The Mountaineering Club

You might not realize that you have arrived from the outside, it’s a hotel, and it doesn’t look like the place I’m about to describe below. So give yourself a chance and trust me, go around the block and park in the public parking lot, or drive to the side of the hotel and let the valet service park your car for you.

You have arrived; you are at the Graduate Hotel in Seattle. The name is perfect due to its location. It’s just a few blocks from the University of Washington campus. Once you enter the hotel and walk towards the lobby, you’d be surprised by the tasteful decoration of this place. Its atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

There is a long hallway with a large coffee table across it. There is an oversized couch on both sides with tall bookcases behind it. These bookcases go from floor to ceiling, really. There is a fireplace with chairs for those cold and dark winter days. In the back there are some tables, chairs, and other seating areas for people to study, read, write, or hang out. It’s a beautiful place, and this is the lobby of the Graduate Hotel in Seattle.

Let’s go back to the main topic of this post, the brunch place. You hike up to the 16th floor from the lobby using the elevator, of course. Once you arrive on the 16th floor, the hostess welcomes you, and then all around you, it’s a fantastic panoramic view of the mountain ranges surrounding Seattle. The decoration at this place is lovely. It feels as if you are in a movie about explorers from the 1800s – or perhaps, Indiana Jones.

The decoration of this place is elegant and casual at the same time. There’s lots of leather furniture, a dark color palette, and lots of wood. It’s charming and warm. This place has been open as a club/bar for a while, and serving brunch is a newer offering, and I am so glad for this.

We walked outside to our table, it’s on the patio, with views all around us. Each table has a small heater lamp on top of it, so don’t worry, even when you are outside, you’d feel warm and cozy. Not all the seating arrangements are tables and chairs. I saw a few couches and coffee tables, and there were people having brunch there too.

The brunch menu is simple and short. I like that. The less I have to think about my choices, the better. I like the Cheesecake Factory, but their menu is almost as extensive as the War and Peace book. Yes, it’s an exaggeration.

Inside, they have a self-serving area where you can get coffee and tea. I like this; you can get your coffee whenever you want, and as much as you want. It makes me feel independent because I can serve my own cup of coffee.

We ordered our food, it was skillet-baked eggs for me, and it was delicious. We enjoyed our brunch, the coffee was great, the decoration was lovely, and the views were fantastic. Brunch at this place was a pleasant experience, and we are coming back. At The Graduate Hotel, The Mountaineering Club is a new favorite brunch place in Seattle.