Every so often mom and dad get a chance to eat out somewhere and not feel like they’re old and not cool at all. And when my hubby read something about a new Restaurant in Ballard being named in GQ as one of the 10 best new restaurants in America (very bold) and I had seen something the same week on a blog somewhere, we decided to try it out. And even though I’ve never been an Alice in Wonderland fan ( I think that’s where the name reference comes from) I adored this little restaurant the minute we stepped in. I mean, check out the amazing candelabra and funky room atmosphere-if you look underneath the lights you can even see one of the chefs with his spiky dreadlocks totally mimicking the coral-like shape. 
The bartender had the most perfectly curled mustache, much like the narcoleptic guy in Moulin Rouge, but I was not gutsy enough to take a picture of him. He made a spectacular drink for me with Pims and fruit. And I forgot to take pics of the food, but we sampled a ton of it, from some kind of fish salad dish, to breads and cheeses, french onion soup, the most delectable brussel sprouts(fried and turned into something magical) I’ve ever had in my life and two desserts(a pear cake and the panna cotta we read about…yum!). Needless to say it’s on our go back again one day list. Sorry the one pic I snapped does not do this place justice…
I think you left one crucial thing out in your review… this really was an oyster bar and that was a huge focus of the menu. I had a great time but was kind of happy that work was footing the bill because I was a bit more adventurous (we ate geoduck. i don’t recommend it). I dunno if I’ll go back to be honest. I’m curious about staple & fancy as well as crow…
Anyways, just wanted to tell you that i did try it 🙂
Oh no, I did forget/omit that cause oysters scare me too…glad you tried it(Maybe not the Geoduck….that looks blech even at a nice place. Did you get the brussel sprouts at least?) and I’m dying to try Staple and Fancy too:)
yup. i did like the brussel sprouts and we had some yummy cheese. i was a little disappointed in the other meats that were offered so that’s why we went to salumi for lunch today 🙂