Exploring Seattle one bite at a time

Stateside Seattle

written by seattlebites March 24, 2016

Recognized as Seattle Met’s 2015 restaurant of the year, Stateside features a unique blend of Asian and European cuisine. The main focal point is modern, fresh Vietnamese food that pulls inspiration from both Chinese and French flavors and techniques.

I definitely feel a bit late to the game on this one, since I’ve been in Seattle for 13 months now and just got around to trying Stateside recently. I will say, though; that should be a testament to how many fantastic restaurants there are in Seattle. I’m so busy discovering new places in and around my Belltown hood; I’ve barely just scratched the surface of other neighborhoods like Capitol Hill.

I’ve passed by Stateside a few times, and it has a very unassuming exterior. It’s next to a great coffee shop, Victrola Roastery & Cafe, which always catches my eye because the outside is a bit more decorative. I have to say; I was pleasantly surprised when I walked into Stateside. It almost felt like I was walking into a vintage film. The interior decor had a hint of European Colonial style infused with a tropical Southeast Asian vibe. It is very airy and light, I would love to come back for a sun-filled brunch with my lady friends.

There were many excellent cocktail options, and I decided to go for the Greens Keeper – jasmine gin, tamarind, lemon, and soda, $10. I enjoyed this drink a lot. The jasmine infused gin was crisp and fragrant; I’m not a big gin drinker but when I saw jasmine and tamarind I had to give it a try. It did not disappoint!

The food menu is presented tapas-style; it’s broken down into small, medium and large sized plates. Which is perfect for me, because I love trying lots of different dishes when I’m dining out. To be honest, though; I did do a little poll of the foodie community before going here. So I already knew exactly what I wanted to order before looking at the menu. I’m such a nerd, I know!

We started our meal with the Crispy Duck Fresh Rolls – duck rolls wrapped in fresh herbs and rice paper, $9. These were probably one of the best items I sampled during my meal. I loved the mix of crispy shell wrapped in rice paper. Also, the layering of fresh Thai basil and other herbs gave the dish such a vibrant flavor that popped on my taste buds.

Next up we ordered the Green Papaya Salad – long beans, tomatoes, lime, chili, dried shrimp and beef jerky, $10. I loved the acidity of this dish. I slowly noshed on this throughout our entire meal and used it as a pallet cleanser when switching between plates. The beef jerky on top was a nice surprise. It wasn’t super chewy, making it easy to enjoy without all of the laborious jaw movement.

Our next dish was the Chili Cumin Pork Ribs – whole cumin seeds, ginger, garlic, and chili, $13. Wow, these were packed to the brim with flavor. You can shake off some of the seasonings so that you have just the right amount to match your taste. I left most of it on because I love this Hunan-style of Chinese seasoning. The ribs were nice and tender; the cumin was strong but not overpowering, and I enjoyed the pairing of all the flavors.

Our final savory plate was the Goat Curry – grilled goat and dried haricots verts braised in fresh curry paste with coconut milk and yogurt, $23. This dish was tasty, but I have to admit it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. It did not have any of the sweetness that I’m used to from a coconut milk based dish. It reminded me of the style of curry goat I’ve had in the Cayman Islands. Which is great, but not prepared the same way as Southeast Asia. I liked the dollop of yogurt; it added a nice touch of creaminess to the dish.

We ended our meal with one of the best desserts I have ever tasted. Creme Fraiche Cheesecake – on shortbread crust with lychee snow, 8. This was the creamiest, lightest and most perfectly balanced cheesecake I have ever tasted. I probably could have eaten five more of these! I have to thank local Seattle Instagrammer @jchungeats posting about this dish.

Overall, I felt very satisfied with my dining experience at Stateside. The service was very attentive; the interior was beautiful, and the food was delicious. The only thing that I would have changed is; I would have ordered either the ribs or the goat curry and not both together. I felt that the flavors in both dishes were quite robust, and it was a bit of sensory overload for me. Next time, if I choose the Cumin ribs, I will partner it with a more simple dish like the Bun Cha Hanoi – pork patties and belly in caramel fish sauce marinade, imperial rolls, rice vermicelli, and herbs, $19. I feel this would have been a more complementary pairing. I’ve got my eye on their Hong Kong Style Charcoal Waffles – coconut- pandan syrup, jackfruit jam and shaved almond, $10 and house-made popsicles, $5 for weekend brunch!

Cheers,
Sonya

Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Price Point: $$

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