Dawn "ElliottBayHRM" A.'s Profile

I've enjoyed UMI for about two years.  Up until my move to Maple Leaf, we visited about once a week.  Love the creativity of their menu, the freshness of their ingredients.  

The Extreme Tarantula Roll is my favorite.  The Green Delight is a favorite of my teenage daughter who currently believes she is a veggie.  They have enough variety on their menu that my cousin, who food allergies, is able to enjoy dinner out with us.

My one, big pet peeve . . .  they seem to be all about table turn over.  If is wasn't for this, I'd rate them a four star.

As soon as the last piece of Sushi has left the plate . . not even reached your lips. . . someone swooping in to take it away.  Doesn't matter if you have enjoyed the ginger or if there is dicon or something left on it.  Its gone.  Occasionally, they take the time to ASK if you are done.  But in most instances nope.

We went to Salvatore last night to celebrate our anniversary. In the past we have opted for a downtown restaurant for such a occasion, but thought we'd give a local restaurant a try.

Atmosphere:
Delightful. Nice ambiance and comfortable seating.

Service:
It is so refreshing to have a restaurant in the US with the European style of dining. No pressure, no time constraints. Its and experience and not a race.

Food:

We ordered off of the special menu and found the wild boar delightful. Its the first time I had boar (tastes like pot roast). Served with fresh parapadelle. Delightful.

Wine:

The waiter, Manuel, was beautiful. That's the word he used to punctuate every interaction. He was gracious when we asked if he could cork a bottle of expensive Champagne that we brought with us and provided a full set up.

Later, he recommended a delicious red to go with the boar and the tenderloin medallions.

I'd definitely go back. Not a five star or four star in my opinion, but for the proximity its on the rotation list.

I wonder how UPS can possibly show their faces in this town!

First off, FedEx managed to make it out in the same conditions AND deliver the packages on time!

I've had packages in the center since the 16th . . .two weeks!! No word form UPS and their updates to their tracking sucks. Last night they managed to get three of the ten packages they have to our front door.

Really. . . why the half ass effort. If you are already at our door why not deliver ALLL the packages.

We typically have 3-4 packages delivered a month . . in the future, if I have a choice, I'll pay more to NOT use UPS.

Come on PEOPLE!

The first time I went to Divine I was amazed that such a gem was hidden in the Maple Leaf neighborhood!

We sat in the patio area and enjoyed the octopus appetizer very much. Since that first visit, I've probably been there three or four more times. The menu is always fresh and interesting. The staff knowledgeable and charming.

Sunday night is 1/2 price bottle night which makes for a great evening.

I'm a huge fan of the atmosphere and the environment, however, a few of the two top tables are quite .. . um, shall we say, 'cozy'.

They don't open until four, and as they are quite popular get a reservation before hand. Don't be surprised if you call and the phone goes to voice mail.

All things considered, when you dine at Divine, you are in for a treat.

The whole idea of the Northgate Seattle Athletic Club being 7 blocks from my house AND having a pool was enough to have me ready to sign up on the spot.

The sales agent was very freindly and kindly left day passes at the front desk for us.  Then the experience took a huge turn for the worse.  The locker rooms were the most run down and disgusting places I had ever been!

The weight equipment was probably new in the 1970's, the cardio equipment was new; however, they had crammed as many machines into small cardio room as they could.

The pool .. .  was 3ft deep and easy to get a lane.  Sure that was because everyone would be afraid to swim in it for fear of catching something.  

When you compare the facilities in the area and the membership fees. . . .Seattle Athletic Club really needs to rethink their facility.

Love love love there gyros sandwich!  (lunch menu)

We've been going to Costas for years. . . since before the remodel.  There food is always delicious.  There salads are creative and very generous.  Its been my suspicion that the waitress(s) are part of the family.  

Get there early if you want a booth and on Friday and Saturday nights they often have belly dancing. . . fun for the whole family!

The flaming cheese is one of our favorite appetizers (Saganaki) and the Korfu Cota is absolutely delicious!

I've been going to Qazi's since it opened in 2003.  Since the change of owner about two years ago, I've been increasingly dissapointed with the food and the service.  The owner is so rude to her staff, I actually feel guilty eating there.  

I've gone from at least once a week to once every couple of months.  After my last experience on Wednesday, I won't be going again.

I really don't know what all the hype is about Portage Bay Cafe.  

The service was okay .. . although they lacked serve from right, pick up from left knowledge and were to identify the cue of knife and fork together on the plate mean I'm done . . . even if there is still 2/3 or my meal on the plate.

Was there a reason 2/3 of my meal was still on the plate, actually, yes.

The Dirty Saffron rice was completely over cooked and under seasoned.  The crab cakes were OK.  Nothing to right home about.  I did find the ginger interesting, but overwhelming of the delicate crab.  

There was some unidentifiable sauce, a remoulade maybe? With unidentifiable components on which the cakes were 'artfully' plated.

Would I go back . . . only if I had to.

Highlights of the evening:

The Wild Berry Ice cream was a favorite by those with a sweet tooth at the table.  It disappeared in seconds . . . which could not be said for the rest of the meal.

Synopsis:
While we were in Anchorage for the Mayors Marathon, we went to Simon and Seafort's based on the four star rating from Yelp .  We were smart enough to get a reservation before hand. . . other wise, we probably would have to have found someplace else to eat as the line was out the door.

While the menu was creative, the chef had a heavy hand with the salt.  My friend and I ordered the Seafood Cannolli . . . which neither of us were able to finish more than two bites . . . there was at least 300% of the recommended daily allowance of sodium in the the entree.

The waiter was very eager to please in a refreshing, boyish kind of way . . .. we were a little confused when he kept apologizing for the delay in getting our appetizers and entrees  . . . until we figured out that the prime motivation was table turnover -- to the point of annoyance.  

At one point, we were so put off by the 'rush' we were getting, we pulled out a deck of Uno cards just to see the reaction on the waiters face.  He did a triple take and blanched visibily.

We were also surprised at how attentive the wait staff was in refilling our water glasses . . .until we realized that they were coming by our table so they could get an eyefull of the  overly exposed cleavage of the women sitting in the table behind us.  I'm sure there was a path worn thin in the carpet as a result.

Definitly not the experience we were expecting.

Loved the food.  Loved the wine.

Very creative tapas dishes, perfectly prepared.

The wait staff is knowledgeable and friendly.