The bar-resto combo just opened a few weeks ago, but the wooden church pews in there are over a hundred years old. We can all shout hallelujah that the Southern-inspired bar Witness has joined the rest of the congregation on Broadway East. And that they brought their shrimp & grits and spiced rum daisies with them.
It’s always nice having a friend offer recommendations empirically, and now every Wednesday you have that friend from the inside. So here are five things to know before ordering at Witness:
Me, being a dork while my entreé gets cold.
- I wish I ordered the fritters. The savory balls of corn mash are deep-fried, and have flecks of jalapeño with warm, smoked honey dripping from them. I didn’t order them; my companion did, and after one bite I realized that was a mistake I’ll never make again. Runner up: the Carolina pulled pork sliders, with shredded, zesty strips and perfect buns. Why oh why can’t I order everything?
- Be persuaded by John Edward. The happy hour is 4-6, every day, thankthelord, and while they offer deliciously tempting $6 libations such as the bourbon-forward but totally laid back Son of a Preacher Man, or the screws-in-your-cheeks sweet Spiced Rum Daisy, the real star of the show can be found on the normal-priced drink menu, and it’s The John Edwards. Frothy with egg white strain, mature and balanced with the cognac and bitters, this is one drink that makes you do a double-take, and immediately makes you want more. Also included in the $12 cocktail’s ingredients? Wrath.
- Maple + chicken + Witness = real good. The waffles and chicken combination — and hell yeah for dinner — is an old Southern favorite that I’m very glad Seattle has embraced whole-heartedly. You can find chicken legs on a bed of Belgian wedges in probably just about any bar that serves hipster food (whatever that is; somehow I think you understand), but at Witness the crispy fried chicken is really, really good. The chicken still tender and steaming; the bourbon-maple syrup is the uncannily perfect dipping sauce for the leg you just can’t stop nibbling.
- Why the pews are cool. The conversation-style booths along the wall aren’t just comfortable to sit in and rustically, darkly attractive, they’re pews from a North Carolina church from over a hundred years ago. Seattle Met’s Nosh Pit did a little digging on the subject with owner Gregg Holcomb, and it turns out it cost more to ship the pews he found on Craigslist than the cost of the old church benches themselves. Adapted to a bar or otherwise, you still might get slapped if you fall asleep in the pew.
- You’ll be full, but get dessert. I’ve also decided pecans need a rapturous comeback after trying Witness’ warm, unfortunately Satsuma-sized tart. Really though, the pecan tart is made with Angostura bitters-infused crème Anglaise, bourbon, and tastes like if granny suddenly decided to get a dangerous side and live with no regrets. Pulled sugar that looks like an elliptical galaxy leans against the lump of nutty goodness in a lovely, modern display, and you’ll never remember that tiny lump cost $8. In fact, you might want to try the buttermilk beignets next. Can I get a witness?
The only thing wrong with the pecan tart—and I mean only— is that it’s the size of a toddler’s fist.
Witness is located at 410 Broadway East, and is open at 4 every day except for Saturday and Sunday, when they open at 9 for brunch.
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