equinoise's Profile
One day only...
A great post indeed. Let me offer a central/southern alternative:
Buy pastries and bread from Columbia City bakery (rivals Besalu IMHO), coffee from Empire. Weather permitting, walk around Seward Park and view Mt. Rainier. With bread in hand, get Salumi goods and cheese, etc. from DeLaurenti, picnic at Volunteer Park/Asian Art Museum or Olympic Sculpture Park. Happy hour oysters/snacks at Mistral Kitchen; stay for dinner there or go to Spinasse. -Or- oysters at Ferdnand or Taylor Shellfish and dinner at Sitka and Spruce. Cocktails at Canon. Sunday: Brunch at Sitka Spruce (if necessary)
Any Philly Cheesesteak's in SEA worth trying?
I recently visited Calozzi's, which inhabits the space formerly used by Tat's. (115 Occidental Ave S). One that struck me was the spartan ambiance and relatively limited selections for adds to sandwiches: I think you are limited to just onions and peppers. Also, the grill guy absolutely hacked the living daylights out of the meat on the griddle, clanging like mad. This technique resulted in very small particles of steak nearly the size of ground. Some may like this but not me--it gets too dry. A huge sandwich though.
Philly Boys is superior to Calozzi's, but to Tat's is still better yet. Have yet to try the cheesteak at Hey Paison or Original Philly's.
So what would be your last meal? If it came to that :)
So many ways to take this. One could do sort of a harmonious progressive tasting-menu type deal (like a high-end restaurant), or instead, just a binge of your most satisfying, comforting single item plus booze. I'll go with a discordant but delicious greatest-hits menu...plus drank.
A martinez and a few Indian-style chile cashews.
Shigoku, kumamoto and totten virginica oysters and an absurdly crisp grower Champagne.
Sashimi assortment (including kinmedai, sockeye salmon, uni and few species of mackerel). Stay with the Champagne.
An assortment of fiery N. Thai/Lao-style salads and an assortment of IPA's from the draft.
A taco plate (al pastor, carnitas and baja ensenada fish), with a side of fresh avocado salsa. A red burgundy with a typically obscene price.
Prejean's pheasant and quail gumbo. With a mint julep.
A selection of only-available-in-Brasil fruits plus Indian mangoes.
Sichuan crab, with a side of foraged mushrooms sautéed with ginger and garlic.
Fresh papardelle with wild boar ragu. A monstrous Barolo.
Rare slice of pichana straight from the fire. Belgian frites with tarragon mayo. A stupendous Bordeaux.
Passion fruit sorbet.
Chocolate mousse, pecan pie, hazelnut souflee. Tomme, ossau-iraty, and a handful of other cheese. Sauternes.
Good night to all.
Awesome Vietnamese in International District (or downtown vicinity)
Less discussed here, but hardly undiscovered, is Huong Binh, a simple eatery that features soups but has numerous other items. It does not have the extensive menus offered by Green Leaf or TT. Catering more to a Vietnamese clientele, it has a great flavor that I highly recommend.
Falafel?
Second this. Mawadda's owner takes great pride in his falafel and he proclaims them best citywide. They are larger than most others, and some may prefer to mash them before eating.
Re: Matt's--I recall they served a dish with fava bean falafel as a component that was superb.
Nine Cuisines, One Dish Each
1. Italian: fresh tagliatelle with boar ragu
2. Indian: mysore masala dosa with coconut chutney
3. Mexican: tacos al pastor con salsa de aguacate
4. Chinese: Sichuan crab -or- water-boiled fish
5. Thai: kao soi -or- nam prik ong
6. French: mousse au chocolat
7. American: pulled pork with s. carolina mustard sauce -or- crawfish etoufee
8. Middle Eastern: chicken musakhan -or- kefta kebab
9. Eastern European/Russian: stuffed cabbage
What food find still haunts you - that you had once and haven't found since?
This is a remarkable thread.
About two decades ago, there was an Italian restaurant in a strip mall in the Totem Lake area of Kirkland, WA. I can’t remember the name of the place but it closed long ago; it was a consistent overachiever for its digs. It served a dish referred to as “alla ciaciarra” (sp?) with sautéed veal scallops rolled and stuffed with a slightly sour white cheese, probably a marscapone blend, finished with a white wine and lemon sauce.
In 1999, I had dinner with my cousin’s friend at a seafood place on the outskirts of Manaus, Brasil. We were served a big pot of soup that featured the massive ribs of the pirarucu (paiche) and an untold cacophony of other jungle delights. I have returned to Manaus since but could not locate this dish again.
In Zanzibar in 2007, vendors sold a version of fried potato bhaji that had a hint of turmeric and perhaps cilantro. They cost less than a doller for a good amount served wrapped in newspaper. I ate many.
In 2003, probably at certain butcher in Norcia but perhaps it was in Tuscany instead, I got a type of boar salami that fomented a sort of wild obsession that I can’t really explain—we continued to seek out boar on this trip throughout Italy. I bought a different type of boar salami at the Rome airport before leaving, and the TSA confiscated it upon entry to the U.S.
In 2008 or so, I had dinner with a friend at Lark in Seattle, and they served a date cake that was so good we ordered a second; I had never done that before with a dessert item. I have called Lark many times since but have not been able to sample it again.
My brother has a friend that was a professional baker in NYC who prepared the cake for his wedding. It had the physical appearance of a common cake, with a berry-flavored filling, but it was just ridiculously tasty (I think she utilized some Momofuku/Milk Bar-style tricks in making it). The leftovers found their way to the place where I stayed after the wedding, and I probably ate 6 or more slices of it.
San Francisco Hound Coming to Seattle: Please Critique My List for the Emerald City!!!
Manny's is widely available in SEA, including at Safeco Field. You'll find it. Schooner Exact's brewery is not far from the Field. Pubs with a lot of taps that I like include Hop Vine, the Dray, Brouwer's Cafe, Stumbling Monk. I think Poppy is just skippable given your time constraints. I've had ups and downs there. Sometimes we drop in later just to get the dessert thali--my wife loves the nutter-butter simulacrum and I dig the passion fruit bite. Maybe that would be an option if you are bent on it.
Asian Bender this Weekend in YVR and Richmond
Just completed the bender--sans daughter! We had dinner at a Korean BBQ joint north of SEA on the journey north and could not quite muster the energy for an izakaya run after arrival in Gastown.
Saturday morning, we had crossaints and single origin coffee at Revolver, which was much appreciated; interesting that they had more coffees from PDX and SF than Canada. On that visit (and another) I went with Phil and Sebastian selections and was impressed, both with the coffee, the digs, and the super-efficient line-up of the chemex set-ups.
We got distracted with boutique clothing shops and failed to recognize the afternoon was upon us. We hurried on the SkyTrain to Richmond. I literally ran from the Landsdowne station to Su Hang to avoid closing--I had a distinct moment of self-awareness and reflection when leaping over a parking bumper and thought to myself: you are an obsessive GEEK! We had two orders of XLB, and the crab were excellent. We both recognized that we can abide a thicker wrapper--our standard is the quite thin Din Tai Fung in Bellevue--provided it is backed with ample juice, and these did not disappoint, with a very briny, true crab flavor. I also liked a sesame cake with cured beef that had been recommended on a Yelp post. The waiter suggested also a pan-fried dumpling with a vegetable filling, but that was forgettable.
Later, we arrived at Vij's and were told to return in about 1.5 hours. At West, we had some very nice cocktails (a notably spicy rum-based "passage to India" and another with gin, plum wine and ginger?) a raw sockeye salmon/roe dish and some olives, together with a smoked trout flaked gougere and some sort of dessert ball they brought, gratis. All told, it was nearly a meal in and of itself.
Seated at Vij's around 10, but not before downing a few of the passed snacks/chaat (I was not aware that this happened before), we ordered two roast pork spoons, the sautéed samosas, a complex vegetarian dish with some type of pulse-based fritters, and the famous lamb popsicles. After it all, we were both near capacity, but I still nearly lapped the fenugreek cream sauce and finished all of the lamb. We remarked that the pork spoon could make filling for a supreme indian "taco." The samosas were the best we'd had anywhere. We did not sample too much of the vegetable dish but it too was wonderful. I thought the bright cumin tang of the standard rice was excellent--I've since located the recipe from Vij's cookbook. The only qualm we had was the naan--it tasted like pizza dough and had none of the yeast and fluffiness of better naan we've tried. Strange.
The following late morning I found that Revolver was closed (odd to me for a Sunday at 10) so I had a mediocre espresso at Bambo Coffee. Back down to Richmond for dim sum at The Jade. Probably our personal best--the century egg/ginger roll, pan-fried lamb dumpling, steamed pork neck with lemon zest and vegetable being the outstanding dishes.
Sad to say, just did not have the hunger to get a bowl of ramen as planned prior to departure. We will have to bag that bird on our next visit (for which we are already contemplating a more Japanese orientation). Did stop off at 49th Parallel for a very nice cup of Kenya on drip and a bag of beans to go.
Thanks to all for your thoughtful advice, which made our trip memorable.
Indian in Seattle?
I went to Udupi Cafe/Chaat Corner and got a tiki chaat and two samosas to go. Much better than Mayuri: more heat, more sour, more flavor. Recommended.
San Francisco Hound Coming to Seattle: Please Critique My List for the Emerald City!!!
I'd agre with the substitution of any of the Capitol Hill restaurants mentioned by BuffaloBandit for Poppy; I consider Sitka and Spruce the closest to the quintessential "seattle" restaurant these days. I'd look at the respective menus and decide if lunch would be representative of what it offers.
You have also listed 3 or more Ethan Stowell restaurants as contenders and I would avoid duplicating among those. While I have not tried Staple & Fancy, I consider Tilth, Joule and Book Bindery--and each of the capitol hill places mentioned above--all more interesting than Anchovies and Olives. Also agree with Canon for cocktails for sure.
Coffee--there is definitely a distinction to be drawn between the "third wave"/origin joints like Stumptown, Seattle Coffee Works, etc. and the older school espresso places like Vivace that have only 1 or 2 choices of beans. My personal favorite is Empire in Columbia City but that may be out of your way; Victrola embraces both styles.
Breweries--Georgetown is great but it is just a place to taste and pick up, no food or tables there. Schooner Exact makes possibly better beer and is more hospitable.
BaBar is a great price point and a unique combination of Vietnamese and well-made cocktails (drinks at Tamarind Tree are not on the same level), but I concur with the point that if you want that flavor perhaps a visit to a place more focused on serving ethnic Viet customers would be in order (e.g. Huong Binh, The Lemongrass, Hoang Lan) but no alcohol may be available.
Asian Bender this Weekend in YVR and Richmond
So, this well-planned visit last spring was derailed by a most unfortunate border control/passport issue. NOW, finally, it is happening. Over a year having passed, I was wondering whether any developments since then should alter the much appreciated advice below. Thanks again.
Golfeados: Venezuelan Sticky buns
I know those cones as "piloncillo"; I agree, they are widelay available. Unfortunately, I have never seen the type of cheese you are seeking. Have you tried Kitanda, the Brazillian shop on NE 24th? They might have something like it.
Seattle/Tacoma--college dining
I agree with Hung's insights. I've heard good things about Shwarma King and Chili's Deli too, but have not tried either.
Somehow Hiroshi's has avoided my radar despite its longevity. Looks good. What do you recommend there?
Looking for the best sushi in Seattle
This is an older thread, but I just had a recent visit to Sushi Kappo Tamura and was reminded that it needs to remain part of this conversation. Had a good selection of fish, including my personal best piece of geoduck, luscious hamachi belly, cured yellow-eye snapper with a touch of ginger and scallion, sweet, briny uni, and a wonderfully oily dose of herring. Perhaps the overall selection is not as wide as Kisaku, and the prices are higher. But what sets SKT apart are of course the "ippin" items, of which this time we selected a tempura assortment with massive wild prawns and shishito peppers, and a chawan mushi with bits of cod and local mushrooms. I also think SKT is better when it comes to sake and cocktail selection.
I still can't resolve the deadlock between Kisaku and SKT in my personal estimation, but these two are a cut above the rest for me.
First time in Seattle -- help requested
I happened to get a virtually identical question from a friend last week. Here is my response, forgive any redundancy:
The convention center is sort of dead zone for good eating dominated by national chains and steak houses with little character. RN74 is by far the best restaurant within a 2-block radius of the Sheraton.
If you walk down 6th Ave until you reach Westlake then go 2 blocks on Westlake you reach Mistral Kitchen which is very nice, food sort of like RN74 but somehat less $, more simple and northwest in style, with a focus more on cocktails whereas RN74 is wine.
If you are willing to walk to Shiro's for sushi you could also pass Le Pichet which is a very nice french brasserie place. Near Steelhead diner in the public market complex is also Matt's in the Market which does the northwest cuisine right.
If you go up Pike Street to the capitol hill neighborhood there is a fairly meaty gastropub place called Quinn's which is an excellent value, good beer selection, and perhaps the best burger in seattle.
In Belltown I really like Spur and Branzino; this is close to Shiro's.
Lark has been "meh" on recent visits, though it was good in the past--for that sort of food Sitka and Spruce is much better (may be closed or doing Malafacha "pop-up" on Mondays). Very near Lark BaBar is a fun, cheap Vietnames option and the bartender Evan Martin is a good guy who will treat you right. Right next door to Lark is Canon, probably the best cocktail bar at the moment.
True North Coffee Beans? (Seattle)
Disregard the above. I went in and saw they were using Herkimer coffee.
YYC Hound back for a visit.
I am a coffee novice, but I can't really think of Vivace as "third wave;" instead, sort of pioneers/masters of "second wave" who make great espresso drinks. A quote from their site: "The Coffee: We offer two blends only." It's hard to be really appreciative of origins, tasting notes, etc. when selections are that limited.
I always prop up Empire Espresso in Columbia City; they use Kuma Coffee, a local roaster that has been lighting up CoffeeReview.com lately with their stuff from Panama, Kenya, etc.
Stumptown on 12th Ave is obviously hip to that game, but I think of them as Portland-based (with just a touch of inter-city [s]jealously[/s] rivalry).
local brews especially ipas
My favorite local IPA is Schooner Exact 3-Grid. You can look at the Schooner Exact site to see which local bars have it. Or you can visit the SODO brewery location and try it (as GreenYoshi suggested). Sure, it's a light industry park, but insider there is a proper bar, and you can take a growler to go.
86 Spring Hill, Welcome Ma'ono Chicken & Whisky
I have not been to the new iteration, but at Spring Hill I always found odd and slightly frustrating the extremely limited portions of chicken available and vague airs of exclusivity surrounding its availability. It is not as if chicken is a rare commodity. Were they deliberately trying to drive demand through apparent scarcity?
I too would have thought that the new concept would have ended this campaign of false urgency for the fryers. Too bad.
True North Coffee Beans? (Seattle)
True North has been sold at Columbia City Bakery for some time now. I like the Tanzanian they frequently have as drip coffee.
Any good Jewish Deli's in the Seattle area?
Stopsky's really does have some frustrating swings up and down; it's one of the most inconsisent restaurants I've ever frequented. Sometimes the pastrami is like what you describe; other times it is much better. I only go sometimes because of the otherwise miserable options on Mercer Island where I work.
Best Burger in Seatown?
I had the basic burger on a first visit this weekend and was pleased (though I failed to specify cooking it short of medium). Has anyone said that burger, with cheese, is $4.75? That makes it easily the best sub-$5 burger in the region ( I may be overlooking some kind of steak house HH deal). By compariosn, the Lunchbox Lab burger, plain, starts at $10.99.
True, you pay more for fancified burgers and sides at Uneeda, but still. The fried mushrooms are the best I've had anywhere. Uneeda is a vital part of this conversation.
Teriyaki: The Best of a Local Phenomenon
"Seattle specialty - Teriyaki (needs a thread here)" -mrnelso
Absolutely! For a introduction to the genre, I think this piece is essential: http://www.seattleweekly.com/2007-08-15/food/how-teriyaki-became-seattle-s-own-fast-food-phenomenon.php/
My picks:
Toshio's on Rainier Ave./Massachusetts: Pretty solid quality all-around for meats, constant turnover and high demand. The offerings extend to katsu don, curry, yakisoba etc., and you can add tempura to form a very substantial 'yaki combo with the requisite gummy rice, homemade sauce, and green salad. I also enjoy the fact that one can find people from all communities and walks of life waiting on an order here at this central location a block from I-90. The walls are covered in home-spun messages of christian humility and positivity, including the relative prices of hot sauce (25 cents) and "God sauce" (free).
Okinawa (1022 Alaskan Way): A downtown favorite, packed around lunch, for me this transcends the mediocre quality of your average spot (even if they keep bags of onions stashed in the restroom, a transgression my wife cannot forgive).
Joy Teriyaki (334 Lake City Way NE): Truth be told, I would not get teriyaki here, but instead the freshly made and locally unique mongol dishes. Very nice people too.
From the vault:
Yumiko's was a bi-monthly staple in my youth, and during undergrad I always enjoyed the unabashed Korean heat and massive portions at Tokyo Garden on the Ave. Have not had either in many years.
Kati Rolls in the Seattle area
Have you tried Kabab House on Greenwood Ave. N? http://www.seattlekababhouse.com/
The menu there refers to them variously as "rolls" and "boti rolls," but it looks pretty close to what wikipedia describes as "kati rolls." I have not had one for a few years, but when I did, it was tasty. And I would point out that the Kabab House location in First Hill doesn't sell them.
Who likes Cajun food?
I second the recommendation for Where Ya At Matt, including the beans and rice. Some things I had at Toulouse Petit were good, but the menu at that point was so massive that it would be hard to avoid the less succesful/authentic items. Have not been back for two years or more.
Crawfish King hits the spot for seafood boils, but other stuff there is middling at best (but have not had the gumbo). I noticed that a new crawfish joint has opened up in the complex near the Othello Link station on MLK, but haven't yet been. It is a shame that Taste of Louisiana in Skyway has closed; that place was legit.
Yoshi posted about a White Center place fairly recently. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/826356 Too bad that Taste of Louisiana in Skyway closed; that place was legit.
Dim Sum on eastside
Again, it was clear that the ownership wanted a strong showing on this particular day as he had lions and dragons dancing around his place. Maybe the norm is worse.
Dim Sum on eastside
I went to Koi a couple weeks ago on Saturday and it was surprisingly good (based on what I had read here). It may have been in part due to the fact that they had a pretty full room due to an elaborate New Year performance outside the restaurant, but we started our meal at 11 and it was not yet full. Most everything was pretty fresh-tasting a high quality, and we had a big group and got a big sample--honey prawns, shu mai, har gow, taro cake, singapore noodle, scallop pumpling, sesame ball, etc.. Of course, we are not talking Richmond quality or much outside the repetoire of the ID houses, but maybe there were a couple items that were unique.
I'd have to rate it better than last visits Top Gun and Noble Court by some measure, though admittedly had not visited those in a while. Equal to best days at Jade Garden and Harbor City. Far superior to Joy Palace.
Bun Bo Hue?
Finally made it Hoang Lan yesterday and really liked the Bun Bo Hue, which was quite spicy and full of depth of flavor. The server also told me that if you would prefer to forgo the coagulated blood cubes, you can get more of the housemade pork loaf, which is outstanding (and is apparently sold sperately by Hoang Lan in uncooked format for home use by customers). A great little place with alot of character that I should have visited much earlier.
