Booze, Bikes and Buns at Lucky 8 China House
If looking for some old school classic 1970s style Chinese cuisine mixed in with a bit of kitsch, head over to Lucky 8’s China House in the heart of Seattle’s Capitol Hill. Set in the Oola Distillery District, this one block radius has quickly become a culinary hot spot in Seattle’s foodie-centric city.
Chef Joshua Redfern has taken the classic Chinese takeaway food and given it a hip contemporary twist with that fresh farm to table perspective that Seattle is known for together with a good old Southern style of cooking that he knows best. The end result is simple dishes that are rich and interesting and pair perfectly with Asian inspired cocktails.
Pop in for their booze and food during their happiest of hours between 4 and 6 pm or between 10 pm and 1 am when the place is chock a block, as it is one of the few restaurants in the city that serves late night.
Start off with a Shanghai Sling with gin, heering, lemon juice, ginger syrup, a dash of peychaud and topped with soda and a cherry lemon spear. If still in to the gin thing, you can’t go wrong with their version of Gin and Juice made with gin, fresh muddled cucumber, lychee and lime and topped with soda and a fresh cucumber slice. If still looking to keep things light but bubbly, I suggest the Gao Chao Cider with a cherry soaked sugar cube together with Oola vodka, topped with bubbles and an orange zest.
If you want to go to the dark side, their Mandarin Manhattan made with whiskey, ginger snap, a dash of bitters and an orange zest is just the vintage ticket. Be forewarned that you may want to stick with this tipple all night as it stands up well with the rich dishes. It’s a great place to start, finish and stick with. If still looking to play that tippling field, The Crouching Tiger Hidden Fox for 2 is double the fun with bourbon, pineapple juice, a touch of red chili and a spicy splash of soy.
Finish things off by celebrating the spirit of Seattle with a Phists of Phooey, which is a shot of Seattle’s local and wildly celebrated Oola bourbon from right around the corner with a Roger’s Pilsners back. I told you this was old school. We’re keeping it real here.
While Bruce Lee gets busy in the background on the oversized screen you can kick in to their culinary wonders. Pair that Asian alchemy with their Pork Boa steamed buns with braised pork. They are by far the best buns this side of Seattle and perhaps even China. Order more than you think or fights will ensue, tableside a la Lee style. Their Szechuan chili glazed ribs, Dragon Fire Shrimp and Egg Rolls will give you all the kick you need to keep up with your buddy Bruce.
This place should be called Crouching staff, hidden talents. Owner and proprietor Bracey Rogers put his architecture background to the test with the inspired raw industrial like space. Rogers' creativity can be seen throughout as he designed and built out all the finish work for Lucky 8’s. Chef Redfern is an artist and a kung fu buff on the side, while other members of staff sport names like Tiger and Fox and disappear mid-meal to do a local delivery by bike. Their random absence is all part of the hidden charm. What more do you need with Bruce in the background booze in the foreground and a bun by your side?
Lucky 8 China House, 1407 14th Ave., Seattle, WA
