Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BASTILLE CAFE & BAR
FRENCH
$$
(
www.bastilleseattle.com
;
5307 Ballard Ave NW; mains $17-24; 4:30pm-midnight, to 1am Fri &
Sat, brunch 10am-3pm Sun; 17)
S
French but not at all faux, Bastille could easily pass
for a genuine Parisian bistro if it weren't for the surfeit of American accents. First
there's the decor: beautiful white tiles juxtaposed with black wood, mirrors and chande-
liers. Then there's the menu:
moules
(mussels),
frites
(real French fries), rabbit paté,
oysters and steak (all sourced locally).
WALRUS & THE CARPENTER
SEAFOOD
$$
( 206-395-9227;
www.thewalrusbar.com
;
4743 Ballard Ave NW; dishes $8-12; 4pm-close;
17)
Puget Sound waters practically bleed oysters and - arguably - there isn't a better
place to knock 'em back raw with a glass of wine or two than the Walrus, a highly con-
genial oyster bar named not after a Beatles song but a poem by Lewis Carroll in
Through the Looking Glass
. The accolades (like the customers) keep flying in.
LOCKSPOT CAFE
SEAFOOD, DIVE BAR
$$
( 206-789-4865;
www.thelockspotcafe.com
;
3005 NW 54th St; mains $10-15; 8am-late;
62)
The Lockspot is a throwback to Old Ballard, before the attempted gentrification. Sit
down with the potty-mouthed fishermen and antediluvian grandpas for classic greasy-
spoon fare. Even better, order fish and chips from the walk-up window outside and take
them over to Hiram M Chittenden Locks to watch the boats go by.
LA ISLA
PUERTO RICAN
$$
( 206-789-0516; 2320 NW Market St; starters from $4, mains $12-17; 11:30am-2am; 40)
What started as a food stand at Fremont Sunday Market has become this always-packed
little cafe, offering possibly the only Puerto Rican cuisine in the area. As a starter, try
the empanadillas ($4; little fried dough pockets filled with your choice of shrimp,
pulled pork, garlicky potatoes, cheese, tofu, chicken or beef).
Better yet, the enormous
pernil
(pulled pork) platter ($15) has a huge pile of juicy
meat alongside saucy rice, beans, avocados and cheese, plus a couple of piquant sauces.
It's hard to beat - you'll be eating it for hours and still be sad when it's gone.
RAY'S BOATHOUSE
SEAFOOD
$$$
