B & O Espresso

How I heard of this place: My friend Sadiq recommended it years ago when I first moved to Seattle and wanted to find a late-​night coffee and dessert spot. We were not the only ones to know of this quaint and artsy late-​night hang out.
Type of cuisine: I have only ever been for coffee and dessert, but B&O also serves brunch, lunch and dinner. The lunch and dinner menu has a variety of cuisines and genres from which to choose — from lasagna to hummus to quiche and soft corn tacos — there is something for everyone.
Ambiance: The place has character, with space for diners and patrons in different rooms. Dim mood lighting and artwork lining the walls, with a take-​out display of desserts at the front door. There is something for everyone — whether a romantic evening out, seated by a window or a group of friends gathered near the bar, enjoying tea and conversation.
What I ordered: The last time I was at B&O, just a month ago, I shared the key lime pie (sort of) with a friend and it was stellar. We both loved it and couldn’t get enough. This time, there were eight of us. Again I ordered the peppermint tea, which was light and fragrant. Our desserts were less satisfactory on this occasion. A friend and I shared the lemon chiffon cake ($ 7.25) which claimed to come with crème fraiche and lemon curd filling, but was more of an angel-​food-​like cake lightly flavored with lemon and sparsely iced. Another friend ordered the white chocolate cake with butter cream frosting and filling and a side of raspberry sauce (extra) and concluded that it was the same cake with very minimal flavor, topped with one shaving of white chocolate ($ 7.25). The expensive raspberry sauce ($ 1), he claimed, saved the cake. The friend to my right ordered the vanilla bean crème brûlée ($ 6.25) and loved it. It was a light and almost melted custard without the taste of egg and perfectly caramelized sugar. The girl to her right ordered the chocolate pot ($ 6.25) similar to a soufflé, served warm with whipped cream and loved it. The girl sitting opposite ordered the classic creamy style cheese cake ($ 6.75) and it was finished before we left, so I can only assume it was satisfactory if not good. Our final guest ordered the apple crisp ($ 7.25) with a scoop of french vanilla ice cream. Among those of us who tried the desserts, the warm and crispy apple crisp was the favorite.
What I loved: I have always been extremely satisfied with the loose-​leaf tea at B&O. Tonight, since key lime pie was not on our table, I have to go with the apple crisp as the winner. The remainder of the desserts I tried I would skip ordering again.
Why I loved it: I love places that do not have a focus of pub or bar culture for a late night, sit down snack and conversation, when you’re looking for ambiance and a casual and comfortable spot to enjoy an evening out with friends.
Cost: Average for a dessert establishment ($ 7 average per dessert), but over-​priced for a simple and sometimes tasteless confection.

Fav late night hang out place in new home!
B & O has been my favorite for almost a decade now. Their old location of course. It has character, it was dimly lit and I’ve spent many many nights here eating their delectable desserts. Naturally, I was sad when they moved. Where am I going to go late night chocolate cravings now? Where!
This new location started slowly. They started with weekend brunch only and added more hours later. It’s much smaller compared to the old location. Completely different vibe but still have the same delicious offering.
Love —
Chocolate pot– I can never get enough of this bubbly hot chocolate soufflé.
German chocolate cake — I’ve had this only birthday several times as a gift from my friends. I love people that gift me sweet things. Literally :)
Lemon chiffon — my favvvv! Always had to fight for it in the old location cause they ran out so fast.
Gyros — yummm
Valencia mocha — with a touch of orange peel. So good.
Sarah Bernard — chocolate explosion.
Chocolate raspberry torte/​my personal favorite!
Black muddy river — major chickadee explosion! So good. It’s all dark chocolate
Espresso shake– you must have it once!
Lemon crêpe — so yummy!
Tiramisu — equally amazing and mind blowing.
It’s hard to pick a favorite here after so many years but if I can only have one thing– it would be their chocolate soufflé! And that orange mocha with orange peel on top. And have the rest of the items on the side! Why choose when you can have it all?
It is a good and bad thing that they moved out of their previous location. I don’t go anywhere for weekly dessert nights) Thursday) anymore. Bad because now I can’t have any dessert nights on the hill even when I crave it. Now my Thursday hangouts include cocktails instead of eating desserts. Which is equally bad but less satisfying? Oh the dilemma! Regardless, I love this place!
Thanks for many years of sweet memories B&O! You will be dearly missed.

This is the perfect spot for dessert! This location is smaller than the old location but has a nice Parisian café charm to it. I have tried a few of their desserts but the one that keeps my husband and I coming back is their chocolate pot. Our favorite version of a molten chocolate lava cake. Their camomile tea was lovely. It was served in a tea pot and the tea bag looked high quality.

This new location is so fresh and bright! The desserts are just as amazing as I remember from their spot in Cap Hill. I took a slice of Key Lime Pie and Lemon Pie to go… I am looking forward to coming back for more sweets!

This place can be so hit or miss, service-​wise. If there are only two other customers in there, it’s great. Any more than that, though, and you’re usually invisible. I’ve waited 15 minutes or longer before I was even acknowledged, and other times have simply walked out.
That said, the food is great! I usually get a crêpe any time I come in, and they’re wonderful. I’ve had a few of the desserts, as well.

I LOVE this place! I’ve been a regular customer for the past 7 yrs-​ish. It used to be in Capitol Hill, but had to relocate to a smaller location in Ballard due to the demolition of the capitol hill building. Ballard is a bit more difficult for me to get to, so sadly I don’t go as often anymore.
Dessert: My favorite is the strawberry tart! However, it’s only available when strawberries are in season so Spring/​Summer-​ish time frame. The crème brûlée and Apple Crisp are also pretty yums. The chocolate pot is good as well, not too rich and heavy like it is at Hot Cakes. I’ve had other desserts here over the years and I don’t recall anything being bad, but the above listed ones are definitely worth noting. Pretty much can’t go too wrong with whatever you decide.
Food: I used to only come here for dessert until the last couple years when I discovered their brunch. Sadly, because of the new smaller location there are a lot of things that were super yummy that are no longer on the menu. However, the items that are good and still exist are the quiche, quinoa salad, and chicken shawarma.
Drinks: I love loveeee the MILKY WAY. It’s a caramel mocha. Iced or hot, equally good. When I’m not in the coffee mood, the chai is pretty tasty as well.
Tips: They have parking about ¼ block away? There are signs for the spots labeled B&O Espresso. Very convenient as Ballard gets pretty packed especially on the weekends. Not the ideal place for a huge group since it is smaller. Maybe no more than a party of 6 would be more comfortable — they have many 2 – 4 person tables. This location is not open as late as it used to be :/​So now it’s definitely a huge treat whenever I make it here!

The people who work here are really nice. They’re always in a good mood and super friendly.
The first time I came here I was having lunch with friends and had the smoked salmon crêpe. It was delicious! I had a mocha with it and it’s the best mocha I’ve had in all of Seattle. It’s creamy and delicious with a dollop of their homemade whip cream. Today I tried their carrot cupcake. Carrot cake is one if my favorite things and I’m REALLY picky about it. Their cupcake was delicious! Very fresh and moist with none of the spices overpowering the others.

Ahhhh this place is amazing. Stopped in just to check out what it was like and ended up ordering a custom breakfast crêpe. It was great. Not greasy at all (like some crêpe places). Simple and delicious. The name makes it sound like it’s primarily a coffee shop, but it’s definitely a great crêpe place too.
The drinks and desserts did look really good… but didn’t try them so can’t review.
Note: this review is for the Ballard location.

Got a call from AmEx on verge of travel for holidays. «Did you make this charge at B&O on Monday afternoon?» Well since I was at work, no I did not! «Ok then we just cancelled your card…» Nightmare words to hear as I’m about to get on a flight.
Turns out it seems that B&O might have engaged in a skimming practice where they re-​run a charge from last month a few weeks later. It was the exact same amount as the first and the exact same transaction #. On googling, the hope is the card user won’t notice (I did not). But credit card companies have more info on us than the NSA, so this certainly set off alarm bells at AmEx.
It’s the holidays so I will give them the benefit of the doubt? (Credit card computer snafu?) But he inconvenience caused is extreme. Will not be going back.

The reincarnation of B&O in its current space makes me mildly giddy and warm inside. My college years were spent sipping and nibbling a slow, painful death to my pancreas at their original Capitol Hill location, and it’s closure, while perhaps beneficial for my pancreas, was indeed a sad day. Till I discovered that the closure would be temporary and that an opening in Ballard was in the works. While a fraction of the original size, much of the charm has been captured, from the espresso and marzipan treats to the display of rich, decadent cakes and pastries lining the case. Like the original location, you can purchase your treats by the slice or order a cake for a spectacular party contribution. The carrot cake is still something I catch myself salivating over when I think of it. Service has been upbeat and welcoming whenever I’ve stopped by without being intrusive.
They do have a handful of designated spots for customer in the lot they share with the condo they’re housed in, which helps ease parking pains if this is your main destination. Otherwise, I recommend finding street parking. If you can’t quite find it, it’s directly across the street from Café Fiore.

Nice French style café. The eggs were delicious, tasty coffee, and good service. And great jazz on a Saturday morning! I don’t find myself in Ballard often but this place is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the neighborhood.

This temporary location for B & O espresso is definitely not as elegant as the previous location on Capital Hill. The place is much smaller and not as intimate as the old one with the nice red velvet couches.
My gf and I have wanted to give the new location a try since they moved to Ballard and I for one was expecting more. I was looking forward to try their Lemon Chiffon cake again, but here they didn’t have it. We ended up ordering the lemon pie and it had a great crust, but the filling was not tart enough for me and tasted a little too sweet with all the cream on top.
Another disappointment was on Unilocal they had advertised they had free Wi-​Fi, but when I tried it out they had none. Price wise it was spendy for a slice of pie and not sure if I would come all the way out to Ballard for another try.

I can’t believe what happened to the original B&O in Capitol Hill, and having to relocate in Ballard. I never expected that occurrence to ever happen in seattle, a land of amazing café bars, and successful independent businesses.
This didn’t happen to only B&O café bar restaurant. Bauhaus is another victim to devastating business relocation that should have been avoided, and there is no excuse. Pioneer Café Bar in west seattle right on Alki beach closed down or relocated for no rational motive at all, and a same negative situation in Club Static Hookah Lounge, and Travelers Shop. Why is that happening to some of my favorite areas of seattle compared to 3 to 5 years ago?!
Original B&O café bar restaurant showed wonderful, phenomenal in depth vision, and impressive, unique royal ambiance inside atmosphere. Everyone should show endless respect to that original café bar restaurant.
B&O should have stayed a permanent landmark in Capitol Hill, and what happened is unbelievable and not rational for a landmark with plenty of character and soul to be demolished for an ugly condo building construction project, and forced to relocate.
At least original B&O continued to have happy independent business success for a very long time literally up to 35 to 40 years from 1970s to 2013. B&O café bar was able to find a decent new area in Ballard, and hopefully continuing independent businesses success in a new café bar restaurant in a new neighborhood.
I am going to continue visiting a new B&O in Ballard since the place continues to have positive characteristics, intriguing charm, and restaurant meals, coffee, and desserts, even if there is not exact resemblance to the original B&O in Capitol Hill.
Edit: Woah, did B&O in Ballard close? That makes this situation even more devastating.

Same olé B&O! This is a much better location.
You can feel confident ordering pretty much anything on the small but creative menu. Never a bad experience at this little spot for a sweet treat. My favorites are the crème brûlée and crepes.

Loved the old B&O on Capitol Hill. But, parking was a challenge. The new Ballard location is smaller, and has lost a bit of the quirky feel that I so enjoyed in Capitol Hill, but I actually appreciate the downsize. It’s less chaotic, and feels right at home in Old Ballard. And parking is way easier. The service is fantastic. And they still have the most important item on the menu… Black Muddy River. Now in an individual portion! I am not certain it’s any smaller (lest you be concerned). it’s just in a neat round shape now.
Go here! They have amazing desserts and fantastic coffee. The perfect way to end an evening in Old Ballard.

I know B&O is kind of a Seattle institution, especially in its old Capitol Hill location, but this was my first time in. It was late on a weeknight and there was less than an hour left before they closed. I stopped in with a friend specifically for dessert — the chocolate pot. She gushed about its magical powers and her face lit up when we walked up to the case and she saw them. These must be quite a treat.
The barista was very inviting and chipper and she shared in the chocolate pot enthusiasm. She joked around with us a lot more than I would expect from most baristas and generally just made our experience really pleasant. We ordered 2 chocolate pots and found a table.
The room is pretty small and gone is the bar and liquor that they had at their previous location. The décor is fun and eclectic but not tacky or especially garish.
After a couple of minutes the barista brought over our chocolate pots. They were small/​medium-​sized ramekins (vocabulary word!) of thick, warm, very creamy chocolate mousse accompanied by a ladle-​type spoon of whipped cream. Actually, «mousse» might not technically be the right word as it seemed almost like a not-​quite-​done brownie but it’s the closest word I know. And it was definitely delicious. Very rich but not overly sweet and the texture was unexpectedly creamy and pretty much perfect. It probably would have been even better with a cup of coffee, but for some strange reason I hadn’t ordered one.
My first experience at B&O was pretty great — great service, delicious dessert, and good company. I just hope I have a similarly excellent time when I make it back in for a cup of coffee.

I was so excited that B&O had moved to my neighborhood — dangerously deliciously close. Although the ambiance is now more of an upscale espresso and dessert spot (as opposed to a classy date night dessert destination) the treats were decadent; we tried cheesecake, fruit tart (my favorite) and the tuxedo cake (appropriately described as an ice cream sandwich cake — sans ice cream).
But what really made it was the excellent service — my Friend requested a Cortado (Spanish espresso drink) and the barista enthusiastically recommended a similar Cuban concoction which he thoroughly enjoyed. We were walked through all the desserts patiently as our numerous questions were answered — it was the perfect way to finish an evening of entertaining an out of town guest.
Welcome to Ballard, B&O!

My head caved in when their doors closed on Capitol Hill. I had heard that the new location in Ballard wouldn’t be doing the savory food anymore, but they were wrong!
The new spot is much smaller, quaint and in a good location – as good as you can get when you’re talking about parking in Ballard. Blargh. B&O was due for a facelift (even though I admire that old building) and moving seems to have suited them well.
Still open early AND late for baked goods and breakfast items *NEW* are sweet and savory crepes! But I decided to have the spinach, feta, roasted red pepper quiche and I got to say it was one of the better quiches I’ve had. The feta melted into a light cloud within the egg and the crust was crisp, thin, but hearty. As usual, they had free samples out (tuxedo cake) which I enjoyed – only because it is a less-​sweet chocolate/​vanilla cake.
For coffee, I always order a soy mocha valencia, complete with their homemade whip cream and shaved chocolate curls! (I’m usually a no-​frills kind of person with coffee.) While not as orangey this time as I usually like them, it was still very good.
They don’t have the large savory food menu as before, but they kept my Egyptian Foul, and that’s what I care about most!
Swing on by. Awesome food and service awaits you :)

I was certainly pleased when B&O came to Ballard. The following, at least, are on offer: Excellent service; fine coffee; a cozy ambiance; outstanding pastries, pies, and cakes, all made in-​house by the same pastry chef for the last 30 years. We have experienced this so far; and have no cause to believe the remaining items on the bill of fare are of lesser quality.
While Ballard is beset by coffee shops, this is not another such place. B&O is an adult coffee shop for a quiet, excellent bite in cozy, unassuming surroundings, and, delightfully, likely to be a refuge from lumberjack/​Salvation Army-​clad hipsters with bad adolescent beards, ironic T-​Shirts, and silly glasses.
By the bye, «Super-​Excited» is not a state one experiences unless one hears the four Horn Blasts and participates in the Rapture. And, hanging out in a café for hours on one coffee and a pastry while posting partially untrue trivialities about one’s trite life on Facebook is just not cool.

I just moved to Ballard and was super excited when I found out the new B&O was opening up literally right outside our building. I walked by every day, visited their website religiously, scoured the MyBallard news site multiple times per day – hoping for a small hint regarding when it would open. It opened a few weeks behind schedule, so when I walked by and saw a menu on the door and people inside, I couldn’t help but stop by the first opportunity I could get.
I got their Chai Bella latte and a salmon/​goat cheese/​caper crêpe. I also ordered a slice of the almond torte to-​go.
The Chai was good – not too hot, which is how I like it, and creamier than most places but not as creamy as the chai latte at the Jewel Box (my favorite).
I used to live in Northgate and would frequent the Jewel Box all the time – their salmon crepes were huge and full of lots of veggies to go with the salmon and cheese, all topped with a lemon slice, garnish, and a drizzle of some unknown spicy sause. Very tasty!
I was hoping B&O Espresso would fill the void left behind when I moved away from Northgate.
I was disappointed. :-/​
The salmon crêpe at B&O was TINY, with just a few square inches of filling and the rest of the plate taken up by plain old crêpe with no filling. It also had way too much goat cheese, which overpowered the flavor of the salmon and capers. Definitely not worth $ 8.
As for the almond torte, it was tasty, but also not worth $ 5 for a tiny slice. Speaking of prices, none of the desserts had prices listed in the case or on the counter. I would feel weird asking for the price of every single item, but it helps one decide to know what the cost is, I think. My sister’s almond Bakewell tart is far tastier, richer, and more almond-​y than what I had at B&O.
Lastly, I was hoping for a place to sit down with my laptop or a good book, but the environment just isn’t cozy. It’s all one open space with no dividers or booths or anything. I would feel weird with my back facing the door while seated at a tiny bistro table that probably can’t even fit my laptop and food together.
In short:
PROS:
–good chai latte
–good dessert
–friendly staff
CONS:
–small portions
–overpriced
–no prices listed beyond what’s listed on the piece of paper at the counter for drinks/​crepes only
–not cozy enough to warrant staying around leisurely
I’ll probably be back, but not as often as I used to frequent the Jewel Box when I lived up north.