshop early on a Sunday afternoon, and it was not too busy by any means. When I arrived only one person was in front of me. It A few students sat studying with laptops open, and two businessmen enjoyed conversation over a cup of coffee. The music was slightly louder than I would expect from a coffeeshop, perhaps making it difficult for those who have come to work or study, but it could still be considered "background" music as conversation is easily heard over it. The music was also very appropriate for the environment, even perhaps adding to the genuine coffeeshop feel.

Overall, I was I admit unimpressed with the very bitter taste of Caffe Ladro's espresso, but the environment was very warm and welcoming. I enjoyed the music selection, but the ambient noise level was slightly too loud for those who have come for an environment in which they may concentrate on work. However, I definitely recommend this location as an escape from a bustly Seattle day or as a place to meet a friend for conversation.

{Review by Maisie}

Welcome!

On this blog, you will find reviews of Seattle and other area coffee shops. We are Seattle-dwellers ourselves, but will try to mix it up and report on coffee around the country and the world, according to our experiences. We have tasted the coffee of many continents, and hope to taste more in the future!

We know that, in Seattle, your coffee choices are wide open. Every coffee shop is not created equal; each has a unique personality that may or may not jive with what you want. We hope that our reviews help you find exactly what you're looking for in a coffee shop--whether that's the ideal study spot, or a "third place" to catch up with friends. After all, who has the time to try out new places? At Seattle Coffee Snob, we'll do the leg work for you, so you can have more time for sipping.

To keep it simple, we've compiled a list of what we'll be investigating for you in our reviews. The Basics we'll keep short and to-the-point, but you can expect a few more details in the Experience section.

The Basics:

Where is it?

When are they open?

Is there parking?

Is there wi-fi?

What's the price range?

The Experience:

How's the coffee?

How's the service?

How's the atmosphere?

What is their signature/featured drink?

Is there enough seating?

How comfortable is the seating?

When's the best time to go?

Is it kid friendly?