Food & Drink
Urban Safari: Madrona
A peaceful hilltop neighborhood nestled between Lake Washington and the Central District
By Eran Afner December 31, 1969
This article originally appeared in the October 2010 issue of Seattle magazine.
This peaceful hilltop neighborhood nestled between Lake Washington and the Central District is best known for local faves such as the Hi Spot (killer breakfasts), St. Clouds (delicious all day long) and the Madrona Ale House (as popular with kids as with grownups). But several new shops and restaurants along 34th Avenue between Pike and Spring streets provide even more reasons to head to this charming ’hood.
EAT + DRINK
Sleek, inviting new arrival BOTTLEHOUSE wine bar (1416 34th Ave.; 206.962.1619) specializes in local varietals with a rotating selection of locally brewed beers. The bite-sized menu includes small-batch cured meats from Salumi, artisan cheeses, and local High 5 pies and Bluebird ice cream. Downstairs, WILRIDGE WINERY (1416 34th Ave.; 206.325.3051), Seattle’s oldest continuously operated winery (founded in 1988), offers tours, tastings and sales. Portage (of Queen Anne) owners Vuong and Tricia Loc opened JUNE (1423 34th Ave.; 206.323.4000) in May. The thoroughly fantastic Vietnamese and French-driven menu features Northwest-sourced meats and fish. For a taste of Turkey, head to BISTRO TURKUAZ (1114 34th Ave.; 206.324.3039), where the cozy atmosphere is complemented by savory Mediterranean fare. CAFÉ SOLEIL (1400 34th Ave.; 206.325.1126) offers a tasty weekend brunch, and robust Ethiopian eats take over the menu at dinnertime. Grab a plush window booth—with daybed seating—and an order of “country style” pad thai at NAAM THAI CUISINE (1404 34th Ave.; 206.568.6226). And, of course, stop in at VÉRITÉ COFFEE (1101 34th Ave.; 206.709.4497), home of the original CUPCAKE ROYALE, for Stumptown coffee and a sweet seasonal treat.
SHOP (+ SWEAT)
DRIFTWOOD (1130 34th Ave.; 206.941.6828) consignment shop carries an artfully curated mix of designer shoes and clothing for women. Find more secondhand treasures, and a few new items, at ARTRADINA’S (1123 34th Ave.; 206.325.5399) tiny “thriftique,” full of vintage jewelry, hats, china, clothing and more. Superhip HITCHCOCK MADRONA (1406 34th Ave.; 206.838.7173) specializes in one-of-a-kind jewelry by local designers like Xenia Mara Designs and Regina Chang. (The shop temporarily closed for the owner’s maternity leave, but is reopening November 3rd.) At GLASSYBABY’s store and studio (3406 E Union St.; 206.568.7368), a total of 30 blowers work to meet the demand for their popular votive vases—check the website for the even more popular seconds sale. DÉCOR ON 34th (1421 34th Ave.; 206.219.1500) carries lamps, pillows, art and accessories for the home. JUNIPER (3314 E Spring St.; 206.838.7496) boutique carries clothing, bags and home wares by designers with sustainable practices, including Seattleites Victoria Simons and Mia Fioravanti. Follow the trail of tiny clothes up the stairs to BUGGY (1422 34th Ave., Unit C; 206.325.5999), which moved from Beacon Hill in 2009 and sells new and gently used attire (including Portland designer Little Lark) for babies, tod
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