Sound & Fog — Restaurant in Seattle

I had some maintenance happening at my home and needed a third space to kill time before work. I was looking around the neighborhood for places to sit, grab some good coffee and settled on Sound & Fog. The parking seems decent, I don't drive but people who do should know that, and they have a few little tables outside, some decent seating inside, and it wasn't overly busy. Their menu is small and simple, and they have a pretty great selection of choices for drinks as well as food.

Now, to how I was treated and why I am rating this place so low. There is an air of pretentiousness that can only be experienced when you walk in somewhere as a person like me. I sat at a table after I got my drink and food, and continued to observe the interactions both Barista's had with every other customer that walked in. And if the argument to be made from the manager/owner was, "my baristas are nice to everyone" why was a I treated in such a dismissive manner?

I put my bag down to secure my seat, I had planned on being here for a while and even ordering more food and drinks. I then grabbed my coffee cup I often carry with me and proceeded to wait in line. When I walked up I got a nod from the Barista and asked for my drink while also letting him know its a 12oz cup. I then moved down the line to make a selection from the pastries and pay. The barista at the register was chatting it up with a few customers who were finishing up, which is always nice to see in a society that just sucks at customer service these days. I saw him ring in a price and just leave it on the screen. He didn't ask if I wanted anything to eat right away, maybe he was trying to avoid speaking to me at all? I cannot assume, only go off the vibes and at this point... they were terrible. I myself am in customer service. He eventually asked if I wanted something to eat and had to go back in the screen to put in my food. He then let another customer take my food, didn't stop them... and I didn't want to say hey that's my stuff... but thankfully the second customer mentioned something.

The entire experience here has been pretty disappointing. I have worked as a barista, served tables, bartended and other customer service positions. I always try and tip over 20%, never not tip, and rarely do go lower but this interaction and energy made me want to go even lower than the presets they had at the end of my transaction. I hate to think that because of my appearance, I was treated so poorly... but again, after sitting watching other customers come in, I have to say I don't think its too far from the truth. I am sure my one review wont leave the place a ghost town. The coffee was good and if the regulars are treated well this place has a steady stream. But I am never coming back here, nor recommending it to anyone else.

PS There is a no wifi. So hopefully you have a decent enough phone...

Sound & Fog is one of my favorite coffee shops in town. A modern-looking shop tucked away in a residential building, Sound & Fog finds itself in the busy Downtown West Seattle area but somehow maintains a local, even hidden, gem vibe. I can't really tell what went right during my first visit that propelled me go back again (and then of course again and again), it was probably the way the barista asked me about my day, as if he was actually curious. I didn't get that a lot in Seattle.

Sound & Fog features a rotating list of domestic and international roasters, their latest international picks include Coffee Collective from Denmark, Manhattan from Rotterdam, Morgon from Gothenburg. It's definitely my favorite place to get beans in Seattle. Beyond coffee drinks and pastries, Sound & Fog's carries a small but quality selection of bottled wines curated by owner Justin with handwritten notes, and they recently added chocolate bars to their offerings as well. I was excited to find Portland's cloudforest chocolate bars at their store.

Back to coffee, Sound & Fog never disappoints. West Seattle seems a desert for great coffee, I had too many bad experiences at many West Seattle coffee shops, often well loved by their neighbors for the convenience, but in fact lack quality. Sound & Fog on the other hand, stands on top even among the best coffee shops in the entire Seattle area. Their lattes are always a pleasure to have after a run in the perpetually chilly West Seattle. Rose and Rob are fantastic baristas, warm, caring, upbeat, and definitely know what they are doing. They have made West Seattle a sunny...

Best espresso I've ever been served in America and only matched by what I've had in Hong Kong. I tried two espressos, one bean that I brew and order regularly (at home and at local shops, respectively) and another with which I was unfamiliar. The one I'm familiar with tasted better than ever; it was balanced and had more acidity than I'm used to (in a good way). The one I'd never had was also fantastically fruity, balanced, and enjoyable.

The barista was fantastic, knowledgable, and friendly. He made recommendations, showed a deep knowledge of farms, processes, roasting, and even gave me tips for how to improve my extractions at home. It was fun to learn so much from him in such a short amount of time.

Finally, this shop's beans and equipment for sale are top notch. They offer beans that are "all the rage" online and I feel fortunate to have a local shop that carries European coffee roasters.

I look forward...