The Bohemian: Exceeding West Seattle's Cafe Culture

When it comes to cafes, I'm like the princess and the pea. I have an issue with every single one of our coffee swilling establishments on this side of the bridge, be it for outdoor furniture used indoors, carpeting (gross), Grey Gardens lighting, too little seating, or bad coffee. That changed when The Bohemian (3405 California Ave. SW) opened last week, finally a cafe for the cafe society, with a bonus bar that allows the place to go from day into night and make both groups of customers, and me, happy.

The Bohemian opens at 7:00am, offering a selection of pastries and toasts and coffee from Stella. It is a cafe by day, truly (there is wi-fi). Around 3:00pm (or earlier, I won't judge you.) the place segues into a bar with small menu of spreads, a few entrees and, be still my heart, melted stinky cheese. My spontaneous hot toddy, when I couldn't resist pouring their house infused apple spirit into my tea, went so well with that racelette.

Mornings are still sleepy, but the place just added evening service this week and already nights are packed. The wood, dark accents, and judicious use of sunflower yellow glow in the evening and cocoon in the morning. After talking to owners Jason and Eirik earlier this summer as they worked on the space, I'd say The Bohemian is exactly as promised--a casual neighborhood cafe that will not only fit in to any part of your day, but in these trying times, also your budget. Think the old Septieme meets an outlying arrondissement of Paris.

The only thing I would change (ah, the pea in my mattress): Find and stain some beat up old tables and chairs to accelerate a lived in look. As is, the brand new tables sorta goes against the overall effect.