Enjoying a steaming Americano and a slice of espresso cheesecake at Caffe Ladro in Edmonds is the epitome of Seattle culture.
It seems it also rains coffee beans north of Seattle.
The area’s latest little coffee shop, one of 10 with the same name in and around the Seattle vicinity, has been open to the coffee-drinking public for less than one year, after opening in August.
The first Caffe Ladro opened in West Seattle in 1994 and since then, several other locations have been sprinkled throughout the area. The new Edmonds location inhabits the space of the Five Corners Pharmacy, which relocated across the street.
The new cafe offers a relaxing atmosphere, with an abundance of wooden tables and chairs that are just perfect for loitering. Friendly baristas and —of course — freshly baked goods make a visit a high-priority. A drive-thru window may seal the deal.
“We bake all of our own stuff,” said store manager Brent Martin, who has worked for the company since 1997. “Everything that comes in here is baked at the bakery in West Seattle.”
Baked goods are delivered fresh every morning, he said, as the West Seattle location boasts a bakery attached to the cafe. The menu is very consistent, although new desserts and pastries are often added seasonally, he said.
“I would say that 85-90 percent of the menu is consistent,” he said. “They (patrons) love to know they can come in and get their scone every day.”
Bakery items include large slices of quiche, assorted cookies, carrot and chocolate cupcakes, scones, muffins, croissants, as well as dessert items such as slices of pie and cake. Two varieties of an Italian stuffed bread, called pane, are available in two varieties: ham and Swiss or tomato and pesto. Pane is served either heated or cold, said Martin.
The oat bar is the most popular bakery item, with apple pie and original and espresso cheesecake ranking a close second, he said.
The cafe has been well-received by the local community and one of the two owners lives in Edmonds, said Martin.
Coffee beans, which are sold in the store as well as used in all espresso and espresso-based drinks, hail from Tony’s Coffee, out of Bellingham.
“Every last bean is fair trade, organic,” Martin said.
With food and drink that most connoisseurs would applaud, the cafe’s uniqueness should not be overlooked. Although under the same ownership, all Caffe Ladros are unique, said Martin, which is not only seen in the different decor at each locale, but in the personal relationships that are formed with customers.
“Not one is the same,” Martin said about the cafes. “You can go to any one and say that it is different from the others.”
Dining Out is a weekly column profiling a local restaurant selected by a staff writer. Writers accept no invitations, but readers’ suggestions are always welcome. Writers arrive unannounced, and The Enterprise pays their tabs.
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