Salt & Straw — Restaurant in Kirkland

Salt & Straw's unique flavors make them stand out. The Mushroom Muddy Buddies (with chanterelle mushrooms) and Creepy Crawly Critters (coated mealworms and crickets) for September and October are intriguing flavors that showcase how unique and creative they're willing to be. I'm opting for a 4 because I'm comparing to other Salt & Straw locations and this one wasn't as wow'ing of an experience. Nothing bad, just slightly above average rather than beyond average.

Prices, again, are relatively high so not something I'd recommend often, but once a month or so? Pretty good timing. The setting is better than other places because it's in The Village where tons of other restaurants are as well as a nice exterior area with a lawn, tons of chairs, some tables, and even a few fireplaces. They don't explicitly advertise split scoops as well though, which makes it more of a secret menu that not everyone is aware of. I think it's important to be able to try many flavors when visiting because that's one of the biggest selling points here (the unique flavors).

Maple & Bacon Streusel is my favorite fall flavor when it's on rotation. Maple bacon bars are amazing and if you like them, imagine them in ice cream form. Delicious.

The Great Candycopia had a great ice cream base (butterscotch ice cream with a toffee) and I liked the candies, but together I'm not a fan. If you're a M&M McFlurry type of person, this flavor is for you though. There's a nice crunch to the solid chocolate pieces but I like softer bits in my ice cream.

Jack o' Lantern Pumpkin Bread was my pick of choice this last visit. Like mentioned above, I like softer bits and the pumpkin bread was delightful to have embedded in...

For all ice cream lovers, Salt & Straw, a delightful ice cream shop at 12620 120th Ave NE in Kirkland, WA, provides a special and unforgettable experience. The place is spotless and welcoming from the moment you enter, and the shelves are filled with novelty ice cream products and a selection of take-out pints. Salt & Straw's constantly evolving menu of flavors, many of which are non-cliché and made with regional ingredients, is one of its most notable aspects. They typically offer three or more vegan flavors, all of which are excellent. If it's your first time, the flavors may seem a little overwhelming, but the staff is very understanding and allows you to try a few before choosing a scoop. The experience is further enhanced by the staff's constant friendliness and patience. By being mindful of which allergens are in which ice creams and being careful to scoop from the back to prevent cross-contamination, they are accommodating for allergies. The store is ideal for a sunny day outing because of its central location in the Totem Lake shopping district. As a sign of its popularity, the line can be out the door in the summer, and there is a pleasant little park with plenty of seating next to it. Salt & Straw provides delivery services via Grubhub and Uber Eats for customers who would rather eat their delicacies at home. It's important to note, nevertheless, that there have occasionally been problems with delivery orders missing products. With its distinctive flavors, welcoming staff, and cozy setting, Salt & Straw in Kirkland offers a fantastic ice cream experience. It's a must-visit location for sweet delicacies whether you live there or are simply...

TL;DR: known for their interesting ice cream flavor combos (example: pair and blue cheese). Expect a long line/wait times during warmer weather.

Parking: surrounding lot / street side parking.

Atmosphere: covered area outdoor dining seats, umbrella tables and uncovered benches / chairs scattered across the plaza. Summer time is a nightmare though and you could be waiting in a long queue with up to 20 minutes before your tastes buds can cool down.

Menu: pretty straight forward titles. I do like the fact that they have rotating monthly flavors along with their classics. You can taste a sample before committing. Go wild. Try something new.

Service: order and pay at the front, your order will be called. You can order online and schedule a pick up -- it might be a tad quicker but I don't really know if they have a good system set up yet for when you arrive to pick up your order. I ordered pick up but still waited in line for my "turn" because there was only one person at the counter helping arriving customers while the other employees were frantically scooping ice creams to waiting customers.

Marionberry Coconut Sherbet: a bit on the tart side but is still sweet. I personally wouldn't order a big scoop again because it's a bit much. It would pair well with a second scoop of a creamier ice...