Louisa’s Bakery is an Eastlake institution. On weekday mornings, the tables inside are full of chattering neighbors, business people and groups of various interests and activities. And in the spring... More

Louisa’s Bakery is an Eastlake institution. On weekday mornings, the tables inside are full of chattering neighbors, business people and groups of various interests and activities. And in the spring in summer, people snap up the tables on the sidewalk out front and sip iced coffee with their pets (the pets generally prefer water). For good reason—the pastries are big, fluffy and buttery (DELICIOUS!) and the coffees and teas are consistent. Eclectic decor and free wi-fi.
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Louisa's has great food, especially for breakfast! The bakery goods are delicious, ample and can be served warm. The cinnamon buns are incredible and difficult to refuse. They make great hot... More

Louisa's has great food, especially for breakfast! The bakery goods are delicious, ample and can be served warm. The cinnamon buns are incredible and difficult to refuse. They make great hot cereals, quiches and to-order egg dishes. The atmosphere is homey and friendly. The walls often feature local artist's creations. The staff, especially owners Luise and Michael, are very friendly and helpful. The cookies, especially the bar cookies are also very special. I have often bought a variety of the brownies, Nanimo lemon bars, cut them in quarters and served them to company. Of course, if I am honest, I have to confess I did not make them! Try it. You will return to Louisa's.
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I used to work in Eastlake and made Louisa's one of my regular lunching venues - which means that I really did like the food there. However, I have to agree with some of the other reveiwers that... More

I used to work in Eastlake and made Louisa's one of my regular lunching venues - which means that I really did like the food there. However, I have to agree with some of the other reveiwers that there is one thing that keeps Louisa's from being a perfect 10. I have waited for a toasted bagel for over 10 minutes on numerous occasions. On a weekend afternoon this would not be a problem, but on my way to work, this is just too long. I have also waited for 15 or 20 minutes for a salad - again too long when you are in even the slightest hurry. If Louisa's could speed up the turnaround it would warrant a spot closer to the top of the list.
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While Louisa's has a friendly laid back atmosphere, some cool art on the walls and some nice seating, I can't get over a couple of tragic flaws. First the prices. 7 bucks is at the top end of... More

While Louisa's has a friendly laid back atmosphere, some cool art on the walls and some nice seating, I can't get over a couple of tragic flaws. First the prices. 7 bucks is at the top end of what I am willing pay far a ham sandwich even if I'm starving and $9 is definitely too much to pay for a tuna melt no matter how artsy the setting. Then there is the slow service. Often orders seem to come out of the kitchen in no particular order and even simple cold sandwiches can sometime take more then 15 minutes to appear. Lastly, they manage to over-do many of my simple deli favorites. Random ingredients are liberally added to even the most standard of menu items. While I understand some people like that extra bit of "flavor" in their lunch, my beloved simple tuna melt was violated with so many chunks of celery, pickles and onions that there really didn't seem to be any tuna in it. Yuck.
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I spent an hour at Louisa's this morning enjoying a latte and catching up on my email on their free wifi. It''s a typical Seattle coffee joint - hip, mismatching tables, comfy seating, and hot... More

I spent an hour at Louisa's this morning enjoying a latte and catching up on my email on their free wifi. It''s a typical Seattle coffee joint - hip, mismatching tables, comfy seating, and hot black good coffee. I sat in the corner and was left alone, which is exactly what I wanted this morning.
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After incubating for several months in my basement, Judy's Book just moved into a 'real' office on Eastlake, an easy walk from the neighborhood's retail core. We just started exploring the local... More

After incubating for several months in my basement, Judy's Book just moved into a 'real' office on Eastlake, an easy walk from the neighborhood's retail core. We just started exploring the local eateries for lunch, and hit an early home run at Louisa's Cafe & Bakery. Located in an airy corner storefront near the corner of Eastlake and Roanoke, Louisa's specializes in hearty, healthy bakery & cafe fare, most of which is prepared onsite in their open kitchen. A long row of bakery cases is loaded with great breads and sweets, and the menu features a rotating selection of soups, salads and (my personal favorite) absolutely massive sandwiches, served on thick slices of their own store-made bread. On weekends, they serve breakfast all day -- centered around traditional favorites like omelettes with toast & potatos, oatmeal and granola. The decor can most accurately be described as "college town eclectic" -- salvaged church pews, a random assortment of sturdy wooden chairs, and an equally sturdy (and random) array of cafe tables. The general mood is equally informal -- everyone behind the counter boasts a sunny, relaxed disposition, accessorized with a minimum of two tattoos (and an optional piercing). Patrons bus their own tables, and free wi-fi attracts more than a few all-day regulars. I'm looking forward to exploring the many competing lunch offerings along Eastlake, but I know that Louisa's will be a regular stop on the circuit.
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