Poppy

Price: $$$
Thoughts: ☆☆☆☆☆
Poppy: Menu

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My friend CJ recommended trying this place out, so I made a note of it in the back of my mind (which is filled with too many other places recommended to eat at) to try this place out. They were also featured on the Food Network, a channel that is a must have to give myself an excuse for calling myself a food enthusiast (or at least an eating enthusiast).

Located at the northern outskirts of Capitol Hill it could be easily passed over for it's very low-key exterior. However, the interior was very well furnished, and very clean with a very tall ceiling that exposed the ceiling beams. It was almost like the owner wanted to create this little dichotomy.

We arrived just around when the happy hour had started and seated ourselves at the bar. Glancing through the menu, we spotted oysters and knew we had to get them. Fresh kumomoto oysters from Willapa Bay and poached oysters served with bacon. The waiter was nice enough to add an extra oyster on both orders as they are normally served in sets of three.


half shell kumomoto oysters with anise hyssop ice

The heat outside may have also added to the appeal of this dish as well. Served over a bed of ice, and fresh cold oysters that went very well with the herbal taste from the side of ice.


poached oysters with sorrel sauce and bacon

I never imagined bacon and oysters, but this was quite a lethal combination. The smoky flavor from the bacon works wonders with the poached oyster. Both of the oyster dishes were flawless, and would be an unfair challenge for me to place one above the other.

We went for a duck salad and spiced pork ribs and debated on desserts.


duck confit, grilled radicchio, hazelnut and juneberry salad

A very light and easy to manage salad. My primary reasoning for choosing this dish was because I do not think I've ever had juneberry before. But it was long forgotten as I ate the duck.

I'll be putting up two pictures of the spiced pork ribs (as it was presented, and how large it was).




spiced berkshire pork ribs

If I could, I would even put a video up showing how tender it was. With the butter knife provided, it sliced through the meat like it literally was softened butter. The expression exchanged between us was a mixture of complete shock and awe. Without hesitation, this would be the first thing I'm ordering upon any and every future visit to Poppy.

Being unsure of whether to get dessert or not, we went with a yelper's suggestion of their eggplant fries:


eggplant fries with sea salt & honey

My friend does not like eggplant. But this was an exception. At a glance the dark skin from the slices of eggplant made it look like fried catfish. The fries were very fresh and fried in honey and sprinkled with coarse sea salt. This and the pork ribs would be the two things I would be getting to start before venturing further down the menu.

Everything was solid all around. The ambiance and the service was excellent. Definitely would like to try their after 9PM selection, like their naan sandwich.

Kingfish Cafe

Price: $$
Thoughts: ☆☆☆☆
Kingfish Cafe: Menu

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Having lived in Georgia for a few years, I do not recall ever having genuine Southern food. My diet then consisted almost entirely of Korean food and McDonalds and/or Carls Jr. With my trip to 5 Spot being the only experience with it.

The Kingfish Cafe was originally a fall-back plan in case our initial restaurant of choice was closed (to which we learned, is always closed on Mondays). Located right across the street from Monsoon, the same people that also run the Baguette Box down in Capitol Hill. The restaurant had a very homely feel to it, from it's well worn wooden furniture to the extremely spacious ceiling. The lighting was kept to a minimum, as the restaurant took advantage of the natural light flooding in from the floor to ceiling windows. I felt like I could waste my day just sitting there, reading a book and munching on something from their menu.

As usual, we consulted their Yelp page for any possible suggestions and decided to start with their Percy’s Plate for Sharin’ – a trio of Wonderful Dips:


A fresh smoked catfish spread with herbs and a touch of mustard a creamy cool artichoke and roasted garlic dip, and our spicy black-eye pea spread served with a jumble of toasted bread and crackers

The catfish spread was the best of the three, and the water crackers were the best of the four dipping choices. The black-eye pea spread was not anywhere near as spicy or flavorful as one would hope, perhaps it was too overshadowed by the artichoke and catfish dips.

For the main plate my friend got the buttermilk fried chicken. I stuck with the simple mac and cheese:


My way or the highway buttermilk fried chicken

A very juicy chicken dipped in a buttermilk batter and fried nicely keeping the skin crispy and the meat tender and juicy. The side of potato salad really helped after burning our mouths on the chicken as well. This is a very heavy meal and was quite filing by itself.


Down home mac and cheese

Baked with three kinds of cheese along with onions and mushrooms, the serving size was daunting. Imagine a cake-sized macaroni and cheese dish and you get this. Very simple and also scalding hot as well. I found myself shoveling in the entire salad before getting through the entire dish.

The macaroni and cheese would be my personal favorite for the night. As simple as it was, it really hit the spot for me. The waitress offered us desserts which we immediately declined. We boxed up the leftovers and left feeling quite full. Better to back out before ordering too much and feeling more pain than a satisfied feeling.

I would say that the appetizer we selected was a bit weak compared to the main course but the portions were very generous. Expect to take home leftovers.