Take out now, dine in later

Options in the time of coronavirus

So many restaurants have temporarily or permanently closed or revamped in ways that help them stay open and keep at least some employees working. We hope the end is not too far in the future, but meanwhile there are lots of places doing pick up, take out, and delivery. Here are some spots we tried.

Paragon Seattle

Keeping the neighborhood full on comfort food is the Paragon's goal. You can order lunch or dinner online (pick up window or delivery). The Paragon burger, cottage pie, chicken strips, boxed lunch (and kiddo's boxed lunch), salads, soup du jour, Italian soda, daily specials, wine by the bottle or in a combo pack, and beer and cider growlers.

Their chef has an English bent: cottage pie (like shepherd's pie but with beef, not lamb); mini sausage rolls; house mac & cheese with creamy sharp English cheddar cheese sauce tossed with macaroni and topped with crispy breadcrumbs, then broiled until bubbly; tikka chicken wings (better cold the day after); English garden salad with house made cucumber mint vinaigrette. Their all-American burger uses fresh beef ground in-house daily, pickle, tomato, red onion, lettuce, and burger sauce. You choose how you want it cooked (from rare to impossible) online.

Of what we've tried, I would have to say the hummus plate was my favorite. They do a seasonal hummus and right now it's roasted kombucha squash, pepitas, and paprika oil, with a side of grilled bread. Dessert-wise they have several options. I've only tried the oatmeal raisin cream pie (homemade chewy oatmeal raisin cookies with Swiss meringue buttercream filling) and it was delicious.

The online ordering system is easy to use, and it gives you lots of opportunity to personalize your order. You can also pay online which makes pick up quick and easy.

2125 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, 206-283-4539, www.paragonseattle.com

Eden Hill Provisions

From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., you can call in or order online from EHP. It's not a huge menu, but it's really good. Caesar salad, cauliflower curry soup, kettle corn brussels, single or double wagyu patty burgers, kid's burger, BBQ celery root burger, fries, potato salad, milkshakes, pop, ginger beer, red beet chocolate fudge, wine, beer, cider. In addition, they have provisions (of course!): shrubs (non-alcoholic), pickles, pickled carrots, bbq sauce, chocolate chip cookie dough, house-cured bacon, jerky, tomato jam, etc. Ask about their box dinners - they're made from fresh, seasonal items (one night it was brisket, greens, mac and cheese).

Photo by Catherine Abegg

I went for the single patty burger and potato salad on my take-out night and both were really flavorful and fresh. The day I went, I couldn't get online ordering to work, so I showed up and ordered there. Even so, I waited maybe five minutes. They had music on, the staff was having fun yet were professional (and fun) with customers. The lightheartedness is what we need right now. They had me sign the credit card slip with a pen, but had glasses filled with pens, one marked "Clean Pens" and one marked "Dirty Pens." I saw them cleaning the pen I used as I waited for my food. Works for me.

1935 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, 206-946-6636, www.edenhillprovisions.com

HK Dim Sum

This has become one of my favorite dim sum spots for several reasons. First, the food. Their steamed or baked BBQ pork buns are some of the best around. There's a spice that sets these apart, the pork is moist, and the bun is just the right texture whether baked or steamed. I haven't had pan-fried rice rolls with soya sauce for a long time (we miss you, O'Asian), and these did not disappoint. Deep fried pork dumplings ("footballs" to many of us) have not always been my favorites at HK, but these hit all the right notes in terms of flavor and texture. Haven't had them in a long time, maybe absence makes the heart grow fonder. The final thing I tried: Szechuan-style string beans. Flavor was fine and they were a nice vegetable add to my carb load. All in all, their take-out was nearly as satisfying as enjoying food right from the kitchen "back in the day."

Second, there is plenty of parking.

Third, it was an easy job to call in my order and walk in and pick it up. They did have me sign the credit card slip with their pen but there were no "clean" or "dirty" containers which isn't as strict as most other places, but I'm still here to tell the story (having used plenty of hand sanitizer before leaving my car and after returning to my car).

13200 Aurora Ave N #F, Seattle, WA 98133 , (206) 829-9189, hongkongdimsumrestaurant.com

Ridge Pizza

We've always been fond of (i.e., addicted to) the Martino's pizza at The Ridge. Let's relive it: breakfast bacon, Canadian bacon, Italian sausage, pepperoni, salami, and Mama Lil's peppers. I can taste it now.

Obviously, The Ridge has always done take out, so not a reach for them to do it well. Pizza was piping hot. We pulled up right in front and it took just a few minutes to go in, whip the credit card out, and jump back in the car. We do miss sitting at the bar and having a fresh juice cocktail, but it's just one more thing to look forward to enjoying in the future.

7217 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103, 206-687-7621, www.ridgepizza.com

Kidd Valley

When they had a location on lower Queen Anne, this was my go-to place for a quick lunch. I'd call ahead (it was busy at lunch time), then pick it up to take home. Not much different from these days, except of course no Queen Anne location (thank you CVS).

I really only get one thing here despite the fact they are known for their shakes (I've had them, and they are good) and have a number of burgers, sandwiches, and chicken and chips. My thing is the burger dip, Swiss cheese, au jus (you can choose another cheese type or get barbecue sauce instead of au jus). For me, it's usually too big for one meal, so I get two out of it and it reheats in the microwave well.

Pier 54 and Renton locations are temporarily closed. Aurora, Green Lake, University, and Kenmore are doing take-out and delivery.

Get locations and menus at www.kiddvalley.com

Saltoro

Some people think this place is Italian, some say it's American, others will tell you it's Pacific Northwest. The fact is Saltoro, with a 15-year history in Seattle's Broadview neighborhood, is a fusion of all that. So when C-19 hit, owners Kristy and Cesar crafted up a short menu of the best of the best. Pizzettas, Sea Salt Roasted Chicken, beef or lamb burger options, it's all here, along with desserts. To top it off, the team has grabbed hold of some great wine buys as well to take your mind away from the insanity. Head over to the website, peruse the menu, call in your order and it will be brought out to you when you arrive.

14051 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133, 206-365-6025, www.saltoroseattle.com

Azteca Mexican Restaurants

One of the hardest thing for many diners during this event is the loss of the opportunity to go get some Mexican food. But Azteca, with a number of locations around the Seattle area, remains open for order pickup. The trouble with Mexican food is by the time you get it home, you need to reheat it again, and the chips in nachos get soggy. Which sparked a new idea over here. Order up sides of chips, salsa, guacamole, rice and beans. Just before you drive out to pick up your order, set the oven to 300F. When you get home spread the ships in a pie pan, stir together the rice and beans and dollop onto the chips. Place the pan of nachos into the oven for 7 minutes. Pull it out and dollop the guacamole onto each chip setup. Nothing soggy going on here, yet you get the flavor of having gone out for Mexican food.

Get locations and menus at www.aztecamex.com

The Rickshaw

Chinese food. Another fix many diners can't get enough of. And like any Chinese restaurants, some dishes are better than others. With the Rickshaw, you can't go wrong with the orange, sesame, garlic, almond or sweet and sour (insert protein here) options. (Potstickers!) They will deliver locally free if your order is over $20 (the website is outdated, so never mind the $15 statement). Or you can pick-up at the south kitchen door along 105^th.

322 N 105^th St., Seattle 206-789-0120, therickshaw.net

Homegrown

Sometimes you just want a sandwich or bowl (breakfast or lunch/early dinner) from someone who is making a good attempt at providing healthier food. Much of their produce is organic and their Steak and Blue sandwich is made with grass-fed beef. My personal favorite is their smoked pastrami - it's full of flavor and really fills that comfort-food need.

They deliver within 5 miles of their store locations and it's free if the order is over $30. I ordered online which was very easy and paid right then. Just inside the door of the shop, they had a table set up with bags tagged with names. Picked mine up and headed up for a very nice lunch.

Get locations and menus at www.eathomegrown.com

SD!/April 2020