For most of the past year, he has been a Korean brunch specialist Watson counter Ballard was full of people waiting to be dug up French Toast on Instagram breaded cereal and eggs Benedict with gochujang-marinated pork belly. Now, with Washington’s stay-at-home order still in effect and indoor dining rooms closed for the foreseeable future due to COVID-19 measures, owner James Lim has found another way to connect with diners: by offering coffee-making tips live on Instagram.
“It will cover basic coffee theory, how to brew a decent cup, and finding the flavors you’re looking for,” Lim tells Eater Seattle of the online class, which will begin next Friday at 3 p.m. via the restaurant official Instagram page“It’ll be lithe and fun. Kind of like a TED talk over coffee.”
As Watson’s Counter remains open for takeout with restricted options, Lim — who originally opened the space as a more coffee-focused cafe — hopes it can be a way to recreate some of the casual, personal energy the restaurant had in the past. He sells bags Anchorhead Coffee for collection so people can brew beer with him.
Watson’s Counter joins several places trying out online coffee tutorials. Local mini-chain Fuel Coffee is temporarily closed, but recently offered a miniature Instagram video showing viewers how to make latte art. Meanwhile, North Carolina-based Counter Culture — which supplies roastery to many Seattle coffee shops — aired a brew tutorial videos on Instagram Live with various homogeneous mixtures.
There have been some efforts to make virtual brunches a thing, too. The owners Hood Famous Cafe and Bar — which is temporarily closed — recently appeared on a live-streamed YouTube and Twitch chat hosted by Grammy-nominated singer Hollis Wong-Wear, where they discussed raising funds for their employees.
And the Seattle network Flaming bagels plans to host a virtual Facebook Live event on April 19 with salmon purveyor Gerard & Dominique Seafoods of Anacortes, Washington, and Uli’s Eminent Sausage. It’s being billed as the “World’s Largest Brunch.”
