Weekly Names Kirkland "Best 'Burb"

Seattle Weekly has just discovered what many Kirkland residents already knew, naming the town as best suburb in its 26th “Best of Seattle” edition.

The newspaper also lobbed a couple other Kirkland accolades across Lake Washington, at least one of them another “no-duh?” honor. That would be ’s designation as best dining destination.

The other Kirkland award goes to the trendy downtown restaurant for its guacamole.

Mayor Joan McBride, a 50-year resident, says the Weekly hit the nail squarely in naming Kirkland best 'burb.

“I think it’s wonderful,” she said. “You know what? There is no place else I would rather live. We’re a great place to raise a family, to start a business, we’re progressive, we have the lake shore and wonderful parks. What’s not to love?

“People don’t want to leave. They stay here over time, over decades and generations. I think it’s pretty special.”

McBride did not mind the fact that the Weekly named her counterpart to the east -- John Marchione of Redmond -- as best mayor. His mom serves on the Kirkland City Council, so he did not mind himself that Kirkland was named best suburb.

“It’s hard to compete with Kirkland because it's right on Lake Washington, and it’s such a beautiful sight,” , Redmond Patch  “I figure with my mom on the city council there, and I’m mayor here, we’ve got it covered.”

You can go to the Weekly link up top to read the whole story, but here are the Kirkland honors:

Best 'burb

• Located on the shores of Lake Washington, Kirkland boasts a vibrant downtown waterfront with several art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. Come summer, it attracts droves of people eager to play beach volleyball, walk their dogs, and hit happy hour. In the winter, it takes a cozier turn: Those same people tuck into coffee shops instead of bars and business owners bring out the Christmas wreaths and lights. No matter what season it is, Kirkland looks and feels like a charming resort town, but its distance from Seattle allows its residents (who often retire here as well) to escape the pains of tourism and enjoy their perks in peace. ERIKA HOBART.

Best dining destination

• Let’s just imagine for a minute that all those condos and strip malls weren’t there and Lake Washington was called Lago di Como. Cafe Juanita, chef Holly Smith’s slice of culinary paradise, would be right at home in the Italian countryside. Even when you check back in with reality, it’s easy to forget you’re in suburbia while sipping an aperitif and stuffing your face with lardo. There’s no going wrong anywhere on the menu; the biggest challenge is to not go overboard and order too much at this romantic restaurant. Bring your honey—and a thick wad of money—and share the octopus, an exceptional pasta, and a couple of mains. One bite of the signature stuffed coniglio (that’s bunny, baby!) and you’ll never want to leave. Ask Dawn the som to pair wines with your meal. She’s aces. LESLIE KELLY.

Best guacmole

• Even when it’s bad, guacamole, much like pizza and sex, is still pretty damn good. But the guacamole served at Milagro Cantina is really good. Here you can select from three variations so buttery they practically melt in your mouth: guacamole de mango with mango and pine nuts, guacamole de granada with pomegranate seeds and almonds, and a “simple” house guacamole made with cojita cheese, garlic, tomatoes, and roasted poblano peppers. Whichever you choose, you can’t go wrong; be prepared to battle your company for the last scrape. ERIKA HOBART.