Better off Red: A Legendary Red Velvet Slice at The Kingfish Cafe, Seattle
Friday, June 19, 2009 
The Red Velvet Cake at The Kingfish Cafe in Seattle is kind of a local celebrity. It's always winning those "best of" polls and getting written up in the various publications around town. And yet--amazingly--I'd never managed to taste it. But all that changed this week when I hit up Kingfish for lunch with my friend (a self-described "dedicated dessert-er") Judy.
Now, the first thing you'll notice about this cake is its size. It's huge. And I am not saying that in an annoying girlie sort of way. This cake is, like, really big. The slice pictured at the top is actually on a large dinner plate, and it took up most of it. I'm not a fan of sharing desserts, but this one definitely yielded four servings. No, really.
The first thing you'll notice upon tasting the cake is that it is chilled. For some this is a detriment, but I adore chilled cake: the flavor just seems to blossom on your tongue.
And as that flavor develops, you'll taste a variety of things. First, the sweetness of the cream cheese frosting, complemented with the slightest tang. Then sweetness again from the generous dollop of whipped cream, which is garnished with strawberries. Then the cake, which itself is not too sweet, but gently cocoa-y. Judy thought it tasted a bit dry compared to some of her previous visits. I tend to be forgiving about a slight dryness as long as the flavor is there, and the flavor certainly was there with this cake. When you get that one perfect bite with cake, cream cheese frosting, whipped cream and strawberry, it is...maybe not nirvana, but close.
The overall verdict? While sometimes hype can ruin desserts, I definitely found this one to live up to its reputation and can't wait to return to Kingfish to sample the coconut layer cake and Strawberry shortcake.
The Kingfish Cafe, 602 19th Ave. East, Seattle, (206)320-8757; online at thekingfishcafe.com.
bakeries, cakespy seattle
Reader Comments (13)
i can't believe that slice of red velvet cake is so big, but it looks delish! i love chill cakes/cupcakes too!
I've never been much of a red velvet cake person, but I've just arrived in London and something made me order the red velvet cupcake yesterday at this little bakery down the street from where we're staying. (http://www.hummingbirdbakery.com/flash.html) It was magnificent.
Coincidence that I open up your blog, which I just discovered, and see a fat slab of RVC in your post? I think not.
I have tears in my eyes. Seriously.
I had a fabulous piece of Red Velvet cake at - of all places - the Matt Winn Dining Room at Kentucky Downs.
I've never managed to try their red velvet either! Consider yourself my motivation.
Wow, I'm pretty sure I have to try this cake. I'd also like to try their food, but something tells me I can't have both lunch and dessert there on the same visit unless I plan to have someone roll me out in a wheelbarrow. :o)
I love Kingfish. LOVE. Their mac&cheese is amazing, and their fried chicken! And the catfish! And yet somehow I haven't had their red velvet cake. My list of places to eat when I'm next in Seattle is getting way too long.
I just saw a photo of this on MegaNom.tumblr and now I want to book a ticket to Seattle, solely based on this review. Perhaps I need to have a good talking to with my sweet tooth!
I am getting in touch with you to let you know about a “blog” of sorts that I’ve started, called TasteStopping.com. It’s a place where those of us who have had our photographs declined from TasteSpotting, FoodGawker or Photo Grazing can submit and have that same work published to help drive traffic to our sites. I hope you will check it out and give me your feedback. Even better, send me your photos!
I look forward to hearing (and seeing) from you soon!
Best,
Casey
Editor
http://www.tastestopping.wordpress.com
I need to stop in and try this. I love red velvet and this sounds like it can't be missed.
Question... what's better red velvet with cream cheese frosting or white butter cream? I like cream cheese.
Thanks for the sweet comments everyone! Casey, thanks for introducing me to your cool site!
Melanie: We split a sandwich for lunch which was a good idea because this cake was massive!
Jamie: Yes, you must! I hear the coconut cake is great too (in case they are out of red velvet).
Personally, even though I suffer from lactose intolerance, I much prefer the tang of cream cheese frosting with red velvet cake, to balance that cocoa flavor. My doctor is probably reading this and cringing!
Dear lord this looks good... I have to say I'm a total closet fan of your site - so thank you from another Seattle lass for telling me about the food in Seattle that I don't know about!
When I was in Seattle recently, I went to the Kingfish for brunch and as we were leaving saw someone carrying out the largest cake ever! It was glorious. I thought it must have been the red velvet since I've heard so much about it, but it was covered in coconut so it must have been the coconut layer cake. Man, I really want to share a slice of that. Looks amazing.
I want to go to there