Two Cozy Seattle Spots

We did a lot this weekend, and yet, it feels like we accomplished very little. I think buying a new (used) car took up most of it. We were rear-ended a few months back and recently found out that the repairs would cost more than the market value, so we took the settlement and bought a new car. It is very Pacific-Northwest. We got a 2007 Volvo XC70. The XC is for "Cross Country" which is plastered on the bumper so you can't miss it. Josh pointed out to me when I started planning when I would do groceries that on my next run, I will be driving a Volvo wagon to Whole Foods to pick up my organic grains and kale for the week. I've really given in to this PNW life. This car will be in our adventures for a long time, but it was not the reason for the post.

With the recent gloomy days, I've been yearning to try warm, cozy, glowing spots to hang out by the fire or gaze out the window at the rain. So on Friday night, we had a date night at Frelard Pizza Company in - you guessed it - Frelard (portmanteau of Fremont and Ballard because it sits between both neighborhoods). We bike or drive by it every Sunday on the way to Ballard Farmer's Market (again, #PNWlife) and keep saying we are going to eat there one night. It was everything I wanted in a gourmet pizza place: crunchy wood-fired crust, strong garlicky flavor, fresh ingredients, a hoppy local craft beer selection, and gas fireplaces between picnic tables. We did a half Funghi (mushroom/thyme) and half Veggie Bomb (grape tomatoes, zucchini, olive, pepper, red onion, mushroom). In writing this, I found out that Frelard Pizza is part of the Ethan Stowell family, which includes Tavolata and How to Cook a Wolf. Since we already have made our way through a handful of Renee Erickson's restaurants (The Carpenter and the Walrus, The Whale Wins, General Porpoise...), I guess I have my new year's diet resolutions now. Good luck to those suckers who are doing Whole 30 all January.

On Sunday, we had brunch at The Fat Hen in Ballard/Phinney Ridge. It is "cozy" both in the way that real estate brokers talk about a 3-bedroom, 900 square foot craftsman, but more importantly, in its vintage farmhouse decor with its white-washed shiplap counter, raw wood exposed beam ceiling, and even the little white and blue ceramic teapots. It is freaking adorable.

While it was a bit of a wait, they were super nice, you can place your coffee/drink order in the queue next to your name, and the food is totally worth it. Josh had a pancetta benedict with fingerling potatoes and a green salad, I had the Alla Boscaiola egg bake (two eggs in tomato with sausage, mushroom, mozzarella; pictured above), we split a Levain Toast with house made ricotta and jam, and each had a pot of earl grey tea. It was really lovely. The egg bake was the thing I came for and I was almost crushed when they said they ran out of tomato sauce, but the chef found more just in time to order. It goes by a couple of names in real life - either "eggs in purgatory" or "shakshuka" (which is a little more specific in flavor). No matter what you call it, it's delicious and you'll want to scoop up every last bit with a baguette. I will be back for the Dungeness Crab benedict.

Even if we didn't do our budget or laundry, we found a car and a couple new spots we love, so I'd say this weekend was a success.