Café Presse

Every once in a while I feel minor intimidation toward certain eating establishments in Seattle. Either they've been written up in one too many foodie magazines, their menus are in a chic foreign language, or the wait staff have uncommon piercings and tattoos covering the majority of their visible skin. 

This morning I brunched with my bloggy girlfriend Allie at Café Presse, and it nabbed a spot in all three of the above categories. 

First of all, hellooooo magazine selection. Bless their hearts for alphabetizing—made it a lot easier to find these winners.

Croque Madame. One bite is worth a thousand words. And this iPhone photo is worth about five.

 Ginger Al. Looking sassy is her M.O.

 The go-to mezzo: espresso, steamed soy, H₂O.

 Al's café au lait...

Natural car air freshener. The first lilacs of Spring. Pure love.

free cooking class?

Don't mind if I do.

Pity that I can't stand Italian food...and freshly made pasta? Who eats that?

Please tell me you picked up on the obnoxious sarcasm above. I adore all things Italian and it made me miss me and Erica's little month-long jaunt through Tuscany SO BADLY. 

Jordi Viladas, chef and co-owner of Cafe Lago, put on quite a show tonight, especially when he playfully tossed a slice of pasta dough at another guest, ending in a shattered wine glass and a girl covered in scarlet Cabernet. The show did go on though...and he led us through the basic steps to making fresca pasta...which later became butternut squash ravioli with a browned butter & sage sauce. My heart stopped for a few moments, but then I realized that I cannot, in fact, marry a plate of food.

yes, a vegan donut

It exists. Thank you Mighty-O.

locally made

certified organic ingredients

no chemical preservatives

no hydrogenated oils

no cholesterol

no colorings or artificial flavors

no animal derived ingredients

aka...vegan

Oh, and Zoka, you make a pretty decent latte too. 

Okay, I'll stop the infomercial.

Oh wait, one more glorious thing...

Sweet Linda at Rose à la Mode is giving away a KATE SPADE BAG (aka $325) here.

Seriously go check it out...it is NOT that hard to win, people!

if heaven sold sandwiches...

...they would sell this one.

pork or chicken drugged in marinade • aioli (seasoned mayo) • fresh cilantro • pickled jalapeños • crisp romaine lettuce • caramelized onions.

I wimped out and did not get the #1 legendary grilled pork...but I've had it before,
and the chicken really isn't a fair comparison.

Paseo Caribbean Restaurant boasts the best Cuban sandwiches (or sandwiches in general). Of anywhere. And they're right here in both Ballard and Fremont. Please come visit me so I can take you there. 

quarter of the way...

I turned 25 on Thursday! ...and I feel like a real adult now. Not at all. 

But I do feel like 24 was too much of an even number for me—too well-rounded and easy. 

I think I spent the tail-end of 24 getting irresponsibility out of my system. I could give you a list of all the lame decisions I made in the last year, but that would force the quality of this blog down phenomenally. So instead...here's to 2011, and—for me—a 25th year wrapped in grace and new beginnings. And a pristine point of view...

Kerry Park, Seattle, WA

Citizen Crepes with Mom and Emme pre-birthday

The Citizen Crepe:

Avocado, caramelized onions, roasted asparagus, apple smoked bacon, spinach & goat cheese. Topped with house made crème fraiche...

above image

It's def winter up here. Blah.

Emme and I walked around Queen Anne, took pictures at Kerry Park and Marshall Park, browsed the Fremont Vintage Mall, bought espresso at Fremont Coffee (above), which also happens to serve PBR. Such the hipster beer up here. My gosh.

Birthday night I was surrounded by people I love eating Italian food (@ Assagio...come visit; I will take you). I'd only been here barely a week and already had friends! ...and friends who like things like Vodka Penne! God knows what we need, and He always provides :)