|
"my reality check bounced"
- 317 Friends
- 791 Reviews
- 4 Review Updates
- 373 Firsts
- 90 Fans
- 489 Local Photos
- 3 Events Submitted
- 53 Lists
-
Rating Distribution
Loading...
- View more graphs »
Review votes:
1604 Useful, 1110 Funny, and 1225 Cool
Seattle, WA
Yelping SinceJuly 2005
Things I Lovethe smell of new shower curtains, dark chocolate, organic fair trade coffee, turtles, the smell of gasoline, long dinners with friends, Camping
Find Me Indomitable
My HometownVashon Island
My Blog Or Website When I'm Not Yelping...I'm sleeping
Why You Should Read My ReviewsSometimes people pay me real money to write stuff
My Second Favorite Website The Last Great Book I ReadRed Mars/Green Mars/Blue Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
My First ConcertVan Halen - David Lee, baby
My Favorite MovieMaster and Commander
My Last Meal On EarthTang and an energy bar, right before lifting off to Mars
Don't Tell Anyone Else But...I eat garbanzo beans straight out of the can
Most Recent Discoverypupusas
Current CrushViggo Mortensen, Anthony Bourdain, David Bowie
DateSeattle, WA 98105
(206) 729-7184
AT &T
Category: Mobile Phones
Neighborhood: University District
Really, though, waiting a long time to go didn't do anything for my appreciation for the interior of Pair. I would have loved the cute, cozy, casual French country-ish decor just as much a couple of years ago. The out of the way neighborhood location and wide open doors on a sultry summer night would have charmed me just as much then as it does now. On the other hand, it makes me smarter, so who am I to complain?
The only things keeping this from a five-star review are the tables that are just this side of too small, seating that could be just a skooch bit comfier and the Potato Leek Gratin that, while good, had way too much salt. Service was good but not outstanding. There are several menu items I still want to try that will bring me back to Pair. I think that's an intelligent choice.
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 547-2369
Guanaco's Tacos Pupuseria
Category: Latin American
Neighborhood: University District
It's warm inside the restaurant - warm colors on the walls, warm temperature, warm smiles - and you will smell the cooking oil and hear a background of Spanish being spoken in the kitchen. I'm getting all warm and fuzzy thinking about it. Order at the counter, pour your own water and wait for your food to be delivered. Eat everything on your plate (except all of the curtido if you're a wimp like me). Then go back to the counter and order another pupusa, because at $2.10 each, why the hell not?
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 525-2347
Ravenna Third Place Books
Category: Bookstores
Neighborhood: Ravenna
What used to be a perfect "third place" is now a great bookstore, a great pub and a good cafe all under one roof. That doesn't sound terrible, you say. It isn't. It just isn't magical any more.
1 Previous Review: Hide »
-
8/29/2008
Listen up, bigger is not always better. Sometimes smaller compensates for lack of breadth and depth with the little things that really give long lasting pleasure, like lingering attention to details and superior personal service. In this respect, Ravenna Third Place Books scores over its bigger sibling in Lake Forest Park. Again and again and again.
This is my favorite bookstore in the city. A friend nails it when she calls it "Elliott Bay Book Co. without the tourist crowds." It has the old wood floors, the thoughtfully selected stock and staff picks, author readings and book groups meetings. They will order books for you when they aren't in stock and they will put books on hold for you when you call them up at, say, 9 p.m. on a Thursday night because you just realized you will finish the 2nd book of a trilogy that night and can't live without starting the third, but it just came out on Tuesday and you're worried that either they won't have it in yet, or it will be sold out. No problem, it's waiting for you to pick up as soon as you get off work Friday. Whew. Crisis averted. They also have their used books next to the new books on the shelf so you can decide which you want without browsing separate sections. Nice touch. And yes, I'll be paying the full, marked price for that newly released book, but I'm doing it deliberately, with forethought, because I care deeply about how and why and where I spend my money and will always support an independent bookstore over a national chain. Besides, I'll make it up browsing their awesome clearance tables.
The icing on this literary cake is having a bakery in the bookstore. Honey Bear's bacon sandwich is the perfect "after book shopping" treat. The sprinkles on the icing on the literary cake is the Pub downstairs. Books, bacon and beer? Call me one happy, satiated customer.
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 624-9984
Cascade Specialty Market
Categories: Grocery, Sandwiches
I'm not quite sure why the Market is never, ever crowded. Granted, its location is a little obscure next to Feierabend, but a place that sells good, hot empanadas, homemade sandwiches, gourmet chips, Theo chocolate bars, individual packages of Emergen-C, cat food, toilet paper, wine and ice cream should be busy. Throw in espresso, homemade egg salad, Ritz crackers, packages of safety pins, cans of tomato paste, Mountain Dew, fresh chicken and dumpling soup, deli meats sliced to order, frozen Amy's burritos, one of those little, high fee, freestanding ATM machines, tables outside on a patio and really nice people behind the counter and the place should be overrun. It generally isn't and I reap the "fast service" benefits of its obscurity.
Yes, working here is rather nice, but all the Vivace beans in the world couldn't make up for not having a good deli/market in the 'hood. Luckily I have both.
Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 784-5568
Señor Moose Café
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Ballard
Things have changed in the 3 YEARS since I wrote that first review, except that this place still fits me when I'm in a comfortable, no frills mood. Now, however, I want really good Mexican when I'm in that mood. Sopes con huevos for breakfast (I love those masa cakes and green salsa) and manchamanteles for dinner (I want to bathe in that mole for the pork and pineapple and plantains) are my current favorites.
Oh and yes, I am aware that because I was born and raised here I have no idea what really good Mexican food tastes like because there's never been anywhere to get it in this city. Well. There is now. So there.
1 Previous Review: Hide »
-
8/2/2005 First to Review
This place fits me when I'm in a comfortable, no frills mood. Friendliest people around who will talk to you from behind the long barstooled counter and let you watch them make your food. The spinach, havarti, mushroom omelet is my favorite breakfast and when I order tartar sauce for my lunch fries they oblige and handmake it since it isn't on the menu. The burgers are big and juicy and the place is as solid as the old wood floors.
In my case the answer is yes to all the above. Sue me. I'm a complex person. Unlike Art of the Table which is clean, fresh and deceptively simple. At Supper Club Chef Dustin will sound a gong between courses and in his own unique way will tell you stories about himself and his food and where and who the ingredients in your meal came from. It's refreshing and unpretentious - both his delivery and the meal. Expect to spend 3 hours in the warm and cozy place, but you'll be welcome to step into the kitchen and watch the masters at work or go outside to the patio between courses. Order the wine flight with dinner. It's well thought out and perfectly paired. Go with friends. Reserve your own table (there aren't many) or be adventurous and dine at the community table. Prepare to be enchanted. And quit worrying about whether or not you're a foodie. You can have your Twinkie and eat it too. Trust me on this.
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 204-9771
Txori
Categories: Spanish, Tapas Bars, Basque
Neighborhood: Belltown
I will return to Txori as there are several things I still want to try, I like tapas for dinner and despite the pretentiousness and the last server we had who had obviously been hitting the bottle all night, the servers were polite, efficient and informative. And I love that patio. I think I might have to find a new dining companion though. Something tells me she's not going back. Anyone?
The cabins are fairly new and still look and feel new. The diary left on the table for vacationers to write in is a testament to how much people liked being there. I liked it as well, though the setting isn't perfect by any means. If you're sitting outside or have all the windows open you won't be able to escape hearing the snap, crackle and pop of the high-tension electrical lines running through the park. The five cabins are spaced for fairly decent privacy and the greenery between the cabins is growing enough that it will be better in a few years, but there's nothing special about the gravel yards or the view of hills. The cabins are very comfortably furnished with bunk beds, a futon couch/bed, end table and dining table with chairs, all done in solid lodgepole style. There's a lamp, electric lights and outlets and a garbage can. If it had a bathroom it could pass for a good motel room. I'm assuming that because the park bathroom was constructed long before the cabins a shower wasn't considered necessary since there are only two tent spaces in the park. The park office sells firewood and every cabin has a firepit, picnic table and a barbecue stand. I am trying very hard here to not let my preference for tent camping with lots of privacy and lots of trees sway my judgement. These cabins are really good for people who want that kind of thing. People like my kids who don't really like camping because of "all the bugs." Sometimes it's hard to remember I gave birth to these people. There's also a large covered porch which was the perfect place to watch a "once in a decade" lightning storm.
The well maintained trail to the falls is rated "medium" and while you don't have to be in great shape to make it the 1.8 miles to the Lower Falls, you'll go pretty slow up the steeper grades if you aren't in moderate shape. The viewpoint at the Lower Falls is my favorite with a couple of choice spots for different aspects of the falls. Hiking on a weekday is not crowded. We passed a handful of people, and being only in moderate shape myself a handful of people passed me. We didn't make the 6 mile trip to Wallace Lake, but I do intend to go back and try it since it's only one exact hour from my home in northeast Seattle to the parking lot at Wallace Falls. I probably won't sleep here again though. I just can't call it camping if it doesn't involve a tent. And bugs.
Huh? It takes a really, really long time to pull a glass of Stella? Since when? Service this afternoon was a truly dismal one star. I don't like being ignored. I don't like the check being wrong the first time. I don't like that someone at our table couldn't get a damn glass of beer.
That being said, I've been here often enough to average out to three stars and this really is my absolute favorite deck in Seattle and the Melloncello Martini with limoncello and watermelon juice is a great accompaniment to envying the boats pulling up just feet away from you as you take in all the Lake Union sights at sea level. The Ahi Tuna sticks and taro chips and seaweed are also very good. So is brunch and it's still my go-to place for out of town family.
You're just taking your chances with the service. Good luck to you.
1 Previous Review: Hide »
-
1/14/2006
I have an out of town branch of the family that ALWAYS wants to eat here when they're in town. It's a tradition now, but I love the place for more than just that.The view is spectacular, the seafood superb and it's totally Northwest style, like a cedar longhouse. The open pit barbecue is cool and the smell will make you hungry the minute you walk in the door. Eat outside, or even pick up fish and chips from the counter, there are a variety of experiences here.
Unfortunately, the place is closed and being remodeled, but will be back open April 2006. I'm looking forward to it and hoping no out of town family shows up before then.
53 Lists
Karma failed me at this store.
When you walk in, any employee foolish enough to glance your way will just as quickly glance away to avoid having to say anything to you until they're damn good and ready. When they are ready, they will make a beeline to the person standing in front of the most expensive phone, regardless of the order in which customers arrive. They will rarely make any significant eye contact while helping you.
Do not buy a GoPhone here. Do that online. If you want a GoPhone (that's a pre-paid phone) you are the lowest of the low. Why you want a prepaid phone in the first place is irrelevant. When you buy a new phone and have them switch over the phone number and give you a new SIM card because the old one jumped into a swimming pool along with its phone and owner, you will ask about the $50 airtime credit that comes with the new phone. They will tell you that the credit only comes with new phone activations. 15 minutes later in the car on the way home a message will appear on the new phone stating the $50 credit is now active. Yay for that. Boo for the employee.
Oh, and of course, since karma failed me in this store, we also had to endure 15 minutes of a mother with 3 very young children running around and screaming in the store while knocking things off racks and playing under counters while mommy said things like "oh you precious poppets" and "you are such sweet muffins." This isn't the fault of the AT&T store, but it does make me wonder if this store is indeed a swirling vortex of bad karma.