B & O Espresso

I came here after some drinks at the Monk across the street and really liked the chill and dim atmosphere.... more

I came here after some drinks at the Monk across the street and really liked the chill and dim atmosphere. The quality of the food is better than ... more

From the moment you walk in, the shabby-shique atmosphere makes you feel at home. Every table is a little unique, and every host, server and chef their own personality. The espresso is warm, smooth and inviting the anti pasto is lively and full of flavor, and the desserts are scrumptious!\r \r B&O is where I take out of towners for their first Breakfast in my favorite city, and their last glass of wine to toast to a safe trip before they go! Though it isn't fit for overly large parties, they have easily accomodated a party of 8 for me, and they made us just as comfortable as they made me when I came in for my first time for a Valencia Latte and some quiet reading.\r \r If what you're looking for is a cozy, warm atmostphere, delicious food, and friendly service, this is your place! more

Been to B&O four or five times and each time was great. Didn't notice that the service was slow, however read several reviews stating how slow services is....Since I've been there for leisurely brunches on the weekends, I thought it was nice that we weren't rushed. The service was nice and helpful, as we asked for side salads instead of the roasted potatoes that come with the omlettes. The coffee is great and haven't found another place that makes a better cafe valencia! Will definitely be back for a leisurely time. Pros: Best Cafe Valencia more

The dinners are always amazing- their coffees to die for- but plan on being there for awhile because the wait staff operates on SLOW MOTION. Food will take 20 minutes or more- the check will come 15 minutes after you manage to flag down your waitress after her avoiding eye contact twice. Pros: Food, Coffee, Location Cons: Service more

I was told that B&O has the best desserts. I almost never dine by myself but I was so excited to try it out that I went in yesterday when I unexpectedly drove by it. The food was great, but the service was mediocre. The server did not check on me once, and I had to ask for a refill on my coffee 10-15mins after it was emptied. The only time the server came over was to drop off the bill and the fastest service I got was after I had slipped in my credit card. I'm a waitress myself, so regardless of the mediocre services I still gave a 18% gratuity, because I was very satisfied with the food and believed that the next time I visit the service would be more satisfying. I went in today again for a cup of coffee and some dessert. With a different group of staffs, the service was even worse than yesterday. My friend and I were standing in front of the counter with 3 servers behind it for about 10mins. They were literally within arms reach, not one of them bothered to acknowledge our presence/greet/asked if we needed help, instead, they were busily chatting away. When one of them finally made eye contact with me while drinking her water, she went over to whisper something to the other staff, and finally walked up and asked me, ""did you guys need something?"" and then she continued to apologize saying she thought I was waiting for someone. Of course I was, I was waiting for one you unhelpful waitresses to greet me and maybe / possibly provide some sort of customer service that you are being paid to do. Again, the desert was scrumptious, but the service was so despicable. Without asking me if I needed anything else, the server came over to drop off my check. I ordered another coffee and immediately after, she dropped it off again. After 40 minutes without checking on our table, and seeing that I'm not paying my bill, she finally came over to ask me if I needed a refill on my coffee. I love the food, I really hope the service will improve and not ruin my meal. Pros: Food, Ambience Cons: horrible, depicable service more

Hands down, my favorite place on the hill. It's got the best atmosphere. It's clean and beautifully decorated, and you feel just as comfortable on a date there as you do enjoying a cup of coffee on your own. I've never been dissapointed by their food (the breakfast specials and french toast are incredible, as are the sandwiches and hummous platter, etc), the coffee drinks are excellent, and the waitstaff is so kind! You've got to check this place out. Pros: atmosphere, delicious, parking@drycleaners more

My partner and I have been to B&O several times over the past year, but our most recent visit will be the last. We definitely go for the food (breakfast and dinner are tasty, but desserts are even better), which is what keeps us coming back. Each time we've been, however, the service gets worse and worse. We're either ignored, forgotten, or treated with indifference. Our last visit was appalling. We waited 45 minutes for our sandwich and french toast (what a joke) and the waitress was quite rude to us. We live on the Hill and love to support local businesses, but B & O has just lost our patronage. Too bad we can't recommend them. Pros: Good food Cons: Horrible service, disorganized, no parking more

Sipping a mocha (near a framed Mucha) at the B&O brings a little bit of Paris to Seattle. The breakfast and dinner items may not be the best (Glow's across the street has better Eggs Benedict), but the drinks and deserts are top notch. One weekend, when my and my wife's parents were all visiting (from Berkeley and NYC respectively), we decided to turn a potential inlaw nightmare into a moveable feast, with the B&O serving as the desert anchor. They liked it so much we had to go back on Sunday. Confession: I know some of the wait staff. On the job and off they are friendly, creative people--ideal for conversation, but maybe not for prompt water-refills. With good conversation, a leisurely time frame, and a glass of vin rouge, the B&O's moody purples and blacks should win you back for another round of West Bank (of Olive) action. Pros: Ambience, Lighting, Deserts Cons: Meals, Service more

This is a great little corner street bar in Cap Hill. Quirky, chatting crew and very personal service. They even served high tea to me on my brithday (a weekend day) when they normally only serve high tea on a weekday! The bar is nice too, creative drinks and good bar conversation. Try it out! Pros: eclectic bar music more

Not sure what all the other reviews are talking about. Keep in mind, often times people come here to write a review only because they had a bad experience. I went there last Thursday night and everything was great. Service was good, ambience was good. They had a musician playing italian tunes on an accordian. It wasn't too crowded. I'm sure if you go on a busy weekend night the service could be slow but that's true everywhere. more

Having lived on Capitol Hill for fifteen years I'm sad to say that one of my very favorite places is dead. The B & O was IT for breakfast (the crunchy french toast used to be amazing!), desserts, Tea, Coffee and atmosphere. A few years back it went under new management and everything great about it is slowly being ruined. I keep trying to go back, have an open mind and give it it's millionth chance...and I am always disappointed. Either my favorite dish for dinner is taken off the menu, my food arrives late AND cold or I'm treated briskly and rudely by the waitstaff. The list goes on and on... I wonder when I go, ""why do I even bother!?!"" The B & O is gone. What is left is a mere shadow of it's former glory. Go somewhere else if you can, this place is done. Pros: Atmosphere, Desserts, Drinks Cons: Food service, Food quality, Management more

First time trying this restaurant and will possibly be the last. My friend said the food was good so decided to try it. Well, when we walked in, I didn't like the fact that the employees there didn't acknowlege us right away and there were at least a couple behind the counter acting as if they were too busy to wait on us. Anyways, we got our seat and our waiter was EXTREMELY nice, friendly and helpful. I ordered the artichoke dip which came with pieces of bread and fruit. It was okay, but definately NOT worth it. The food is over priced. That's the reason why I probably would not go back there. It's good just to try it once though. I love the ambience of the restaurant. Feels like you're in a French cafe. Drinks are good though. more

I recently had breakfast here with my mother who was in from out of town, and my boyfriend. We arrived at 12:30 and did not receive our food until ONE HOUR LATER. We had to get up to get our own refills. The table next to us, who arrived after we did, got served and fed and were out the door before we even received our food! The tables around us were receiving their food and by the way, their orders were being confused as well. Our food was cold by the time it arrived at our table. I asked to speak to the manager to complain about the horrible service & he didn't even bother to offer a free meal. Horrible! They must be used to people complaining. Cons: EVERYTHING more

Ok so Ill be right up front and say that my girlfriend and I work at Starbucks so we expect personable and genuine service. What we got was mediocre. I order a Hot Chocolate and the server thinks I ordered a mocha until I correct him when we get our tab. Then instead of correct the price discrepancy he says, ""...look just take it out of my gratuity"". Now the $.85 difference isn't anything, but the least he could have done was act interested, and turn a negative situation into a positive one. At least make an effort. Pros: Ambiance, Late night Cons: , attitude more

I used to go to B&O almost every day to do my homework. The service is amazing and the workers are so friendly. i know all of them now. it is like a second home to me. Pros: great service, yummy drinks, comfortable more

The place has its own charm and an interesting menu, but the service is just bottom of the barrel. I have been there four times over the last three years, and each time the service is worse than the last (a friend likes it so I occasionally cave in and go). I've had experiences with the servers being rude, dismissive and completely uncaring. At one point, we waited 30 minutes for our omelette lunch in a restaurant that was only half-filled. At other times, the server has been absent for long periods of time. more

A friend took me to this restaurant raving about the desserts but I was disgusted by the horrible service and the very expensive desserts. Not only did both tables next to us (who were both seated after us) get their desserts before us, but the waitress had to come up to us three times and get our orders three times and she still messed the order up. And then they asked us to move tables because another party was coming! I know this place is popular but the service is terrible. The desserts are good but not worth the price or terrible service. Dont patronize this restaurant because you are encouraging bad service. My friend lives right by there and I am mystified when I see the restaurant busy. Why go to a restaurant that hires incompetent servers and obviously encourages bad service? Cons: overpriced, terrible,rude service more

I've been living across the street from the B&O restaurant for a while, now, and have had to suffer many friends choosing it as their dessert restaurant of the evening. I simply am unable to comprehend why it is so popular. The desserts are quite decent, for the most part (stay far, far away from the Apple Cobbler - but do try the Chocolate Pot). Their drinks are also tasty and cleverly concocted. However, the prices are astronomical (I recall, last time, having a good laugh about a SEVEN-DOLLAR BOWL OF OATMEAL). The service is inexcusable. I've never had what I would consider even reasonable service there. By all means, go and check it out. For some odd reason, it's quite popular; it may be just that my fifteen experiences were all flukes. I'm going to continue to doubt that sincerely, but for some reason, Seattlites seem to like it. Pros: Creative drinks, Tasty desserts, Extensive coffee menu Cons: Price, Service, Poor non-dessert food more

B&O does have a create selection of desserts - but the employees are incredibly slow and unhelpful. I stopped in one evening to purchase dessert to go, and waited and waited for service. One employee behind the counter was waiting on a customer, slowly filling their order. Three other employees stood behind the counter, talking with one another, never acknowledging my presence. I left without ordering - and will continue to tell this story, so that fellow Seattleites look elsewhere for dessert. We deserve to be treated better please dont spend your money here! more