1525 10th Ave
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 325 0807
http://www.oddfellowscafe.com/
Oddfellows Café & Bar in Seattle is a very curious thing indeed. On the surface, it looks a bit rustic and stark, yet there is something about the place that is simply stunning. My friends and I could not help but openly gawk at the myriad of little details that come together to make this place instantly comfortable and almost excruciatingly hip. With its impossibly high ceilings, Oddfellows feels open and unassuming, all hardwood floors, exposed brickwork and natural light. In the middle of the room, humble whitewashed wooden benches are set up cafeteria-style, either facing an expansive wall of liquor or a full wall of windows.
But it is the smaller details that lead me study this place again and again. One wall is a perfectly faded blue, sparingly adorned with antiquated photos and a distressed American flag. Along with a somewhat limited array of food and drink, you can also buy an assortment of retro candy from behind the bar. Side dishes, including French fries and incredibly dense pork nuggets, are served nonchalantly in tin cans, as if they just happened to be lying around the kitchen. In short, there is a feeling of careful deliberation behind every detail, but all of it comes together to create an idyllic image of casual, laid back dining.
On a sunny afternoon, Oddfellows is at its picturesque peak, bright and brimming with stylish clientele. This is the sort of place filled raucous lunch parties, quiet couples and lone diners casually flipping through profound works of fiction. The entire wait staff is dressed to the teeth in quintessential indie garb, tightly fitting Obama shirts, waistcoats and unnecessary glasses and all. A friend of mind wryly commented that each staff member seemed to emerge from the kitchen “with just the right amount of piercings.”
The menu is fairly limited and not incredibly ambitious, but I ordered a three cheese panini with onion jam that was surprisingly varied and flavorful. Their fries (served in the aforementioned tin can) are crispy, well seasoned and bite sized, served with aioli as well as the traditional ketchup. The food is classic American fare including roast chicken and BLTs, generally carried out well but without too many surprises. Oddfellows offers reasonable prices (entrées for $10, sandwiches for $8) with a satisfying range of specialty cocktails that make it a favorite for day or night.
Oddfellows provides a basic but affordable menu, but it is the atmosphere that has made it a Capitol Hill staple months after opening. Whether you’re after a meal, a few cocktails, or just a leisurely coffee, Oddfellows will be a good fit. It’s a popular spot so there may be a bit of a wait for a table, but once seated you’ll find it’s a perfect place to linger over an afternoon.
by Nicola Fairhead
[Photos: Tiffany Diamond]
