[updated December 2013 with info about Green Eileen, Hunt, Chrysanthemum, the Hummingbird Saloon and more]
You will simply not believe how much fun, food, art, music and more is packed into Columbia City, a hip neighborhood within the most diverse zip code in the nation. Between its vibrant commercial district, with great food, shopping and nightlife and close proximity to the 300 acre Seward Park, Lake Washington and Genesse Park, you can indulge in all of life’s pleasures. And while you’ll find it hard to leave, when you have to, Columbia City is one of the easiest locations to connect to I5 and I90 (both within 3miles) or leave the car behind and hop on Light Rail north to stadiums, the ID, downtown, or south to Sea Tac Airport!
Like Paris?
Likened to a typical Parisian arrondissement, you’ll find your butcher, boulangerie, café, coiffer, bibliotech, librarie, and bar aux vin, resto, all within a few short blocks. In fact, WalkScore.com calls Columbia City a “Walkers Paradise” giving it a walkability rating of 100, out of 100!
…Foodies
Honestly the abundance and variety of restaurants are astounding, I do hope you like to eat. And especially if you like all types of cuisine, you…are…in…luck! Greek, Senagalese, Pho, Ethopian, Sicilian, BBQ, Pizza (the best indy pizza in the country), classic American breakfasts, east coast deli, island soul food, french, vegetarian, filipino, puerto Rican, thai, sushi, mexican. And that’s all within a few blocks. There are so many great eating establishments in the neighborhood…
Columbia City Eateries and Pubs
Among the food venues in Columbia City, you’ll find La Medusa - one of the original restaurants in Columbia City, featuring “Sicilian Soul Food” and a Wednesday Farmers Market Menu, Tutta Bella authentic Neopolitan Pizzeria - the other CC original and named America’s Best Indie Pizza 2010 by Pizza Today. Geraldine’s Counter is often referred to as an upscale diner and hands-down one of the best breakfast to be found in Seattle. There’s Empire Espresso with heavenly coffee, paninis and waffles plus free wireless that draws in professionals, writers and locals with laptops in tow-you could almost consider this the co-working space of the neighborhood. Columbia City Ale House offers over a dozen beers on tap and mouthwatering pub grub, or try the fare at The Hummingbird Saloon. Lottie’s Lounge features a Monday Morning Hangover Brunch with local music, and Shane, formerly of the now closed Roy’s BBQ is in the kitchen cooking up his famous Georgia Gold listed as among best BBQ on the west coast in Sunset Magazine. Sportsfans love Rookies Sports Bar & Grill, (read Hanna Raskin’s review of Rookies here) and get your organic juice and smoothies at the Jus Bar (see more about this venue here).
Let’s round things up with mention of The Spice Room (Thai), WabiSabi (sushi), El Sombrero (Mexican), Awash (Ethiopian), The Bourban (New Orleans-influence), Full Tilt (ice cream), Jones Barbeque (Oprah is a fan!), Kawalli Grill (Filipino), El Pilon (Puerto Rican), Island Soul (Caribbean and Soul Food). There is even an eatery tied to the laundry mat, as the Time Warp Cafe offers a wide variety of specialty hot dogs, sammies, smoothies and breakfast wraps. Reviews on UrbanSpoon here.
ARK LODGE CINEMAS
MOViE mADnESS!
Living in Columbia City means you really can have a night out without leaving your neighborhood! The community was overjoyed when, in December of 2012, the Columbia City Cinema re-opened as Ark Lodge Cinemas! We are thrilled to have this cinema as a vibrant part of our neighborhood! Featuring both first run and specialty art films, the cinema is run by new owner David McRae. Like them on Facebook here!
Music…
The music scene of Columbia City is thriving, with venues like the Columbia City Theater - recently named Seattle’s “finest sounding room” by SPIN magazine! Having the distinction of being the oldest vaudeville theater in the state of Washington, the Columbia City Theater was home to jazz in the 40′s, punk rock in the 80′s, and somewhere in between was one of the 1st stages graced by Jimi Hendrix. The Theater most recently re-opened under new ownership in May of 2010 and has since seen the likes of musical talent including the Fleet Foxes, The Maldives, Too Beautiful to Live and many more. Shows are generally Thursday through Sunday with genres ranging from indy to hip hop, to country and jazz, and that great sound is attributed to the talents of former Crocodile soundman Jim Anderson, who did the sound design for the venue. The Theater also features the Bani-Love recording studio, with legendary Gary Mula at the helm. Gary once ran the rehearsal studio for Nirvana, Mudhoney, The Screaming Trees and other well known Seattle musicians, before it tragically burned to the ground in January of 2009. We are so fortunate he has made his new home here with us.
Of course another major player in the Col-City music scene is The Royal Room, which opened in December of 2011. A restaurant, bar and music venue featuring jazz, classical, local songwriters, country, blues and roots, groove, funk, soul and alternative rock, The Royal Room brings incredible music and great food to the hood - and it’s family friendly until 10pm! Behind the project are Tia Matthies and Steve Freeborn (OK Hotel, Lottie’s Lounge and Rendezvous) along with local musician and composer Wayne Horovitz. The Royal Room features national acts mid-week and offer a unique opportunity for local musicians to establish residencies and create projects special to the venue. Horovitz was sure to provide a concert grand piano and Hammond B3 organ, drums, guitar amps and other instruments for the musicians. In addition to being a rehearsal space and recording studio, their mission also includes supporting education and youth outreach activities, and the restaurant will feature comfort food with a touch of Cajun, with Pauline Wickey formerly of LC’s Kitchen on Lake City Way.
In addition to these primary venues, music can be heard all throughout Columbia City’s commercial district. Free music is often a staple at Lotties Lounge, Tutta Bella and Island Soul. Music events like Valley Vibes Jazz can be found at the Rainer Valley Cultural Center-the community’s multicultural performing arts center, home also to SEEDArt’s Art’s Gumbo, and from May through September you’ll find the Beat Walk which features music at many of the shops and restaurants in the neighborhood on 1st Fridays.
…Arts, Crafts & Literary…
The art & literary scene is strong with a seasonal Art Walk every third Thursday from May - September, the Columbia City Gallery (pictured above bottom row far left - art featured by Joan Robbins), poetry readings at the local Starbucks and SPLAB, a center for poetry, theater, local journalism and other word arts. If you’re crafty and like to make your own art, you’ll love Stash Quilt Shop, where you can buy incredible fabrics, and other craft sewing and knitting items. You’ll find owner Stephanie Snider often there with her darling son Jackson (pictured at the top of the pyramid, above) who can guide you in projects, pattern selection and who also offer classes in sewing, quilting and crafting! Check out their Facebook page here. In artistic celebration of the diverse community, SPLAB is supported Represent 98118, where residents were asked to participate in a one-day project, on October 5, 2011, where they shared their experiences - using film, photography, poetry and other manners of creative expression - working, living, playing, studying and worshiping (and eating - yep, that’s me) in the 98118 zip code. And last but certainly not least is our wonderful Carnegie Library which was refurbished in 2004 is another literary anchor in the community.
Paris Bakery & Deli
…Butcher, Baker…
No village would be complete with out their butcher and baker. Bob’s Quality Meats has been an anchor in the neighborhood for four generations, and like many of the Columbia City residents and business owners with whom I spoke with say, owner James Ackley notes one of the best things about being in the neighborhood is the diversity. “And, for me its also a great market! I get the Muslim holidays, the Christian and the Jewish holidays too!” You’ll find organic grass fed meats, homemade snappy links and sausages, porter house and melt away tri-tip, oxtail, rabbit, duck and yes…turducken! The Columbia City Bakery will put you back on the streets of Paris with their baguettes, ficelle’s croissants and pain au chocolat, and you know you haven’t strayed far from home with American classics like fresh cookies, cakes, cupcakes and blondies! Find local cheeses, freshly made sammies and other delicacies in their cold case. And speaking of Paris, check out the Paris Bakery & Deli, a family-owned restaurant offering delightful Vietnamese noodles, sandwiches, and baked goods.
…Farmer…
And then there is the Farmers Market which is open May - October every Wednesday, from 3pm to 7pm. That’s Cle of HalfPint homemade ice cream at the top of the the set of images just above - these pictures should be making you hungry!
Hunt
…and Candlestick Maker! (Shopping in Columbia City)
From the eclectic home decor, gifts, jewelry and women’s apparel of Andaluz, to African masks, fabrics and more at Baol, you can find a rich assortment of treasures in just a few short blocks. Find stylish home decor items with a French touch and interior design services at Bayle & Co! (Like them on Facebook here!). Grab the perfect shower gift at Columbia City Bouquet, or revel in retro heaven with clothes, hats, shoes and housewares at Gather Consignment. Chrysanthemum, another consignment shop caters just for kids and find treasures in mensware at Hunt. And kids of all ages delight in RetroActive Kids incredible selection of toys, crafts and books. Did you know your charming offspring can even get their hair cut while you browse, as Columbia City Cuts kids’ salon resides at the back of the store. Green Eileen sells gently worn women’s wear from Eileen Fisher, both extending the life of these garments and generating revenue to support programs that improve the lives of women and girls.Or perhaps it’s you who are in need of a trim…
There are two nail salons, and numerous hair stylists also within these few blocks. Reign has 3 stylists and celebrates one year this August with the addition of an aesthetician. Owner Taco Yarborough loves the neighborhood because of its diversity, quaintness and family friendly feel. Pure Alchemy offers earth friendly color treatments, avoiding the “dirty dozen” chemicals often found in cosmetics. Get your outer self looking sharp with a fluff and fold or dry cleaning at Columbia City Suds, and tap into your inner beauty at Kadampi Meditation. Bodywraps, scrubs and aroma therapy await at Massage For Seattle.
…Fitness and Health
Staying slim in the face of all the great food in Columbia City is not difficult - with Bull Stewart and his inspiring wife Flo at Columbia City Fitness, or tone and de-stress at Lotus Yoga. There are several massage salons to ease your tired muscles after that long work out, and two businesses which offer acupuncture and herbal treatments. Within walking distance you’ll find tennis and Genesse Park, where you can also keep Fido in shape, at the double-gated 2 and 1/2 acre off-leash doggie park! Tune up your bike at BikeWorks, because close by is also Seward Park with its 2.4 mile bike and jogging loop and serene old growth forest on the Bailey Peninsula at Lake Washington. Not up for a bike ride or a jog? Take in the breathtaking beauty of Mt. Rainier, ducks on the lake and bald eagle’s overhead during a relaxing stroll.
I’ll be sure to update this post as new establishments open, and other great features about the neighborhood arise. By the way, we at Dwell Development live in the neighborhood and consider ourselves lucky to be here. We have several projects in the works in Columbia City, so if you are interested in owning a Dwell Development home and want to consider yourself one of the lucky ones, please get in touch (Enable Javascript to see the email address). Learn more about living in Columbia City here.
Check back for news about other venues soon to open in this vibrant, exciting, walkable neighborhood!
(all images copyright Dwell Development 2011, 2012)