Kirkland has many quality dining options to consider

When planning to eat out, where do you go? Do you head for the popular spots in Bellevue – Cheesecake Factory, Maggiano’s or P.F. Chang’s? Or maybe you venture over the bridge to a hot spot in Seattle. Judging by the crowds at a couple of Kirkland restaurants on a recent weekend night, not many of you are choosing to eat right here in Kirkland. I find this disappointing and, borrowing from the “buy local” movement, I’d like to propose a similar campaign to “eat in Kirkland.”
On a recent Saturday night, my husband and I had a rare parent’s night out. We planned to attend a birthday party in Seattle, but wanted to grab dinner first. We considered someplace in Seattle, close to the party, but ultimately landed at an old favorite, Rikki Rikki at Parkplace. We arrived just past happy hour, and the bar was almost full. But soon after, the bar area cleared out. By 7 p.m., we pretty much had the place to ourselves. There were a few diners on the restaurant side, but not enough to keep the servers busy. Our server ended up leaving early because business was so slow.
No wait for a table on a Saturday night? Our server lamented the slowdown at Rikki Rikki and eagerly pulled out a list of promotions the restaurant is offering to lure back customers, including “Kids Eat Free” nights and a Patio Party on May 28, with discounted food and drinks.
After dinner, with a half hour to spare before the birthday party, my husband and I headed over to Purple for a glass of wine. While more crowded than Rikki Rikki, here too, the scene was not typical: We immediately found two seats at the bar. I’ve never been to Purple – especially on a weekend – and not had to wait for a seat. Even Cactus – normally overflowing with customers – seems to have stepped up its promotions; we recently enjoyed a free appetizer thanks to its secret envelope promotion.
Clearly Kirkland’s restaurant business has slowed, and I fear the effect. Already we’ve seen downtown retail establishments closing one after another. City officials report the city’s coffers are dwindling and so too the resources supporting the many community services that Kirkland residents expect and value. At a Highlands Neighborhood Association meeting recently, Mayor Jim Lauinger stated that 50 percent of Kirkland’s revenues come from sales taxes collected at local businesses. The bottom line is obvious: When we don’t spend in Kirkland, we miss an opportunity to fortify our own city’s wealth.

No doubt many of you have shaved your dining out budget as a result of the economic recession. But I’ll guess you still eat out at least occasionally, and I’ll argue that while Kirkland may not boast the quantity or hip factor that restaurants in Bellevue or Seattle boast, we certainly have variety and quality. I urge everyone, next time you treat yourself to a dinner out, please eat in Kirkland.

Kim Lowe is a new KirklandViews contributor who will regularly write about Life in Kirkland. She lives in the Highlands Neighborhood with her husband and two young boys. She welcomes your feedback, comments and story ideas. Please contact Kim at klowe_reporter@live.com.

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