Steelhead Diner

I've wanted to check out Seattle's Steelhead Diner ever since I saw a picture of their slice of caviar pie featured in one of those in-flight magazines. Maybe it was the fact that I was cruising along at 30,000 feet with nothing but salted peanuts that had me instantly infatuated with the dish. Or perhaps it is because the rainbow of roe atop a slab of sour cream and cream cheese, served on a bed of chopped egg, onions and capers really is a stunner to look at. Whatever the case may be, Steelhead Diner's caviar pie had been the subject of many a food fantasy. On our recent Christmas trip to Seattle, even snow and subsequently closed roads weren't going to keep us apart.


Caviar Pie - $14.95

Interestingly, the price of this dish has crept up pretty dramatically since the restaurant's inception in early 2007. Originally offered at $10.95, and then at $12.95 as recently as this summer, the subject of my lust cost a whopping $14.95 on our recent visit. I'd thought about it for so long that I knew I could not leave without trying it. Yes, it is gorgeous to look at, and yes, I ate the whole thing: but at a more than 40% increase in price, this baby has gone up as much as my pension has gone down. Not exactly budget-friendly.


Crispy Pork Shank Carnitas - $9.95

J loved how the meat so gingerly fell off the bone. As the rest of you carnitas fans know, typically it comes with the meat already braised and shredded, so it was fun and unique that the meat came on the bone and had to be shredded. Do it Yourself carnitas, if you will.


Flash Fried Pacific Oyster Loaf - $14.95

A little bit of NOLA in the Pacific Northwest: a blending of my two "homes" and the ultimate comfort food.


Grilled Marinated Skirt Steak Sandwich - $14.95

The meat was juicy and flavorful, and the crumbled Oregonzola was a nice touch.

The wine menu keeps it local with "nothing south of Oregon, nothing east of Idaho" and on it we found a lovely Willamette Valley pinot noir, Alloro, that we'd never had before. We liked it -- and Steelhead's bulbous wine glasses -- so much that we popped back in the next day to enjoy a bottle at the bar.

- K

Steelhead Diner
95 Pine Street
Pike Place Market
Seattle, WA 98101