For those who are traveling to Seattle for INTA, there’s still a little time to plan. Have coffee booked with a foreign associate but don’t know where to meet? Leave it to STL. Here’s my biased and incomplete mini-guide to the best INTA breakfasts and coffees; lunches and dinners; and bars and hotel lobbies. Today’s installation: Part 1: Breakfasts and Coffees.
INTA gatherings start early, and that means breakfast! Fortunately, you’ll be on forgiving West Coast time — I won’t soon forget those brutal 8 a.m. meetings in Toronto. Nothing like getting up at 4 a.m. Seattle time after whooping it up past midnight at the CN Tower the night before!
For an eclectic but good eatin’ business breakfast, I like the Library Bistro & Bookstore Bar (Pacific Northwest cuisine; 92 Madison Street; (206) 624-3646); Sazerac (Pacific Northwest meets New Orleans; 1101 Fourth Avenue in the Hotel Monaco; (206) 624-7755); Tom Douglas’ Lola (Mediterranean influences; 2000 4th Avenue in the Hotel Andra; (206) 441-1430); and Le Pichet (French; 1933 1st Avenue; (206) 256-1499). I haven’t tried it yet but I’m looking forward to my breakfast meeting at the ART Restaurant (Pacific Northwest with “global” influences; 99 Union Street in the brand new Four Seasons; (206) 749-7070).
For quicker, cheaper, and more casual bites, a great coffee and roll can be had at Le Panier Very French Bakery (1902 Pike Place; (206) 441-3669) and Macrina Bakery (2408 1st Avenue; (206) 448-4032). A great coffee and donut is waiting for you at Top Pot Doughnuts (2124 5th Avenue; (206) 728-1966). Or check out the original Starbucks (1912 Pike Place; (206) 448-8762).
If I’ve missed your favorite downtown breakfast or coffee place, share the benefit of your wisdom!