JuneBaby

Cake by the ocean

Background:
Chef/Owner Edouardo Jordan opened JuneBaby in April 2017 in the Ravenna neighborhood of Seattle. This is Jordan’s second restaurant in Seattle, his first is the slightly more upscale Salare. Last month, he opened his third restaurant, Lucinda Grain Bar.

Put some Seattle South in your mouth

Chef Jordan grew up poor in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he sold anything to make additional money, including pickles and what he calls “flips” – homemade popsicles. This is where he started developing his passion for cooking. Before opening his restaurants in Seattle, Jordan worked at Per Se and Lincoln in NYC, French Laundry in Yountville, CA, and Bar Sajor and Sitka & Spruce in Seattle. With JuneBaby, Jordan wants to tell the story of his Southern upbringing and introduce the Great Pacific Northwest to southern food, a trend that seems to be sweeping the great US of A.

Look at those freaking BUNS

Jordan & JuneBaby have won numerous awards, including two James Beard awards in 2018 for Best New Restaurant and Best Chef in the Northwest.

The day after JuneBaby took home the award for best new restaurant, the lines started stretching around the block. The lines have died down for a bit now, but prepare to wait a bit in order to experience the best southern food west of Texas.

Eat This:

Antebellum Buns

With honey butter

These buns and the butter were hands down my favorite part of the meal – partially because bread is my love language, but also because a good, southern yeast roll like this is something I haven’t had outside of Kentucky. Heck yes. I kept that butter with me throughout the meal and eventually finished it off with a spoon. It would be a crime to waste butter that good.

Pork Cracklin’

With pecan butter & BBQ spice

These were also just incredible. The sweetness of the pecan butter and the spice on the cracklins was just next level. I’ve been on a cracklin kick, and these were second to none.

Pimento Cheese

With pickles & homemade Saltine crackers

You had me at Saltine. As Jason knows, my death-row meal is just three sleeves of Saltines. I love them so much I don’t even buy them. But this homemade sheet of Saltine? Dear god. It was so buttery and rich, and the pimento cheese was super smooth. Also, I’ve never had pickled potatoes, which were served on the side with other pickled goodies, like okra.

NAshville Hot CHicken Gizzards

With bread & butter pickles & white BBQ sauce

These were Jason’s favorite. He had tried gizzards before, but I never had. They were so chewy and umami-forward. Honestly, my mouth is watering just thinking about these. Jordan is great with sauce – the hot sauce, the white BBQ, the different bottled varieties on the table that you could add to all of it – whew. The man knows a good sauce, and I love that about him.

Beef Brisket Sandwich

With coleslaw & house BBQ sauce

This was Jason’s, because I basically ate everything pictured above. Jason liked the sandwich, but he didn’t love it. He said he’s had better brisket in the south. He found it lacking in flavor and texture.

Dessert:

Grandma’s Pound Cake

With vanilla bourbon and lemon curd

This cake was very well done, though lemon isn’t my favorite. I would love to try some of Jordan’s other desserts.

Drinks:
They have a full bar, local beers, wine, and, of course, sweet tea. They also offer lemonade and an Arnold Palmer – so Southern! Jason had (gasp) unsweet tea, and I stuck with coffee. But I’d love to come back for dinner and get a cocktail.

Atmosphere:
JuneBaby is intimate – it probably seats about 50-60. The colors are warm, and I felt very comfortable and cozy.

Love their sign & logo

Seattle Southern Hospitality:
Our main server was great, and since they did team serving, we can safely say that all of the servers were very nice. We were asked if we wanted a Bloody Mary or mimosa within moments of sitting down, and he gave us space while we took our sweet time figuring out what to order and took tons of photos.

These are the Amazon Spheres – nowhere near JuneBaby, but aren’t they cool?

Frankie’s Notes:
Eating Southern food in Seattle is a strange and confusing experience; if you read about what a gizzard is, it might take away from how delicious they are – so no Googling if you’re squeamish; I think lemon should only be in potpourri and salad dressings and stay out of my desserts; You should have seen my face when our waiter tried to take my butter when there was a microscopic amount left in the ramekin; We walked five miles to get to JuneBaby, which is maybe top five farthest distances we’ve walked to get brunch, which is why I had to eat all of that butter.

Rating: 4 out of 5

 

The Waterman

PUT IT IN MY MOUTH

Background:
The Waterman, cousin restaurant to Sea Level Uptown, debuted in South End of October of last year. Yes, they say “cousin restaurant” instead of sister restaurant – isn’t that cute? We are big fans of Sea Level, so we had high hopes for this much anticipated opening.

Have you ever gotten this close to your oyster? You’re welcome.

Since the fall we have been to The Waterman a few times, most recently for a media event with our blog friends. Here is what we tried on that visit, with a couple of pictures thrown in from another visit. Jason did go one time on his own for take-out, but suffice to say those pictures weren’t great, so that visit isn’t included in this round-up. Styrofoam is no one’s best look, you know?

Eat This:

Oysters

Oysters straight from Sea Level, North Carolina.

The Waterman has “Oyster Happy Hour” every Monday through Friday from 4-7 p.m., when you can get oysters for just a dollar each. Major steal. We love their mignonette & cocktail sauce, too.

The oysters pictured here are un-shucked, because we got to shuck ‘em ourselves at the event. Only one person out of 20+ people drew blood. It was me. But they made us sign a waiver, so I am not the proud, new owner of The Waterman. Darn.

CrawDaddy Dippers

Cajun-style rice, fried crawfish, tartar sauce

These were crunchy, savory, fried GOODNESS. And that tartar sauce? You should go swimming in it. Frankie will be your lifeguard.

The Fisherman’s Pick

Beer-battered cod, house-made pickles, cole slaw, tartar sauce, potato bun

How about this sandwich, though? Is there anything better than a classic fried fish sandwich on a potato bun? Let me answer that for you: No. Nope. Sure isn’t.

Tacos

Grilled fish, braised chicken, , blackened shrimp, crispy oyster

You can get these delicious tacos on corn tortillas or SCALLION PANCAKES. That’s right. Scallion pancakes in the wild, outside of the big city. So, you know our pick when it comes to corn versus scallion pancakes, right? The choice is clear.

We loved these tacos. So good. My favorite was the grilled fish.

Fried Shrimp Po Boy

With cole slaw

This was my dad’s order when he was in town visiting us. I didn’t taste it, but I can tell you that when I picked it up to take a picture, a piece of shrimp fell out. And I never told him that. So, if you’re reading now: Sorry, dad.

Catfish Reuben

Pastrami-spiced catfish, swiss, cole slaw, tartar sauce, rye

With fries

This was Jason’s order when we went with my dad, and he gave it two fins up. But see those fries in the back? Those fries are freaking delicious. Make sure you get an order.

Dessert:

Southern Pecan Bars

Classic, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream

Sometimes pecan pie can be too sweet for me, but not this one. I loved the extra firm texture of The Waterman’s version, and the rich pecan flavors shines through rather than just pure sugar, which is sometimes the case. The ice cream on top doesn’t hurt, either.

Drinks:

SUnken Pirate

Wild Turkey 81 Bourbon, ginger, blueberry puree, basil, lemon

This drink was so smooth. I love blueberries, and though I am not usually a bourbon drinker, this basically tasted like grown-up fruit juice. Bottoms up.

Kentucky COld Brew

Jim Beam Repeal Bourbon, Pure Intentions cold brew coffee, orange essence, raspberry-hemp whipped cream

They have this cocktail on draft, and it’s amazing. I was impressed by the raspberry-hemp whipped cream – so hip! This makes for a great after dinner drink, too.

Pina Colada Float

Plantation Pineapple Rum, pineapple juice, almond milk, coconut popsicle

If you’re putting a popsicle AND a candied cherry in my drink, I am one happy girl. This was surprisingly not too sweet, considering the popsicle. I liked it, and it was substantial and strong enough that one was plenty.

Atmosphere:
The Waterman has a chill, fish-camp vibe happening. The bar is super beautiful, and we can’t wait to check out their rooftop seating area when the weather warms up.

Hello, our beautiful blogger friends!

Under the Sea Hospitality:
On our non-media event visit, when the server didn’t know that we were in to try some items, we had exceptional service. Also, I felt very strongly that I knew the waitress from somewhere, but I couldn’t place where. Don’t you hate that feeling?! Did we know one another in a past life? Were we friends in 8th grade?! I’ll never know.

Frankie’s Notes:
Frankie will be the first to tell you he doesn’t look good in styrofoam; We love when you tag us in your “scallion pancake in the wild sightings on Instagram” – keep ‘em coming!; Trying to hold your food and take a picture is quite the risky endeavor, and it usually involves sauce running down your arm, or losing a shrimp or two; Putting a popsicle in your alcohol is mixing the best of childhood and adulthood, and that’s a great feeling; I wish it was socially acceptable to just say: Do I now you from somewhere?, but trust me, I’ve tried it, and people just look at you like you’re strange; Working for your oysters makes them taste better, even if it leaves you with battle scars.

Disclaimer: This meal was provided free of charge in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are our own, and we were not compensated for this review.

Charlotte All Stars - NBA Edition

This week, Charlotte welcomes the NBA for All Star Weekend. Half of Scallionpancake is a huge NBA Fan. The other half does crosswords at sporting events. We’ll let you guys figure out which is which. But I digress. In honor of the best in basketball coming to the Queen City, we wanted to give our city’s visitors a guide to the restaurant scene in and around Uptown – but with a twist. Here’s a list of some of some of our favorite places within a 10 minute Uber/Lyft drive of Spectrum Center that have vibes similar to our favorite NBA All Star Starters.

Lamb Neck from Bardo

Lebron James:

Bardo

AL BELLO/GETTY IMAGES

The best player in the NBA deserves the best restaurant in Charlotte, and that’s Bardo. Take a cab down Mint Street, just a few minutes from Uptown, and enjoy the best meal Charlotte has to offer right now. They are only open for dinner, and you’ll probably want to get a reservation.

Reservations or Call 980-585-2433

Address: 1508 Unit B, S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28203

Brunch Spread at Haberdish

Kemba Walker:
Haberdish

Image Courtesy of Sports Illustrated

The hometown hero represents the quintessential Charlotte restaurant, Haberdish. They’re serving up down-home southern cooking like your mom wishes she could make. If you’re from out of town and looking for a Southern meal, this is the spot for you. They don’t take reservations, so get there early or be prepared to wait a bit.

Address: 3106 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205

The pork belly tacos from Soul Gastrolounge

Joel Embiid:
Soul Gastrolounge

Image CSNPhilly.com

Joel Embiid is cool, hip, and wants to date Rihanna. There is no place cooler than Soul Gastrolounge. Rich Cho, the Hornets former GM, gave the the pork belly tacos at Soul a 5 out of 5, and we couldn’t agree more. Hang out under the peacock and try to find your own Rihanna. No reservations are available; however, they are on Yelp’s No Wait app.

Address: 1500 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

Giannis Antetokounmpo: SIGGY’s Good Food

Photo: sportingnews.com

Giannis is from Greece, and Siggy’s serves the best Mediterranean style food around. Also we call Siggy the Jewish Greek Freak (okay that’s not exactly true). If you’re looking for a healthy breakfast or brunch after a night of partying in Uptown, take the short uber to Siggy’s and fuel yourself for the day ahead.

Address: 1001 Belmont Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

Paul George:

Loft & Cellar

Photo: Sports Illustrated

Paul George needed a change of scenery from Indiana to OKC to regain in mojo. The same can be said for Loft & Cellar, who hired Scallionpancake heartthrob Greg Collier to reimagine the struggling restaurant’s menu. Not only did Collier turn the restaurant around, but he made it one of our favorite places Uptown. Go there for brunch or dinner, either way you won’t be disappointed. If you want something more casual, head over to 7th Street Market for Collier’s other restaurant, The Yolk.

Reservations or call 704-817-9057

Address: 305 W 4th St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Steph Curry:

The Stanley

Photo: USA Today

Rumor has it that I held Steph Curry to 30 points in one game at Dell Curry’s basketball camp at the Jewish Community Center in the summer of 1999. Whether those rumors are true or not, what’s 100% fact is that Steph is an original Charlottean. Paul Verica was the first in Charlotte to really focus on local, farm to table ingredients at his old restaurant, The Heritage. Now he’s moved his digs to Elizabeth and rebranded to The Stanley, where you can get the best local farm to table offerings in the city. The atmosphere is homey and welcoming, but it’s really small. You’re going to need to make reservations.

Reservations or call 980-299-2741

Address: 1961 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC28204

Lamb Lollipops: Image Courtesy of FunnyLove Blog

James Harden: DANDELION MARKET

Photo: Yahoo Sports

James Harden has been known to like his share of clubs, and there’s no better place to have a meal and party than Dandelion. Go have a nice meal on the first floor and then make your way up to the top floor for some dancing and good times. Our favorites are the cherry-glazed lamb lollipops and the sliders.

Address: 118 West 5th St,Charlotte, NC 28202

Homemade Energy Bar and Blue Cheese and Parmesan Truffles

Kyrie Irving: Lincoln’s Haberdashery

Photo: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Kyrie knows how to get buckets from every angle around the rim. Lincoln’s Haberdashery knows how serve great food of almost any variety – from breakfast, to amazing sandwiches, homemade ice creams, and all of their pastries. I could also see Kyrie hanging out in the upstairs room checking out Lincoln’s Mary Todd tattoos. Lincoln’s is a great lunch spot if you’re looking for a fresh sandwich or salad and you need a place to relax and have a quick All-Star regroup.

Address: 1300 South Blvd Suite S, Charlotte, NC 28203

Octopus, Scallops, and other magic from the Asbury

Kawhi Leonard:

The Asbury

Photo: Sporting News

Kawhi plays in Toronto, one of the best food cities in North America. He also has an aura of class and seems to like the finer things in life, as taught to him by his old coach in San Antonio, Gregg Popovich. The Asbury, located in the Dunhill Hotel, is serving up some of the best, most creative dishes in Charlotte. Also, their pastry Chef, Miranda Brown, makes some of the best desserts in town.

Reservations or call 704-342-1193

Address: 235 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202

The spread at Sweet Lew’s

Kevin Durant:

Sweet Lew’s BBQ

Photo: Sports Illustrated

Kevin Durant went to the University of Texas in Austin, where they have, in my opinion, the best BBQ brisket in the country. Sweet Lew’s is the closest thing Charlotte has to that beautiful Texas meat. They even slice it right in front of you, just like they do in Texas. Get the brisket or chopped pork, and then be prepared for a nice long nap.

Address: 923 Belmont Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

Eden Hill

There is a pig head in there

Background:
Eden Hill opened in Seattle's charming Queen Anne neighborhood in September of 2015, when owner Maximillian Petty and his wife Jennifer realized their lifelong dream of opening a restaurant. Petty had previously worked under José Andrés in D.C. and at the now-closed Olivia Restaurant in Austin, Texas. Eden Hill has received many great reviews since opening, and we felt absolutely charmed by the space, service, and creative cuisine on our December 2018 visit. Continue reading to see what makes Eden Hill such a special part of Seattle’s fine dining scene.

Eat This:

Toasted Baguette

Whipped bone marrow, fall tomato jam, arugula

Jason gave me a hard time for ordering this, because it caused us to fill up too quickly, but I had no regrets. The flavor of bone marrow is one of my favorites, and rich meatiness + bread made for a perfect pair.

CAuliflower “Chilaquiles”

Manchego, lime crema, jalapeno honey hot sauce, curtido

We dug the light crispiness of these chilaquiles. Instead of fried tortilla chips like the classic Mexican dish, the cauliflower took its place. So many great textures and a nice, bright flavor made this dish Jason’s favorite of the night.

Waldorf Salad

Dehydrated grape, apple, bleu cheese, celery, walnut verjus vinaigrette

Honestly, I felt compelled to order something green and healthy to offset everything else. This salad was good, but not anything extra special. The sweetness of the grapes did add a nice touch, though.

Anderson Ranch Lamb Tartare

Bread & butter pickles, hot mustard, cajeta, pretzel roll

A good tartare, but not a standout dish. The pretzel roll was a bit hard, and I always prefer my bread doughy.

Mountain Mac n’ Cheese

Elderflower tomme, smoked red bud, goat gouda, alba truffle

The most amazing pasta I’ve had since our week in Italy last summer. We loved the big pieces of truffles and the rich tang of the gouda.

Crispy Pig Head “Candy Bar”

D’anjou pear, champagne soup, merlot cabbage, serrano

Not too many things scare me when it comes to food, but the pig head candy bar did give me a moment’s pause. I was wrong to worry, though.

This dish – which has been on Eden Hill’s menu nearly since the beginning – was an easy-to-eat delight. The entire concoction was fried, making it look like a deep-fried Twinkie or Snickers bar at a state fair, and the inside had gamey pieces of pork that offset the tangy cabbage and greens on top. I can’t say I recommend any old pig head candy bar, but this one was an unexpected delight.

Korean Fried Oysters

Gochujang, kohlrabi, calamansi, chicken skin sea salt

The spicy gochujang and the cooling radish made these oysters a delicious little bite.

Dessert:
We read about the foie gras cake batter prior to our visit, and let us tell you: it did not disappoint. We had never tasted anything quite like this, and it was exactly as you would expect: sweet, slightly grainy, and with a trace of rich savoriness. We can see why they keep this on the menu.

Foie Gras cake Batter

Foie gras cake batter is Eden Hill’s signature dish. Pieces of toasty pound cake are served with a whipped foie gras batter that is both sweet and richly savory. And that presentation! We were so full at this point, but you must not skip this on your visit!

Drink:
We were so, so excited to see sea buckthorn on the cocktail menu! Everyone around us was asking what the heck sea buckthorn was. But not us. We are so scandi like that. For the uninitiated, sea buckthorn is a shrub that grows on the coasts of Europe and in parts of central Asia, too. We fell in love with it in Copenhagen, where it is ubiquitous on menus across the city. So, a cocktail made with sea buckthorn and tequila was like a taste of our Nordic home away from home. I liked it so much that I ordered another as soon as I finished the first (which happened in about three seconds).

SEa Buckthorn & Tequila

We are sea buckthorn and tequila aficionados, and this drink didn’t disappoint. Sea buckthorn is slightly sour, which kept this drink from being syrupy sweet. I would take another one right now, please and thank you.

Atmosphere:
Eden Hill is t-i-n-y tiny. But that aspect only adds to its charm. It’s amazing they can do what they do inside that small kitchen! The dining area feels intimate, and we even struck up a conversation with the lovely couple seated next to us. Queen Anne is an understated yet upscale neighborhood, and Eden Hill fits in with that vibe perfectly.

Adorable exterior

Queen Anne Hospitality:
Only one server was in charge of the entire dining area (the bar patrons were served by the bartender), and he did a great job of keeping everyone satisfied and with a drink in their hand. He also had a great sense of humor, as he told us to order fewer dishes than we did, and he said he was impressed with our appetites. Hey, we’ve been training our whole lives for this!

Class of “Service 1,038” what what

Frankie’s Notes:
Sea buckthorn and tequila are perhaps two of my favorite things on earth, so the combination of the two nearly made my head explode; You wouldn’t want already made foie gras to go to waste, would you?; Don’t hate the foie gras players, hate the game; Queen Anne is a place I would like to live someday, if I could convince Jason to move BNA headquarters out West; I wonder if the Eden Hill kitchen is the culinary equivalent of Mary Poppins’ purse, and the inside can actually hold 52 lamps and a much larger kitchen?

Rating: 5 out of 5

Oh Seattle, we love you