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3 Squares

By Unknown Writer #5

Nov 15, 2000 -- Brunch on the Ship Canal

There is breakfast, and then there is brunch. Breakfast is a meal most of us eat every day, while brunch is thought of as a weekend, or special occasion, sort of meal. Generally speaking, one would expect a different kind of menu for brunch, instead of the usual cereals, pancakes, and eggs, potatoes, meat and grilled bread one finds on the average breakfast menu. And while many restaurants are known for serving breakfast every morning, brunch tends to be served by those restaurants better known for their lunch and dinner menus. Boat Street Cafe (909 NE Boat St. under the University Bridge, 632-4602) is such a restaurant.

While known for its fine lunches and dinners, Boat Street Cafe has carved out a niche for its weekend brunch as well. The menu is simple yet special. It features no fried eggs, but instead is dominated by various preparations of classic poached eggs. Various Benedicts are pleasingly served on a base of crunchy French bread likely to appeal to a certain New Orleans bias. We tried one of them, as well as the souffle, and were quite happy with both. Instead of quantity, like one finds at some breakfast joints, you will find simplicity, richness, and quality which are sure to satisfy. Do not let the "classier" feel of this brunch scare you off, either, as we spent only a few dollars more than we would have for any other breakfast. Give Boat Street Cafe a try on your way to the next Husky or Seahawks home game.

Brunch Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; Lunch Tuesday - Friday, 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; Dinner Wednesday - Saturday, 5:30 - 10 p.m.; no credit cards.

Lunch in Interbay

Conveniently located next to the Dravus Street bridge, Pandasia (1625 W Dravus St., 283-9030) offers the many working people of Interbay, Salmon Bay, Ballard and beyond fine pan-Asian food at a reasonable price. The combination lunches are the most popular at the midday break, and the prices range from $5.20 - $6.95. In addition to your choice of entree, each combination lunch comes with your choice of rice, appetizer, and soup or salad. Choose from mild to spicy, vegetarian or meat-based, Thai, Chinese, or Japanese influence. Personally, I love the Kung Pao chicken, but the menu is diverse and tasty enough that you could try something different every day. Pandasia is known for making its own fresh noodles, too.

If you can't make it to the restaurant, Pandasia will bring your food to you. Their drivers deliver lunch and dinner to Ballard, Greenwood, Phinney Ridge, Fremont, Queen Anne, Magnolia, South Lake Union, and Belltown. They even deliver "Flash Buffet" lunches for offices having lunch meetings and the like.

Open Monday - Thursday, 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.; Sunday brunch 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., dinner 4-9pm; lunch delivery until 1:30 p.m., dinner delivery after 4:45 p.m.

Dinner in "Freelard"

New places for food keep popping up along the decreasingly industrial stretch of Leary Way affectionately known as "Freelard." The latest arrival is Medin's Ravioli Station (4620 Leary Way NW, 789-6680). For those who do not believe in truth in advertising, Medin's does, in fact, serve ravioli--lots of it. The menu offers ravioli filled with beef, cheese, grilled vegetables and even smoked salmon, topped with your choice of four sauces. And then there is the ravioli sampler plate, or the fried ravioli platter, both of which offer you a chance to try a variety of the tasty stuffed pasta. The menu is often supported by a special ravioli of the day.

If your ravioli-loving friends insist on taking you to Medin's, and ravioli is not your bag, do not fear. Chef Bill Medin also serves up some nice sandwiches by day, and interesting dinners by night. The decor is a sort of chic industrial look quite suited to its surroundings. Chef Bill is a copper junkie, and copper is everywhere here. The bar stools are made out of locally-made fire boat pistons originally destined for New York City, and the bar itself is heated. Frankly, the place itself is a work of art worth checking out. And the prices are easy on the budget.

Open Monday for lunch only, 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Tuesday - Thursday 11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m., Friday 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Saturday 5 - 10 p.m. Closed Sunday.

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