Maple Leaf, From Poi to Pizza to Potstickers!

What comes to mind when I think of the Maple Leaf neighborhood is a Tudor or Victorian style house on a small lot near a reservoir on one of the highest hills in Seattle. Centrally positioned just north of Greenlake and Ravenna and south of Northgate, it is a popular area for home buyers because of it's very convenient location and easy access close to Greenlake, the highway, University, Northgate Mall, downtown, and a quick commute to just about anywhere in town. It is just over 500 feet in elevation at its highest point.

It became a part of Seattle in the 1950's, named in part for the many maple trees that grew there. It is known for it's reservoir that runs along Roosevelt Way, and the privately run smaller businesses. The family owned corner Ace hardware store has been in the same location for years, and has the congenial feel that corner mom and pop stores used to have. Service is everything. Don't miss the homestyle Chinese homemade dumplings and fare at the Snappy Dragon, run by my friends the Judy and David Fu family. I went to school nearby with the daughter, Mari.
My favorite pizza in town has to be the A New York Pizza Place on 5th Ave NE. First opened by my friend Todd, this is classic thin crust pizza and calzone, East Coast style. The salads are great and they even sell the pizza dough to go. If you venture on west a block, you will find yourself way west to the island of Hawaii and at the tropical comfort food of Kona Kitchen. Run by actor Yuji and Angie Okumoto, this neighborhood joint serves great breakfasts all day long, along with the traditional Hawaiian favorite plate lunches with two scoops of rice and macaroni salad, delicious chicken fried steak and even Portuguese sausage fried rice and Kahlua Pig! Worth the trip to Maple Leaf to catch the wave! Cloud City Coffee seems to attract a good crowd, and on this particular day, I witnessed customers bicycling, walking and skiing in to get their hot cup of java. Only in Seattle.

The classy Maple Leaf Grill and the Jones Bistro and Lounge are tantalizing and inviting with their lovely decor. A little bit of class and great quality steaks and gourmet dishes. And my vote for the most beautiful storefront in Maple Leaf is Maxines Floral and Gift. Beautiful decor and lights that really brighten up a cold winters night. Absolutely stunning displays of flowers, decorations, and lighting.
Prestigious private Perkins School, the Catholic St. Catherine's and the Fairview School, which is the biggest private elementary school in Seattle, all make up a part of the local education system. The newly done Olympic Hills is the public elementary school for the neighborhood. Come and visit Maple Leaf, a very unpretentious simple neighborhood where young families really come and stay for good.

Helen Toyoda

Realtor

Helen@SeattlePowerSearch.com

206.383.8182