Our community landscape evolves, on a daily basis. Traffic slowed at the intersection of Edmonds Way and 100th Avenue. I glanced to my right. Yup, the bland cocoon that shrouded the Starbucks “under construction” had morphed to reveal the new Starbucks exterior décor.

The sign said “NOW OPEN.”

I’d heard recently from the cashier at the Westgate (Bartell’s side) Starbucks as she coaxed her reluctant cash register to process my sale; “Next week, on Sept. 28, we will close down and move into the new drive through building. We open Oct. 1. It’s all new equipment too.”

The proximity of the tall Starbucks Drive Thru, viewed from the westbound lane, eclipses the view of the Walgreens store, the last major change to the landscape on the Northeast side of the intersection of 100th and Edmonds Way. Pop quiz– who remembers the “before” business that lived at this location?

Would there be traffic jams on Edmonds Way? I drove around. My test trip showed the drive-up flow is well managed from both sides. Green arrows painted on the pavement direct drivers seeking convenient caffeine into the proper lanes, and no matter which entrance one uses, it’s smooth sailing — be served and sent on your way.

Speaking of smooth sailing, the robust restaurant scene in our local area means that no one has to sit in stagnant southbound I-5 lanes to get a great meal.
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The Dine Out Edmonds program has populated Facebook with plenty of posts, and of a positive nature. Pumpkin lovers rejoiced. Photos and tags showed attendance by enthusiastic diners. Rewards were given. Those not so fond of fall vegetables still found sumptuous sustenance on menus at Dine Out participants’ posh eateries. The Dine Out program has prodded folks to try out cuisine at some of our newest locations in our downtown. Or choose a spot “new” to them, as in “We’ve never had dinner there…” Including yours truly.

I headed to The Loft, a spot I’ve enjoyed for drinks or an appetizer, on my way to the late show at Edmonds Theater. Prompted by Dine Out Edmonds, I visited their web page. Dinner choices looked great, and small plates offer variety of Mediterranean entrees.

Lured by my love of octopus dishes I’ve enjoyed in Spain and Italy, I convinced my dining partner to come and join my adventure.

Grilled Spanish Octopus: Tender enough to yield to my fork, the savory grilled pieces were arranged atop roasted Yukon potatoes, topped with a wild arugula and roasted red pepper and dressed with Ladolemono dressing, a Greek version of lemon sauce is like a super-charged vinaigrette, a natural partner for grilled seafood, like octopus. I enjoyed and will be back again.

Vegetable Risotto: Made with Arborio rice, asparagus spears, green peas, red pepper and shallots, topped with Grana Padano. The delicate flavor of this cheese is more subtle than parmesan, nice on risotto or when you don’t want to overpower delicate flavors of the vegetables.

Pork Belly: I adore good pork. My childhood taste memories, grown in the Midwest, compel me to seek and compare when menus offer the opportunity. Folks who mistake pork belly as fat slices of bacon need to be educated. The Loft offers a great opportunity. The mustard seeds in the maple glaze popped in my mouth and added to my enjoyment of the main attraction, the crispy slabs of delectable pork belly. The petit arugula salad portion balanced the rich dish.

Penn Cove Mussels: In a broth of minced shallots, fresh garlic, white wine and lemon butter, we were glad there were four generous slices of grilled como toasts, more to soak up the juices

Salted Indulgence Caramel Cake: A wonderful blend of rich chocolate layer cake with ganache and salted caramel sauce. Just enough salt to balance the sweet tastes and so generous a portion we took home half of the slice.

I enjoyed the Crème Brulee. The texture, with tiny bits of vanilla bean in the not too sweet custard confirmed this to be house made. Spoonfuls of dessert and sips of a perfect brew on my Americano were a grand finish to an unforgettable meal.
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Rumors fly. Generated by recent listing sale of a downtown Edmonds landmark, Claire’s Restaurant. I’ve been asked about more locations and a mysterious item found on Craig’slist and on a job board at Bastyr University. Both reference a 50-seat restaurant, for sale, in downtown Edmonds. Details will unfold in a future column.

A mystery still to be solved: WHEN will the shrouded work of art at the corner of Salish Crossing, on Dayton and Edmonds Way be revealed?

Our last Edmonds Market is this Saturday, but I hear there will be special Holiday Markets this fall and winter. YAY!

Edmonds Historical Society announced the 3rd Annual Scarecrow Festival. I’m sure we’ll see lots of creative creatures positioned at our local eateries! Information, including a Scarecrow map, is on their site: https://scf.historicedmonds.org/

Happy fall everyone.

–By Kathy Passage
restaurantnews@myedmondsnews.com