Best Bites: The Kirkland Cafe Crawl

Downtown Kirkland has such great walkability that my friends and I often find ourselves doing a bit of a pub crawl. Most of the time, however, it is more of an appetizer crawl.

A traveling dinner is the perfect way to enjoy a night out without breaking the bank. Plus, the added bonus of a little exercise between restaurants helps burn a few of those calories -- not to mention clearing your head if there are drinks involved.

Following are four routes of varying lengths accompanied by my favorite appetizer or treat at each stop. Starting the crawl after 7:30 will assure a night of free parking anywhere on the street, though you may miss an early happy hour.

“THE FIRST -- INCLUDES A REAL PUB”

Park the car: Central Way or Park Place.

Stop 1: ; 112 Central Way

Best Bet: Curried chips and a Strongbow Cider -- The list of pub favorites is heavy on fried things with cheese, but the curry sauce served with the plate of fries is a tasty indulgence. To save on calories, skip the fries and just get the cider.

Stop 2: Two Twelve on Central; 212 Central Way

Best Bet: Grilled Flatbread Caprese -- The crisp but chewy crust of the flatbread at this new restaurant next to and by the folks at is topped with fresh slices of mozzarella, sweet tomatoes and ribbons of basil. Ask for a bit of salt and pepper to season it up. The amiable bartender Craig will probably talk you into a Mussolini, too -- a half cola/half red wine beverage that is as easy to drink as a Cherry Coke.

Stop 3: ; 121 Park Lane

Best Bet: Grilled Jalapenos -- A great way to warm up after a brisk autumn evening walk is to eat something spicy. Jalapenos vary widely on the heat index, so you never quite know how spicy your app will be, but it is stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in bacon and, therefore, totally worth eating.

Stop 4: ; 148 Lake Street

Best Bet: Churros or Mexican Spiced Wine -- If you’re in the mood for a sweet ending, you can’t beat the pillowy soft Mexican donuts, but if you would prefer to drink your dessert, the spiced wine is a must have. It will warm you inside and out.

“THE SHORT”

Park the car: Parkplace Plaza Lot

Stop 1: ; 222 Parkplace Center

Best Bet: Bruschetta or Caramelized Pear and Onion Pizzetta -- The bruschetta is a wonderful choice if you want something fresh and light. Sweet organic grape tomatoes, ribbons of fresh basil and Lucia’s oh-so-yummy balsamic dressing top small toasts both crisp and chewy. For a more luscious start, the pizzetta will get your tastebuds going with walnuts, gorgonzola cheese and red onion jam to round out the sweet pears and onions.

Bonus: Lucia boasts specials nearly every day of the week, such as half-off bottles of wine on Tuesdays, $4 martinis on Wednesdays and Ladies Night on Thursdays.

Stop 2: ; 323 Parkplace Center

Best Bet: Baked Brie -- A warm, gooey wedge of brie served with apricot preserves, caramelized onions and candied walnuts with housemade crackers. You should probably order a nice glass of bubbly Prosecco and a side of marcona almonds to find that extra happy place.

“THE LONG”

Park the car: The lot behind Hector’s and Milagro Cantina -- save a couple of bucks for a taxi ride back to your car at the end of the night.

Stop 1: Milagro Cantina; 148 Lake Street

Best Bet: Chiles Rellenos -- Start out the night with an earthy, cozy roasted poblano, a mild and beautifully stuffed pepper with tiny shrimp, crab and potatoes swimming in a lick-your-plate-clean ancho cream sauce. Order your favorite beverage and bundle up for the long walk to Carillon Point.

Stop 2: ; 2220 Carillon Point

Best Bet: Steak Tartare -- If you get there before 6 p.m., order the mini steak tartare from the happy hour menu. The expertly prepared meat is mixed with a flavorful blend of herbs and worchestershire sauce, topped with a dainty quail egg and served with the most wonderful little toasts. I recommend the Left Bank Smastini for those inclined towards herbal cocktails.

Stop 3: ; 1270 Carillon Point

Best Bet: Mini Beach Burger -- All the deliciousness of the entree sandwich in a few manageable bites of bacon onion jam, cheddar cheese, chipotle mayo and meaty burger. You’ll have a hard time resisting an order of sweet potato fries to go with the burger -- psst, don’t resist.

Stop 4: ; 1270 Carillon Point

Best Bet: Dark Chocolate “Budino” Pudding Cake -- Simply put, this is the very best chocolate cake ever. It is so good, I even put aside my usual aversion to orange and chocolate together because this is nothing like the usual combination. The cake is topped with a candied orange slice, mascarpone cheese, and even an unorthodox drizzle of olive oil and sprinkling of sea salt. Try it, you won’t be sorry -- except maybe the next morning at the gym.

Walk back or take a short taxi ride back to your car.

“THE CASUAL AND SOPHISTICATED”

Park the car: Under the Kirkland Library

Stop 1: ; 124 Park Lane

Best Bet: Cherry Bomb pizza and Wild Greens salad -- Start with a half order of the salad, crunchy with cashews and then get the small version of Zeek’s sweet and spicy pizza topped with sausage and the very addictive cherry peppers. Pitcher of Mac and Jacks Amber Ale? Yes, please.

Stop 2: ; 220 Kirkland Avenue

Best Bet: Lemon sage flan -- Class up the night with a dainty dessert, a quivering pannacotta bursting with lemon flavor and just the tiniest hint of sage. The flavor combination might sound unlikely, but this dessert is a lovely bite of creamy citrus.