Thirteen Coins, 125 Boren Ave. N., (206) 682-2513 - From Long
Island to
Los Angeles, "local institutions" tend to deteriorate in
direct proportion to the amount of publicity they get. Seattle's
legendary Thirteen Coins, however, has lost none of its cachet.
That could have something to do with the large portions of comfort
food - French onion soup, fettuccine Alfredo, grilled steaks - that
casually attired diners can watch being prepared with a panache
that reflects the Northwest's "no snobs allowed" ethos. With
high-backed, red swivel chairs at the counter, one critic compared
the atmosphere to the set of a gangster film. But the dim lighting
is all about pleasure, not business. Open 365 days a year, 24 hours
a day, Thirteen Coins remains lively late into the night with a
full menu.
NEW COFFEE HOUSE
Cherry Street Coffee House, 103 Cherry St. (second location at
2121 First Ave.), (206) 621-9372 - Here as everywhere, Starbucks
and
Seattle's Best Coffee dominate the roasted-bean scene. That
hasn't stopped the independent Cherry Street Coffee House from
becoming a recent favorite with downtown office workers. The small
shop serves the expected assortment of bakery items and
multiflavored coffee drinks, but also adds a good selection of
trendy teas. The usual to-go frenzy creates lines in the morning,
but the real draw is the relaxed seating area (down a small set of
stairs just off the main entrance) and sidewalk tables.
OLD COFFEE HOUSE
Cafe Allegro, 4214 University Way N.E., (206) 633-3030 - The
Seattle coffee revolution began with small, hip coffee shops in old
brick buildings - like Cafe Allegro, which, since 1975, along with
its owner Nathaniel Jackson, has been a fixture with the University
of Washington crowd. It's open nightly until 10:30, but the best
time to visit is in the morning, when students and professors are
still moving slowly and placid views of the colorful trees on the
classic UW campus are visible through the front windows.