Seattle - April 08, 2009

House of Family Style

Plaka Estiatorio Restaurant Opens

On today’s show we explore the latest culinary trend: cooking with your clan. Eating local has evolved into an even more centralized campaign of keeping it in the family.

Our investigation takes us to Plaka Estiatorio in Ballard, a family-owned Greek restaurant opening today.

Named for the Plaka district in Athens, the charmingly traditional spot exhibits dozens of authentic family pictures along its terra cotta walls.

Start with souvlaki, marides (smelt fish), and beets with fennel and extra-virgin olive oil. Then dive into papoutsakia (eggplant stuffed with lamb and beef topped with a saffron-infused bechamel) and yiouvetsi (egg noodles with chicken or lamb baked in clay pots).

Daughters, sons, godsons, and a granddaughter round out the staff.

Making it a super model for a family affair.

Plaka Estiatorio, 5407 20th Avenue Northwest (206-829-8934 or plakaballard.com).

  Greek, Lunch Spot, Mom-and-Pop