Hello, and welcome to the fourth Sunday Brunchin’! One more week to go of brunch and other weekday food adventures captured for VeganMoFo!
On Saturday morning we headed up to Seattle for a friend’s birthday and to run some errands, so naturally we decided to do lunch/brunch in the city. Thus, this week’s Sunday Brunchin’ is technically Saturday Brunchin’. I bent the rules, it’s okay. Now, let me tell you a story about one of the best vegan brunch joints that Seattle ever had.
The Squid & Ink stood in the Georgetown neighborhood, south of Seattle. I loved the Squid & Ink. The boy and I would stop there anytime we were looking for a weekend brunch – generally relying on a few dishes for brunch (the scramble for me) – and many sandwiches, soups and salads for other meals. We returned often, I brought many friends there, vegan and not, (especially visiting friends that I picked up from the airport) and all agreed that it was killer food. I have fond memories of meals at the Squid & Ink, particularly when the bf and I went there before adopting our two kittens at nearby Kitty Harbor. The photo of me eating scramble that you see on this blog was taken at the Squid & Ink, too. The space was fairly small and the ambiance was slightly lacking, but none of that mattered to me as we always enjoyed excellent food, coffee and service. It was also conveniently located near some of our favorite places in the ‘hood: Fantagraphics, Georgetown Records and All City Coffee.
Eventually we heard the news that the Squid & Ink was closing, and our little hearts sank. We weren’t sure what we’d do when it came to future Seattle bound brunching, (at the time our scope was a little more limited and we hadn’t been to the infamous Georgetown Liquor Company). Thankfully, they didn’t sink too low as we soon heard news that the previous owners were working on a new restaurant project in the Capitol Hill neighborhood - one that would also have a full bar.
Logo via highlineseattle.com
Thus, the Highline was born.
While the Highline differs a bit from the Squid & Ink, (much larger, on a second floor, later hours, has space for shows/events, did I mention the full bar?), thankfully the owners retained a great deal of the same menu items that we came to know and love. And they kept their brunch available on the weekends.
Since the Highline opened back in May of 2010, I hadn’t made it in to try their reincarnated from my former favorite brunch obsession, as I had always just missed it and came for lunch or dinner. Ridiculous, right?! I changed that this past weekend. And I made up for lost time by starting with this…
It’s okay, you can drool. I am looking at this and remembering how absolutely divine it was, (especially with the spicy, pepper vodka they used to make it). I highly, highly recommend enjoying this beverage.
For my meal I ordered the Bomber, which consisted of: sausage patties covered in vegan Mozzarella, onions, peppers on a whole wheat roll and what was advertised as roasted root vegetables. When I read that on the menu I thought “yes! I am so in a fall, root vegetable mood!” Yet when it came it only consisted of carrots and red potatoes. Womp, womp. Even a sweet potato or one squash might’ve livened this side up a bit, yet they were still tasty. The sandwich also was hearty and perfectly married all the elements making it up.
The bf opted for sweet with the Buckwheat Blueberry Pancake after being stumped on a few choices. Earthy, spongy and slightly sweet, this giant flapjack was a good call.
As the Bomber was huge and filling when paired with more carbs and a tall BM, I had leftovers Sunday. I served it with some steamed kale topped with a quickly whipped up tahini sauce. And it was still just as awesome the next day.
The Highline
210 Broadway E
(between John St & Olive Way)
Seattle, WA 98102
(206) 328-7837
Brunch hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Regular hours: Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m to 2 a.m.
I was a HUGE Squid and Ink fan too and still haven’t even made it to Highline at all!! (Of course, that could be due to a change in income, working three jobs, moving out into the sticks, having a less-than-reliable vehicle and no one in my immediate family/friends circle who likes tangling with Seattle traffic). Not to fear, it hasn’t completely kept me from the places I love visiting!
I’ll get there some day!!
And your posting the Bloody Mary may have been the kick I needed in that direction. I will do ANYTHING, seriously ANYTHING for a good, spicy, vegan Bloody Mary!!
I’m glad someone else loved S&I as much as I did! And man, go to Highline soon, please! For any meal! You will love it.
The Bloody Mary is absolutely superb. I love GLC’s build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, but there’s nothing like having an amazing vegan one made for you!
I love Highline!! And their spicy Bloody Mary is soooo good — I have omni friends who go in just for the it. Need to try the Bomber next time — it’s been on my list for a while (that pancake looks delish too), though I’ve never been super impressed with their roasted root veggies.
And now I really want a Bloody Mary!
Me too! And I hadn’t heard much about the Bloody Mary but I was in just that sorta mood Saturday and it was perfect. The Bomber’s great! I almost went with the Icarus or another standard but am happy I tried something new. I’d definitely opt for another side next time, though.
And perhaps you should create a new Bloody Mary! That’s a MoFo post I’d love to see.
Dude, get the fried pickles. GET THE FRIED PICKLES.
DUDE. I’ve had them, many times! I’ve been for other meals, just not brunch. I’d never think to have fried pickles at brunch, but then again, why not?! Point taken, Lauren.