Cafe Fiore represents what a coffee house in Seattle should be. It has the soul that Starbucks lacks. The Queen Anne location is roomy and often on weekends people camp out with books and laptops (often a mac to boot). Their organic free trade coffee (yes, all of the right buzz words) comes from Vita. However, I often I find that its not the source of the coffee thats good, but the baristas since its how the shot is pulled. The coffee is complex and creamy, they also know how to poor correctly since you get that leaf pattern. There is no bitter after taste to their coffee which I often find with Starbucks. They are very committed to selling organic products, which means Might O Donuts and Essential Baking Company pastries (who by the way use biodiesel to fuel there delivery trucks). I love walking to Fiore on weekends. I like that there are only two locations, it keeps their integrity. I don't go often enough, but it seems that they know their regulars by name and of course drink. Plus its close to Trader Joes so you can grab a cup of coffee before or after shopping.
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