Capitol Hill has seen a lot of great restaurants come and go. I have always believed that people in Seattle support their local businesses more than most cities, but with the turnover on Broadway I have become pessimistic in our attempt to think locally. Well I encourage all of you to “go local,” as Michael Shuman would say, and partake of a great new restaurant that we are lucky enough to have in Capitol Hill.

“Crave” opened it’s doors three weeks ago to a slew of eager hipsters looking for a great place to eat and experiment with new flavors. There is something comforting in the 12th street location, perhaps due to the fact it is so closely tied to the Capitol Hill Arts Center. Not to mention that parking is slightly easier due to being less of a main dining drag. Driving by, my sister and I caught a glimpse of the new spot out of the corner of our gluttonous eyes and vowed to try it within the week. After perusing their clean web page, we discovered that Tuesday was half price wine night and that was enough to draw us there.

At 7:15 we wandered through the doors and were greeted immediately by Nathan who would also act as our server for the remainder of the evening. With a view of the kitchen from the foyer, Maddy and I eyed their cheese plate with anticipation. I also noted that you could order any coffee drink of choice at the welcoming counter throughout the day. I like keeping my daily cappuccino options open since I have vowed to support local coffee shops as well.

The menu is the perfect size not to be overwhelming, but varied enough to entice any appetite. While Maddy debated over appetizers I immediately grabbed the wine menu as Nathan encouraged me to ask questions about it, since he had helped create the wine list. Entranced by the myriad of choices I just smiled and he left us to decide. After convincing Maddy that you don’t waste a half price wine night on a glass of wine, but instead buy the whole bottle, we agreed on the Merlot/Cab blend. Then we pondered our appetizer options together.

We settled on the cheese plate of course, but added the Miso Cured Salmon which came with a Wasabi-cucumber coulis, and then agreed that we should share the Duck Confit for an entree. The Salmon was unique, in a good way. On a wedge of sesame cracker, the salmon laid over it like lox, and was lightly covered in the wasabi mix, accompanied by pickled red onions. We both devoured it and enjoyed the Japanese inspired flavor of it all. If you are not a wasabi fan, rest assured that it was a very subtle hint that was a perfect accompaniment.

The cheese plate consisted of a blue cheese type wedge, a rosemary encrusted sample, and a familiar strong cut of something I liked very much but couldn’t place. Alongside of this was a sliced pear sitting in an apricot spread with giant grapes and sweetened, toasted almonds. We held onto this the entire evening, nibbling bits along side our other treats. Then came the duck.

I have never had such a filling and delicious assortment of food in one entree. The duck itself was cooked perfectly with a fig compote and was nestled in the most creative green chile bread pudding. This and the sautéed winter greens made the duck the perfect meal for a chilly January evening.

As Nathan explained when I tasted the wine, he chose that particular blend only after it had been sitting open for a bit and had time to breathe and became less “tight.” After he left us to drink it, Maddy and I discussed what he meant by that, and I speculated that the strong dryness of it might soften a bit. By the end of the meal I think we agreed it had improved during the night and we could really taste the difference. I am confident in Nathan’s recommendations from now on.

He didn’t push us when we said we were full, but somehow glancing at the dessert tray sounded like a grand idea. We told him it would just be for fun and definitely for next time, but after he brought it over to our table we couldn’t say no. We had the choice between three desserts: one was a mango fruit tart that looked quite refreshing, another was a grand mariner mousse type of dessert that towered over the others, but the one that made Maddy and I catch each other’s eye in mid-drool was the mini cream puffs covered in chocolate sauce. Now that may sound sort of trashy, but they were a special almond cream filling inside of a fluffy puff pastry with a warm rich chocolate poured over it. To our surprise it was accompanied by sliced mandarins and a cup of raspberry sauce that made me shiver with a melting happiness.

We both ordered a cappuccino as well, but he took one look at me and suggested a tawny port. Anyone who knows me will know how I swoon for port so I instantly clapped my hands in glee and said yes. With my port, Maddy’s perfect cappuccino, and a dessert to sleep with, we decided we needed to spread the good word before another superb restaurant gets overlooked. Although by the time we left, people were waiting at the door to get in so I am hoping this is a good sign of things to come.

They also serve breakfast and lunch, both of which I can’t wait to try. Breakfast can be had for under $8 and lunch falls into about the same range. Dinner is well worth the $11-15 entree price with appetizers and salad between $3-$8. There are a few vegetarian options as well. It is a small quaint place; try it soon before the word gets out and you have to wait in line for a table. And the best part? They have free wireless internet all day and $2 espresso drinks between 2-4pm. Need I say more? I’ll see you there.

Crave
1621 12th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 388-0526
Open Everyday 7am-11pm