Comments on: Aster Coffee Lounge to get sidewalk seating

By: NoraBell

NoraBell — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 08:59:27 +0000

Diva is very good. But have you ever tried Wayward, down Greenwood?

By: mickey

mickey — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 07:35:22 +0000

That's why I patronize Java Bean (just up the street) and Diva Espresso in Greenwood. I appreciate high quality.

And I'm not a mister, Mister.

By: Crap Shoot

Crap Shoot — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 06:42:10 +0000

Starbucks doesn't count Mr. Mouse!

By: Frank

Frank — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 01:39:55 +0000

Let me guess Danielle…you work there? Or know someone who does? Your reply reeks like a careful setup.

By: Frank

Frank — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 01:37:55 +0000

My only claim to fame is I've been drinking it for 14 years. If this place weren't right by my house, I'd never go there. Being the lazy P.O.S. that I am…sometimes tough to walk an extra block or two.

By: SPG

SPG — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:15:19 +0000

Like just about all regulations in this city, they are only enforced when someone complains. Otherwise we go on living in our Libertarian paradise/hell while fooling everyone else into believing it's actually a Liberal paradise/hell.

By: ballard rocks now

ballard rocks now — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:02:39 +0000

Sandwich boards are only illegal during the work week via some loophole. Hence they typically are picked up Sunday nights by a pickup truck service. Besides, we've got bigger issues than signage.

By: Jmi

Jmi — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:14:40 +0000

Sandwich boards are actually illegal but the city chooses not to enforce it.

By: SweetRose

SweetRose — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:49:49 +0000

Well it should be their concern if they want to take advantage of their location.

I like sidewalk seating so really you can relax.

By: NoraBell

NoraBell — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:03:03 +0000

Had no idea they did movie nights! I'll have to check out the schedule. Thanks, Ballard Bob!

By: NoraBell

NoraBell — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:00:08 +0000

Oh, I'd forgotten! Yeah, that's right. First time I went in there they gave me a Old Curiosity Shop bag and said they hadn't gotten their own bags yet.

By: chopper_74

chopper_74 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:39:36 +0000

Who, by the way, are associated with 'The Old Curiosity Shop” downtown. Check it out if you haven't.

By: chopper_74

chopper_74 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:34:50 +0000

The fact that there is a bus stop there is hardly their concern or responsibility, Rose. Perhaps you can get the 44 to whip through a drive through? Right…not everything happens like Polaroid.
I don't like the coffee, but, like pizza, etc., it's subjective.
Glad to have more sidewalk seating available, I love mine, and if folks use it, even better.

By: mickey

mickey — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:24:27 +0000

Frank – I totally agree. WORST coffee in Ballard, and some of the worst coffee I have ever had in Seattle. Seriously undrinkable. I wonder if the fact that their coffee is from Chicago has something to do with it?

Who in their right mind would open a coffee house in Seattle and serve crummy Chicago coffee?

Oh, and yes, I do know a little something about coffee. I worked in the Seattle coffee biz for 14 years.

By: Ballard Bob

Ballard Bob — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 04:01:42 +0000

They also do movie nights for free on Friday. They start at 9pm. This month is Mel Brooks month. My wife and I went down last Friday and watch Blazing Saddles, had a nice desert and glass of wine. I believe tomorrow they are showing History of the World Part 1

By: seattlemuse

seattlemuse — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:57:40 +0000

I agree Aster is not super fast, but can't think of any place that gets me reliably in and out if my bus is already squealing down the street. I've always enjoyed their espresso drinks (I'm not sophisticated enough to parse a cup of Clover) and food case.

I love their beer & wine tastings and friendly staff, too! Although I live closer to Firehouse, Aster is always my preferred stop.

By: NoraBell

NoraBell — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:04:37 +0000

Market Street Traders! :-)

By: NoraBell

NoraBell — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:03:59 +0000

It's called market Street Traders, actually. Sorry 'bout that.

By: NoraBell

NoraBell — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:59:28 +0000

Oh, that's right! Thanks, Hilda. Equal Exchange is the Ballard Market's little coffee place. Then what is the little place by the bank called?

By: SweetRose

SweetRose — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:52:01 +0000

Their coffee is ok but they are slower than Xmas which is not good at a bus stop.

By: hilda

hilda — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:51:50 +0000

Equal Exchange is the coffee place in front of the Ballard Market. Glad Aster is adding outside tables so we can stop there during dog walks!

By: bmvaughn

bmvaughn — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:57:06 +0000

That's why we have bike lanes. See the other thread from today…

By: SPG

SPG — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:50:13 +0000

The fencing isn't for the use, but a requirement of the liquor board to have alcohol serving areas separate from the general public. I'd much prefer the European model where beer gardens are set up in the park outside the restaurant with no fencing so neighbors can come and go to say hi to their friends relaxing with a drink outdoors.

By: NoraBell

NoraBell — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:44:49 +0000

My apologies, Alysse. Not being blind I can't even imagine the challenges faced by your spouse. And businesses should be more aware of the obstacles they present.
My main point, though, is Ballard sidewalks are wide in comparison to others. Greenwood/Phinney sidewalks, for example. My mom lives up there and ended up with a foot cast when someone coming out of the Crosswalk knocked her over one of the chairs out there.

By: Alysse Martyn

Alysse Martyn — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:14:58 +0000

This is already decided. Their permit for this was approved, so I cannot deny (even if I had that power). I was expressing my disappointment at the encroachment of the sidewalk at the expense of pedestrians.

But by extension of your argument, the sidewalks on Market are even wider ... OK you can see where I am going with this. I have trouble navigating on the Market sidewalks.

I just have trouble with businesses staking out property they don't own for their exclusive use to the detriment of the folks (taxpayers of the City of Seattle) who do own the property. If I did this on the sidewalk or parking strip in front of my house, I'm pretty sure my neighbors would be upset about it.

I should state that my spouse is blind and he has been injured (fortunately so far the worst was a broken collarbone) in the past ... he sweeps his cane as he walks, but many times the fencing does not extend to the ground and the cane never touches any thing until he has tripped and fallen into the fenced area.

By: gurple

gurple — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:12:56 +0000

This is great. Aster does a great job at standing out as a great business and feeling very local despite their rather drab condo location. Love the pastries and the beer selection.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:08:16 +0000

Couldn't disagree more! I find it to be the tastiest, most carefully prepared cup in the whole of Ballard. I can't wait enjoy it even more while sitting at their outside patio.

By: NoraBell

NoraBell — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:56:36 +0000

It's the perfect place to take Evil Nephew after a movie. He can get some fudge and auntie can sit and have a calming beer on the patio.
I think the patio at Aster would be a similar experience. A place for all ages (and breeds) to sit and relax, and people watch.

By: thebeastgirl

thebeastgirl — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:54:40 +0000

If this was facebook, I would “like” :-)

By: NoraBell

NoraBell — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:49:36 +0000

The sidewalks along 24th are pretty wide in comparison. I do agree some sandwich board signs are a menace. Much more of a menace than outdoor deck areas are, and Copper Gate up the road already has outdoor seating, so why deny Aster?