"Una bella tazza di caffe", the beautiful cup of coffee at Vivace Espresso is well named. Since 1988 this company has refined it's presentation, flavor and finesse inspired by the coffee itself. We often go to the shop in South Lake Union to pick up a cuppa as well as the occasional Mighty O Donut or donut hole depending on the appetite. They offer "restretto shots" which I understand to mean that they use only the sweetest most flavorful part of the espresso shot. The owners have published books on barista techniques, coffee techniques as well as a video of Latte art. Espresso Vivace

Vivace Espresso has two locations

Vivace Espresso Bar at Brix
532 Broadway Ave East
Seattle WA 98122
Telephone 206.860.2722
Open 6am until 11pm daily

Espresso Vivace Alley 24
227 Yale Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
Telephone 206.388.5164
Open daily 6 am until 11 pm. See you there!

Lynette Hensley
Associate Broker
email

Labels: Capitol Hill, coffee houses, South Lake Union

Larry and I first became aware of the developments in South Lake Union when our church decided to move there a few years ago. Most every Sunday, Union Church has been occupying the Armory, the white Naval Reserve building at the south end of the lake where the Wooden Boats Festival is held every July 4th (Larry and I play music for the festival each year). We (the church) were trying to buy a property to move into, and many were available. Beat out by much bigger purses than the church's, we ended up at the armory for the time being. Soon we will move into our own space.

Bigger, more widely known news is that Amazon is moving their operations to SLU, and many, many other businesses already call the area home.

Our favorite cup of coffee in that area can be found at Cafe Vivace, where all the shots are "ristretto" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ristretto) they only use the best part of the espresso, and it is indeed a lovely cuppa. Also the Southlake Grill, which currently offers half off their entire food menu Sunday mornings. Here's a great website to discover more about South Lake Union: http://www.discoverslu.com

It's a walkable neighborhood complete with a trolley, and several zipcars are based there, and there are also at least 3 Leeds certified Green Built condo buildings. Seattle's best new thing!




Lynette Hensley, Associate Broker

Labels: Green built, Seattle, South Lake Union

There is another way to get around Seattle. Of course walking is great, taxis are convenient, cars are always flexible (except when you're trying to get on I-5 from downtown at 5:15 p.m.), and the buses in the Pioneer Square Ride Free Area are... free! But have you considered a scooter?

Scoot About in South Lake Union has TGB Key West 49cc, Honda 49cc, and Buddy 49cc scooter rentals available for touring around (currently $30 for first hour and $20 for second and thereafter, or you can choose a daily rate). The Green Conscious business also is aiming to get local businesses, employees, and residents hooked on this fun and easy way to run a few errands and see more of the scenery while doing them! Part of Scoot About's business plan is offering a Scooter Share Pilot Program for locals at $5 per half hour (get a punch card) to encourage this "viable transportation alternative for better flexibility and mobility, especially in the South Lake Union neighborhood."

And why not? What have you got to lose but the boredom of a set routine and being closed up in a car where you can't see, smell and hear the sounds around you the way one does when out in the open air? I can remember of all my times in Japan, it was when I was relying on a bicycle for my main mode of transport that I really felt a part of things and a deepening of my experience of the place. There is something about a car that kind of separates you from the area you are passing through! It is my goal to rent one of these scooters and go around town ... tell you what, I will take photos and put up a tour of my sightseeing...and blog about it! Or better yet, when some of you are in town, let's do it together, what could be more fun?

If you go to their site and read the Testimonials page, I don't think that you will hesitate to agree that our best bet is to get over there as fast as possible and join in the fun.

Check out their photo gallery for more inspiration!









Edy Kizaki
Realtor and Team Leader
SeattlePowerSearch.com

Labels: Ride Free Area, scooter rentals, Seattle Sightseeing, South Lake Union