I am about to let you in on secret, sacred knowledge.
First, a disclaimer: I am not much of a consumer. I tend to be predictable and somewhat pretentious in how I spend my disposable income. Mostly I spend my extra money on exciting food. I come from a long lineage of foodies, and am willing to label myself as such with some degree of pride. I love food, particularly when it help me feel a connection to my community or the earth. I am lucky enough to have a garden AND a year-round farmer’s market that I can walk to.
Anyway, that being said, I have some secret-ish Seattle spots that I am going to make public. Some of them are even unrelated to food.
#1) Paseo
Paseo is a sandwich shop, but you might not know it because both locations are more or less a shack, a shack with no obvious signage and a line of people in front. It falls into that kind of restaurant that I love most: greasy, hole-in-the-wall, makes me feel all hip and exclusive because it’s not advertised anywhere, etc. It’s cash only and the most drop-dead-of-a-heart-attack delicious meal I can imagine. The sandwiches are a delicious blend of flavors and textures: spongy, crusty demi baguettes that house a medley of crispy romaine, cilantro, divine caramelized onions, garlic aioli, and your choice of delicious protein substance. I have many friends who swear by their pork. I do not feel particularly passionate about pigflesh. (I will rant about my poser vegetarianism later.) So, the pork is apparently rockin’ if you’re into that kind of thing; I can vouch that their fish, prawn, scallop, and tofu options are freakin’ awesome. They’re closed Sunday/Monday and all of January…just because they can. They’re that good.
#2) Vintage Closet
The Vintage Closet has the distinction of being one of the few places that I will go spend disposable income that’s not on food. It is at heart a boot shop, although they’ve got lovely hats and other fun leatherwear. It’s leather a obnoxiously socially conscious person can feel good about owning, too: all used, all bought by the owner from her Secret Source of Secrecy. The boutique is open Thursday through Sunday in the afternoons and only accepts cash. Apparently “cash only” is a theme in the awesomeness of hole-in-the-wall places in Seattle. They’re at the corner of 65th St NW and 3rd Ave NW, right across from New Roots Organics.
#3) Bernie Utz Hats
Bernie Utz is the real deal, an honest-to-God Haberdashery that would make Johnny Depp proud. You want your Stetson? They’ve got it. You want a towering creation that would make Vida Boheme swoon? They’ve got it. Are you a grizzled bald man who wears a long leather trenchcoat and a leather eyepatch, who’s nearly died five times and needs a Greek fisherman’s hat in leather to complete his outfit? You’re covered. (Yes, he really was in the store when I went there, telling stories about his near-death experiences.) In any case, Bernie Utz is a trip well worth taking.
#4) Theo Chocolate
If you live in Seattle, you’ve seen their bars at most grocery stores, and know that Theo Chocolate is divine, delicious, and more expensive than a root canal. However, if you are a cheap bastard like me, you can go to their storefront, step into a darkened room that smells like heaven on earth, and have free samples of all of their deliciousness. You can also go on a tour; I haven’t done it myself, but I hear it’s pretty cool. You can also buy single chocolates that are less wallet-burdening and yet ever-so-satisfying, and a white chocolate orange lotion that will make you eat your own arm off. So, if you’ve been staring forlornly at the $3.75 chocolate bars in the QFC, look no further than the storefront at 4300 Phinney.
#5) 5 Spot Late Night Date
I image many of my local readers know about the 5 Spot already, but I feel the need to detail the Anne Bean and Mikeatron brand 5 Spot Late Night Date. The 5 Spot sit on top of Queen Anne Hill and boasts a unique and delicious “regional American Cuisine”. This translates to a main menu that stays the same with a few key dishes that rotate quarterly in accordance with the restaurant’s theme region. Some of the regions I’ve tasted include Oregon, North Beach San Francisco, Puerto Rico, the Florida Keys, and the Mississippi River Delta. It’s not just a few dishes that embody the theme; the entire restaurant is decked out in region-specific paintings, sculpture, and bathroom decor. It’s one of my favorite restaurants for breakfast or brunch, albeit a bit spendy for my tastes. However, after 10PM there is a fabulous menu of $5 “little dishes,” a bit bigger than an appetizer but smaller than a meal, which are delicious and satisfying. There are also lovely desserts and $1 PBR, so among all of that you can spend $20 for a thoroughly satisfying date for two. Afterwards, there’s a lovely walk down to Kerry Park, where you can get a picture postcard view of Seattle. Seriously. Had I not already found Mikeatron, this would make a killer first date. That’s why he and I repeat it so often, I suppose. 
#6) The Knee High Stocking Company
The Knee High Stocking Company is an honest-to-god speakeasy. From the outside, it appears to be one of those mysterious little triangular buildings on the asymmetrical blocks of Capitol Hill. It has no sign, merely inch-high stickers spelling out its name by a doorbell. The windows are blocked with opaque brown cloth. In order to actually drink there, you must text in your reservation (although their number does not appear in their ad in The Stranger, nor does anything except a photo of the entrance). You then ring the doorbell, where someone in 1930s garb will answer the door and ask, “May I help you?” You then announce your reservation and are seated, plunged into a booze-soaked session of wit and banter. There are also about seven varieties of absinthe. Truly, visiting the Knee High Stocking Company is an experience.
That’s all I’ve got for the moment. Should you feel the need to confess your secret local loves, please, let us in on the scoop.
3 comments
Kevin, Son of Nog
March 22, 2010 at 2:11 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Remember, Anne, you are a Conscientious Omnivore.
Also, some of my own:
1.) Taste of India
Location: 5517 Roosevelt Way Northeast, 98105
After the owner, head chef and kitchen staff left Cedars and moved up the road Taste of India became the place to go for Indian food. They have a wide variety of curries as well as tandoori and Mediterranean style dishes. An entrée and a drink will probably run you about fifteen dollars but this is hands down some of the best Indian food I have ever consumed. The place is a little small and seating can be tight but the service is fast and friendly. Drinks range from microbrews, import beers and soda to delicious chai and mango yogurt drinks. Desserts can be as simple as mango sauce on vanilla ice cream or a novel affair such as baklava and other things. Vegetarian options abound and everything I’ve tried has been delicious. My favorite is Shahi Korma with chicken, medium spiciness. The restaurant can get busy during peak hours so get in early.
2.) The Hurricane Cafe
Location: 2230 7th Avenue, 98121
Hours: 24/7
You know how in action movies after all the explosions and gunfire dies down the protagonists go to a greasy spoon cafe to wistfully celebrate the fact they’re still alive? This is that place. Featuring a bar, old vinyl booths, a working jukebox (an snap!) and a small arcade the atmosphere is grungy without being dirty or pretentious. The food here is middling when it comes to cost. The quality isn’t superb however once consumes it bequeaths a profound sense of satisfaction; food you have no choice but to acknowledge as having been eaten. Burgers, shakes and a perpetually available breakfast are the hallmarks of the menu. Sides are flexible allowing hash browns to be eaten along with your Santa Fe burger. Whether to mourn, celebrate or simply enjoy a meal with your friends this is the place to do it.
3.) That One Donut Shop at Pike’s Place Market
Location: 47.608586,-122.340322 (Approximate)
I’m not sure if this place is still here but by the gods do I hope it is. It’s a cart placed in a tiny booth near the newsstands off of 1st Ave run by one or two people at a time. The cart houses an automatic donut machine which produces fried globs of dough about the size of your palm. Most surprising upon arrival is that it’s cheap. A dozen of the most expensive kind of donuts rill run you less than five dollars if not four. They have four kinds of donuts: plain, cinnamon, powdered sugar and fancy (chocolate frosting and sprinkles.) The fancy ones are delectable but run out quickly. In order to acquire some of them you need to get to the stand as early as possible, definitely before noon if not sooner. If you’re planning on doing some shopping or sight seeing around the area it makes a great place to start your journey seeing as the sugar will help get you that energy you need to do all that walking.
Torrey
March 22, 2010 at 3:58 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
1. Saffron Grill, 2132 N Northgate Way.
Everything Kevin said about Taste of India, as it’s owned by the same people, but further north and possibly more convenient. Saffron Grill is trying to be classier than the U-District restaurants, and has some American food options on the menu as well. And the chai is endless.
2. The Night Kitchen, 216 Stewart St.
Open 6pm to 9am, this is a charming little geek haven. The wifi is free, the coffee is delicious (they do a layered shot with espresso, condensed milk, and caramel sauce), and the fried cheese curds are amazing. Little deep-fried, beer battered pockets of melted raw cheese. Also tasty: vegetarian poutine (cheese curds, fries, and herbed ‘gravy’), house-made ketchup and mustard for either potato or sweet potato fries. It’s become the go-to destination for late night gatherings: after a 10pm movie, once the dance club closes, or just “hey, let’s go to the Night Kitchen and play Dominion”. They run Twitter coupons at random intervals, and the latest was a quote from the Maurice Sendak book that they’re named after.
(Full disclosure: the owner is a friend, but I’d love the place anyway.)
3. Boistfort Valley Farm CSA
This is the best CSA program I’ve tried; they include local fruit along with their own veggies, and the recipes are usually tasty. The quantity, of course, is ginormous. It’s a weekly adventure in “what do I do with 1.5 pounds of beets and a head of lettuce bigger than two game consoles?”
Hannah
April 4, 2010 at 4:52 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I’m throwing in some South King/Pierce County flavor.
1. Panaderia, Federal Way: I’m not sure the exact name of this place. It’s between 288th and 304th on the non-Puget Sounds side of Pacific Hwy South. They make all the pan dulce (Mexican pastries) you could ever want. Plus, it’s really cheap and fresh. Don’t get your pan dulce from a tienda, get it from the source.
2. Wades Cafe, 34815 Pacific Highway South, Federal Way: They make all sorts of flavors of mini homemade pies. If you’re craving pie, this is the place to go. Their crust is flaky and melts in your mouth.
3. Mad Hat Tea Company, Tacoma, http://www.madhattea.com/: Tasty tea. They’re on Commerce, which is the busway of downtown Tacoma. The owners are super nice. There are stacks of books in the back room that you can sit and read.
4. Marcia’s Silver Spoon Cafe, Tacoma, 2601 S Tacoma Way: We stumbled across this diner when we lost power a couple years ago. They have huge portions and heavenly milkshakes.