Fadó
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Bangers and Mash
In downtown Seattle, on the corner of 1st and Columbia, sits Fadó. As we walked up to it for the first time the other day, our interest was immediately peaked. We were enjoying a morning off in the city, and were staring to work up a serious appetite. Looking over the menu posted outside, we decided it would be worth waiting until their open an hour later at 11:15, and come back. Despite our growling bellies, it was definitely worth saving our appetites.
Interior of Fadó
Interior of Fadó
Fadó (pronounced f’doe) is incredibly inviting when you first walk in. Dark wood and rich paint give the rooms a warm, cozy feel, and the walls are covered in pictures, and shelves are full of tasteful clutter - antique-looking bottles, jars, tins, framed pictures and signs and random memorabilia. Worn hardwood floors cover some rooms, tile mosiacs in others. The restaurant is laid out to slightly resemble a large house - there are several partitioned sections, one even laid out to feel like a kitchen, complete with a giant vintage 6-door ice chest. We choose a room that has a large stone fireplace, complete with what looked like a cast iron rod, ready for a cauldron full of porridge to be hung on it. We chose a small, circular table with deep swirls carved into it, and pulled up a stool.
We ordered a pint of Smithwicks and Sausage Rolls. Smithwicks is an amber, and has a rich, full flavor. It was the first time we’d had it, and we really enjoyed it. The sausage rolls were amazing - one bite into them, and we knew we were in for a great meal. They were pork sausages, fat and juicy and full of flavor, wrapped in a flaky, airy dough - the texture reminded me of phyllo dough, but even lighter. They were served with Marie Rose Sauce - a tangy pink sauce that was a delightful compliment.
Smithwicks
Sausage Rolls
Josh ordered the Bangers and Mash - when asked what he thought, he said “They are so stinkin’ good!” The presentation was a nice touch - the plate looked like something from your grandmother’s cupboard and was loaded with a pile of mashed potatoes, and five large sausages arranged over the top. It was covered in peas and a rich onion gravy. To be completely honest, Josh prefers the Bangers and Mash at Elephant and Castle a bit more, but these were still amazing. The portions are generous, and more than enough for two meals.
Bangers and Mash
I ordered something I’ve never tried before - a boxty. They offer three different kinds (Trinity Steak, Corned Beef and Cabbage, and Blackened Chicken and Shrimp), and I settled on the Trinity Steak Boxty. A boxty is a traditional Irish potato pancake. It’s amazing. So good, in fact, that according to Wikipedia, there’s even a poem about it: “Boxty on the griddle, boxty in the pan, if you can’t make boxty, you’ll never get a man.” I can tell you I was sold. This particular boxty was stuffed with grilled steak, sauted onions and mushrooms and smothered in a creamy whisky garlic sauce. It was served with carrots and onions, and the flavors were incredible. Rich and savory, with a slight sweetness to the vegetables… it was a moment when I wished my stomach would never fill up so I could continue to enjoy the flavors.
Trinity Steak Boxty
The service was excellent, the food was amazing, and the environment was very inviting. We’ll definitely go back. The menu is packed full of so many tempting dishes, such as Chicken Pot Pie (my personal favorite - although I’ve never had any in a restaurant that’s as good as my mother’s), Celtic Chicken Curry, Lamb Lollipops with pomegranate and thyme sauce, and Potato Crusted Salmon with horseradish and mustard mashed potatoes and braised cabbage. If we could have possibly fit in another bite, we would have loved to try the Black and Tan Brownie with Guiness Ice Cream. But it just wasn’t physically possible on this afternoon. Good incentive to go back…. We highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who is in the mood for rich comfort food with a bit of flair, and an eclectic environment to boot. For more information, including a list of sporting and music events, visit www.fadoirishpub.com.
Outside of Fadó
[where: 801 1st Ave Seattle WA 98104]
Tags: Irish, Seattle Restaurants
