Looking back, it’s pretty stinking unbelievable how much FoodFash mom and I were able to accomplish during our weekend trip to Seattle. Friday was spent mostly in the air. But Saturday… her eastern time body woke up in the sixes and headed out to a work function. An hour later, my central time self crawled out of bed and quickly researched the best shopping in Seattle and the best brunch in that particular hood.
The virtual world directed me toward Ballard Avenue and The Hi Life. I headed to the bus stop like I knew what I was doing, like it hadn’t been eight years since my feet hit Seattle pavement. But all went well, thanks to the King County Metro app, and I was dropped a few blocks from the restaurant without a hitch.
I requested a table for one {near a window} and sipped my coffee out of a thick-rimmed mug as I waited for my breakfast to arrive. Green chile grits and eggs with black beans, chorizo, and pico – there was just no reason to continue reading past the spring specials on the menu. And when it arrived, I wondered why I’d never seen {or made} black beans and grits before. It was quite the combination!
After I stuffed myself silly, I hit Ballard Street and 20th Ave and worked my way towards 22nd. How wonderful it was to try on clothing after being the freshest member of the clean plate club. But fullness aside, I loved the street before stepping foot in a store. Ballard, tree-lined with mid-rise historic buildings filled with independent retailers, was a street worth loving. And it took only a few stops to find my favorite store {ever} {seriously}: Prism. I chatted it up with the sales clerk and… purchased every variety of cropped top Native Youth had to offer. New favorite store, new favorite brand. No other shop on the strip compared, but I continued browsing until it was time to swoop my mom up.
In a Car2Go! I was all sorts of excited to use my Austin Car2Go membership in Seattle. I put the keys in the ignition and {for the second time} acted like I was cruising down familiar streets.
It was on FoodFash mom’s list to check out Capitol Hill, so we parked in that area and asked around for lunch suggestions. We were directed to Cafe Presse, a French bar-cafe, that was oh so cozy. And I was ready for cozy food and drink. The chicken liver terrine and a Last Word cocktail hit the spot. Then I introduced her to Chartreuse, filled her in how the Blue Album was playing overhead on repeat, and we caught each other up on our mornings. It was beautiful.
From there we headed down Lake Washington Boulevard, gawking at incredible houses with even more incredible views, before arriving at 171 {Kurt Cobain’s house}. It was an odd feeling, the entire experience. Taking a picture in front of a house, in front of a random someone’s house, was strange. And knowing what took place yards away 21 years ago, eerie. It felt wrong to smile. So I didn’t.
We soaked up more lakefront views and then headed to our dinner reservation at Lark. At that moment, I felt like I couldn’t have had a better food day. Every place was exactly what I hoped for and Lark was no exception. We shared the Montana wagyu steak tartare and the {unpictured} Olsen Farm’s potato leek soup and Semolina gnocchi with artichoke hearts, anchovy, guanciale and toasted pine nuts. And we uncharacteristically snuck in last bites rather than offering them up because everything was that delicious.
It was another perfect Saturday with FoodFash mom for the books!