Thoughts on one of my often contemplated subjects... coffee

As I sit here, drinking, ironically, some tea, I am thinking about all the coffee shops I have visited (okay, not all, that would be way too much to consider at once). What makes a coffee shop a favorite of mine, how quality vs. expense rank, proximity and convenience, morning coffee and afternoon/dessert date coffee.

All of you tuning out because you don't live in Seattle, or don't drink coffee, I apologize. I promise not every post will be centered around coffee and my caffeinated addiction. But, for those of you who do share my penchant for the delicious brew... well, it will be a theme that sometimes will rear its hyperactive head.

Tonight I will list my most memorable coffee shops, and the reasons they have stuck the most with me. No ranking, because I have never been back to back to back to them. This will not just be Seattle shops, but spans the two coasts.

Okay, so the first one I want to write about is eluding me. It used to be in Providence, RI right by the waterfront, but I will have to edit this when I can recall the name and give it its proper due.

UPDATE:
Brewed Awakenings (now gone)
Providence, RI

This was my mainstay my freshman year of college. Far enough away from campus that you were out of the beaten path, long polished wooden tables for bringing all your books with you, great atmosphere. We used to gather groups together to go there and study, separate yet unified. Ah Brewed, you will never again be forgotten by me.

Coffee Exchange
Wickenden St., in Providence, RI
This one is another one close to my heart. They are open super late for a coffee shop, free wi-fi, and great indoor and outdoor seating. I spent many nights chatting with friends, both serious deep conversations and sunshine moments, and also lots of nights solo, when my apartment stolen wi-fi was not up to par. A big bonus in my book: they are sustainable, organic, and fair trade! My inner hippie smiles at this.

Vero Espresso
Eugene, OR
This coffee house reminds me of just that. A hard wood, cosy living room with large tables, comfy chairs, different rooms to sneak into for more or less privacy. They aren't open that late, but they have good drinks and food, and it just makes me feel like I am in my grandparents' living room doing some work with others around me. I spent unemployed days, a new west coaster, searching for jobs and catching up on new episodes of The Office, feeling a familiar sense in that space.

Bauhaus Coffee
Seattle, WA
A quintessential Seattle haunt, located on Capitol Hill. Here is where I met my Seattle book club for the first time, from which stemmed my closest friendship in Seattle! Bauhaus's walls are lined with books for the borrowing. Their outdoor seating, while just on the sidewalk, provides a great space to sit, sip, and people watch. Inside they have two levels, an upper area good for holding meetings, and a lower level, good for staring out of the windows or prime location to keep going back for more delicious java.

Lighthouse Coffee Roasters
Seattle, WA
First of all, they roast their own beans, as the name implies, and it is my go-to bean to buy and make at home. Secondly, they are located high in Fremont, so you look over to your left and see majestic mountains, look to your right, and see even more impressive outlines! On a clear day is is beautiful, and somehow, even in November, the sun hits that place just right that you can feel warm and Vitamin D loaded! Also, their coffee is phenomenal. A bit out of the way, but I have walked many uphill miles to seek out their particular combination of fantastic.

Okay, I could go on and on and on, and I probably have, but for now we will leave that there. I have written this in two part, one last night, with tea, and now it is morning. I must get off my butt and, you may have guessed, get my french press going! Peace and caffeine for this Friday morning!