Barbara Underwood learned a lot from her father. But among the lessons she loved was how to cook. She is a 25 year veteran of the food service industry, had her own catering business for 12 of those years and had an ambition for a long time to open her own small cafe. That came true in the recently opened Ripple Cafe at 9007 35th Ave. SW. She's joined at the cafe by her daughter Kyle Krishna and her longtime friend Monica Silva.

Her father was Dave Kingery, graduate of West Seattle High School class of 1948, He learned to cook and was a chinese food expert, passing along all his secrets to his daughter.

Kingery was also a highly skilled wood carver. So when the opportunity arose for Underwood to open a restaurant she knew it would be dedicated to him and feature some of his artwork.

She explained through tears why she called it The Ripple Cafe. "It's a Grateful Dead song and it has been in my will to play at my funeral for 25 years, and my dad was in the hospital for five weeks last fall and we were sitting around one evening talking. Monica and I were crying because we knew my Dad was going to pass soo and "Ripple" came on and five minutes later my mom called and said my Dad had passed. My Dad's oldest best friend owns a chinese restaurant in downtown Issaquah and the next morning we went to the funeral home and we went to the restaurant to tell friend Andy personally that my Dad had died. We walked through the door of the chinese restaurant and "Ripple was playing. That same week, two days later Jeanatte (owner of the new former J.C.'s Deli that had been in that spot) told me she was closing, That's why the words to "Ripple" are next to my Dad's carving,"

The cafe offers sandwiches, salads, pork loin, real turkey breast and fresh baked goods. The most expensive item on the menu is only $11.50 (Salmon Caesar Salad) but as a baker Underwood also makes a special item: Her Meatloaf Muffins, which is a hunk of savory meatloaf in a pastry shell with "mashed potato frosting", she said smiling.

Right now the Ripple Cafe is open Tuesday through Saturday 10am to 6pm but they plan on expanding their hours to later in the evening and open on Seahawks Sundays. They are also planning on adding beer and wine in the future.