Seattle?

[eastbayguy]

So, I'm blasting off for a fast trek to Seattle. Duty calls and takes me to the Specialty Coffee Association of America convention, exposition and trade show. (Lucky, are you paying attention?) Anyway, I won't be there long, won't have a ton of extra time. Will be downtown near the convention center. Any suggestions on things to do? If anyone has a desire for lunch or a coffee or whatever, I'd be up for it. Will have a few spare moments here and there.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

--EBG

[+ Lucky]

RE: Seattle Coffee Wars?

 

You will be up all night if you drink too much coffee. I think this is a valid subject for a new thread, however...

[+ deej]

The convention center area is a GREAT area to stay because there are a ton of great restaurants in walking distance. Unlike many cities, "downtown" Seattle is actually a fun place to stay. Ask the hotel staff. They'll know what's good in the hood.

 

Wear comfy walking shoes. The grade could task a San Fransiscan. It's easy to walk TO the waterfront because it's all downhill. That means it's all uphill getting back. ;-)

 

I like that area. Even the sleazy joints have an element of "nice" that's just difficult not to like.

[seaboy4hire]

EBG I live in Seattle just up the hill from the Convention Center. If you get the chance check out China town and the University district. Also just up the hill from you and my neighborhood is Capital Hill. This is the gay/gay friendly area of town. Some ok resteraunts to be had and some eye candy too. If you have any questions feel free to shoot me a message. Hope you enjoy your stay in Seattle. Oh and as for coffee check out Vivace which is on Capital Hill. They have THE BEST coffee. They are located on Broadway by Washington Mutal Bank and by the Jack In The Box.

 

Hugs,

Greg

Greg Seattle Wa [email protected]

http://www.male4malescorts.com/reviews/gregseattle.html

http://seaboy4hire.tripod.com

[eastbayguy]

Had a lovely time in Seattle, thank you very much. Greg, aka SeaBoy4Hire, joined me for a little trek around some of the areas best coffee joints. Who knew Greg was a coffee wizard in his own right? A few thoughts on coffee, Seattle and coffee conventions.

 

If you go to a coffee convention, be prepared to drink a lot of really well made coffee. And I do mean a lot. Although you can buy every machine known to man at a coffee convention, a lot of people are trying to sell their bean, blend of beans and so on. You will find booths from coffee plantations, countries, importers, exporters, jobbers and guys who possibly had some coffee fall off a truck in front of them on the freeway. If you don't sample their coffee, they can turn on this look between dismay and hurt. You know, the sad puppy eyes. On Saturday, I must have had 50 shots of espresso. Afterward, I made it to my room on the 34th floor of the hotel without using either the elevator or stairs. You don't really realize what you've done to yourself until it all hits you.

 

The coffee business attracts some interesting people. By "interesting" I really mean "gay". The SCAA trade show was the cruisiest trade show I've ever been to.

 

An awful lot of people have very strong opinions about coffee. Not sure on this, but I suspect the presence of caffeine in the coffee may have something to do with it. See comments above about ODing on espresso.

 

Coffee trade shows attract the superstars of the food service industry. For instance, I had some ice cream dished up by either Ben or Jerry of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. Coffee trade shows are somewhat more casual than those in other industries. Either Ben or Jerry had just had open heart surgery. He showed me the scar. On the trade show floor. A few people cheered. I'm so happy either Ben or Jerry hadn't just had hemorrhoid surgery.

 

For reasons known only to the organizers, Jane Goodall was the keynote speaker. Jane does ape, chimpanzee and gorilla calls. You know, the sort of thing that if you do them in 2nd grade, they send you to the principal's office. Teachers and principals should take note that if you do monkey noises when you're 70, you get invited to be keynote speaker at a big trade show. Jane was really appreciative of gorilla safe coffee. She didn't explain gorilla safe coffee and should have. No one seemed to know anything about it. Everyone I asked about gorilla safe coffee seemed to think I should have asked Jane. (I would have, but was afraid she'd explain it in gorilla, which is one of the languages I don't speak.)

 

If you go to Seattle, and you like coffee at all, you just MUST go to Espresso Vivace for some coffee. Their coffee is just amazing. I'll be returning for their three day training course on espresso making.

 

--EBG

[ErikMcAlister]

Capitol Hill

 

OK... perhaps Greg or another Seattle-ite can answer a nagging question that bothered me when I was in Seattle & still vexes me terribly.

WHY is there an area called "Capitol Hill" in Seattle, when the capitol is in the state's capital, Olympia?

[PacNW]

RE: Capitol Hill

 

When Washington was still a territory and long before it was sure Seattle would become the dominant city, it was up to the federal government to establish the capital. The jockeying for position was intense since it meant a lot of jobs and patronage. Seattle boosters showed their determination by dedicating "Capitol" Hill as the future site of the capitol building. I think Olympians just paid more money directly to those in charge of the decision.

 

Another tidbit of Washington history I've always found ironic: Early on, the area was set to be called Columbia after the river (I think that also explains why there's a "British" Columbia without anything else around to require that distinguishing adjective). The idea was nixed in large part to cut down on confusion with the District of Columbia which was the way the nation's capital was commonly referred to in those days.

 

Reporting from Washington STATE ...

[ErikMcAlister]

RE: Capitol Hill

 

Thank you, kind sir.

[PacNW]

RE: Capitol Hill

 

You're welcome. You want me to sort out all the Vancouvers for you next? :-)

[ErikMcAlister]

RE: Capitol Hill

 

Nope. I understand Vancouver. The only one I like is in BC.

[PacNW]

RE: Capitol Hill

 

That's just it. Which one? The island or the city? I tell ya, it's confusing.

[ErikMcAlister]

RE: Capitol Hill

 

Not really. The city isn't on the island, but Victoria is.

[PacNW]

RE: Capitol Hill

 

I'm reasonably sure I'm being facetious. }(

[ErikMcAlister]

RE: Capitol Hill

 

Oh, you speak for Packy now?

:+

[ErikMcAlister]

RE: Capitol Hill

 

Oh, you speak for Packy now?

:+

[Guest Conway]

Sorry to have missed your post before you went. For lunch, Armando Batali's Salumi is a must. He is the father of Mario of Babbo fame. He cures all of his meats there in house. It's simply marvelous.

 

Be sure to make it a stop if you go again.

[seaboy4hire]

Oh and don't forget Coastal Kitchen. About every 3 months or so they change their menue to reflect some coastal country. This time around they are serving Argentine food. I checked out the menue and tons and tons and TOOOOOOOOOOONS of beef. I think Rick might this place since he seems to like the "beef." I know I do :-P :-D

 

Hugs,

Greg

Greg Seattle Wa [email protected]

http://www.male4malescorts.com/reviews/gregseattle.html

http://seaboy4hire.tripod.com

[+ deej]

RE: Capitol Hill

 

That explanation makes perfect sense.

 

Particularly in a city that paid consultants millions of dollars to devise a name for a new city park built over a freeway ... and ended up with the name "Freeway Park". :9