Joint Venture for Linda Derschang and Chef Ericka Burke
Oddfellows cafe & bar to Open on Capitol Hill
SEATTLE, November 6, 2008 – Newly renovated, the historic 1908 Oddfellows Building on Capitol Hill will be home to a joint venture between well-known restaurateur/bar maven, Linda Derschang and chef Ericka Burke of the beloved Volunteer Park Cafe. Slated to open mid-December, Oddfellows cafe & bar will be the quintessential neighborhood hangout in this booming urban area known as the Pike Pine Triangle.
“I’ve had a strong attachment to the Pike/Pine neighborhood for over 15 years,” says Derschang. “I really felt that a cafe like Oddfellows is what the neighborhood was missing.”
“The goal is to create a place where people feel comfortable,” says Burke. “Where they feel like they are part of this vibrant community.”
“A home away from home,” says Derschang, “that’s the ultimate goal.”
Oddfellows cafe & bar will occupy the ground floor space at 1525 10th Avenue between Pike and Pine. This 2500 square foot space boasts 18-foot coffered ceilings, well-worn dance studio floors, exposed brick walls, an enclosed patio, and large east-facing windows that open to the street.
“The enclosed patio was a great surprise,” says Burke, “with brick walls climbing up a few stories, it’s very urban, very New York.”
“And we’re going to make it super charming,” says Derschang, “string some little white lights, have lots of candles, get some heaters for the cold months. It’ll be totally enchanting.”
Dovetail General Contractors, who specializes in renovations, is doing the build out of the space and keeping much of the early 1900s charm intact. Derschang and Burke are collaborating on the design aspect, along with Sterling Voss of Atlas Woodworking. The interior will feature vintage industrial lights, salvaged wood shelves, a marble topped bar, vintage bar stools, farmhouse tables and benches, church pews salvaged from St. Joseph on Capitol Hill, and an open kitchen.
When asked about her signature taxidermy, so prominent in her other venues, Derschage says that she doesn’t think Oddfellows will have any, but you never know.
Oddfellows cafe & bar will be open daily from 7am to 12am, and until 2am on Friday and Saturday. Following the successful model of Volunteer Park Cafe, this 80-plus seat cafe will offer a selection of housemade pastries and a light breakfast menu in the mornings that includes a Bacon Cheddar Scone with Green Onion ($2.50), Peach Muffin with Streusel Topping ($2.50), Hammers, a Swiss Cheese Scone with a Ham Center ($2.75), Homemade Oatmeal with Brown Sugar & Cream ($5), a Breakfast Panini, Poached Eggs, Bacon, Tomato, Smoked Cheddar, & Gruyere ($7), Mascarpone & Pear stuffed Brioche French Toast ($8), and a Dutch Oven Frittata & Salad ($6).
Beginning at 11am and available until closing, the cafe will offer a selection of sandwiches and hearty salads that can be ordered at the counter to eat in-house or grabbed to go. Look for items like, a Three Cheese & Onion Jam Panini ($6), a Braised Pulled Pork Sandwich ($8), French Dip Sandwich, Roast Beef with Horseradish & Au Jus ($9), a PB & J Panini ($5), Chicken Panzanella with Arugula, Bacon, Avocado, Tomato & Blue Cheese ($9), Roasted Beets & Apple with Chevre, Hazelnuts & Greens ($8), and Baby Spinach with Faro, Roasted Winter Squash, Garbanzo Bean & Tahini Dressing ($8).
Table service will begin at 5pm and include a seasonal menu of simple, rustic dishes and daily specials such as, a Cheese Plate with Nuts, Fruit & Crostini ($10), Pate with Crostini ($8), The Cutting Board, Cured Meats with Mustard ($12), Mac & Cheese ($5), Crispy Pork Nuggets ($5), Braised Pork Shank with French Lentils & Creamed Cabbage ($15), Steak with Blue Cheese, Braised Onion & Arugula ($14), Beef Stew ($12), and Rotisserie Chicken ($14).
“The idea is to offer the growing neighborhood a place they can hang out, day and night,” says Derschang. “Come in for coffee and a pastry in the morning, swing by to grab a rotisserie chicken and a bottle of wine to take home, meet friends for a late afternoon snack, cocktails at the bar before a show, a romantic dinner, whatever.”
“And the food will be a great value, delicious, comforting,” says Burke. “Very important in this uncertain economic time.”
Oddfellows will have a full bar that highlights scratch cocktails inspired by the classics. They will have a vast selection of mostly European beers both in the bottle and on tap, as well as a few microbrew and domestic options. An eclectic collection of moderately priced old and new world wines will be available to enjoy in-house or to go.
Within the cafe there will be an espresso counter that serves Stumptown coffee and espresso, and a bakery case filled with a rotating selection of sweets created by Heather Earnhardt of the Volunteer Park Cafe. Look for items like, Butterscotch Oaties ($1.75), Chocolate Whopper Cookies ($1.75), Apple Jack Cupcakes ($3.50), and Peanut Butter & Jelly Cupcakes ($3.50). There will also be a small candy counter stocked with old-school candy. Oddfellows will take reservations for parties of six or more. More information will be available soon at www.oddfellowscafe.com.
Linda Derschang has always been a little ahead of her time, a pioneer of sorts. Her sense of style and design aesthetic uniquely played out in each one of her ventures over the past 15 years. Whether nightclub, bar, or restaurant, each venue sets a tone, inspires a mood, and gives the city exactly what it didn’t know it’s been missing. Currently, Derschang owns four establishments in Seattle, Linda’s Tavern, Viceroy, King’s Hardware, and Smith.
Located among the elegant homes of Seattle’s North Capitol Hill, chef Ericka Burke’s Volunteer Park Cafe (VPC) is the ideal neighborhood-meeting place. With mismatched vintage chairs, throw pillows tossed along banquets, and a communal table running the length of the inviting sunlit room - it’s the perfect place to spend time. The food is delicious home-style goodness, house made pastries, savory and sweet, and a selection of fresh salads, soups, and sandwiches provide daytime provisions ordered from friendly faces behind the counter. As the light dims and the candles are lit, table service begins and guests cozy in for rustic pizzas and ever-changing seasonal offerings like Braised Short Ribs, the ever-popular Pot of Gold (roasted baby pumpkin filled with fontina polenta, roasted mushrooms & a creamy rosemary sauce), or the heavenly Daily Pot Pie. VPC offers a generous selection of boutique wines by the glass and bottles of wine can be enjoyed at the cafe or taken to go. VPC is open Tuesday – Friday from 7am – 4:30pm, weekends from 8am – 4:30pm, and dinner is served Tuesday – Saturday from 5:30pm – 9pm. For more information, call (206) 328-3155 or visit www.alwaysfreshgoodness.com.
Volunteer Park Cafe is located at 1501 17th Avenue East (at Galer) in Seattle, Washington.
