Vivace Espresso Bar, 532 Broadway East, Seattle

The lofty ceilings, the spot lights, the shiny silver stools, the heart shaped coffee table, the two seat/four seat table combos, the exposed ceiling pipes, and the arms on that red easy chair for the single gal to drape her shapely legs over, --it all tells me that Capitol Hill's Vivace (www.espressovivace.com) is a red hot café on the East Broadway strip.  Luckily, I'm in the last spot of a very long queue.  I use the time to scan the b-board menus.  It's an outstanding bill of fare, which is what I expected from a coffee bar in cafédom.  I make a mental note of the bulk coffee offerings -- Dolce Blend, Vita Blend and D-Caf – sold by the lb and by the half.  Now my eyes land on the Videos/DVD's b-board: "Café Latte Art" $49.95 and "Techniques of the Barista" $79.95.  A bit pricey, I tell myself, but I bet the shows are super interesting.  Distracted by the yak yak, I turn and see Vivace patrons doing the sip sip on café rico, café soy, white velvet, café caramel and steamed milk.  The queue moves.  In front of me, I dote on the handsome collection of gay men and straight women.  Hands dangling at his side, leaning on one leg, the muscular fellow two customers ahead of me poses as if he's on a bodybuilder's stage.  It's mostly the 20 to 50 crowd here.  I watch and listen as they order espressos, mochas, croissants, multi grain breads, etceteras.  That is, until the bearded dishwasher, a stunning Adonis, flits by w/a tub of dirties. 

Review by: albert bliss

Posted: Saturday, September 12, 2009