Split leaves Oddfellows a Linda-only joint

By way of Seattle Metropolitan Magazine's Tablehopper blog, by way of Rebekah Denn, we learn that the power duo behind Oddfellows has broken up. Volunteer Park Cafe co-founder Ericka Burke has pulled out of the Pike/Pine cafe to, according to Burke, focus more on VPC.

Admittedly, we were a little overly breathless when the joint venture of Burke and Capitol Hill legend Linda Derschang was originally announced. Now, Derschang remains as the main driver behind Oddfellows, though Seattle Met notes there is another big name now helping in the kitchen -- Sitka and Spruce's Matt Dillon. That can't last long, though. Dillon's likely going to have his hands full with this.

Burke announced her decision to the Seattle Met blogger way back in March -- we and everybody else who might care missed it -- about a week after The Stranger's Bethany Jean Clement zigged where you thought she might zag and came out with a particulary negative review of the Oddfellows kitchen.

This comment left on the Stranger piece from Derschang was blunt, to the point, and, now it seems, a sign of things to come.

Unfortunately, I agree with Bethany's review. I have worked very hard to create a wonderful neighborhood cafe. We've hit it right with the interior, I think. We also have a great group of people working at Oddfellows. But the food is not there. My goal is to make changes and improvements on the food every day. I appreciate all the feedback. Bear with us.
Posted by Linda Derschang, Owner on March 11, 2009 at 2:45 PM

Oh, I also disagreed with her. Never had a bad bite at Oddfellows. But I don't run the place. Linda does. Now I'm curious to know more about untangling the business end of things and how that was or wasn't resolved.