Saturday was a day I spent visiting a variety of my favorite restaraunts, bars, and coffee- and teahouses in Seattle.

That first latte of the day is always best when it comes from Caffe Vita, home of the best coffee in the world. Yes, that’s right: the best coffee in the world. Vita’s coffee is so good that I sometimes even dream about it.

Making my way down to the U-District, I settled on brunch at Araya. It’s a vegan Thai place, but don’t let the word “vegan” scare you. The food is well-prepared, healthy, and delicious. I’ve tried most of their menu and everything I’ve had there has been excellent. Even the most dedicated of carnivores whom I’ve dragged down to Araya with me has been pleased by the food. Today I was tempted to try the pumpkin curry new(ish) to the menu but couldn’t resist the lunch buffet; for about $6.50 you can get all the food you can eat, fresh and tasty and varied.

Before heading further north, I stopped off in Ballard for a chai at Mr. Spot’s Chai House. Mr. Spot’s is to chai what Vita is to coffee and their specialty chai drinks are not to be missed. It’s a great space, too–simultaneously stimulating and comforting, with an “arty” but not prententious feel to the atmosphere. Sometime afterwards, I wanted another coffee and ended up at Starbucks. It’s popular amongst a certain set of people to deride the quality of “Charbucks” coffee, but I find that most of their coffee is rather good.

Later, watching the debacle that was the Red Sox v. Yankees game with a friend, we called for pizza delivery from Romio’s. Romio’s doesn’t get my vote for the best pizza in Seattle (that honor goes to Mad Pizza instead) but their pizza is quite tasty. Thin crust lovers might balk at their thick, chewy crust but the toppings always taste fresh and delicious.

The game drove us to drink: first at Hattie’s Hat in Ballard and then at the Bad Juju Lounge on Cap Hill before ending the night at the best place in the world to end the night…Beth’s, of course.

Related posts:

1. Good food in the U District
2. Support your local food producers
3. Dine For Darfur
4. What? Another Starbucks entry?
5. Miro Tea - Ballard