bighound's Profile
Disappointed in Benito's Chicago Eatery (Ballard) - a review
Tavolino's also closed.
waterfront rehearsal dinner ideas?
Amy, This may rub some hounds the wrong way but I think a good choice for you, based on group size, desire for waterfront, and having folks coming from out of the area may be Ivar's Salmon House on Lake Union. They have 6 banquet rooms, all but 1 of which have a water view I beileve and they have a very NW atmosphere. You can see pics and some details for each room on Ivar's website.
As for your cost the person I know who used this venue thinks it is very doable. Not sure on the liquor concerns. And yes you can probably find better food at other options but this pretty much quintessential Seattle.
another BBQ disappointment
so i set a goal for myself to start trying a bunch of the newer local BBQ joints i have not made it to yet and todays turned out to be quite disappointing, based solely on what i ate. i chose Carolina Smoke BBQ in bothell.
one of the reasons i chose them was during my research, they picture a brisket sandwich with the meat SLICED not a chopped up mess. in my opinion, having the beef chopped is a way to try to mask less than stellar brisket (this is usally not the case with pork) so that was strike one. strikes 2 and 3 came when i bit into the meat. barely luke warm and chewy. fresh well smoked brisket should not be chewy. not juicy in the least. so i was down on this meal fast.
the most positive part of the sandwich was the roll, which they say are made especially for them. nice heft and texture and seems it would be an upgrade from most of the generic sandwich rolls most places use. the strange thing was that the bottom of the roll actually fell apart while i was trying to eat this bone dry sandwich-you put the sauce on yourself. could have been a faulty roll so i will give that a pass.
the sauces-a smoky apple butter red sauce and a honey mustard yellow sauce were above average. i am not usually a mustard based sauce guy but i did like the flavor of both of them. now if they could just take them out of the frig sooner than as they open the doors it would be better.
not much worse than putting ice cold sauce on a warm bbq sandwich. oh wait.. that's right...
potato salad was my side choice and it was institutional dreck. can not vouch for other sides but the slaw looked like it was a grocery store kit product. i did see a lot of cornbread, both plain and jalapeno, going out with meals.
may give them one more chance for dinner as they have specials during the week of both beef ribs and smoked prime rib, according to the website. see if these work out better. should be easy to do.
dickey's bbq pit-any opinions?
Leper,
thanks much for the update. i actually found other folks with that opinion on other sites so this is not an isolated feeling. i agree on brank's-it's my go to right now for brisket. but my opinion on ranch house is pretty negative. only one visit but food and service really turned me off. can't reccomend.
i'm trying to catch up on all the local places that have opened recently to see if any decent brisket is available closer to home. will report back.
dickey's bbq pit-any opinions?
just learned of this chain moving into the area. appears to be "texas" style cue. they have current locations in auburn,bonney lake, and lynden with plans for more. has anybody had any experience with them? i know chains are not particularly chowish but i will try anyplace to find a good bbq brisket.
thanks.
Is Nook ever open?
fourth try today to eat at Nook on the Ave. first time wrong day but all other times they should have been open. anybody have any details on this joint?
Who likes Cajun food?
this is the one cuisine i wish we had more of. a couple of places surprise me as having not been mentioned. kingfish cafe has some consistensy issues in my experience but has been really god most of the time. and though i have not been a quite awhile, i have enjoyed some very tasty catfish+ at catfish corner on e. cherry st. rally want to get to crawfish king soon. anyone know if it is run by NOLA natives?
Eastside (Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah) Christmas Dinner
why are we replying to a post originally placed in 2006?
SEA HOUND NEEDS HELP-TASTY NEAR KODAK THTR
an excellent option. menu looks tasty. thanks
SEA HOUND NEEDS HELP-TASTY NEAR KODAK THTR
more good info. thank you. is there anything of note in the hollywood and highland complex?
Above average dining in the general area of Shoreline - Lynnwood?
you do have better than average food in a decent drive from 185th and aurora-
Grinders Sandwiches-mentioned before,great food,closed on Mon.
Scott's Bar and Grill-on 205th east of aurora IMO heads above Arnie's and Robb's
Redline Burgers- small place North to 208th on Aurora-I know, no booze but the burgers are best in the area
Spiros Pizza and Pasta-in the Fred Meyer complex on Aurora-some may find pedestrian but I like all i've eaten here and the folks are very nice
Hill's-in Richmond Beach-follow 185th west go past Spin Alley on the right-my vote for best in the area
The Cabin-divey tav with good food-past Hill's to richmond beach rd. go left can't miss
these next 2 are a bit farther out-
Maddox Grill-Lynnwood-on aurora/hwy 99 north of 196th on the right-can be very good, usually just good. still better than Arnie's or Robb's
Fu Man Dumpling House-small place south of you on Greenwood ave. (Google it) very good asian dishes especially all the options for dumplings. Not sure on the wine and beer.
Good Luck
SEA HOUND NEEDS HELP-TASTY NEAR KODAK THTR
THANKS MUCH!! DEFINITE OPTION. ANYBODY ELSE?
SEA HOUND NEEDS HELP-TASTY NEAR KODAK THTR
VISITING END OF MONTH AND NEED RECS FOR TASTY NEAR(15 MIN WALK) KODAK THEATRE.
ONLY RESTRICTIONS ARE NO INDIAN AND MOST ENTREES UNDR $50. WE LIKE ALL OTHER TYPES OF FOOD AND AMBIANCE. FUNKY, FINE, OLD, NEW, BIG, SMALL IT'S ALL GOOD.
MEDITERANEAN, SEAFOOD, AND SPANISH VERY FAVORABLE. THANKS IN ADVANCE.
Please help me decide restaurant for 50th birthday dinner for my husband
I THINK TANGO CAN FIT RIGHT INTO YOUR DESCRIPTION OF WHAT YOU WANT. IT CAN GET A LITTLE NOISY IF YOU ARE NEAR THE BAR, BUT THEY HAVE WHAT I CALL THE UPPER SECTION NEAR THE PRIVATE DINING AREA THAT IS AWAY FROM THE NOISE. SIT UP THERE NEAR THE WINDOWS AND YOU WILL BE FINE. AND WITH TANGOS MENU, CALLING AHEAD WOULD BE UNNNECESSARY. CHECK IT OUT ONLINE.
Please help me decide restaurant for 50th birthday dinner for my husband
I HAVE A SLIGHTLY OFF THE WALL SUGGESTION. A SPANISH TAPAS RESTURANT -TANGO ON PIKE STREET. BETWEN THE HOT AND COLD TAPAS, THE SALADS AND SOUPS,SPANISH CHEESES COURSE, AND EVEN THE VEGETARIAN PAELLA, I THINK YOU BOTH COULD ENJOY A WONDEFUL MEAL. THEY NEVER FAIL FOR ME AND THE WIFE.
AND YOU COULD HAVE A CELEBRATORY DESSERT-ONE OF THE BEST IN SEATTLE-"EL DIABLO".
Pizza week
here are some choices for you-most i consider pretty good. i'm not form N.Y. though.
elliot bay pizza co.-on queen anne hill-good for a slice or 2
veraci-ballard-one of my faves
santorini-in wedgwood-a hidden gem
pudge bros.-good take out slices and pies
piecora's-on e. madison-ny style pizza
big mario's-on e. pike-good but i still think a work in progress
zayda buddy's-ballard-i have not tried but my uncle thinks it is delicious
mod pizza-broadway on cap. hill and 6th ave dwntwn-small(9in?) pies thin crust all pies one price. can be slow service.
zeek's-good for slices or pies. a local chain some may disagree but i enjoy.
jet city-thicker, heavier pies but for a pick up or delivery(if close enough)they sre good. a bit spendy though.
imo, do not waste your time going to west seattle(westlake village) to giannino's. really poor quality ingredients and awful crust.
and if your up for an adventure, my fave slices currently are in downtown issaquah at flying pie pizzeria. custom made slices that are quite large. 2 is my limit.
let us all know about your final destinations.
Brazilian Steakhouse?
for all who care about such things, drove by ipanema grill on sat. and it is now closed and for lease.
Need some good italian on eastside - recommendations?
our goto quality italian on the eastside(when not splurging at CJ)is Firenze at crossroads in bellevue. not actually in the mall but on the outer rim, we love the food, service and an excellent wine list. the chicken and veal marsalla are top notch.
Lobster in Seattle for an ex-New Englander?
i would contact mutual fish on rainier avenue. they may not have the best price but you probably won't find fresher.
Cafe Juanita stand-in needed
trellis in kirkland is inconsistent
bistro americain in carillon point-french but not fussy-favorite new eastside
pearl in bellevue is consistently good and has a nice vibe
bis on main in old bellevue has been good but the long time chef left
milagro cantina in downtown kirkland is high end mexican-quite good-run by bis on main chef
TEXAS SMOKEHOUSE BBQ-WOODINVILLE
NEWS COMES MY WAY OF THE CLOSURE OF TEXAS SMOKEHOUSE BBQ IN WOODINVILLE. THOUGH SOME MAY DISAGREE, I THOUGHT IT WAS ONE OF THE OF ABOVE AVERAGE BBQ PLACES IN THE AREA, OF WHICH THERE ARE ONLY A HANDFUL. IT WILL BE MISSED. NOW IF I CAN JUST GET THE POTATO SALAD RECIPE...
Post-wedding brunch
well depending on the day of the week of the wedding and your budget, the sunday brunch at
6/7 restaurant in the Edgewater hotel is excellent. the view is very nice also, especially on a sunny day.
Remembering Hoagie's Corner
omg soy u rock! great report. the best roll i've found for a sammy like this is from albertsons. u may have to convince the person behind the counter to sell u a single roll. don't know the maker.use american cheese and the cheapest meats u can find for authentic flavor. if you can stomach it. fresh express makes lettuce shreds in the produce department..
and koala springs!!! i.m still addicted to it. wish we could get it still in the us. you can still get it in safeway stores in vancouver area and in most convienience stores there. i usually bring back lots from a trip north.
Greater Seattle restaurants
from austin? love that town. better bring some salt lick if you want bbq. nothing close to that here.
le grand bistro-kirkland
took the wife for valentine's day and must say i was pleasantly surprised. really enjoyed everything we had. can't really testify to the freench authenticity but the experience was enjoyable.
started with a couple of excellent kir royales and some frenmch onion soup. though a bit salty, the soup showed great depth of flavor.
my wife chose the coq au reisling-chicken in wine sauce with roasted potatoes which she really enjoyed. portion a bit small i thought. i made my meal from a petit bouillabaise, a two item charcuterie plate, and a vegetable side. while the bouillabaise had great seafood it really wasn't served at the proper temp. just lukewarm. the charcuterie plate had some jambon cru that was reallly good but only 2 slices, a very flavorful country-pork and pistachio-pate which was my fave item of the whole night. by the way, the bread they serve with the meal and my charcuterie was very good. we ate too much of it. and my vegetable side was brussel sprouts caramelized with bacon, shallots, and balsamic. not usually a brussel sprouts guy but you could serve me cardboard with the bacon/shallot/balsamic and i would eat it.
had a chocolate mousse for dessert which, if you like bittersweet choclate, was good. don't know if this was just a valentines day thing but they also brought us 3 housemade truffles which were outstanding. will definitely try go again.
Remembering Hoagie's Corner
i worked for hoagies corner in lynnwood and kirkland and wedgwood for about 4 years. still keep in touch with some coworkers and we all miss the british and others. they chain was sold to southland corp.(7-11) they were all changed to 7-11 stores soon after.
No Soul - what now?
my everett go to spots are the majestic cafe on hewitt ave. definitely try the chocolate cake if they have it for dessert. and the depot smokehouse on mcdougall near the event center. real good bbq.
Greater Seattle restaurants
my fave in bothell is alexa's on main st. in odl downtown. there is a mexican spot close by that i don't remember the name of that we liked also. other options:
preservation kitchen on bothell way-big house right in the middle of the construstion
bonefish grill-a chain but pretty good-on bothell everett highway near 405
crystal creek cafe-same complex as bonefish-good breakfast
vivendo-in country village
country cafe -also in country village
Celebration Dinner
tango near the paramount theatre has a small private dining room that would work well. not sure of the rules. and the food is excellent. don't forget to have the "el diablo" for dessert.
