Rise and Dine

Seattle’s Breakfasts Are Memory Makers

By Mina Williams

Breakfast, the meal you have to eat every morning. But on weekends, it’s the meal you want to eat.

With the bevy of breakfast spots in Seattle, loyalty wars are waged every Sunday morning between dining partners. Decisions are made with all the intricacies of a corporate takeover bid. Generally, the diners’ preference rests in the lie of the land with neighborhood spots winning the patron’s nod when it comes to the morning meal. After all, why drive the distance when perfectly good eggs, home fries and bacon are dished up down the block?

As good as the neighborhood spots are, after a decade-plus of time served in the concrete canyons of Manhattan, I recognize that the weekend breakfast or brunch can be raised to an art form. In most cases it is just as noble to dish up a killer scramble as it is to present eggs Florentine topped with a lobster hollandaise. What matters is the memory that remains of the food and the experience.

Unlike most cities, Seattle serves up a smorgasbord of weekend breakfast options that cover regional American preferences and international delights. Whether you are looking for buttermilk pancakes or overnight-soaked French toast, there are loads of spots to make memories with here in the Emerald City. Here are a few of my favorite memory-making spots that are well worth the drive:

Low carb diets aside, sometimes you just have to have those breakfast beauties waffles, pancakes and French toast. To dive into those bread delights visit Crave (1621 12th Ave.), a new restaurant in the Capitol Hill Arts Center. In addition to the stellar biscuits and chicken sausage gravy, Crave offers sourdough break soaked overnight in orange custard served up with a tangy tart blue cheese butter and topped with maple syrup. Wash it down with a pomegranate mimosa and you’ll be questioning Dr. Atkins.

Napoleon’s army traveled on their stomach. Many Seattleites rely on small morning pleasures to transport them back to the happy time of vacations. For myself, I long for the sweet taste of Jambon together with the creamy texture of brie. Thank goodness for Au Bouchon (1815 N. 45th St.) in the Wallingford Center. Perfect omelets, those Croque Madame and Croque Mousier “sandwiches” so popular at French Bistros. Eat al fresco on the patio to feel the Continentalsoul of the restaurant.

In the mood for an Asian flavor? House of Hong (409 8th Ave S), with its superlative dim sum fits the bill. Good for kids with the constant caravan of trolleys providing distracting action. The all day rolling buffet presents a myriad of options with point and be served precision. House of Hong is also a grand spot to people watch.

Special occasion dining is not limited to low lighting. Breakfast offers all the glitz and glamour and allows diners to experience some of the best dinner houses in the area at a fraction of the cost. Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor Ave SW) is one of those spots with a drop dead view of the Seattle skyline that just gets better in the daylight. Layer on an all-you-care-to-eat buffet aimed at pleasing all and you have the makings for a perfect brunch for Aunt Sadie’s 80th birthday or little Joey’s confirmation party. Make sure to get reservations, this popular spot sells out on sunny Sundays. Whey asking for a particular table, many are conflicted – water-side or buffet-side. You may asked to be seated close to the food action to best judge “traffic” flow around the crab and shrimp or the omelet station.

Palisades (2601 W. Marina Pl.) is another brunch spot offering one of the best views of Seattle that can be found at a restaurant. The Sunday morning meal also presents quality options at one of the best bargains in town for a special occasion spot. Select from the menu (eggs Benedict with lobster hollandaise) for table service or select the bread and pastry buffet complete with made-to-order Macadamia Nut pancakes or combine the two to enjoy your meal in the lush tropical surroundings. For less formal fare, Maggie Bluff’s below Palisades presents a good option for dining on the run, or with children.

The venerable Salish Lodge (Snoqualmie Falls, North Bend) has been presenting brunch for decades. Continuing if the tradition of the Lodge, the hearty breakfast which begins with fruit and oatmeal, then moves into pancakes and eggs with bacon and sausage is still offered. However, lighter eating now prevails. The most requested items include the Pike Place omelet, eggs benedict and the French toast. All overlooking the Falls. Whether eating heavy or light, a stroll après breakfast is in order.

Dining with others makes selection of the perfect breakfast option a deal maker or a deal breaker. There are the guests that eat like a bird (all you can eat joints, out); there are friends on special diets, like low carb (pancake pagoda won’t work); there are those vegetarians (let them eat bacon!). A wide and varied menu is critical in keeping the best brunch politically correct. To meet the hearts, minds and bellies of all try Still Life in Fremont (709 N. 35th St.). On one recent sojourn, we enjoyed two perfect omelets, stuffed to the correct amount and not reminding us of a burrito; biscuits and gravy; coffee cake; apple pie and a half turkey sandwich with one of the restaurant’s signature soups.

Sometimes, romance plays into the picture. That being the case check out Rosebud (719 East Pike St.). Thi sexy little spot on Capitol Hill sets the mood with red walls and crooning music. The stuffed French Toast or Fuji apple and Brie omelet seal the deal. Settle into the bold stripped booths to cuddle.

Other times the determination of the breakfast locale is dependent on the mood set the night before.
Pesos’ Kitchen and Lounge (605 Queen Anne Ave., N.) dishes up a “hangover” breakfast full of South of the Border inspiration and heat. Don’t miss the Cheddar cheese and chive biscuits topped with Jalapeño and sausage gravy.

For those who cling to the neighborhood spots, consider these winners:

Greenwood/Greenlake/Phinney Ridge

Mae’s on Phinney Ridge (6412 Phinney Ave N.) recommended: eggs benedict. Kitschy atmosphere
BlueWater (7900 Green Lake Dr. N.) recommended: huge fluffy pancakes, the classic Joe’s scramble
Greenwood Bakery (7227 Greenwood Ave) recommended: Danish and croissants

Wallingford

Patty’s Eggnest (2202 N. 45th) recommended: eggs, of course
Stoneway Café (3620 Stone Way N.) recommended: home fries, biscuits with marmalade
Jitterbug (2114 N 45th St.) recommended: gingerbread waffles
Julia’s in Wallingford (4401 Wallingford) recommended: omelets
Au Bouchon (1815 N. 45th St.) recommended: Croque Madame, Croque Mousier

Fremont & Ballard

Longshoreman's Daughter (3508 Fremont Pl. N.) recommended: Texas eggs
Still Life in Fremont (709 N. 35th St.) recommended: omelets
Vera’s (5417 22 Ave NW) recommended: waffles, the kind with the small holes
The Dish (4358 Leary Way) recommended: biscuits & gravy, pancakes
Salmon Bay Café (5109 Shilshole Ave NW) recommended: omelets, bottomless cup of coffee
Essential Bakery (1604 N. 34th St.) recommended: scones and brewed decaf in a French Press
Bagel Oasis (462 N 36th St.) recommended: omelets with a buttered bagel. Parking on the side.
City Café (4459 Fremont Ave N.) recommended: Breakfast biscuits
Persimmon (4256 Fremont Ave. N.) recommended: crepes, chive biscuits
Hattie’s Hat (5231 Ballard Ave NW)

Capitol Hill

Coastal Kitchen (425 15th Ave E) recommended: “rumbles” (scrambled eggs)
Julia’s (300 Broadway East) recommended: scrambled eggs with Cheddar cheese
Crave (1621 12th Ave.) recommended: biscuits & gravy, Mom’s Overnight French Toast
Glo’s (1621 E. Olive Way) recommended: corned beef hash, eggs benedict
Rosebud (719 East Pike St.) recommended: Fuji apple and Brie omelet, stuffed French Toast

Queen Anne Hill/Magnolia

The 5 Spot (1502 Queen Anne Ave N.) recommended: hash
Sapphire Kitchen & Bar (1625 Queen Anne Ave N.)
Queen Anne Café (2121 Queen Anne Ave N.) recommended: bacon and eggs
Palisade & Maggie Bluffs (2601 W. Marina Pl.) recommended: dress up dining upstairs at Palisade, casual dining below at
Maggie Bluffs. Great view and deck dining.
Salmon Bay Café (5109 Shilshole NW) recommended: steak and eggs
Peso’s Kitchen & Lounge (605 Queen Anne Ave. N.) recommended: biscuits and gravy

West Seattle

Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor Ave SW) recommended: for brunch it’s only a buffet. Outstanding crab and omelets. Don’t pass by the desserts.
Alki Bakery (2738 Alki Ave SW) recommended: baked goods, the white chocolate apricot scones
Alki Café (2726 Alki Ave SW) Waterside brunch at its best
Endolyne Joe’s (9261 45th Ave SW) recommended: kid’s menu
ZATZ A Better Bagel (2348 California SW) recommended: all of the 20 varieties of bagels

Eastlake

Louisa’s Bakery & Café (2379 Eastlake Ave E.) recommended: oatmeal, apple French toast, cinnamon rolls
14 Carrot Café (2305 Eastlake Ave E.) recommended: blueberry muffins, omelets

Lake City

Claire’s Pantry (12360 Lake City Way NE) recommended: 3-egg omelets, Beljian waffles

University

Atlas Foods (2820 NE University Village)
Mom’s (4570 University Village Plaza NE) recommended: pancakes

Madison Park
Madison Park Café (1807 42nd E.) recommended: blintzes, quiche

Northend

Beth’s Café (7317 Aurora Ave N) recommended: eggs, hash browns, bacon & toast. Go for the noisy, smoky atmosphere of this old-time diner
Honey Bear Bakery (Lake Forest Park) recommended: baked goods
Cindy’s House of Pancakes (10507 aurora Ave N.) recommended: pancakes, of course

Downtown

The Cheesecake Factory (700 Pike St., Seattle; 401 Bellevue Square, Bellevue) recommended: down-home-size plates of food
Etta’s Seafood (2020 Western) recommended: Bloody Mary
House of Hong (409 8th Ave S) recommended: anything off those carts
Café Campagne (1600 Post Alley) recommended: French Toast Brioche fried in bourbon egg batter
Maximilien in the Market (81A Pike St.) recommended: crepes and the view
Le Pichet (1933 First Ave.) recommended: coffee, pastry and Champagne by the glass
Five Point Café (415 Cedar St.)

First Hill

Hunt Club at the Sorrento (900 Madison St.)
Cayenne (1100 Broadway) recommended: pecan and banana pancakes, hash with chipotle/horseradish crema

Madrona

Hi Spot Café (1410 34th St.) recommended: Huevos Rancheros, tofu scramble

Worth the Drive

Maltby Café (8809 Maltby Rd., Snohomish) recommended: omelets of all kinds and those cinnamon rolls
Salish Lodge at Snoqualmie Falls (Snoqualmie Falls, North Bend) recommended: Pike Place omelet
The Original Pancake House (130 Park Place Center, Kirkland) recommended: pecan pancakes, banana pancakes

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