Bar Vacilando — Restaurant in Seattle

My friend and I stumbled upon this place a few weeks ago, but thought it was closed. Had it not been for the posted "Blunch" menu, we likely would have continued missing out on what we both agree to be the best breakfast spot and best decor in all of Seattle, as I would not have found it again without Googling "Capital Hill Blunch".

I fear reviewing Bar Vacilando may uncover a best-kept-secret - only 35 reviews after nearly a year in operation, yet full of an eclectic group of clearly loyal patrons? Alas, this spot is fabulous and, thus, deserves the proper praise.

Service: laid back, unpretentious, and occasionally requiring a wave for service.

Menu: limited and likely intimidating for the unadventurous, but pleasantly creative and enticing for the curious palate.

Vibe: laid back with an eclectic patronage, as noted above. From hipster to hippy, and cute engagement party to boisterous birthday celebration, Sunday best to rolled-out-of-bed: we were all here.

Setting: A much-appreciated break from the Industrial Chic decor of everywhere else. Indoors is stunning: beautiful, clean lines, marble table tops, and minimal decor. The dark cherry wood behind the bar provides the perfect touch of warmth. Absolutely gorgeous. Outdoors is a lovely covered patio with tri-fold French doors, string lights, and ornate benches paired with single chairs. Overhead heaters, garden decor and greenery, and the clear vinal covering create a greenhouse feel. It was a tad too warm, so wear layers. My friend and I plan to visit during the evening to check out the covered patio with the string lights on.

Food: Brisket hash: excellent flavor, potato perfection, large portion, served in a skillet. Caribbean Benedict on Plantains: nearly perfectly poached eggs (one edge of one egg​ was overdone), perfect amount of nearly perfect hollandaise (perfect texture, but slightly too citrus), set upon perfectly crisped plantain.

Beverages: Water: Each table receives a glass bottle and small tumblers. Coffee: Strong, not bitter, with refills. Varieties of sugars and creamers available upon request. Cold Brew w Bourbon & Cream: We instantly regretted ordering regular coffee when we saw this item. All the flavors came thru rather delightfully, with Bourbon taking definitive prominence. Bloody Mary: Spicy with garnishments! It's tough to find a good Bloody Mary, but we...

I feel mixed about leaving a negative review here; this place is local and their prices are really reasonable, plus the interior is very polished and attractive, but:

The menu is super schizophrenic, with burgers, deli sandwiches, falafel, tacos, and Indian food Only one dessert, and it was panna cotta, which already is a weird choice.

I ordered three items: a house cocktail that was a pea-flower gin lemonade with lavender. It came unshaken and unstirred, each part dumped unceremoniously into a Collins glass with only half-enough ice. The lemonade sat on the bottom while the purple gin and lavender floated above it; “You’re gonna need to stir that,” said the bartender as he handed it to me. He served it without a serviette or bar mat. He never refilled my water glass. I was the only customer at the bar for most of my meal; the dining hall was empty, and a few people were out on the patio. For dinner I ordered the “pulled pork” tacos; the quotations are mine, as there is a definitional culinary difference between “pulled pork” and other types of slow-cooked pork preparations. What I got was more like carnitas, and there was no sauce of any kind. It was served upon a steamed corn tortilla, it’s only adornment some diced tomatoes, salt and pepper, and a thin slice of avocado sat on top. No mole, no adobo, no chimichurri, no barbecue sauce, no aioli, no crema, no cheese. Just dry pork on a wet tortilla. I only ate half my order. I decided to risk their one dessert, which was also their only Italian item, though here assumedly more British, as the menu says it was infused with earl grey. I tasted no such infusion, and though the panna cotta itself was not wholly unpleasant, it was served to me in a disposable plastic cup. Like hospital food. Like the jello in your kid’s lunchbox.

I’ve rarely seen less harmony between what a restaurant’s potential felt like upon entering and what I ended up being served. It’s a gorgeous and breezy little place with very good prices, but the effort behind the product is absolutely not there. It’s not that the food is bad, it’s that the menu’s execution is absolutely rudderless. They need to pick a lane, figure out what kind of place they want to be, and hire a head of house that knows enough about cuisine and...

Finding Bar Vacilando is the perfect gift for any couple hosting a wedding reception.

When I found Bar Vacilando, I immediately fell in love with their atmosphere and decor. This was a place that felt like home.

In order to do a quick taste test we spent a quiet evening at the restaurant ordering a sampling of their appetizers and drinks. This was a simple date night without their manager/event lead and it honestly was one of the most romantic evenings we spent together that year. Best part? The food was amazing!

Fast forward and we choose their all inclusive (well liquor included) party option where we were able to host up to 80 people. The team supporting our event were so easy to work with and kind.

We selected several items off their menu including their Seafood, Chicken gumbo. Which for a room full of New Orleans Southerners was a risky choice to make but in the end became the crowd favorite!

The team also assisted with sourcing special items like glass bottle Barqs root beer, our own playlist, sunflowers for the bar, and a speaker with a microphone for the toasts.

On the night of the wedding, I was blown away by the service of their team. Ben went above and beyond for our friends and family. He specifically would pause to assist me or my husband when needed.

The atmosphere was wonderful, and our friends and family could not stop raving about how amazing the entire evening was from the staff, to the food, to the atmosphere.

If you are looking to host a smaller reception, I encourage you to consider Bar Vacilando. I couldn’t have dreamed of a more perfect space.

P.S. the bathrooms were large enough for me to use in my ball...