Best of the City 2009
The Global Edition
Edited by Jessica VoelkerWith contribution from Eric Scigliano, Kathryn Robinson, Karen Quinn, Matthew Halverson, Alex Girma, James Ross Gardner, Kelley Frodel, Laura Cassidy, and Steve Wiecking
Shopping
Euro Kids Shoes
Inspired by the locals she knows who travel the world and demand the very best in European shoe design, Karen Garland, owner of PLUM CHILDREN’S SHOES in Madison Valley, put together a sweet, sparkly collection of children’s footwear imported from top-quality designers and leather manufacturers. It could be dangerous to foster certified shoe addiction at the tender age of two, but that’s the price you pay for well-heeled, worldly tots. Plum Children’s Shoes, 2913 E Madison St, Madison Valley, 206-322-7011; www.plumshoes.com
Bavarian Meats
When Lynn Hofstatter’s German grandfather Max arrived in Seattle, he pined for the meats of home. Relatives sent recipes, and in 1961 he opened up shop in Pike Place Market. A year later the wieners from BAVARIAN MEATS AND EUROPEAN DELI made their international debut at the 1962 World’s Fair. Nine years after that, Lynn and twin sister Lyla were born and joined their mother on car trips to the meat-packing plant cradled in Bavarian Meats cardboard boxes. Today Lynn lords over both plant and retail shop, a tiny storefront bursting with sausage links, Landjaeger (a beef, pork, and pepperoni snack that Hofstatter calls “an old-school Powerbar”), and imported candies and condiments. Bavarian Meats and European Deli, 1920 Pike Pl, Pike Place Market, 206-441-0942; www.bavarianmeats.com
European Party Treats
Now an in-the-know pre-party destination for Seattle’s global gourmands, BIG JOHN’S PFI started back in 1971, when (Big) John Croce began selling imported Spanish olive oil out of (big) white buckets. You can still find the world’s best oils at the no-nonsense warehouse store in SoDo, along with cheddars, fetas, and goudas by the pound, bulk spices, and those prettily packaged panettone breads that Italians are always offering each other at Christmastime. Big John’s PFI, 1001 Sixth Ave S, SoDo, 206-682-2022; www.bigjohnspfiseattle.com
DIY Paella Supplies
Authentic Spanish paella calls for absorbent short-grain rice; a rich, smoky paprika; and a shallow pan for quick cooking—things that Steve Winston struggled to source when he came back to Seattle in 1994 after a vacation in Spain. The next year he opened the SPANISH TABLE, and started selling these and other Iberian specialty items. Together with wife Sharon Baden, he has since opened three outposts in California and New Mexico, but the Seattle location remains the heart of the operation. The Spanish Table, 1426 Western Ave, Downtown, 206-682-2827; www.spanishtable.com
Korean Grocery Store
When the New York–based grocery chain H MART opened its Lynnwood branch last year, it no doubt had the local Korean population in mind (about 4,500 people, as of the 2000 census). But the well-scrubbed produce, precisely butchered meats, and hard-to-find ingredients for home pickling endeavors (big-time foodie fad) soon turned it into a global destination, where Indian moms buy mangoes alongside twentysomethings stocking up for sushi-rolling parties. Do not miss the food court, where you’ll find Beard Papa’s cream puffs and soondubu, a Korean tofu stew that comes flanked by saucer-sized sides: spicy kimchee, crunchy seaweed salad, a little fried fish, head still attached. H Mart, 3301 184th St, Lynnwood, 425-776-0858; www.hmart.com
Indian Food and Films
In fact three distinct stores, MAYURI FOOD AND VIDEO is a sit-down bakery and chaat stand, serving Indian desserts—eggless cakes, pineapple pastries—and street foods like puris and goat-meat samosas; a DVD and VHS shop stocking movies in Tamil, Hindi, and English; and a grocery store with an inventory aimed straight at authentic Indian cooking—imported chutneys and ghee, a dozen varieties of bulk lentil, and those round metal boxes for storing your cardamom and curry leaves. Mayuri Food and Video, 2560 152nd Ave NE, Ste A, Redmond, 425-861-3800; www.mayurifamily.com
Russian Deli
Crossroads Shopping Center is home to an odd collection of emporia: A Half Price Books, an express branch of King County Library System, a food court with a South Indian dosa stand, and FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE —a deli where Slavs salivate over smoked fishes, fresh sausages, and imported rye breads. At Easter and Christmas, owner and operator Tatyana Dzhafarova bakes traditional cakes and breads, an indispensable resource for Russian expats who want to recreate the holidays of home. FRWL attracts nostalgic Western Europeans as well; they come seeking imported wines, German chocolate, and brightly wrapped candies from all over the continent. From Russia with Love, 15600 NE Eighth St, Ste K16, Bellevue, 425-401-2093; www.frwldeli.com
Mexican Butcher
CARNICERIA EL PAISANO owners Jose and Patricia Silva keep it real inside their Mexican meatery, where Latinos line up for thin cuts of beef, smoked pork chops, and, says Patricia, “every part of the goat.” Over at ROSTICERIA Y COCINA EL PAISANO, the couple prepares spicy dishes featuring the proteins they butcher next door, plus the city’s most succulent and spicy take-away rotisserie chickens. Carniceria El Paisano, 9629 15th Ave SW, White Center, 206-767-5526. Rosticeria y Cocina El Paisano, 9615 15th Ave SW, White Center, 206-763-0368
Next: More places to go shopping
Published: July 2009
• ARRIVALS
Jenny Klimenkoff
Birthplace Vladivostok, Russia
Came to Seattle June 2002
Occupation Part Owner, Far 4
Listen to Jenny tell her arrival story:
I grew up in Vladivostok, in Russia, which is in the far east of Russia, seven time zones from Moscow. When I was 13, I moved to Moscow for high school. I lived with my grandmother, who was very strict. But then again my parents were strict, too, so it doesn’t really matter, it’s all the same. But my dad and stepmom live here, so I have been coming here since I was seven.
I remember the first time I came. I was with my dad, and we stopped by a supermarket to get groceries. I couldn’t understand why the lights were so bright. Everything was so colorful, and there was so much food. When I graduated from high school in Moscow, my parents wanted me to come here for a year to go to the UW.
When I first came here it was very hard for me to get used to the fact that everyone was smiling all of the time. No one smiles in Russia. Seattle has much friendlier people, and infinitely better customer service. But I thought, Jeans all the time? I just couldn’t handle it! And the weather was gray, and everyone was dressing in gray and black. Now I see more color, and definitely more interesting personal style. I do appreciate that Seattle is kind of laid back, and what I consider small-city feeling. I guess another thing that I really love about Seattle is the coffee scene. I love it, I love it. —Audio collected by Dan Lamont
Far 4, 1020 First Ave, Downtown, 206-621-8831; www.far4.net
That’s Great..
Loved learning about the international sports: hurling, aussie rules f’ball….awesome piece.
We LOVE Jae Hun Kim’s Tae Kwon Do Studio! Ms. Perrin’s an awesome instructor who teaches the kids patience, respect and confidence. Can’t wait to see the whole troop marching in the Wallingford Kiddies Parade this weekend.
To volunteer for the Japanese Lantern Floating Ceremony, please contact: fhthvolunteers@gmail.com
We have volunteer slots from 10 am to Midnight for whatever length of time you may give, especially during the set-up process!
Your help is invaluble to our success!
Thanks
Sharon I love your approach to hair, I absolutely wish more of our clients would look at it that way! Then we’d have twice the business (: