James "Prada Boy" E.'s Profile

The café proudly boasts "Eat like you give a damn," and yet its food is prepared with the assertiveness of a wallflower at a middle-school dance.

We ordered the vegan banana pancakes and the tofu scramble. I was genuinely happy to see vegan items on the menu; my weekend breakfasts haven't been the same since Michael and his partner closed The Globe on Capitol Hill. I was initially trepidatious about ordering the banana pancakes since they were topped with a Nutella-like spread, but I figured "How bad can it be?"

What I neglected to see on the menu was the mention of rice flour used in the pancakes. The pancakes had the crisp exterior of a dosa and the gravity of a lead balloon in its starch. Syrup barely moved these pancakes off the roof of my mouth, and I was having a hard time tasting any banana in the mix.

The tofu scramble came with a slice of thick, toasted wheat bread and a wrapped tab of butter. I'm surprised neither the kitchen nor our server took a moment to consider something other than butter with two vegan plates.

My partner was the first to sample the scramble. "The tofu...it's cold." and so it was! And not very well flavored. At best, we figured the kitchen tossed tofu into ready-made items, threw paprika on everything and called it good. Not only was the tofu cold but it tasted almost like cheese. I wonder if the kitchen properly separates its tofu from dairy products?

The worst and greatest offense during our meal was the discovery of meat in our tofu scramble. Our server apologized for the meat in our meal, followed with a recited disclaimer of "the kitchen does its best to keep the line clean, but sometimes these things happen." So, neither the kitchen nor its staff possess the integrity that's required of such a bravado café credo.

Before our meal, I was suggesting the café as a great way to eat with family or friends without veg*ns or omnivores having to sacrifice their eating habits for the sake of culinary harmony. After our meal, I am quite content to never eat there again.

The café's slogan looks great on mugs and tees, so that's worth a star.

A new sushi restaurant on Capitol Hill dictates reservations. Especially when the restaurant's website offers reservations as a navigation option. The User Interface was slightly cumbersome on my iPhone but I was able to place a reservation for a Friday evening on a Tuesday night. We received confirmation the following day: a table for 4 at 8:00 p.m.

The restaurant was busy but true to its word we were seated at 8:00 p.m.; a booth close to where the sushi chef and folks were crafting their sushi goodness. The hostess apologized for the lack of menus (1 for our table) but we made do. The booth provided ample space for our jackets by our sides and the many plates on our table. We had a great view of the atrium--my only wish is that snowfall graced our evening because it would make the atrium that much prettier.

Our waiter was friendly and polite--just enough without teetering on uncomfortable. He recommended several vegetarian options for me and my partner, including a tofu dish on the traditional Japanese menu that was absolutely fantastic. Our waiter was proud to state the tofu is homemade: the texture was somewhere conventional silken and firm, yet completely delectable.

Our friend ordered the halibut cheek starter and couldn't stop raving about the delicate meat and its fantastic spicy sauce accompaniment. We were too busy inhaling our appetizer of sauteed mushrooms to hear every word of praise. You definitely want to order the mushrooms (or the halibut cheek, if you're into that sort of thing).

Through no fault of our waiter, the timing between drinks, appetizers, and sushi plates wasn't well orchestrated. But when the sushi arrived, all was forgiven. We ordered the green goddess--seems to almost be a standard among local sushi restaurants--the lucky leprechaun, and something called the Coco-Loco (banana and asparagus tempura rolled in rice and topped with avocado). The Coco-Loco was somewhere between dinner and dessert, nonetheless flavorful. My partner loved the green goddess but my favorite was the lucky leprechaun. The mango and avocado are a match made in heaven, and the spicy sauce lacing the rolls and the plate is nothing short of miraculous.

Our friends ordered spicy tuna and some other items that I didn't pay attention to. But I should note that the spicy tuna was regarded as fabulous. Again, if you're into that sort of thing, order the spicy tuna.

At other sushi restaurants, it wouldn't be unusual to order additional rolls because we would still be hungry. As it so happens, we ordered just enough food to leave room for a delicate dessert. Chestnuts, cake, and a chunk of chocolate. The presentation is a bit sophomore but you won't care after your spoon moves through the layers like a knife through soft butter.

Despite the lack of synchronicity between orders, everything was exemplary. I would even go so far as to update my review to 5 stars if Momiji can produce more menus and improve its timing.

We used Awesome Movers again today; Mike, Jesse, and Stu were prompt, polite, and professional. Even when Mike was chastised by an owner of a shop behind Rollin Street for not having his moving fan 8 feet forward for her invisible customers to roll up in their luxury (read: unnecessary) SUVs. Mike kept his cool and relented to the hateful sow's demand. He and his team moved all our belongings swiftly, and their prices are still awesome.

OMFGG* this family-owned restaurant is AMAZING. I'd like to think that I make a pretty good houmous at home but this place put my shit to shame. Pairing that houmous with the tzatziki, feta meze, and skordalia is sheer bliss. As in, screw Emily Post and her etiquette, I need to lick these ramekins clean. (Tip! Order extra pita. Unless you want to find yourself using your fingers to sop up every last drop of these dips.)

My homemade vegan spanakopita cannot even compare to the homemade goodness in this joint. Every bite of that pie was like melting deeper into culinary bliss. The dill! The mint! The OMFGG deliciousness.

Know what's Greek for "amazing"? Three words: baklava. ice. cream. with cinnamon and toasted sliced almonds! That dessert was the perfect ending of a meal that left me wanting to offer a fitting sacrifice to the pantheon of gods for such amazing cuisine. This restaurant is now on my list of places I must patronize every month.

(*Oh My F_cking Greek Gods)

Mizuna understands modern dining: a menu not only for omnivores but a separate one for veg*ns. +1 for assuaging my fears and assuring veg*n diners that separate grills are used during food preparation.

The menu is not standard veg*n fare of pasta with salad. Far from it. I started with a vegan herbed cauliflower soup (loved!) and enjoyed the vegetarian special of the evening: mushroom and scallion fritters (that were okay) atop a bean gratin (OMG LOVE) and served with an heirloom tomato salad (fabulous). I would return to Mizuna any day of the week for that soup and/or bean gratin, and I'd gladly return to sample the rest of the veg*n menu.

Our server was an absolute delight. She was ebullient and attentive. More importantly, she wasn't there unless we needed her. I always appreciate excellent service like that.

Now if only I could get that recipe for the soup...

My partner has wanted to kayak on the lake(s) for as long as I can remember--or so he tells me, I can't remember. For his birthday, I decided it was time to take him kayaking. It took me a few times to reach a live person at NWOC, but reserving 2 kayaks was a breeze. We arrived at 10:00, were quickly suited and off on the water in no time.

This was my first time kayaking so it took some time for me to get the logistics right. From Lake Union, we made our way to the Arboretum where we paddled in/around/through lily pads. We spent 2 hours on the water--my partner says 2.5 but I'm not splitting hairs--and the cost was very reasonable! I would definitely rent from NWOC again.

One useful note: get yourself a massage the day after you kayak, your shoulders will thank you.

My partner and I each had a pizza here, and not an hour later we both had to find the nearest bathroom/safe haven. I'm also enjoying this free dizzy spell that makes everything feel like a perpetual roller coaster ride. Not sure what was in our pizzas to cause this reaction but we won't be coming back.

The property managment company that governs Rollin Street has changed its administrative staff during our lease, and the new regime leaves much to be desired. We received the new terms of our lease, and the honeymoon is most certainly over. We only pay $50/month for parking, and now we are being told that same parking privilege is $125/month. "Pet rent"-do not get me started-was waived in our original lease, but now it is a non-negotiable $25/month. The new lease also requires renter's insurance for a minimum of $50,000 in liability. Asking tenants to assume the cost of liability with renter's insurance is not required by law, but it is shady--especially for companies looking to trim their liability costs.

So what's changed in the 22 months that we've lived at Rollin Street that these terms are required and immovable? When we first moved into Rollin Street, the building had concierge service, two guest rooms, and a dog park across the street. Within a year of living in the building, one guest room was converted into an apartment, the concierge was relieved of his duties, and the dog park is now a community playfield. The building also had a large maintenance staff which was also paired down, however these gents are worth their weight in gold.

The assistant manager told me that she would fight for us when it came to what was negotiable. Parking would be $75/month instead of $125. "Pet rent" is non-negotiable. I asked why a neighbor with two cats could have pet rent waived but not us? She replied that our first lease waived pet rent but now management makes these calls on a case-by-case basis. I asked to elaborate on the criteria. She didn't (read: couldn't) give me an answer, only that the building is 99% occupied with 1 apartment left. A quick visit to craigslist showed not 1 but 5 active occupancies in the building, and these ads have been reposted in the 30 days to maintain visual prominence. I suppose being lied to is a luxury experience heretofore unknown to my plebian senses.

The current regime also rents to an uncanny amount of smokers in the building. Why, exactly, smokers move into a building that they know is designated as non-smoking? I couldn't tell you. When I address this issue, I'm told to catch my neighbors in the act. So, now I need to police neighbors in addition to lightening the liability burden for the property managment company.

Talk to any tenant/neighbor in the building and you'll notice that everyone was given a different deal to sign a lease. Or maybe not a deal at all. That's the magic of a case-by-case basis!

The building itself is wonderful. I wish I had better things to say about the property management company and its leasing practices.

I bought my first FREITAG backpack at Flight 001 eleven years ago. Recycled truck tarps, inner tubes, and a bit of Swiss magic (read: design) have kept me eco-chic with a backpack that can take a beating and still look as good as the day I bought it. Over time, my collection has come to include a wallet, a sleeve/cover for my iPhone, an overnight/gym bag, and a few items for my partner. We stopped into the Flagship Store yesterday and met the CEO who flew in from Switzerland to promote a new bag. She couldn't have been any nicer to us--the sales associate in the store was equally nice and charming.

You might suffer from sticker shock but consider this: your bag will never die. Hand to God. I've taken my backpack to numerous countries in all manner of weather conditions, and it's in stellar condition. Try having the same success with similar bags. And because no one bag is alike, owning a FREITAG is like owning a work of art.

We're heading home for Seattle today, and I've got myself a brand new bag. You might say it's the first of its kind to be sold around the world.

I done bought me a cap! The owner-cum-designer of the store fitted me with a cap that fits my fat head. I was expecting to pay more than I did for my cap, but trust me, I'm not complaining. I'll gladly point people to Block for their hat needs.