Coffee, by Vivace

A coffee connoisseur’s trysting place, hidden on Seattle’s Capital Hill off of Broadway and Denny Way, Espresso Vivace offers one of the best cups of coffee in the famed mecca of espresso. The prices are more than reasonable, producing a hand-crafted, delectable piece of art, far more affordable to even the most “corporate” of crowds.

I drove over an hour through hellish street construction and hectic traffic to get to my favorite coffeehouse in the US. Consumed by the want to relax, read my new book on Travel Writing, and embark on a new career, I came in with hope.

I was seeking solace, thinking that in quiet, my thoughts would seep out. Mistaken. Booming hip-hop music, espresso beans grinding, and the constant buzz of international conversations…I found myself discouraged by lack of ambiance.

Life encourages life, and energy, energy. At first it was my curiosity that pulled me into listening to the trio of Russians deep in a very impassioned conversation. Now though, as they “nyet” their way through a conversation, I am encourage to experience my surroundings.

The air is cool and dry, a welcoming breeze after an unseasonably hot day in Seattle. A large room, the coffeehouse is loud, yet strangely comforting in the bustle of the Emerald City’s alternative crowd. Far more aromatic than the coffee aisle of your nearest market, the smell of fresh roasted coffee fills the room with scents so bold you can taste them. Pictures of perfectly poured rosettes line the walls, and large French windows allow the leftover light of evening to creep in.

Vivace is Seattle’s premiere coffeehouse, serving as both a back-up roasting plant and café. Boasting Seattle’s best baristas, Vivace provides excellent customer service and impeccable beverages. A small sign above the bar reads, “Cell Phone Etiquette”, explaining to coffee lovers how to fulfill their end of mutual respect offered by the barista.

The coffee here is impeccable. Flavors offered are only those that accentuate the coffee’s original flavor, rather than detract from it. You can’t order a 7-11 sized drink, hoping for a caffeine overkill. Each drink is carefully made, with perfect portions of milk, coffee, and the random accent. Just as an artist hones his painting skills, so do the baristas of this fine beverage.

Baristas here are the masters of their craft. Rumor has it, and truth be told, each one has to first work in the café/plant for one year before being promoted to barista. The aforementioned rosetta pictures are taken when the owner, Dave, believes the barista is ready. I spoke with Ricki, a barback for over a year, who is waiting patiently for her time behind the coveted bar. “No one’s quitting ya know, so it’s taking a while to get a barista position.” She will not leave Vivace until she has spent quality time as a barista at her favorite coffeehouse. She tells me that this is an unusually slow night, as the Fremont Fair has drawn away much of their regular clientele.

The café has gotten so busy of late that they now focus on roasting their beans at a separate plant two blocks away. The roasting room at the café now doubles as a back-up roasting plant and as an internet study/meeting room. Tonight, it is serving as a quiet space for two gentlemen looming over mochas and a laptop.

An all-over reenergizing experience, I leave here alert, with a sweet aftertaste and a refreshed outlook. If you haven’t experienced coffee at its finest (and trust me, you’ll know) take the drive into Seattle and delight in the business’ best.