Dancing with Seattle.
- At September 10, 2009
- By Molly Chester
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7
I’ve gotta narrow my Seattle trip down for you. Just the highlights. In honor of all the kids who have to head back to school this week, awash in structure and syllabuses, I am going to tell you about my Seattle trip with no timeline at all… for the kids.
As a matter of fact, why don’t we just skip right to the good stuff. Chew the lollipop.
I got to go to Delancey. For those of you who may not be obsessively interested in a girl named Molly Wizenberg, there’s a food blog called Orangette that you must not have visited yet. And a book called “A Homemade Life,” that is begging you to read it. And once you do, you will be hoping a plane to Seattle, sitting at the counter of an adorable and sophisticated restaurant that doesn’t even have signage yet, eating one of the most delicious pizzas you have ever eaten and eavesdropping as Molly’s husband, Brandon, bakes your pie in a beautiful brick oven – right before your eyes. He’s nice, too. You could probably even talk to him, but if you are anything like me, you will just mumble something about how good the pizza is while you sit in giddy silence and chew. Here’s me geeked out. My hair is pulled back in a pony-tail. Unfortunately, it needed that preface. Brandon must have ducked, and Molly W. is tucked away behind the brick oven cranking out delicate and satisfying salads made with locally sourced greens. I am sporting a post-salad grin.
I also had a zucchini pizza with anchovies, olive oil, mozzarella, parmesan and oregano – no red sauce. I have to say that I ordered it without realizing that it was blonde. I had a moment of dry pizza panic, but my haunting memories of unsatisfied marinara-less pizza vanished with the first moist and powerful bite. It was delicious. A beast of it’s own. I was too shy to talk to the owners, but not too shy to prop my pie up on the countertop for the best natural light and take a photo.
I did go out on a limb to speak to Brandon in order to get a side of crust-dipping marinara. I felt as though I was dishonoring the beauty and perfection of the zucchini pizza by giving a sideways dunk to it’s delicate crusts, but I was dying to taste the red sauce, too. And it tasted of tomatoes. Fresh ones.
I could wade for hours in the oregano-scented memories of Delancey, but I’ve been also dying to tell you about prunes. We all may or may not know that prunes are dried plums. Well, I always assumed all prunes are simply the common plump plum… dried. But no! There is a variety of plum called a prune plum that is smaller and more efficient for drying! I came across some at Pikes Place Farmers’ Market. I quickly bought 5 and snapped a picture to share with you, too. John and I, with our dear family Sandy, Beth and Sam, munched our prune plums while jockeying our way through the thick tourist crowds and over to the infamous, screaming, salmon throwing fish mongers.
There’s a devilish old man who stands behind counter of the Pikes Place Fish Market holding a cord that connects to the end of an absurdly nasty looking fish with a sign that says, “I’m a Monkfish.” Just as people lean in for a closer look, old man pulls the cord making the fish jump and giving the tourist a pee stain. I screamed SO LOUD. Seriously. It took me 15 minutes to absorb just how loud I screamed. Here he is, in all his radiant multi-patterned glory.
Another day, a fish monger chased me around with a live crawfish. Those things have too many legs, claws and antennas for me. Some day when the cooking cupid hits me with a cajun arrow, I may desire to embrace the crawfish, but for now, see ya. John kindly shot a video of the incident. Our dear friend Shim, lead singer of the Sick Puppies, has a cameo at the end. And looking back, I sorta feel bad for the poor little crawfish. He takes quite a nose-dive.
Speaking of the Sick Puppies, John and I actually flew to Seattle for a Rock Prophecies screening at Bumbershoot Music Festival. The film screened during the festival, and the Sick Puppies, Tyler Bryant and Joe Bonamassa played a private concert at an opening night event called Bumberschmooze. With thousands of sparkling lights like an electronic Lite-Brite behind them, the bands killed it, thankfully making it worth the three hours I stood in heels.
So truthfully, I didn’t fly to Seattle for Delancey, but I couldn’t believe my luck to be nearby. As my friend Thea and I waddled our pizza filled bellies down the quiet residential streets of Ballard, I glanced up towards the grey, wet Seattle sky to see none other than a lone prune plum tree, filled to the brim with small, oblong fruits, just like I saw at the market. I could hardly contain my excitement while Thea wondered aloud if anyone would even miss a few measly plums. On cue, a man popped his head around the corner replying, “You can pick some, if you’d like.” Grateful and child-like, we did. Filled with love for this simple little tree, we danced on the electric energy that surfaces when our own timeline is paused, allowing the random simple beauty of life’s own magical order to shine, shine, shine.
xo – Organic Spark
suomynona
Wonderful entry, Molly :) Did you have enough room left to try one of the other Molly's delicious desserts? Your post makes me want to go to Delancey again tonight. It's been too long since I've had the Zucchini anchovy…
suomynona
I think you'll like this :)
(Yes, that's what she's really doing.)
Molly Chester
Oh my gosh suomynona! Thank you so much for passing that on! That just made my day… seriously… you got a
"Ahhh!" out of me when I opened it up. :) Best to you… Molly
suomynona
I was hoping for that :) Brandon had already read it, but Molly had not yet had time (they're both so ridiculously busy these days). The smile that appeared on Molly's face while she read your words reminded me to take a photo to share with you. I'm with you on the tomato sauce. I'm going to have to try it that way, but uncooked. He doesn't even make the sauce until about a half hour before they open. I love how everything is so fresh. Anyways, I'm starting to ramble. Take care Molly :)
Molly Chester
Love the rambling. Thanks random blog angel! :)
Take care.
lauren
Hi Molly, I stumbled upon your blog on facebook and have been so inspired with all of your posts! I just read about your Seattle visit, which I wish I had known about because I live right in Ballard myself. Next time you are in town if you have time, let me know, would be great to grab some coffee or something. I have just recently been to Delancey myself too – yummy!
Looks like all is well with you :)
Lauren (Love) from GA Tech
Molly Chester
Lauren! I somehow missed your post until now. I can't believe you live in Ballard! I would have loved to catch up. I'm not sure when I'll be back, but I will definitely give you a hollar. Please get in touch if you are ever down in LA too! I am in the Santa Monica area, and i'd love to grab a bite…
Molly