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News & ArtsSaturday, April 11, 2009
Two-Block Radius / Chow Ericka Burke Leaves Oddfellows, Nobody Notices for a Month
Posted by Brendan Kiley on Sat, Apr 11, 2009 at 10:55 AM
The order of operations, briefly.
March 10: Bethany Jean Clement criticizes the food at Oddfellows, a joint project between Linda Derschang and Ericka Burke of the Volunteer Park Café. "Given all this greatness... I want very much to love Oddfellows without qualms. The unfortunate thing is, I can't find anything that's great to eat there."
March 11: In the comments on the story, Linda agrees with Bethany. "I have worked very hard to create a wonderful neighborhood cafe... but the food is not there."
March 19: Burke tells Seattle Met's blog that she's leaving and Matt Dillon of Sitka and Spruce is coming in as a temporary replacement.
April 10: Food writer Rebecca Denn writes on her blog: "With all the food writers in Seattle using Oddfellows as a second office (and one with better pastries than the home version), how did I miss the news that Ericka Burke is no longer in the kitchen?"
April 11: Capitol Hill Blog finally notices. Slog finally notices.
1
Food still needs help. Special Tuna sandwich last week was one of the worst tuna sandwiches I've ever had.
4
I walked in. Viewed the menu. Didn't see anything that I would care to eat. I walked out. Went down the street to Linda's and ate an OK, but nothing special breakfast.
Why don't you guys get off the food subject at Oddfellows and have Erica write a review of their under $9 wine offerings.
And, oh yeah_ Fuck you Fnarf!
Why don't you guys get off the food subject at Oddfellows and have Erica write a review of their under $9 wine offerings.
And, oh yeah_ Fuck you Fnarf!
5
i've been a total of twice. both times the servers fucked up our disappointing food and our drinks, and then topped it off by billing us incorrectly as well.
theres enough other ventures in the area for me that i can happily avoid oddfellows.
theres enough other ventures in the area for me that i can happily avoid oddfellows.
6
I think there is great potential. I will return once the menu is figured out. I did have a yummy cupcake there the other day.
8
@5 same experience, MANY more times over. I work just down the road from Oddfellows and desperately want to like it. With many ties to several of the Linda's ventures I've never once had a disagreeable time at any of her other joints; however each and every visit I've made to Oddfellows is marred by shitty service (or lack thereof), horrendous food, and the inability to recognize and correct problems sufficient to my liking (and I'm VERY forgiving).
That said, I'm giving the space, the employees, the chefs, etc. a chance to correct. As much as I've tried to make a go of Quinn's, Boom Noodle, and Fish Fry for lunch breaks (and I love me some Pettirosso breakfast sammies) I yearn for a fresh and somewhat more reasonably priced lunch alternative. --If Smith were located next to my place and as well were open for lunch, I'd never leave. Elliot makes the best food for Linda, HANDS DOWN.
That said, I'm giving the space, the employees, the chefs, etc. a chance to correct. As much as I've tried to make a go of Quinn's, Boom Noodle, and Fish Fry for lunch breaks (and I love me some Pettirosso breakfast sammies) I yearn for a fresh and somewhat more reasonably priced lunch alternative. --If Smith were located next to my place and as well were open for lunch, I'd never leave. Elliot makes the best food for Linda, HANDS DOWN.
9
It must be hard to deal with public criticism on a blog, especially from your boss/co-biz partner commenting in the comments.
10
Linda should stick to drinks. If half your menu is beef and pork, half of Capitol Hill is going to avoid your restaurant at all costs.
15
Really? I'm surprised. I absolutely loved the ham and cheese sandwich there two weeks ago and my boyfriend was satisfied with his pulled pork. The servings were a little small for the price (but typical for Pike/Pine) and the service was slllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllow, but at least it was friendly.
16
uh, Smith is ok...but for pub grub, the food is a little ridiculously priced...a simple dinner for two, in what is essentially a tavern, shouldn't come to $45 (and we drank 3 beers between us, not cocktails)
yes, yes, I know we live in the big city and on Cap Hill, but I could have gone three blocks down the street and had the same experience at The Canterbury for probably $30...apparently, vintage yard sale paintings cost a lot of money...
yes, yes, I know we live in the big city and on Cap Hill, but I could have gone three blocks down the street and had the same experience at The Canterbury for probably $30...apparently, vintage yard sale paintings cost a lot of money...
17
I've been a bunch of times and had really incredibly excellent meals twice and good meals the rest of the time. Their pulled pork sandwich is lovely and I had a duck confit that almost made me weep. That same night, my boyfriend got a pork shank that melted in the mouth and could have served three.
The special drinks are phenomenal. I know everyone isn't behind the whole "New American Bistro" thing, but if you enjoy that style of cuisine, I think it's almost as delicious as Quinn's but at a much lower price point.
@16: I really don't think you can compare the food quality at Canterbury and Smith. Smith isn't really "pub grub," it's "gastro pub." It's essentially a restaurant with a bar atmosphere.
The special drinks are phenomenal. I know everyone isn't behind the whole "New American Bistro" thing, but if you enjoy that style of cuisine, I think it's almost as delicious as Quinn's but at a much lower price point.
@16: I really don't think you can compare the food quality at Canterbury and Smith. Smith isn't really "pub grub," it's "gastro pub." It's essentially a restaurant with a bar atmosphere.
18
Having said that... I HATE when a place (like Oddfellows) has some ersatz aioli instead of mayonnaise for fries. I've seen a lot of bistros do this and then realize it's labor-intensive and more expensive for something that doesn't taste any better and has a nasty-runny texture.
19
Wait a minute -- Matt Dillon is really cooking at Oddfellows? For reals? Holy smokes that's ten kinds of awesome.
20
STARTERS - I give a shit who owns it - who really cares? God, how silly.
IF THE FOOD is not good, say so, be bold Seattle, mommie is not near, and quit giving them your money. Many choices near by.
I had coffee and snagged my pants on the fucked benches, the coffee was nothing, below Mc Donalds, and the room looks like BAD Pioneer Square. Suggest PLANTS, geez, ferns and maybe a couple of real trees, very high ceilings...
People on C. Hill are getting less that other neighborhoods, and somebody is getting rich.... by the way, in this slump, top quality help is EVERYWHERE, no excuse for poor anything after the third week.
WHAT ELSE is new???
Roy
IF THE FOOD is not good, say so, be bold Seattle, mommie is not near, and quit giving them your money. Many choices near by.
I had coffee and snagged my pants on the fucked benches, the coffee was nothing, below Mc Donalds, and the room looks like BAD Pioneer Square. Suggest PLANTS, geez, ferns and maybe a couple of real trees, very high ceilings...
People on C. Hill are getting less that other neighborhoods, and somebody is getting rich.... by the way, in this slump, top quality help is EVERYWHERE, no excuse for poor anything after the third week.
WHAT ELSE is new???
Roy
21
I love Oddfellows. I agree that the food has been disappointing, but the space rules, the drinks are excellent, and the staff has been great. They are attentive and recognized you (or at least pretend to).
22
Went there last night ... the food odor from the open kitchen forced us to leave. Thye burned the ham, or something and the place reeked.
My lungs were straining.
FANS, EXHAUST SYSTEMS, will not go again. Who need all that bad kitchen grease and burn scum smell? At 25.00 a person.
Some people get excited by little. There were two cute girls as staff, I bet much is forgiven when they lay in on the male customers.
Bad, bad experience.
My lungs were straining.
FANS, EXHAUST SYSTEMS, will not go again. Who need all that bad kitchen grease and burn scum smell? At 25.00 a person.
Some people get excited by little. There were two cute girls as staff, I bet much is forgiven when they lay in on the male customers.
Bad, bad experience.
23
yap, its expensive for what you get, seems a little lifeless in there, the staff can be on great and on fire particularly in the mornings, but the whole waiting in line thing is still not managed well. And to blow any more than $10 on your daily lunch is kinda ridiculous in this world. Its basically a spendy, doofus cafeteria. I'll give em another month to line it up--until then, I'll be chowing down upstairs...
25
What do you all expect. Linda is not a Culinarian, how would she know how to run a restaurant. She has a great crew at Smith and it is because she has stepped back and let them be great. Everybody around Linda seems to be jumping ship. Lets me think is it the restaurant, or something bigger? I say the owner is intollerable. Good luck to the crew at Oddfellows. As soon as Linda lets Matt and the crew do their thing without butting her non culinary mind into the restuarant the better. I appreciate what you have done for the community with your other restuarants and pubs, but stick to what you know and that is drinks not food. Let the professionals do their jobs. Good luck Oddfellows.
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