Gnaw: JuneBaby
The Stage: Nestled in the heart of the Ravenna Neighborhood of Seattle, JuneBaby occupies the corner of NE 65th St. and Ravenna Ave. NW. When you enter, the first thing you notice is the bar holding center stage. Left of the bar, you get a glimpse into the kitchen where chef Edouardo Jordan and his team are hard at work creating classic southern dishes.
The Food: Pre-pandemic, I called The Sexton in Ballard, my favorite restaurant in Seattle. Sadly, The Sexton is yet another restaurant causality of COVID-19 restrictions. Since its closure, I have been desperately searching for another southern inspired eatery to fill the hole in my heart.
I first heard about JuneBaby via Chef David Chang’s Netflix series, Ugly Delicious. Seeing that it was in my backyard filled me with hope. Could I be stumbling upon my new favorite restaurant? Can this kid from Oklahoma living in Seattle find love again?
My meal consisted of Pimento Cheese with Crackers and Smoked Carrots for my starting dishes. For my entrée, I selected the Jerk Pork Chop. For dessert, we selected Parmesan Ice Cream.
Weaved delicately through each plate was southern inspiration; many of these flavors reminded me of home, but they were also creative. Each new take on a traditional way of doing things still felt homey and approachable. Bursting from almost each offering was a new spice or flavor I would have never expected. Some might look down their noses at southern cuisine, but JuneBaby proves them wrong. Beyond celebrating, we should understand its complexities. The people and circumstances that gave rise to this type of food are born of a complicated history. In each dish, there is a story of pain and resiliency to be found.
The Service: Working in teams to ensure maximum coverage, the service was attentive and responsive. They were also quick to make suggestions.
The Price: For four courses and a couple rounds of drinks for two people, we paid $200.
The Takeaway: I dearly miss The Sexton. While I wait for another small plate southern inspired restaurant to open, JuneBaby fills the void. The price steers the dinner toward a date night or special occasion and out of the range of a random night out with friends. Still, I left impressed by the menu, the bartender, and the service. Without a doubt, this is a place I will be revisiting.
Be good to each other,
Nathan
