Food We Love: Green Giant

It’s a simple green salad at Le Pichet. And we’re simply nuts about it.

By Allison Austin Scheff December 31, 1969

This article originally appeared in the August 2010 issue of Seattle magazine.

Green Giant
It is always tricky explaining how something so seemingly forgettable as, say, a green salad can be one of the most formidable menu items—and one of my favorite things to eat—in the entire city. But there you have it: I’m smitten with the salade verte ($5) at Le Pichet (Pike Place Market, 1933 First Ave.; 206.256.1499; lepichetseattle.com). There’s deceptively little to it. The freshest Bibb lettuce is perfectly dressed in a hazelnut vinaigrette lively with just enough vinegar and a touch of mustard. Then, toasted hazelnuts—lots of them, in big, imperfect chunks—are scattered about the plate, a few tucked into the tender stacked leaves. It’s crunchy, cool, fresh and easy. I like to order one alongside broiled eggs with Gruyère cheese and ham, or the divine roasted whole chicken. I’ve even been known to order two.

 

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