Kirkland Blog Coffee Week-2nd Up: Caffe Ladro

Caffe Ladro already has a big following from many of its other locations around the Seattle area. It's earthy feel and fair trade, organic shade grown coffee is a favorite amongst locals.  Here is what coffee and Seattle are all about.  The Kirkland spot is right along Central way next to Santorini ( a personal fave!) and has some of the old familiar Taco Del Mar seats along with a seating bar and some fun Adirondack chairs out front that will be PERFECT once the weather warms up (maybe this weekend I hear??). 

Steve was there this morning and said they poured him a great coffee.  No problem finding parking, good service, great coffee. I was there, in all fairness, on the second day they were open and had what was a decent tasty latte, but I have a teensy riff.  My usual Grande decaf (to keep my from bouncing off the walls) nonfat vanilla latte was $4.10 (breaking the $4 mark makes me notice) but I was ready for a fabulous brew.  Then when I picked up the cup it was WAY too light-my hand quickly flew into the air at shoulder height with my cup in it. You know what I'm talking about- half foam and not enough joe.  I'm sure this was an early opening thing, as the cute young kid behind the counter made puppy eyes and shrugged so I just smiled in agreement to not hurt his feelings for what was probably his first day on the job.   Again, Steve and everyone else I have spoke to have LOVED their cup of coffee there so I think my example is a rarity.

This first experience won't deter me from going in again.  They also have free wi-fi and are a must-do Seattle coffee house.  It's kind of minimalist/back to the basics which is refreshing.   Not too much seating inside, but love those chairs outside.  Go there.  I'll be on an Adirondack as soon as the temp hits 60. ~Janis

Comments

[Tom]

As recent Seattle-to-Norkirk transplants, my wife and I were very excited to see Ladro setting up shop within walking distance of our home.

Like you reported, my first latte at Ladro Kirkland was a disappointment. But I have kept going back, once or twice a week. And I must say, the lattes have improved noticeably. The barista even managed a little latte art on one recent pour.

If I had my wish, Vivace would be the next Seattle coffee institution to set up shop in Kirkland, but I won't hold my breath for that one. At least we have Ladro.

Oh, and Ladro's pastries are excellent.

[Jessie]

I was there recently and it was my first time to a Ladro and to be honest, my latte was only ok. I was quite prepared to be impressed as I've heard so much about Ladro but it neither wowed me nor did it truly disappoint (but I was disappointed that I wasn't wow'ed).

My favorite in Kirkland (actually, in the entire Puget Sound area) is still Ce Fiore because they carry Lavazza coffee and I absolutely LOOOOOVE it!

[Julie Devine]

I'm glad to have a place to voice my opinion about this, other than to my 12 year old son. He and I popped in there one evening, as I'm always game for an anti-Starbucks coffee experience (not that I don't like Starbucks, just don't like that the atmosphere has become as predictable as McDonalds) but was really disappointed. The coffee didn't wow me, but more importantly the atmosphere was horrible. I'm an atmosphere/surroundings person, so it's really important to me. Anyway, the minimalist decor could have been ok or understandable, being as they were new, but the fact that there was no place to sit at all, made me comment to my son that this place will bomb. With what, four or five?, great coffee places within walking distance of this, why would someone go somewhere where the chance of sitting down to enjoy is iffy. The adirondack chairs are a cool idea, but like a swimming pool here in Kirkland, definately seasonal.

[JI]

I completely agree about the seating. I've had to turn around several times at the door because there's no place to sit. There's space for more seating inside, so obviously it must be part of the plan to not have more seating? Makes no sense. With Kahili completely packed on the weekends, it makes things difficult. St. James is good but a bit sterile.

I agree with Tom -- we need Vivace in Kirkland. Best coffee in the country.

[Eastsider]

Julie,

You must have gotten your MBA at Wharton, given that highly insightful business analysis.

Everyone else,

I found this Ladro location have the same great coffee and great baristas as the other ones that I have been to. I like how they give you your coffee without the lid on, so you can actually see what's going on in your cup.

[Eastsider]

Janis,

Forgot to mention the following: your coffee is more expensive because it's organic - just as organic food stores have higher prices.

[Julie]

Eastsider...I don't have a degree in logic from Wharton, so forgive me if I can't tell if that was a total slam or just mild sarcasm.
I thought the point of a blog was to comment about the topic, not the other commentors. I wasted way too much time today reading this blog (preferable to the alternative of housecleaning) and though it was fun, I found most posts to be somewhat old (no offense Steve & Janis). Maybe if posting a comment didn't open you up for criticism and a contentious interraction with a unusally unidentified stranger, more people would do it. The concept is fabulous.

[Eastsider]

Julie,

Welcome to the internet.