The days of the classic 50’s diners are long gone----with only a few of the Real McCoy left standing around the country (not counting a few knock-off wannabe’s). A “city” incarnation of these diners is the small restaurants located in old houses and other structures no longer suited to their original purpose. Immediately excluded from this genre of eateries are restaurants that have relied on “architectural planning” and/or “large bankrolls” to create artificial The places I am talking about are the labors of love of the visionary owners/entrepreneurs that are more interested in service and quality of food than in whether the place looks like Martha Stewart or the Olive Garden. They are places to share gossip, have great coffee and eat----with the kids or without. The Wild Mountain Café, in the Crown Hill Neighborhood of Seattle, is such a place. It is easy to find, at 1408 NW 85th St, because it is the only Purple House on the street. It’s funky exterior and interior, is awesome Seattle-eclectic at its best. There is artwork on the walls, and there is live music on Friday’s. Tables are set up throughout the “house” such that you can eat in the living room next to the fireplace, in the dining room (where else), in one of the bedrooms----no beds though (dang----no breakfast in bed) or even in the bar. You can order breakfast (lunch & dinner too) as simple as the plain old “Jane Doe,” or as plentiful as the “Joe Schmoe.” There is even a kids menu. So----check it out when you are in the neighborhood and you need a good cup of coffee, a good meal----or just need a place to hang with friends, meet with your real estate agent, or rendezvous with a lover----or just read the paper by yourself. Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector
These diners were gathering places of the locals to share gossip (early networking) and a place for truck drivers to have coffee thrown at them. 
ambiance.
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WA State, Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board
