Naurry "Quasi-Evil" K.'s Profile

To say this is where meat-lovers go to die would be an understatement. I came here on an early Saturday evening to celebrate my coworker's birthday and left meat-drunk and happy.

Start off at the "salad" bar - salad is in quotes because it offers so much more than salad; there are various cheeses, salamis, pickled vegetables and breads. I was particularly tickled to see feijoada at the end of the salad bar. It wasn't the best I've had but given it's served as a side at Novilhos it was very tasty. There is an incredible cheesy bread at the table but try to resist it along with the mashed potatoes, fried polenta and fried bananas.

Once you have a plate and the little pog (you remember pogs, right?) turned green, the decadent entourage of steak, pork, lamb and chicken flow to your plate as fast as you can eat it (or until you turn your pog over). Remembering the different meats was easy at first but once I hit meat-drunk I couldn't care less - I do remember the bacon-wrapped filet mignon being my favorite followed by the flank steak and lamb.

This place is expensive at $50 a head but it's well worth it for you meat fiends. I recommend resisting the salad bar and sides as much as possible and as delicious as they are and keep your eye on the prize. (And wear your fat pants.)

Here's the checklist for a good bar:
1. Beer
2. Liquor
3. Service
4. Regulars
5. Atmosphere

In addition to the "must haves" here's bonus "nice to haves":
1. Free snacks
2. Distractions
3. Comfortable seating

And the 9lb Hammer has those in spades. I wouldn't classify this as a dive bar per se but it's far removed from the cocktail crafters of Belltown and Capitol Hill. I'm fond of everything they've done and it would get 5 stars from me if they had more offerings of food.

Note: There's a  tamale vendor selling out of the side door.

You know when it's love at first sight. You just know. But that doesn't mean there aren't bumps along the way.

I've been eyeing this place for a long time but always happened to be on my way home after patronizing one of the groovy bars in Georgetown; it was an afterthought and I was missing out.

The moment I stepped into Fonda La Catrina, I dug the vibe and felt comfortable among the patrons. I sat at the edge of the bar because Seattlites don't seem to understand that it's not ok to leave an empty bar stool as an invisible border on a crowded Saturday night. Along with my friend, we got an order of chips and salsa - I got the margarita and enchiladas; while it was superb, the service was very slow. I chalked it to the newness of the restaurant and the staff getting their groove.

My second visit occurred on a Wednesday evening; again it was packed. Service was again excruciatingly slow but the food was so, so, so delicious. (I ordered the tamales for those keeping track.)

I finally returned for my third (and possibly my final trip) and I'm happy to announce the service quick, friendly and the food was awesome! The restaurant was pretty empty and the snob/hipster/curmudgeon likes it that way. My margarita was excellent and the puerco en salsa verde, incredible.

I'll return for a fourth visit and hope Fonda La Catrina has established a service rhythm that matches their food.

Came here for an impromptu birthday dinner with a few of my friends last Sunday evening. Never having Senegalese cuisine, I came unprepared for the incredible flavors and variety of dishes I partook in.

We ordered two appetizers the shrimp tems, an Asian-influenced dish (who knew there were Asians in Senegal?) that are very similar to egg rolls. It's served with a sauce that seemed a little bland for me but hot sauce is readily available if asked for. (I swear it's the chili paste from Sriracha.) And the chicken.. errr.. I'm afraid the names are escaping me.. which were also fantastic. Then we proceeded to the main course of veggie yafasa(?), a rice dish with fried vegetables, another rice dish with fish and sweet potatoes and a lamb curry. There were so many other dishes I wanted to try but 4 people can only eat so much.

La Teranga is situated in a sliver of space next to Wabi Sabi and the seating is tight with 5 tables (for 2 diners) settled against the wall. So while it may be easy to get seating now with the newness of La Teranga, I imagine that will change as the restaurant gains notoriety in the Columbia City neighborhood.

Entering the glass doors of Ground Kontrol is stepping through a rift in the space-time continuum. I'm transported to yesteryear where comics were under a dollar, the Interwebz didn't exist and BMX bike was my preferred mode of transportation. They have a surprising number of old-school games, some of them being my favorites like X-Men and TMNT. Unfortunately I've forgotten how to play them so the playtime per quarter ratio was way off but I do make significantly more money now.

They allow kids in during the day time so it's not strictly adults only. I think there was a birthday party going on while I was there on a Saturday afternoon.

My only gripe is the ATM spits out $5 bills because I was loading up ammo for adult activities for that night, I wasn't keen on having a gangsta roll of 5's. (That should be another review.)

I've never actually eaten at Pie but I imagine it goes something like this:

"Which do I get? The mac and cheese or broccoli cheddar? I'll get the broccoli cheddar."
*nom nom nom*
"That was delicious, I'll try the mac and cheese."
*nom nom nom*
"Oh lord that was tasty, now I need a dessert pie. How about caramelized pear?"
*nom nom nom*
"Mmmmm.. I've got room. One more..."
*nom nom nom*

And the vicious cycles continues indefinitely. This is why I always have my pies to go; my laziness trumps my appetite all times. I have never had a bad pie there and sometimes, just sometimes, the crust is better than the filling. But if you had to twist my arm the mac and cheese with peas is my favorite.

Originally a Larry's Market, for you local historians, was a localvoire's haven before the term localvoire was coined. Fast forward to present time and Metropolitan Market's location is still a hallmark of Queen Anne.

Ignore the fact they're more expensive than Safeway down the street. Ignore the panhandlers and canvassers that ambush you as you navigate the steps towards the half-sunken entryway. Ignore the odd layout of the store...

But notice how the management of MM have made a large market seem homey and neighborhoody. While their selection isn't grandiose it always hits the mark. I've always gone in there and found what I needed with little trouble. The service is pleasant with nary of pretention.

After 14 hours of driving, 2 Rockstars, a latte and scotch tasting, anything edible would've tasted gourmet. However my entre was especially delicious because the server and chef allowed me to substitute the side of cabbage with jojo potatoes and chimichurri sauce. The mac and cheese was served in a cast iron skillet with baked breadcrumbs and so incredibly delicious.

The restaurant was very cozy bordering on cramped but the atmosphere was awesome. And our server was both gracious and friendly.

There's always a line when I walk by this place and frankly I'm tired with an eye-roll of popular places like these. Fads that pass by with the seasons. However, even though I'm not prone to exaggerations or hubris...

Blue Bottle served the best latte I've ever had. Ever.

An adorable cafe in a small neighborhood oasis; this week is a soft opening for The Fat Hen with many pedestrians and bikers doing double-takes at the new establishment in Whittier Heights.

The cafe's charming facade with big storefront windows is inviting but the delicious aroma of fresh baked pastries truly welcomes hungry patrons. The ceiling is high and open exposing the original wood rafters and cross braces. As the attention is drawn downwards to eye level, the white wainscoting, marble counters and kitchen accoutrements lend itself to an idyllic, country feel.

I had the pleasure of trying the eponymous The Fat Hen an egg scramble with cherry tomatoes and olive oil - very simple and very delicious. (Maybe I have an obtuse palate but the eggs could've used a touch of salt to bring out the cherry tomato flavor.) My guess is they're tweaking the menu and experimenting with what works for them. I have no doubt this husband and wife cafe will flourish in the Ballard community.