kirkj's Profile
Authentica - Disappointed
We recently went to Autentica for their brunch after an absence of about a year. We thought that they slid way downhill. We used to love the Bistek (grilled steak -tender and flavorful) and the Chilaquilles(sp?). This time, the only bistek they had was Mexicano and it was very tough strips cooked in tomato sauce. We also ordered their shrimp. They were huge shrimp, but so overcooked that they became tough, and the soup they came in had nothing else in it and was not especially flavorful. They were polite to us and asked if we wanted anymore tortilla. For the prices that they charge, we will not return. This used to be one of out favorite restaurants.
This Portland trip was saved from disappointments at Autentica and the one at Kenny and Zuke's by the exstatic state that I was in after eating the "Reggie".
Szechuan Chef (Bellevue)
We went last week and were very disappointed. I don't know if it changed hands but I didn't recognize the staff. They didn't have any crab and gave us a story about only small ones being available (tanks in other places had plenty of fat crab). The Chong Quin Chicken was not flavored well with the chicken dry and over-fried, the Dry-fried green beans were over-fried and not well spiced, and the Seafood with Hot Garlic Sauce had fish balls instead of scallops and only a few of their baby bamboo shoots. We are almost ready to cross them off our rotation list. Is anybody else noticing any changes, or was this just a fluke?
Hong Kong Bistro and Homestyle Hong Kong
We'd been gone for five months and when we got back, we went to one of our favorites, Homestyle, for the best congee in Seattle. What a surprise when we found an all new staff there. They still do the stonepot rice and congees. I ordered my favorite, seafood congee. Its still very, very good. The congee itself was just as good, but the squid and shrimp were a bit overcooked (tough). I'd still rate it above my second favorite at Mike's.
We found out that the previous owners of HHK, opened up the Hong Kong Bistro around the corner and next to Purple Dot. Like other Chinese restaurants with "bistro" or "cafe" in their name, HKB has a huge menu that includes many Chinese interpretations of Western dishes. We were lucky that we weren't here for their first month of operation because they had many kinks to work-out including new cooks who who couldn't perform up to standards.
We ordered Rock Cod with Corn Sauce, Green Beans with XO Sauce, and Spare Rib and Pickled Cabbage Stonepot Rice. The fish, a traditional Cantonese prep, was wonderful. Its one of our comfort dishes. We have been trying for years to find a decent version in Seattle, and now, we have. The green beans were great - liberal use of ginger made the dish pop.
We will be back many, many times. The most popular item seems to be the all-you-can-eat Hot Pot for $13.
Is everyone tired of Yelp or what? [Moved from Pacific NW]
I find Yelp a useful tool when I have no other information about a place or I'm looking for something decent in an area where I don't have a clue.
Just today, I used Yelp to get an idea about Hong Kong Bistro. We'd been gone for six months and during that time, the owners of one of our favorite places, Homestyle Hong Kong, sold out and opened a new place around the corner. HK Bistro has a huge menu and I wanted some opinions. Since CH had no discussions on it, I went to Yelp.
I think most people are expressing their honest opinions, and wanting good value is no crime.
BTW, I had a great meal at HKB, and the price was right.
Top Pot vs Voodoo, Boo to Both
JillO, this morning, after reading your rec, I was in the neighborhood, so I stopped at Annie's Donuts. I got a raised glazed, plain cake and a glazed old-fashioned. My favorite was the raised. Comparing it to KK, I'd say that it was as light and the glaze was thinner and therefore less cloying. If both were cold, I'd say that its better but since KK's is usually available still warm, I still prefer Krispy Kream.
Thanks again for the tip.
Top Pot vs Voodoo, Boo to Both
Thanks JillO, these sound very tempting to a donut addict like me.
Top Pot vs Voodoo, Boo to Both
If Daily Dozen is that stall that makes those tiny cake donuts, I found them to be quite ordinary.
Top Pot vs Voodoo, Boo to Both
With all the hype that both get, I expected great donuts from each. What I got from each was slightly better than average with Voodoo having tastier cakes and raised (yeast) donuts. With Voodoo, their claim to fame is their creativity with coatings on the donuts.
Does either city have better donuts? As for the Greater Seattle Area, I prefer Krispy Kream's raised (yeast) - especially when they're hot. As for cake donuts, Red Apple Market in Bridle Trails makes pretty good ones for only 59cents.
Looking for the best burger in WA
Had to drop in over the weekend to try Teddy's. The burger was very good. The meat had good flavor. They say they use choice ground chuck and serve it medium as a default. Mine came out well, but it was still very good. The pastrami I ordered to top the burger was bad. It was too lean and looked processed. The onion rings were very good, but the fries were so-so. I look forward to going back for more.
Best Breakfast within a half hour of Seattle Bellevue
Glo's for the world class eggs benedict.
Geraldine's for the cornbeef hash.
St Clouds for chicken fried steak and their gravy (alas, no biscuits).
Looking for the best burger in WA
Thanks for this tip. Haven't had a Teddy's since Hawaii. Glad to hear a franchise has opened. The burger with pastrami is a killer(in more ways than one).
Best place for Nan Gua Bing
Chen's Shanghai in Richmond makes a very good Shen Jian Bao. I have not tried them at Peaceful, but I believe they call them Huang Jing Bao.
Quick Kirin dim sum review - Vancouver
My apology to ck1234 for going off thread, but I must ask fmed some questions.
I have not tried Shanghai River, but have heard good things about their XLB's. Since Dim Sum is a Cantonese/Hong Kong thing, does SR do it differently or add some Shanghai dishes? Does anyone do a decent Silver Needle Noodle for Dim Sum?
Quick Kirin dim sum review - Vancouver
Which Kirin did you go to? I have only tried the Richmond and the Downtown locations. The downtown has always been impressive and flawless for us.
[PDX] Wai Kong, Hong Kong-style bistro
Thanks SS for this very descriptive rec.
In Hong Kong, when a restaurant uses "bistro" or "cafe" in its name it usually means that they've incorporated some Chinesed Western items into their menu. Usually spaghetti and breakfast items. Is this the case here?
They also use "Asian" in the name. Do they culinarily cross any national borders?
SF Visitor's Brief Report on Portland
"Far and away my favorite--would we had it in the SFBA--was Front Porch. "
Not Screen Door?
DT Seattle this Weekend..Best Breakfast??
Sorry to say, nobody in Seattle makes decent chillaquilles.
Glo's is a small, homey place that makes world class eggs benadict. It gets crowded so I wouldn't take a child unless near opening. Its a nice walk, just across I-5.
Dick's is a Seattle institution. People grew up on it and its reached comfort food status for some, but its only mediocre, fast food burgers.
Long's Noodle House, Shanghai food, XLB, Salty Egg Crispy Rice....Vancouver
Thanks, looks good. So, I take it that, unlike Haianese, its flavorful enough without added sauces.
Long's Noodle House, Shanghai food, XLB, Salty Egg Crispy Rice....Vancouver
Fmed, your pictures are, as usual, very nice. The Chicken in Wine looks like its prepared like Hainanese Chicken. Is it similar?
PDX - Al Forno Ferruzza - new pizza joint
Is their cart by the University still in operation?
Ammonia Crab at Seven Stars Pepper
It makes me happy to hear that. I hope it becomes the accepted practice in all the fresh seafood restaurants here.
Ammonia Crab at Seven Stars Pepper
As a matter of course Chinese seafood restaurants in other cities (LA, SF, Vancouver) weigh and bring out live seafood for inspection and approval prior to prepping for cooking. This process not only verifies the health if the animal but the weight to your satisfaction. In Seattle (7 Peppers, Szechuan Chef, Bamboo Garden, Sea Garden) they have never brought crabs out for inspection without my asking.
Crayfish King
Is there any local operators that are farming or catching crawfish commercially in quantity and quality?
Crayfish King
Thanks for the update. Recently went to My Brother's Crawfish in Portland and really enjoyed it. If its anything like it, it'll be a fine addition to Seattle's scene.
Old English Fish and Chips Northend?
Isn't dogfish and other sharks commonly used in England for fish & chips?
Chinese BBQ Turkey in Seattle?
Most of the Chinese BBQ places will cook your turkey for a fee. I rec KauKau. They will do several ways. The char shiu marinade is very good on turkey.
Korean tofu soup in Seattle?
Seoul Hot Pot in Redmond specializes in SoonDobu. Their PaJoon is also good. I believe that there is some sort of a connection with HoSoonYi.
