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!

Short Stop Coffee- Drive Thru #1

On this rainy morning, I hit SS on my way to Trader Joes. I am finding that the car seat and getting Z into it repeatedly is a challenge. I can swing once or twice a day, but when I have to continuously get him in and out, there is great protest. and man, he is a strong one. So, drive thru coffee is a god send at times. now, if I could just find some decent drive through food. SS makes a decent latte, and during the summer, a good frappe type drink. (could be from some powdered not-so-natural mix though) From the looks of it, there are some breakfast sandwiches offered here as well. have yet to try them though, but I will be back.

Cowen Park and Cowen Park Grocery Cafe.

It was a wonderful sunny day in the midst of a week of rain and wind, so Z and I headed out to explore a new playground. We headed to Cowen Park, which is just adjacent to Ravenna Park, a lovely wooden area with paths that cross through a shaded meadow. Cowen Park is a open area, with a nice playground, swings.. I would recommend this playground for more older kids than 16 months. If your child is like mine, he may be tempted by the numerous steep embankment drop offs the border the park, or the cool big kid gliding swing. (not sure what these are really called..) So, I spent much of my time trying to redirect my son away from the cliffs and fast moving swing and back toward the playstructure. But, that said, these two parks are great places to soak in some of the outdoors.

Just kitty corner from the park sits a cute neighorhood store called Cowen Park Grocery, or CPG. I think the cafe space is great, small and cute, with some decent coffee. I am critical when it comes to pastries, and I wasnt too impressed with the looks of the scones they had here, but that said, their breakfast options looked good. maybe next time, I will try them out. The grocery store is a cute corner store as well, a perfect place for picking up a few needed items. they also had a deli counter which could be much more than it was, but they did have a few ready made sandwiches.

Me & Moms, Firehouse Coffee

As Fall becomes Winter, I will begin to seek out the drive through coffee stops as well as the indoor play areas. I love the idea of drive through coffee shops, I just fear them. The naked baristas give them all a bad name, unfortunately in my eyes, until last night, when I did some searching on Yelp. I found a few that actually had rave reviews, so I look forward to checking them out in the days ahead. But, yesterday, I decided to swing by Firehouse on my way to Me & Moms. Firehouse is a coffee house that is kid friendly AND they have a drive up window. Before kids, I never thought why this would really matter, but now, I only wish there were more of these places. It gets the business mind in me going too. how can I incorporate my love for baking, with coffee in a kid friendly way without being too kiddy? Anyway, back to my blog.



I have been to the Firehouse play area and while small, it does have some toys in a separate area. Nice if you just want to get out of the house for a cuppa, especially in weather like we have been having lately. I opted for the drive through since my second destination was Me & Moms, a consignment store across the street. I can’t say enough great things about this place. I always find cute and original kids clothes for Z here and now that he is a walker, he gets a kick out of exploring the toys and push cars while I browse for winter garb. It is spacious and stroller friendly, and unlike a competitor up the street in Wallingford, Me & Moms doesn’t smell of dirty diapers and is clutter free. (don’t even get me started on this other place)



It may not be a playground necessarily, but it definitely is a place where I feel like we both get something out of it. I get to buy him some cute clothes at a great price. And he gets to explore a new world of toys. A win win in my book.

Top Ten Toys and Neptune Coffee.

Ah, sigh, the days of the sunny farmers markets and the outdoors may soon be behind us, so I am on the lookout for some new and indoorish activities for Fall. The last time it went dumping rain on us, before yesterday when my destroyed wiper blade pretty much rendered us housebound, I headed to Top Ten Toys. Who would have thought that wandering around a store would entertain us for a good hour? This isn’t just any store though. Top Ten Toys is probably one of the coolest toy stores around. Z had a blast pushing the play mop, brooms and ladybug on wheels around and while he plucked toys from every corner, dragged them a few feet, then deposited them into some hidden crevice. It might be a little much in the stimulation department, as I noticed he couldn’t keep his focus on anything for more than a minute or so, but he seemed quite enthralled nonetheless. They have a train table here too, which didn’t really hold Z’s attention, but for those with train happy kids, this might keep some busy for a little bit while you browse.

And, I should mention that the Neptune Coffee around the corner makes a pretty good latte, if you care to brave the storm to get there.

Queen Anne Playground, El Diablo, Queen Anne Farmers Market.

I will always have a fondness for QA, having lived there for 7 years. I loved the neighborhood, I loved running the crown of the hill and taking in all the vistas. I loved being in walking distance to everything I could need. And, now, I love coming here as a visitor and walking around someone elses neighborhood. And, on Thursdays, I love coming to the Farmers Market.(might be wrapping up soon, so go tomorrow!) Reason number 1: Poco Carreto Gelato, the offspring of my old place of work, Cafe Juanita. My last big project before I went on maternity leave last year was to create the recipes for the new gelato business that the chef, Holly, was to launch later that summer. For the last 6 weeks of work at 29 weeks pregnant, I would come into work, spinning gelatos, revising recipes, spinning more gelatos, tasting, tasting, tasting. Now, a year and some later, to see Poco Carretto doing so well and knowing that I had a little something to do with its birth gives me great pride. I cant help but stop by the market to sample the new flavors, right? (a little nostalgia. a tear.) Reason number 2: Skillet. two words, Bacon Jam. need I say more? no, but I will say that they have kick ass burgers, fries and some good lemonade too.
Reason number 3: good, local and organic produce..of course!

Before I hit the market, I like to stop by one of my favorite cafes on the hill. El Diablo. I recall when they first opened and, I remember thinking, how will they survive with Starbucks and Tullys down the street? Well, they have outlasted Tullys, and even since Peets moved in across the street from Starbucks (how ridiculous is this?), they seem to be plugging along. and, now I know why. they offer something different and unique. there coffees are good, although some are on the sweet side. but, it is different. cuban coffee in the Starbucks capital of the world, who would have thunk it?

After hitting my two favorite spots, I take Z up to the playground, just blocks away. They recently revamped this play area, and it is really nice now. They have a separate area for the little tykes, swings, a sandbox. The big kids area is pretty cool. If I could get away with it, I would be playing on the jungle gym too.

maybe in a few years.

Wallingford Farmers Market, Wallingford Park and Trophy Cupcake.

On Tuesday, I thought it was Wednesday. SO, I headed to Wallingford after Z's nap to take in the Farmers Market and the park. I just quit Spud CSA, which is another story, so I was fresh out of veggies and fruits. I may not be the best when it comes to eating all my fruits and veggies, but I am doing good by Z. If I ate what he ate every day, I would probably have dropped the last lingering 10 pounds of baby weight. This is where the cupcake comes in. and the daily full fat latte. After buying whole milk for the last 6 months, I am finding it extremely difficult to go back. A double short iced latte with whole milk is pretty much heaven.

SO, it is Tuesday and I am walking to the Farmers Market, which is great, but the market is on Wednesdays. take note. I was a little bummed, but the outing wasn't a complete wash. I did walk right past Trophy. I feel pretty critical when it comes to other peoples baked goods, and although I want to have something bad to say about Trophy, I've got nothing. First, I love the ambiance..the coolness, the retroness of it all. I love the line of birthday cards and doo-dads they offer. and, I love the fresh and creative look of their cupcakes. there, I said it. and, I love the cupcakes themselves. they are moist, and tasty. there, I said it. again. The potential competition has great cupcakes. well, I guess it wouldnt be competition if they sucked, right? I am thoroughly intrigued by the s'mores cupcake, but I have yet to try it. guess I will have to go back. oh, and, they make a pretty good full fat iced latte too.

The Wallingford playfield is a nice little playground. Plenty of green grass, a wading pool which has been nice this summer and a small kiddie area, separate from the big kid jungle gym. My only gripe is that I wish the play area was a bit more shaded. I went in the heat of summer and it was roasting. there is a picnic area that is on the far side of the park, nicely shaded and lovely under a canopy of trees, so there is shade around if you seek it.

The Farmers Market, on Wednesdays, is a nice afternoon outing. Though small, the market has a good array of seasonal stuff. and, I believe there is gelato and tamales to be had as well. Maybe, now that it is Wednesday, I will head back after Z's nap. oh, wait, its Thursday.