Abruzzi Pizza and Pasta

Mary Lou can toss up your pizza, lay out the place settings and get your glass of wine. This multitasking local Rentonite has been doing business in neighboring Normandy Park at her pizzeria since October of 2007, keeping up a tradition that started in Seattle many moons ago.

Named after a Seattle institution that was located in Downtown Seattle at 6th and Pike from 1956 til it's closing in 1994 when owner Nick Finamore (Mary Lou's exhusband) passed away, Abruzzi's Pizza & Pasta offers a smaller selection of some of those great dishes that the original served. When Mary Lou Sigette opened this business she hadn't made a pizza in 15 years, but your hands never forget how to work the dough and that woman can cook up a storm.

The interior is simple. Checkered tablecloths and wine served in tumblers instead of wine glasses against a backdrop of vibrant red walls. Daily specials on the board as you come in tell you what Mary Lou has especially created (like Pork loin Sandwich on garlic parmesan bread) and the soups are homemade on site. This is why I like eating out at nonfrachised joints - the food is unique and good.

Abruzzi's has hit the radar of the local dining section at the Seattle Times a couple of times. In December of 2008, Nancy Leson featured an article about Abruzzi's and for a couple of weeks, the place was hit with newcomers. Then business slides back to it's usual pace, being frequented by friends and regulars who make it their business to eat locally with Mary Lou.

If you remember Abruzzi's from your earlier years, the card above won't surprise you. It hearkens back to the same design used by the restaurant in the 50's. This is where old memories can be reborn and tastebuds can be satisfied. Stop in, support a local Rentonite and have some hand tossed, pizza made perfect as the Abruzzi tradition lives on in Mary Lou's capable hands.

Abruzzi Pizza & Pasta
17817 1st Ave. S.
Normandy Park, WA 98149
206-805-1704

Breakfast Beyond your zip code

During the week here in Renton, finding a new breakfast place to grab an a.m. nosh is a bit of a challenge. Oh, you know that I love a weekend trip to Tommy's, Rubattinos, and my new crush, A Terrible Beauty for their brunch fare. But sometimes, I get a hankering to go further afield and try something new. Enter the praiseworthy destination - Geraldine's Counter in Columbia City.

First off, at this time of year while the skies are still shining so blue - the ride up Rainier Ave. from Renton is just an eyeful of gorgeous sights. The road winds around the edge of Lake Washington with it's lovely views, and the pace is easy and not the least stressful.

Columbia City is one of those neighborhoods that is slowly rebuilding itself and keeping the old buildings and friendly neighborhood charm while they do. Geraldine's Counter, at the corner S. Edmunds and Rainier Ave. S., is right in the hubbub of Columbia City, with a florist shop and bakery across the way - both of which The Picaroon has shopped and eaten at with great relish.

Bill Provin/Rentonite at large

The interior of this historic building has bright, modern colored walls, but old style linoleum flooring and exposed brick walls. It opens at 7am for the early birds and has a nice, strong coffee brewing for you upon arrival. Along with some omelets and scrambles is their much talked about french toast and breakfast casserole, which is what our table indulged in, happily paying the dollar extra to have the largest and fluffiest buttermilk biscuit served up alongside.

Street parking in the neighborhood is not difficult to find if you circle the block, and that will put you in the mind to wander a bit more off the beaten track to discover other hidden restaurant and coffee shop treasures on the side streets of this little burg.

This was just a ray of sunshine place to eat and a great way to begin your morning. Highly recommend it folks - when venturing outside the zip code.

Geraldine's Counter Restaurant
4872 Rainier Avenue South Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 723-2080