Nina "hot lil' dish" W.'s Profile

We came here for a little pre-show nosh and pre funk, as this was the closest establishment to the Tacoma Dome.

The atmosphere inside was very 30-40 years ago. Dark and brooding, with a weird back room type thing where the restrooms were located (which were clean and well maintained). There was that weird stuffy air of being a bar where you could formally smoke before the laws changed- which we sat in. They call it the "Bubble Room" for whatever reason.

The service was pretty dang stellar, I will have to say that, and our food and drinks came super quick. The food was okay. I ordered a bun-less bacon burger with a side of slaw.  The slaw wasn't very good and it was TINY. For 10.95 I would have expected twice as much, after all, it's just cabbage. The burger patty was also small, but it was obviously from fresh ground beef because of the way it crumbled when I cut into it. It had good flavor, and I was happy that for the price it wasn't a preformed frozen patty. The bacon was really, really good, too, the veggies that accompanied the burger were super fresh and tasty. If not for trying to watch my carb intake, I would have opted for fries or the chips because they seemed like a better option than the sad looking slaw and I would have felt like I got a little more for my money.

The only IPA they had on tap was Diamond Knot, which I drink a lot of, so no complaint there, besides wanting a second choice for IPA. The vodka tonic I had here wasn't too shabby, albeit a bit watered down.

Overall, it was a pretty good spot to go before an event due to it's speediness and efficiency.

I was so full from dinner, (thank god!) that I was able to resist the temptation of fancy overpriced designer cupcakes, so this review is just for the coffee.

The service was pleasant enough, the space was a little cramped, what with the giant counter, ice cream cooler, and cupcake display case to occupy about half the space. I felt as if I was bumping elbows with everyone. It could just be my fat elbows.

The breve latte I ordered, however, was pretty dang perfect. I didn't even need anything to sweeten it because it was that well balanced. I'll be back to try Verite again... However, the glammed out overhyped cuppy type things... they are gonna have to wait. I'd be more inclined to order the salted caramel ice cream over one of the 'cakes.

Better than Denny's or Ihop, definitely not as good as Totem, in my opinion, when gaging breakfast spots, this is my guideline.

If you don't know how to cook eggs, you have no business serving breakfast. I rarely go out to breakfast because I am consistently disappointed with my eggs.
I ordered an Eggs Benedict breakfast that came with two sides. Oh, yes. I'd love home fries. What? One more... And you can have pancakes as a SIDE? OK, sure!

I also noticed they had dutch babies on the menu which is something you don't see around hardly anywhere these days. I was also intrigued by the coconut pancakes but I can't do anything too dessert-like first thing in the morning, so I didn't order either of those.

The Canadian bacon on my Bene was thick cut, the hollendaise tasted like it was made from scratch- impressive, because most of the time when i've ordered this dish it comes out with the powdered stuff which is totally inferior. It was a little under-seasoned, though and could have benefited from a little lemon zest/juice to bring out the flavor of the sauce.

I ate around the English muffin, it wasn't toasted to my liking anyway, and the pancakes were kinda there, which were pretty tasty, better than average anyway, and so were the home fries, which were just kinda meh... so it was like, carb overload. Ugh. But it was good, even though I felt bloated and I couldn't finish it all. I would recommend it as a great spot for breakfast though, as it is a large portion of food and prices are pretty reasonable for the amount you get, the service is quick and efficient and the food, while it takes a little while to get there, is pretty dang good.

Oh. Yes. I did enjoy it here.

I guess I have to admit that I sometimes act like a snob and pretend to know all of the awesome places to eat in Seattle and the North End, but sometimes I get slapped in the face by a suggestion of a place I know nothing about at all.  And, in my "hood" no less- I was born in Ballard and spent many years of my childhood here as my grandparents remained in Ballard for many years. Major ego check.

Hi-Life was one of those places that I literally knew nothing of. And I was definitely happy with the meal, and the awesome ambiance, (and the company, consequently). The restaurant itself is beautiful. Lovingly re-purposing the old firehouse brought a twinge of nostalgia to my little heart, and I think it's an amazing utilization of the space. I'm not however looking forward to climbing stairs if I ever have to use the facilities there. But, it is what it is.

They had an interesting collection of cocktails on the drink menu, but I went for a beer, they had Boundary Bay IPA on tap. I was crushed to learn that the one thing on the menu that got me really, really excited (fried green tomatoes) was the only thing they were completely out of. There was a ton of variety on the menu- Small plates consisting of salads, sliders, and fried items, and dinner sized plates of proteins and carbs and veg, homemade pastas, and pizza. An eclectic mix for sure. This is a good place to come if you don't know what you want to eat because there's something for everyone.

I wasn't gonna do the pork chop, but it came with the two sides I wanted to try most (cheesy grits and mustard greens), so it was my logical choice.  What came out was a skillfully portioned plate of fabulous food. A perfectly grilled and spiced double chop, juicy, a little fatty, but not grisly. My porky goodness was served on a fluffy, umptious bed of the creamiest, expertly seasoned, immaculately cooked and just-cheesed-enough cheese grits.  I am literally still reeling just from the cheesy grits. However, the tiny pile of mustard greens were not so inspired, and just lay there limply on the plate, so they weren't as awesome as I had hoped, but the flavor of the green went amazingly well with the pork. I would have preferred a larger portion of greens than what was presented, as well,  but when it comes to braised green leafy things, i'm like a goddamn brontosaurus or something as far as the portion i'd like to consume. The whole plate was drizzled with the jus from the pork, and it was just the right touch.

I ate the whole plate. I even sucked on the bone to my chop. I was tempted to lick the plate clean. With a menu that changes seasonally and what looks to be awesome patio seating, I will be back soon to try the summer menu. For sure. (Yes, you're taking me again!)

I have driven by here a couple times, so I thought that today was a good time to get some sushi rolls for lunch.

They had a wide variety of sushi rolls and nigiri to choose from, several different combos. I went with a Cali roll and spicy tuna roll. If you can't get the basics right, then there's something wrong.

The sushi rolls were freshly prepared, rolled well, and very large! I'm used to getting six pieces of sushi for the price of the 8(each) large pieces that I received. On the menu, they even have *large* sushi rolls. I don't know how someone could eat more than one of the regular rolls and not be somewhat satisfied.

The sushi is good. I really like the California roll, it's the basic standardized version with suirimi, but it's very tasty. I'd say it would be better if they said it was suirimi instead of crab on the menu, because there's a huge difference. The spicy tuna is also good, but only OK. I like that they don't use the mayo version, but the tuna has a very strong taste, like it was cut from one of the more dark pieces of the tuna, which aren't as delicate and way more fishy.

Overall, I'm not disappointed, it's not soon to become my most favorite place for sushi by far, but I'd come back to take advantage of their bento lunch or one of the specials. It may be worth it to come and have rolls during happy hour, as they seem to have a good menu with many choices.

Coffee is just a part of my personality. Without it, I don't feel complete. I had never been to Cloud City before but any establishment that sells my fuel is worth a visit to me.

I thoroughly enjoyed my double shot coconut mocha.  I got it non-sugar free which is a rarity nowadays, but I was feeling quite saucy that day.  The espresso was perfectly brewed, when it isn't you can taste it- it's either way too strong or acrid or tastes burned. These two shots were brewed immaculately.  The chocolate was the perfect proportion to the coconut, which was not overdone at all. Sometimes, too much of the coconut syrup can make your drink taste like the scent of tanning lotion. Not this drink. It was very well balanced and I sucked it down like it was my lifeblood. And super affordable. My drink and my friends' drink cost under 6 dollars. Unheard of in the land of corporate coffee shop.

It was a cool, inviting neighborhood coffee shop. And I hear that there is coconut bread? Oh yeah. I will definitely be back again.

This is more like 3.5 stars, but, five long years of using Yelp, and we still have no half-star rating system.

This is my friend Nice Kevin's favorite Mexi-fare restaurant, and so when we were drinking across the street on Cinco De Mayo, we figured it was probably an awesome idea to go and get a late lunch there.

We were seated, served chips promptly (rainbow colored ones! Idk how authentic that really is, but whatevz.) and two kinds of salsa.  Water was also brought with a quickness. They were trying to feed us some tequila but we politely declined.

I ordered Enchiladas Verde, which is kinda my thing I suppose besides Chile Relleno, which I didn't notice on the menu.  The plate came out fast. One chicken, one cojita cheese enchilada. No neon orange cheese used. That was a high point. The Verde was pretty good, and was actually very spicy compared to the other versions I tried, which are usually pretty mild. I will however, complain that their food was a little overseasoned, which I prefer over any underseasoned bland Mexi-fare any day, but it was a little offputting to taste so much garlic in their verde.

The rice was just meh. Didn't have an explosion of flavor.  But I was pleasantly surprised that the beans weren't whipped, pureed and refried, they were whole, perfectly cooked, delicious pinto beans. Love pinto's.

I'd say if you live or work in this neighborhood, it's definitely the best option, quality wise and price wise.  If you are willing to travel a little farther west, there's better food to be found. All in all, i'd definitely come back for a return visit.

ZOMGZOMGZOMG. I'm like a kid in a candy store. So much beer. Aahh, beer. Glorious, liquid golden deliciousness. And all types! Single bottles, big and small, single cans, six-packs, and limited edition boxed collections. You can tell from what they have chosen to showcase that they are really passionate about beer.

They even had a pretty nice selection of Polish, Czech, and Russian beer. Yeah, I was instantly impressed with that part of the selection, because of the attention to the imports that Special Brews put into it's offerings. The store isn't as big as some of the other specialty brew stores I have visited, but their selection is nonetheless very impressive, and they definitely know what to keep stocked.

They have a small bar where they rotate out 5 or 6 beers on tap. It is a well balanced combination of variety and simplicity to make it completely awesome. I'm jealous of the mugs on the wall, that belong to the regulars that get to come here all the time. I got to kick back with a few pints, and although it was crowded, one of the regulars moved seats so me and my companion could sit together.

It is such an amazing little store with a welcoming, neighborhood feeling. I just adored it, and I will be returning. I'm glad I know there is a place in the north end where all of my beer fantasies will come true.

Went to my first show here at this venue, and as far as music venues go, this location of the Showbox in SoDo wasn't half bad, a pretty perfect place to stage a metal concert, as a matter of fact.

The beer and drinks were all pretty standard priced for downtown proper, but they weren't cheesy-watered down tasting, they were decent pours, and the bartenders were all really great.  We sat in the restaurant/bar area, yet we didn't order food. Maybe next time.

The sound system could use a little attention, but the flashy stage effects were pretty dang awesome. I didn't like being corral-led into a boxed off area to drink, though. I suppose it does cut down on the mess a little bit.

I have been to skeezier looking and smelling venues and I was actually quite pleased to be in one that was clean and pretty well maintained. Overall, i'd come back to see another show here, and I can't usually say that for other venues.

I totes thought there was gonna be banh mi here, or at least something edible other than the ubiquitous bags o chips and candy and stuff.

Apparently they had them on pictures at the front counter, but according to the less than cheerful lady staff member- "the kitchen was closed". At 6pm on a Monday. So, like, when the fudge DO you have the freakin banh mi, because the place looked like a goddamn wasteland, like there had never ever been a deli counter ever.

And, don't call yourself a goddamn deli if you have a case that is clearly labeled "sandwiches" and is only full of Lunchables and skeezy lookin individually wrapped cheese.

And you can't even change a goddamn 20 dollar bill? That's just a straight up lie. What a waste of time.