Better Living Through Coffee — Restaurant in Port Townsend

But the coffee and chocolate drinks: GREAT!

I went looking for an actual bagel, in Port Townsend, and the BTLC website says they get their bagels from midtown Manhattan, which indeed they do. I was hopeful.

(I am a native NY, New Yorker, and I'm jewish, so I do have Opinions about bagels.)

My first mistake: they said they were out of cinnamon bagels. New rule for bagel hunting: if they come in cinnamon, they're not actual bagels.

The bagel was the size of a small clutch purse, came not toasted, just barely warm, spread a can-you-spare-it thin layer of cream cheese. For $7.50! Insanely overpriced. I would have been happy to pay that, if the bagel-shaped object had been an actual bagel.

It was soft, porous, indifferent as to flavor--not even a tasty white bread. The "crust" was almost as texture-less as the inside. Horrible. That anyone even serves such objects as bagels is ridiculous. But maybe it's me who's ridiculous, looking for an actual bagel in the Pacific Northwest.

My friend had their spinach quiche. $10. Tiny layer of spinach on top of a very creamy but way too garlicky filling, and a pale, indifferent, and undercooked crust. Nope!

It's got wifi, and most of the people inside were on computers. The service was indifferent at best, but the outside seating is lovely, supplemented by lots of unshaded tables on the adjacent little plaza. It's a good location, right on the water, and since the coffee is good, it's probably worth the trip.

But actual bagels, according to me? Nope. I guess being from Manhattan is no guarantee they're actual...

It was a cold day in Port Townsend and my girlfriend suggested that we take a break from shopping to get something warm to drink. We poked our heads into a place, but they didn’t have any place to sit. A little farther down the street, we saw a sign and a door. The sign said, “Better Living Through Coffee.” There were some tables outside. It was cold so we hoped that there was indoor seating. The sun was going down and everything looked like a postcard. We took a few minutes to snap a few shots before going back to check out the coffee shop. You have to go in and make a turn to get to the counter. Beyond the counter was a plain room with old style windows, wood floors and a few cozy tables. There were a few people there, but all we could see was the view. The windows looked out over the water. Across the sound, were a few mountains and a lovely fat moon. In the other direction, the setting sun created a silhouette of the ferry landing and some hills behind. It was too late for coffee, so we got a couple of decaf London fogs. My girlfriend wanted a bit more vanilla in hers and the staff happily helped out. We warmed our hands on the cups and sipped while we took in the view. We were happy to just sit there, but it was closing time and the staff was suggesting that everyone move on. People were reluctant to go, but table by table they cleared out. We grabbed some lids and went out ourselves. I waved to the staff and...

I would give my first born to them in order to continue knowing the spiritual bliss of Caffè Chetzemocha.

I travel here once or twice a year on a spice induced road retreat to know their divine flavors. I soak in a dream of cocoa, spices, and chipotle peppers as I dance with the old gods and the new.

Side history note: I love the fact that the Caffè Chetzemocha is named after Číčməhán (I was taught it’s pronounced Cheech-Ma-Ham).

He was chief of the S'Klallam. He was forty-ish when the first white settlers arrived at Port Townsend, Washington.

Read about him and how he welcomed new travelers, while you sip on your gift from the gods, and watch the water lap up against the driftwood next to their perfect space. Practice patience as they make every cup with intent and love. Occupy your time waiting by putting away your phone and watching the beautiful waters and wildlife from within their caffeinated love cocoon. Remind yourself that you are indeed a wild thing yourself. May you find better living through their coffee, in this life...