Seattle's espresso pioneers since 1988, famous for introducing and perfecting the rosetta latte art.
Espresso Vivace has operated as a foundational pillar of Seattle's specialty coffee movement since 1988, when founders David Schomer and Geneva Sullivan first launched it as a humble cart. Schomer, a former USAF electronics technician and Boeing metrologist, brought a rigorous, highly scientific methodology to the art of extraction. Rather than relying on guesswork, he applied his calibration background to master temperature stability, eventually popularizing the PID controller for espresso machines and codifying the precise milk-steaming techniques required to create microfoam. This obsessive focus on the physics of coffee transformed the brand into a global destination for what Schomer terms "caffe espresso as a culinary art," proving that coffee could be treated with the same reverence as fine wine or gourmet cuisine.
The cafe's roasting philosophy is anchored in the Northern Italian tradition, which Schomer embraced after a pivotal trip to Italy in 1989. This style focuses on maximizing the caramelized sugar content of mild Arabica beans while minimizing bitterness. Vivace roasts and serves two signature blends daily: Espresso Dolce, designed to be enjoyed as a straight, concentrated ristretto shot, and Espresso Vita, a robust blend crafted specifically to pair with milk. The menu also features the legendary Café Nico, a fragrant, four-ounce signature drink that has achieved cult status. This meticulously balanced beverage combines a double ristretto of the Vita blend with steamed half-and-half, a subtle infusion of orange and vanilla syrups, a dusting of cinnamon, and a fresh orange zest garnish.
While the historic walk-up sidewalk bar on Broadway closed its shutters in 2023, the flagship Espresso Vivace at Brix continues to serve as the neighborhood's premier coffee sanctuary. Located at 532 Broadway East, the cafe features a sweeping, curved bar topped with Caffe Forest Brown soapstone and framed by warm, glowing yellow walls. This spacious interior includes a quiet room for reading and meetings, alongside a gallery wall displaying framed photographs of exceptional latte art poured by Vivace baristas over the decades. It is a fitting tribute to the cafe's legacy, as Schomer is widely credited with developing and popularizing the classic rosetta and heart patterns in the United States after being inspired by a photograph from Italy's Caffe Mateki.
Order the Café Nico, a beautifully balanced four-ounce signature drink featuring double ristretto, steamed half-and-half, orange and vanilla syrups, cinnamon, and orange zest.
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