Coffee at Caffè Umbria is a classic Seattle experience

After lately throwing shade at Starbucks over its new line of olive oil espresso drinks, I wished to get some constructive Seattle espresso vibes on the market.

Catch up fast: Caffè Umbria opened its flagship retailer in Pioneer Sq. in 2005, however its roots go additional again. It is co-founded by a member of the household that ran Torrefazione Italia, a longtime Seattle espresso roaster that Starbucks purchased in 2003 — and whose retail shops the espresso big later shut down.

• A chunk of Torrefazione lives on in Caffè Umbria, which opened its Pioneer Sq. retailer in the identical spot because the Bizzarri household’s authentic cafe and roastery.

Particulars: I like ingesting espresso on the stand-up espresso bar at Caffè Umbria. Apart from being a spot to search out some high quality pictures, the expansive counter was custom-made in Italy and encourages dialog between strangers.

• If the stand-up bar shouldn’t be your factor, you may also sit at one of many tables and benefit from the view of the brick-paved, tree-lined pedestrian mall outdoors.
• There are different Caffè Umbria places you may go to, too. However the Pioneer Sq. one is the place I take out-of-town company, because it makes you are feeling you might be getting an actual dose of basic Seattle — one thing more and more troublesome to search out.

Tackle: 320 Occidental Avenue South