Please join your neighbors Thursday December 8 at 6:15 to learn more about upcoming construction of the Portage Bay Bridge and Roanoke Lid. Meeting is at the Montlake Playfield Recreation Center. The meeting will include an update on the WSDOT SR 520 construction and discussion of ways to include community input in the process.
Little Lago Quietly Opens
Carla Leonardi
While yesterday’s opening of Portage Bay’s Little Lago may have been quiet, inside was anything but! Laughter & chatter filled the space when owner Carla Leonardi fired up the oven and 
opened Little Lago’s doors to those who have been anxiously following Little Lago on Instagram or Facebook.
A simple photo was posted announcing the soft opening as final details will be completed in the coming weeks (deli & gelato).
Yours truly stopped by and enjoyed an absolutely perfect pizza at the beautiful wood bar while Carla tossed pizza dough and promised to teach my little ones her secrets.
In addition to our tasty pizza, I picked up a bottle of one of my favorite white wines from the wine wall.
I won’t give away all the details, do yourself a favor and stop by this little gem and order up a pizza or calzone while you peruse the shelves.
Café Lago Owner Set to Reopen Canal Market
Photos by Suzi-Pratt.com
Neighbors will be pleased to know, Canal Market won’t be closed for long! The much-loved owner of Café Lago, Carla Leonardi, has rented the market and has plans to reopen as a neighborhood market and deli with an emphasis on Italian food.
From cooking classes for the Montlake elementary students to hosting fundraisers, Carla’s commitment to the neighborhood shines through in running a successful local shop. A longtime Montlake resident herself, Carla understands what it takes to run the charming neighborhood market on Fuhrman Ave.
Photo: Pacific NW Magazine
Recently, Carla reached out to Portage Bay & Roanoke neighbors to share the news and receive their thoughts and comments on the new market. The Montlake Flyer contacted Carla to get her permission to share some of the tidbits.
- Neighborhood markets are in her blood. Carla grew up in her parent’s Cincinnati corner grocery. “I was excited about the possibility of opening a neighborhood market and deli with an emphasis on Italian food.”
- Canal is zoned for grocery/deli and her intent is to keep it that way. The store will have several rows of grocery items-everything from toothpaste to ketchup and a deli that will include rotisserie chickens, stone hearth pizza and Italian sandwiches (meatball subs and sausage and peppers) made to order. Items such as Lago lasagna will be offered as take away items for dinners at home.
- Mornings aren’t complete without a piping hot cup of coffee or tea and a quick bite to eat. Carla’s market will offer fast paced espresso service with take away breakfast items.
- Families (well at least the kids) will love the made-in-house gelato that will be available in a cup or cone. Perfect take-away item on your walk to the playground.
- Carla shared, “we want everyone to feel welcome and well fed.” Prices will be kept as low as possible.
- Seating – The market is allowed a few stools for seating. Carla hopes the “neighbors will find our market to be a delightful place to sit and enjoy life with others from near home.” Canal Market has applied for a beer/wine license that will allow the glass pours of 2-3 everyday wines and a small selection of beers for neighbors to enjoy.
- Neighborhood meeting location – Canal will be offered as a meeting place for community events, cooking classes, book readings, etc.
Have an idea to share with Carla? Post a note in the comments section below, all comments will be forwarded for her review.
Valentine’s Festivities In & Around Montlake
Stop-by the Dahlia Press studio in Portage Bay Thursday, February 11th from 4-7pm to pick up valentine’s and chocolates for Soulever Chocolates for your special someone!
The annual Montlake Co-op Valentine’s Day Party is Saturday, February 13th, 1:00 – 3:00 pm in the Multi-Purpose Room at the Montlake Community Center. Montlake families are invited to enjoy the activities including a Valentine’s photo booth, crafts and snacks for all ages. A wonderful social to meet new families and visit with those you haven’t seen in awhile.
Valentine’s Day at Cafe Lago
Enjoy lovely new menu items with your Amore, with your lovely family or with your sweet friends. Reservations are limited so please call 206-329-8005 to reserve your table.
Dahlia Press – Portage Bay’s Newest Neighbor
Stephanie Clarke, Dahlia Press Owner
Have you stopped by the quaint Portage Bay shop next to Canal Market? If you haven’t, do yourself a favor and pop into the delightful Dahlia Press stationery store owned by Stephanie Clarke and meet Stephanie and her co-workers Pearl (1912), Ruby (1926) and Emmett (late 50’s, early 60’s) – her letterpress machines.
While there you can pick-up some letterpress cards for yourself or they make the perfect gift. For those with special upcoming events (wedding, shower, 40th Birthday), Dahlia Press will work with you to design the perfect custom invitation.
And if you are interested in learning to make your own letterpress stationary, you are in luck as Stephanie & Emmett host semi-private workshops where participants learn to set type and will take home their own set of custom stationery. Book your evening or weekend workshop by calling or shopping by the shop. Workshops are $75 per person and include your lesson, set of custom stationary and the pleasure of hanging out Stephanie while sipping a glass of wine and enjoying some lite fare.
Dahlia Press
2917 Fuhrman Avenue E.
Seattle WA 98102
206-552-9447
Mon – Fri: 10:30 am – 5:30 pm
Sat: 10:30 am – 2:30
http://www.dahliapress.com/
Canal Market – A Pop-Up Delight
Canal Market kicked off the holiday season with opening celebration on Friday evening. Ericka Burke invited guest to enjoy snacks and wine while perusing the artisan goods offered until December 24th. 
It’s a perfect spot to pick up gifts as there is something for everyone – letterpress cards, Castillo de Canena olive oils, San Juan Sea Salt, Jasmine Silver Needles Tea, IMPWEARhome Kids aprons, Always Fresh Goodness baked goods, just to name a few.
Stop by the pop-up for an espresso or join one of the weekly wine tastings and get some of your holiday shopping done.
I have my eye on a beautiful Turnco Wood Carafe, hopefully my husband is reading this post…
Canal Market Pop-Up Shop Opening Party
Ericka Burke is kicking off the holiday pop up shop at Canal Market with a party this Friday, November 21, from 5pm to 7pm. There’ll be wine and light snacks, and the shopping starts as soon as the party does!
There are a handful of great new local vendors to announce as well: Michael Cepress’ men’s accessories; Tina Randolph’s works of art; Kelice Penney’s “Careful it Bites” handmade stuffed creatures; Cultivating Design’s sock monkeys; Aaron Cardella’s paintings; Annie Manners’ hot cocoa designs, blankets, and children’s craft kits; Lynda Sherman’s Bremelo Press letterpress cards and gifts; and Stephanie Clark’s Dahlia Press letterpress designs.
There’ll be treats for sale from across the world: Big Spoon Roasters, Dick Taylor Chocolates, Mast Brothers Chocolates, Portland’s Quin handmade candies, Millcreek Cacao Roasters, Dequmana Olives, Castillo de Canena olive oils, San Juan sea salts, Jacobsen sea salts, Sqirl jams, Ayako & Family jams, Wildflower honey and comb, Slate coffee, and Willy B’s hot sauce. Also: granola, baked goods, pies, dog cookies, and jars of caramel sauce and ganache from Burke’s newly minted umbrella group, Always Fresh Goodness Collective.
There are also going to be a great array of housewares on offer, like Falcon Enamelware, Handmade La Connor’s well-crafted home and grooming products, Turnco’s hand-turned wood kitchen tools, Bitters and Co.’s glassware, Bellocq teas and strainers, The Wooden Palate’s wooden home accessories, Circle 21 candles, Creative Women’s table linens, Tahir Mahmood’s handmade rosewood mortar & pestles and rolling pins, and Liberty’s custom water bottles.
July Floral will also have seasonal bouquets and wreaths for sale—and they’ll be a fixture at Canal Market when it opens later this winter!
As of Saturday, November 22, the shop will be open regular hours: Tuesday – Sunday, from 10am – 7pm, all the way up until Christmas Eve, when the shop will close at 3pm. The shop is located at 2917 Fuhrman Ave E. Drop by this Friday to get a head start on holiday shopping and socializing!
About Canal Market – Slated to open February 2015
Located at 2919 Fuhrman Avenue East in Seattle’s Portage Bay neighborhood, Canal Market will provide the neighborhood with groceries, fresh produce, household essentials, and specialty gift items, as well as grab-and-go food, and beer and wine. The market will be open daily from 7am to 7pm. For more information, visit www.canalmarketseattle.com
Holiday Pop-up Shop at Canal Market
Canal Market
Update on Canal Market via AlwaysFreshGoodness
Canal Market isn’t quite ready to open, but Ericka Burke is too excited to bring her selection of curated goods to the neighborhood—so she’s hosting a pop-up shop right next door! The shop will open for business at 2917 Fuhrman Ave E on November 22. The shop will be open Tuesday – Sunday, from 10am – 7pm, all the way up until Christmas Eve, when the shop will close at 3pm.
Visitors can expect a darling array of perfect gifts—Burke has been seeking out all her favorite things to sell at Canal Market, and has a perfect selection chosen for the holidays. Culinary wares like high-quality olive oils and vinegars will be available, as well as gourmet nut butters, honeys, jams, and chocolates. Three kinds of Volunteer Park Cafe’s famous granola will be on offer, as well as bags of cookies and jars of caramel and chocolate sauce for the sweet tooth on your list. There’ll be lotions, soaps, and linens, plus an adorable selection of handmade baby and children’s gifts, like blankets, aprons, and toys.
July Floral (julyfloraldesign.com) will provide holiday bouquets and wreaths, and both Bremelo Press (bremelopress.com) and Dahlia Press (dahliapress.com) will offer a sweet selection of letter pressed stationary, holiday cards, and gift-wrap. Gift-wrapping for purchases made at the shop will be available as well!
Holiday Pies can be ordered and picked up at Canal Market — Organic Pumpkin, Organic Apple, and Chocolate Pecan are all available for $32 each.
Burke is excited to host three wine tastings at the space, on three Tuesdays: November 25, December 9, and December 16. All of the tastings will be from 5pm – 7pm, and will showcase some of Burke’s favorite wines for the holiday table. They’ll all come from boutique wineries and from winemakers she admires, that are dedicated to taking care of the land as well as producing great wines.
Slate Coffee espresso drinks and cups of pour-over coffee will be available daily, as will a handful of great pastries from VPC—shopping fuel! Burke is excited to start getting to know her Portage Bay neighbors better, and welcomes all to come and do their holiday shopping at the pop-up. Additional local artisans will be featured throughout the pop-up, so stay tuned!
Per the new Canal Market website, opening is scheduled for February 2015.
Ericka Burke’s Canal Market Slated for November Opening
Update on Canal Market via AlwaysFreshGoodness
The build-out of Ericka Burke’s Portage Bay market is coming right along! She’s had a great time picking out design elements and watching as the space begins to come together, and it looks like Canal Market will open mid-November.
At the center of the market will be a large deli island with ready-made salads, cheeses, and charcuterie as well as made-to-order sandwiches and salads. The morning hours will offer a breakfast buffet with toast and house-made toppings, fresh fruit, granola, and more. The juice and espresso bar, serving fresh pressed juices and Slate Coffee, will be open all day.
The market will offer organic produce, farm fresh eggs, a selection of dry goods, and thoughtfully curated gift and specialty food items. For the kids: the cooler will hold all of Burke’s favorite artisan ice creams and there’ll be old-school candy available by the pound. And for the adults: there will be a handpicked selection of bottled wine and beer!
The baked goods Volunteer Park Cafe is known and loved for will be available at Canal Market too—there’ll even be some killer new cookie varieties. Tess Macdonald of July Floral will run a Garden & Flower area with bright, beautiful bouquets year-round.
The market will have seating along the windows to enjoy a coffee and a treat, and a communal table for lunch with friends. Burke is so excited to open the doors of the market, and can’t wait to meet the neighborhood.
Located at 2919 Fuhrman Avenue East in Seattle’s Portage Bay neighborhood, Canal Market will provide the neighborhood with groceries, fresh produce, household essentials, and specialty gift items, as well as grab-and-go food, and beer and wine. The market will be open daily from 7am to 7pm. For more information, visit www.canalmarketseattle.com
About Volunteer Park Cafe
Located among the elegant homes of Seattle’s North Capitol Hill, Volunteer Park Cafe (VPC) is the quintessential neighborhood-meeting place. With mismatched vintage chairs, throw pillows tossed along banquets, and a communal table running the length of the inviting sunlit room – it’s the perfect place to spend time. The food is delicious home-style goodness, house made pastries, savory and sweet, and a selection of fresh salads, soups, and sandwiches provide daytime provisions ordered from friendly faces behind the counter. As the light dims and the candles are lit, table service begins and guests cozy in for rustic pizzas and ever-changing seasonal offerings like Braised Beef Brisket with Creamy Polenta and Greens, Pan Seared Halibut, or the heavenly Pot Pie. VPC offers a generous selection of boutique wines by the glass and bottles of wine can be enjoyed at the cafe or taken to go. For more information, visit www.alwaysfreshgoodness.com.
Volunteer Park Cafe is located at 1501 17th Avenue East (at Galer) in Seattle, Washington.
Canal Market – Summer 2014
New sign and website advertise a Summer 2014 opening for Ericka Burke’s Canal Market in Portage Bay.