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Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha

I Know a Place: @by_lakeisha

By I Know A Place June 10, 2021 FamilyFood & Drink

There is a Seattle beneath the surface that is just waiting to be discovered. It’s hidden, sometimes in plain sight, sometimes two flights up in the Market. It’s the best kept secrets, insider tips, secret menus and local favorites that make people love this city, even if you can never entirely know it.

We invited DIY designer and mom extraordinaire Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe to share some of her favorite spots and insider tips with us. Tag along on his Seattle adventure and discover more at iknowaplace.org. Then be sure to share your own Seattle favorites by tagging #IKnowSeattle.

A dish of stir-fried noodles with vegetables is served on a metal plate, accompanied by chopsticks. Additional empty plates and utensils are arranged on a wooden table. A napkin is also visible beside the dish. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha
A woman and a young girl sit at a wooden table in a restaurant, both smiling and making peace signs. The woman wears an orange dress, and the girl has a white bow in her hair and a patterned dress. Plates and a green soda can are on the table. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha
A street corner view of a restaurant named "Manoa Thai Street Eats" with outdoor seating. People are dining outside. There are lamp posts covered with flyers nearby, and street signs for E Pine St and 17th Ave are visible. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha

Manao Thai Street Eats

Manao is located in Capitol Hill and has some of the best street Thai food I have ever had. We ordered the crispy rolls, herbal crispy chicken, and Phad Ba Mee, which were all delicious. They also have beer or sake should you want something other than soft drinks.

A person in a green dress poses energetically with a child in a stroller at a street closed for a Saturday market. An orange food truck is in the background, surrounded by trees and colorful flags. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha
A person holds two drinks on a sunny street lined with festival tents and people. One drink is orange with fruit, and the other is a light yellow smoothie. The scene suggests a lively outdoor market or fair. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha
A market stall displaying bags and piles of cherries with a price sign reading "$5.99 per lb." In the background, bundles of asparagus are arranged upright. Payment options are displayed on a red box behind the produce. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha

South Lake Union Saturday Market

If you visit Downtown Seattle this summer, you have to check out the South Lake Union Saturday Market. It is a street full of local vendors selling a variety of things from fresh produce to practical goods. You can also find a line of food trucks. It was warm outside when we visited, so we tried a delicious Frozen Sunrise at Boba Bar, which also has a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Chinatown-International District. We also grabbed some Rainier Cherries from Amador Farms and they were the best I have ever had.

A person sitting on a bench outside nana's green tea cafe, smiling and holding two cups of desserts. The cafe exterior and people seated at tables are visible in the background. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha
Two hands hold up two parfait cups with layers of yogurt, granola, and fruit toppings in front of a storefront with the sign "nana's green tea." The background shows an outdoor seating area and modern buildings. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha

Nana’s Green Tea

If you love Matchta you have to go to Nana’s Green Tea. The parfaits are the most popular, specifically the Matcha Mochi flavor, so we had to try them. The cashier also recommended the Black Sesame Mochi Parfait. They do not have indoor seating currently, but there are a few tables in front to sit at should you choose to eat there.

A person in a light jacket and shorts smiles while carrying takeout bags and cups, walking past a restaurant called Fat’s Chicken & Waffles in an urban setting with greenery and street signs. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha
A spread of Southern comfort food including fried chicken, waffles, biscuits, fried okra, mashed potatoes, and greens in takeout containers, accompanied by three drinks in plastic cups. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha
A woman and child stand outside a gray building with a mural of a person holding their head. The storefront has signage for Fat's Chicken and Waffles. The windows display various food and drink-related posters. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha

Fat’s Chicken and Waffles

If you are looking for some good southern eating, you have to check out Fat’s Chicken and Waffles. They are currently serving food to go and are looking forward to offering indoor dining again in July. They are known for waffles, but they started offering a Honey Butter Biscuit about two years ago and it’s just as popular. I tried the Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit and I can see why. They don’t have fried green tomatoes on the menu, but they are available to order and are so worth it. While you wait for your food you can take a photo in front of the huge MLK mural outside the front door.

A person in a light green outfit stands outside the entrance of Central Cafe. They're holding a drink and smiling. The cafe has a red brick exterior with potted plants and a sign indicating it's also a juice bar. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha
A cafe menu board displays various drinks including coffee, juices, lattes, mixed juices, and smoothies with prices. Bottles are visible on the counter beneath the boards. A pendant light hangs above the area. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha
A cozy outdoor patio with a variety of chairs and tables set on artificial turf. The space features brick walls, wooden beams, and several colorful cushions. Potted plants add a touch of greenery, while sunlight filters through the semi-transparent roof. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha

Central Café and Juice Bar

Central Juice Cafe opened in January 2020 and has some amazing juices. The Mango Berry blast is the most popular, so I tried that along with the Heartbeat which was the cashier’s favorite. They were both delicious. They aren’t offering indoor dining but have seating in the front of the juice bar as well as a covered patio on the side of the building that has a variety of cozy seating.

The image shows the entrance of a restaurant named "Simply Soulful" with a neon "Open" sign. The door is partially open, revealing a glimpse of tables and flowers inside. The address "2909-B" is displayed above the entrance. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha
A family of three, two adults and a child, sit at a restaurant table with food. They are smiling and appear to be enjoying their meal. The table has a number 8 sign. The setting is cozy, with a dark brown bench and green walls. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha

Simply Soulful Seattle

Simply Soulful is a Black-owned restaurant serving southern favorites. From fried catfish to candied yams, they have it all. It’s located in a historically Black neighborhood and is run by the original owners’ daughter and granddaughter. They serve breakfast all day and are known for their homemade pie which you can watch them make from the counter.

A child wearing a white dress with orange patterns and sunglasses enjoys an orange popsicle. She stands near a bright orange ice cream cart labeled "Intergalactic Frozen Confections" with illustrations of popsicles and "Ice on Mars. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha
A smiling family of three walks outdoors. The mother in an orange dress and the father in a light shirt hold their daughter’s hands as she swings in a floral dress, wearing sunglasses. They are surrounded by lush green trees and grass. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha
A rocky shoreline with driftwood scattered along the beach. The area is surrounded by green trees and shrubs, with an industrial structure and a ship in the background. The sky is overcast. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha

Myrtle Edwards Park

Half mile from the Space Needle, we found a small intimate beach, called Myrtle Edwards Park. It’s located by the Olympic Sculpture Park and has a lot of driftwood for you to sit and soak in views of Puget Sound and Mount Rainier. Thursday-Sunday, you’ll find Ice on Mars, an ice cream vendor that serves organic gluten free popsicles. My daughter had the Martian Sunrise and one of the main ingredients is glitter.

A woman in an orange dress kneels next to a young girl in a floral dress with a white bow, smiling on a grassy hill. The Seattle skyline, including the Space Needle, and trees are visible in the background. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha
A woman and a child wearing bright dresses stand on a grassy hill with a scenic view of a city skyline in the background, featuring the Space Needle and surrounding buildings. Trees and open spaces are in the foreground. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha
A woman in an orange top smiles for a selfie in a park overlooking a city skyline with a prominent tower. The foreground is filled with greenery and trees. The sky is partly cloudy. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha

Bayview-Kinnear Park

For the best view of the city, head to Bayview-Kinnear Park. Just below Kerry Park, you’ll find a trail that takes you down to Bayview-Kinnear Park where you’ll have an unobstructed view of the city, including the Space Needle and Puget Sound. Head here in the evening and you can catch a sunset that you’ll never forget.

A person in an orange dress stands smiling, holding a bouquet of flowers in front of the entrance to a public market. The market has a large clock and signs that read "Public Market Center" and "Farmers Market." The ground is cobblestone. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha
A bustling flower market with colorful bouquets in buckets displayed along the counter. Hanging lights illuminate the area, and signs are visible above. A person is arranging flowers amidst the vibrant setting. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha

Pike Place Market

If you want to get a beautiful flower arrangement with seasonal flowers, head to the Pike Place Market where there are several flower vendors. It’s currently peony season so I was able to get a large bouquet full of peonies for twenty dollars. If you have a little one, some of the vendors will make a mini bouquet for them.

A modern living room with a white sectional sofa facing a flat-screen TV. Large windows offer a view of an urban landscape. The room features a telescope, armchairs, a coffee table, and decorative plants. Neutral tones create a calm atmosphere. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha
A family of three, dressed in white robes and sunglasses, sit on a bed with a wooden headboard. The father holds a drink, the child smiles, and the mother sits beside them. A lamp is visible in the background. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha
A person wearing a blue bathrobe sits comfortably on a sofa by a window, smiling. They have gray socks with white letters and are holding a mobile phone. A light-colored pillow is beside them on the sofa. A round wooden tray is in the foreground. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha
A couple sits by a large window, overlooking the Seattle skyline with the Space Needle prominently in view. They are embracing and looking out at the cityscape. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha
A smiling family of three, wearing white robes, sits on a bed in a stylish room with wooden walls. A man pours a drink, a young girl sits between him and a woman, and two bedside lamps frame the scene. Lakeisha Drayton-Sharpe, @by_lakeisha

Pan Pacific Seattle Hotel

The Pan Pacific Seattle Hotel screams luxury and is a hidden gem right in the heart of Downtown Seattle. We stayed in the Denny Suite and our room had the most amazing panoramic view of the city. Bath time was a hit for my daughter as she got to enjoy a soaker tub full of bubbles with a skyline view. There is a restaurant in the hotel, but there’s also a ton of shops and restaurants within walking distance, as well as a Whole Foods below the hotel.

About the Author

I Know A Place

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