The Endive Chronicles

I was still attempting to convince my brain it was morning (think giant cup of coffee), when the phone rang last Monday. On the other end of the line was Phil with the happy news that would change our lives; after four years, we are moving back to Washington this May.

We have spent the last four years living in the Hamptons on the eastern end of Long Island and have never quite managed to make it feel like home. A northwest cliche through and through; I was a flannel clad teen who started mainlining espresso at the age of twelve (she types while chugging a giant cup of Italian Roast) . Like many northwesterners I have salmon in my blood, Hendrix on the brain and drizzling rain in my soul. With such strong feelings you may be surprised to find that for most of my life I took it all for granted. It took leaving to make me realize just how much I love my home.

For this weeks post, I have compiled an extremely paired down list of my favorite markets, restaurants and treats in the Puget Sound area to share with you. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

1.) Manzo Bros. Produce, Pike Place Market- I love these guys. They have wonderful produce and offer their customers a dose of good humored ribbing. We plan to live nearby and are excited to have them as our regular produce guys.

2.) La Panier, Pike Place Market- There’s nothing like getting to the Market before it opens and sitting down to a jambon mornay pastry and cafe au lait while watching the vendors as they set up. This was our favorite way to spend a Saturday morning. At Christmas I received the Pike Place Market Cookbook and found that was also the description of the author’s favorite “Market Moment”, I actually got a bit teary.

3.) Bizzaro Italian Cafe, Wallingford- I first ate dinner here at the age of twelve and found it to be a bit of a culinary awakening. I was so enthusiastic about my meal I thanked the chef personally. He was amused, yet pleased to have acquired a twelve year old fan.

4.) Chutney’s Bistro, Wallingford- This place gets a lot of flak from other bloggers, but I love it. For a simple comforting meal nothing beats their tandoori chicken and daal. They also have a lovely vindaloo and some great vegetarian options. Phil is totally hooked on the daal. I had to come up with a similar version to ease his withdrawals.

5.) Tacoma Boys, 6th Ave Tacoma- I love browsing through their beautiful produce while Phil drools over their butchers counter unable to decide because it all looks so wonderful. They usually have a great selection of heirloom vegetables.

6.) Teriyaki Yamato, Twin Lakes- The teriyaki shop is to the Puget Sounder what the deli is to the New Yorker. I got hooked on this place by my friend Carrie when we were in high school. I still think Teriyaki Yamato is one of the best places around.

7.) El Mercado Latino, Post Alley- This shop sells mainly South and Central American goods, but has a good selection of African items as well. I shop here for the quince paste, dried chilies and yerba mate.

8.) Chili Pepper Restaurant, Wallingford- I discovered this amazing restaurant with my mother the day before we moved to New York and I have been pining for it ever since. They have the best chili rellanos I have ever had and salsa that deserves some sort of medal for deliciousness.

9.) Marlene’s Market & Deli, Federal Way and Tacoma- I have been coming to Marlene’s for nearly 20 years. When I was 12 my siblings and I were grounded for skipping mass to go there for lattes. This shop caters to those searching for natural food and goods, I love it for the deli. My favorites are the avocado delight sandwich, curried quinoa salad, rosemary diamante and chicken salad. They also make the best lip balm; my favorite is the Vegan Peppermint.

10.) Market Spice, Pike Place Market- Although the selection and quality of their spices are amazing, it’s not what draws me here. What brings me in is their signature tea, with it’s unique orangey spiciness. I can’t get enough of it and have even had my sister ship it to me.

11.) Uwajimaya, International District- This is the largest Asian grocer in the United States and one of the coolest places to shop. Uwajimaya has everything from my beloved coconut Pocky and eels swimming in a tank to aku and zenmai. A friend’s mother actually flies in for the day from the Midwest just to shop here.

12.) Esquin Wine Merchant, Sodo- We have discovered some really wonderful bottles of wine thanks to the Saturday wine tastings here. The people on staff here are serious about wine and I owe a lot of my knowledge to them.

13.) Sourdough Bread That’s Actually Sour, Everywhere- I learned the hard way that the climate on the west coast is more condusive to making a really great loaf of sourdough. Go figure! I always thought the key factor was having a mature starter, but as usual in baking there are many other factors.

14.) Three Girls Bakery, Pike Place Market- First and foremost, they have great sourdough. Their sandwiches, cookies, bars and pastries are out of this world as well.

15.) Pho- I love the fact that next to teriyaki, pho is one of the most commonly found meals in the Puget Sound area. If a pho shop sells Vietnamese pork sandwiches as well, I’m sunk.

16.) Gino’s Bistro, Twin Lakes- Gino’s is a great neighborhood restaurant with a good solid menu, but I don’t go there to order from the menu. Gino’s specials are always inventive, delicious and in high demand. He has a grilled lamb dish that will knock your socks off. There is an area in which Gino truly excels, his soups. If I were to drown in a vat of his roasted red pepper soup at least you’d know I went out happy. Gino has given me several recipes, but I still can’t get this one out of him.

17.) Sam’s Taqueria, Puyallup- Sam’s is one of the best places I have ever eaten. Attached to a Tessoro station, Sam’s is often overlooked by people who assume because it is in a gas station it has to be bad. They serve amazing authentic burritos, tortas, tacos and tamales that are made by people who really know their stuff. The ingredients are fresh and delicious; I won’t eat a taco from anywhere else.

18.) Spooner’s Berry Farm, Puyallup-I love this place. They sell a beautiful array of berries to choose from, one of which is the kotata berry (boysen/logan/blackberry hybrid), a personal favorite.

19.) City Kitchen’s, Seattle- The selection, quality and prices are amazing. I got my first set of pots and pans (All-Clad) here several years ago for half off! I have been a devotee ever since. Their knife selection is something to behold.

20.) Broadway Market, Tacoma- When I worked in the Bostwick building downtown Tacoma, on Thursdays I’d get off work and pop over for some fresh veggies or a bundle of flowers. It was a wonderfully cheery way to end the day.

21.) Mama’s Mexican Kitchen, Belltown- I am totally obsessed with the prawn and cilantro quesadillas they serve here. They go perfectly with the Patron margaritas Mama’s is so well known for.

22.) Souk, Pike Place Market - I discovered this Pike Place institution about ten years ago while hunting down a bottle of pomegranate molasses. I love to load up on spices here when I’m in town. I even lugged the heaviest mortar and pestle in existence that I bought here back to New York with me three years ago.

23.) Sausages with Cream Cheese, Outside the Showbox, J.M.Cafe and other various locations- I have tried to explain this creamy, sausagey guilty pleasure to people out here, but it is something that really has to be experienced.

24.) Indochine, Federal Way and Tacoma- This restaurant holds a special place in my heart as Phil and I had our first date here. Their fresh spring rolls are packed with herbs and veggies instead of iceberg lettuce and rice noodles making for a much more flavorful treat. Their ginger chili chicken is another favorite. This was our go to meal for nights we didn’t feel like cooking.

25,) Shiro’s, Belltown- My favorite here has to be the flying fish roe sushi. I love how the roe pops in your mouth, like Pop Rocks for adults. Phil loves Shiro’s so much he seems to turn into Shamu as soon as our order arrives. I’ve never seen someone eat so enthusiastically.

There you have it, my painfully paired down list of favorite Puget Sound area markets, restaurants and treats. I hope you enjoyed your taste of what my Puget Sound is like.

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