Von’s 1000 Spirits-WOODINVILLE
Von’s 1000 Spirits is an icon of Seattle holding the city's largest collection of spirits. Located in the center of the hustle and bustle of the city, it can be a bit daunting to travel into the chaos to try their famous $6.99 scratch Martini. Thankfully for those of us that live North of Seattle, Von’s newest location in Woodinville is ready to cater to the suburban crowd.
Von’s is right at home in Woodinville’s craft spirits and local wine scene. Located near train tracks and commercial buildings, it embraces the scenery with a modern industrial interior. Its comfortable seating entices its patrons to sit down for a relaxing meal. The showstopper is the massive bar in the back showcasing its intoxicating array of spirits.
In terms of the heart of Von’s 100 Spirits, the staff was attentive, knowledgeable and always willing to elevate the customer experience. We asked our server for a recommendation of dipping sauces for our fries and they assured us that they would bring out their best and they did not disappoint. It’s clear that customer satisfaction is a pillar of this restaurant and that the staff had a genuine desire to connect with their guests.
Von’s 1000 Spirits could be said to have many iconic dishes such as their sourdough pizza or their award winning burgers, but perhaps their most famous offering would be their scratch martini. After your first sip, you’ll realize that its price of $6.99 is a total steal.
Full disclosure, I personally am not a martini drinker. It is far from my go to drink, in fact I’ve only ever had a couple that weren’t flavored in some way like a lemon drop. Nevertheless, I was excited to try it. I went ahead and ordered my vodka martini dirty, hoping that the brine of green olive juice would add an additional element of flavor, plus I also love green olives.
The martini’s presentation begins with your chilled glass being sprayed with vermouth at your table followed by the pouring of the cocktail into your green olive decorated glass. The cloudy elixir in its chilled garnished glass makes for a sophisticated presentation.
Presentation isn’t everything, it needs to taste great too. If you like a strong drink, with subtle flavors this is an excellent option. The vermouth added hints of botanicals while the olive brine finished the drink with a salty tang. What stood out the most to me was how incredibly smooth it was. Von’s uses their family’s Northwest Spirits in all of their specialty cocktails and it's very evident that these are spirits of high quality. Its simple but effective garnish beautifully adorns the glass.
As always, my wife accompanied me on this food adventure. She opted to go for the Champagne Mango Margarita. Right off the bat, this is a beautiful drink. I’m a sucker for a Tajin rim so I was happy to see it on this drink. It’s a bubbly fruity drink that makes it accessible to anyone trying to catch a deal during happy hour. The tequila flavor was overshadowed by the intense flavor of the champagne but its fizzy bubbles added an additional dimension. Overall a mild cocktail that anyone could enjoy.
Our meals consisted of the Double Smashed American Burger and the Classic Pepperoni Seattle Sourdough Pizza. Each a signature meal loved by the masses. Two meals at the quintessential corner of American dining.
Starting with the Double Smashed American Burger, it is exactly what you look for in a smash burger. The beef patty is crispy around the edges and has plenty of melty cheese. I recommend keeping this baby wrapped up in the paper it comes in because it’s a messy meal, just how any smash burger should be. Its sourdough bun is spongy and creates a sopping flavor bomb. The burger is topped with a heap of caramelized onion that I can only describe as heavenly. While smash burgers these days come in all shapes and sizes, if you are looking for a gem of a classic look no further.
If you're making pizza and it doesn’t have a sourdough crust, you already messed up. The sour chewy bread with the creamy richness of the cheese along with spicy salty pepperoni creates a foolproof bite every time. The pizza’s are prepared flatbread style which make them easy to share but also ideal for single consumption and trust me you’ll want to eat it all by yourself. My only critique is that as a lover of sauce, this pizza lacked the adequate amount. Moist bread can only take you so far. Nevertheless, Von’s sourdough pizza leaves its competition in the dust.
Speaking of sauce, you’ll find quite the selection here. We tried their spicy tarter, plain tarter, ranch, and Jim’s Drive In sauce. Each had their unique flavor and paired nicely with their skin on hand cut fries. Jim’s Drive In Sauce is a luscious burger sauce that can be found on the Double Smashed but also tastes great with some fries. My favorite however was their plain tarter. Something about the tangy creaminess of a tarter paired with the saltiness of a French fry always puts a smile on my face. The spicy tartar was a fun twist on a classic. It had a mild spice and also tasted great with fries.
In conclusion, Von’s 1000 Spirits is a must try for anyone looking for a great cocktail and an even better American meal. Its convenient location makes for easy commuting and their intentional staff make for an unforgettable experience. The pairing of accessible cocktails, well-crafted food and an aesthetic interior, makes Von’s 1000 spirits irrefutably a cut. Von’s 1000 Spirits might be new to town but I'm sure in no time they’ll be a staple of Woodinville.
