Brian C.
Yelp
The first entry in my pursuit of Seattle's best cappuccino, or "CappQuest"© if you will, brings me to La Copa, a cool, unassuming independent neighborhood cafe, the sort that used to be the norm in Seattle before corporate chain stores ruined the scene. They do everything in house here, from the cookies and cakes to the soups and sandwiches. This is the epitome of the hyper-local DIY food joint I wish there were more of!
In a funky old 1930's style building that amazingly hasn't yet been razed to put up yet another condo, La Copa features local artists works on display and for sale, lining the walls. Seating is a mostly spartan affair, little tables and bentwood chairs, but there is a couch and soft chair in the back next to a fake fireplace, if you are lucky enough to grab it.
The cappuccino ($3.75) was pretty classic, 1/3 espresso, 1/3 milk, 1/3 foam (see picture). Aesthetically, I would have liked a taller foam cap, but good technique overall. The coffee is from local roaster True North, and is big and nutty, with a nice raw cacao bitterness that would make an excellent mocha or vanilla latte. In the cappuccino, it's not quite sweet enough to really play well with the milk (there's a groovy thing lactose does when it meets the fast-decaying sugars in a fresh espresso shot) and you might need a spoon of sugar to help this medicine go down. CappQuest© rating: 7.5/10.
I also ordered their pastrami sandwich ($9.00) which was all that and a bag of chips. Literally. It comes with a bag of chips! It was hot and melty thanks to the panini grill, crisp toasted rye playing very well indeed with gooey provolone and thin-sliced meat. Wonderfully comforting and a good value.
Service is excellent, quick and friendly. The space is a bit chilly and drafty on cool days, but it's still worth getting your order to stay, to enjoy the art, jazz music, and atmosphere.
Recommended breakfast and lunch stop in North Ballard!