It’s one of those places that’s stuck with me. I’ve caught myself thinking about our breakfast at The Wandering Goose more than a few times since leaving Seattle. Color me wrong but there is nothing more quintessential to vacation than a leisurely breakfast…on a weekday. One where a sense of urgency is fleeting and conversation is about what you will see that day rather than your to do list at work. When I’m rushing to work in the morning I don’t have the luxury of waiting a few extra minutes to make breakfast special. This breakfast was extra special, because of the food and because Dave and I were on vacation while our host played hooky from work.
The Wandering Goose is a hole in the wall. A tiny, narrow space in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood with more to offer than can seemingly fit into the space. The tables are large, with charming poetic phrases burned into the wood. The high ceilings and oversize tables seem to engulf you and relaxation sets in like the calming feeling of being curled up by a fire.
Now to the food. This is how Dave described the biscuits and gravy: “the spice of the sausage was mellowed out with the oozing yolk. That gravy was addicting, I was so full but I couldn’t stop eating.” Enough said. One might think the granola bowl would look like bird food next to Dave’s meal, but I promise it stood out all on its own. The sorghum syrup completely transformed what could have been just another boring yogurt parfait. To be totally honest, until writing this post I had no idea what sorghum was. Sorghum syrup and hot biscuits are a traditional breakfast in the South – hence the food at The Wandering Goose. Sorghum syrup has a similar sweetening effect as molasses, and is definitely more distinct than maple syrup. She-who-shall-not-be-named opted for the biscuit sandwich. Not a crumb remained. We lamented the fact that we left no room to try the original biscuit with butter and jam. Oh well, just an excuse to return.
The Wandering Goose, 403 15th Avenue East, Seattle, 98112, (206) 323-9938, http://www.thewanderinggoose.com/index.html 7:00am – 4:00pm Everyday, Friday Dinner at 5:00pm