If my interview with Roy Street Coffee and Tea manager Jacob Webber taught me anything, it’s that despite being a much better coffee shop than your typical Starbucks, Roy Street Coffee and Tea is still a Starbucks.

Jacob describes the store as his “pipe dream,” and seemed really excited about all the new features they’re trying out in the store, like their new Synesso espresso machine, and a pull down movie screen to host film showings for local filmmakers.  He said a lot of positive things and really seemed committed to making the concept work.  

On the other hand, Jacob said he didn’t know much about Capitol Hill, he didn’t have much to say about the well established coffee scene on the Hill, beyond “they make great coffee”, and he didn’t offer direct responses to any of the criticism they’ve been getting from many in the community -- namely that it's disingenuous to not display the Starbucks name, and the clipboard observers that were...

When CHS first walked into Roy Street Coffee and Tea this morning shortly before 7 am, the place was bustling.

See pictures of the opening here.

According to Major Cohen, Senior Project Manager and a key proponent of these "inspired by Starbucks" cafes,  the first group to arrive were the coffee nerds (our characterization - not his).  Many in the group were excited to try the Panama La Esmeralda (CHS sampled this brew and it was one of the best cups of coffee we've had in a while) and other Clover beans.  As we searched for a table, a bunch of them were excitedly discussing coffee, machinery and methods at a communal table.  The morning crowd was composed of Starbucks corporate family members (those visiting from corporate included CEO Howard Schultz ), well-to-do older couples from North Capitol Hill, curiosity seekers, I-5 shores residents and those of us in search of good coffee and free wi-fi.

Starbucks PR agency Edelman emphasized to us that this is the second LEED certified<...

It's a 6 AM Wednesday morning debut for the latest Starbucks creation on Capitol Hill. We'll have additional coverage this morning but wanted you to get a look inside. What do you think of the new place?

Roy Street Barrista

Chairs reused from somewhere

Busy morning opening day

Interesting lighting is a must

CHS didn't attend the pre-launch media event on Tuesday night but we did get a few shots from other folks on the outside. Thanks to Aaron Brethorst for sharing this picture via Twitter .

Photo: Aaron Brethorst

And thanks to http://starbucksmelody.com for a shot from the inside at the preview.

Photo: Starbucks Melody (with permission)

Over on the article where we first posted the announcement that Roy St. Coffee and Tea was opening on Wednesday, there's a debate, um, brewing about the good and bad of corporate coffee and indie-styling . CHS goes back and forth between hostility and ignorance about Starbucks' 'Street Level Coffee' efforts. But the company seems to court the controversy with images like this:

Roy Street Coffee & Tea, originally uploaded by SlayerSeattle.

We reported over the weekend about the preparations to open the second 'secret' Starbucks on Capitol Hill taking an odd step backward -- a worker painted over a recently completed Roy Street Coffee sign above the new shop. No matter. Starbucks says it's a go for a Wednesday opening. Here's our favorite line from the media announcement, below:

Like other new stores we’ve opened recently – 1st and Pike and University Village in Seattle, Paris Disney and Conduit Street in London, this coffeehouse is a celebration of the community’s personality and values.

Capitol Hill is just like Paris Disney. Here's the announcement:

On Wednesday, Starbucks will open our new Roy Street Coffee & Tea, inspired by Starbucks, in Seattle, WA.  In the same spirit as 15th Ave. Coffee & Tea, Roy Street Coffee & Tea is a new concept coffeehouse that reflects the local neighborhood’s values and personality and celebrates the Pacific Northwest’s coffee heritage, materials and artists.

Like other new stores we’ve opened recently – 1st and Pike and University Village in Seattle, Paris Disney and Conduit Street in London, this coffeehouse is a celebration of the community’s personality and values. Like all new Starbucks stores, whether they are Starbucks branded or the new concept stores, Roy Street Coffee & Tea uses regional materials, features the work of local artists and is designed for sustainability. We look forward to being a part of the vibrant and resurgent Broadway neighborhood when Roy Street Coffee & Tea opens on Wednesday.

We invite you to a media preview event tomorrow with Major Cohen and Liz Muller from Starbucks Global Development team as they discuss the design and construction strategies behind the new concept. As the second store in Starbucks LEED® Volume Certification pilot program (announced just last week), Tony Gail with Starbucks Environmental Impact team, will also be onsite to discuss Starbucks goal is to significantly reduce its environmental footprint through green construction, energy and water conservation, and recycling. Additionally, store manager, Jacob Webber, will be available to discuss the Roy Street Coffee & Tea’s connection to the surrounding neighborhood.

You might recall that the opening of the company's first stealth 'indie'-styled cafe on 15th Ave inspired a few shenanigans. We'll see what happens at Roy and Broadway on Wednesday morning.

New management at PIke Street Fish Fry means more freebies for you.  If you haven't been to Pike Street Fish Fry in a while, give their new french fries a try.  The $2 Fat Tires & Mothership Wit (my favorite in the New Belgium lineup) should be a draw too.  Let us know how the fries are in a review.  CHS apologizes  for the goof last month - hours for the free giveaway are most definitely 5 to 7 this Friday (11/20).  

An unexpected scene for a new business gearing up for their opening -- the freshly painted sign for Roy Street Coffee is being painted back over this afternoon by the same man we saw creating the large white letters earlier this week. Not sure what was behind the paint over. The marketing folks were excited by the sign. Perhaps the coffee giant is changing its mind about opening its second Stealthbucks on the Hill. More likely, somebody in corporate didn't like the look. We'll probably have to wait for a leaked memo to find out.

PoDog fits in with the gritty, industrial surroundings . . . and then there's the pug

We attended a friends & family event last night and can report that  Po Dog is ready for the public starting today .  We were pleased with our choice of a couple of Veggie Dogs (smartly - they are using field roast ) with a side of fries and PBRs on tap.  We then split a Chicago Dog (you can substitute a field roast dog in any of their offerings).  A great cheap meal for under $30.  Po Dog is located at 1009 East Union (next to the Lifelong Thrift Store) and hours of operation will be: Mon-Thu 11am-Midnight, Fri-Sat 11am-3am, Sun 11am-10pm

Po Dog already has a Happy Hour offering.  Hours will be 4:30 - 6:30 M-F.  Included food: Mini Dog Sliders ($4.97) and Homemade Chips & Fries ($1.75).  Included Drink: PBR Draft ($2), Manny's Draft ($3), Domestic Bottles ($2.5) and Import ($3).

Curtis Bigelow talks with a worker putting the finishing touches on the Lobby Bar

CHS was lucky enough to join co-owner Curtis Bigelow for a quick tour of the transformed space that was once King Cobra and will soon be the new Lobby Bar . But this picture was the only shot I could take -- the new project is still under construction and under wraps. The transformation is impressive. Bigelow says he and Paul Villa hope to create a space for members of the LGBT community who are interested in getting a good, reasonably priced drink in an comfortable, inviting environment -- and the people that love them.

An elegant seating area with black glass chandeliers greets you on entry to the new space. A massive, marble-topped bar dominates the center of the Lobby. Behind the bar is a mix of finished, glossy cabinetry and the rough exposed brick of the building's walls. Staircases to the left and and right invite you to the upper level where the railing will invite you to spy on the activities below.

Bigelow told CHS he and Villa hoped to open in early December but -- like most new businesses -- Lobby is facing delays in permitting. As for the newly announced next-door business The Money Tree, CHS had heard rumors that the location would house a sandwich shop, but Bigelow said the money lenders have been mostly good neighbors so far.

Fast Food Lloyd Wright, originally uploaded by rutlo.

It is our sad duty to inform you that the Madison branch of the Taco Time fast food restaurant chain is about to serve its last batch of Mexi-Fries. CHS received the following tip from neighbor Westley:

I saw a sign on Taco Time. I don't remember exactly what it said, but I think it either said they are closing or moving. Not quite sure.

Note the panic -- Westley was so distraught he was unable to recount even what he had read on the heartbreaking sign.

A quick phone chat with manager Rodney Keith confirmed the worst.

The Madison Taco Time will close its doors on Sunday. Keith says he's moving on to a new gig. All other questions were referred to company HQ so no word on whether this was a surgical closure or part of a widespread downsizing for the chain.

According to the Taco Time Web Northwest site, the Madison location is one of 75 in the state. Wikipedia says the chain has more than 200 franchises in the US and another 75 in Canada and Japan.

The departure is also the latest in a long, slow exodus from the Hill for national fast food chains. Hill outlets of Taco Bell, Jack in the Box, and Kentucky Fried Chicken have all closed within the past three years.

Oddfellows (Veg) Breakfast Panini

• Zhivago's Cafe is open reports Thrillist (Daily Candy for men) - I stopped in there this morning & they said they would be open at 1 pm
• From 11/1 to 12/31, Ethan Stowell restaurants, including Anchovies & Olives, will discount you $1 for each cork you bring in (up to 25 per table) as part of the Cork ReHarvest Program
• Monsoon and Nishino are two area restaurants participating in Dine Around Seattle this month (3 courses for $30 - Sun - Thu but check site for hours and specifics); Lark taking part in 4 for $48
• Have you been to First Hill's The Hideout yet?
• PoDog opening postponed to next week (not opening today!)
• Rover's Thierry Rautureau spotted filming for Top Chef Masters
• Galerias offering $3.75 mojitos and free plate of nachos any time if you mention CHS sent you

• Jeremy & Lisa visit Dom Polski and recommend the pierogis, beet salad & the sausage
• Anchovies & Olives to start oyster power hour on November 1 (from 5 to 6 & 10 to 12: $1 oysters, $2 Peronis and $5 glasses of bubbly - late hh will also have $8 fish & chips)
• Hockey fans have a home at the Roanoke Tavern
• CHS sponsor Poco Wine Room celebrates its 3rd Birthday this Sunday, November 1 (happy hour prices all evening: $2 off glasses of wine & $8 off bottles + $5 truffle mac & cheese)
• Harvest Vine Chef Joseba Jimenez de Jimenez and his wife and business partner Carolin Messier de Jimenez are getting a divorce: Joseba has ceased full time duties in the Harvest Vine kitchen (you can again taste his cooking at a special 6 course dinner at Olivar - the 11/4 dinner sold out but a new date 11/5 has been added)
• Seattle U graduates begin distributing Finamore Limoncello (you can find at Cafe Presse, Moe Bar and Piecora's)
• Efeste wine dinner at Volunteer Park Cafe on 11/14
• Finally, welcome new CHS advertiser Galerias Gourmet....

Zhivago, slated to be the go to Piroshky place on Broadway, was to have opened last week.  However, due to permit delays, it looks like they will open next Sunday November 1.  I walked by yesterday and the new opening date is hand written on the signage.

First it was El Tajin, next Siam and now the curse of 614 Broadway East fells Pho Lotus.  In its short life (July 2009 to October 2009), Pho Lotus suffered from mediocre/bad reviews.  According to one Silo W, "Definitely the worst Pho joint on the hill. Pho'k this place!"    As well, CHS community members questioned whether Broadway could support yet another pho place.  Finally, Sound Transit and Brix construction hit this block particularly hard.  CHS will check with the building ownership / management to see if they have any new plans for the space.  

Madison Market Apples

• Chow Foods may drop law suit against Chao Bistro
• Help Madison Market with greening itself (25% of all sales from10 am to 2 pm today will be dedicated to energy saving renovations); after party at Bluebird from 2 to 4 pm - free Elysian beer until tapped
• 3rd & final debate between McGinnn and Mallahan tonight at Captain Black's from 9 to 11 ($20 suggested donation but you can give what you can - proceeds go to McGinn)
• CHS sponsor Coastal Kitchen offers 1/2 price wine on Saturday nights this fall
• The Living Room (in the old Anne Bonny space) on track to open next Saturday October 31
• Seattle Magazine likes CHS sponsor's  Healeo's hemp soft serve 
• Love baklava and spanakopita?  Order it by the pan today online via the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption for pickup 12/4 - 12/6 at the church
• Dani Cone was a barrista for 17 years before opening Fuel
• CHS sponsor Poco Wine Room & Calf and Kid offer up a (French) cheese & wine pairing night tomorrow at 6 Update: Canceled per comment below

There's a new Michael at the helm of Pike Street Fish Fry.  Michael Hebb (formerly Michael Hebberoy) has been supplanted by Michael Yuasa.  Rumor has it that Hebb lost interest in Pike Street Fish Fry last fall (2008).

The change in ownership has not diminished critical praise for the eatery.  Food & Wine canvassed chefs around the country last month, and Joule's Rachel Yang paid homage to its $5 smelt sandwich.  This Friday from 5 to 8 pm, Pike Street Fish Fry will be giving away free boats of fries.  Fat Tire & Blue Paddle beers will be made available for $2.  

When CHS last visited the King Cobra space in July 2009, brown butcher paper was spotted - evincing new ownership.  After noting a report that King Cobra had applied earlier this month to assume Kinkora Pike St LLC's liquor license, we contacted King Cobra's new owners Bigelow Villa LLC to uncover their plans for the space.  Paul Villa, one of the co-owners gave us the scoop on what he and his business partner Curtis Bigelow envision:

We are only leasing half the space and leaving the dance floor behind. By only taking the 916 E. Pike space we hope to avoid the curse that seems to be on the 918 E. Pike space

The concept/design is a boutique hotel lobby bar (contemporary, polished, fun) while maintaining a Seattle vibe (friendly, welcoming, down-to-earth). It'll be a nice environment to chill and hang out, and hopefully meet new people/friends

We're going to call it The Lobby Bar.  But after hearing you call it The Villa we're seriously reconsidering

We'll be a bar catering to the LGBT...

Pay Here to Binge!
Originally uploaded by prima seadiva

• Those of us who feel the loss of Piroshky on Broadway can rejoice: Zhivago's Cafe opens on Broadway 10/23 at 416 Broadway East
• Pike Street Fish Fry today introduce a Friday evening special (free boats of fries and $2 Fat Tires from 5-8) - they also now have vegan Field Roast sandwiches

• Po Dog has an opening date - October 29

• Shop at Madison Market next Saturday 10/24 and 25% of the proceeds will go back into the store in the form of energy retrofits and other improvements to make the market more energy efficient, reduce its waste, and more
• Surly Gourmand wants you to know that (CHS Sponsor) "The Poco Wine Room Is Not Fucking Around With The Truffles"
• Though he's spending a lot of time at Monsoon East, Eric Bahn drops that his 2 favorite coffee shops are still on the Hill: Fuel & Victrola
• Looks like the old King Cobra location on Pike has some business in motion. CHS commenter points us at a liquor license change for the address. The name of the biz on the application? The Lobby Bar at the Bigelow Villa. More on the Villa as we track down the details.

Wandering the streets of Paris in celebration of our 10th anniversary last month, my wife and I spotted a sign that stopped us in our tracks. It was the familiar Cafe Presse logo -- transported 5,000-plus miles and rotated a bit. Compare: Cafe Presse, Seattle vs. Cafe Presse, Paris.

No mere coincidence! After all, Cafe Presse (and Le Pichet) owners Joanne Herron and Jim Drohman have created a couple of successful, informal French restaurants in Seattle and are very deliberate in cultivating authenticity. Jim studied the culinary arts in France. [Update 1:] And, as a commenter below noted, the "Cafe Presse" logo is somewhat ubiquitous in Paris. It's used (licensed?) as a symbol by news vendors.

Unfortunately, this particular Cafe Presse location was closed when we walked by, so we couldn't compare the experience, but a peek inside the darkened windows indicated that it lacked the charm and ambiance of its Seattle doppelganger. We also very much doubt this particular Parisian establishment offers chicken quite...

No updates to report on Chow Food Management Services LLC (operator of 5 Spot, Atlas Foods, Endolyne Joe’s, and The Hi-Life) suing Yamashiro’s, LLC, d/b/a Chao-Bistro Bar.  However, I consulted an Intellectual Property lawyer friend, Venkat Balasubramani of Focal Law, who reviewed the complaint and evaluated the merits of Chow Foods trademark infringement claim.  Like the majority of CHS commenters, Venkat believes that Chow Foods faces some challenges in succeeding on its infringement claim.  When I asked Venkat about the weaknesses in Chow's suit, he cited the following:

There are many restaurants which use a variation of “chow”.  (See for example here)  There are also other federally registered food-related marks which incorporate the word “chow.”

Chow Food Management doesn’t have any “chow”-branded restaurants.  I’m not sure - in the eyes of consumers – there’s much goodwill in the chow mark when it comes to a restaurant.

Next Tuesday  October 20th Zhivago's Cafe  is opening and is having a Grand Opening next Friday the 23rd of October. Gino is the new owner and a really great guy . The space is located in part of the old Dilettante Cafe location. The address is 416 Broadway East in Seattle. Right next to Bailey -Coy Bookstore.  Gino is of Russian and Middle Eastern background and hopes to have food from both of his family background. The telephone number is 206-328-0500.

   The style of food will be Russian bakery with Piroshki's, Borcht soup, salads, and excellent homemade sandwiches. Organic coffee from Rococo Coffee and Tea. And from Gino's mother's Jerusalem background Shish Kabob's and other yummy Middle Eastern delights !!      Gino will also have delicous pastries like Baklava, Poppyseed Rolls and other excellent homemade desserts !!  The restaurant hours will be 6am to 11pm.   

This all sounds excellent -- right up to the fermenting and gourd part.

For the fifth year in a row, Seattle's Elysian Brewery will be hosting its annual Great Pumpkin Beer Festival this weekend (October 10-11). The event will take place at the Capitol Hill Elysian Brewery (across the street from Chop Suey) and will showcase the latest, greatest pumpkin-flavored concoctions from Elysian, as well as 16 guest pumpkin beers from several Seattle-area and non-Seattle-area brewers.

But don't forget about The Great Pumpkin! For those unfamiliar to the festival, Elysian also a has a huge gourd filled with pumpkin ale which has been sealed up with wax and allowed to undergo a second fermentation. At 4:00pm on both Saturday and Sunday, a tap is hammered into "The Great Pumpkin" and the beer inside is served to the hoards of thirsty pumpkin enthusiasts.

Elysian Brewery
Sun. Oct. 11th, 12p-6p
$15 includes souvenir glass and 6 beer tokens

• Po Dog is on track for opening later this month and is now hiring
• Elysian is hosting its annual Great Pumpkin Beer Festival this weekend (Sat 12 - 10 pm and Sun 12 - 6 pm): 9 Elysian pumpkin beers and 16 guest pumpkin beers (including a Dogfish Head offering I am told); tapping of the pumpkin 4PM both days. $15 gets you a souvenir glass and 6 beer tokens
• Seattle Weekly pits Ballet against Pho Cyclo for who has the better banh mi
• Unicorn to replace the Satellite Lounge
• Seattle Magazine checks out Plum
• I found a food blogger who doesn't like Baguette Box
• CHCC President Jennifer Power attended the Spirit of the Hill Dinner at Poppy and recaps the meal with photos

unicorn graffiti
Originally uploaded by ladyJake

A mythological beast will soon take shape in Pike/Pine.

Welcome, the Unicorn.

Replacing the recently evicted Satellite Lounge at 1118 E. Pike, the Unicorn is the project of first-time bar owner Adam Heimstadt and his two business partners. "It's going to have a French, circus theme," Heimstadt said. "My house is filled with amazing crazy things and furniture that I've collected through the years. Carousel parts. A mishmash. This is going to be a great place for all these incredible things."

Heimstadt said the former Satellite location is the third place he's tried to get for a Capitol Hill bar. He and his partners looked at other locations including spots on 14th Ave and the place on Union that will soon house Po Dog Hotdogs. He's excited about the possibilities. "We're looking at 7,500 sqft of space to fill including the huge basement. We're going to open up the top first, the bottom later. The basement will be a mighty adventure," Heimstadt said.

Heimstadt wouldn't commit to a date for re-opening the top yet but says he plans to serve pizza at the bar and fill the space with arcade games and carousel parts. As for the 5,000 sqft basement, "We're going to continue the circus downstairs," Heimstadt said, adding that he's happy to finally have a place to display some large, stone unicorn statues he acquired.

In the meantime, he's going to continue working his bartender shift at the Twilight as he works with his partners to ready The Unicorn for its debut.

For the 35-year-old Heimstadt, who started tending bar when he was 20, opening a bar of his own has been a long-term goal. "I originally wanted to be a fashion designer," Heimstadt said. "I ended up being a bartender instead. The past 20 years of creativity are going into this."

You can follow Heimstadt's adventure on Twitter @adamheimstadt

• CHS comments are a great source of scuttlebut: Esmeralda closed and will be replaced (says commenter kelseyed) by a Cantonese joint with the working title "Chungee's Drink 'n Eat"
• Plum begins serving weekend brunch - available 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - myself I'm eager to try the "Mayan Blue Corn Pancakes topped with Jalapeno Scramble and Avocados served on a bed of Mixed Greens with Fire-roasted Fresh Salsa"
• Tamara Murphy is not anything but clear eyed about opening Terra Plata: "You do restaurants because you love them. Nobody can make money off of one"
• Crush, Poppy, Spinasse, and Rover's all on Seattle Metropolitan's Top 10 List of 2009 Best Restaurants (only one of these would make my list this year) 
• Jonathan Kauffman outs Kimchi Bistro and Dom Polski as "Top 5 Hidden Restaurants"  
• Healeo (CHS sponsor) nabs star raw food chef Adam Lewis (try the Eggplant Lasagna - you won't be sorry)
• Faire is not the only  local biz backing Pete Holmes - count Derschang a Holmes supporter as well
• Cornichon's initial impression of Chow is thumbs down
• Don't miss this interview with Spinasse's Jason Stratton where he mentions dropping by the Bottleneck Lounge for Top Chef viewing (CHS sponsor and home of the October CHS meetup) 

UPDATE:
CHS talked with chef Robert Abergel who owned Esmeralda and operated it with his son. He also was the man behind Topolino's Pizza and Burrito Express that also took a swing at winning a place in Cap Hill tummies at the same 12th Ave location. Abergel said he has sold the restaurant business -- equipment and lease -- to a group planning to open a Chinese restaurant at the 12th Ave location. The 40-year veteran said his experience running a restaurant on Capitol Hill for the last five years was generally positive but also challenging.

"It's a hard area to work because it's a very transient crowd," Abergel said. "People are here for short time and then they go. When more than half the people move away, nobody becomes a regular."

Still, Abergel said, he would have preferred to have kept Esmeralda. "I'm selling it half-heartedly," he said. "But with my knees and my son going to school, what are you going to do?"

Instead, Abergel will now focus his energy on the Topolino's Pizza restaurant he still owns in Bellevue and a takeout concept he is starting called Squared Meal.

"Thank you for the patronage," Abergel said when asked if there's anything he'd like to tell Capitol Hill as he closes shop. "I'd like them to patronize these new people. The only food I eat out is oriental. There is an art to it and this woman is very, very talented."

Original Post:
It was only last September when 12th Ave 'Mediterranean Euro fusion bistro' Esmeralda first set its neon sign ablaze.

Slog says that pink beacon is extinguished tonight -- 'one meat + 2 sides' will be replaced by, according to the sign the Slog saw posted in the window at 12th and Denny, 'GREAT CHINESE FOOD COMING SOON!!'...