Jacob M.'s Profile

Ate here last night on a rather spur-of-the-moment date with my girlfriend so we didn't have reservations.  It was a warm-ish night and we got seated immediately on the side patio under some heat lamps, despite there being a wait for inside tables (8pm, Monday night).

We opted for a few sushi roll combos and got 1) Spicy Tuna roll that was crunchy/deep-friend on the outside with avocado inside with a wasabi mayo, 2) soft-shell crab with jalapeno, and the 3) Crab Dynamite roll.  

Wow! Definitely some of the most unique combos I've had - but as opposed to some places where the unique rolls end up tasting like a mish-mash of ingredients, these rolls had some of the most complex and well matched flavors I've had.  For example, the jalapeno had less of a bite, than good flavor and a little heat.  The Dynamite roll tasted like a crab-Indian food dish, mild curry, sounds strange - but awkwardly perfect.

Good place, definitely recommend coming here on a nice summer night - good date spot.  Not a quick, cheap sushi place - but nice for a little extra, and it doesn't hurt that you can walk across to the beach after dinner.

My local watering hole, which is definitely one reason why I like it so much.  3 blocks away, great, very hot, coffee, gourmet sandwich selection, awesome lox and bagels, and free wifi.  

One day I was here 3 separate times, most weeks though I'm here every other day.  

If you're in the neighborhood, don't miss it - though if you decide to come here because of this review and you see me walk in and there are no tables (limited seating), please promptly finish up and vacate your spot.  Thank you in advance.

Just went to Luella last night on a date, first date in fact.  We had an 8:30pm reservation and got the window table which was tres romantique especially with the rumbling of the cable cars on Hyde, though make sure you have a sweater or jacket because when people come in and out of the door there is a slight draft despite the valiant attempt made by the heavy curtains.

Food was good (3.5 out of 5), Coca-Cola braised pork shoulder and Day-boat scallops on risotto was tasty.  We got the smoked picadillo peppers stuffed with crab as the app - very rich.  Almost too rich, but good.  Apparently, they had taken the Tuna tacos off the menu that day - despite our server highly recommending us to them, without realizing that they weren't on the menu. (Slight faux-pas)

Dessert was the warm chocolate pudding, though more like a souffle topped with mascarpone cheese.  Easily the best part of the meal.

While the food was good, I can only give Luella 3 stars because the service struggled - not that our server wasn't attentive - she certainly was - too attentive in fact.  I felt like we were on the time-clock and they wanted us out of the restaurant asap.  We were on a date, hello, so we took our time, ordering entrees after the appetizer arrived, etc.  Though we definitely felt the pressure, in fact our server was evesdropping at the nearby bar and the second after we decided our entrees (between ourselves) the server came over and said, "I think I got that - it's the blah and blah, right?"  little creepy.  

When they say they close at 10pm they're not kidding and they make sure you know that it's time to go.  Our server brought the check once we were finished with dessert, without us asking, and they were practically putting chairs on tables at 10:15pm.  Had it been more relaxed we probably would have ordered another bottle of wine and upped the bill by another  40%, but whatev.

So, if you're looking for a place for a good food on a schedule (i.e. business dinner, or blind date = just-get-this-thing-over then this is your place.  But if you're looking for a longer more lackadaisical meal then either start dinner at 6pm (though I bet they'd rush you through to get the table for another reservation) or choose somewhere else.

Next time I'll try Frascati and we'll see how the restaurant on the adjacent corner compares on date night...

Last note, 1550 Hyde is another good option in the neighborhood and I know they don't rush you out - I've been there drinking wine long past closing, even drinking with the proprietors.

Pretty freak'n good.  I came here on the recommendation of a good friend who knows his restaurants in San Francisco, so I knew I could trust him. Definitely the first "Satay Bar" I've been, too, and I'm more than likely to return.

I sat in the bar/lounge because I was by myself (business trip).  I got three meat skewers ($3.25-4.95) and a corn on the cob ($1.99).  The "Peasant Chicken skewer" was extremely tender and wonderfully flavorful after marinating in curry and coconut milk.  It was served with a side of rice and a mildly spicy peanut sauce.  VERY good, and was my favorite, wish I could have traded one of my others for a second.

I also got the Thai Chicken skewer, which surprised me because it was ground chicken mixed with a bunch of spices like ginger, lemongrass and garlic.  When it arrived at the table it looked like pressed lamb/beef and caught me by surprise.  It was slightly over-seasoned to my taste but the green curry sauce it was served with was quite good.

My third skewer was the Beef (I forgot the name), which was also very good with a hoisin/teriyaki juices, I wish it came with a sauce like the others.  The corn on the cob had great flavor, some sort of 5-spice glaze, reminding me of chipotle (though-Asian).  It was slightly overcooked and the kernels were somewhat deflated by the time they arrived at the table.

Service was good despite the bustling bar.  Overall, a surprising value; I got 4 skewers and a G+T in one of the hottest restaurants in the city for a $22.00 bill.  Rock on.  I'd love to return next time in Seattle, though hopefully with more people so I could try more of the menu.

Ate here on my one night in Seattle, chosen by a friend.  Good place.  The raw oysters were good and fresh, they came with a tasty shaved-ice type cocktail sauce.  Then I had the Blue Plate special - didn't really know what to expect.  Basically, albacore tuna on a mashup of croutons and salad - also good.  My friend had the marinated Black cod - amazing.  Highly recommend that.

For dessert we had the chocolate mousse and the chocolate pecan pie - which was to die for.  For Pecan pie lovers - holy crap - I mean this thing was good.

Overall great restaurant, i was worried about the "touristy-ness" of it because it's located right by Pike's Market.  I don't think there was one tourist in the restaurant (except for me!).  Good local find, definitely recommend!

Random location, I walked past it 3 times before I had to ask someone where it was.  Good enough sandwich for 7 bucks, nothing gourmet but it worked.  Would I go back?  Probably if looking for an inexpensive, sandwich on the go.

Fresh from an appt with Dr. Torres, I must say that Eye Carumba definitely lived up to it's Yelp-utation.  Great service, Dr. Torres couldn't have been nicer and more encouraging, despite my poor eyesight.  

I would definitely recommend this place.  I have VSP insurance and my co-pay was only $25.  Now I'm excited to go back and check out the frame selection and get some great ones.

Thanks Dr. Torres and the Eye Carumba team!