Landon H.'s Profile

I've been members of 5 gyms in Alabama, Mississippi, and Seattle, WA. This is the nicest gym I've ever been a member of. In addition, it's cheaper than the local gyms.

Big open air weight section, gym, pool, personal training area, cardio theater (it actually shows movies all day long... it's awesome).

Free 7 day membership with no obligation. I loved it so much that I joined on the first day before I had even canceled my membership at the old one.

Ask for Brooke.. you'll get a dime tour and she will ensure you get the best package for your money.

This is truly some of the best coffee in Seattle and when we lived in Beacon Hill, this coffee shop (aside from the Light Rail) was the only saving grace for the neighborhood.

Simple, small space but great baristas who (while not always the most friendly) make one heck of an espresso.

The biggest downside is that they are not open after 6 PM. However, wandering around the neighborhood that late (while not necessarily unsafe) isn't the smartest idea.

Tips
- Park in the back if street parking isn't easily available.
- Their iced drinks are incredible... so don't feel shy about grabbing one on a warm day.

This place is incredible, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Yes, the decor may be a little over-the-top for young professional Belltown, but it's authentic to the original restaurant in Madrid. Yes, the restaurant itself is modeled after the home restaurant in Spain, and most of the staff moved here to start the restaurant in late 2008.

Come as you are, especially at happy hour. Between 4 people we split 5 tapas (all incredible) and 2 pitchers of sangria (amazing) and the the tab at $16 per person without tip.

Incredible. We just finished the meal and it was so good I had to post a review from my iPhone.

Quick turnaround. Extremely friendly. One of the best pan pizzas I've ever eaten.

As far a "that's my neighborhood bar" goes, Buckley's would have to be mine. Bartenders are incredibly friendly, even if you're not a regular. And if you are a regular, you get the royal treatment... which is fine by me. Good selection of beers, and sizable portions of food (try the sweet potato fries). Also, this is college football haven in Seattle.

What keeps Buckley's from receiving a solid 5-star rating is as follows:
- A couple of waitresses aren't the nicest to non-regulars, and if you take more than 2 seconds to decide on your beer or food, they'll give you a "just make up your mind and I'll be back in a few", only return return 5 minutes later, already looking more disgruntled.
- The menu items are just a little too expensive. I don't expect Buckley's to be priced like a dive bar, but I want it to be less than it is right now.
- They always try to sea non-regulars in the worst spots (i.e. in front of the window on a scorching day, furthest from the TVs when a big game is going on).

We lived at Axis for 1 year. I wish there was an option for 4 1/2 stars, because 4 stars doesn't feel right. The building was originally designed to house condominiums, though when the recession hit, Axis became apartments. This means that they are built to last.

At Axis, you pay (primarily) for the views and the location. We did it for 1 year and enjoyed every minute. This type of complex anywhere else in the city would have units going for 25-30% less per month.

PROS:
- Views: Elliott Bay to the west, Space Needle to the east.
- Location: Bars, restaurants, supermarket, coffee, Key Arena, and the waterfront all within 5-10 minutes, walking.
- Amenities: Gym, entertainment room, party room, and rooftop terrace (which has THE most amazing views of the city).
- Staff/Neighbors: Everyone watches out for everyone. It's going to be difficult to leave this aspect behind. Staff will address noisy neighbors immediately. Neighbors will dog sit, pick up your mail and/or large packages if you're out of town.

CONS:
- Unexpected costs: Utilities are divided evenly amongst all residents. So that means that each month, the single, frugal individual in the 1 bedroom will pay the same amount as the energy hog pair of roomies with the 2 bedroom penthouse. This was our biggest gripe, as our utility bill sometimes matched that of a typical 2 bedroom Seattle house, and yet we we were extremely frugal with our 1 bedroom unit.
- Parking: Paid garage parking is a necessity. Street parking is essentially a non-option, what with all the daily traffic for the Pacific Science Center and Key Arena.
- Storage: Extra space on the 1st floor costs between $50-200, and it will be needed if you expect to keep anything more than clothes in your room.
- Noise: Nothing unexpected when living in such a trafficked location, though the sirens, post-Key Arena-event-goers, and the sounds of bums arguing over cheap beer at 2 AM can grow a little old.

One of, if not the best British pub I've ever visited. Quaint and old without feeling rundown and dusty. Good food, nice selection of beers. Quite the journey from the center of London, but well worth the trek.

Only wish I lived in London so that I could frequent the Holly Bush.

People are going to naturally hate on this shop due to its 'Starbucks in disguise' label. One that it should definitely own up to.

If this was an independently owned shop whose owners toiled and troubled to make the design perfectly cozy and original, and the espresso perfect and fresh, then it would get a solid 4-star rating from me. However, the feel/design/decor/attitude was simply stolen from other Seattle-area independent shops, organized by a team of Starbucks think-tankers, and replicated in Disney-esque fashion. For that... I cannot embrace nor reward this location with 4 or 5 stars.

Positives: wine, beer, free wi-fi, better-than-Starbucks coffee, freshly ground and not made by machines.

Tried Vivace's sidewalk bar for the first time today and wasn't disappointed Not the best cup in Seattle (Stumptown & Zoka still lead my list) but the baristas truly attempt to make the coffee to your liking.

The people-watching aspect of this location is worth the price of admission. Capitol HIll's finest. Makes you proud to be a Seattleite.

Good coffee. Not great... good. (But it could always depend upon the barista.)

Love the decor. Shelves stack high with out books. You're tempted to grab any one of them in order to enjoy the cozy downstairs, upstairs, or outside (whose view of downtown/Space Needle/mountains is unparalleled by any other Seattle espresso joint).

Plan on visiting again; laptop and/or book and/or journal in-hand. Love the fact that they're open until 1 AM.