$13: Nervous Nellie's

Where? Nervous Nellie's Espresso Co., 1556 NW 56th St. (Ballard), (206) 706-1095

What does $13 get you? Swedish toast with butter and Kalles Kaviar ($2.65), Swedish toast with butter, cheese and jam ($3.15), tall Americano ($2.05), tall decaf vanilla latte ($2.95 plus $0.25 for the shot of vanilla), plus tax and $0.90 left over to toss in the tip jar

Recommended? I'm there at least once a week--all the more reason to stop by.

Official tasting notes: Imagine, if you will, my pitch for this write-up to my editor: "They do really interesting things with toast." Nervous Nellie's is really so much more, though. It's my shelter from the storm on the way to catch my morning bus at least once a week.

The menu is pretty straightforward, as the sign outside indicates--coffee and toast (they have teas and other caffeinated and decaf beverages as well). But this is by far one of the best lattes in the city, which I know many a coffee shop lays claim to, so let's get to the toast in all of it's thick, Swedish glory. First, the bread: it's baked fresh by Great Harvest Bread, and I'd be happy just eating a loaf sans toppings. But the toppings are where it's at. My dining companion opted for the adventurous butter and Kalles Kaviar (yes, with a K) combo. The Swedish kaviar is cod fish roe made into a paste and shoved into a tube, which the kind folks at Nervous Nellie's squeeze out into fishy, salty goodness onto your toast (it's also great with the sliced hard-boiled eggs--another toast topper option). I got the butter, Scandinavian cheese and strawberry jam. The mildness of the cheese combined with the sweetness of the strawberries--it was a little taste of heaven.

And speaking of the great beyond, Nellie's also has a "put it on my tab" option--in a pinch--for those who find themselves a little short on cash (the only accepted form of payment here). It's a little notebook called Hell--for a reason. Sure, you can write down an IOU, complete with your name, phone number and what you owe. But don't pay it back in a timely manner, and they'll be calling you. At 6 a.m. on Christmas Day if necessary.

Oh, but selling your soul for Swedish toast topped with Nutella, peanut butter, Lutenica relish or apple butter--I'd say it's worth it.