In this city where coffee is the biggest of clichés, where caffeine gluts our gutters darkens every day, it is difficult if not impossible to distinguish among coffee shops. We all know this. It’s a fool’s errand. Pointless. We all understand that Top Pot is where the doughnuts live (and it’s is a jaunty palindrome to boot), and that JoeBar is cute and crepe-y, if just a little way too fucking chatty when there’s a line circling the block twice. Everyone roosts in Victrola, where the six hour heartburn and the withering glare of serious typing poseurs are still preferable to sitting in a fucking Starbucks. But barely.

But among these staples, a mocha-scented rose has bloomed, quietly and unnoticed and tragically under experienced. And it is Liberty. Yes Liberty. On 15th.

Now, hush. I know you know liberty as the classic cocktail-cum-sushi bar with Ellen Forney’s big dirty hands paintings that make Catholic girls cry for reasons the can not possibly understand. And you’re right about that, I won’t argue. BUT! But! From day-to-day, a coffee-making angel is pulling the most magical brews on the entire Hill from the bar there. The coffee-puller’s name is Doug (he’s part owner of Liberty, and in charge of its coffee interests) and the coffee Doug’s so skillfully pulling until 4PM every day (hurry!) is delicious, delicious Stumptown—-Portland’s famous and wonderfully roasty roast. As far as I know, Doug at Liberty is the only source of this magical potion in all of Seattle, and he pulls is like it ain’t never been pulled befo’. And thus your mission is clear. Abandon Victrola, gather up your Powerbook and that withering glare, and walk them the extra two blocks to Liberty. Find this man…

…and make him make you coffee. He will. And it’s worth it. I promise.