Communion Restaurant & Bar: Homecoming on a Plate
Sign at Communion
The Evergreen Echo
Food lovers, it’s been a minute; but I’m officially back with The Evergreen Echo, dropping culinary commentary, neighborhood nostalgia, and the kind of food critiques only a woman raised between soul food, potlucks, and “fix your own plate” can give.
The last time y’all saw me was March 2024 when I reviewed a Bellevue hot pot spot. Life detoured, but the appetite stayed. And now? We’re back at the table—and this time, I’m home.
Communion Restaurant & Bar sits inside the historic Liberty Bank Building in the heart of Seattle’s Central District. For me, this wasn’t just dinner; it was a return to my roots. I grew up on 20th & Union, and this exact spot used to be Thompson’s Point of View, a restaurant I frequented all through elementary school. Eating here felt like stepping into a memory with a modern twist.
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Every food critic has influences—mine just happen to be related to me. My mom, brother, and sister are what I lovingly call my personal Greek chorus. Whenever we eat out together, they watch my face like the opening credits of a suspense film, waiting to see whether I’m about to praise a plate or politely push it away.
They swear dining with me is “stressful,” because I always notice the details: seasoning, texture, technique, oil temperature, everything. And by now, their off-stage commentary lives in my head at every restaurant. So when you read my reviews, know they’re chiming in too…whether I invite them or not.
I brought my 19-year-old daughter, Jailyn, for a mother-daughter food adventure. We had 7 p.m. reservations. Parking is tight—mostly residential and a few retail spots—but we managed to find a space on the street.
Inside, the host reminded us that Communion is family-style dining, meaning everything is shared. I love the concept, but I did not love being seated directly in front of the open fire pit. I felt the heat a little too intimately…my freshly dyed red hair was scared. I scooted closer to my daughter to avoid any accidental flambé situations.
Collard Greens at Communion
The Evergreen Echo
Plates arrived in waves, and we did strategic rearranging like it was culinary Tetris.
WHAT WE ORDERED:
Collard Greens
Hoe Cakes (3)
Fried Pork Chop
Black-Eyed Pea Caviar
Baked Mac + Cheese
Unc’s Wings
Lemon Pound Cake
Purple House Lemonade
THE FOOD
Collard Greens: Sweet, tangy, seasoned beautifully. We finished them before anything else hit the table. Could’ve used neck bones, but still delicious.
Hoe Cakes: Soft, warm, perfect. Jailyn ate 2 out of 3 early in the meal; no notes.
Baked Mac + Cheese: Creamy. Golden crust. Piping hot. We saved it for later because we wanted to enjoy it with intentionality.
Fried Pork Chop: Tender, juicy, well-seasoned. Would’ve paired even better with mashed potatoes or au gratin. But the chop itself? A win.
Black-Eyed Pea Caviar: Flavorful. Texture isn’t my ministry; but that’s personal preference.
House Lemonade (Purple): Absolute perfection. Balanced, refreshing, and dangerously drinkable.
Pork Chop
The Evergreen Echo
Unc’s Wings: Unc’s Wings were the only dish that disappointed. Over-breaded, over-fried, too dark, uneven texture, and with visible feathers on two wings. Only 2 out of 6 were juicy. I gently mentioned this to the server, who immediately jumped into defensive mode: “Everything is cooked to the same temperature,” they said. “We pluck our own wings.” Ma’am…I pluck my own wings too. As someone who fries wings for crowds and knows good oil from tired oil, these wings told a story: one of overworked fryer baskets. We didn’t eat them.
Lemon Pound Cake: Dessert saved the night! Hot, soft, glazed, and delightful. Jailyn said it needed ice cream or a glass of milk…correct. We ate every bite.
ATMOSPHERE & SERVICE
Cozy and communal
Fire pit heat needs adjusting
Draft from plastic door is real
Service was prompt overall but tense during feedback
Still, it was a great mother-daughter time!
OVERALL RATING
Happy Plate Score: 4
Verdict: The sides stole the show. Dessert and lemonade were hits. Our total before tip: ~$147.
Approved by me… and whispered about by my girls (and occasionally my mom and sister).
Lynette’s Happy Plate Ratings:
5 — A whole experience. Worth the drive, worth the money, worth bringing your mama, your kids, and that one picky friend. I’d order it again tomorrow.
4 — Very good, memorable in places, solid flavor and vibe. I’d go back happily.
3 — Good. Nothing life-changing, but worth trying. Wouldn’t fight you to return, but I wouldn’t complain either.
2 — Needs work. Some things hit, some things missed. Potential is there, but execution was shy.
1 — The plate stayed sad. I said grace and kept it pushing.
0 — (Reserved for emergencies only.) No comment, just water and therapy.
