Coastal Kitchen

Coastal Kitchen
429 15th Ave E
Seattle, WA 98112
(206) 322-1145

Seven out of Ten


Having a unique, but limited, menu the Coastal Kitchen had some of the tastiest and well spiced food we have tasted to date. Always crowded, with a long wait that grows quickly, the service here was friendly but inattentive. The ambiance was a combination of typical Capital Hill art and a take on the changing theme, which was currently Roman. But it is clearly the food that holds this place together as a neighborhood favorite breakfast spot.

I had the mushroom Swiss omelet, made with two types of mushrooms locally grown, and fresh chives. Fruit was substituted for toast, and the Orange juice was fresh squeezed from the market. She had the classic EMPT. The potatoes were spicy and delicious and the most noteworthy part of the meal.

Kid friendly, and a great cup of coffee (when you can get it filled) round out a wonderful tasting breakfast. The wait is well recommended.

Breakfast At Home

Since finding out I had Celiac disease, we have experimented extensively with both available products and homemade foods to determine what wheat items can be replaced and what will just be missed. For example, a warm and chewy NY style bagel with whipped cream cheese is just something I have to live without, as is a sandwich on crusty baguette from Salumi's. Some things, however, are easy to make and hard to detect that they are gluten free. Fortunately, for breakfast, pancakes and waffles are one of the replaceable ones. They are just not available on any menu that I know of, except at home. Of course I love the ambiance of this place (home) because of the sweeping city views and soaring ceilings. There really is nowhere else I would rather be or eat, but the service here is, well, not so attentive.

Besides the gluten free waffles, this breakfast had two other special ingredients. Lately, we have been frequenting the University Farmer's market. We have become very enamored with the fresh organic eggs and chickens from one vendor. When we first found him, he asked if we had ever tried his product before. When we told him we had not, he told us that we were in for some big trouble, because now we will never be able to eat anything but. He was pretty accurate. The quality of the product is just so fresh. I can not wait to try his duck early in the summer. For this breakfast, we had fresh organic eggs from the farmer's market.

The second ingredient we have come to enjoy very much is the bacon we got from Wooly Pigs. We first heard about this place from our daughter who interviewed them for a school journalism piece, but later have read about them in Seattle Magazine. Their story is fascinating and their product is incredible. We certainly will never taste pork roast in the same way. Their bacon is just as good, with a thick, chewy and meatier taste. We have done a couple of Mangaliste roasts, but this was the first taste of the bacon, and we are now fans as well.

As much as we love the convenience and ease of breakfast out, there always is no place like home. Its the best way to insure the meal is gluten free and tastes great.

Le Pichet

Le Pichet
1933 1st Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 256-1499
www.lepichetseattle.com

Eight out of Ten


I have to admit that I am completely partial to Le Pichet. It is one of our absolute most favorite restaurants in the city. We have had so many good meals and so many good nights here. It is very hard to separate out all of our great dinner experiences from the breakfast experience. Although there is a limited breakfast menu, and this is far from your classic American breakfast by any means, the food prepared, the great coffee, and the whole experience make this another place easy to recommend.

The ambiance of Le Pichet is very enjoyable. A classic small french bistro done impeccably well. The sights and smells always captivate here. The menu, although limited for a breakfast meal, somehow satisfies. The food is perfectly prepared and presented. I ordered the ham, eggs, and Gruyere prepared under the broiler. I left well satisfied. The Orange juice is squeezed at the bar, and is a great addition to the meal.

This is a very enjoyable place to simply sit, read the paper, or people watch, all with a common thread of really great food. Not quite as good for breakfast as it is for dinner, Le Pichet still provides a breakfast that makes me proud to be downtown.

Elephant & Castle

Elephant & Castle
1415 5th Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 624-99772
www.elephantcastle.com

Three out of Ten


For some reason, I feel tricked. I feel tricked because from the outside this place doesn't look like just another hotel restaurant, but once you get inside you immediately figure it out. I then feel tricked again, because for some reason I thought they could deliver an English breakfast. The Elephant & Castle was disappointing serving below average hotel quality food and bad imitation decor. Cold beans and canned mushrooms made for a horrible imitation English breakfast. Although the coffee was good, and the service attentative, this is not the place to start your day.

Cyclops

Cyclops
2421 1st Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 441-1677
http://www.cyclopsseattle.com/

Four out of Ten


A Belltown institution for years, Cyclops provides decent food at a decent price. Weak service with a strong attitude is made up for by kitchy decor (elvis shrine anyone?) and unique style. This style translates down to the menu choices and food prep...in a good way.

I ordered the 8-Ball omelet (chicken, green onion, swiss, mushroom) and she had the E/P/T. The potatoes are uniquely prepared with a long grilling for an almost roasted taste. The omelet was pleasantly fluffy and tasty. The food made up for the morning service. Hey, I'm sorry your job starts at 9am on Sunday, but please don't take it out on me. Our coffee cups spent more time empty than with coffee too.

This is a unique place to grab a bite, and a fun place to see inside and out. Easy parking on Sunday morning, and a nice menu. You can do much worse.

Lowell's

Lowell's
1519 Pike Pl
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 622-2036

Two out of Ten

Lowell's offers cafeteria service and cafeteria class food aimed squarely at tourists, but I wouldn't recommend this to anyone, even an out of town tourist. In the heart of Pike Place Market, and offering enormous seating on three levels, the only positive thing to be said about this place, other than the location and longevity, is there a very nice sound views. But it is just as easy to find these views elsewhere, especially if you are looking for a decent meal or something beyond serve yourself.

Nestled inside Pike Place market, ordering begins by walking in the correct door right into line. There is a pretty limited menu, and the people behind you would prefer you not to spend too much time deciding. You place your order, receive a number, and then you go and choose your seat. You pour your own coffee (and we had to go down stairs for any), and gather your own flatware. Somehow the food finds you...but we probably would have rather it not have found us.

The food is pretty awful, and both of us were not feeling very well afterwards. We both got the same thing (hmmm.....) the classic EMPT. No spices on the potatoes, runny eggs, and basically not a very pleasant experience (except for the view of course).

When finished, at least you are in the market, but the market offers plenty of better alternatives. I would not recommend.

14 Carrot Cafe

14 Carrot Cafe
2305 Eastlake Ave E
Seattle, WA 98102
(206) 324-1442

Five out of Ten


Full of neighborhood charm and breakfast served all day, 14 Carrot is a breakfast spot that we have actually gone to over and over again. Introduced to me by Ethan, my restaurant and spelling mentor, 14 Carrot has a really good cup of coffee, a total lack of pretentiousness, and a great assortment of omelets prepared well and served quickly.

I am finally getting around to blogging 14 Carrot, after having been there multiple times in the last year. This place seems to be one of the first places that comes up when asked, "where should we go?". In the heart of east lake union, 14 Carrot is part neighborhood joint part great place to take visitors. There is ample seating and always a flurry of activity. Half the menu is on chalkboards scattered around the place, which means you pretty much could get eggs with anything you want. I'm not sure what their specialty would be, other than a good endless cup of coffee and fairly attentive service.

14 Carrot is just a great neighborhood place that we find ourselves winding up at all the time. The food, although nothing to rave about, hits the spot. And with the extensive menu, you can find any combination of stuff you are craving. This is a great place to start the day.