Seattle’s B&O Espresso: More Than Just Great Coffee
Seattle’s unique B&O Restaurant, a Capitol Hill staple and one of Seattle’s oldest coffee houses, is an excellent place to enjoy a drink with friends or family. Whether you’re looking for an upper, like a café noir or americano, or a downer, like a La Fin Du Monde or a Stella Artios, this restaurant and bar delivers every time. I’ve always had excellent service, although I have heard stories from my friends that they have waited for almost half an hour for their check. I’ve never experienced anything of the sort.
Their French-American food menu is very extensive and includes pastries, sandwiches, and even bon bons. Some of their specialties I have not seen since my travels in France, and will likely not see again until I return. If you’re a morning person, or just have a nasty hangover, the B&O is an excellent place to come for breakfast as well. They serve amazing omelets and Eggs Benedict, one of my personal favorites at this restaurant.
The ambiance is quite plush. Deep red satin bench cushions and chair padding as used brick walls covered in framed 19th and 20th century advertisements for alcoholic beverages and exotic locales. It reminds me a little of a French café or coffee house and the décor is a mix between Art Nouveau and Modern French Design. It’s pleasing to both the palette and the eye. This is an excellent location for a first date or to meet for drinks after work with friends or coworkers. It’s really a very versatile, yet unique and flavorful restaurant.
The prices of food and beverages here is quite reasonable. I’ve never really spent more than $30 for two people for any meal. That includes a drink or two and dessert. It’s easy to get a little crazy here though with so many choices of freshly made desserts and pastries. One could easily get carried away trying to sample everything they have to offer. The B&O makes it tough not to want to try one of their chocolates or delicious dessert treats since they all sit just inside the main entrance, ready to tempt and tease anyone who walks in to sit down for a drink or a meal.
The B&O has announced that it will move its location by the beginning of 2010. The space it currently occupies is a beautiful turn of the 20th century brick building on Olive Way. It’s a rather sad development since the old building will be demolished to make room for a new condominium high-rise building. In this economy, I doubt the developers will get much out of the new construction, and it’s always sad to see a city landmark such as this, disappear from its original location.
This restaurant sits ready and waiting for anyone who appreciates good food, atmosphere, and Seattle history to enjoy. I highly recommend the B&O as both a great place to get some greasy spoon breakfast and a nice dimly lit, traditional French restaurant and bar. Anyone wanting to truly experience the restaurant in its full glory should do so before they move out of their original location, and that extra little bit of flavor, flair, and history is lost forever.
