Seattle Afternoon-Eating at the Alley at the Bite of Seattle
Sitting on the back porch of an house in Lake Union. The sun has burnt through this morning’s haze and the sky is blue and summery. My stepson and his wife have an entire ecosystem of birds they feed in their backyard. Watching the groups of sparrows swarm to the bird feeder, the hummingbirds, the comings and goings of five Stellar blue jays between the feeder and the peanuts they leave on the porch, and the careful approach of one bold pigeon to all this largess, it is easy to think yourself into some prehistoric watering hole.
Spent the afternoon at the Bite of Seattle. Friday afternoon-perfect time to go, like going to a matinee. We walked there, about a mile and walked home, burning, no doubt, all of the calories we’d ingested. We ate at The Alley—seven restaurant tastes on one plate. The line took 15 minutes and, while you waited, you got to chat with Tom Douglas while he grilled the chicken.
For me, the standout was the “Ancient” Roman Meatballs. Small meatballs simmered in red wine, honey, and spices, no tomato. Delicious. I wanted to go back in line again, just for another serving. Halibut, some sun-dried tomatoes, a spinach leaf, and a cooked shrimp surprise at the bottom of some really smooth Dijon cream sauce. The cherry-glazed chicken was juicy and slightly sweet. The bacon-wrapped scallop on a melon relish was also I want to make at home.