Mixtura
16-Feb-2006
Last week I attended the grand opening party at Mixtura in Kirkland. This is a restaurant that describes itself as serving "Novo-Andean Cuisine". Not being familiar with Andean cuisine I can’t really comment on that, but I can tell you that the food and menu look very interesting.
Since this was a party, food was not served as it normally would be but what I tasted captured my interest and was enough that it will draw me back over the bridge for another chance to properly check the place out. If I lived on the Eastside I would be making a beeline back.
I really like the idea of the menu – much of it is tapas like – lots of small, sharable plates but there is also a good selection of full-sized entrées for those of you who prefer to eat instead of graze.
The one challenge I think this place will face is it’s location. You would think it was a good spot but Szmania’s which morphed into Jaeger, had trouble here. The front door sits back about 15 feet off the sidewalk, which doesn’t sound like much but there’s also a staircase that blocks the view into the restaurant. Along that same block are several places that butt right up along the sidewalk and you can see the hordes of happy people sitting at tables. They seem much more inviting.
Adding to the lack of welcoming atmosphere is that the very, small bar is along the front window but it is so small that even when it’s full it doesn’t feel that lively. And you really can’t see past the bar into the dining room. If this was my place I would have reconfigured that bar, made it larger to accommodate at least a group or two and given the place a much more convivial feel.
Having said that, if you can overcome the awkward location and get yourself in the door this menu holds a lot of promise.
Mixtura
148 Lake Street South
Kirkland
425.803.3310
Culinary Fool 
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