(Wallyhood reader Ryan G. sent in this fine review of little known but much loved coffee house, Kuma Coffee)
We live in Seattle where it’s ok to be a coffee snob. And that is a good thing. We have some of the greatest independent coffee shops in the country in our own back yard… Vivace, Victrola, Stumptown, Lladro, Fuel… you get the idea. We also have one in our neighborhood that you may never have heard of- Kuma, the storefront coffee shop on Stone Way next to that tile place that is never open between 41st and 42nd.
I might be a bit beyond the average Seattle coffee snob who gets their Americano from Vivace or Victrola every day and is happy with it, after all, Vivace is nationally known as the best Americano in the country, right?
Prior to starting my new job when I had lots of time on my hands I decided to do a little test. I spent a day (yes I have issues) going from coffee shop to coffee shop, tasting one shot of espresso and a small Americano. I believe that these two drinks are the standard by which any roaster is judged as any barista in an indie shop in this town can foam milk and pour a great latte or cap. I tried them all, and one shop came out on top by a wide margin. I repeated the test two weeks later. Same result.
The Dark Horse… Kuma Coffee.
Who would have known that of all of the great roasters in this town, the best is right down the street. The espresso that James serves up is in a completely different league than the other great independent shops in this town, it is almost a religious experience. My wife and I are hooked (as is everyone else on my street). I have friends in Wisconsin who have me ship his beans out there on a monthly basis, its that good.
James runs the shop and I think they roast their coffee in Magnolia. Every time you go in there you get a perfect shot of espresso, sometimes he pours out two shots before serving a drink just to get it right. They recently started serving soups and sandwiches which I haven’t tried but they sell out frequently so I’m guessing that they rock like the coffee. He is open during the week and from 8 to 1 on Saturdays. We really wish he would open on Sundays too, hint hint. .
Anyway, this place rocks.
Thanks for that, Ryan. Good to know I’m not the only quality-obsessed coffee taster! After a trip to Portugal, I went on a similar quest, and was bummed by the sourness of most espressos served up by the chicest shops in Seattle. No wonder lattes, often sticky sweet, are so popular! I found a general correlation between snottiness of service & sourness of the brew. Lighthouse & Fremont Coffee Co. are the best I’ve found so far (sorry Wallyhood), but I wasn’t thorough enough to go back for seconds – a good idea. Thanks for the tip; we’re definitely heading to Stoneway our next walk in the hood.
WiFi?
I will gladly confess to being a coffee snob. No, not a snob, but I just *like* good coffee. Vivace has been so far the only place in town that serves coffee. That is, real coffee. I have been a Vivace customer for over 15 years and get their beans every week. There is something about their coffee – I suspect they spike it somehow (just kidding) – that makes me pick a fight with my buddy about who gets to squeeze the bag and inhale. And even at home, it makes a nearly perfect espresso shot – no fussing with tamping with every new bag – just consistently good!
The only other place Vivace could aspire to equal is Sant Eustachio in Rome.
But given your superlative recommendation, I will try it, and report back! 🙂
I too LOVE Kuma Coffee. The staff is always friendly and the coffee is great.
This place is only 2 blocks from my house and you’re so right – this is the best espresso I’ve had in Seattle yet. Don’t let the little shop with its bad decor fool ya! Oh, and don’t tell the owner but I often will order two grande Americanos, claiming one is for my boyfriend, b/c they don’t have ventis and it’s so good I often need a second cup immediately. I’ve compared them to Fuel, Diva Espresso and a bunch of other indie places. The only other two places that will suffice after having Kuma are Top Pot (surprisingly good) and Fonte (served at Hi Spot). But Kuma still outshines those two by far. I haven’t had an Americano at Vivace (only lattes) but I’ll have to give them the old “Kuma” test too!