Belmont Lounge204 Belmont Avenue E, 322-5028The folks at B&O Espresso, Olive Way’s revered coffee and dessert shop, are branching out. They’ve renamed the dining area–it’s now B&O Bistro–and expanded the tapas-style menu. More important, they’ve opened up the classiest bar on Capitol Hill. Situated in the tiny alcove off B&O’s main entrance, the BELMONT LOUNGE’s lush purple curtains parted two weeks ago to reveal a vintage marble-topped curved bar, where a genteel bartender mixes fancy cocktails, keeps tiny bowls of pistachios filled, and spins jazz and blues records. It’s the perfect place to slip away by yourself, to nurse brandy and a crème brôlée. AMY JENNIGES

Amy Jenniges moved to Seattle in 1998—escaping the oppressively cold winters, unbearably humid summers, and weird accents of her native Minnesota—to attend Seattle University. She had intended...