Wander into the northern corners of Wallingford on a weekend morning and you’ll find some mighty fine smells in the Tangletown air. We know how to do breakfast over here. From good ol’ Eggs Benedict to vegan donuts, from fine teas and scones that would have Princess Kate skipping down N. 56th Street, to Pacific Northwest twists on current trends in haute breakfast cuisine, we got it. And we’re not afraid to share.
The Publican, ahem, The Burgundian is a classy, laid-back public house owned and operated by the folks who brought Brouwer’s Cafe to Fremont. Housed in the spot formally occupied by The Luau, the Publican fills this prime 56th Street space with a wide selection of quality local and imported brews and highly creative breakfasts and dinner. The Publican has a unique skill of classing up traditional eats without being trendy or talking big. Many times, waves of breakfast crazes ripple through a city and food-happy locals pay exorbitant prices for pretty food that leaves the belly sad and disappointed. The Publican breaks this mold with exciting twists on reliable breakfast favorites, like the Monte Cristo with housemade compote, waffles with fried chicken and corned beef hash with sauteed root vegetables, whipped up with local meats and breads. Pair your gruyere and ham omelette (my favorite) with a pint of thick, dark beer and you’ll be fit to climb Rainier before dinnertime. Open 10am-2am weekends, breakfast served all day. 2253 N. 56th St.
Then there’s Tangletown, our own little Elysian Brewery that blends into the neighborhood in both name and vibe. The weekend brunch menu is standard American pub breakfast a bar or two above the norm, with challah (holla!) French Toast, “P Patch Omelettes,” and lots and lots of cinnamon butter. Some lunch menu items are available during the brunch service as well, including the super hearty chili verde–an excellent hangover breakfast if you incline toward that malady. Also, don’t miss out on the always-satisfying Elysian beer, punchy bloody marys and perhaps the most attractive waitstaff this side of Greenlake. Open for brunch 10am-3pm on weekends. Family friendly. N. 56th Street and Meridian Avenue N.
Organic donuts. Sprinkles and icing. Chocolate. Tea. Coffee. Mighty-O Donuts has it all, if only man could live on donut alone. I’d never been a fan of cake donuts before the Mighty-O came into my life, as previous experiences had always left me a bit over-sugared with the occasional lump of dough stuck somewhere above my windpipe. Not these. People in Seattle take a certain pride in doings things right, and this is no exception–only the purest, organic, most wholesome ingredients go into these little rounds of yummy. But for breakfast, you say? YES! Grab a bag of chocolate mini donuts with cherry icing and a cup of coffee and you’ve covered all five food groups. Open 7am-5pm weekends, 6am-5pm weekdays. 2110 N. 55th Street.
Oh, Zoka. Meters upon meters of sturdy wooden tables, award-winning baristas, hot breakfast sammies and superb coffee. I love this place. You’ll find all sorts of folks lounging in the stuffed leather armchairs or chatting beneath the bright warehouse-style windows on a weekend morning–and everyone just fits together and gets along. We’re cool like that in Tangletown. I’ve written many a Wallyhood post at these wooden tables, drowning myself in pots of genmaicha tea and nibbling on panini-grilled bacon and egg sandwiches. Every tea, coffee and edible (and I think I’ve tried them all) is good here and the whole place just emanates warmth–from the hot chocolate to the food to the baristas to the light in the air. Did I mention that I like it here? Open 6am -10pm every day. 2200 N. 56th Street.
SPEAKING OF DONUTS. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO WINCHELS AND OR WHAT IS GOING IN THE VACANT BUILDING?
Out of all the places listed in Tangletown, which has a small business district surrounded by single family homes many containing children, the one which takes and gives nothing back is the Burgundian. They take parking, their customers wake us up at night, their delivery trucks block the sidewalk and street and thier customers park illegally at the NW corner of 56 and Kirkwood(blocks the view of oncoming traffic) . And what do they give back to the Tangletown community? Nothing. We can’t even take our families there for breakfast. They are not really part of the communty and don’t appear to even try. Hopefully they will be gone soon.
Zoka is definitely open past 1 PM every day – well into the evening. The baking is again being done on site. Portions are plentiful and delicious.
…and while you are in the Tangletown area stop in at Hiroki just east of Zoka. Quiche and other breakfast items on weekends. Excellent pastries and fine teas and coffee.
Oops–thanks for catching the typo, Abigail. Zoka is open until *10* pm, error corrected. Danke!
Another vote for Hiroki — they’re dessert concoctions are excellent, and deserve to be included in the list
I came here to post about Hiroki too. I’m glad others appreciate the wonderful pastries and desserts he makes.
While I’m here I’ll post to m…h. that, as a Tangletown resident, The Burgundian is one of the best things to happen to our little neighborhood. My husband and I have been there dozens of times since it opened, and plan to continue. Not all of us have children nor take our children with us everywhere. Get a ‘sitter and give it a try sometime. I think you’ll like it!
I can’t wait to try the Burgundian. Looks great!