Inspiration: Harry's Fine Foods

Tinted Tumblers

Last night, I was out with my friend, Andrew. It's nice to find people who are willing to explore the city. While social media and places like Pinterest act as a convenient source of inspiration, nothing is like experiencing the ambiance in person. 

A couple months back, my god-sister's husband had recommended a couple of restaurants to visit in Seattle. He frequents the city of business trips and thus frequents spaces I typically don’t as a student. I finally made the trip out to upper Capitol Hill to check out one of his recommendations: Harry's Fine Foods.

Harry’s is tucked into the more low-key, residential portion of Capitol Hill. I've grown incredibly fond of this little nook of the neighborhood. It contains the same people, food, and aura that Capitol Hill’s known for but emanates more of a down to earth charm. Best of both worlds!

Right off the bat, the concept, was intriguing. Many restaurants look to find consistency with glassware, tableware and overall decor. Harry's, with it's brown and blue tinted glasses (love me some duralex tumblers), uniquely procured dishes, and spastic (in a good way) decor differentiates itself from the highly conceptual spots found in Seattle proper. The lack of consistency between theme, decor, and cuisine was a little confusing at first, but the imperfections gradually turned into something worth remembering. 

I haven't connected the dots until taking time to write this post, but now it's hitting me. Harry's Fine Foods reminded me of a more refined version of home. In David Chang's Netfilx series, Ugly Delicious, he speaks to home cooking and how the idea of home cooking and hospitality is, in reality, what humans want to experience. Not all of us want that overly refined dining experience. Instead we want something that we find comfort in. All these different plates, varied decorations (a disco ball next to a chandelier), and communal tables reminded me of what sharing a meal is supposed to be like. Homey.

Above, you can find their beef short rib. I wouldn't say it's a gorgeous dish appearance wise, but when you’re back home cooking, everything isn’t always manicured. The hummus, cream sauce, and short rib are presented in a hearty, inviting setting as well. It's hard to describe, but Harry's toes that line in between homey and refined. Which for a more upscale restaurant, is ambitious. It works beautifully, though.