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A twinge of jealousy struck me upon entering East Anchor Seafood, Kayley Turkheimer and Brian Clevenger’s tiny seafood market and oyster bar in Madrona.

As a fish fiend, I’m envious of the folks who live nearby and can stop in for the chef’s giant crab cakes or take-home wild salmon fillets. The market opened in the spring next to Clevenger’s Italian-inspired restaurant, Vendemmia, and it is every bit as refined. In addition to taking home one of the freshest catches of the day, you can take a seat at the counter, or at one of two reclaimed wood four-top tables, and select from a tiny menu of light bites, such as glistening cubes of fresh ahi poke ($14) or five types of fresh oysters ($3–$3.50 each), and enjoy them with a glass of wine ($8–$11). Table service is provided, but it can be spotty when the retail line is out the door.

Still, in those cases, I’ve seen Clevenger himself jump in to lend a hand. On your way out, be sure to grab a tub of Dungeness crab and Beecher’s Flagship mac and cheese ($11.50) to reheat later. The mac—and East Anchor itself—is almost enough of a draw to make you want to move.

East Anchor Seafood
Madrona, 1126 34th Ave. 206.708.6669
eastanchorseafood.com
Must order: hot (spicy) smoked salmon ($9) on open-faced Columbia City baguette slices