Chef Renee Erickson’s new oyster bar in the Kolstrand Building (4743 Ballard Avenue NW) opens today.
The Walrus and the Carpenter will open at 4 p.m. with a full menu, which includes more than just oysters.
This is the second business to open in the refurbished building. Dutch Bike Co. opened last weekend. Chef Ethan Stowell’s restaurant, Staple & Fancy will open soon.
Are they a member of the Ballard Chamber of Commerce?
Dutch Bike is not, obviously.
What a fun new addition to the 'hood! Congratulations!
Another yuppie food establishment.
(How novel for Ballard Avenue.)
What's next?
When is Ballard Hardware going to become condominiums?
we should get some LOW income restaurants, don't you think?
What do you recommend denizen? Fill us with your wisdom. Solutions are better than just b****ing. Better yet, open your own non yuppie place. Otherwise think for a minute that small business is good in this economy, and maybe this place is the product of someone's hard work or dream.
Or just complain.
Welcome to the neighborood. Cool that Ballard is becoming a place for fine dining. This and the farmers market make this a real strip for foodies. Please come spend money locally in our neighborhood and keep Ballard in business.
I freely admit that I have no problem with bourgeois done well (read: none of the chicanery, artifice, and unjustified-by-the-quality-of-food pretense of, say, Bastille). And I've been pretty excited for this one to open, having never made the time to try Boat Street Café.
But frankly, the menu doesn't look all that exciting.
If someone does try it, please report back. I'd love to be convinced otherwise!
No More Gripes:
You missed the main point: Ballard Ave used to have some personality. Now it's about as predictable as the Northgate shopping mall.
I kind of miss Ballard back when we actually had some fishermen here.
Not just the ones they trot out for seafoodfest posters.
whoa! northgate has a oyster bar?
that should be “an”.
Job well done !
Dinner, staff, and the Kolstrand building itself … very impressive.
Northgate Mall? You don't go out much do you?
Quick intelligence test:
What percentage of stores at Northgate Vs. Ballard Ave. are chain stores vs. independent businesses?
This reaks of the usual class envy that litters Ballard. Move to Kent, there's a McDonalds on every corner for you.
I agree, the food was terrific, the cocktails were exceptional and the space very unique.
Dante and SKC,
What did you eat/drink? How was the crowd? Prices? And how is the physical space – I've been really excited to see what they do with the building.
I agree, wholeheartedly! And yes, please post your experiences! :)
This whole complaining about restaurants like this taking over Ballard is driving me crazy. If you want stores to stay in Ballard, shop at them. If they leave and you complain about something new coming in that just isn't your personal taste, you–and the other people who want Ballard to remain as it was–should have done something to support those businesses that left and keep them here/from closing.
Tried it out yesterday. I've never really had oysters before, so I was looking for a new experience. I ordered one of each kind of oyster they had (they had four different kinds). My favorite was the Kumo because of the milder flavor (again I'm still new to all this). I also ordered the clams in a fennel cream sauce. The clams were really good! I would go back for the clams and the bread that they served with it. The best part of the experience, honestly, was talking to the oyster shucker who knew a lot about the regions that the oysters came from and how they affected taste. He's someone who very much cares about what he does. The bartender was equally as excited to help me explore the menu. I finished with a raspberry tart served with fresh creme. I ordered a muscat to go with it and I nearly cried with joy. Very personal and excellent service. For opening on a Monday, it was fairly full. It's hard to find, which is why I think it wasn't jam packed. They have a small restaurant with some limited outdoor seating. Good for couples or small groups of 5 or less.
I'm excited to try it! I love all the new places that are popping up in Ballard. Ballard is wonderful and I hope more new stores and restaurants keep on coming.
In George Orwell's “Down and Out in Paris & London” he writes of his days as a hobo in England and plongeur in the finest restaurants in France.
England had a problem with beggars but it couldn't admit to having a class based society. Public begging was outlawed as a result but you could accost total strangers and offer to sell them a book of matches. This way there was no harm-no foul and England could go on with the pretense of prosperity for all.
Orwell drew a comparison between the match selling entrepreneur and the waiter who hovers nearby to assist you with sprinkling pepper on your salad.
In terms of the public good performed there was not a whole lot of difference between these occupations.
If I wait long enough to go to Kent, I'm sure I will be able to ride my bicycle all the way from Golden Gardens without stopping.
I wonder what kind of seafood restaurant they will put where Salmon Bay Sand & Gravel use to be?
Carta de Oaxaca is damn cheap to eat at. India Bistro has a cheap lunch buffet. Thaiku has really cheap meals (and their entrees are enough for 2 people- well, 2 non-obese people who don't eat at McD's on a weekly basis). The new vegetarian thai place is also cheap. Shall I go on?
Yum! I'm on my way.