On a recent rainy Saturday evening, we really wanted to get out of the house and eat a meal, but we wanted to bring Emma along because she doesn’t do well with being left home alone. I remembered that Niles Peacock Kitchen & Bar here in Edmonds had what looked like a really nice patio, and that Chris hadn’t eaten there yet, so off we went.

Food and Drink

Niles Peacock Kitchen & Bar serves thin-crust and Detroit style pizzas, a small selection of appetizers, and craft cocktails, leaning heavily on well-executed classics. I’d been there once before on a solo outing back in the spring and was really happy with my experience.

For this visit, we of course started with cocktails. Chris ordered the classic Corpse Reviver #2, and I wanted to try the Weekend Special, which gets a cool aromatic smoke bubble added to the top when it’s brought to the table. I love to try something that I can’t make at home when I go out for cocktails — sometimes that just means choosing something with a spirit I don’t have on my bar cart yet, or a secret house infusion… but a magical bubble gun is definitely not something I have at home!

Both drinks were delicious and well-balanced. The Weekend Special’s vodka base is saved from being boring by what I’m guessing is a significant amount of Angostura bitters, judging by the color. Even without the aromatic smoke it would be something I would drink again.

We also ordered the smoked paprika hummus. This came with a generous amount of veggies that might have been enough to scoop up all the hummus, if we hadn’t snuck some of them to the dog (look, she’s really cute and veggies are good for her). I would have liked more paprika, but the hummus had good flavor and texture and the veggies were fresh and crisp.

Our pizza choice was The Carne Asada Situation. We’d considered the Detroit-style crust, but our server Lionel said he felt this pizza was much better as a New York-style, and we always trust the people who know the menu! The pizza did not disappoint, although I think it could have used a little more avocado (but I always want more avocado). I don’t think I’d recommend this one for takeout, though, as the wetness of the pico de gallo can start to soak through the cheese and crust and get texturally weird.

I really like the crust here. It’s made with a 128 year old sourdough starter, and while it’s a thin crust, it’s not floppy. There’s a good balance of crispness vs. chewy, and the slight tang from the sourdough is a nice complement to the toppings here. I am definitely eager to go back and try that Detroit-style, though!

Service

Service was top-notch. We never had to wait too long for anything. The drinks were icy cold and the pizza nice and hot when they got to the table. The host who sat us and our server were both friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. We got there at around opening, but even as things got more crowded, we never went long without someone checking on us.

Outdoor Dining

Between the pandemic and a dog with a bit of separation anxiety, we prefer outdoor dining these days. Niles Peacock has one of the best setups in Edmonds. There’s a permanent raised patio keeping you off of the wet pavement, nice tent-style vinyl sidings keeping the rain and wind out, and heaters keeping things toasty. Temps were in the 40s on our visit and we were quite comfortable. This patio is also right across the sidewalk from the front door, so your food doesn’t have to take a long journey to reach you.

Dog Friendliness

At least on the night we were there, Niles Peacock was very dog-friendly! The host and our server both gave Emma lots of attention, and the host brought her a water dish right after we were seated. Our server Lionel even made Emma a bubble with the bubble gun. Because the patio is raised, you don’t have to worry about your dog sitting in a puddle or being in cold ground (or hot pavement in the summer). I would recommend trying to dine during the off-hours, especially if you have a larger dog, as the tables are close enough together that it could be inconvenient for your table neighbors to have your dog lying nearby.

You’ll also be really close to the waterfront if you want to take your dog for a nice beach walk before or after dinner. The marsh and the city park are nearby, too, or you can go just a little further and reach Marina Beach Park, which has a dog beach! We haven’t been there yet but it’s definitely at the top of our list for when the weather is better.

Make it a Date

If you don’t have a dog with you, there are a few nice things to do nearby to make a date out of being in Edmonds. The Cascadia Art Museum is in the same center as Niles Peacock, as is Scratch Distillery if you want to do some spirits tasting in addition to cocktails (this one is dog friendly too!). Edmonds Center for the Arts often has great live shows. There’s a small movie theater. Or just walk around the Main Street area checking out the various cute shops.