We decided to check out the Ballard Loft http://www.ballardloft.com for happy hour recently on a Tuesday evening. Happy hours are Monday - Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and another from 10 p.m. to midnight. This sports bar is located 5105 Ballard Ave. NW - a bit South of the plethora of bars and restaurants on Ballard Avenue. On a previous Saturday evening visit I had consumed an awesome french dip sandwich, so wanted to check out their happy hour menu and see if it was less noisy and crowded at happy hour.
A large patio area sits in front of the Loft and the retractable garage type door was in the raised position, making the normally darker interior quite light and airy. However, June in Seattle is just a tad too chilly for outside dining, so we opted for an indoor table near the patio to enjoy the daylight and breeze. The patio did have several tall heat lamps but I doubt they were turned on at that early hour. The interior is rustic, with exposed wood structural elements and warm lighting, and it manages to be spacious without feeling like a barn. Flat screen televisions pepper the walls, allowing a view from any table of whatever sports d'jour is being broadcast. There is also an upstairs area that I didn't venture into.
We arrived around 5:30 p.m. and at that time the place was probably only a quarter full. Mainly older crowd at that time and lots of men nursing a beer while looking at the tv. By the time we left an hour or so later, the place had filled up, the patio was nearly full and the patrons more diverse.
Our friendly and attentive waitress greeted us promptly and proceeded to recite a long list of international beers available (in preparation for the upcoming World Cup games). Neither my dining companion nor I are beer aficionados however, so I opted for my usual vodka/soda ($3) and dining companion chose Bud Light on draft ($2.50). Drinks arrived quickly and I was pleased to see that my request for "lots of lime" was heeded - there were four lime wedges on the glass!
We then proceeded to order three appetizers. The Parmesan Artichoke Dip, a tasty mixture of seasoned artichoke hearts, romano and parmesan cheese. Baked & served with toasted pita bread. ($5.50). This was warm and delicious - not too mayonaisy or sour. Next was the Hummus Plate - a large plate of soft and warm pita slices, hummus, fresh feta, tomatoes, pepperoncinis and sliced cucumbers. ($5.50) Last was the Mexican Lettuce Cups - another LARGE plate with a pile of sautéed ground chorizo sausage, with red and green peppers, red onion. Accompanied with a pile of large lettuce leaves, sour cream, guacamole, jalapeños and a side of pico de gallo ($5.50).
I was impressed with both the quantity and quality of these appetizers. I liked them all but probably the Mexican Lettuce Cups were my favorite...a south of the border version of the more commonly known Thai lettuce wraps. The chorizo was nicely browned and spicy and with all the ingredients piled onto a big lettuce leaf, it was delish and allowed us the fantasy that it was also healthy!
This was a very reasonable and filling dinner for two - plus two rounds of drinks - and the total tab came to $30! Happy hour dining is a fun and thrifty way to enjoy a variety of restaurants.
Outdoor seating is always a welcome feature in any restaurant - if summer EVER arrives in Seattle this year! I would definitely return here for another visit on a warm day to sit outside and try the sliders (which I hear are awesome) as well as to indulge my overactive sweet tooth with either the warm chocolate chip cookies served with a shot of milk or the Warm Chocolate Brownie drizzled with caramel syrup and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Move over La Isla - there's a new Puerto Rican restaurant in town!
Seattle is woefully lacking in Puerto Rican restaurants and until a couple of months ago, had just one (that I know of). That would be La Isla in Ballard - a very popular destination these days.
As of this past March, there's a new kid in town - El Pilon - a bright oasis of tempting aromas, salsa music and great food in Rainier Valley, located just South of Columbia City at 5303 Rainier Ave South (between S. 42nd Ave & Brandon St). Run by Luis Vega and his mom, Marta, this family friendly bistro offers homestyle Puerto Rican cooking.
An old friend and I visited El Pilon this past Saturday, May 22, 2010. We were promptly greeted and seated by Luis Vega and settled in to peruse both the menu and the establishment. The small dining room is brightened by yellow walls with interesting art - much of it for sale. There were wonderful framed black/white sketches by Charles Tatum, authentic art from Puerto Rico including carnival style masks made from calabash gourds and butterflies made from coconut shells. The Puerto Rican flag is proudly displayed in several areas and the table mats are from Puerto Rico and contain maps, recipes, pictures of Puerto Rico, and other images.
We were quite ravenous when we arrived, so promptly ordered the appetizer of Empanadillas - one of meat and one of cheese. These hot, flaky delicacies arrived swiftly and assuaged our appetites so that we could choose our dinners with care. We definitely wanted to try the mofongo and Luis recommended the Mofongo with Camarones. For a contrast, we then ordered the Pollo Fricase.
Our salads arrived first - small and tasty. Then came the mofongo, which was served in a pilon and was amazingly delicious! Mofongo is essentially mashed plantains mixed with garlic, fried pork rinds (yes, I know this is wickedly FATTENING!), olive oil, and other seasonings which combine to make a very tasty dish. Combined with this is your protein of choice - meat, chicken, or as in our order - shrimp.
The Pollo Fricase arrived on a plate containing a healthy portion of nicely spiced chicken, which was cooked perfectly and practically fell off the bone; a scoop of white rice and a small bowl of habichuelas - pinto beans simmered with sofrito and other spices to create a nicely flavored sauce to pour on the rice.
We gave it our best try, but were too stuffed to completely clean our plates so Luis graciously brought containers to put our leftovers in and even added some extra rice.
If you want to try the real deal in Puerto Rican cuisine, it's worth the trip to travel out to Rainier Valley. If you keep your eyes closed until you walk through the door, you can imagine that you're on vacation in Puerto Rico, stopping in a local restaurante for a bite to eat. El Pilon is brand new and the staff is still working out all the details so be patient if your experience isn't as perfect as ours - they have a vision and are working hard to achieve it!
As of this past March, there's a new kid in town - El Pilon - a bright oasis of tempting aromas, salsa music and great food in Rainier Valley, located just South of Columbia City at 5303 Rainier Ave South (between S. 42nd Ave & Brandon St). Run by Luis Vega and his mom, Marta, this family friendly bistro offers homestyle Puerto Rican cooking.
An old friend and I visited El Pilon this past Saturday, May 22, 2010. We were promptly greeted and seated by Luis Vega and settled in to peruse both the menu and the establishment. The small dining room is brightened by yellow walls with interesting art - much of it for sale. There were wonderful framed black/white sketches by Charles Tatum, authentic art from Puerto Rico including carnival style masks made from calabash gourds and butterflies made from coconut shells. The Puerto Rican flag is proudly displayed in several areas and the table mats are from Puerto Rico and contain maps, recipes, pictures of Puerto Rico, and other images.
We were quite ravenous when we arrived, so promptly ordered the appetizer of Empanadillas - one of meat and one of cheese. These hot, flaky delicacies arrived swiftly and assuaged our appetites so that we could choose our dinners with care. We definitely wanted to try the mofongo and Luis recommended the Mofongo with Camarones. For a contrast, we then ordered the Pollo Fricase.
Our salads arrived first - small and tasty. Then came the mofongo, which was served in a pilon and was amazingly delicious! Mofongo is essentially mashed plantains mixed with garlic, fried pork rinds (yes, I know this is wickedly FATTENING!), olive oil, and other seasonings which combine to make a very tasty dish. Combined with this is your protein of choice - meat, chicken, or as in our order - shrimp.
The Pollo Fricase arrived on a plate containing a healthy portion of nicely spiced chicken, which was cooked perfectly and practically fell off the bone; a scoop of white rice and a small bowl of habichuelas - pinto beans simmered with sofrito and other spices to create a nicely flavored sauce to pour on the rice.
We gave it our best try, but were too stuffed to completely clean our plates so Luis graciously brought containers to put our leftovers in and even added some extra rice.
If you want to try the real deal in Puerto Rican cuisine, it's worth the trip to travel out to Rainier Valley. If you keep your eyes closed until you walk through the door, you can imagine that you're on vacation in Puerto Rico, stopping in a local restaurante for a bite to eat. El Pilon is brand new and the staff is still working out all the details so be patient if your experience isn't as perfect as ours - they have a vision and are working hard to achieve it!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Happy hour/Dinner at Anthony's Homeport in Shilshole
As all Seattle residents know - when the sun is out we MUST take full advantage. So after a long day stuck in a box and chained to a computer, I was very anxious to spend the evening hours of Friday, May 14, 2010 soaking in the sunshine! Dining companion and I agreed that we must find an outdoor happy hour, preferably in the sun and hopefully with a view - not easy on a sunny Friday afternoon when everyone else has the same idea...
Considered Ray's Boathouse, but we knew it would likely require a VERY long wait to be seated at one of the coveted deck tables. Decided to try Anthony's next door, since it has a large outdoor patio and doesn't seem to attract the crowds of drunken yuppies with maxed out credit cards that frequent Ray's. My companion arrived at 4:30 p.m. and had a very short wait before being seated at a primo table in the sun, just over the water lapping against the shoreline, with a magnificent view of Shilshole Bay, Puget Sound and the majestic Olympic Mountains. I joined him at 5 p.m.
We sipped on their happy hour lemon drops (neglected to write down the prices but think the happy hour cocktails were $3) as we enjoyed the warmth of the sun, the amazing view and the tantalizing aroma of alder smoked salmon wafting through the air mixed with the comforting fragrance of salt water in warm weather...a uniquely Seattle scent.
We placed an order for Discovery Bay clams and Ahi Nachos (once again, neglected to jot down prices - for some reason their website contains neither accurate menus or any mention of the happy hour menu) . Both appetizers were inexpensive and unremarkable, but were a nice accompaniment to our cocktails and view. The Copper River salmon dinners were being promoted and since neither of us had tried this renowned salmon, we ordered a dinner to split. I recall this dinner as being quite spendy - over $30?
That said, the salmon was cooked to perfection - moist and flavorful - truly succulent. It was accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes and fresh broccoli - which was also prepared perfectly, neither over or under cooked. Not sure if I could detect any noticeable difference in the Copper River salmon as opposed to salmon normally served, however the preparation was superb.
Emboldened by our cocktails, we threw dietary caution to the winds and allowed our sweet tooth to overrule our good sense. Ordered an absolutely heavenly Rhubarb Crisp, warm and topped with a generous helping of vanilla ice cream. If that were not decadent enough, we also ordered a dessert cocktail comprised of hot chocolate with Bailey's, Peppermint Schnapps and Kalua. Approximately 10,000 calories later, we rolled out of the restaurant in a food coma and managed to get home.
Many people have negative things to say about Anthony's, but for me ambiance is nearly as important as the meal and the patio and view at Anthony's just can't be beat on a sunny day.
Considered Ray's Boathouse, but we knew it would likely require a VERY long wait to be seated at one of the coveted deck tables. Decided to try Anthony's next door, since it has a large outdoor patio and doesn't seem to attract the crowds of drunken yuppies with maxed out credit cards that frequent Ray's. My companion arrived at 4:30 p.m. and had a very short wait before being seated at a primo table in the sun, just over the water lapping against the shoreline, with a magnificent view of Shilshole Bay, Puget Sound and the majestic Olympic Mountains. I joined him at 5 p.m.
We sipped on their happy hour lemon drops (neglected to write down the prices but think the happy hour cocktails were $3) as we enjoyed the warmth of the sun, the amazing view and the tantalizing aroma of alder smoked salmon wafting through the air mixed with the comforting fragrance of salt water in warm weather...a uniquely Seattle scent.
We placed an order for Discovery Bay clams and Ahi Nachos (once again, neglected to jot down prices - for some reason their website contains neither accurate menus or any mention of the happy hour menu) . Both appetizers were inexpensive and unremarkable, but were a nice accompaniment to our cocktails and view. The Copper River salmon dinners were being promoted and since neither of us had tried this renowned salmon, we ordered a dinner to split. I recall this dinner as being quite spendy - over $30?
That said, the salmon was cooked to perfection - moist and flavorful - truly succulent. It was accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes and fresh broccoli - which was also prepared perfectly, neither over or under cooked. Not sure if I could detect any noticeable difference in the Copper River salmon as opposed to salmon normally served, however the preparation was superb.
Emboldened by our cocktails, we threw dietary caution to the winds and allowed our sweet tooth to overrule our good sense. Ordered an absolutely heavenly Rhubarb Crisp, warm and topped with a generous helping of vanilla ice cream. If that were not decadent enough, we also ordered a dessert cocktail comprised of hot chocolate with Bailey's, Peppermint Schnapps and Kalua. Approximately 10,000 calories later, we rolled out of the restaurant in a food coma and managed to get home.
Many people have negative things to say about Anthony's, but for me ambiance is nearly as important as the meal and the patio and view at Anthony's just can't be beat on a sunny day.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Happy Hour/Dinner at Bastille Cafe & Bar
This past Monday, May 17, 2010, the sun was shining so we decided to take a walk into Ballard and seek out an interesting spot for happy hour/dinner. Unbeknownst to us, the few remaining Scandinavians in Ballard (actually probably traveled from all over the area) were celebrating the Norwegian Constitution Day with a parade and lots of festivities.
Obviously every restaurant with outdoor seating was packed with parade attendees, so we ruled out Market Street and veered down Ballard Avenue in our search for a sunny outdoor spot to sip a cocktail and have a light dinner at a happy hour price.
Arrived at Bastille Cafe & Bar - http://www.bastilleseattle.com/ - located in the heart of old Ballard at 5307 Ballard Avenue NW. We managed to instantly snag the lone remaining table on the deck, which is covered with some sort of sheer material that allows the warmth and light to shine through but presumably keeps the rain out – very useful for Seattle’s ever changing weather! Timing is everything because Bastille is normally too crowded to get a table and since I abhor waiting for anything I’ve only been here on two prior occasions – once after midnight while under the influence of prior establishments I had visited and once for breakfast.
Our server was busy but efficient so soon we settled back with a Rosemary Lemonade (i.e. lemon drop served in tall glass with sprig of Rosemary) for my companion and a chilly glass of crisp pinot grigio for me. Perused the Happy Hour food menu that listed five items for $5 each and a couple for less. Expected portions to be tiny so we decided to order four dishes.
Sadly, they were sold out of the Moules Frites (mussels, beer, leeks and thyme), so we decided to split the Croque Monsieur (a delectable grilled sandwich of Parisian ham, Gruyère & sauce Mornay - $5) and the Falafel (a very large wrap filled with falafel, Goat’s milk yoghurt, tahini, and seasonal garnishes - $5)
My companion also got an order of Frites and Aioli (a small elevated basket of Kennebec potato fries & grey sea salt with the aioli dipping sauce). He then asked if I would be offended if he ordered the Lamb Burger on a Lavash sesame bun with harissa aïoli, arugula, & pickled shallot - $7. After responding with the bleat of a baby lamb, I told him that I had no control issues and he could order what he wanted. Which he did and reported that it was delicious.
I have a personal aversion to eating any sort of baby animal, which naturally includes both lamb and veal. After recently becoming acquainted with a charming pink pig on my last vacation, I am considering adding pork to my list of no-no's.
We were both surprised by the quantity of food and felt like it was an excellent value for a happy hour dinner. The Croque Monsieur was amazing but I’m sure laden with calories, albeit delightful calories. The Falafel (also wrapped in Lavash bread) was huge, filling, tasty and a healthier choice. Although I did not taste either the lamb burger or the frites, my companion enjoyed both and reported that they were flavorful and filling.
I have both noticed and heard that Bastille is a popular establishment that tends to be quite crowded. Be prepared to wait if you try to hit happy hour on a Friday! They are open 4:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. (dining until 1 a.m.) and serve brunch on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. so plan accordingly!
Obviously every restaurant with outdoor seating was packed with parade attendees, so we ruled out Market Street and veered down Ballard Avenue in our search for a sunny outdoor spot to sip a cocktail and have a light dinner at a happy hour price.
Arrived at Bastille Cafe & Bar - http://www.bastilleseattle.com/ - located in the heart of old Ballard at 5307 Ballard Avenue NW. We managed to instantly snag the lone remaining table on the deck, which is covered with some sort of sheer material that allows the warmth and light to shine through but presumably keeps the rain out – very useful for Seattle’s ever changing weather! Timing is everything because Bastille is normally too crowded to get a table and since I abhor waiting for anything I’ve only been here on two prior occasions – once after midnight while under the influence of prior establishments I had visited and once for breakfast.
Our server was busy but efficient so soon we settled back with a Rosemary Lemonade (i.e. lemon drop served in tall glass with sprig of Rosemary) for my companion and a chilly glass of crisp pinot grigio for me. Perused the Happy Hour food menu that listed five items for $5 each and a couple for less. Expected portions to be tiny so we decided to order four dishes.
Sadly, they were sold out of the Moules Frites (mussels, beer, leeks and thyme), so we decided to split the Croque Monsieur (a delectable grilled sandwich of Parisian ham, Gruyère & sauce Mornay - $5) and the Falafel (a very large wrap filled with falafel, Goat’s milk yoghurt, tahini, and seasonal garnishes - $5)
My companion also got an order of Frites and Aioli (a small elevated basket of Kennebec potato fries & grey sea salt with the aioli dipping sauce). He then asked if I would be offended if he ordered the Lamb Burger on a Lavash sesame bun with harissa aïoli, arugula, & pickled shallot - $7. After responding with the bleat of a baby lamb, I told him that I had no control issues and he could order what he wanted. Which he did and reported that it was delicious.
I have a personal aversion to eating any sort of baby animal, which naturally includes both lamb and veal. After recently becoming acquainted with a charming pink pig on my last vacation, I am considering adding pork to my list of no-no's.
We were both surprised by the quantity of food and felt like it was an excellent value for a happy hour dinner. The Croque Monsieur was amazing but I’m sure laden with calories, albeit delightful calories. The Falafel (also wrapped in Lavash bread) was huge, filling, tasty and a healthier choice. Although I did not taste either the lamb burger or the frites, my companion enjoyed both and reported that they were flavorful and filling.
I have both noticed and heard that Bastille is a popular establishment that tends to be quite crowded. Be prepared to wait if you try to hit happy hour on a Friday! They are open 4:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. (dining until 1 a.m.) and serve brunch on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. so plan accordingly!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Shiku Sushi - another Happy Hour dinner!
Last evening (Tuesday, April 28, 2010) we ventured out into Ballard to try out the latest new sushi bar - Shiku Sushi - http://shikusushi.com, located at 5310 Ballard Avenue Northwest. We arrived at 6 p.m., early enough to enjoy happy hour, which takes place from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. M-F, 11 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. (!!) on Sundays.
I was immediately impressed by the décor – distinctly Asian, with dark, cherry wood (?) tables, bamboo dividers, dark red walls, with what appears to be the original brick wall behind the bar. Two large, flat screen televisions – were mounted on the wall behind both the cocktail bar and the sushi bar – a plus for sports fans.
Our table was nicely set with cloth napkins and dark wood chopsticks propped on white chopstick rests. Jason, our competent and attentive waiter/bartender, immediately greeted us, bringing water and menus.
Happy hour was going to be our dinner hour, so we ordered quickly. I ordered the hot sake and was intrigued by their hot sake machine, which resembled a giant coffee making machine! Only $3, it was a bargain and I ordered a second before happy hour ended. My companion had two well drinks, also a bargain at $3.
We were hungry so placed a large order off the happy hour menu – started with the organic edamame ($3), which arrived with our drinks. Edamame came in a small bowl and was cooked perfectly with large crystals of salt on the pods. We then proceeded to order the California Roll ($3), Salmon Skin Hand Roll ($4), Yakitori Trio ($5), Ballard Avenue Roll ($6) and Spicy Tuna Roll ($6).
The sushi presentation was fabulous and all of the rolls were delicious. The Salmon Skin Hand Roll was particularly tasty, although difficult to share with its cone shape. The fish tasted and looked fresh. The Yakitori Trio consisted of a skewer of beef, another of chicken and another of fried tofu. The tofu was delectable. The chicken and beef were cooked perfectly but a bit bland – I dipped it in my wasabi/soy sauce mixture for a little zing.
We were pleasantly satiated by this happy hour repast for the bargain price of $40, quite a deal considering we each had two drinks!
Now for the pièce de résistance – the women’s bathroom! I first noticed that the toilet seat was strangely warm, then noted a little control panel on the wall next to it. Intrigued, I pushed a button and was shocked to feel warm water hitting my backside. I then realized this was some sort of toilet/bidet and enthusiastically started pushing the various buttons – very entertaining! Here's the link for what I believe is the toilet: http://www.plumbingstore.com/bidet_seats_toto.html A bit off topic for a food blog but truly amazing! :-)
I was immediately impressed by the décor – distinctly Asian, with dark, cherry wood (?) tables, bamboo dividers, dark red walls, with what appears to be the original brick wall behind the bar. Two large, flat screen televisions – were mounted on the wall behind both the cocktail bar and the sushi bar – a plus for sports fans.
Our table was nicely set with cloth napkins and dark wood chopsticks propped on white chopstick rests. Jason, our competent and attentive waiter/bartender, immediately greeted us, bringing water and menus.
Happy hour was going to be our dinner hour, so we ordered quickly. I ordered the hot sake and was intrigued by their hot sake machine, which resembled a giant coffee making machine! Only $3, it was a bargain and I ordered a second before happy hour ended. My companion had two well drinks, also a bargain at $3.
We were hungry so placed a large order off the happy hour menu – started with the organic edamame ($3), which arrived with our drinks. Edamame came in a small bowl and was cooked perfectly with large crystals of salt on the pods. We then proceeded to order the California Roll ($3), Salmon Skin Hand Roll ($4), Yakitori Trio ($5), Ballard Avenue Roll ($6) and Spicy Tuna Roll ($6).
The sushi presentation was fabulous and all of the rolls were delicious. The Salmon Skin Hand Roll was particularly tasty, although difficult to share with its cone shape. The fish tasted and looked fresh. The Yakitori Trio consisted of a skewer of beef, another of chicken and another of fried tofu. The tofu was delectable. The chicken and beef were cooked perfectly but a bit bland – I dipped it in my wasabi/soy sauce mixture for a little zing.
We were pleasantly satiated by this happy hour repast for the bargain price of $40, quite a deal considering we each had two drinks!
Now for the pièce de résistance – the women’s bathroom! I first noticed that the toilet seat was strangely warm, then noted a little control panel on the wall next to it. Intrigued, I pushed a button and was shocked to feel warm water hitting my backside. I then realized this was some sort of toilet/bidet and enthusiastically started pushing the various buttons – very entertaining! Here's the link for what I believe is the toilet: http://www.plumbingstore.com/bidet_seats_toto.html A bit off topic for a food blog but truly amazing! :-)
Friday, April 23, 2010
Bilbao Restaurant - University District
It's been a while since I posted - between vacation and an extended bout of bronchitis, I just haven't been keeping up on mission to explore local restaurants!
Bilbao (http://www.bilbaorestaurant.com/) is one of my favorite restaurants and is the only one I've been to since returning from vacation - squeezed it in during the short period between returning from vacation and becoming sick...March 27, 2010 to be specific. Bilbao is a Spanish/Tapas restaurant located next to the Metro Cinemas at 4500 - 9th Avenue N.E.
I love the ambiance of this establishment - it has a genuinely warm, welcoming and very Spanish flavor to it. The colors, the music, the enticing aromas...allow me to fantasize that I am in Spain enjoying a leisurely meal. I have enjoyed many tapas and many bottles and glasses of wine at Bilbao over the past two + years and look forward to taste testing many more! On my very first visit over two years ago, I had a dinner instead of tapas. This was the paella and it was the only disappointing dish I have had at Bilbao. However, I love paella and hope to try it again and see if it was just a fluke that particular night.
I always go to Bilbao on either Friday or Saturday evening in order to enjoy the live music (8 p.m. - 10 p.m.)along with the awesome food. The best place to sit is near the front of the restaurant and reservations are recommended if you want a table in this area. Currently performing on Saturday (my last visit) is Paraiso - a trio featuring Miki Piza on vocals, Alex Chadsey on piano and Ernesto Pediangco - amazing percussionist. Friday night features Alfredo Chavez and friends and Thursday evening is live flamenco. The music is wonderful and definitely adds to the sabor of this restaurant, not to mention enhancing the romantic mood of the dining experience!
On this last visit I had the perfect table to enjoy Paraiso. Shared two salads - the Ensalada Bilbao (a delicious and generously sized salad of baby greens, roasted peppers, shaved manchego, avocado and sweet corn - $7) and the Ensalada de Espinacas (a tasty concoction of spinach, mushroom, candied hazelnut, valdeon bleu cheese and serrano ham lightly tossed in a raspberry vinagrette $8). Then from the hot tapas menu we selected Pintxitos de Pescado - a heavenly skewer of marinated and grilled seafood - $8.95, and Pintxitos Morunos - marinated and grilled pork skewers covered with carmelized onion and mushroom base sauce - $7.95. Fresh baked bread accompanies every order and is perfect for cleaning your tapa plates :-) Naturally, a glass (or two) of the Borsao Tinto to further enhance the evening!
I have tried MANY of the tapas on Bilbao's menu and have yet to be disappointed, but my latest favorite is definitely the above mentioned Pintxitos de Pescado - truly divine and not to be missed! This is a great place and I highly recommend it. A bit spendy sometimes since those little plates (and wine) do add up, but definitely worth it with the wonderful music!
Bilbao (http://www.bilbaorestaurant.com/) is one of my favorite restaurants and is the only one I've been to since returning from vacation - squeezed it in during the short period between returning from vacation and becoming sick...March 27, 2010 to be specific. Bilbao is a Spanish/Tapas restaurant located next to the Metro Cinemas at 4500 - 9th Avenue N.E.
I love the ambiance of this establishment - it has a genuinely warm, welcoming and very Spanish flavor to it. The colors, the music, the enticing aromas...allow me to fantasize that I am in Spain enjoying a leisurely meal. I have enjoyed many tapas and many bottles and glasses of wine at Bilbao over the past two + years and look forward to taste testing many more! On my very first visit over two years ago, I had a dinner instead of tapas. This was the paella and it was the only disappointing dish I have had at Bilbao. However, I love paella and hope to try it again and see if it was just a fluke that particular night.
I always go to Bilbao on either Friday or Saturday evening in order to enjoy the live music (8 p.m. - 10 p.m.)along with the awesome food. The best place to sit is near the front of the restaurant and reservations are recommended if you want a table in this area. Currently performing on Saturday (my last visit) is Paraiso - a trio featuring Miki Piza on vocals, Alex Chadsey on piano and Ernesto Pediangco - amazing percussionist. Friday night features Alfredo Chavez and friends and Thursday evening is live flamenco. The music is wonderful and definitely adds to the sabor of this restaurant, not to mention enhancing the romantic mood of the dining experience!
On this last visit I had the perfect table to enjoy Paraiso. Shared two salads - the Ensalada Bilbao (a delicious and generously sized salad of baby greens, roasted peppers, shaved manchego, avocado and sweet corn - $7) and the Ensalada de Espinacas (a tasty concoction of spinach, mushroom, candied hazelnut, valdeon bleu cheese and serrano ham lightly tossed in a raspberry vinagrette $8). Then from the hot tapas menu we selected Pintxitos de Pescado - a heavenly skewer of marinated and grilled seafood - $8.95, and Pintxitos Morunos - marinated and grilled pork skewers covered with carmelized onion and mushroom base sauce - $7.95. Fresh baked bread accompanies every order and is perfect for cleaning your tapa plates :-) Naturally, a glass (or two) of the Borsao Tinto to further enhance the evening!
I have tried MANY of the tapas on Bilbao's menu and have yet to be disappointed, but my latest favorite is definitely the above mentioned Pintxitos de Pescado - truly divine and not to be missed! This is a great place and I highly recommend it. A bit spendy sometimes since those little plates (and wine) do add up, but definitely worth it with the wonderful music!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
The Rusty Pelican in Wallingford - 03/13/10
Saturday morning after digesting our Volterra experience, we journeyed up to Wallingford for breakfast at my favorite local spot - The Rusty Pelican http://www.rustypelicancafe.com/. This was not a new experience, as I have eaten here countless times. However it deserves a review because - in my humble opinion of course - it is a GREAT place for breakfast.
The parking lot behind the restaurant was full, so we found a spot on 45th and entered through the front door. The kitschy decor - in a predominately green shade - is um...interesting, with collector plates and ruby slippers hanging on the green painted brick wall, and other similar decorations throughout. We were fortunate enough to score a comfortable booth on the window looking out on 45th and were both promptly greeted, seated and our water glasses filled.
Our waitress arrived within moments and quickly brought us much needed coffee. I LOVE their coffee...it's dark, rich and is accompanied by real cream in tiny, cold pitchers. I'm talking the kind of cream that is so thick it sluggishly pours into your cup.
We perused the menu and somehow garnered the willpower to resist ordering one of their scrumptious, freshly baked, warm cinnamon rolls (dripping with frosting!), although we have succumbed to this guilty pleasure on other occasions.
Instead, I refrained from ordering my usual Pelican Omelet (Ham, bacon, mushrooms, onions and Cheddar cheese - 10.45) and tried a Magnolia Scrambler (Bacon, artichokes, tomatoes, and mushrooms
scrambled with eggs. and topped with Cheddar cheese - $10.25) This came with a choice of potatoes or fruit (I chose fruit) and thick buttered toast, english muffin, fresh baked biscuits or pancake (I chose whole wheat toast). The scrambler, like every other breakfast I have ordered, was excellent - perfect in every way. I can honestly say I have never had a less than stellar breakfast at this establishment.
My dining companion, not concerned about calorie content, ordered the Country Fried Steak breakfast with two extra large eggs. any style - $11.25. This huge plate also came with the above choices, and he chose potatoes instead of fruit and a pancake instead of toast. He seemed to have no problem finishing every last bite, so I assume his meal was every bit as tasty as my own.
Our waitress was attentive and kept our coffee cups and water glasses full, checked back from time to time and promptly brought the check and handled the payment when we were ready. Always a great breakfast experience at the Rusty Pelican and I have never hesitated to recommend this restaurant to everyone, who have in turn recommended it to others.
I have also experienced lunch, dinner and happy hour at this restaurant and have never been disappointed either with the quality of food or the service. I normally always see the owner/manager of the establishment present and working alongside his employees. His vigilence has definitely paid off because the restaurant seems to be doing very well - give it a try!
The parking lot behind the restaurant was full, so we found a spot on 45th and entered through the front door. The kitschy decor - in a predominately green shade - is um...interesting, with collector plates and ruby slippers hanging on the green painted brick wall, and other similar decorations throughout. We were fortunate enough to score a comfortable booth on the window looking out on 45th and were both promptly greeted, seated and our water glasses filled.
Our waitress arrived within moments and quickly brought us much needed coffee. I LOVE their coffee...it's dark, rich and is accompanied by real cream in tiny, cold pitchers. I'm talking the kind of cream that is so thick it sluggishly pours into your cup.
We perused the menu and somehow garnered the willpower to resist ordering one of their scrumptious, freshly baked, warm cinnamon rolls (dripping with frosting!), although we have succumbed to this guilty pleasure on other occasions.
Instead, I refrained from ordering my usual Pelican Omelet (Ham, bacon, mushrooms, onions and Cheddar cheese - 10.45) and tried a Magnolia Scrambler (Bacon, artichokes, tomatoes, and mushrooms
scrambled with eggs. and topped with Cheddar cheese - $10.25) This came with a choice of potatoes or fruit (I chose fruit) and thick buttered toast, english muffin, fresh baked biscuits or pancake (I chose whole wheat toast). The scrambler, like every other breakfast I have ordered, was excellent - perfect in every way. I can honestly say I have never had a less than stellar breakfast at this establishment.
My dining companion, not concerned about calorie content, ordered the Country Fried Steak breakfast with two extra large eggs. any style - $11.25. This huge plate also came with the above choices, and he chose potatoes instead of fruit and a pancake instead of toast. He seemed to have no problem finishing every last bite, so I assume his meal was every bit as tasty as my own.
Our waitress was attentive and kept our coffee cups and water glasses full, checked back from time to time and promptly brought the check and handled the payment when we were ready. Always a great breakfast experience at the Rusty Pelican and I have never hesitated to recommend this restaurant to everyone, who have in turn recommended it to others.
I have also experienced lunch, dinner and happy hour at this restaurant and have never been disappointed either with the quality of food or the service. I normally always see the owner/manager of the establishment present and working alongside his employees. His vigilence has definitely paid off because the restaurant seems to be doing very well - give it a try!
Volterra in Ballard
Last evening my dining adventure companion and I found ourselves in Ballard with no reservations on a Friday evening. We first walked into the Matador Restaurant on 22nd & NW Market Street. Predictably it was crammed full of yuppies drinking and eating with abandon. However, it was a warm respite from the chilly winds outdoors. We put our name on the list and were informed it would be at least 30 minutes.
Rather than standing in the doorway staring longingly at the tables overflowing with happy eaters, we wandered next door to Market Street shoes for a little shopping expedition. After spending $150 on a new pair of very nice European leather sandals, we checked back at the Matador to find we had only moved up one notch on the waiting list.
Since our stomachs were growling angrily at this point, we meandered down the street and into Thai Ku, at 5410 Ballard Avenue NW. I have often enjoyed the dark, almost mysterious bar at the back of the restaurant, so we headed back there to see if there was an available table. Sadly, the bar was full and no tables were available. Disappointed (they have very interesting herbal infused mixed drinks), we decided to keep looking. Although their food is fine, the dining portion of the restaurant lacks ambiance and is very family friendly. Not what we were looking for on a Friday evening.
Exiting Thai Ku, we spied Volterra http://www.volterrarestaurant.com/home.html at 5411 Ballard Avenue. Always a favorite, we headed across the street to see if there might be a table available. To our surprise, there were a number of tables available in the bar, although it was around 7 p.m. by this time. Volterra offers a relaxing ambiance with dim lighting, merlot colored walls, wood floors and dark wainscoting. From our small table in the bar, we could look through into the dining room, which was full. We were seated right away and greeted by our attentive waiter, Leon, as well as the always helpful wine steward.
After perusing the menu, we decided to start with the seared sea scallops appetizer and a bottle of 7 Hills Pinot Grigio. The sea scallops arrived promptly - two very large scallops with a sauté of seasonal wild mushrooms and vegetables topped with roasted garlic aioli. ($13). We were at first disappointed that there were only two scallops, but after I cut mine into bite sized pieces, it did come to six bites.
We pondered our dinner selections while savoring the delicious pinot. I decided on the fresh sheet selection of fresh baked Alaskan halibut with sun choke puree, broccolini, smoked tomato cream and tomato onion marmalata ($24) My companion selected the black pepper wide noodles and oxtail ragu off the regular menu (it is not appearing on their website and I didn't jot down the details).
My halibut arrived in a large shallow bowl, artfully presented. I found it delicious, with both a slight tang and a mild smoky flavor. My companion thought it was slightly overcooked, but he is more of a halibut connoisseur than myself. His oxtail ragu was tasty, the pasta cooked to perfection and very flavorful.
Leon did try to tempt us with the dessert menu, but mindful of my Lent vow (no sweets/desserts/anything that makes life worth living), we declined to even take a look. By the time we left, the bar and restaurant were packed and people were lined up waiting for tables, so apparently this restaurant gets crowded later in the evening. Seems like we made a good choice arriving at 7 p.m.!
A brisk walk of five or six blocks to the car completed our evening - another delightful, albeit spendy, dining experience at Volterra.
Rather than standing in the doorway staring longingly at the tables overflowing with happy eaters, we wandered next door to Market Street shoes for a little shopping expedition. After spending $150 on a new pair of very nice European leather sandals, we checked back at the Matador to find we had only moved up one notch on the waiting list.
Since our stomachs were growling angrily at this point, we meandered down the street and into Thai Ku, at 5410 Ballard Avenue NW. I have often enjoyed the dark, almost mysterious bar at the back of the restaurant, so we headed back there to see if there was an available table. Sadly, the bar was full and no tables were available. Disappointed (they have very interesting herbal infused mixed drinks), we decided to keep looking. Although their food is fine, the dining portion of the restaurant lacks ambiance and is very family friendly. Not what we were looking for on a Friday evening.
Exiting Thai Ku, we spied Volterra http://www.volterrarestaurant.com/home.html at 5411 Ballard Avenue. Always a favorite, we headed across the street to see if there might be a table available. To our surprise, there were a number of tables available in the bar, although it was around 7 p.m. by this time. Volterra offers a relaxing ambiance with dim lighting, merlot colored walls, wood floors and dark wainscoting. From our small table in the bar, we could look through into the dining room, which was full. We were seated right away and greeted by our attentive waiter, Leon, as well as the always helpful wine steward.
After perusing the menu, we decided to start with the seared sea scallops appetizer and a bottle of 7 Hills Pinot Grigio. The sea scallops arrived promptly - two very large scallops with a sauté of seasonal wild mushrooms and vegetables topped with roasted garlic aioli. ($13). We were at first disappointed that there were only two scallops, but after I cut mine into bite sized pieces, it did come to six bites.
We pondered our dinner selections while savoring the delicious pinot. I decided on the fresh sheet selection of fresh baked Alaskan halibut with sun choke puree, broccolini, smoked tomato cream and tomato onion marmalata ($24) My companion selected the black pepper wide noodles and oxtail ragu off the regular menu (it is not appearing on their website and I didn't jot down the details).
My halibut arrived in a large shallow bowl, artfully presented. I found it delicious, with both a slight tang and a mild smoky flavor. My companion thought it was slightly overcooked, but he is more of a halibut connoisseur than myself. His oxtail ragu was tasty, the pasta cooked to perfection and very flavorful.
Leon did try to tempt us with the dessert menu, but mindful of my Lent vow (no sweets/desserts/anything that makes life worth living), we declined to even take a look. By the time we left, the bar and restaurant were packed and people were lined up waiting for tables, so apparently this restaurant gets crowded later in the evening. Seems like we made a good choice arriving at 7 p.m.!
A brisk walk of five or six blocks to the car completed our evening - another delightful, albeit spendy, dining experience at Volterra.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Bahama Breeze - Southcenter
Normally I do not patronize corporate style chain restaurants, but due to the necessity of bi-monthly trips to Southcenter, I have frequently dined at Bahama Breeze. My last visit to this restaurant was on February 14, 2010 so this review will be pertaining to that experience. http://www.bahamabreeze.com/
My son, Angelo, and I were there [out of necessity] around 4 p.m. on February 14th. We were surprised at how crowded the establishment was, until we realized that it was Valentine's Day and many families were celebrating the occasion with an early dinner. Seemed like an odd place and time for such a celebration, but who am I to judge?
I love the decor at this restaurant...very much a Caribbean theme, and the bar is very cool - has the appearance of being outdoors on a covered patio (despite being located in a corner of the large Southcenter parking area). They usually have live tropical themed music playing out here and it has just a generally festive ambiance.
As always, we were greeted enthusiastically and seated fairly quickly. Our waiter was attentive and also enthusiastic...might be part of the job training? My favorite part of the experience was the waiter mistaking us for a couple! My son quickly put this notion to rest by saying "this is my MOM, dude!". Nevertheless, he earned a good tip by this alone :-)
Both the food and drink menus are extensive and tantalizing. Always a difficult task to decide what to order. I generally tend to order seafood, so on this occasion I decided to give the Seafood Paella a try. Paella has been a disappointment at other restaurants, so I did not have high hopes. However, I was very pleasantly surprised when my order arrived. The paella was beautifully presented, hot and very tasty - full of seafood, chicken and sausage combined with a savory saffron rice.
My son was less adventurous. He ordered the oak grilled chicken sandwich and chose french fries as his included side dish (he could have chosen fresh fruit salad or vine-ripened tomato salad or yellow rice with black beans). Judging by how swiftly he consumed it, I would assume it was quite adequate and he shared that it was excellent.
This was probably my fifth or sixth visit to Bahama Breeze and I can honestly say I have never had a bad meal at this establishment. It may be a chain restaurant, but they do it VERY well. In the past I have sampled numerous appetizers and dinner selections. One appetizer that stands out in my mind are the tostones with chicken - awesome! The coconut shrimp are also pretty compelling, although the satisfying crunch of the deep fried coating never fails to fill me with guilt.
So - this will probably be my sole corporate chain style restaurant review, but I do feel this restaurant is unique in that category - very good quality, selection and value to be had here.
My son, Angelo, and I were there [out of necessity] around 4 p.m. on February 14th. We were surprised at how crowded the establishment was, until we realized that it was Valentine's Day and many families were celebrating the occasion with an early dinner. Seemed like an odd place and time for such a celebration, but who am I to judge?
I love the decor at this restaurant...very much a Caribbean theme, and the bar is very cool - has the appearance of being outdoors on a covered patio (despite being located in a corner of the large Southcenter parking area). They usually have live tropical themed music playing out here and it has just a generally festive ambiance.
As always, we were greeted enthusiastically and seated fairly quickly. Our waiter was attentive and also enthusiastic...might be part of the job training? My favorite part of the experience was the waiter mistaking us for a couple! My son quickly put this notion to rest by saying "this is my MOM, dude!". Nevertheless, he earned a good tip by this alone :-)
Both the food and drink menus are extensive and tantalizing. Always a difficult task to decide what to order. I generally tend to order seafood, so on this occasion I decided to give the Seafood Paella a try. Paella has been a disappointment at other restaurants, so I did not have high hopes. However, I was very pleasantly surprised when my order arrived. The paella was beautifully presented, hot and very tasty - full of seafood, chicken and sausage combined with a savory saffron rice.
My son was less adventurous. He ordered the oak grilled chicken sandwich and chose french fries as his included side dish (he could have chosen fresh fruit salad or vine-ripened tomato salad or yellow rice with black beans). Judging by how swiftly he consumed it, I would assume it was quite adequate and he shared that it was excellent.
This was probably my fifth or sixth visit to Bahama Breeze and I can honestly say I have never had a bad meal at this establishment. It may be a chain restaurant, but they do it VERY well. In the past I have sampled numerous appetizers and dinner selections. One appetizer that stands out in my mind are the tostones with chicken - awesome! The coconut shrimp are also pretty compelling, although the satisfying crunch of the deep fried coating never fails to fill me with guilt.
So - this will probably be my sole corporate chain style restaurant review, but I do feel this restaurant is unique in that category - very good quality, selection and value to be had here.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The Root Table - Ballard
Tuesday after work we headed down Market Street in Ballard to try out The Root Table (http://www.roottablerestaurant.com/) for happy hour. Got there about 5:30 and were immediately seated by a very nice young man who doubled as the bartender.
The furnishings were very unique - loved it! All of the tables appeared to have been made from giant split logs and the chairs, lighting, candle holders, menus, etc. all had the same theme. The table we were seated at was a big uncomfortable, only because the log that held up the table was rather large, affording us little foot room. I compensated for that by moving my leg around the log and resting it on my companion's lap :-) I was especially happy that there was a little space heater right next to our table - it was very chilly out so was nice to be warm!
We ordered the bartender's special drink - a hibiscus infused vodka/soda combination. Very tasty and with a good sized splash of vodka. We enjoyed our drinks as we perused the extensive and tantalizing happy hour food menu.
Decided to start with Roasted Duck Spring Rolls ($5), Market Street BBQ Chicken ($6), Roti & Curry ($5), Sweet Basil Mussels ($6), Blanket Shrimp/salad ($6). Several of these came with different dipping sauces. The plates arrived promptly and we practiced dueling forks over the variety of culinary choices.
Roasted Duck Spring rolls were delicious!!! Bits of duck mixed with greens & vegies and wrapped in rice paper made a healthy and [hopefully] low cal snack. We quickly wiped these out!
The BBQ chicken was tender and very flavorful. Consisted of several large pieces - finger licking good!
We could have done without the Roti & Curry - billed as Asian style pita bread served with house curry. The sauce, like all of the sauces, was flavorful, but the pita bread not so great.
My favorite was the blanket shrimp, served on a bed of a yummy salad. These were black tiger prawns stuffed with marinated ground chicken and wrapped in a fried (?) wonton. I could have scarfed down dozens of these - SO good!
The mussels were decent and came with garlic bread to dip in the sauce, but they were a bit larger than I prefer.
Our attentive waiter/bartender came back to clear away plates and we ordered another round of the hibiscus infused vodka cocktails together with another order of the roasted duck spring rolls and an order of Cajun calamari ($5) with dipping sauce.
I wasn't a big fan of the calamari, basically because it was breaded and fried, but I thought it tasted fine!
Our tab for all this succulent nirvana came to around $50 - pretty good deal for all we had to eat!
Altogether a positive experience and I'm definitely looking forward to a return visit to try some of the other tasty sounding appetizers...not to mention the dinners, which we barely glanced at!
The furnishings were very unique - loved it! All of the tables appeared to have been made from giant split logs and the chairs, lighting, candle holders, menus, etc. all had the same theme. The table we were seated at was a big uncomfortable, only because the log that held up the table was rather large, affording us little foot room. I compensated for that by moving my leg around the log and resting it on my companion's lap :-) I was especially happy that there was a little space heater right next to our table - it was very chilly out so was nice to be warm!
We ordered the bartender's special drink - a hibiscus infused vodka/soda combination. Very tasty and with a good sized splash of vodka. We enjoyed our drinks as we perused the extensive and tantalizing happy hour food menu.
Decided to start with Roasted Duck Spring Rolls ($5), Market Street BBQ Chicken ($6), Roti & Curry ($5), Sweet Basil Mussels ($6), Blanket Shrimp/salad ($6). Several of these came with different dipping sauces. The plates arrived promptly and we practiced dueling forks over the variety of culinary choices.
Roasted Duck Spring rolls were delicious!!! Bits of duck mixed with greens & vegies and wrapped in rice paper made a healthy and [hopefully] low cal snack. We quickly wiped these out!
The BBQ chicken was tender and very flavorful. Consisted of several large pieces - finger licking good!
We could have done without the Roti & Curry - billed as Asian style pita bread served with house curry. The sauce, like all of the sauces, was flavorful, but the pita bread not so great.
My favorite was the blanket shrimp, served on a bed of a yummy salad. These were black tiger prawns stuffed with marinated ground chicken and wrapped in a fried (?) wonton. I could have scarfed down dozens of these - SO good!
The mussels were decent and came with garlic bread to dip in the sauce, but they were a bit larger than I prefer.
Our attentive waiter/bartender came back to clear away plates and we ordered another round of the hibiscus infused vodka cocktails together with another order of the roasted duck spring rolls and an order of Cajun calamari ($5) with dipping sauce.
I wasn't a big fan of the calamari, basically because it was breaded and fried, but I thought it tasted fine!
Our tab for all this succulent nirvana came to around $50 - pretty good deal for all we had to eat!
Altogether a positive experience and I'm definitely looking forward to a return visit to try some of the other tasty sounding appetizers...not to mention the dinners, which we barely glanced at!
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