A small, not-so-secret restaurant, the Boat Street Café is nestled into a hidden courtyard near the vibrant Seattle waterfront.

Once through the floor-to-ceiling French doors, one is charmed by the bright, sophisticated interior dressed with simple accents of French culinary treasures collected over the years by chef and owner, Renee Erickson. The black slate tables, fresh flowers, and a canopy of antique parasols draw one to the white marble- topped bar that bears many jars of pickles made in-house.

For many years, Renee has produced a variety of pickled fruits and vegetables as a way to preserve fresh, Northwest produce at the height of ripeness and flavor. This ‘healthy compulsion’ to pickle nearly everything soon became an integral part of what makes the Provencal-inspired cuisine of the Boat Street so memorable. The pickles have, over time, become an essential element of the Boat Street pantry and are sought out by many of the café’s patrons. Renee’s favorite pickles are now available for all to enjoy, anytime, anywhere.

Renee’s approach to food draws inspiration from the simple, rustic cuisine of the French countryside. Her study of the cuisine of France has led her to develop clean, simple, and elegant dishes inspired by the classics. Her food is especially influenced by the region of Provence, where fresh markets and country bistros offer the freshest ingredients and the richest traditions. Renee prepares her own interpretation of this “cuisine de la Grand Mere”- in which she marries the finest and freshest seasonal products from the Pacific Northwest.