Macrina's Open!

October 3, 6:51 PMSeattle Food ExaminerTraca Savadogo

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Macrina Bakery & Cafe is a Seattle institution.  Their first location is a snug and bustling Belltown spot that easily rustles up memories of France.  While Macrina's Queen Anne location, tucked into a low, brick-faced building is a cozy neighborhood place to while away an afternoon. 

And mid-September, Macrina's latest addition swung open their doors on 1st Avenue South.  Green-certified and within walking distance of Safeco & Qwest Stadiums, their fat sandwiches on  hearty house-made breads make Macrina a logical stop on the way to the game.  But a recent stop revealed more than a handful of surprises that will keep me coming back, with or without a game in play.

Tall windows stretching over two stories flood the space with natural light.  Perched on a stool facing the street, I watched as quiet rain drops merged into rivers and drizzled down the glass.  A steamy latte and warm brioche provided inspiration for journaling...and later, a wander across the street to Art Wolfe's stunning photography studio.

On my way back to the car, I popped in (again!) to grab an artisan loaf of bread.  Sounds simple, doesn't it?  Au contraire!  Faced with so many wonderful choices, I was seized by indecision.  Should I go for the Olivetta, studded with olives and and fragrently earthy from a generous hit of fresh rosemary and oregano? A long-time favorite, I enjoy this chewy bread with a simple smear of goat cheese and slow-roasted tomatoes.  Or there's another favorite...Oatmeal Buttermilk Bread with a slight crust and just a hint of nuttiness. This soft-centered bread elevates brown bagging it into something enviable. 

 Decision making skills are beyond me at this point.  I grab two loaves of bread, and a slice of that fabulous lemon sour-cherry coffee cake, and make an attempt at a quick exit. 

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On my way out, I was transfixed by the action in the kitchen. This SODO location is home to Macrina's new, consolidated production kitchen. Floor to ceiling windows flank both sides of the retail counter, offering a bird's eye view into the kitchen. Massive wood-topped tables provide the canvas for flour and dough.  I watched as deft hands sliced the dough into 6-inch strips and with a quick twist of the wrist, shaped breadsticks-in-the making and placed them on a towering stack of sheetpans. As the pans filled up, they were transferred to the large metal racks. Way in the back, I spied the production oven. Tall and narrow by design, the metal racks are driven into the space, allowing multiple pans to bake simultaneously.
 

Fresh baked goods, a voyeur view into the kitchen, and a strategic location just outside the downtown fray...I'll definitely be a familiar face!

Macrina Bakery and Cafe
1943 1st Avenue South,
SODO neighborhood
(206) 623-0919

www.macrinabakery.com