Java Joints of Jet City: C&P Coffee Company

Rachel Hynes is a former barista and yet still enjoys spending time in espresso places. She reviews them for us.

We're driving home from the Coleman Pool in West Seattle, looking for a place to rest after an afternoon of splashing in the sun. After traveling a short distance on California Avenue SW, we pull up in front of C&P Coffee Company. We're not home but we might as well be. We pad up the steps of the 1904 craftsman-style house and greet a hound dog lounging on the porch. After a few pats, we explore the inside, which follows the layout of the house--a fireplace surrounded by eclectic, country-style furniture in the living room, a large table to share in the dining room, the espresso bar and snacks in the kitchen.

C&P feels like you've left the cynical city for the trusting country or like you've traveled back in time to early 90's, pre-yuppie Fremont. There are only four employees (two of them are the owners and the coffee shop's namesake, Cam and Pete) and they only take cash or check. When we confessed that we were low on cash, they offered to start us a tab.

We take our Americanos (beans roasted by Lighthouse Coffee Roasters) and our Mighty-O donuts to the garden out back. The vine-covered trellis shades us from the afternoon sun as we surf the web and catch up on correspondence.

By the time we look up, we've easily passed several hours. There's no rush to get back into Seattle proper since it's only 15 minutes away. We walk by the small stage in the living room and catch a Pete Seeger-esque folk singer finishing his set. The schedule describes next Friday's performer as "rockin' out with a pink prom dress." C&P really is like home, a place where you can hang out all afternoon while your Dad and your sister perform in the living room.

C&P Coffee Company
5612 California Ave SW
West Seattle