Three Sikhs walk into a coffee bar and order a macchiato . . . No this is not the beginning of a joke, this is what I saw today at the University Zoka coffee shop (Seattle).  I don’t know for sure if the man and two women were Sikh, but judging by the man’s uncut beard, turban, and robe, I’d say it’s highly likely.  One of the women was wearing a burqa that covered her head.  The other was wearing a burqa that included a face covering.

From what I could gather, the man and the woman, with the uncovered face, were introducing the other woman to some sort of “first coffee experience.”  When the man ordered for her, he asked for a macchiato.  After the barrista informed him that Zoka makes traditional macchiatos (i.e. a double shot with a small amount of milk, often foamed), he said, “Oh, well we better not start with something that strong.”  He  changed the order to a latte.

So here’s what this scene sparked for me:

• It is super cool that in a climate where beards and head coverings often appear in association with violence, this type of interaction can happen in a chill and friendly way.  Props to Zoka!

• A half-Swiss half-Californian (me) is in Seattle watching two Sikhs introduce a third (perhaps visiting from another country) to coffee which was made from beans imported from the likes of Kenya, Venezuela, and Guatemala.  It was just one of those moments where the convergences created by globalism thwap you in the kisser.  Also, I am somehow thrilled that this little scene did not involve Starbucks, and their impostor macchiato.

• In this situation it was more important for me to have a sense for what was gracious and respectful towards all parties, rather than a mental condemnation or defense of the burqa.

Related stuff:

Rekon’s discussion of crazy ants, Marx, and globalism (scintillating!)

My synopsis of Appadurai thinking anthropology in terms of flow (titillating!)

A blog dedicated to fashion of Muslim Women (fashionating!)

A thought-provoking post from Reality Check which suggests we use the burqa controversy in France to question gender norms in a variety of cultures (invigorating!)

But, I tell myself, these are the best times of all. If you’ve got the guts to savor the dregs, you end up in interesting places. That’s what I tell myself. I begin to wonder how much of the city is in me. The concrete and glass, the contours of its hills and shoreline, the rhythm and the pulse its traffic. And then I wonder how much of me is in the city. Is there an iteration present here? Like Rilke says, does the world want to resurrect invisibly within me? Is that why it turns to us, “the most perishable,” as Rilke calls us?

There’s the desert of the real for Baudrillard, the map of the hyperreal. We’re responsible for the divorce of substance and symbol in the progression of our ontology. But aren’t we also responsible for its resurrection? What happens if we enervate the world with our presence? Is that just crazy talk? The metaphor of some romantic poet?

I don’t know. All I can say is that I hope its not crazy. The hope that we can repopulate Baudrillard’s desert of the real with symbol is a tangible hope for me. I’m still trying to work out what that all means. But I think it starts with preference given to the unconscious, to symbol, and to what has been called the ‘dark side’ of human being. To transform the contours of the world invisibly within, to marry act to symbol, and replace the simulacrum of the desert of the real with an existential map of that same real. In short I think the resurrection of our ontology begins by paying careful attention to what Heidegger called the essence of a thing. And that, in short, starts by paying careful attention to what a thing means, not just what a thing is.

Seattle is concrete and steel and noise. It means something entirely other than that. At least, it means something other when I’m willing to savor the dregs.

1. Americano: The best americano in town is at Chaco Canyon. Their brand spanking new La Marzocco espresso machine, local and organic coffee from Lighthouse Roasters, and careful baristas make the americano everything it was meant to be. I love combining this nutty roast with a splash of soy and a tiny bit of sugar.

2. Italiano: Ordering this under-appreciated drink can result in raised eyebrows or confused looks, but not at the Green Lake Zoka. The baristas are quirky, knowledgable, and refreshingly unsnooty. The balance of their espresso roast (high acidity, earthy finish) lends itself to an italiano rather than a straight shot of espresso. They pull a double shot unless you request otherwise. I’d recommend the smaller demitasse cup with no addatives.

3. Espresso: Bar none, the best shots in town are at the Capitol Hill Stumptown. I can’t say enough about the quality of espresso there. Beautiful crema, rich flavors (balance of carmel undertones with high earth notes and a low acid finish). Plus the baristas make sure to pull the perfect shot. They roast their beans in the basement and have tastings every afternoon. This is a can’t miss for espresso lovers. Honorable mentions: Walnut Street Coffee, Cafe Umbria.

4. Soy Latte: Many changing variables make this a difficult call, but it’s got to go to Zeitgeist in spite of the snooty downtowners behind the counter. Thankfully their skill is equal to their snootyness so they steam the soy to perfection, give you a beautiful pour, and pull phenomenal shots. In addition, there are plenty of seats, so its easy to lock down a table for an hour to write the next great American novel.

5. Generic Corporate Slop: If for some reason you simply have to sell your soul to the man who sold the Sonics, there are two Starbucks that are a cut above the rest. Last I checked (for reasearch purposes only) the Madison Park Starbucks still pulled shots by hand. Rumor has it that when Schultz deigns to imbibe his own sludge he buys it at this store. This keeps the baristas on their toes, at least in theory. Second is the Starbucks in Wallingford.

6. Cappucino: I’ll have more to say about this space below, but Cafe Umbria is the place to go for an Italian coffee experience. The single most perfect cappucino that I have ever seen/imbibed was created here. The pour was minimalist, just one arc of espresso broke the smooth white head on the drink. There was no scraping or scooping foam onto the top to make it dry. Just the perfect steam, shot, and pour.

7. Best Overall Space (Quirky): So many variables go into this that I had to split the category in two. Whether you like crepes, wine, cheese, import beer, quality local art, friendly baristas (as talented as they are friendly), interesting clientele, Joe Bar is your place. They also make the best mocha in town. All this combines to make Joe Bar the best place in Seattle to drink a great cup of coffee, whatever your beverage. And please, please, try a double shot of espresso over brown sugar.

8. Best Overall Space (Upscale): Again, many variables. But Cafe Umbria takes the cake (and eats it too). As I said above, this is perfect Italian experience. Their gelato is brought in from Gelatiamo–the best gelato in town, their espresso is top notch. Combine this with the brick promenade, sparkling water, trees out front, and you’ve got the best place to be on a sunny Seattle afternoon.

9. Best Slutty Drink: If you’re in the mood for something that will shorten your life but increase your happiness, swing in to Tutta Bella and order the shakerato. It’s a double pull (roughly four shots) from their hand pull espresso machine that is lightly sweetened, skaken, and delicious.

Hope you enjoy the list. What are your favorite places/drinks?

This leads me to a question about art. What kind of art satisfies you? To some people, the most beautiful painting is one that is nature art, or maybe a painted portrait. To others, impressions of the subject are the most satisfying. I like this. I like that we all connect to different avenues of the creative. It’s amazing to me that someone could have a transcendental moment with a nature painting…as it is amazing to that same person that I love Van Gogh.