Wow. It’s official! I’m in a National Touring Company of a Broadway Musical, in a city I’ve never been, and sleeping in a hotel I don't have to pay for. The challenges and luxuries are just perfectly delightful. I was a bit worried about sticking to my gluten-free, dairy-free, non-red-meat-eating diet in a city I didn't know, unable to cook or refrigerate, with Subway looking like my only option from the hotel window. Man, was I wrong.
Seattle thus far has been my favorite city. Not only did we hit perfect, breezy, cozy weather, but the food here is as amazing as its picturesque mountains that peep up over the high-rises.
Now, I’m a big "yelper." I enjoy barking in the streets. No, really, I am attached to my Yelp app and credit it as being the #1 site to satiate my traveling, allergic belly. I preface with this because I didn't use it at all in Seattle– truly a shocker! We were close to the hip Capitol Hill and Melrose Ave, so I decided to meander on foot over the highway in search of food.
I walked past the Melrose Market a few times after seeing a sandwich shop and meat deli in the window. I had no intention to even explore this large unique "market" until I was famished from walking for an hour, hours after I should have already stuffed my face before our ritualistic 530pm-in-a-new-theatre/city-meeting. So, I headed in to drool over the sandwiches I could NOT eat and the leafy salads covered in cheese I could butcher to be bland and nutritious. *Sigh*
“Hmmm…Beet Salad with the delicious goat cheese with turkey? No…lentil soup? No…can’t have a gassy barricade. Look at those delicious sandwiches. Sage aioli? Come on. Can I dunk my beets in that? Not a bad idea….hmmm what are the sides? Pickle, yes. Salt and pepper chips, that soup, and gluten free bread $8.
WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
So there it was. A gluten free sandwich with sustainable, locally grown ingredients. AND when I am done devouring it all, I have the option of recycling, composting, or trashing my remaining crumbs and crinkled crinolines. Ok napkins…I had to embrace the alliteration.
I ate here many many times. My three favorites (with my substitutes and additions):
Breakfast: BEST BREAKFAST SANDWICH I’VE EVER HAD: Avocado, Egg + NO cheese, ADD sage aioli, on toasted GF bread. Make sure to get their hot sauce on the side for this one– delicious! Of course, paired with a coffee and a side of soy or almond milk 😉
Lunch: 1. PERFECT LUNCH SANDWICH TO HOLD YOU OVER: Turkey, Bacon + Avocado, NO gouda, with mixed greens, and ADD their unbeatable sage aioli on toasted gluten-free bread– with one vegan, gluten free cookie by Skydottir (local bakery) for my sweet side.
2. DELICIOUS GF VEGAN OPTION: Hummus + Roasted Red Peppers, avocado, cucumber, arugula, ADD sage aioli on toasted GF bread (of course)
Aside from this sandwich shop being my dream cafe, the market place is stunning. Here is a list of their amazing standouts:
Marigold and Mint: This is an incredible flower shop in the back where I purchased great locally made cards to send to my love back home and an old pewter vase to hold my makeup brushes.
Sitka & Spruce: A beautiful restaurant I did not get to try that evokes the feeling of being in a friends gourmet, french kitchen. It’s enveloped by the vibrant greens, ivories, and purples from the flower shop across the way, where they actually buy the herbs that garnish and compliment their dishes.
The Calf & Kid: Tastings of various cheeses from local farms. There just so happens to be a wine bar right next to this booth that looked mighty tasty and careful selected. Maybe on a future cheat day I will give in….
Butter Home: This is still one of my favorite stores I have visited on tour. Sitting upstairs, above Homegrown, it is decorated with great locally made gifts, trinkets, coasters, cards, jewelry, Edison bulbs, and more. I was aching to buy everything and nest in the home I left to be on tour. Not the smartest thing to do without a first paycheck, so I admired, got more cards, and left with a wonderful memory.
Check back in for my last blog about Seattle and my favorite wine bar/dinner spot!
Homegrown
1531 Melrose Ave (Capitol Hill) in Melrose Market
Seattle, WA 98122
202.682.0935
Melrose Market
1501-1535 Melrose Ave (Capitol Hill)
Seattle, WA 98122
EatingOnTour 