3508 Fremont Pl N
Seattle, WA
(206) 633-5169
http://www.silenceheartnest.com/
Over the din of the Sunday morning rush, my friend Amy and I bitterly lament the fact that no one will accept our breakfast invitations. We are regulars at Silence-Heart-Nest, a vegetarian treasure in the heart of Fremont that is one part diner, one part spiritual oasis. Though it is perfectly at home in inimitably quirky Fremont, the laidback hippy-vibe of the place has deterred several of our closest friends from joining us, most refusing on the basis of the name alone. ("Silence...Heart...Nest? Umm, I'll pass.")
Vegetarianism is an ever-growing trend in Seattle and for some has become quite a status symbol- bonus indie cool points for veganism! Not that it's about cool points, obviously. But Silence-Heart-Nest definitely isn't concerned with any ongoing trend. Restaurant goers here don't come to proclaim their dietary choices; they come to enjoy good food in a warm and inviting atmosphere. The staff members here are an eclectic mix of men in standard blue polo shirts and sweet looking middle-aged women in bright sarongs, all catering to us with a bizarrely earnest geniality. Amy and I have speculated countless times over how this place came to be. How did these people end up here? Could it be some good-natured vegetarian cult? A bit of research revealed that the staff members all practice meditation under the teachings of Spiritual Master Sri Chinmoy, whose poetry inspired their distinctive name.
Our waitress, no nametag pinned to her sarong, showed an easy patience as we chatted for a good 10 minutes before even glancing at our menus. Once we both finally settled on the same meals we've ordered time and time again, she disappeared with a smile and quickly reemerged with our brightly colored plates.
I am not a vegetarian and have never attempted to make the switch, but my first visit to Silence-Heart-Nest at the very least changed my mind about imitation bacon. I had a B.L.T that may have looked wrong (the soy bacon was disconcertingly yellow) but tasted oh so right. My breakfast tradition, however, is the Western Roundup - vegetarian sausage patties and sweet potato biscuits smothered in cashew gravy with a side of home fries that make for a truly religious experience. The flavors are a bit muted, but it's a filling meal with no trace of trademark diner grease or inevitable regret.
Only open until 3 pm on weekends, there is a light and easy daytime energy to this restaurant. Even in the Sunday bustle, there is a definite air of peace and tranquility here that, if a bit odd, makes for a very relaxed and enjoyable meal. With bright blue walls adorned with endearingly garish doodles of birds, Silence-Heart-Nest is kitschy, comfortable and completely without pretension. Yes, the name may bring chanting and incense to mind, but who wouldn't want to escape to another spiritual plain for some feel-good food?
by Nicola Fairhead
[Photos: Skye Johnson]