This Charming Ballard Restaurant Has One of Seattle’s Best Secret Patios
When you think “dinner out in Ballard” you probably picture eating at one of the dozens of hip restaurants and bars clustered along Ballard Avenue and Market Street.
What to order
- For a starter, look to the fritto misto, which is kind of an Italian tempura — lightly pickled and fried seasonal veggies. They’re warming, a little tart, and come with a tartar sauce-esque tarragon aioli.
- The menu rotates seasonally, so when ordering a main, pay attention to the fruits and vegetables that come with the proteins. For instance, the tender duck breast is often paired with grilled stone fruit and onion, adding some welcome sweetness.
- Check out the cocktails, which often incorporate playful notes of fruitiness, e.g. the “Elder Millennial” is a sweetened martini riff that includes elderflower liquor, orange bitters, and, presumably, some well-earned cynicism.
The vibe
The back patio is sheltered from the street by lots of trees, giving you a sense of privacy and dare we say romance?
Make a night of it
Brimmer’s dinner service starts at 4 p.m., but if you want a head start on the evening, sibling wine bar and bottle shop Halfseas serves glasses and small bites and opens at 3 p.m. And in the mornings, Brimmer’s back “studio” serves as a coffee shop called Red Arrow, making it possible to spend an entire day in this little micro-neighborhood.
