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!  :-)

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!