Bastille in Seattle
Two weeks into a three week road trip and we had done it. We reached our most northern destination, that destination was ‘Sunny Seattle.’ Of course we all know Seattle's reputation for its slightly less than perfect weather, but we experienced seventy-five degree days, locals running, kayaking, and just generally out and about on the streets enjoying the pristine days. This being my first time in Seattle, I will gladly take it at face value. Jayme, my partner in action, and former Seattlite knew all the great must see sights that Seattle had to offer: Gas Works Park, the Space Needle, and Capital Hill are timeless, but restaurants change. It’s always great to have a local point you in the right direction. With our good friend and Seattle resident Jen on board, we decided to hit up Bastille Café & Bar.
Bastille is one of the most striking and vibrant French bistros we had ever been to outside of France. The ivory bricks, black accents, coupled with a touch of mahogany transports you to a sexy 1920’s Paris metro stop. The careful crafting of the open kitchen, dinning room, and bar seems so effortless. Anything that appears that effortless no doubt took countless hours and a vision of imperfect perfection. Owners, Deming Maclise and James Weimann didn’t cut corners in making their vision a reality. The openness of the bistro is what makes Bastille initially so inviting, but it’s Chef Jason Stoneburner’s inspired local take on French Bistro classics that will make you keep coming back.
Culinary great and American food icon James Beard once said; “Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods; and good bread with fresh butter, the greatest of feasts.” He, of course, is right on both accounts. However, had he indulged in Bastille’s Mushroom Morel toast topped with a poached egg and pickled green garlic fava bean pesto, he probably would have been in speechless ecstasy. We on the other-hand did indulge, and it was magnifique.
Bastille Café & Bar’s morel mushroom toast is beyond transformative. It takes you on a journey through a nearby Washington forest. Fresh local morels lend a sumptuous earthy aroma and a slightly firm yet spongy texture to this dish. A perfectly poached egg takes what is in essence mushroom toast to another level of richness. When the yolk coats the mushrooms and seeps like a lava flow into that garlic butter pool below, you’ll know what true food decadence is.
Having foodie friends point you in the right direction of great dining spots makes traveling that much easier and more enjoyable. When in Seattle, do the tourist thing, check out the Fremont Troll, marvel at the fish tossers at Pike Place Market, but when it comes to dining, do as the locals do, and dine at Bastille Café & Bar.
