After two years of persistently trying to find a table at Belltown’s Tilikum Place Cafe, on a slow Christmas evening, we finally managed to snag a table for two. Christmas miracle is what I’d call this, as this place is just one minute away from our apartment, yet it took us two years to try their famous Dutch Babies.
While walking toward the cafe that morning, I kept thinking, they better be good. For one, it was quite cold, and all I wanted to do was spend my Saturday morning sipping coffee under my blanket and watching Stranger Things. But there I was, layering up and walking toward the cafe.
Tilikum Place Cafe opens sharp at 9 a.m., but the line had already started forming 10 minutes before opening time. People are genuinely willing to come early and line up for this place. Biscuit Bitch is another such popular breakfast spot in Belltown, but that’s a story for another time.
We got a table by the floor-to-ceiling window with the Space Needle in sight. It wasn’t sunny, but it was a crisp winter day, mostly overcast, yet bright. The window seat felt perfect. I love a window seat no matter the weather, and getting one without having to put in a special request was a win-win.
Although the breakfast/brunch menu was extensive, our decision was simple. We’d had two years to go through the menu multiple times, so we straightaway ordered the Savory Dutch Babies. Another reason was that they take about 25 minutes to bake, so if you’re ordering them, it’s best to do so as soon as you arrive, the staff will guide you anyway.
We also ordered two lattes and two side dishes: their popular Tilikum baked beans and house made sausage.
The latte arrived with a paw print made from frothed milk (or a heart with four dots, depending on which direction you look at it from). The first sip was exactly what I was looking for that morning. It hit all the right notes and made the 20-minute wait feel less painful.
While enjoying my coffee and conversation, I looked around to take in the cafe’s decor. I loved how they blended the holiday decorations with their white, brown, and gold theme. The ambience was definitely cozy, and although everyone was seated close to each other, none of the conversations overlapped.
Finally, the Dutch Babies arrived, served on a hot cast-iron pan with mittens on. The dish looked and smelled amazing, and both of us were eager to take our first bite of this very popular dish.
One funny thing about Dutch Babies is that there’s nothing Dutch about them. They’re actually inspired by German pancakes and were invented in America.
Anyway, I took my first bite, a piece of sausage with fluffy eggs, and all I could say was, “Mmmmm.”
The side dishes arrived soon after, and we both took a bite of each. The beans were slightly sweet and had pulled meat (mostly beef), and the house-made sausage was really well done.
Both side dishes elevated the overall experience, and we loved every bit of it.
Now, if you ask whether it was worth waiting two years, I’d say yes! But would I wait another two years to dine here again? Umm… I’ll probably just learn the recipe now that I know what it tastes like.
That said, I’d love to come back for lunch or dinner to try more of their dishes.
Have you had Dutch baby pancakes? If yes, where?
