Koots Anticipation

Soon we won't have to drive to Bellevue to visit Koots Green Tea. The Japanese chain of tea shops will be opening its first Seattle location (and second U.S. location) in the 2200 complex at South Lake Union. Of course, Starbucks has a store there, too, and it’s already open. (They were giving out coffee today as part of a community open house.)

Finding ourselves at Lincoln Square yesterday, my coworker and I sampled some of Koots' green tea—served in a tall ceramic mug—and a delish yuzu cream dessert. We didn't sit in the tatami mat area; we chose the roomy leather lounge chairs instead. Overall, very relaxing ... not too chain-y feeling at all.