Coastal Kitchen

A traveling neighborhood menu

Moroccan menu accompanied by a belly dancer; Deep South menu with a gospel choir; or, even, recordings of the Haitian combination of French and Spanish playing in the bathrooms; these are the different incarnations of the Coastal Kitchen.

Jeremy Hardy, owner of the Coastal Kitchen says his goal is to "reinvent ourselves four times a year." He does this by exploring the cuisine and cultures of different coastal regions. He pays attention to all the little details to create an authentic setting and atmosphere for customers to enjoy the food.

250 Northwest artists are notified in advance to help create an appropriate art show. When exploring the Palmetto Coast (Georgia and the Carolinas), Hardy imported Palmetto Beer to his restaurant to raise the authenticity level. The Coastal Kitchen is an excellent place for locals to experience far away lands.

Don't worry, if you take a date to the Coastal Kitchen and don't enjoy Spicy Cajun Andoulle Sausage or Caribbean Pulled Chicken, half of the menu is maintained as a constant standard. While exploring these other regions, Hardy always keeps ties to Seattle and the Pacific Northwest in the restaurant.

The Coastal Kitchen has its share of loyal regulars. Why? The restaurant strives to be a valuable part of the neighborhood. The Coastal Kitchen has held fundraising nights for locals such as The Meaney School, The NW AIDS Project, The Red and Black Book Store on 15th Ave, Independent Filmmakers, and the Book It Theater.   Members of Soundgarden and Nirvana; actors Diane Keaton and Tom Skerrit have all eaten here. Award winning playwright August Wilson is a regular.

March 2nd this year, the Coastal Kitchen held a fundraiser for local film maker Erik Hamen's project, Love My Guts. Fifty per cent of the proceeds from the night's dinner rush will be applied to his production and promotion costs. This is a sign of a place with a traveling menu which never left, nor forgot its home.

Hardy attributes the diverse yet unified nature of the restaurant to its neighborhood-- 15th Ave between Capitol Hill and Madrona-- and enjoys supporting it.

Where: The Coastal Kitchen, 429 15th Ave E
Owner: Jeremy Hardy and Peter Levy, (206) 322-1145