Drive Thru' #4. Vienna Mae

Ok, ok, so it has been a year. and a lot has happened and alot that I need to catch up on here. Let me start with something easy.
For the past year, we have taken numerous trips to the Seattle Center. On our way is this little gem of a drive thru. This by far is my favorite one. She makes good coffee, even better that I dont have to step foot out of the car, AND the promise of a chocolate bean is enough to get the kiddos on board. I know, I know, not the best for an already amped up crew...

Vienna Mae is at the foot of the Fremont Bridge on the QA side, as you drive south across the bridge. cross the bridge and take your first right, she is located in the Nickerson Saloon parking lot.

The owner is super sweet, she offers some good cookies, many of which are vegan and also on occasion, she offers breakfast burritos.
The coffee is really good too.

My only gripe about this place is that she sometimes is closed during the normal operating hours. Vienna Mae is on twitter though and provides this information on a daily basis, so that is nice.

Golden Gardens, Caffe Fiore

Out with the old...



In with the new..

really? I have never reviewed Golden Gardens? well, just as well, as the playground there was never much to write home about...that is, until now. They have revamped it and it is now a very cool place. makes for a really fun outing. you have everything. beach, water, cool playground, and now, finally, some SUN. and, after you have had your fill, chasing the kids around, you can take a drive up to Sunset Hill for a nice iced latte. Cafe Fiore makes some good coffee. If you are up for a hike, you can walk up a nice wooded trail, past the off leash dog park and earn your coffee and a pastry too. (not stroller friendly though)

Pratt Park and Soho Coffee Company

I used to live near to the Central District while in college and back then it really wasnt a place to hang out. It was the worst part of Seattle. I used to go jogging in an area that backed up to the Central District and I will never forget the time that I got lost and ended up jogging in that unfamiliar area of town. It is so crazy to be running down a tree lined street in Madison Park one minute and then passing by delapidated houses with bars on the windows the next. As time has come and gone, the CD has transformed a little bit. It is still an area that I dont know my way around nor do I spend too much time there, but today when I found a splash park online that was located on 20th and Yesler, I paused and then thought, what the heck, I will see what it is like. Pratt Park has been written about in a few parenting publications as a decent place to go, so I trusted that and packed the kids and headed there. It was a nice park with a great splash area and nice and new play structures. what I loved was the old school jungle gym, just like what I played on as a kid. We spent a good 2 hours here, between the play structures and dodging the water spouts.
I was also thrilled to see a coffee option across the street! Soho Coffee Company serves Stumptown and the guy behind the counter was quite friendly and helpful. I told him that my son was crushed as we just missed the ice cream truck and he offered up a suggestion for a minimart just down the street. phew. crises averted. now, I get my iced latte and Z, his ice cream sammy. a pretty good treat, all around.

Kaffeklatsch and Matthews Beach Park

Its August, which means, its balmy and hot. well, when the forecast on my iphone stated, "plentiful sunshine" I had to laugh. It is cloudy and 65. Do the forecasters here think that cloudy and not raining is plentiful enough for us sun starved folks? Well, regardless, I decided to take Z and N to a beach. A lake beach. I think I much prefer the Sound beaches, but if you want to swim, the lake beaches are a tad bit warmer. The problem I find is that all these beaches lack beach and make up for it with lawns that are covered in goose crap. So, I tend to stick to the Sound. feels much more like a real beach. But, I like to try new spots, so we ventured to Matthews Beach, just north of Magnusen. What I liked was that is was a nice park and the lawn as you go farther from the beach was a little less goose poopish. and, the playground was fairly nice. they also had a few picnic tables. My son isn't a dig in the sand kind of guy, so he was occupied with the playground and the lifeguard stand as well as the paddle boards the guards use. And, since I had both kids, I couldn't take one swimming and watch the other too easily. maybe next time I will bring my husband. That said, it was a nice spot for a swim and I did appreciate the lifeguards picking up after the geese..

After the park, I took the boys to a new bakery on Lake City Way. I love seeing a little life in this area. It at one time was so bleak, lots of run down buildings, sketchy folks. not really an area I would want to explore with my 2 small kids. not that I still want to wander up and down the street, BUT, Kaffeklatsch will bring me back for sure. Did I spell that right? They are known for their German pastries and a pretty tasty chocolate chip cookie, one that seems familiar from somewhere else....trying to place it. it has chunks of toffee in it as well as chocolate chips and it was pretty delish. (I love a great cookie) I also tried a couple other goodies. a Pretzel and a honey almond and cream filled yeasted thingy called a Bienenstich. It was good, but I wasnt totally blown away. Z did like that one, though. other things that looked tasty and warrant a return trip: the ginger cookies, blondies, some freshly baked breads. Also, major bonus points in my book was the sweet barista who helped me pronounce all the names. (He actually spoke german!) He was incredibly approachable and nice and even offered a free cinnamon roll to Z. (the unusable ends, which are still delish..) On the way out, I noticed a little kiddie area too. Nice touch. I will be back and I wish them lots of success. It is a tough area, but they could do really well there.

Seattle Gymnastics Academy at Salmon Bay and Cafe Besalu.

We have been to the SGA for open gym a few times on those rainy days, and the last visit, Z really got his groove there. swinging on the rings, jumping into the foam blocks, running on the bouncy air track. He had a blast. I really like the Shilshole location, it is not nearly as crowded, likely because of the 12 pm start time. The Lake City location is great too, starts at 11:30 and draws a few more folks. Luckily, for us, Z's naptime has been a little later these days, so the Shilshole location works out great. Kids bascically have free reign of all the gym equipment: trampolines, foam pit and rope swing, air track, rings etc etc..A great place to get the yaya's out.

Because of the later start time, I suggest you hit Cafe Besalu beforehand. I cant believe that I have yet to feature this place on the blog. It is one of my favorites. good coffee, excellent quiche, and the ginger biscuits are to die for. I have tried many times to recreate these, and have had some luck, but these still reign supreme in my book. (just note, they are closed Monday and Tuesday's!) The cafe is pretty small, so seating might be limited, but its a great place to hit!

Vivace Coffee, REI

Is it summer yet? Its mid May and it has been rainy. Seattle in Spring, I have to say, is my least favorite time of year. such a tease, the flowers bloom and the smell is in the air, and then it just rains. Sure, we have had some sunny days, and as I write, the sun is struggling to stay out as it begins to cloud over. I wont complain, as a sunny day is one that I will definitely take advantage of. But, as we head into Summer, and a time of year I hope to be more prolific on this blog, I have taken some moments to sit back and recall some of our rainy day activities this year.
It was actually last June, the worst June in the world as far as weather goes, and we were painting our house. The fumes were so bad, that we checked into a hotel downtown for a few days. The hotel was really close to REI, so one rainy rainy morning, I decided to take Z there and to hit Vivace on the way. My son loves things. not just toys either, but things you wouldn't classify as toys, in a kid sense anyway. So, going to REI was a little bit like going to dreamland for him. I literally just chased him around the store. bikes, filters, backpacks, helmets, skateboards, oh my! We hadn't even gotten to the play area yet...at the time, barely 2, he was a bit small for the climbing area, but he certainly enjoyed his smoothie at the World Wrapps in store. and, of course, we couldn't leave without a new helmet for him..

and, not meant to be a sidenote, Vivace makes some good coffee. while it was served up with a little attitude on the day that I brought my son, I have been back.

Jefferson Park and Toddler Gym, Delite Bakery

Yesterday was one of those April days where it was supposed to be sunny and it ended up raining. I am getting to the time of year where I just get fed up with it all and so yesterday, I said 'screw it,' we are going on an adventure anyway.
For me, the South end of Seattle is all sort of an exploration for me. I am not at all familiar with the areas, so I thought that it would be fun to explore a little. I had read good things about Jefferson Park and its face lift, so I decided to take the kiddos and check it out. Of course, by the time we got out of the house and pulled into the lot, it was pouring. Perfect, I thought. Why not check out the local bakery and gorge on donuts instead? then, we can revisit the park idea after? SO, we headed to Delite Bakery, just down the way. This place had some good write ups on Yelp, so I figured, what the heck? its a donut, right? We pulled into the unassuming parking lot and I have to say, I am so used to venturing into the gourmet croissant type bakeries with the fancy facades and outdoor seating, that I was a little hesistant about shleping the kids out of the car, through the rain, and inside. But, I am glad I did. They had many donuts, and donuts are good. and, these, were light and airy and delicious! the women running the place were quite friendly too, as we took over the place for a good 20 minutes while the rain came to a stop.
Then, we hit the playground. it is on top of a hill over looking the city with a vast open space and a nice playstructure of Kompani equipment. some, a little older than my son's abilities, but fun nonetheless. When the rain started up again, we headed indoors to the Jefferson Community Center, which is next door. perfect! it was a Thursday, therefore the center was open for toddler play in the gym. and, I now name this place the absolute best. it has 4 bouncy houses, so many toys, 2 of those car roller coaster things...tons of kids, but it seemed like there were enough toys to go around regardless. by far, the most cool toys of any Toddler Gym that I have been to so far...recommend! come sun, I will definitely be back at that park, too.

Commmunity Centers.

Oh, the winters of Seattle. I never really hit the Community Center circuit last winter, but this year, with a crazily energetic child, a newborn and rain, rain and rain, I have started making the circuit. funny, they are all pretty similar, but I have made it my goal to visit a different one each time we go, just to mix it up a bit. So far, here is what I have found.

Queen Anne: a good one, nearby to a plethora of coffee and pastry options. I think there was a bouncy house here, lots of balls and ride ons.

Ravenna: the best one, but also the most crowded. an air hockey table in the lobby was quite the draw for my son, who kept running out of the gym to watch the air hockey. jumpy house, cool roller coaster thing for the ride on toys. lots of balls and ride ons...and a drive through espresso nearby. Muddy Waters. (they only take cash on orders less than 10$)

Ballard: not bad, not too exciting either. the plus, not too crowded. I usually hit up Firehouse Coffee on the way.

Meadowbrook: not bad, bouncy house, fewer ride ons and balls. not crowded at all, and the gym was FREEEEZING. for some reason, this place seemed a little more depressing to me than the others, not quite sure why though. food nearish by: Top Pot Donuts, Grateful Bread Cafe

Stay tuned, so long as the rain continues, we will be checking out a few more of these spots! A couple others that I have heard good things about are the Northgate and Magnussen Toddler Gym.

Arena Sports, Magnuson Park, 60th St Desserts.

Ok, so I am cheating a little bit on this post. I have been to Magnuson a number of times, but each time I try to go to the 60th Street Desserts, I pick a Monday. and, it is closed on Mondays. I noticed this place recently because it has a drive through and it is located right near the North entrance to the park, right near the playground, which I recently discovered, and also Arena Sports, which I have yet to discover but will soon on a rainy day in our near future. (phew, long sentence) But, I really enjoy this park. a nice big playground, a dog park, lots of green space and a beach on the waterfront of Lake Washington. This used to be my go to park during the summer before kids. I would scope out a piece of waterfront property and lay in the sun and read. It was always fairly easy to find a place without a ton of people around and to have a little solitude. Those days are behind me, but I can still go now, with my kiddos and enjoy the park in a different way. And, next time I go, I will check out the Arena Sports Fun Zone, which is supposed to have a great play area for kids and an open playtime daily.

**update: I have since visited the fun zone, and I have to be honest, I wasnt a huge fan. it was hard to see my son in many of the bounce houses/slides and I couldnt go in with him to help him if he needed it. and, the older kids were so rough, I felt so paranoid he was going to get smashed. it was just a little crazy for both of our tastes. not sure we will go back there, but Lil Kickers is also headquartered at the same location, if your little one likes soccer. And, 60th street desserts is worth checking out. going through the drive through was a bonus, but then, you cant see all the goodies, you have to rely more on their descriptions. I ended up with a pumpkin cookie that looked a little like a hockey puck. had I seen it in the case, I might have opted for the chocolate chip. not a bad latte though, and friendly service.

A place to sit. and ship. and sip. Sip and Ship.

I think that I need to devote a little time to those places where you can go and just have a coffee while the kiddos play. I know that I have mentioned a couple of these places in the past, but I dont want to forget about this place in Ballard and in Green wood. Sip and Ship. This place was perfect for today. I have been meaning to ship some holiday gifts to friends and a few holiday cards too. yes, holiday, as in Christmas. you heard me correctly. I am that overdue. Having a newborn is a good excuse right? And, so what better place than this to knock off an errand, have a treat and a latte AND visit with a dear friend while our kiddos play? I dont come here often, but I am always really impressed with the service when I do. They were extremely accomodating to me as I tried to mail my things, order a coffee, and chase my toddler around. I never used to be one to accept help, but these days its hard to juggle it all. I find that anything even as small as the barista bringing me my latte while I settled in with my stroller and its faulty front wheel, my behemoth diaper bag and my squirrelly toddler is worthy of a little praise. Did I mention that they have a little kids area? not big, but its separate, and it has a few toys. good enough for me! And, the coffee is good. and, come to think of it, so was that big fat scone.

And, she is back....Twirl Cafe, Le Reve Bakery.

My God, has it really been this long? Time flies when you are pregnant with a toddler and then all of a sudden you have two kiddos..
But, I miss the blogs, and now, I am out to find the great cafes/parks and places in which I can keep an eye on my toddler while tending to my newborn if the need be. this has proven to be a bit of a challenge for me. well, I admit, I have yet to really venture out without reinforcement, or for a lenghty outing solo with the 2 kids. Its all about timing and lately, granting most every wish of my toddler as he makes this transition to big brotherhood.

A place that I went while pregnant, but that I will venture back to with both kids is Twirl Cafe. And, since you are in the neighborhood, you must check out my fave new bakery, Le Reve. First, the bakery. This place actually brought tears to my eyes. I worked at a bakery on QA not too far from this place a while back and I have such fond memories of living on the hill and walking to work everyday, not to mention the comraderie among my co workers and the blast I had baking bread on a daily basis. When I walked into this bakery, just down the street from my old place of work, which is no longer, I felt it. I could tell the folks there were happy. it was cozy. the pastries looked wonderful and it smelled so good. it is perfect. a place I picture myself. and, the pastries were to die for. I recommend hitting up this place...not on Tuesdays though, as they are closed...and taking your treats to Twirl. Twirl has food, which I have yet to try, and I suppose a real luch is better for an amped up toddler than a sugary delight. but, you need to treat yourself too, right?

Twirl is a cute little spot. I have gone twice and the one time that I went right at opening, I was glad I did, because it gets crowded come 11. They have a cute play area, offer some classes for kids and adults alike and it has a nice new ambiance. Like I said, it does get crowded and sort of bottlenecked in the play area corridor, but it is worth a visit....

Madison Park Playground and Beach & Madison Park Bakery.

Summer is gone, pretty much officially, but I didnt want to forget to post about this great duo. Most Seattleites know of Madison Park, but I hadnt been there in ages, and since the last time I had visited, they have redone the playground. Its a great play ground set just above the lakefront beach and also just across the street from the bakery. It was a hot day when I went in, but I still wanted that donut. The apple fritter called to me, but I settled for Z's wish, the one with the sprinkles, instead. a reason to go back I suppose. but, just dont try to head there on a Monday. I have done that once before, gotten Z out of the car seat, carrying him 3 blocks while pregnant, only to find that indeed, they were closed.

On a hot August day, the beach was such a treat. I am only sorry that I didnt bring my suit.

Carkeek Park and oh geez, here goes.. Chicka Latte.

I cant believe that I am going to do this. but, sometimes, things get desperate. I love Carkeek Park. just love it. I have been trying to figure out which coffeehouse to pair it with, and so far, I have stopped at Starbucks and Neptune on the way. The problem with both of these places is that I have to park, sometimes, not nearby, and get my son out of his car seat, only to have to force him back into to it 5 minutes later. not always the easiest task these days. Many times, I am delayed in going anyplace as he loves to 'drive,' and I usually try to honor his request for 20 minutes or so. SO, on the days that I want to have a coffee and to get anywhere in a timely fashion, a drive thru is so ideal. Really, this should be where I invest my money. can you imagine, a nice drive thru, with great coffee, really good pastries, some good sandwiches etc? There ARE a lot of mommys (and stay at home daddys) around, you know. So, today, I tuckered out my little guy at the beach, and on the way home, he promptly fell asleep. what to do, what to do. I could drive the extra 5 miles into Ballard, OR, geez, turn right at the light and voila, eek...cringe...pull into Chicka Latte. gulp. I swore I would never do this. never say never, I guess. Of course, I pulled up to it facing the wrong direction and had to get out of my car to approach the window. there I was in plain view. at the Bikini coffee stand. but, the barista was nice enough, and she could definitely pull off the bikini, so I guess it could have been worse. And, the coffee, it was passable, not bad. I know that I am not the only Mom with the idea to venture here. As I was leaving, I spotted two minivans in line behind me and I had to chuckle.

note: there might be another option coming soon. on Friday, July 16th, Green Bean Coffeehouse is opening in their new location on 85th and Greenwood. AND, it looks as if they might, just might, have a drive up window. I will certainly keep you posted.

Fresh Flours and Woodland Park Zoo.

I cant believe it has taken me this long to write about 2 places I probably frequent more than any other. We live blocks away from the zoo, so going there is such a lifesaver. Its easy, a great park and zoo in one and so convenient. I especially love going there in the afternoons after Z's nap. more so in the summer when you can stay on the grounds until 7pm! Summertime is busy at the zoo, but if you go at between 4 and 5pm, you may almost have the place to yourself. I highly recommend a membership too. that way, you dont feel like you have to make a full day of it. you can just pop in and out when the fancy strikes. for us, it is at least once or twice a week. My lack of posts as of late is in part due to the fact that I have given up coffee. (gasp) Its for good reason though, as I am pregnant again, and honestly havent craved it up until this point. so, we were on hiatus a bit from coffee seeking, but I am slowly getting myself back. While on coffee strike (again, gasp), I still have been frequenting places, but more for the food. I have a real sandwich craving these days, and so I was pleased to see that along with delightful pastries, Fresh Flours also offers a few really great sandwich options. and, let me tell you, they beat the zoo fare, hands down. I admit to have eaten a few zoo cafeteria burgers in the last 3 months, but as of late, I am much more satisfied with the BLAAT sandwich from Fresh Flours. It is a Bacon, Arugula, Avocado, and Tomato sandwich on this thick Brioche bun. something about it, could be the perfect ratio of mayo, hits the spot every time. And, since I dont do much coffee, I opt for their iced green tea latte. powdered matcha with a little sugar and milk. good stuff, but I do admit, sometimes the powder sits unmixed at the bottom of the cup. if they just used a cocktail shaker....

Then, there is the zoo. I cant rave enough about this place. I have been to a few lamo zoos in my time, but WPZ is not one. I admit, some exhibits could use a little more updating and more space for the animals, but the ones that they have renovated are pretty great. Its also a nice park too. lots of grass for running, picnicking and paths for walking. it really is a beautiful space.

If zoos arent your thing, there is also a nice playground just north of the zoo and just south of Fresh Flours. perfect.

and, dont forget to try their pithivier. sausage, cheese and mushrooms encased in a flaky pastry. a few of my favorite things.

Honore Bakery, Lunchbox Laboratory and Salmon Bay Park

I admit, I haven't actually hit up these three on the same outing, but they are all pretty close to each other, and each is a place I recommed hitting up on your travels about Ballard. First, Lunchbox Laboratory might just put you at risk for a heartattack. but, it is so good, you have to try it. The Burgers are at max capacity, even to be featured on the blog 'this is why you are fat.' but, what is one burger, and some sweet potato fries and a nice homespun shake in the whole scheme of things? its good, thats what it is. BUT, if you are just looking for a coffee and a damn good kouign amann (whats that, you ask?), head to Honore Bakery instead. There you will fine some fine pastries, french macaroons (if thats your thing), and some good coffee roasted up by my neighbors at Lighthouse. You will not be disappointed. that is unless, you hit up Honore after 3pm, or on a Monday or Tuesday, when its closed. I do believe Lunchbox is closed Mondays as well.

Now, head to the park.

Salmon Bay Park is just outside the Ballard central area and its a really cute place. a nice green and tree'd area as well as a playground with some cool climbing toys, swings and a sandbox complete with resident trucks and shovels.

A bonus for us when we visited the other day was the neighbor to the South who was having the garage sale of the century with kids stuff galore. It was Z's lucky day, and we made off with a skateboard, helmet and knee pads for 6$. what a deal!

e.t.g. cafe, Fremont Sunday Market

So, this post is kind of a cheat, but I thought I would write it anyway. I didnt really take Z to e.t.g and the fremont market, I went by myself. BUT, I do think that the market can be a fun place for kids, just not the kind like mine that enjoy running amuk. there is too much temptation here for him to want to stay put in the stroller, but to let him out..I just cant imagine what might become of all the fragile glass bongs and vases. that said, if you have an older kid who is crafty, the antique area might be a fun place to get ideas for craft projects, and there are some fun areas to browse thru vintage toys and books. and, there is music here and from time to time some street performers to entertain the crowds. The newest addition to the market that really rounds it out for me is the farmers market. they have added a whole new produce and food section that adds a bit more appeal for me, at least.

and, then there is e.t.g. not sure what that stands for, but it is the cutest little place. i love the feel of it; a tiny cafe tucked almost anonymously between its neighbors. in the same neighborhood as at least 5 other coffeehouses, (Starbucks, Peets and Cafe Ladro to name a few) this place has the most charm by far, not to mention good organic coffee and housemade pastries. 

and, they have the coolest vintage cash register.

Java Jazz: Drive thru #3

Despite not really understanding the correlation between java and jazz, I decided to venture to this drive thru the other day. I dont really know what happened. I left the house on my way to Trader Joes and ended up hitting the drive thru and ending up at a park. this is what happens sometimes when it gets sunny out. All my errands and must do's end up lower on my 'must-do' list. love those Seattle spring days.

and, Java jazz was good, too.

Mighty-O Donuts, Zoka Coffee, Meridian Playfield.

Z and I have been reading alot of a book called 'Who Needs Donuts?' lately and its got me hankering for some, even though the moral of the story is that you don't need donuts when you have love. well, what is wrong with having both? is that so wrong? This combined with the article on Yahoo! about the best donuts nationwide had gotten my fires burning to go check out MightyO, so that is just what we did. Of course, I had to make it worth Z's time too, so we stopped at the Meridian Playground, which is just 5 blocks south. Mighty O is good and as far as donuts go, they arent too bad for you either. I did say, as far as donuts go. If you want a good cup of coffee, head next door to Zoka. I have only been there once, but the coffee was really good, so much so that the barista took a whiff of the pour to check for quality before pouring it into my cup. now, how often do you see that? Meridian park is a really great place too. I love that it is mostly enclosed, although right on 50th, so you feel like you are in a nice park and not, well, right on 50th. There is lots of grass, trees, tables and a nice playground for tots and older kids alike. I tend to forget about this park, as it is just a little further from my normal park walking radius, but now, with Mighty O and Zoka back on the radar as being a short walk away, its back on baby, back on.

Serendipity and West Magnolia Playground

I met with my Moms group today at Serendipity, a little cafe in Magnolia that is extremely child friendly. We happened to arrive to the play area as story time was occurring, and even though kids were screaming all around us, we were shushed for chatting in the play area. My guess is that storytime is between 10-1030, so I think next time, I would come later, if you have other Moms you want to converse with and also, if you want a little space to have a seat while your kids play.
They offer a nice kids menu and have good coffee from Cafe Vita, so it was a place that I would likely return.
Since it was sunny today, I took Z across the street to West Magnolia Park after our visit to the cafe. It was a great little playground. areas for young toddlers, a nice sandbox with trucks and other sand toys. Z had a blast, and I quite enjoyed sipping my latte in the sun.

Roosters Espresso- Drive Thru #2

COCK a DOODLe DOOOO.

I have avoided this place for some time. The logo has a Kentucky Fried Chicken'ish look to it, and these little Drive Thru's are somewhat plenitful in Seattle (more than one) so I start to think, chain...not good. and, then there is the whole naked barista culture. Wasnt sure if Roosters was a part of this whole classiness or not, so I guess I just judged it. and, I am sorry that I did, for I have had 2 pretty good lattes from these guys. Since they are on the way home from the Little Gym, it has made for an easy stop. I will never judge again!