Historical romance hits the plate and glass at the new Cook Weaver in Seattle.
Rendezvous via Craigslist? Often questionable in the 21st Century. The one exception, of course, being Seattle’s Zac Reynolds and Nile Klein, who met on the site in hopes of uniting their food-fueled dreams of opening a restaurant, thus marking the birth of Cook Weaver. Its beginnings couldn’t get more modern, yet a rich historical narrative seeps through the 1940s mural-adorned walls and onto the eclectic “Inauthentic Eurasian” menu.
What exactly is inauthentic Eurasian anyway? If you pictured carefully plated meat-based dishes with roast veggies and kimchi, the latter perhaps paired with potato latkes or tahini, then suit up – you’re officially ready for Fancy Pants Friday at Cook Weaver (yep, the inaugural Fancy Pants Friday took place this month). If not, you have many a chance to redeem yourself by experiencing the “bold flavors from the world’s pantry” amidst Cook Weaver’s homey, inviting atmosphere.
Enjoy yourself at a cozy table in the main dining area, where benches surround most of the walls. Reservations are encouraged, as this place is new to the neighborhood but already a hit with the Capitol Hill crowd. Stained glass windows add to the old-fashioned flair, as does the quaint bar top, which seats just five thirsty, and quite lucky, patrons. Here, you’ll be mesmerized equally by Klein’s cocktail concocting skills and the list of wines selected from around the world. For fuel, Asian-inspired nori dumplings can be snacked on pre entrée, but you best believe they are beer-battered, throwing a Euro-curveball onto the palate. Toss in some split pea falafel and pan-roasted steelhead trout and it really is the best of both continents.
If you’re looking for an especially unique aperitif to match that meal, look no further than the favored Princess Swan. Klein says he tapped into a source of inspiration with this one, a fantastical violet-hued fusion of Citadelle gin, violette liqueur, lemon, soda and a zest of orange, which is as dreamy as it looks.
Like the Princess Swan, each of Klein’s cocktails reflect a piece of history per the murals sprawling the establishment’s walls, which depict Romantic era novelist Alexander Pushkin’s tale of Tsar Saltan, which features a cook, a weaver and a princess swan – it all makes sense now. The murals were painted during the rise of communism in the 40s when Russian influence pervaded Seattle, and Klein explains that they have been well respected and cared for over the years, now the backbone to his fairy tale-esque cocktail list. Also recommended are the Tsar Saltan, the Royal Weaver and the Sly Deceiver – the last sipper served on the rocks.
Entering into the world of Cook Weaver bargains for more than top-notch service and eats – you might just experience a taste of history, an unofficial story time and confirmation that the faces behind it all are enthusiastic both about what has gone before, and what has yet to come.
