Eat Your Way Down Jackson

This column highlights the many restaurants lining Jackson Street beginning in Leschi at Jackson and 31st Ave. S. and down to Rainier Ave. Jackson Street offers a wide selection of food choices from pizza, international, barbeque, sushi, pub food, soul food, before hitting the mecca of great Asian restaurants in the ID. Join me as we take a short drive, walk, bike or hop the 14 bus to check out nearby spots.

When You Crave Barbeque

Reckless Noodle House, 2519 S. Jackson, open Mon-Thurs from 4-11pm, Fri and Sat 4pm to midnight, and Sunday 4-10pm. There is seating inside and an outdoor patio (ask if it is open). There is a very good wine, craft beer and fun cocktail list. Happy Hour starts at 4pm every day with varying hours.

Reckless Noodle House owners named their restaurant to reflect not only their love of Asian-inspired food but a passion for the outdoor sports, adventure, and travel. Look around and you will see surf boards, mountains and landscapes, and a bathroom wall papered in surfing and beach photos. Started as a tiny restaurant almost 10 years ago, the immediate popularity of the restaurant helped grow it to twice its size today. Most nights it is packed with adventurous eaters enjoying the lively atmosphere and Asian food with the chef’s special twist. The menu is divided into Snacks and Small Bites ($9-19) which include many dishes easily shared, Large Bites which are larger entrees, ($19-27), Wok Bites which are bowls of rice or noodle dishes ($18-27). Remember the restaurant is named Reckless which translates into many spicy and bold dishes on the menu. But be assured there are many milder dishes, just ask your server for advice or how to lessen the heat.

Recently I met up with friends on a rainy, cold evening eager to be warmed by the comfort of Asian-inspired foods. I’ve eaten at Reckless many times and have always liked the food. We were on the early side and discovered the restaurant was not as full as we thought it might be.

Our server Joe said they had just finished the two-week run of Restaurant Week when every evening was full so having a mellow night was appreciated. However, by the time we left, the restaurant was buzzing with most tables and the bar filled. Joe gave a mouthwatering description of the evening special which we could not pass up: Lobster Rangoon Bao ($14), two bao buns filled with creamy lobster sauce and just a little kick of heat. We also ordered Mu Xu, a tasty crispy roast duck roll ($10) filled with wood ear mushrooms, carrots, scallion which you wrap in lettuce and dip into a sauce of hoisin. For our main dishes we had the Reckless Fried Rice ($19), a bowl of coconut rice seasoned with turmeric, Thai basil, scallions, tomato, cucumber and seasoned with chili jam, and soy and topped with a soft boiled or scrambled egg. It was the perfect comfort food for the rainy night. You can add on either pork belly, pastrami, prawns or tofu. I added pastrami and my friend added tofu.

The other two both ordered a seared turmeric rockfish ($21) seasoned with dill, fennel, lemongrass, galangal, coconut cream, fresh herbs and served on top vermicelli noodles with a toasted chili lime fish sauce on the side. Both were delighted with the dish and said it was perfectly cooked and the topping was flavorful. I had a taste and agreed with them. We shared a coconut tapioca pudding with roasted pineapple and coconut ($7). The bites of the cooling dessert gave a refreshing ending to our meal.

Reckless can get noisy. If you want quiet, come early and ask for a table near the front, or the heated patio. They do not take reservations but there is a wait option on their website which makes it easy to stay home and wait until a table is ready. Take-out orders are popular as well, with some folks eating theirs at the Dog Bar across the street where dogs are allowed but no cooking on the premise.

~Mary Carter Creech