Food & Drink in Kirkland

Winner of Roast magazine's 2008 Macro Roaster of the Year, Zoka has its brewmasters travel throughout Africa, Asia, and South America in search of the richest coffee deposits. And in-store customers get to sample them all, whether cuddling up with a 12-ounce mocha ($4) inside the dark-wooded walls of Zoka's Greenlake District location, having an intellectual debate with a muffin ($2.50) at the student-filled University of Washington location, or headbanging to the new Slayer espresso machine in the heart of Kirkland. Zoka's pro-level baristas make sure each cup of java juice is fresh and potent by serving it mere minutes after it's roasted, rather than minutes after it's emerged zombie-like from a vacuum-packed plastic tomb. Otherwise, indulge in a pot of tea ($4.25) paired with a scone ($2.50), or find a heartier, bread-based drinking buddy in a breakfast sandwich ($5). Each Zoka location treats customers to two hours of free WiFi and assorted Internet skateboarding.

21 Central Steakhouse's extensive menu centers largely on its specialties: USDA prime corn-fed beef and fresh-caught seafood. The posh steakhouse's steaks are all seared in a 1,800-degree broiler, creating a deeply flavored external char that houses the juicy, broiled-to-order interior—similar to the one that houses Wile E. Coyote after an ACME bomb malfunction. After starting with a plate of baked goat cheese ($9.95) over tomatoes Provençal with chive oil and balsamic vinaigrette, boost your vitamin B12 intake with a 10-ounce center-cut filet mignon ($42.95) or a 20-ounce porterhouse ($46.95) and add a side of creamed spinach ($8) for color. You can also enhance your steak by dousing it with a coat of 21's brandy chanterelle sauce ($5), caramelized balsamic onions ($4), and more.

Hailing from the Italian island of Sardinia, Fabrizio Loi graduated with honors from Italy's national culinary college. He's put that experience to good use as the owner and head chef at Ristorante Paradiso. There, Fabrizio orchestrates a menu of classic Italian dishes. But instead of strictly adhering to traditional recipes or reading the instructions embedded into every lasagna noodle, Fabrizio puts his own spin on things. Diners reap the benefits of Fabrizio's culinary creativity when they sit down for gourmet pizzas at lunch, or dinner dishes such as cannelloni gratinati—pasta crepes stuffed with ground veal, chicken, and mozzarella and enhanced with a tomato and besciamelle sauce.

The [Seattle Post-Intelligencer] and [Seattle Times] featured Olive You for its fresh deli selection. Seattle Weekly featured owner Timur Leno for his dedication to improving the neighborhood through Olive You. Yelpers give the restaurant a savory rating of 3.5 stars:

Eastside Stomp is the name for a collective of swing dance teachers and enthusiasts based on the Eastside of the Greater Seattle area. We are dedicated to teaching, performing, preserving, evolving and promoting the many vintage-based forms of swing dance, as well as the music and style of the Swing Era.

Charlie’s Flame Broiled Burgers evokes stomach growls with juicy and fresh third-pound, 100% ground chuck burgers, Charlie’s secret sauce, and crispy steak fries. Sharpen canines on a variety of menu options, beginning with appetizers such as fried mushrooms ($5.99) or cheese-oozing mozzarella sticks ($6.99). Diners can tango with the signature Charlie burger ($10.99), smothered in Charlie sauce and topped with hot pastrami, or saddle their faces up to the Western bacon cheeseburger ($10.99). Manly burgers ($12.99) showcase 2.5 pounds of beef and spend their spare time tinkering with power tools in a shed, while the grilled chicken burger ($9.99), the salmon burger ($11.99), and turkey burger ($10.99) satisfy cravings for beef-free fare and can be paired with a selection off the beer and wine menu. Freshly sliced lettuce, tomato, and onions escort sandwiches to the table, along with a side of steak fries, which can be substituted with onion rings, fried mushrooms, or teacher’s assistants.