This was the challenge.
Two hungry chicks.
One amazing Market, filled with food from around the world, and right here in Seattle.
We ate our way through Pike Place Market, one lunch at a time, starting February 2011.
There were approximately 56 places to eat lunch at Pike Place Market.
Here's to good food, full bellies, and the thrill of a challenge.
Start date: February 4, 2011
Completion date: December 27, 2012
Total lunch restaurants: 56
Rules:
1) The restaurant must be open and serving for lunch.
2) We must be together, eating at least one thing from the menu (we can share!).
3) The official list of restaurants is from Pike Place Market's own website.
One amazing Market, filled with food from around the world, and right here in Seattle.
We ate our way through Pike Place Market, one lunch at a time, starting February 2011.
There were approximately 56 places to eat lunch at Pike Place Market.
Here's to good food, full bellies, and the thrill of a challenge.
Start date: February 4, 2011
Completion date: December 27, 2012
Total lunch restaurants: 56
Rules:
1) The restaurant must be open and serving for lunch.
2) We must be together, eating at least one thing from the menu (we can share!).
3) The official list of restaurants is from Pike Place Market's own website.
Red indicates the Pike Place Market restaurant does not serve lunch, and was hence disqualified from our awesome challenge.
Lunch #1: Maximilien's at the Market
February 4, 2011
This is my go-to restaurant for romance and amazing French food. Angie chose it for her belated birthday lunch. And truly, there's no better place in the Market than Maximilien's for a special occasion. It simply oozes Frenchie awesomeness.
Eaten:
Denise: Duck leg confit with lentils and potatoes
Angie: Seared ahi with lobster bisque (it was a birthday lunch, after all)
Check total: Around $45. Expensive, but worth it.
Rating: 5 Flying Fish out of 5 (we know those French accents are fake, but we don't care! We love Max's!)
Eaten:
Denise: Duck leg confit with lentils and potatoes
Angie: Seared ahi with lobster bisque (it was a birthday lunch, after all)
Check total: Around $45. Expensive, but worth it.
Rating: 5 Flying Fish out of 5 (we know those French accents are fake, but we don't care! We love Max's!)
Lunch #2: Japanese Gourmet
February 8, 2011
mmm suuushi
So I've lived in the Seattle area since the 1970s, and I have worked for years near the Market.
Why have I never eaten here? I love sushi and all foods Japanese, and the price is right. Forgive me, Market gods, for I have overlooked an awesome little lunch joint.
Eaten:
Denise: Bento box with chicken teriyaki, salmon roll, miso soup, salad, and vegetable and fish tempura
Angie: A soup of tofu, chicken, and enoki mushrooms so large that it came in a veritable trough.
Check total: Around $20. Sushi goodness wrapped in a blanket of cheap. Me likey.
Rating: 4 Flying Fish out of 5 (only because service was slooow and dammit, we have jobs to get back to)
Why have I never eaten here? I love sushi and all foods Japanese, and the price is right. Forgive me, Market gods, for I have overlooked an awesome little lunch joint.
Eaten:
Denise: Bento box with chicken teriyaki, salmon roll, miso soup, salad, and vegetable and fish tempura
Angie: A soup of tofu, chicken, and enoki mushrooms so large that it came in a veritable trough.
Check total: Around $20. Sushi goodness wrapped in a blanket of cheap. Me likey.
Rating: 4 Flying Fish out of 5 (only because service was slooow and dammit, we have jobs to get back to)
Lunch #3: Crepe de France
March 23, 2011
Yes, we had a long break in our Challenge. Travel, foot surgery, etc. But we're back!
Crepe de France is one of those places I have always WANTED to try, but never did- other goodies at the Market always won over my stomach. But as I am a huge Francophile and a lover of crepes to boot, today was the day!
Eaten:
Denise: Smoked salmon crepe with cream cheese, dill, and green onion
Angie: The very same. That's why we're friends, you see. Our mighty minds operate on a similar wavelength.
Check total: With Snapple (oh how I wanted wine), tax, and tip, a larger-than-expected $16.00
Rating: 3 Flying Fish out of 5. I liked the crepes, but was saddened there was no chicken-in-wine-and-mushroom variety (my fave), and oh my god were these crepes expensive. Most are $11, which is bordering on crepery robbery. But that doesn't make them not yummy.
Crepe de France is one of those places I have always WANTED to try, but never did- other goodies at the Market always won over my stomach. But as I am a huge Francophile and a lover of crepes to boot, today was the day!
Eaten:
Denise: Smoked salmon crepe with cream cheese, dill, and green onion
Angie: The very same. That's why we're friends, you see. Our mighty minds operate on a similar wavelength.
Check total: With Snapple (oh how I wanted wine), tax, and tip, a larger-than-expected $16.00
Rating: 3 Flying Fish out of 5. I liked the crepes, but was saddened there was no chicken-in-wine-and-mushroom variety (my fave), and oh my god were these crepes expensive. Most are $11, which is bordering on crepery robbery. But that doesn't make them not yummy.
Lunch #4: Jasmine Thai
March 31, 2011
You can't roll a bowling ball down a Seattle street without hitting a Thai joint...but weirdly, there's only one in all of Pike Place Market since Typhoon! moved out in 2009. So if you're the only Thai restaurant in Pike Place Market, then by god you better make my tastebuds sing.
And sadly, Jasmine didn't. It was OK-good, but given my Thai options in the area, Jasmine Thai is probably not a place I'd return to. I want tons of spice and flavor and lots of veggies in my curry- not just a bowl o' bamboo. I want it all!!!
Eaten:
Denise: The daily special: Red Thai chicken curry with rice and a soft drink
Angie: Basil stir-fried fresh tofu with rice
Check total: With tip, the daily special was $10.00
Rating: 3 Flying Fish out of 5. So while it was good, it should be much better.
And sadly, Jasmine didn't. It was OK-good, but given my Thai options in the area, Jasmine Thai is probably not a place I'd return to. I want tons of spice and flavor and lots of veggies in my curry- not just a bowl o' bamboo. I want it all!!!
Eaten:
Denise: The daily special: Red Thai chicken curry with rice and a soft drink
Angie: Basil stir-fried fresh tofu with rice
Check total: With tip, the daily special was $10.00
Rating: 3 Flying Fish out of 5. So while it was good, it should be much better.
Lunch #5: Athenian Inn
April 7, 2011
The Athenian Inn's sign has hung over the main market stall corridor in Pike Place Market for as long as I can remember. And thus, like the tacky painting hanging on your mother's wall since 1972, I tuned it out years ago in exchange for more sexy, hip venues. But no longer! Today we broached the doorway of Athenian Inn for our weekly lunch.
The first thing I noticed is that the Athenian is HUGE. I thought it was just a little hole in the wall, but in fact it runs several floors, alongside the pricey Pike Place Market window-view real estate. This is not a good thing; this, in fact, screams "Let's fit as many sucker tourists in here as possible!". The food bore this out; the ahi in the tacos was a bit overcooked- no pink anywhere- and the sauce bore a strange resemblance to 1000 Island dressing.
Overall, I think this place is a great spot for tourists. For locals, it's a bit overpriced, and while the food is good, for that price point, you can get stellar food just steps away.
Eaten:
Denise: The daily special: Ahi fish tacos with a side salad.
Angie: Exactly the same. She's a copycat.
Check total: With tip, each of us paid about $19.
Rating: 3 Flying Fish out of 5. The view was lovely, the food was OK, the price was waaay too high.
The first thing I noticed is that the Athenian is HUGE. I thought it was just a little hole in the wall, but in fact it runs several floors, alongside the pricey Pike Place Market window-view real estate. This is not a good thing; this, in fact, screams "Let's fit as many sucker tourists in here as possible!". The food bore this out; the ahi in the tacos was a bit overcooked- no pink anywhere- and the sauce bore a strange resemblance to 1000 Island dressing.
Overall, I think this place is a great spot for tourists. For locals, it's a bit overpriced, and while the food is good, for that price point, you can get stellar food just steps away.
Eaten:
Denise: The daily special: Ahi fish tacos with a side salad.
Angie: Exactly the same. She's a copycat.
Check total: With tip, each of us paid about $19.
Rating: 3 Flying Fish out of 5. The view was lovely, the food was OK, the price was waaay too high.
Lunch #6: The Pink Door
April 15, 2011
First off, I am going to disclose that I am not a fan of Italian food. But I AM a huge fan of burlesque and outdoor deck seating- and since The Pink Door produces bucketloads of all three, I figured this could be a fair review.
So the Pink Door is kind of a Seattle/Pike Place Market institution. It's constantly on "Best Of" lists for Seattle (Mr. Frommer certainly luvs him sum Pink Door). But honestly, I'm not sure why. The food has always been Very Average to me- even their signature lasagne I've had in the past is kind of a yawner. Today was no different; Angie and I both commented on the underseasoning of our lunches.
But wait! What about burlesque and a patio, you ask? Well...at a rainy lunchtime, there was neither outdoor seating nor burlesque performers swinging over my head. Just underseasoned food. How sad.
Eaten:
Denise: Steamed mussels in a white wine and butter sauce
Angie: "Rags" pasta with vegetables, and Angie cleverly asked for a sprinkling of goat cheese on top. Sadly, the goat cheese was her favorite part.
Check total: With tip, the total was about $35 for both of us.
Rating: 3 Flying Fish out of 5. Now, throw a costumed aerialist in the mix and maybe I'd have bumped it to a 4. But then again, maybe not.
So the Pink Door is kind of a Seattle/Pike Place Market institution. It's constantly on "Best Of" lists for Seattle (Mr. Frommer certainly luvs him sum Pink Door). But honestly, I'm not sure why. The food has always been Very Average to me- even their signature lasagne I've had in the past is kind of a yawner. Today was no different; Angie and I both commented on the underseasoning of our lunches.
But wait! What about burlesque and a patio, you ask? Well...at a rainy lunchtime, there was neither outdoor seating nor burlesque performers swinging over my head. Just underseasoned food. How sad.
Eaten:
Denise: Steamed mussels in a white wine and butter sauce
Angie: "Rags" pasta with vegetables, and Angie cleverly asked for a sprinkling of goat cheese on top. Sadly, the goat cheese was her favorite part.
Check total: With tip, the total was about $35 for both of us.
Rating: 3 Flying Fish out of 5. Now, throw a costumed aerialist in the mix and maybe I'd have bumped it to a 4. But then again, maybe not.
Lunch #7: Three Girls Bakery
April 29, 2011
I will fully admit that until we did lunch here, I thought that Three Girls only made cookies and pastry. I am a huge fan of this place's chocolate crinkle cookies. But I had no idea that sandwich goodness was to be found inside. I'm not the biggest sandwich fan, but I do love a good Seattle salmon sandwich. And I love soup. The soup here was delicious enough that I wanted to strip, jump in the bowl, and swim around amongst the divine mushrooms. And it was cheap to boot! So Hurrah, me likey.
Eaten:
Denise: A grilled salmon sandwich with a cup of mushroom barley soup
Angie: Three Girls' Famous Meatloaf Sandwich, with a cup of mushroom barley soup
Check total: A measly $10 each. Three cheers for cheap lunch!
Rating: 4 Flying Fish out of 5. I'm not a huge sandwich fan, but I do luvs me cheap and housemade and yummy.
Eaten:
Denise: A grilled salmon sandwich with a cup of mushroom barley soup
Angie: Three Girls' Famous Meatloaf Sandwich, with a cup of mushroom barley soup
Check total: A measly $10 each. Three cheers for cheap lunch!
Rating: 4 Flying Fish out of 5. I'm not a huge sandwich fan, but I do luvs me cheap and housemade and yummy.
Lunch #8: Bacco
May 12, 2011
So...Bacco. Yeah. I always knew it as "the morning after place," because it's where you go for a juice and brunch after the Night Before. But a few years back, they decided to make it a full brekky-lunch place. Good decision? Well, here's my overall opinion:
It's hard to f**k up breakfast. Don't burn the toast, give lots of whipped cream and compote on the waffles, and don't break the eggs. But lunch is a bit harder- your 10-speed to your training wheels, if you will. I think I fell off Bacco's 10-speed (is that a weird metaphor?).
Everything we had was universally bland and undersalted.
So I say: Cooks of the world! Do not be afraid of salt! Salt is deliciousness and flavor and your way of telling us you love us. Today, Bacco gave us the finger.
Eaten:
Denise: Italian tuna panini with a side of no flavor and minestrone that was watery and dull.
Angie: Shrimp salad, also bland, and same sad minestrone. We noted the chick at the table next to us left most of her shrimp salad uneaten.
Check total: With tip, the total was about $14 each.
Rating: 2 Flying Fish out of 5. I can count 9 different places at the Market that are more worth my tummy time, and still have 1 finger left to poke myself in the eyeballs.
It's hard to f**k up breakfast. Don't burn the toast, give lots of whipped cream and compote on the waffles, and don't break the eggs. But lunch is a bit harder- your 10-speed to your training wheels, if you will. I think I fell off Bacco's 10-speed (is that a weird metaphor?).
Everything we had was universally bland and undersalted.
So I say: Cooks of the world! Do not be afraid of salt! Salt is deliciousness and flavor and your way of telling us you love us. Today, Bacco gave us the finger.
Eaten:
Denise: Italian tuna panini with a side of no flavor and minestrone that was watery and dull.
Angie: Shrimp salad, also bland, and same sad minestrone. We noted the chick at the table next to us left most of her shrimp salad uneaten.
Check total: With tip, the total was about $14 each.
Rating: 2 Flying Fish out of 5. I can count 9 different places at the Market that are more worth my tummy time, and still have 1 finger left to poke myself in the eyeballs.
Lunch #9: La Vaca Burrito Express
May 19, 2011
This little window walk-up joint sits on the border of the Market, facing 1st Avenue. I've walked by it many times, thought "I wonder if those burritos are as delicious as they look," and then kept walking.
Boy was I missing out.
Not only is the food here served quickly with super-friendly employees, but it's also dirt cheap, delicious, AND made to order. The only drawback is that given it's just a window, there's no seating. But then, Delicious Burritos+Sunny Spring Day=Awesome Lunchtime Picnic on the Harbor Steps!
Go. Eat. Enjoy tasty burritos in the sunshine. Life is short. Burritos are yummy.
Eaten:
Denise: Chicken burrito with red sauce. I loved that the burrito wasn't drippy or soggy or loaded down with cheesy topping.
Angie: Chicken burrito with green sauce. I think she said "fantastic," but she had a lot of food in her mouth at the time.
Check total: For a good-sized (not disgusting Bigger-Than-Your-Head portioning), made-to-order burrito AND a soda, it was just $6 each. Oh yeah baby.
Rating: 4 Flying Fish out of 5. Seriously, if they had chairs and a liquor license, they'd get 6 Fish. Hell, they'd go up to 11.
Boy was I missing out.
Not only is the food here served quickly with super-friendly employees, but it's also dirt cheap, delicious, AND made to order. The only drawback is that given it's just a window, there's no seating. But then, Delicious Burritos+Sunny Spring Day=Awesome Lunchtime Picnic on the Harbor Steps!
Go. Eat. Enjoy tasty burritos in the sunshine. Life is short. Burritos are yummy.
Eaten:
Denise: Chicken burrito with red sauce. I loved that the burrito wasn't drippy or soggy or loaded down with cheesy topping.
Angie: Chicken burrito with green sauce. I think she said "fantastic," but she had a lot of food in her mouth at the time.
Check total: For a good-sized (not disgusting Bigger-Than-Your-Head portioning), made-to-order burrito AND a soda, it was just $6 each. Oh yeah baby.
Rating: 4 Flying Fish out of 5. Seriously, if they had chairs and a liquor license, they'd get 6 Fish. Hell, they'd go up to 11.
Lunch #10: Matt's at the Market
May 25, 2011
Matt's is a Seattle institution. It is a pilgrimage of sorts for local foodies; this is not a place that attracts gawking tourists (let them have Lowell's!!!), given the unique, uncategorizable menu and higher prices. But if you love food, and love it even more when it's made from sustainable, local ingredients, AND served with a killer view, then you know and love Matt's.
It doesn't even matter that Matt himself is no longer a part of the restaurant; the simple and elegant food simply sets it apart. While this isn't a place I eat at regularly- my wallet can only spend so much- each time I eat here, I leave impressed and sated. It just makes me happy to be a Seattle girl.
Eaten:
Denise: Rare ahi tuna sandwich with peppers on an amazingly delectable potato bread, with a cup of tomato-fennel soup. The soup was divine. The sandwich was tasty but ginormous- I could only eat half.
Angie: The daily special, which happened to be pork posole, and a large side order of my emotional baggage (that's a matter for a whole different blog). Posole is a Mexican-style pork stew, and given that it was a rainy day, quite an apt special. Angie chose to commit a grevious Foodie Sin- by which I mean she requested sour cream to add to the soup and then SALTED it in full view of the open kitchen- but Angie loved the soup and besides, she's crazy anyway. Cut her some slack.
Check total: About $20 for each of us. Ouch. But yum.
Rating: 4.5 Flying Fish out of 5. I would give 5 except for the bruise left on my wallet. But I know that Matt's doesn't mean to hurt me and I'll only come back for more later.
It doesn't even matter that Matt himself is no longer a part of the restaurant; the simple and elegant food simply sets it apart. While this isn't a place I eat at regularly- my wallet can only spend so much- each time I eat here, I leave impressed and sated. It just makes me happy to be a Seattle girl.
Eaten:
Denise: Rare ahi tuna sandwich with peppers on an amazingly delectable potato bread, with a cup of tomato-fennel soup. The soup was divine. The sandwich was tasty but ginormous- I could only eat half.
Angie: The daily special, which happened to be pork posole, and a large side order of my emotional baggage (that's a matter for a whole different blog). Posole is a Mexican-style pork stew, and given that it was a rainy day, quite an apt special. Angie chose to commit a grevious Foodie Sin- by which I mean she requested sour cream to add to the soup and then SALTED it in full view of the open kitchen- but Angie loved the soup and besides, she's crazy anyway. Cut her some slack.
Check total: About $20 for each of us. Ouch. But yum.
Rating: 4.5 Flying Fish out of 5. I would give 5 except for the bruise left on my wallet. But I know that Matt's doesn't mean to hurt me and I'll only come back for more later.
Lunch #11: Virginia Inn
June 1, 2011
The Virginia Inn used to be a grubby tavern. Then is became a historical/cozy place to have drinks and some snacks. And then...they expanded, put in a kitchen, and became a snug, French neighborhood-gem-of-a-bistro.
I freaking love this place. Zinc tabletops, wooden benches, full bar, amazing food? Yes please!
Frankly, I am stunned that local lunchers and tourists in Seattle bypass the Virginia Inn (and its equally awesome next-door neighboor Le Pichet) for craptastic chain food or other, lesser Market options. Don't they know that these teeny places serve love and history and yum on a plate?
Eaten:
Denise: I forewent my usual Vietnamese mussels for the salmon burger. It was handmade, with handmade chips, on a decadent brioche bun. My belly says hells yes.
Angie: Andouille and shrimp gumbo, all the while bogarting my chips (a fair price for friendship, I shall note).
Check total: About $17/each with tax and tip. Luckily I forgot my wallet, so technically, this was free for me whilst I took advantage of Angie's generous nature. Score one for me!
Rating: 5 Flying Fish out of 5. Yes, it's a bit more expensive than I'd like, but simply being in the Virginia Inn makes me happy, and the food is awesome, and someday it will be warm enough to sit on their cute sidewalk patio. So color me happy.
I freaking love this place. Zinc tabletops, wooden benches, full bar, amazing food? Yes please!
Frankly, I am stunned that local lunchers and tourists in Seattle bypass the Virginia Inn (and its equally awesome next-door neighboor Le Pichet) for craptastic chain food or other, lesser Market options. Don't they know that these teeny places serve love and history and yum on a plate?
Eaten:
Denise: I forewent my usual Vietnamese mussels for the salmon burger. It was handmade, with handmade chips, on a decadent brioche bun. My belly says hells yes.
Angie: Andouille and shrimp gumbo, all the while bogarting my chips (a fair price for friendship, I shall note).
Check total: About $17/each with tax and tip. Luckily I forgot my wallet, so technically, this was free for me whilst I took advantage of Angie's generous nature. Score one for me!
Rating: 5 Flying Fish out of 5. Yes, it's a bit more expensive than I'd like, but simply being in the Virginia Inn makes me happy, and the food is awesome, and someday it will be warm enough to sit on their cute sidewalk patio. So color me happy.
Lunch #12: The Crumpet Shop
June 10, 2011
With the Pike Place Market's earthquake-proofing renovations, The Crumpet Shop has been closed for quite some time. This has, for reasons I don't fully understand, caused a bit of angst in Seattle. So imagine the collective sigh of joy when The Crumpet Shop reopened recently- 100% crumpetness, 0% earthquake fallout!
I've been here a few times for snacks or breakfast- while I am not a crumpet or pastry fanatic, I can appreciate a tasty hunk of bread and a pot of tea. But I've never done lunch here. My overall opinion? If you love crumpets, this is your mecca. But for me, the lunch menu was a bit lacking. I wanted a deli turkey or tuna crumpet, but cream cheese spreads, not meat, reign supreme here. So while this was not my favorite, I can see why Anglophiles would flock here in mad crumpety mobs.
Eaten:
Denise: Smoked salmon and cream cheese spread on a crumpet, topped with a scrambled egg. I do loves me some egg. And some vegetable soup.
Angie: Seriously, she ordered the Green Eggs and Ham crumpet. In her words: "Those eggs are definitely green." And a bowl of soup.
Check total: About $23 total for both of us. I paid, since I conveniently left my wallet at the office last week. And having noted last week's lunch was about $10 more, I suppose I need to spring for another lunch to make up the difference. Here's to hoping Angie's mad math skillz need tuning.
Rating: 3.5 Flying Fish out of 5. I don't love crumpets, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't.
I've been here a few times for snacks or breakfast- while I am not a crumpet or pastry fanatic, I can appreciate a tasty hunk of bread and a pot of tea. But I've never done lunch here. My overall opinion? If you love crumpets, this is your mecca. But for me, the lunch menu was a bit lacking. I wanted a deli turkey or tuna crumpet, but cream cheese spreads, not meat, reign supreme here. So while this was not my favorite, I can see why Anglophiles would flock here in mad crumpety mobs.
Eaten:
Denise: Smoked salmon and cream cheese spread on a crumpet, topped with a scrambled egg. I do loves me some egg. And some vegetable soup.
Angie: Seriously, she ordered the Green Eggs and Ham crumpet. In her words: "Those eggs are definitely green." And a bowl of soup.
Check total: About $23 total for both of us. I paid, since I conveniently left my wallet at the office last week. And having noted last week's lunch was about $10 more, I suppose I need to spring for another lunch to make up the difference. Here's to hoping Angie's mad math skillz need tuning.
Rating: 3.5 Flying Fish out of 5. I don't love crumpets, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't.
Lunch #13: Pan Africa
June 14, 2011
So let me just say here that THIS is why we're embarking upon this grand experiment (it's grand because I say so). I have walked by Pan Africa for years and have not once stopped in to eat. My (poor) excuse is that I've been to Africa several times, and none of those times did I go for the food. In fact, a recent trip to Egypt has forever cured me of desiring falafel again (note: can't wait to hit Falafel King).
So why did I pick Pan Africa? I stumbled across a menu of theirs on the web, and was intrigued. It sounded not only delicious, but unlike the food I ate while in Africa (note: where the hell was this food when I was in Africa??). Verdict: I love this place. The staff was super nice, the place is adorable, and the food is perfectly seasoned and absolutely delicious, while also being reasonably priced. I can't wait to go back and try more. Hakuna mattata!! (yes, they actually say that in Africa)
Eaten:
Denise: Chicken piri piri, served with a delicate pineapple slaw. Piri Piri is a rich vinegar-like sauce, absolutely divine. The server recommended it, so kudos to her.
Angie: She wanted the groundnut stew, but was cruelly denied when told there was none available. She settled for the tipi (meat) sampler platter. I do not think her enjoyment of said platter surmounted her bitterness over the absent groundnut stew.
Check total: About $12/each with tax and tip. Perfect lunch pricing, baby.
Rating: 4.5 Flying Fish out of 5. If only they'd had groundnut stew.
So why did I pick Pan Africa? I stumbled across a menu of theirs on the web, and was intrigued. It sounded not only delicious, but unlike the food I ate while in Africa (note: where the hell was this food when I was in Africa??). Verdict: I love this place. The staff was super nice, the place is adorable, and the food is perfectly seasoned and absolutely delicious, while also being reasonably priced. I can't wait to go back and try more. Hakuna mattata!! (yes, they actually say that in Africa)
Eaten:
Denise: Chicken piri piri, served with a delicate pineapple slaw. Piri Piri is a rich vinegar-like sauce, absolutely divine. The server recommended it, so kudos to her.
Angie: She wanted the groundnut stew, but was cruelly denied when told there was none available. She settled for the tipi (meat) sampler platter. I do not think her enjoyment of said platter surmounted her bitterness over the absent groundnut stew.
Check total: About $12/each with tax and tip. Perfect lunch pricing, baby.
Rating: 4.5 Flying Fish out of 5. If only they'd had groundnut stew.
Lunch #14: Emmett Watson's Oyster Bar
June 24, 2011
So I've lived here my whole life, but yet I had no idea who Emmett Watson was. I just thought it was the name of this generic lunch spot in Pike Place Market- I had no idea this was Seattle's FIRST oyster bar, that he was a Seattle baseball catcher before the Mariners existed, and that he was FRED HUTCHINSON'S catcher (who knew Fred Hutch was not just a cancer center??)! So walking all the way back a narrow passage in the Market to a little slice of Very Old Time Seattle was an absolute surprise and delight. I want to get down on my knees and apologize to Emmett Watson's Oyster Bar for not eating there before today!! I love this place! It's cute, inexpensive, has cheery outdoor seating, plenty of locals, VERY few tourists, and damn good Seattle food. This place is a gem, and thank you to Angie and this Grand Experiment for letting me in on the secret that is lunch at Emmett's.
Eaten:
Denise: Seafood gumbo, with clams, shrimp, whitefish, and salmon. It's exactly the same as the Seafood Cioppino, but with rice in the broth. It was a bit undersalted, but came with garlic bread for dipping, and I loved it. My only regret is that I didn't order any raw oysters to go with it.
Angie: She had the Oyster Platter, which came with two delicious looking raw oysters, some raw shrimp, a cup of gazpacho (which she seemed surprised to note was cold, and this is why she amuses me to no end), and bread for dipping.
Check total: About $12/each with tax and tip. For oysters?? And shrimp?? And outdoor seating? Color me a hells yes!!
Rating: 4.75 Flying Fish out of 5. Add a touch of seasoning to that gumbo, and you got yourself a perfect 5.0, baby.
Eaten:
Denise: Seafood gumbo, with clams, shrimp, whitefish, and salmon. It's exactly the same as the Seafood Cioppino, but with rice in the broth. It was a bit undersalted, but came with garlic bread for dipping, and I loved it. My only regret is that I didn't order any raw oysters to go with it.
Angie: She had the Oyster Platter, which came with two delicious looking raw oysters, some raw shrimp, a cup of gazpacho (which she seemed surprised to note was cold, and this is why she amuses me to no end), and bread for dipping.
Check total: About $12/each with tax and tip. For oysters?? And shrimp?? And outdoor seating? Color me a hells yes!!
Rating: 4.75 Flying Fish out of 5. Add a touch of seasoning to that gumbo, and you got yourself a perfect 5.0, baby.
Lunch #15: Copacabana
July 13, 2011
...So we got waylaid by vacations for a few weeks. But we're back, and the Grand Project powers on!
I've eaten at Copacabana a few times; while I love the location (an upstairs perch overlooking the Market entrance, with a lovely patio), I've always been baffled by others' affection for this place. To me, this is a far overpriced joint, run by a Bolivian family, yet named for a Brazilian beach, and serving bland Spanish food (paella is a speciality), and Latin-ish dishes.
Like most people, I am not well versed in Bolivian food; but sadly, all Copacabana can tell me is that apparently it's bland, unimaginative, and kinda spendy. Note that I while know this is probably not true, boo on Copacabana for spreading misinformation.
Eaten:
Denise: Picante de Pollo, which while promising "zestiness," was in fact chunks of chicken in a bland tomato-ish sauce. Half the plate was a ginormous serving of bland rice. No me gusta.
Angie: Aji de Cordero, which is a house specialty- lamb in a spicy peanut sauce. Now, as I told Angie, I will eat anything in a spicy peanut sauce, regardless of country of origin. However. This sauce was neither spicy nor very redolent of any peanut product I could discern. Boo again.
Check total: A whoppingly overpriced $38 for 2 dishes and 2 iced teas, not including tip.
Rating: 2 Flying Fish out of 5. I gave them an extra 1/2 fish because they serve Guarana soda, which is a randomly delicious South American soda. And they have a liquor license, so apparently beverages are well understood here.
I've eaten at Copacabana a few times; while I love the location (an upstairs perch overlooking the Market entrance, with a lovely patio), I've always been baffled by others' affection for this place. To me, this is a far overpriced joint, run by a Bolivian family, yet named for a Brazilian beach, and serving bland Spanish food (paella is a speciality), and Latin-ish dishes.
Like most people, I am not well versed in Bolivian food; but sadly, all Copacabana can tell me is that apparently it's bland, unimaginative, and kinda spendy. Note that I while know this is probably not true, boo on Copacabana for spreading misinformation.
Eaten:
Denise: Picante de Pollo, which while promising "zestiness," was in fact chunks of chicken in a bland tomato-ish sauce. Half the plate was a ginormous serving of bland rice. No me gusta.
Angie: Aji de Cordero, which is a house specialty- lamb in a spicy peanut sauce. Now, as I told Angie, I will eat anything in a spicy peanut sauce, regardless of country of origin. However. This sauce was neither spicy nor very redolent of any peanut product I could discern. Boo again.
Check total: A whoppingly overpriced $38 for 2 dishes and 2 iced teas, not including tip.
Rating: 2 Flying Fish out of 5. I gave them an extra 1/2 fish because they serve Guarana soda, which is a randomly delicious South American soda. And they have a liquor license, so apparently beverages are well understood here.
Lunch #16: Taxi Dogs
July 18, 2011
After last week's overspend at Copacabana, this week we decided on one of the many awesome walk-up windows in Pike Place Market. I will confess to a healthy jonesing for sausages...at least the healthier ones. And Taxi Dogs, of whom I have long been fan, offers not just pork and beef sausages and franks, but also salmon, chicken, turkey, and vegetarian! So pay extra to slap on some grilled onions and peppers, some mustard, and dribble condiments all over your bad self as you enjoy dogs in the city. This place makes me happy to be in the Market- it's a little bit of picnic in our otherwise humdrum office day. Me likey. :)
Eaten:
Denise: A chicken-turkey sundried tomato sausage with grilled onions and peppers. Sloppy and yummy.
Angie: A kosher dog with grilled onions. (Very elegant, Angie)
Check total: With a Diet Coke, about $9 per person. Like the best dates, it's cheap and easy!
Rating: 4 Flying Fish out of 5. Sometimes you just want a tasty dog; but points to them for their healthy options and the laid-back vibe.
Eaten:
Denise: A chicken-turkey sundried tomato sausage with grilled onions and peppers. Sloppy and yummy.
Angie: A kosher dog with grilled onions. (Very elegant, Angie)
Check total: With a Diet Coke, about $9 per person. Like the best dates, it's cheap and easy!
Rating: 4 Flying Fish out of 5. Sometimes you just want a tasty dog; but points to them for their healthy options and the laid-back vibe.
Lunch #17: Market Grill
July 26, 2011
The Market Grill is a place I've always wanted to try, but for random unknown reasons, I never have. It's really a locals' counter service hangout, and perhaps the highly rare, jealously guarded counter stools scared me away. Nobody wants to begin their lunch hour with a stool battle free-for-all, right?
So when we decided to sample the Market Grill, I got smart: I showed up before noon, and snagged me a fine set of barstools. And once I had staked my territory claim, I perused their very simple menu: Grilled salmon, halibut, prawns, or chicken (seriously? You'd choose chicken at the Pike Place Market??), either in a platter with salad or rice, or in a baguette sandwich. And of course, they serve their famous clam chowder. The server was amazingly cool, and gave us both chowder samples, which I can verify is indeed yummy. I didn't just love the food here; I loved the local vibe, the proximity to the Market action, and people-watching the tourists who were obviously avoiding the Market Grill...because it's a locals' hangout! And we guard our stools! Yeah!
Eaten:
Denise: The grilled salmon on a baguette sandwich, with all the toppings.
Angie: The grilled salmon platter, with half rice and half salad.
Check total: With an iced tea and tip, about $15 per person. And the service is super quick and efficient, so if you only have a short lunch break to marinate in all that's good about Seattle and the Pike Place Market, this place is for you.
Rating: 4.5 Flying Fish out of 5. Put a bit more salt on the proteins, and you got yourself 5 Fish, baby.
So when we decided to sample the Market Grill, I got smart: I showed up before noon, and snagged me a fine set of barstools. And once I had staked my territory claim, I perused their very simple menu: Grilled salmon, halibut, prawns, or chicken (seriously? You'd choose chicken at the Pike Place Market??), either in a platter with salad or rice, or in a baguette sandwich. And of course, they serve their famous clam chowder. The server was amazingly cool, and gave us both chowder samples, which I can verify is indeed yummy. I didn't just love the food here; I loved the local vibe, the proximity to the Market action, and people-watching the tourists who were obviously avoiding the Market Grill...because it's a locals' hangout! And we guard our stools! Yeah!
Eaten:
Denise: The grilled salmon on a baguette sandwich, with all the toppings.
Angie: The grilled salmon platter, with half rice and half salad.
Check total: With an iced tea and tip, about $15 per person. And the service is super quick and efficient, so if you only have a short lunch break to marinate in all that's good about Seattle and the Pike Place Market, this place is for you.
Rating: 4.5 Flying Fish out of 5. Put a bit more salt on the proteins, and you got yourself 5 Fish, baby.
Lunch #18: Mr. D's Greek Delicacies
August 3, 2011
I love Mr. D's. It is, hands-down, the best walk-up stand in the Market. Who doesn't love a tasty gyro, served by awesomely nice people, and all for a cheap price? And now that Seattle is finally seeing some summer, an outdoor Greek picnic was in order for us.
I realized that I haven't been to Mr. D's in a long time- years, maybe. I always think that if they had a restaurant, or indoor seating, I'd be close to calling Gyros Anonymous by now. But they don't, so I enjoy the fabulousness that is Mr. D's only on sunny days. On the bright side, at this rate, I'll never get tired of it. :)
Eaten:
Denise: The chicken gyro, with a side of Gigantes- also known as Greek Big Beans. They're butter beans in a tomato sauce, and they are yummy....as well as a weakness of mine.
Angie: Angie opted for the Greek salad with chicken, which, one I saw it, immediately made me wish I'd ordered it too!!
Check total: Gyros don't even hit $7! So with a sandwich and soda, you too can experience Greek deliciousness for under $10.
Rating: 5 Flying Fish out of 5. Mr. D's is Pike Place perfection...but they also get 5 Flying Fish because I was wearing white pants and didn't spill any gyro deliciousness on them. Opa!!
I realized that I haven't been to Mr. D's in a long time- years, maybe. I always think that if they had a restaurant, or indoor seating, I'd be close to calling Gyros Anonymous by now. But they don't, so I enjoy the fabulousness that is Mr. D's only on sunny days. On the bright side, at this rate, I'll never get tired of it. :)
Eaten:
Denise: The chicken gyro, with a side of Gigantes- also known as Greek Big Beans. They're butter beans in a tomato sauce, and they are yummy....as well as a weakness of mine.
Angie: Angie opted for the Greek salad with chicken, which, one I saw it, immediately made me wish I'd ordered it too!!
Check total: Gyros don't even hit $7! So with a sandwich and soda, you too can experience Greek deliciousness for under $10.
Rating: 5 Flying Fish out of 5. Mr. D's is Pike Place perfection...but they also get 5 Flying Fish because I was wearing white pants and didn't spill any gyro deliciousness on them. Opa!!
Lunch #19: Sabra Mediterranean Grill
August 16, 2011
It's sunny summertime in Seattle, so that means 2 things when you eat lunch at Pike Place Market: 1) eat somewhere with outdoor seating, and 2) eat at a place where the tourists don't clog the place and bogart your fine lunchtime vibe.
Solution: Sabra Mediterranean! Tucked into a teeny spot behind a bunch of shops, this awesome little family-owned grill is friendly, tasty, cheap, and something of a hidden secret...AND with outdoor seating! I've actually never ventured back to it before today, but color me happy that I have found a Locals-Only Joint in the Market, with a cheery owner who knows how to slap that gyro on the grill.
Eaten:
Denise: The Shawarma Chicken Plate, with grilled chicken shawarma, hummus, and pita, and a mint lemonade. I like my shawarma and hummus super-garlicky and very marinated, and this was a bit more tame. But it was yummy nonetheless, and served quickly, with a smile, in the sunshine. Sold!
Angie: Angie went for the Chicken Salad Daily Special, which was sort of a chicken shawarma but on a salad, and a mint lemonade. She too concurred that Sabra was all that and a bag of tahini.
Check Total: Entree and lemonade, plus tip, was about $10 per person. Cheers for cheap!
Rating: 4.5 Flying Fish out of 5. Gimme more garlic next time, and I'll give you that extra .5 Flying Fish, baby!
Solution: Sabra Mediterranean! Tucked into a teeny spot behind a bunch of shops, this awesome little family-owned grill is friendly, tasty, cheap, and something of a hidden secret...AND with outdoor seating! I've actually never ventured back to it before today, but color me happy that I have found a Locals-Only Joint in the Market, with a cheery owner who knows how to slap that gyro on the grill.
Eaten:
Denise: The Shawarma Chicken Plate, with grilled chicken shawarma, hummus, and pita, and a mint lemonade. I like my shawarma and hummus super-garlicky and very marinated, and this was a bit more tame. But it was yummy nonetheless, and served quickly, with a smile, in the sunshine. Sold!
Angie: Angie went for the Chicken Salad Daily Special, which was sort of a chicken shawarma but on a salad, and a mint lemonade. She too concurred that Sabra was all that and a bag of tahini.
Check Total: Entree and lemonade, plus tip, was about $10 per person. Cheers for cheap!
Rating: 4.5 Flying Fish out of 5. Gimme more garlic next time, and I'll give you that extra .5 Flying Fish, baby!
Lunch #20: Le Pichet
September 2, 2011
Le Pichet. There are no words.
Recall the most cozy, charming cafe you ever visited in Paris...a snug neighborhood bistro that just screams "you're in PARIS!". In Seattle, that's Le Pichet.
I have been in love with this place since it opened over 10 years ago. I'm a Francophile, but I also adore simple, delicious food, and wine served in pitchers. And to top it off, walking in here is like putting on a warm quilt. The wooden tables and handwritten chalkboard menu ooze warmth and comfort and all that's wonderful about Paris. And given that I needed coziness and comfort (I am sporting several broken bones this week), Le Pichet was a salve for both my tummy and my soul.
Eaten:
Denise: Les tartins avec gateaux aux foies de volaille (open-faced chicken liver terrine sandwich) and the house hazelnut-greens salad
Angie: L'oeufs plat avec jamon et gruyere (2 eggs broiled with ham and cheese) and the house hazelnut-greens salad
Check Total: With iced teas, tax, and tip, about $18 per person. Vive le France!
Rating: 5 Flying Fish out of 5. I love this place. I will always love this place. Even broken bones can't diminish the pure deliciousness of this place.
Recall the most cozy, charming cafe you ever visited in Paris...a snug neighborhood bistro that just screams "you're in PARIS!". In Seattle, that's Le Pichet.
I have been in love with this place since it opened over 10 years ago. I'm a Francophile, but I also adore simple, delicious food, and wine served in pitchers. And to top it off, walking in here is like putting on a warm quilt. The wooden tables and handwritten chalkboard menu ooze warmth and comfort and all that's wonderful about Paris. And given that I needed coziness and comfort (I am sporting several broken bones this week), Le Pichet was a salve for both my tummy and my soul.
Eaten:
Denise: Les tartins avec gateaux aux foies de volaille (open-faced chicken liver terrine sandwich) and the house hazelnut-greens salad
Angie: L'oeufs plat avec jamon et gruyere (2 eggs broiled with ham and cheese) and the house hazelnut-greens salad
Check Total: With iced teas, tax, and tip, about $18 per person. Vive le France!
Rating: 5 Flying Fish out of 5. I love this place. I will always love this place. Even broken bones can't diminish the pure deliciousness of this place.
Lunch #21: Market Galbee
September 9, 2011
It's (finally) summer in Seattle, so that means we can hit the takeaway joints, and nosh in the sun. Today's takeaway counter is Market Galbee, right near the annoying fish throwers at the Market entrance.
I've walked by Market Galbee many times, and I will openly admit I was not enticed. In fact, I saw Angie trying not to grimace when we walked up to the counter. Why? Well, the display food just doesn't look delicious. It looks a little...off.
Color me wrong. This Korean-Asian fusion walkup rocks.
A cheerful lady (the owner, I presume) took our order, we watched our lunches get freshly grilled and prepared, and they were not just surprisingly delicious, but cheap too! We fully enjoyed our Korean takeout in the late summer sunshine. And, as a bonus, the portions were quite large- and while we prefer smaller portions, being girls and all- now we have Leftovers for Dinner..we likey!
Eaten:
Denise: A spicy Thai chicken bowl with rice.
Angie: Same thing! Great minds, you know.
Check total: With iced teas, about $12 per person. Cheap!
Rating: 4 Flying Fish out of 5. If you're looking for yummy takeaway, this is it!
I've walked by Market Galbee many times, and I will openly admit I was not enticed. In fact, I saw Angie trying not to grimace when we walked up to the counter. Why? Well, the display food just doesn't look delicious. It looks a little...off.
Color me wrong. This Korean-Asian fusion walkup rocks.
A cheerful lady (the owner, I presume) took our order, we watched our lunches get freshly grilled and prepared, and they were not just surprisingly delicious, but cheap too! We fully enjoyed our Korean takeout in the late summer sunshine. And, as a bonus, the portions were quite large- and while we prefer smaller portions, being girls and all- now we have Leftovers for Dinner..we likey!
Eaten:
Denise: A spicy Thai chicken bowl with rice.
Angie: Same thing! Great minds, you know.
Check total: With iced teas, about $12 per person. Cheap!
Rating: 4 Flying Fish out of 5. If you're looking for yummy takeaway, this is it!
Lunch #22: Umai Sushi & Teriyaki
September 29, 2011
Another sunny Seattle day, so of course that means a takeaway lunch!
Umai Sushi & Teriyaki is a cute little walk-up Japanese stand in the Market entrance corridor. Like many of these places we've dined at, I have walked by this stand for years and never stopped. Japanese food and teriyaki is sort of a religion in Seattle; teriyaki is our street food, and all of us have our favorite places. I just never thought about eating at Umai.
I stand corrected. The teriyaki here is fricking divine. What makes good teriyaki, you ask? Well, the rice must be soft and fluffy, and ever so gently soak up the teriyaki sauce. The sauce must be sweet, but not too sugary, and not drown the meat and rice. The meat must be grilled onsite, to order. It's a delicate dance of high maintenance deliciousness, but I must say that Umai Sushi & Teriyaki scored high on all fronts. And as a bonus, their salmon sushi is fresh enough to believe it came from a market fish vendor that morning. I'm a new fan, baby.
Eaten:
Denise: Salmon teriyaki, and half of Angie's spicy salmon roll. It was a huge amount of food, so I'm guessing I get salmon teriyaki leftovers for dinner tonight!
Angie: Chicken teriyaki and a spicy salmon roll (well, half of it).
Check total: About $12 per person with iced teas and tax.
Rating: 4.5 Flying Fish out of 5. If I could have gotten a seat at the counter (which was jealously guarded by selfish locals much like myself), maybe I'd inch it up to 4.75. :)
Umai Sushi & Teriyaki is a cute little walk-up Japanese stand in the Market entrance corridor. Like many of these places we've dined at, I have walked by this stand for years and never stopped. Japanese food and teriyaki is sort of a religion in Seattle; teriyaki is our street food, and all of us have our favorite places. I just never thought about eating at Umai.
I stand corrected. The teriyaki here is fricking divine. What makes good teriyaki, you ask? Well, the rice must be soft and fluffy, and ever so gently soak up the teriyaki sauce. The sauce must be sweet, but not too sugary, and not drown the meat and rice. The meat must be grilled onsite, to order. It's a delicate dance of high maintenance deliciousness, but I must say that Umai Sushi & Teriyaki scored high on all fronts. And as a bonus, their salmon sushi is fresh enough to believe it came from a market fish vendor that morning. I'm a new fan, baby.
Eaten:
Denise: Salmon teriyaki, and half of Angie's spicy salmon roll. It was a huge amount of food, so I'm guessing I get salmon teriyaki leftovers for dinner tonight!
Angie: Chicken teriyaki and a spicy salmon roll (well, half of it).
Check total: About $12 per person with iced teas and tax.
Rating: 4.5 Flying Fish out of 5. If I could have gotten a seat at the counter (which was jealously guarded by selfish locals much like myself), maybe I'd inch it up to 4.75. :)
Lunch #23: Bayou on 1st
September 30, 2011
So I'm a Seattle girl. Southern and New Orleans food just doesn't exist in my world. So when Angie and I decided to hit the Cajun and Creole spot Bayou on 1st, we took Megan with us. Megan is Southern- she's from North Carolina! Isn't that nearby Louisiana? No? Well, it's all Southern, anyway. Onto Bayou!
So to me, gumbo and jambalaya are exactly the same thing. And crawfish and shrimp are indistinguishable. So wtf do I know about Southern food. Given that...the food was just OK. The corn muffins were kind of bland, instead of sweet, and the jambalaya was just north of being flavorful. And I do luvs me sum spice, so I expected New Orleans "spicy" gumbo to be just that. But...I think Thailand could maybe teach the South a thing or two about spice. Oh well. I love trying new cuisines, but this one just left me flat.
Eaten:
Denise: Seafood Jambalaya with a corn muffin
Angie: Same! She's big into copying me this week.
Megan: a blackened wild salmon po' boy (who is this "boy" and why is he so destitute?). No corn muffin for her.
Check total: With tax and tip, about $13/per person.
Rating: 2.5 Flying Fish out of 5. It was just OK (even Southern Megan said that! I swear!). The menu items sounded delicious, but the gulf between "sounding" and "being" was sadly quite large.
So to me, gumbo and jambalaya are exactly the same thing. And crawfish and shrimp are indistinguishable. So wtf do I know about Southern food. Given that...the food was just OK. The corn muffins were kind of bland, instead of sweet, and the jambalaya was just north of being flavorful. And I do luvs me sum spice, so I expected New Orleans "spicy" gumbo to be just that. But...I think Thailand could maybe teach the South a thing or two about spice. Oh well. I love trying new cuisines, but this one just left me flat.
Eaten:
Denise: Seafood Jambalaya with a corn muffin
Angie: Same! She's big into copying me this week.
Megan: a blackened wild salmon po' boy (who is this "boy" and why is he so destitute?). No corn muffin for her.
Check total: With tax and tip, about $13/per person.
Rating: 2.5 Flying Fish out of 5. It was just OK (even Southern Megan said that! I swear!). The menu items sounded delicious, but the gulf between "sounding" and "being" was sadly quite large.
Lunch #24: Uli's Famous Sausage
October 6, 2011
Earlier this year, I was surprised to suddenly notice Uli's Famous Sausage Bierstube in the middle of the main Pike Place Market corridor. I honestly wondered how I never noticed it before- I love beer, I love Germany, I love bierstubes, so how could this lovely place have possibly escaped my notice? Well, a bit of research told me that while Uli's meat counter has been there since time immemorial, the Bierstube cafe is a new addition from 2008. So yay for new German sausage houses!
Uli's, in my not-humble opinion, is a perfectly kitted-out little German bierstube. But there's a bonus!! See, I love Pike Market's Taxi Dogs and their yummy sausages...but many of Taxi Dog's sausages come from Uli's upstairs. So now, I can cut out the middleman, and stuff those sausages directly in my face. Bring 'em on!
Eaten:
Denise: A spicy chicken andouille po' boy sausage with grilled onions, served with barbequed potato chips
Angie: Again, pulling that "ordering whatever Denise orders" move. Brilliant.
Check total: Thanks to a social coupon I'd nabbed, our $20.00 tab was just $3 pius tip. But still! With iced teas and sausages, barely $10 per person!
Rating: 4.5 Flying Fish out of 5. While not the healthiest meal, I did love the sausages, and the feeling that I'd just taken a mini vacation to Munich on my lunch hour.
Uli's, in my not-humble opinion, is a perfectly kitted-out little German bierstube. But there's a bonus!! See, I love Pike Market's Taxi Dogs and their yummy sausages...but many of Taxi Dog's sausages come from Uli's upstairs. So now, I can cut out the middleman, and stuff those sausages directly in my face. Bring 'em on!
Eaten:
Denise: A spicy chicken andouille po' boy sausage with grilled onions, served with barbequed potato chips
Angie: Again, pulling that "ordering whatever Denise orders" move. Brilliant.
Check total: Thanks to a social coupon I'd nabbed, our $20.00 tab was just $3 pius tip. But still! With iced teas and sausages, barely $10 per person!
Rating: 4.5 Flying Fish out of 5. While not the healthiest meal, I did love the sausages, and the feeling that I'd just taken a mini vacation to Munich on my lunch hour.
Lunch #25: Michou
October 12, 2011
Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god...how could I have lived here all my life and never ONCE been to this little magical deli of deliciousness? How did no one tell me that lunchtime unicorns frolic here? I am a local! I need to know about these hidden dens of awesomeness!!!
Well, apparently Angie knew about this place. She had said it was the best sandwich shop around, but I'm not much of a sandwich girl, so I didn't pay much attention. I stand firmly corrected. This place doesn't sell "sandwiches." They sell perfectly seasoned paninis with gourmet fillings, creative, exotic salads and sides, and amazing soups. It took me nearly 10 minutes to focus and figure out what amongst my array of choices would I be lucky enough to stuff in my pie hole for lunch. And zowee...so many choices. I can't freaking wait to go back. If you're not a deli person, it doesn't matter. This shop is a gem for foodies who desire European and Mediterranean yummies.
Eaten:
Denise: The Half sandwich/salad special, with a Southwestern Chicken Panini, and the Farfalle and Pesto Salad. (I also had a Nutella cookie because hey, it was there, and I'm only human.) The sandwich was ginormous, so a half was MORE than sufficient. The southwestern chipotle dressing and smoked gouda were perfectly seasoned, but not overpowering. The Farfalle Pasta Salad was also seasoned just right. And the Nutella cookie was more like a crunchy brownie, and of course delicious (even though I had to share it).
Angie: The Half sandwich/soup special, with a Roasted Chicken Panini and the Southwestern Tortilla Soup. She too seemed quite happy with her food. I burned a hole in my throat trying to swallow her soup, but that's more on me for trying to bogart her lunch.
Check total: For a lunch combo, a cookie, and a soda, plus tax and tip...a measly $10. Seriously!! $10 for all that!! Don't tell these people that their prices are too low!!
Rating: 5 Flying Fish out of 5. Amazing food, great variety, nice staff (very patient with my indecisiveness), and dirt cheap. Omg will I be back.
Well, apparently Angie knew about this place. She had said it was the best sandwich shop around, but I'm not much of a sandwich girl, so I didn't pay much attention. I stand firmly corrected. This place doesn't sell "sandwiches." They sell perfectly seasoned paninis with gourmet fillings, creative, exotic salads and sides, and amazing soups. It took me nearly 10 minutes to focus and figure out what amongst my array of choices would I be lucky enough to stuff in my pie hole for lunch. And zowee...so many choices. I can't freaking wait to go back. If you're not a deli person, it doesn't matter. This shop is a gem for foodies who desire European and Mediterranean yummies.
Eaten:
Denise: The Half sandwich/salad special, with a Southwestern Chicken Panini, and the Farfalle and Pesto Salad. (I also had a Nutella cookie because hey, it was there, and I'm only human.) The sandwich was ginormous, so a half was MORE than sufficient. The southwestern chipotle dressing and smoked gouda were perfectly seasoned, but not overpowering. The Farfalle Pasta Salad was also seasoned just right. And the Nutella cookie was more like a crunchy brownie, and of course delicious (even though I had to share it).
Angie: The Half sandwich/soup special, with a Roasted Chicken Panini and the Southwestern Tortilla Soup. She too seemed quite happy with her food. I burned a hole in my throat trying to swallow her soup, but that's more on me for trying to bogart her lunch.
Check total: For a lunch combo, a cookie, and a soda, plus tax and tip...a measly $10. Seriously!! $10 for all that!! Don't tell these people that their prices are too low!!
Rating: 5 Flying Fish out of 5. Amazing food, great variety, nice staff (very patient with my indecisiveness), and dirt cheap. Omg will I be back.
Lunch #26: Steelhead Diner
October 20, 2011
It's Restaurant Week 2011 here in Seattle, and we know what that means: It's time to hit the expensive places for cheap! Woot!
Now, I wouldn't say the Steelhead Diner is "expensive," but it's not a quick $10 lunch place. It's a well-known and respected foodie destination- high end Southern comfort food with a Seattle twist, cooked by reputable chefs. But in previous visits to Steelhead Diner, I just wasn't impressed with the food or service. So I wasn't hugely looking forward to our visit for the infamous 3-courses-for-$15 extravaganza that is Restaurant Week.
However, I will absolutely say that Steelhead Diner redeemed itself to me today. Not only was their Restaurant Week menu awesome (good variety, not skimpy portions), but the flavors were fantastic, AND the server was pleasant and efficient (unlike the previous ones who managed to disappear for the duration of our meals). And while there are more "Seattle-ish" places in the Market to drop $25 on lunch, this is a great place to sample some creative cuisine with some really quality, local ingredients (Uli's Sausage! Beecher's cheese!). In short: Finicky, elitist Seattlelite palate is PLEASED!
Eaten:
Denise: My 3 courses were: Baby Arugula and Fig Salad, Pasta with Smoked Salmon, and...omg...a ginormous freaking wedge of Theo Chocolate Pecan Pie. Theo Chocolate! In a pie! With pecans! I think I shall fall over and die from decadence poisoning!!!
Angie: Same courses, except she chose the Squash, Kale, and White Bean Soup as her appetizer. We both noted that the pasta was perfectly seasoned, AND her wedge of pie was bigger than mine. Must be the blonde hair.
Check total: The 3-course Restaurant Week deal is just $15, plus tax and tip...for a total of $19. It is indeed a hell of a deal.
Rating: 5 Flying Fish out of 5. Using Theo Chocolate (as any Seattle Food Snob will tell you) pushed that review up to 5 stars. :)
Now, I wouldn't say the Steelhead Diner is "expensive," but it's not a quick $10 lunch place. It's a well-known and respected foodie destination- high end Southern comfort food with a Seattle twist, cooked by reputable chefs. But in previous visits to Steelhead Diner, I just wasn't impressed with the food or service. So I wasn't hugely looking forward to our visit for the infamous 3-courses-for-$15 extravaganza that is Restaurant Week.
However, I will absolutely say that Steelhead Diner redeemed itself to me today. Not only was their Restaurant Week menu awesome (good variety, not skimpy portions), but the flavors were fantastic, AND the server was pleasant and efficient (unlike the previous ones who managed to disappear for the duration of our meals). And while there are more "Seattle-ish" places in the Market to drop $25 on lunch, this is a great place to sample some creative cuisine with some really quality, local ingredients (Uli's Sausage! Beecher's cheese!). In short: Finicky, elitist Seattlelite palate is PLEASED!
Eaten:
Denise: My 3 courses were: Baby Arugula and Fig Salad, Pasta with Smoked Salmon, and...omg...a ginormous freaking wedge of Theo Chocolate Pecan Pie. Theo Chocolate! In a pie! With pecans! I think I shall fall over and die from decadence poisoning!!!
Angie: Same courses, except she chose the Squash, Kale, and White Bean Soup as her appetizer. We both noted that the pasta was perfectly seasoned, AND her wedge of pie was bigger than mine. Must be the blonde hair.
Check total: The 3-course Restaurant Week deal is just $15, plus tax and tip...for a total of $19. It is indeed a hell of a deal.
Rating: 5 Flying Fish out of 5. Using Theo Chocolate (as any Seattle Food Snob will tell you) pushed that review up to 5 stars. :)
Lunch #27: Pike Place Chowder
October 27, 2011
My eagle eye spotted a Pike Place Chowder Groupon a few weeks back, so being the tightwad I am, I snapped it up. So that's how we decided to hit Pike Place Chowder today.
If I were a tourist in Seattle, I would definitely eat here. Why? It's in the Market. It has indoor/outdoor seating. It's fairly cheap. And most of all, while it offers food that features very Seattle ingredients, it presents them in a safe way for those non-West-Coast-elitist-latte-sipping palates we all have here. You can take your Nebraska cousin here and she won't complain too loudly.
But for those of us who live and eat here daily, it's just not a place I would hit. In fact, I don't think I've EVER been here. Part of the reason is the wafting scent of tourism seeping out the windows, and the other is that I just don't like chowder all that much. But hey! We had $20 of Groupon to blow, so we put it to good use. Overall, I'd say the soup was good, if you like chowder; the sandwiches were just OK. If I want true salmon in Seattle, I'm hitting a sushi bar that's sourced from the Market- you can keep your mayo-drenched flaked salmon and we'll call it good.
Eaten:
Denise: I had Combo #3, which was an 8oz soup (I chose the Salmon Bisque), a sandwich (I chose the Blackened Salmon) and a medium drink. The soup was really, really, good, and incredibly decadent and fattening. I may have to do sit-ups tonight.
Angie: Combo #1, which was an 8oz soup (she chose the Daily Special "Cascadia"), a salad, and a medium drink. She liked the soup, but balked at having to shell her own mussels. Effie, we all have pain.*
Check total: For reasons we didn't fully understand, we were both given large sodas, and I was only charged for a Combo #2. So hence my Groupon-cheapness factor was increased. I am of course pleased by this.
Rating: 3.5 Flying Fish out of 5. It gets an extra .5 because the chowder really was good, and I like being undercharged.
* It's a "Dreamgirls" reference. It's a good show, you should see it.
If I were a tourist in Seattle, I would definitely eat here. Why? It's in the Market. It has indoor/outdoor seating. It's fairly cheap. And most of all, while it offers food that features very Seattle ingredients, it presents them in a safe way for those non-West-Coast-elitist-latte-sipping palates we all have here. You can take your Nebraska cousin here and she won't complain too loudly.
But for those of us who live and eat here daily, it's just not a place I would hit. In fact, I don't think I've EVER been here. Part of the reason is the wafting scent of tourism seeping out the windows, and the other is that I just don't like chowder all that much. But hey! We had $20 of Groupon to blow, so we put it to good use. Overall, I'd say the soup was good, if you like chowder; the sandwiches were just OK. If I want true salmon in Seattle, I'm hitting a sushi bar that's sourced from the Market- you can keep your mayo-drenched flaked salmon and we'll call it good.
Eaten:
Denise: I had Combo #3, which was an 8oz soup (I chose the Salmon Bisque), a sandwich (I chose the Blackened Salmon) and a medium drink. The soup was really, really, good, and incredibly decadent and fattening. I may have to do sit-ups tonight.
Angie: Combo #1, which was an 8oz soup (she chose the Daily Special "Cascadia"), a salad, and a medium drink. She liked the soup, but balked at having to shell her own mussels. Effie, we all have pain.*
Check total: For reasons we didn't fully understand, we were both given large sodas, and I was only charged for a Combo #2. So hence my Groupon-cheapness factor was increased. I am of course pleased by this.
Rating: 3.5 Flying Fish out of 5. It gets an extra .5 because the chowder really was good, and I like being undercharged.
* It's a "Dreamgirls" reference. It's a good show, you should see it.
Lunch #28: The Alibi Room
October 28, 2011
First off, the engineer in me would like to relish the symmetry of our having our 27th lunch on the 27th, followed by the 28th lunch on the 28th. Sometimes, the universe just aligns perfectly.
On to lunch!
Today was The Alibi Room, which can best be described as a cave-like, poorly lit basement next to the repulsive Seattle Gum Wall. Now, while that may sound like an unpalatable place to feed oneself, I will fully admit to loving the Alibi Room. Why? Four words: Happy Hour. At Noon. So it is beyond obvious for me to add that this lunch required not just Angie and me, but veritable party of girlfriends to fully appreciate all that is Happy Hour At Noon.
Joining Angie and me were our friends Melinda, Tracey, Ariyah, and Paulene. The Alibi Room's food is best enjoyed as shared group plates, so we dove in and ordered pizzas, the Apple, Honey, and Brie plate, the Spicy Mac 'n' Cheese, and the Hummus Plate. The pizzas were good- not pizzeria great, but good- the Apple & Brie plate was good, the Spicy Mac 'n' Cheese was good, but not as cheesy or spicy as I'd like, and the Hummus Plate was good, but not as garlicky as I'd like. So it may sound like I don't love the Alibi Room- but on the contrary. Each of these plates, most big enough for a meal itself, was just $5.00 at Happy Hour At Noon (did I mention HAPPY HOUR AT 12PM??). And I had a beer. Because it was Friday, I was with friends, and goddammit, it was Happy Hour at Noon!!
Eaten:
Denise: Well, all of the above. And a tiramisu cake I sneaked in to share with the ladyfriends.
Angie: All of the above. Including that rocking tiramisu.
Check Total: About $15 per person including tax and tip. For such a feast of food, that's a screaming bargain.
Rating: 4.5 Flying Fish out of 5. Don't go JUST for the food. Go with a fun, loud group to enjoy NOONTIME HAPPY HOUR! Just don't be like us, get overexcited, and spill pint glasses all over the floor.
On to lunch!
Today was The Alibi Room, which can best be described as a cave-like, poorly lit basement next to the repulsive Seattle Gum Wall. Now, while that may sound like an unpalatable place to feed oneself, I will fully admit to loving the Alibi Room. Why? Four words: Happy Hour. At Noon. So it is beyond obvious for me to add that this lunch required not just Angie and me, but veritable party of girlfriends to fully appreciate all that is Happy Hour At Noon.
Joining Angie and me were our friends Melinda, Tracey, Ariyah, and Paulene. The Alibi Room's food is best enjoyed as shared group plates, so we dove in and ordered pizzas, the Apple, Honey, and Brie plate, the Spicy Mac 'n' Cheese, and the Hummus Plate. The pizzas were good- not pizzeria great, but good- the Apple & Brie plate was good, the Spicy Mac 'n' Cheese was good, but not as cheesy or spicy as I'd like, and the Hummus Plate was good, but not as garlicky as I'd like. So it may sound like I don't love the Alibi Room- but on the contrary. Each of these plates, most big enough for a meal itself, was just $5.00 at Happy Hour At Noon (did I mention HAPPY HOUR AT 12PM??). And I had a beer. Because it was Friday, I was with friends, and goddammit, it was Happy Hour at Noon!!
Eaten:
Denise: Well, all of the above. And a tiramisu cake I sneaked in to share with the ladyfriends.
Angie: All of the above. Including that rocking tiramisu.
Check Total: About $15 per person including tax and tip. For such a feast of food, that's a screaming bargain.
Rating: 4.5 Flying Fish out of 5. Don't go JUST for the food. Go with a fun, loud group to enjoy NOONTIME HAPPY HOUR! Just don't be like us, get overexcited, and spill pint glasses all over the floor.
Lunch #29: Lo Priore Brothers Pasta Bar
November 1, 2011
On first glance, Lo Priore Brothers Pasta Bar is a cute, stool-and-chalkboard-style counter, plunked down in the middle of a corridor. It looks inviting.
Well, that's kind of where the "inviting" ends.
This counter sells pasta, pizza, salads, and grinder sandwiches. OK, sounds good so far. But then you notice the circa-1985 suburban mall food court menu: Penne, fettucine, ravioli, or tortellini, with a choice of marinara, cream, or meat sauce; house or Caesar salads; and meatball sandwiches. So you think OK, maybe I'll try the pizza; but then you notice the sickly, sad-looking pizza spinning a slow death in the warm-o-rama on the counter. OK then. A pasta and salad combo it is!
We were served Caesar salads, made from iceberg, pre-bagged lettuce (note: I may not be Italian but I DO KNOW Caesar salads require romaine lettuce); dried, not fresh, pasta; a marinara sauce that most certainly came from a jar; and garlic bread that was not garlicky, but certainly was bland. Overall, even I could have made this meal, and done it far better. And I suck at cooking.
And now, thanks to the double-starching, I have a carb hangover that wasn't even worth it. Thumbs down, Brothers.
Eaten:
Denise: The pasta/salad combo with garlic bread and a soda. I had penne with marinara sauce.
Angie: The same, but with meat sauce. I shall dutifully note here that Angie ordered FIRST, and I copied HER. I may suck for copying her, but at least I don't suck as much as the food did.
Check Total: About $10 per person with tax and tip. Cheap, but yet still a ginormous non-value of non-deliciousness.
Rating: 1.5 Flying Fish out of 5. I gave it the extra .5 Flying Fish because I thought the counter setup was cute. I heartily encourage these Brothers to turn the counter into a soda and ice cream fountain, and cease Italian suckage.
Well, that's kind of where the "inviting" ends.
This counter sells pasta, pizza, salads, and grinder sandwiches. OK, sounds good so far. But then you notice the circa-1985 suburban mall food court menu: Penne, fettucine, ravioli, or tortellini, with a choice of marinara, cream, or meat sauce; house or Caesar salads; and meatball sandwiches. So you think OK, maybe I'll try the pizza; but then you notice the sickly, sad-looking pizza spinning a slow death in the warm-o-rama on the counter. OK then. A pasta and salad combo it is!
We were served Caesar salads, made from iceberg, pre-bagged lettuce (note: I may not be Italian but I DO KNOW Caesar salads require romaine lettuce); dried, not fresh, pasta; a marinara sauce that most certainly came from a jar; and garlic bread that was not garlicky, but certainly was bland. Overall, even I could have made this meal, and done it far better. And I suck at cooking.
And now, thanks to the double-starching, I have a carb hangover that wasn't even worth it. Thumbs down, Brothers.
Eaten:
Denise: The pasta/salad combo with garlic bread and a soda. I had penne with marinara sauce.
Angie: The same, but with meat sauce. I shall dutifully note here that Angie ordered FIRST, and I copied HER. I may suck for copying her, but at least I don't suck as much as the food did.
Check Total: About $10 per person with tax and tip. Cheap, but yet still a ginormous non-value of non-deliciousness.
Rating: 1.5 Flying Fish out of 5. I gave it the extra .5 Flying Fish because I thought the counter setup was cute. I heartily encourage these Brothers to turn the counter into a soda and ice cream fountain, and cease Italian suckage.
Lunch #30: Pike Place Bar & Grill
November 16, 2011
You know how when you watch some average made-for-TV movie, and there's that scene where the hero meets up with another character in a nondescript diner to discuss some plot point? Well, that scene could be filmed in Pike Place Bar & Grill (not to be confused with Market Grill, reviewed in July). I don't think the 1980s-era decor or menu has changed much from its average, right-out-of-central-casting presentation. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but then, when you're a restaurant at Pike Place Market, I think a bit of pizzazz is required.
The menu is what you'd expect: burgers, sandwiches, omelettes, salads. No house specialty dish, or anything to make this place more memorable than your neighborhood diner...except perhaps the view. Pike Place Bar & Grill does sport a stunning view over the Market entrance, and Puget Sound. But then, pay a bit more and eat a ton better, and go next door for the same view at Matt's at the Market. I'm just sayin'.
Eaten:
Denise: Portobello mushroom burger with sundried tomatoes, which was recommended by the server. It was OK, except that the sauce and bun flavors completely overwhelmed the portobello flavor, so I can't say with 100% certainty that the "portobello" portion of said "portobello burger" was actually present.
Angie: She opted for Breakfast All Day, and had a scramble with fruit. In her own words (and she seemed very intent on my ascribing her quote correctly): "Very greasy. But yummy."
Check Total: About $14 per person with tax and tip. Average, right?
Rating: 2.5 Flying Fish out of 5. It's...an average rating.
The menu is what you'd expect: burgers, sandwiches, omelettes, salads. No house specialty dish, or anything to make this place more memorable than your neighborhood diner...except perhaps the view. Pike Place Bar & Grill does sport a stunning view over the Market entrance, and Puget Sound. But then, pay a bit more and eat a ton better, and go next door for the same view at Matt's at the Market. I'm just sayin'.
Eaten:
Denise: Portobello mushroom burger with sundried tomatoes, which was recommended by the server. It was OK, except that the sauce and bun flavors completely overwhelmed the portobello flavor, so I can't say with 100% certainty that the "portobello" portion of said "portobello burger" was actually present.
Angie: She opted for Breakfast All Day, and had a scramble with fruit. In her own words (and she seemed very intent on my ascribing her quote correctly): "Very greasy. But yummy."
Check Total: About $14 per person with tax and tip. Average, right?
Rating: 2.5 Flying Fish out of 5. It's...an average rating.
Lunch #31: Turkish Delight
November 30, 2011
Turkish food! Woot! We love the food of faraway lands!
Now, I have been to Turkish Delight many times, though now that I think about it, the last time was before I began my world travels. So my memory of how awesome this place was might be altered now by travel experience. So that said- I was a little disappointed. While the non-Turkish soup was awesome, the very Turkish boreks were simultaneously greasy AND dry, which is actually sort of a notable accomplishment when you think about it.
Angie told me that she's never had real Turkish Delight, so the highlight of this lunch was watching her sample it for the first time...and then immediately wipe the not-swallowed candy onto her tray. (literary side note: this is the candy for whom Edmund betrayed his brother and sisters in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe". I always thought I'd like Edmund better if he'd chosen a more worthwhile price, like maybe M&Ms or English toffee. But anyway...) Being a Seattle girl, I am well aware of our nasty Aplets & Cotlets, a Turkish-Delight-like "candy" that, as a rule, must be consumed by all residents over 75, so I was not shocked by its utter lack of deliciousness. So while this is not a glowing endorsement of Turkish Delight in general, if that sort of thing rings your bell, I highly recommend Turkish Delight's own Turkish Delight. And thus ends the most rambling, confusing review so far.
Eaten:
Denise: A half of a chicken borek, half of a ginormous cup of chicken chili soup, and half a piece of walnut Turkish Delight. Said borek was OK; chili, most excellent. Turkish Delight- I think that's been covered.
Angie: Same, 'cause we shared. It's holiday time, so sharing is caring.
Check Total: For me, free! This place only takes cash, and I believe in the glory of plastic, so Angie had the pay the $21. So let's say about $10 per person.
Rating: 3 Flying Fish out of 5. The chili was good, the borek not so much, but it was a very good value. And, we didn't try the doner kebabs, and damn they looked good.
Now, I have been to Turkish Delight many times, though now that I think about it, the last time was before I began my world travels. So my memory of how awesome this place was might be altered now by travel experience. So that said- I was a little disappointed. While the non-Turkish soup was awesome, the very Turkish boreks were simultaneously greasy AND dry, which is actually sort of a notable accomplishment when you think about it.
Angie told me that she's never had real Turkish Delight, so the highlight of this lunch was watching her sample it for the first time...and then immediately wipe the not-swallowed candy onto her tray. (literary side note: this is the candy for whom Edmund betrayed his brother and sisters in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe". I always thought I'd like Edmund better if he'd chosen a more worthwhile price, like maybe M&Ms or English toffee. But anyway...) Being a Seattle girl, I am well aware of our nasty Aplets & Cotlets, a Turkish-Delight-like "candy" that, as a rule, must be consumed by all residents over 75, so I was not shocked by its utter lack of deliciousness. So while this is not a glowing endorsement of Turkish Delight in general, if that sort of thing rings your bell, I highly recommend Turkish Delight's own Turkish Delight. And thus ends the most rambling, confusing review so far.
Eaten:
Denise: A half of a chicken borek, half of a ginormous cup of chicken chili soup, and half a piece of walnut Turkish Delight. Said borek was OK; chili, most excellent. Turkish Delight- I think that's been covered.
Angie: Same, 'cause we shared. It's holiday time, so sharing is caring.
Check Total: For me, free! This place only takes cash, and I believe in the glory of plastic, so Angie had the pay the $21. So let's say about $10 per person.
Rating: 3 Flying Fish out of 5. The chili was good, the borek not so much, but it was a very good value. And, we didn't try the doner kebabs, and damn they looked good.
Bonus Dinner/Happy Hour: Post
December 1, 2011
Post isn't open for lunch, which seems a pity because it's a great, teeny little bar, and the food is pretty good.
We stopped by for a happy hour/early dinner en route to the theater (Angie and I are very cultured, you see). Post has all the accoutrements of a proper, snug winter bar: dark wood, no windows, low ceilings, and a friendly (though not overly attentive, I should add) service staff. And as a bonus, the food is locally sourced from the Market! Woot! All in all, a big thumbs-up for your wintry happy hour adventure needs.
Eaten:
Denise: A goat cheese and red pepper mini-pizza. I should note here that I assumed "goat cheese" meant a few dollops of goat cheese on the mozzarella-based pizza. Oh was I wrong. This pizza was 100% covered in rich goat cheese. It was a bit much. It was MUCH much. So we swapped entrees halfway in.
Angie: Chicken sausage jambalaya. I had pondered ordering this myself, but our previous visit to Bayou on 1st kind of soured me on the possibilities of jambalaya deliciousness. But here at Post, that jambalaya rocked. So color me happy that we swapped entrees.
Check total: Including the, umm, multiple glasses of wine we each had...I'm gonna guess the tab was about $20 per person. I'm not entirely certain. It was happy hour. Very happy.
Rating: 4.5 Flying Fish out of 5. I would have given this puppy 5 Fish if they just had lunch service!!
We stopped by for a happy hour/early dinner en route to the theater (Angie and I are very cultured, you see). Post has all the accoutrements of a proper, snug winter bar: dark wood, no windows, low ceilings, and a friendly (though not overly attentive, I should add) service staff. And as a bonus, the food is locally sourced from the Market! Woot! All in all, a big thumbs-up for your wintry happy hour adventure needs.
Eaten:
Denise: A goat cheese and red pepper mini-pizza. I should note here that I assumed "goat cheese" meant a few dollops of goat cheese on the mozzarella-based pizza. Oh was I wrong. This pizza was 100% covered in rich goat cheese. It was a bit much. It was MUCH much. So we swapped entrees halfway in.
Angie: Chicken sausage jambalaya. I had pondered ordering this myself, but our previous visit to Bayou on 1st kind of soured me on the possibilities of jambalaya deliciousness. But here at Post, that jambalaya rocked. So color me happy that we swapped entrees.
Check total: Including the, umm, multiple glasses of wine we each had...I'm gonna guess the tab was about $20 per person. I'm not entirely certain. It was happy hour. Very happy.
Rating: 4.5 Flying Fish out of 5. I would have given this puppy 5 Fish if they just had lunch service!!
Lunch #32: Kastoori Grill
December 7, 2011
Kastoori Grill is a newcomer to the Pike Place Market- it used to be 94 Stewart, a cozy little female-chef-owned bistro which was wonderful until it started severely sucking, in which case I was happy to witness its departure. It was improbably replaced by Kastoori Grill, an Indian/Nepali joint. Progress!
I'm not a big fan of Indian food for lunch, because I associate it with overeating and stomach pain- because for reasons I don't fully fathom, lunchtime Indian food in Seattle invariably means an all-you-can-eat buffet. Go figure. It's like a crazy love child of Las Vegas and Bollywood in the middle of my workday.
That said, I was actually pretty impressed with Kastoori Grill. Instead of warmed-over, bland food, it was tasty. All the old Indian buffet standbys were present- Chicken Tikka Masala, dal, naan bread (and ooh that was some of the best naan I've ever had), Tandoori Chicken- but they actually tasted freshly cooked, and cooked to order. We both had seconds...though we passed on the hilariously misspelled "Mango Moose" dessert, which was a day-glo shade of orange that should never, ever exist in nature.
Eaten:
Denise: The lunch buffet! Tandoori chicken, chicken Tikka Masala, dal, naan, cucumber salad, mulligatawny soup (especially yummy), palak paneer, cauliflower in garlic sauce, Nepali potato salad, veggie samosas, etc....
Angie: Same! It was an Indian-Nepali food fest.
Check total: All you can eat is just $9.95 per person, so with tax and tip, about $13 each.
Rating: 4 Flying Fish out of 5. Not bad for a brand new restaurant.
I'm not a big fan of Indian food for lunch, because I associate it with overeating and stomach pain- because for reasons I don't fully fathom, lunchtime Indian food in Seattle invariably means an all-you-can-eat buffet. Go figure. It's like a crazy love child of Las Vegas and Bollywood in the middle of my workday.
That said, I was actually pretty impressed with Kastoori Grill. Instead of warmed-over, bland food, it was tasty. All the old Indian buffet standbys were present- Chicken Tikka Masala, dal, naan bread (and ooh that was some of the best naan I've ever had), Tandoori Chicken- but they actually tasted freshly cooked, and cooked to order. We both had seconds...though we passed on the hilariously misspelled "Mango Moose" dessert, which was a day-glo shade of orange that should never, ever exist in nature.
Eaten:
Denise: The lunch buffet! Tandoori chicken, chicken Tikka Masala, dal, naan, cucumber salad, mulligatawny soup (especially yummy), palak paneer, cauliflower in garlic sauce, Nepali potato salad, veggie samosas, etc....
Angie: Same! It was an Indian-Nepali food fest.
Check total: All you can eat is just $9.95 per person, so with tax and tip, about $13 each.
Rating: 4 Flying Fish out of 5. Not bad for a brand new restaurant.
Lunch #33: Pear Delicatessen & Shoppe
December 13, 2011
Until this Grand Challenge (and it's Grand 'cuz we say so), I hadn't even realized that Pear was anything other than a gourmet grocery store. But it's a walk-up gourmet deli, too, and the offerings are surprisingly expansive. The day we lunched, there were 3 handmade soups to choose from, a large selection of panninis and hot and cold meat sandwiches, and salads, plus lots of tempting sides. (I will note that after sampling Michou down the street, the sides here weren't NEARLY as tempting, because let's face it, Michou is the Pike Place Market king of side dishes.) And, Pear scored big for having one of my favorite sandwiches...5 Spice Duck. (mmmm...duck...) And I will also note the amazing sweets case, which had WHOOPIE PIES, and I hereby congratulate myself for not buying all of them. Overall, I was charmed by this place, the menu was pretty cool....and did I mention they sell WHOOPIE PIES?
Eaten:
Denise: a 5 Spice Shredded Duck sandwich on BRIOCHE- that's right, beeyotches, they gots BRIOCHE- and a tiny side of mac & cheese. And this was handmade, decadent mac & cheese. I nearly fell over and died from gruyere decadence poisoning (oh yes, that exists)
Angie: A Salumi sandwich, and some of my mac & cheese, because one must share decadence with friends.
Check total: The sandwiches were about $9/each, plus $2 for sodas. Quite a bargain for high-end deli food.
Rating: 4.5 Flying Fish out of 5. The sandwiches were a little undersalted, but overall, a swell place for lunch. (also recommended for WHOOPIE PIES and gruyere decadence poisoning)
Eaten:
Denise: a 5 Spice Shredded Duck sandwich on BRIOCHE- that's right, beeyotches, they gots BRIOCHE- and a tiny side of mac & cheese. And this was handmade, decadent mac & cheese. I nearly fell over and died from gruyere decadence poisoning (oh yes, that exists)
Angie: A Salumi sandwich, and some of my mac & cheese, because one must share decadence with friends.
Check total: The sandwiches were about $9/each, plus $2 for sodas. Quite a bargain for high-end deli food.
Rating: 4.5 Flying Fish out of 5. The sandwiches were a little undersalted, but overall, a swell place for lunch. (also recommended for WHOOPIE PIES and gruyere decadence poisoning)
Lunch #34: Place Pigalle
December 20, 2011
I've previously admitted my Francophila. I love all things French- Paris, the Eiffel Tower, Viogniers and Burgundys, and especially French food. Now, we began this Challenge at the tres French Maximillien. But...just around the fishmongers' and down the hallway, and you will find the other restaurant of French deliciousness, Place Pigalle.
Place Pigalle does so well what tiny French bistros should excel at: creating a space that is snug and French and completely apart from your real world, all while preparing truly amazing, simple French food. Even the butter here is remarkable- Angie, who is not one to splurge on such fatty treats, noted its deliciousness.
I simply love this place. I love it for a romantic dinner, or a lunch escape, or for a late-night dessert and glass of wine. I know it's expensive. I know the butter is all fat. I don't care. Me luvs Place Pigalle.
p.s. This place also gets bonus points for its name. Not only is it named for the famous neighborhood in Paris, but it's also...down the alley...from the Pike Place pig. Get it? I do luvs me a pun.
Eaten:
Denise: Duck confit with huckleberry sauce, and steamed green beans. Oh my god. This was possibly the best duck confit I've ever had, and it is not an overstatement to say I have eaten an embarrassing amount of duck in my lifetime.
Angie: Bouillabaisse, apparently her first ever! It looked delectable, and I dipped my bread in it when she was distracted, so I can vouch for its yumminess.
Check total: This was an expensive one. Just entrees, with tax and tip, was about $25 per person. But lucky me, I have a generous friend who picked up the tab, so for me, FREE!
Rating: 5 Flying Fish out of 5. Between the duck, the pun, and a free lunch, I would say Best Lunch Ever. :)
Place Pigalle does so well what tiny French bistros should excel at: creating a space that is snug and French and completely apart from your real world, all while preparing truly amazing, simple French food. Even the butter here is remarkable- Angie, who is not one to splurge on such fatty treats, noted its deliciousness.
I simply love this place. I love it for a romantic dinner, or a lunch escape, or for a late-night dessert and glass of wine. I know it's expensive. I know the butter is all fat. I don't care. Me luvs Place Pigalle.
p.s. This place also gets bonus points for its name. Not only is it named for the famous neighborhood in Paris, but it's also...down the alley...from the Pike Place pig. Get it? I do luvs me a pun.
Eaten:
Denise: Duck confit with huckleberry sauce, and steamed green beans. Oh my god. This was possibly the best duck confit I've ever had, and it is not an overstatement to say I have eaten an embarrassing amount of duck in my lifetime.
Angie: Bouillabaisse, apparently her first ever! It looked delectable, and I dipped my bread in it when she was distracted, so I can vouch for its yumminess.
Check total: This was an expensive one. Just entrees, with tax and tip, was about $25 per person. But lucky me, I have a generous friend who picked up the tab, so for me, FREE!
Rating: 5 Flying Fish out of 5. Between the duck, the pun, and a free lunch, I would say Best Lunch Ever. :)
Lunch #35: Soundview Café
December 27, 2011
It's two days after Christmas, and the Market is packed with tourists and locals trying to amuse houseguests for the week. So we chose a quiet, sort-of hidden spot at the end of the Market arcade- Soundview Café. I had never been here before, but Angie had regaled me with magical tales of a $4.95 salad bar, priced not by weight, but by plate...thereby creating the irresistible challenge of How Much Can I Pile On That Plate, and Still Only Pay $4.95?
The answer, in case you are wondering...is quite a bit. We both got greens and fruits and pasta salad and potato salads and veggies and hard boiled eggs artfully Jenga'ed into position. And at the end of the salad bar, we were tempted with yummy-looking soups for a few dollars more. Soundview also does a standard sandwich menu, but when there's a salad bar challenge to be had, why would you order them?
So in short...the Soundview Café offered not only a pretty good lunch, but a water view, a sanctuary from the hordes of tourists in our Market, AND a challenge-within-our-lunch-challenge. Quite a lovely way to spend the lazy days after Christmas.
Eaten:
Denise: The $4.95 salad bar challenge, and a $4 cup of salmon bouillabaisse. The soup was pretty good for a non-French deli, and of course the massive salad was massively satisfying. :)
Angie: Same, except she opted for the bowl of soup.
Check total: About $10 per person. Damn good deal, and even healthy too.
Rating: 4.5 Flying Fish out of 5. The food wasn't hugely innovative or interesting, but that doesn't mean it wasn't tasty, and a screaming deal.
The answer, in case you are wondering...is quite a bit. We both got greens and fruits and pasta salad and potato salads and veggies and hard boiled eggs artfully Jenga'ed into position. And at the end of the salad bar, we were tempted with yummy-looking soups for a few dollars more. Soundview also does a standard sandwich menu, but when there's a salad bar challenge to be had, why would you order them?
So in short...the Soundview Café offered not only a pretty good lunch, but a water view, a sanctuary from the hordes of tourists in our Market, AND a challenge-within-our-lunch-challenge. Quite a lovely way to spend the lazy days after Christmas.
Eaten:
Denise: The $4.95 salad bar challenge, and a $4 cup of salmon bouillabaisse. The soup was pretty good for a non-French deli, and of course the massive salad was massively satisfying. :)
Angie: Same, except she opted for the bowl of soup.
Check total: About $10 per person. Damn good deal, and even healthy too.
Rating: 4.5 Flying Fish out of 5. The food wasn't hugely innovative or interesting, but that doesn't mean it wasn't tasty, and a screaming deal.
Lunch #36: Beecher's Handmade Cheese
January 6, 2012
We had tried to hit Beecher's Cheese many times over the last year. But in summer, the hordes of cruise ship tourists made the lines unbearable; at Christmastime, the locals and their tourist families made it just as crowded. But we can hereby state that a chilly January weekday is indeed the perfect time to indulge in the cheesy goodness that is Beecher's.
Beecher's is an institution in Seattle, though a recent one. They are "our" cheesemaker. If you're one of the cool kids, you know to serve a wedge of Beecher's Flagship on your cocktail party's cheese plate. If you're REALLY cool, you know that most decadent, rich, winter-banishing lunch you can have in January is...Beecher's Mac & Cheese. Ohhhh. I shudder with pleasure. This isn't any day-glo Kraft monstrosity- it's handmade, thick, creamy, and probably deadly if eaten in large quantities (note: 5oz of this crack is 410 calories!!). But for lunch, once? Bring it. Bring lots of it.
Eaten:
Denise: A small cup of Beecher's Original "World's Best" Mac & Cheese (yes that is its full name). And yes, all those words are accurate. To make it semi-healthy, I added a cup of the vegetarian chili- though I must note it was less "vegetarian chili" than "hot southwestern-style salsa," although that is pretty good regardless.
Angie: Same, except for trusting the cheese experts and choosing "World's Best," she went off the reservation and tried the other Mac & Cheese variety, the "Mariachi Mac & Cheese," which included Anaheim chilies and veggies. I believe she regretted this decision upon trying my World's Best.
Check total: About $10 per person.
Rating: 5 Flying Fish out of 5. Decadence + Cheesiness + No tourists to cramp my style= Awesomeness.
Beecher's is an institution in Seattle, though a recent one. They are "our" cheesemaker. If you're one of the cool kids, you know to serve a wedge of Beecher's Flagship on your cocktail party's cheese plate. If you're REALLY cool, you know that most decadent, rich, winter-banishing lunch you can have in January is...Beecher's Mac & Cheese. Ohhhh. I shudder with pleasure. This isn't any day-glo Kraft monstrosity- it's handmade, thick, creamy, and probably deadly if eaten in large quantities (note: 5oz of this crack is 410 calories!!). But for lunch, once? Bring it. Bring lots of it.
Eaten:
Denise: A small cup of Beecher's Original "World's Best" Mac & Cheese (yes that is its full name). And yes, all those words are accurate. To make it semi-healthy, I added a cup of the vegetarian chili- though I must note it was less "vegetarian chili" than "hot southwestern-style salsa," although that is pretty good regardless.
Angie: Same, except for trusting the cheese experts and choosing "World's Best," she went off the reservation and tried the other Mac & Cheese variety, the "Mariachi Mac & Cheese," which included Anaheim chilies and veggies. I believe she regretted this decision upon trying my World's Best.
Check total: About $10 per person.
Rating: 5 Flying Fish out of 5. Decadence + Cheesiness + No tourists to cramp my style= Awesomeness.
_Lunch #37: Caffe Lieto
January 11, 2012
I hadn't even realized that Caffe Lieto was part of the official Pike Place Market restaurant list. In fact, I have never even set foot in there before. But given as our lunch destination of choice, Delaurenti's, was closed for electrical issues, we just kept walking until we found a place that was 1) on the Pike Place list, 2) open, and 3) in an enclosed space so as not to freeze our asses off in the January chillfest.
Winner: Caffe Lieto!
I believe it's perhaps a giant understatement to say our hestitation upon eating at Caffe Lieto was somewhat palpable. But really, what's a challenge if you're not all in, right?
That said, I was pleasantly surprised by Caffe Lieto. I am usually quite wary of coffee shop sandwiches- often they are dried-out, over-refrigerated sacks of nasty- but I was pleased by my sandwich wrap and the homemade Curry Lentil Soup. Angie was less impressed, but apparently she has a higher bar for coffee shops than I do. And really, any coffee shop that serves me a tasty lunch, offers a "Bitch Biscuit" all day, AND sells used clothing about 3 feet from my head at just $5/pop, is really a coffee shop for the ages.
Eaten:
Denise: The half sandwich/soup combo, with a Chicken Salad wrap and the aforementioned Curry Lentil soup. Both had far more flavor than I anticipated. Yay for flavor! I also had a cup of what can only be described as Cold Weather Deliciousness- the "Seattle Fog," which is English Breakfast tea mixed with sugar, soy milk, and vanilla syrup. Ohhh warm me up, baby.
Angie: A whole Goat Cheese-Hummus wrap (which she said had been refrigerated past its Angie-would-eat-it date), and a hard-boiled egg- of which I bogarted the yolk. In one gluttonous bite. Oh, and a Diet Coke.
Check total: Only about $10 per person. Quite the cheap deal.
Rating: 4 Flying Fish out of 5. The menu could be more varied, and the sandwiches fresher. But hells yes would I come back for another Seattle Fog.
Winner: Caffe Lieto!
I believe it's perhaps a giant understatement to say our hestitation upon eating at Caffe Lieto was somewhat palpable. But really, what's a challenge if you're not all in, right?
That said, I was pleasantly surprised by Caffe Lieto. I am usually quite wary of coffee shop sandwiches- often they are dried-out, over-refrigerated sacks of nasty- but I was pleased by my sandwich wrap and the homemade Curry Lentil Soup. Angie was less impressed, but apparently she has a higher bar for coffee shops than I do. And really, any coffee shop that serves me a tasty lunch, offers a "Bitch Biscuit" all day, AND sells used clothing about 3 feet from my head at just $5/pop, is really a coffee shop for the ages.
Eaten:
Denise: The half sandwich/soup combo, with a Chicken Salad wrap and the aforementioned Curry Lentil soup. Both had far more flavor than I anticipated. Yay for flavor! I also had a cup of what can only be described as Cold Weather Deliciousness- the "Seattle Fog," which is English Breakfast tea mixed with sugar, soy milk, and vanilla syrup. Ohhh warm me up, baby.
Angie: A whole Goat Cheese-Hummus wrap (which she said had been refrigerated past its Angie-would-eat-it date), and a hard-boiled egg- of which I bogarted the yolk. In one gluttonous bite. Oh, and a Diet Coke.
Check total: Only about $10 per person. Quite the cheap deal.
Rating: 4 Flying Fish out of 5. The menu could be more varied, and the sandwiches fresher. But hells yes would I come back for another Seattle Fog.
Lunch #38: Falafel King
January 31, 2012
When I visited Egypt back in 2010, I partook of some of the most bland, undelicious falafel and hummus I'd ever eaten. So when I saw that Falafel King was on The Lunch List, I honestly didn't see myself eating there, (or its falafel) any time soon. Given that, and how Falafel King's 5 meager stools and 3 outdoor tables are always filled (and being that we are rarely in the mood to punch someone just to get their lunch seating), we never made our Falafel King lunch a priority.
We were a bit late today, and the lateness of the lunch hour magically produced a less crowded Falafel King. That doesn't mean, however, that it was a more EFFICIENT Falafel King. For all this place's amazing yumminess, I have no freaking idea how this guy makes ANY money. The food is cheap (about $10 per person), but there is very little seating, and he is cashier, waiter, and chef all in one...and all that makes for a slow lunch line indeed, and not many eaters served. But hey, that's not my problem, right? His food was so astoundingly delicious that my problem was that I ate so much I have garlic and onions burning a hole in my overloaded stomach. Ugh.
Eaten:
Denise: Chicken Shwarma, my favorite middle Eastern dish, and man was this one good. A spicy garlicky load of rice, hummus, shwarma, veg, and a side salad.
Angie: The Chicken Shwarma and Falafel Combo Plate. She seemed equally pleased.
Check total: Only $10 per person, including soda! Seriously, HOW does this guy make that pricey Pike Place Market rent??
Rating: 5 Flying Fish out of 5. A perfect meld of cheap, delicious, and garlic.
We were a bit late today, and the lateness of the lunch hour magically produced a less crowded Falafel King. That doesn't mean, however, that it was a more EFFICIENT Falafel King. For all this place's amazing yumminess, I have no freaking idea how this guy makes ANY money. The food is cheap (about $10 per person), but there is very little seating, and he is cashier, waiter, and chef all in one...and all that makes for a slow lunch line indeed, and not many eaters served. But hey, that's not my problem, right? His food was so astoundingly delicious that my problem was that I ate so much I have garlic and onions burning a hole in my overloaded stomach. Ugh.
Eaten:
Denise: Chicken Shwarma, my favorite middle Eastern dish, and man was this one good. A spicy garlicky load of rice, hummus, shwarma, veg, and a side salad.
Angie: The Chicken Shwarma and Falafel Combo Plate. She seemed equally pleased.
Check total: Only $10 per person, including soda! Seriously, HOW does this guy make that pricey Pike Place Market rent??
Rating: 5 Flying Fish out of 5. A perfect meld of cheap, delicious, and garlic.
Lunch #39: Lowell's Restaurant & Bar
February 8, 2012
Whenever I think, "I'm in the mood for a great view of Seattle, some local ingredients, and getting way overcharged for it," I think Lowell's. Now, let me clarify by saying that isn't always a bad thing. If you have friends or relatives in town who JUST HAVE TO EAT WHILE STARING AT THE WATER, this is a pretty good option. It's part of the main arcade triumvirate of lookalike/eat-a-like diner-ish restaurants, including Athenian Inn and Pike Place Bar & Grill. But of the three, this feels the most Seattle-y; they serve Beecher's Cheese, lots of local salmon, and there's a secret 3rd floor dining area for us locals who know that if you're paying for the view, you better TAKE that view and not get suckered into the cheap seats. But, if you're looking for a go-to lunch spot, this really is too expensive for regular chowing, given that you can pay the same amount and hit Matt's at the Market, Maximillien, or Place Pigalle, and get far more refined food with the same pretty view....and even experience the thrill of table, not counter, service.
Eaten:
Denise: The "Lowell's Signature King Salmon Sandwich." It came with fries, and seemingly drowning a frightening death in a sea of tartar sauce.
Angie: The fish tacos, which came with barbacao beans. I will state that Angie chose far more wisely than I. Those tacos looked scrumptious.
Check total: With drinks and tax, about $19 per person. That's pretty freaking spendy for a place that doesn't even have waiters to take your order.
Rating: 3.5 Flying Fish out of 5. While the view is nice, the ingredients are quality, it's just too damn expensive for such common food, and really not hugely flavorful either. Hrmmph.
Eaten:
Denise: The "Lowell's Signature King Salmon Sandwich." It came with fries, and seemingly drowning a frightening death in a sea of tartar sauce.
Angie: The fish tacos, which came with barbacao beans. I will state that Angie chose far more wisely than I. Those tacos looked scrumptious.
Check total: With drinks and tax, about $19 per person. That's pretty freaking spendy for a place that doesn't even have waiters to take your order.
Rating: 3.5 Flying Fish out of 5. While the view is nice, the ingredients are quality, it's just too damn expensive for such common food, and really not hugely flavorful either. Hrmmph.
Lunch #40: Kell's Irish Pub
February 17, 2012
I'm from a very Irish family, so I am well aware of the oxymoronic term "Irish food." Sorry, all you shepherd's pie and bangers & mash fans, but 1) I'm not a big meat and potatoes girl, and 2) despite their being on Irish menus, those items are BRITISH. Yuk. (note: corned beef and cabbage is also NOT IRISH. It's American. And it's nasty).
So you can sense my overall enthusiasm for lunching at Kell's. But, on this dreary, drizzly, chilly February day, it seemed appropriate to head to the windowless, snug cave that is Kell's, and indulge in heavy comfort food. And truly, I was happily surprised. Why? Not only was the aforementioned corned beef and cabbage ABSENT from their menu, but they serve a very Irish dish- salmon. Now, granted, here in Seattle it's not true Atlantic salmon, but color me pleased that an Irish joint understands true Irish ingredients. Overall, I was pleased with the variety and flavors, as well as the appropriate level of pub coziness on this very Seattle day.
Eaten:
Denise: A chicken and mushroom pasty in tarragon sauce, with a cup of split pea soup. (note: Angie questioned my pronunciation of "pasty" <rhymes with "nasty">, and I explained that the other pronunciation is something you stick on your boobies <rhymes with "hasty">. Pasty eaters of the world, pronounce this word correctly!!!) But the pasty pastry was perfectly done, the tarragon sauce was lovely, and the chicken was tender. Irish girl is pleased. (but not as pleased as I'd have been if I'd had some Jameson on the side)
Angie: The lox and brie sandwich with a cup of split pea soup. The sandwich looked delicious, but due to the weather I required a hot lunch, so I was not at all jealous of her selection.
Check total: About $12 per person with tax and tip.
Rating: 4 Flying Fish out of 5. Reasonably priced, authentic menu, and really nice service. And of course, a veritable WALL of Irish whiskey to drink, though since it was lunchtime I demurred. Poop.
So you can sense my overall enthusiasm for lunching at Kell's. But, on this dreary, drizzly, chilly February day, it seemed appropriate to head to the windowless, snug cave that is Kell's, and indulge in heavy comfort food. And truly, I was happily surprised. Why? Not only was the aforementioned corned beef and cabbage ABSENT from their menu, but they serve a very Irish dish- salmon. Now, granted, here in Seattle it's not true Atlantic salmon, but color me pleased that an Irish joint understands true Irish ingredients. Overall, I was pleased with the variety and flavors, as well as the appropriate level of pub coziness on this very Seattle day.
Eaten:
Denise: A chicken and mushroom pasty in tarragon sauce, with a cup of split pea soup. (note: Angie questioned my pronunciation of "pasty" <rhymes with "nasty">, and I explained that the other pronunciation is something you stick on your boobies <rhymes with "hasty">. Pasty eaters of the world, pronounce this word correctly!!!) But the pasty pastry was perfectly done, the tarragon sauce was lovely, and the chicken was tender. Irish girl is pleased. (but not as pleased as I'd have been if I'd had some Jameson on the side)
Angie: The lox and brie sandwich with a cup of split pea soup. The sandwich looked delicious, but due to the weather I required a hot lunch, so I was not at all jealous of her selection.
Check total: About $12 per person with tax and tip.
Rating: 4 Flying Fish out of 5. Reasonably priced, authentic menu, and really nice service. And of course, a veritable WALL of Irish whiskey to drink, though since it was lunchtime I demurred. Poop.
Lunch #41: Jack's Fish & Chips Spot
February 24, 2012
It's pretty chilly here in February, so the thought of sitting at a sort-of outdoor counter, eating fried fish in the cold, didn't really excite me. But every time we walk by Jack's, all the diners look so happy and contented, that we decided that today was the Jack's day, screw the weather!
Jack's is a short-order fish and chips counter attached to a fish shop. It kind of feels like a Seattle version of a New York City hot dog counter. You have your regulars, your oldsters, and your office lunchers. And like those NYC hot dog counters, this place is surprisingly good. I was expecting greasy spoon-style fried fish; instead, we got well-seasoned soups, delicious fish tacos, and...wait for it...sumptuous raw oysters on the half shell. And who cares about the cold? That soup kept us cozy warm. Count us in as Jack's fans- seriously, I can't wait to hit this place in the summertime.
Eaten:
Denise: One snapper fish taco, a bowl of cioppino, and a raw oyster. Really, a perfect Seattle lunch.
Angie: Two fish tacos, a bowl of clam chowder, and my other raw oyster. Now, I am not a huge clam chowder fan (Seattle heresy, I know), but this was possibly the best chowder I've ever tasted (Angie let me have one teeny spoonful). Buttery and creamy-perfect.
Check total: About $11 each. Really, for such fresh fish (and the authentic Seattle experience thrown in), it's quite a swell bargain.
Rating: I'm going to give this 5 Flying Fish out of 5. Why? Cheap. Delicious. Very Seattle. And everyone likes to sit on a counter stool.
Jack's is a short-order fish and chips counter attached to a fish shop. It kind of feels like a Seattle version of a New York City hot dog counter. You have your regulars, your oldsters, and your office lunchers. And like those NYC hot dog counters, this place is surprisingly good. I was expecting greasy spoon-style fried fish; instead, we got well-seasoned soups, delicious fish tacos, and...wait for it...sumptuous raw oysters on the half shell. And who cares about the cold? That soup kept us cozy warm. Count us in as Jack's fans- seriously, I can't wait to hit this place in the summertime.
Eaten:
Denise: One snapper fish taco, a bowl of cioppino, and a raw oyster. Really, a perfect Seattle lunch.
Angie: Two fish tacos, a bowl of clam chowder, and my other raw oyster. Now, I am not a huge clam chowder fan (Seattle heresy, I know), but this was possibly the best chowder I've ever tasted (Angie let me have one teeny spoonful). Buttery and creamy-perfect.
Check total: About $11 each. Really, for such fresh fish (and the authentic Seattle experience thrown in), it's quite a swell bargain.
Rating: I'm going to give this 5 Flying Fish out of 5. Why? Cheap. Delicious. Very Seattle. And everyone likes to sit on a counter stool.
Lunch #42: Market Diner
March 19, 2012
Until recently, I didn't realize that "Pike Place Bar & Grill," "Market Grill," and "Market Diner" were three different places. I just thought Market Grill and Diner were the same restaurant. But lo, during our last lunch at Jack's Fish Spot, we spied the teeny Market Diner veritably hiding in its corner. So off we went!
The Market Diner, quite simply, is an odd place. Or perhaps a nice place with a very odd vibe. First off, it is undecorated and plain enough to easily pass for a generic office. It has bright green paint on the exterior wall, which you then realize is just a false wall set up to join 2 corners together to form the interior. Secondly, the interior is a sterile white with 2 small Seattle photos as decor. Frankly, it looks like these guys just moved in. Thirdly, it was EMPTY. There are maybe 10+ tables, and except for a gentleman reading the paper at the counter, for the entire Pike Place Market lunch rush hour, Angie and I were the sole customers. And finally, they got themselves a bit of a strange pricing structure. How so? Undersized items were 50% more expensive than filling, well-sized items, which caused us (well, Angie) to order unwisely. But despite the empty dining room, the food was surprisingly good. So aside from the generic name and decor, and hidden location, we're a bit stumped as to why Market Diner is the Market Ghost Town.
Eaten:
Denise: The $8 grilled salmon wrap with a side Caesar salad. I was really impressed with the flavorful wrap- and the portion was surprisingly large for just $8.
Angie: The $13 crab salad, which was sold as "very large." Color Angie not happy that it was not, in fact, "very large." Just "very expensive."
Check total: Well, depending on which one of us you ask, either $10 or $15 per person. But since Angie is a kick-ass friend and paid for lunch, let's just say $12 per person.
Rating: 3.5 Flying Fish out of 5. The food was pretty good, albeit weirdly priced. If they spruced up their dining room, I'd give 'em another .5 Flying Fish for ambience.
The Market Diner, quite simply, is an odd place. Or perhaps a nice place with a very odd vibe. First off, it is undecorated and plain enough to easily pass for a generic office. It has bright green paint on the exterior wall, which you then realize is just a false wall set up to join 2 corners together to form the interior. Secondly, the interior is a sterile white with 2 small Seattle photos as decor. Frankly, it looks like these guys just moved in. Thirdly, it was EMPTY. There are maybe 10+ tables, and except for a gentleman reading the paper at the counter, for the entire Pike Place Market lunch rush hour, Angie and I were the sole customers. And finally, they got themselves a bit of a strange pricing structure. How so? Undersized items were 50% more expensive than filling, well-sized items, which caused us (well, Angie) to order unwisely. But despite the empty dining room, the food was surprisingly good. So aside from the generic name and decor, and hidden location, we're a bit stumped as to why Market Diner is the Market Ghost Town.
Eaten:
Denise: The $8 grilled salmon wrap with a side Caesar salad. I was really impressed with the flavorful wrap- and the portion was surprisingly large for just $8.
Angie: The $13 crab salad, which was sold as "very large." Color Angie not happy that it was not, in fact, "very large." Just "very expensive."
Check total: Well, depending on which one of us you ask, either $10 or $15 per person. But since Angie is a kick-ass friend and paid for lunch, let's just say $12 per person.
Rating: 3.5 Flying Fish out of 5. The food was pretty good, albeit weirdly priced. If they spruced up their dining room, I'd give 'em another .5 Flying Fish for ambience.
Lunch #43: Sisters European Cafe
April 2, 2012
I've said before that I'm not much of a sandwich girl, and places like Sisters are the reason why.
I, too, can place sliced meats and vegetables on slices of bread. This is a not a difficult recipe for me. So hence, to be charged $10 for this service, and receive a bland sandwich in the bargain, is not pleasing to me. Now, apparently Sisters is renowned for their foccacia; but to me foccacia is a carb-laden specialty straight outta 1990, so this is obviously not a huge selling point. But I did note that said foccacia was so thick that the sandwiches were basically 75% bread, so if you like foccacia, this could very well be your lunch spot.
So thank you to Sisters for living down to my low sandwich expectations.
Eaten:
Denise: A Santa Barbara smoked turkey and avocado sandwich with a cup of tomato-basil ravioli soup. (Doesn't that soup sound delicious? That's what I thought. Note to Sisters that calling it "Tomato-Vegetable Basil-less Soup With a Piece of Ravioli Sadly Floating In It" or even "Watery Vegetable Soup" might be more honest.) The turkey was not smoked, and the avocado and tomatoes were mysteriously flavorless. It was a lot of focaccia, and I am desperately trying to stave off carb coma.
Angie: The Santa Barbara smoked turkey and avocado sandwich, with a Greek salad. She had the same opinion of the sandwich as I, and sadly noted that the Greek salad had oily Italian dressing all over it. Salad fail.
Check total: About $11 per person.
Rating: 2.5 Flying Fish out of 5. The extra .5 Fish comes from the precious early spring Seattle day that allowed us to eat al fresco.
I, too, can place sliced meats and vegetables on slices of bread. This is a not a difficult recipe for me. So hence, to be charged $10 for this service, and receive a bland sandwich in the bargain, is not pleasing to me. Now, apparently Sisters is renowned for their foccacia; but to me foccacia is a carb-laden specialty straight outta 1990, so this is obviously not a huge selling point. But I did note that said foccacia was so thick that the sandwiches were basically 75% bread, so if you like foccacia, this could very well be your lunch spot.
So thank you to Sisters for living down to my low sandwich expectations.
Eaten:
Denise: A Santa Barbara smoked turkey and avocado sandwich with a cup of tomato-basil ravioli soup. (Doesn't that soup sound delicious? That's what I thought. Note to Sisters that calling it "Tomato-Vegetable Basil-less Soup With a Piece of Ravioli Sadly Floating In It" or even "Watery Vegetable Soup" might be more honest.) The turkey was not smoked, and the avocado and tomatoes were mysteriously flavorless. It was a lot of focaccia, and I am desperately trying to stave off carb coma.
Angie: The Santa Barbara smoked turkey and avocado sandwich, with a Greek salad. She had the same opinion of the sandwich as I, and sadly noted that the Greek salad had oily Italian dressing all over it. Salad fail.
Check total: About $11 per person.
Rating: 2.5 Flying Fish out of 5. The extra .5 Fish comes from the precious early spring Seattle day that allowed us to eat al fresco.
Lunch #44: Pike Place Chinese Cuisine
April 10, 2012
There's a lot of Asian food in Seattle. Some of it is exceptional, but most of it is just better than average.
I've been to Pike Place Chinese several times before, and I think it fits neatly in the latter category. It has a varied, but typical menu, and the dishes are well executed but not overly memorable. However, what is memorable about Pike Place Chinese is its weird, narrow shape. The restaurant is literally the size of a hallway- the seating area is a row of booths shoehorned into a walkway. It's a brilliant use of space, though, since that walkway is all windows-on-the-waterfront. So while the tourists clamor upstairs for bad overpriced diner food, you can go "down under" for a reasonably priced, fairly yummy Chinese lunch and get the view for half price. And no tourists. Score!
Eaten:
Denise: This time around, I tried the Singapore Noodles with shrimp. It was pretty good- not exceptional, but pretty darn authentic. I highly recommend the squid and rice lunch special, by the way. Yums.
Angie: Cashew chicken. Angie is not a huge Chinese food fan, so bring on the cashew chicken!
Check total: About $12 per person with green tea, tax, and tip.
Rating: 4 Flying Fish out of 5. Good food, great view, cheap, and no tourists! Whee!!!!
I've been to Pike Place Chinese several times before, and I think it fits neatly in the latter category. It has a varied, but typical menu, and the dishes are well executed but not overly memorable. However, what is memorable about Pike Place Chinese is its weird, narrow shape. The restaurant is literally the size of a hallway- the seating area is a row of booths shoehorned into a walkway. It's a brilliant use of space, though, since that walkway is all windows-on-the-waterfront. So while the tourists clamor upstairs for bad overpriced diner food, you can go "down under" for a reasonably priced, fairly yummy Chinese lunch and get the view for half price. And no tourists. Score!
Eaten:
Denise: This time around, I tried the Singapore Noodles with shrimp. It was pretty good- not exceptional, but pretty darn authentic. I highly recommend the squid and rice lunch special, by the way. Yums.
Angie: Cashew chicken. Angie is not a huge Chinese food fan, so bring on the cashew chicken!
Check total: About $12 per person with green tea, tax, and tip.
Rating: 4 Flying Fish out of 5. Good food, great view, cheap, and no tourists! Whee!!!!
Lunch #45 & #46: Oriental Mart & Le Panier
I'd heard really good things about Oriental Mart. It's not much to look at- just a counter surrounding a kitchen area, in the back of an open-air Asian grocery. But apparently their salmon collar soup is EP-IC.
However, today they weren't serving salmon collar soup. But what they WERE serving- chicken curry and adobo- was pretty darn delicious, cheap, and served by a very friendly family. Cheap, yummy, and a very Pike Place Market experience...oh yes. I was pleased.
Now, as we're getting near to the end of this quest, we decided to double up and hit Le Panier French Bakery for dessert. Angie loves their bread, and I love cookies, so we split a Duo Choclat Sable cookie (and when I say "split," I mean she had a bite and I ate it all).
However, today they weren't serving salmon collar soup. But what they WERE serving- chicken curry and adobo- was pretty darn delicious, cheap, and served by a very friendly family. Cheap, yummy, and a very Pike Place Market experience...oh yes. I was pleased.
Now, as we're getting near to the end of this quest, we decided to double up and hit Le Panier French Bakery for dessert. Angie loves their bread, and I love cookies, so we split a Duo Choclat Sable cookie (and when I say "split," I mean she had a bite and I ate it all).
April 18, 2012
Unfortunately, while Le Panier's French breads are legendary, their pastries are a bit dry and dense. Not enough chocolate in the sable, and it kind of sat in my belly like a small concrete brick. So while lunch was delish, dessert left a lot to be desired, pastry-wise.
Eaten:
Denise: Half Chicken Adobo and half Chicken Curry lunch plate, with rice and glass noodles. And most of a chocolate sable.
Angie: The Chicken Curry lunch plate. I got the distinct feeling that Angie was not as thrilled with her lunch as I. Oh, and a bite of the chocolate sable.
Check total: About $10 per person.
Rating: Oriental Mart: 4 Flying Fish out of 5; Le Panier gets 3 Flying Fish.
Eaten:
Denise: Half Chicken Adobo and half Chicken Curry lunch plate, with rice and glass noodles. And most of a chocolate sable.
Angie: The Chicken Curry lunch plate. I got the distinct feeling that Angie was not as thrilled with her lunch as I. Oh, and a bite of the chocolate sable.
Check total: About $10 per person.
Rating: Oriental Mart: 4 Flying Fish out of 5; Le Panier gets 3 Flying Fish.
Lunch #47: Pike Place Market Bagels
May 2, 2012
Bagels are so 1990s, am I right? And carbs...bagels are dripping with carby evil. But we're down to the last 10 lunches, so it became quite clear we couldn't avoid this lunch much longer. Bring on bagels!
All I can say is, Pike Place Bagels pretty much hit all my expectations. Bagels. Sandwiches. Soups. Kinda generic, kind of a trip through the 1993 way-back machine. The bagels were actually pretty good, but not anywhere near stellar; the soup...well, let's just say the Hearty Vegetable Soup tasted like it came from a can, and felt like it had been microwaved to infinity. (and yes, we know it was microwaved, folks. You have to put out electric soup tureens to at least PRETEND you're making homemade soup.) Chef Mike (aka the microwave) was doing some pretty heavy-duty cooking at lunchtime, I must say.
Eaten:
Denise: A smoked turkey sandwich on an onion bagel, and the aforementioned can-microwaved Hearty Vegetable Soup.
Angie: Exactly the same, except she went for a jalapeno bagel, and no mayo on her sandwich. (she is a better person than I, obviously.) And her opinion of the soup: "Tastes like hot V-8." Soup fail!
Check total: About $10 per person. Cheap, but that didn't make the soup any better.
Rating: 2.5 Flying Fish out of 5. If you like bagels, this is a nonoffensively not-bad place. If you love creative food, obviously you won't be dining at a bagel shop. And now I shall cease damning with faint praise.
All I can say is, Pike Place Bagels pretty much hit all my expectations. Bagels. Sandwiches. Soups. Kinda generic, kind of a trip through the 1993 way-back machine. The bagels were actually pretty good, but not anywhere near stellar; the soup...well, let's just say the Hearty Vegetable Soup tasted like it came from a can, and felt like it had been microwaved to infinity. (and yes, we know it was microwaved, folks. You have to put out electric soup tureens to at least PRETEND you're making homemade soup.) Chef Mike (aka the microwave) was doing some pretty heavy-duty cooking at lunchtime, I must say.
Eaten:
Denise: A smoked turkey sandwich on an onion bagel, and the aforementioned can-microwaved Hearty Vegetable Soup.
Angie: Exactly the same, except she went for a jalapeno bagel, and no mayo on her sandwich. (she is a better person than I, obviously.) And her opinion of the soup: "Tastes like hot V-8." Soup fail!
Check total: About $10 per person. Cheap, but that didn't make the soup any better.
Rating: 2.5 Flying Fish out of 5. If you like bagels, this is a nonoffensively not-bad place. If you love creative food, obviously you won't be dining at a bagel shop. And now I shall cease damning with faint praise.
Lunch #48: Saffron Spice
May 14, 2012
Few things charm me as much when I visit a restaurant as a proud owner, offering his food to me in a way that says Eat! You are my guest! Enjoy! And when the food is indeed that good, I am left with a full belly of happy deliciousness and gratefulness.
I truly did not expect to find that experience at a tiny takeout stall in the Market entrance, but Saffron Spice was a pleasant surprise in many ways.
Saffron Spice is a teeny stand, offering a small hot case of Indian dishes, a case of samosas, and lassis (Indian smoothies). The owner seemed so genuinely happy to see us that not only did we indulge in lunch combos, but his yummy samosas as well. He even suggested a location to picnic. And when we did dig into our lunches, not only did Angie remark that this was the "best takeout" we'd had, but it was a perfectly warm, sunny Seattle day...so my belly was full of Indian lunch happiness AND sunshine. A Market gem!! Whee!!
Eaten:
Denise: The non-vegetarian lunch combo, which meant 1 veg option and 1 meat option, plus a side salad and basmati saffron rice. I chose the yellow vegetable curry and the chicken tikka- both were surprisingly delicious. We also split a very tasty chicken samosa.
Angie: Same, except she opted for a bean veg option. We both agreed my yellow curry was the wise choice.
Check total: Only $22, for both combos, the samosa, 2 soft drinks, and tax. Amazing.
Rating: I'm going to give this Little Indian Engine That Could 5 Flying Fish out of 5. Charming me always produces that extra Flying Fish.
I truly did not expect to find that experience at a tiny takeout stall in the Market entrance, but Saffron Spice was a pleasant surprise in many ways.
Saffron Spice is a teeny stand, offering a small hot case of Indian dishes, a case of samosas, and lassis (Indian smoothies). The owner seemed so genuinely happy to see us that not only did we indulge in lunch combos, but his yummy samosas as well. He even suggested a location to picnic. And when we did dig into our lunches, not only did Angie remark that this was the "best takeout" we'd had, but it was a perfectly warm, sunny Seattle day...so my belly was full of Indian lunch happiness AND sunshine. A Market gem!! Whee!!
Eaten:
Denise: The non-vegetarian lunch combo, which meant 1 veg option and 1 meat option, plus a side salad and basmati saffron rice. I chose the yellow vegetable curry and the chicken tikka- both were surprisingly delicious. We also split a very tasty chicken samosa.
Angie: Same, except she opted for a bean veg option. We both agreed my yellow curry was the wise choice.
Check total: Only $22, for both combos, the samosa, 2 soft drinks, and tax. Amazing.
Rating: I'm going to give this Little Indian Engine That Could 5 Flying Fish out of 5. Charming me always produces that extra Flying Fish.
Lunch #49: Cafe Campagne
June 6, 2012
Cafe Campagne is a Seattle institution. It is the best of a fin de siecle Parisian brasserie, and Seattle quaintness. So what can I say that hasn't already been said? We ducked in here mid-week for a leisurely, elegant lunch, and between the excellent food and lovely service, we weren't disappointed. Let's be clear, however- Cafe Campagne isn't a cheap place. Those of us craving regular French-tastiness, but on a budget, head up the hill to Le Pichet. But still. Don't two hard-working ladies deserve a bit of luxury at lunchtime?
Eaten:
Angie: The daily Prix Fixe Special- a bowl of soupe de jour (carrot-fennel puree) and the Salade Nicoise. It was a deceptively huge amount of food, and stunningly yummy.
Denise: Same thing. I never say no to Nicoise and anchovies....
Check total: $24 per person, with tax and tip. Yep, kinda spendy. But oh so worth it.
Rating: 5 Flying Fish out of 5. Anything lower would be tres gauche.
Eaten:
Angie: The daily Prix Fixe Special- a bowl of soupe de jour (carrot-fennel puree) and the Salade Nicoise. It was a deceptively huge amount of food, and stunningly yummy.
Denise: Same thing. I never say no to Nicoise and anchovies....
Check total: $24 per person, with tax and tip. Yep, kinda spendy. But oh so worth it.
Rating: 5 Flying Fish out of 5. Anything lower would be tres gauche.
Lunch #50, #51, & #52: Mee Sum Pastry, Chicken Valley, & Piroshky-Piroshky
So we're very near the end (thank goodness), but that means we're hitting the joints that we had been putting off for a very long time (like, 18 months). Neither of us are very big pastry, fried food, or bread eaters, so we figured damn the carb torpedos...and hit all of them at once. Chinese dumplings, Russian pastry, and fried chicken- bring it on.
We started with Mee Sum Pastry (as in "Give Mee Sum Pastry!" Clever, eh?). When I visited Malaysia several years back, I developed a Pavlovian response to humbow. But it's been a while, so to try something different, we ordered a single Baked Chicken & Mushroom Humbow to split, instead of the steamed version. Big mistake. The baked dough covering, while good, was about 80% of the humbow. The delicious chicken and mushroom filling was so minimal in comparison to that hulking roll that it just got lost. And, we both found the sweet roll topping/savory chicken and mushroom filling/spicy sauce combination jarring, and not just a bit weird.
We started with Mee Sum Pastry (as in "Give Mee Sum Pastry!" Clever, eh?). When I visited Malaysia several years back, I developed a Pavlovian response to humbow. But it's been a while, so to try something different, we ordered a single Baked Chicken & Mushroom Humbow to split, instead of the steamed version. Big mistake. The baked dough covering, while good, was about 80% of the humbow. The delicious chicken and mushroom filling was so minimal in comparison to that hulking roll that it just got lost. And, we both found the sweet roll topping/savory chicken and mushroom filling/spicy sauce combination jarring, and not just a bit weird.
June 18, 2012
Onto Chicken Valley! Their sign proudly says "Seattle's Best Fried Chicken." We spent a whopping $2 on fried chicken tenders, and can honestly say that sign is a lying sack of sh*t. I will go out on a limb and rate Chicken Valley Best for Market Botulism, however.
Finally...Piroshky-Piroshky. This is a Market institution, legend, you name it. When Anthony Bourdain did his "No Reservations: Pacific Northwest" episode, this is the Market restaurant he visited. I'm not entirely sure why this place has such a rabid following, but I suppose if you like lots of bread and carbs wrapped around your heavily sauced, rich meats, then indeed this is the spot for you. We split a Smoked Salmon Piroshky, and while we were both charmed with the salmon-shaped pastry, the entire piroshky was just so freaking heavy that by the end of the Carbohydrate Outing (as it was later known), we both had been induced into a carb coma.
Eaten:
Denise & Angie: We split a Baked Chicken & Mushroom Humbow at Mee Sum, a Smoked Salmon Piroshky at Piroshky-Piroshky, and a $2 order of fried chicken tenders at Chicken Valley. Seriously, I nearly puked an hour later from vegetable withdrawal.
Check total: For both of us, a total of just $14. Bread and fried stuff is very cheap, kids.
Rating: Mee Sum- 2.5 Flying Fish; Piroshky-Piroshky- 3 Flying Fish; Chicken Valley- No Stars For You! (said in my best Soup Nazi voice)
Eaten:
Denise & Angie: We split a Baked Chicken & Mushroom Humbow at Mee Sum, a Smoked Salmon Piroshky at Piroshky-Piroshky, and a $2 order of fried chicken tenders at Chicken Valley. Seriously, I nearly puked an hour later from vegetable withdrawal.
Check total: For both of us, a total of just $14. Bread and fried stuff is very cheap, kids.
Rating: Mee Sum- 2.5 Flying Fish; Piroshky-Piroshky- 3 Flying Fish; Chicken Valley- No Stars For You! (said in my best Soup Nazi voice)
Lunch #53: El Borracho
September 13, 2012
OK, so before I begin my review, let me explain our hiatus: In April 2012, I was laid off from my downtown Seattle job. My new job, though fabulous, is 10 miles east of Angie's office, and our beloved Pike Place Market. So, for obvious geographic reasons, we are no longer able to meet regularly for lunch. So our finish time on this Challenge has elongated to the point where one of our last-to-be-reviewed-and-we're-done restaurants WENT OUT OF BUSINESS (so long, Cafe Yarmarka), and one of our previously reviewed restaurants (Pan Africa) left the Market, and was replaced by El Borracho (also: two new restaurants have popped up in our absence- Cha:n and Cafe Farvahar- so at this rate, we may never finish).
But we did manage to meet for a meal at Pan Africa's successor, El Borracho, and I can confidently say that it is one of my new Market faves. Why? After attending a crazy, tequila-fueled wedding in Mexico City last year, I discovered an untapped passion for Mexican street tacos. Upon my return to Seattle, I was, to put it mildly, despondent at realizing that my hometown boasted no such deliciousness. But lo! Enter El Borracho! All of your street-taco-goodness, plus an always-$4 house margarita, makes this place my lunch and post-hangover go-to taco shack. Viva Mexico!
Eaten:
Denise & Angie: We each had 3 tacos, of which there are a fine variety on the menu. I chose duck, roasted chicken, and shrimp. (Yes, you read me right- DUCK TACOS. Oh, I was pleased.) Angie chose 2 pork tacos and a chicken, and was equally pleased, though not of the duck-variety-pleasing. Oh, and we had $4 margaritas. Because you have to.
Check total: With tax and tip, not even $15 per person. Seriously, this place ROCKS.
Rating: I'm gonna give this place 5 Flying Fish out of 5. It's a perfect intersection of yummy, cheap, and DUCK!
But we did manage to meet for a meal at Pan Africa's successor, El Borracho, and I can confidently say that it is one of my new Market faves. Why? After attending a crazy, tequila-fueled wedding in Mexico City last year, I discovered an untapped passion for Mexican street tacos. Upon my return to Seattle, I was, to put it mildly, despondent at realizing that my hometown boasted no such deliciousness. But lo! Enter El Borracho! All of your street-taco-goodness, plus an always-$4 house margarita, makes this place my lunch and post-hangover go-to taco shack. Viva Mexico!
Eaten:
Denise & Angie: We each had 3 tacos, of which there are a fine variety on the menu. I chose duck, roasted chicken, and shrimp. (Yes, you read me right- DUCK TACOS. Oh, I was pleased.) Angie chose 2 pork tacos and a chicken, and was equally pleased, though not of the duck-variety-pleasing. Oh, and we had $4 margaritas. Because you have to.
Check total: With tax and tip, not even $15 per person. Seriously, this place ROCKS.
Rating: I'm gonna give this place 5 Flying Fish out of 5. It's a perfect intersection of yummy, cheap, and DUCK!
Lunch #54: Delaurenti Specialty Food & Wine
December 13, 2012
We had attempted to eat at Delaurenti's Specialty Food & Wine months ago, but a freak electricity blackout at the Market prevented our lunch. I'm gonna go ahead and say right now that I prefer the blackout to the mediocre food I ate here. I realize that's harsh, but f**king up pizza- when you're an Italian establishment- really makes me grumbly.
Delaurenti's is an Italian deli, serving pizza slices, Italian sandwiches, salads, and soups, and an Italian grocery and wine market. Given its obvious focus on Italian food, one would assume that the Italian staples it offers would have some finesse. And yet.
Eaten:
Denise: A slice of cheese pizza, which was startling in both its blandness and cheese congealment (I was going to say "cheese congeniality," but that would have connoted positivity), and a cup of the Butternut Squash Coconut Curry Soup. (Note about this soup: We both tasted it, and decided that there must have been 2 soups of the day- Butternut Squash, AND Coconut Curry, because my soup tasted neither of Coconut nor of Curry. So we asked. Nope. Just one soup. And a sad one.)
Angie: A Tocchino panini, which she seemed to enjoy more than I liked my lunch. So it wasn't a completely wasted caloric intake.
Check total: Barely $7 each. A bargain, unless you consider a "bargain" to include actually liking your food.
Rating: 2 Flying Fish out of 5. Cheap is great only if it's good.
Delaurenti's is an Italian deli, serving pizza slices, Italian sandwiches, salads, and soups, and an Italian grocery and wine market. Given its obvious focus on Italian food, one would assume that the Italian staples it offers would have some finesse. And yet.
Eaten:
Denise: A slice of cheese pizza, which was startling in both its blandness and cheese congealment (I was going to say "cheese congeniality," but that would have connoted positivity), and a cup of the Butternut Squash Coconut Curry Soup. (Note about this soup: We both tasted it, and decided that there must have been 2 soups of the day- Butternut Squash, AND Coconut Curry, because my soup tasted neither of Coconut nor of Curry. So we asked. Nope. Just one soup. And a sad one.)
Angie: A Tocchino panini, which she seemed to enjoy more than I liked my lunch. So it wasn't a completely wasted caloric intake.
Check total: Barely $7 each. A bargain, unless you consider a "bargain" to include actually liking your food.
Rating: 2 Flying Fish out of 5. Cheap is great only if it's good.
Lunch #55 & 56: Los Agaves & Cafe Farvahar
This is it! We finished! It took 1 year, 10 months, and 23 days, but we FINISHED!
So...this challenge took so long, that our final two restaurants weren't even in existence when we started in February 2011. Gary's Tex-Mex Snack Shack went out of business, and Los Agaves appeared in its empty stall. Now, I was pretty excited to eat here; I love Mexican street food (see our El Borracho review above!), and I had heard good things about Los Agaves' catering business in a nearby city. And I happily report that Los Agaves did not disappoint! You have to wander a bit into the interior of the fruit market to find this stand, but I recommend it. Authentic Mexican tacos, served from a noisy counter, eaten while standing up, is one of life's simple pleasures.
Eaten:
Denise: Chicken Adobo tacos. I found this to be a weird menu option, since Chicken Adobo is a Filipino dish, but that doesn't mean it wasn't delicious.
Angie: A pork tamale. She too thought the first half of her lunch was delicious.
Check total: About $10 total.
Rating: I'm going to give this little stall 4 1/2 Flying Fish out of 5. A liquor license would have pushed it to 5. :)
So...this challenge took so long, that our final two restaurants weren't even in existence when we started in February 2011. Gary's Tex-Mex Snack Shack went out of business, and Los Agaves appeared in its empty stall. Now, I was pretty excited to eat here; I love Mexican street food (see our El Borracho review above!), and I had heard good things about Los Agaves' catering business in a nearby city. And I happily report that Los Agaves did not disappoint! You have to wander a bit into the interior of the fruit market to find this stand, but I recommend it. Authentic Mexican tacos, served from a noisy counter, eaten while standing up, is one of life's simple pleasures.
Eaten:
Denise: Chicken Adobo tacos. I found this to be a weird menu option, since Chicken Adobo is a Filipino dish, but that doesn't mean it wasn't delicious.
Angie: A pork tamale. She too thought the first half of her lunch was delicious.
Check total: About $10 total.
Rating: I'm going to give this little stall 4 1/2 Flying Fish out of 5. A liquor license would have pushed it to 5. :)
December 27, 2012
...and the second half of our lunch was at the Market's newest tenant, Cafe Farvahar. How new? The Market Concierge, and several stall owners, had no idea what or where this restaurant was. The answer? Cafe Farvahar is in the former Cafe Yamarka spot, yet another restaurant that went out of business as we chugged ahead with our challenge.
Cafe Yarmarka was a Russian joint; Cafe Farvahar is an Iranian restaurant. It is highly unusual for us to encounter a cuisine we've never experienced before, but here it was! We only had the cafe's menu board to assist us, so we chose Chicken Fesenjan (because the menu called it "exotic"!) and Koo Koo Sabzi (because of the name, obviously). The Fensenjan was delicious- chicken in a strange but yummy sauce of pomegranate and pureed walnuts, which admittedly looked like a plate of poop but was rich and intriguing nonetheless. The Koo Koo Sabzi was essentially an omelette with parlsey, fenugreek, and onions, all served on a white roll. While the omelette itself was interesting (if a bit bland), we could definitely have skipped the hoagie roll it came in. But overall, our first foray into Iranian food- and our last foray of the Challenge- was a rousing success.
Eaten:
Denise: The majority of the Chicken Fesenjan. Mmmmm.
Angie: Half of the Koo Koo Sabzi, and what little I left of the Fesenjan.
Check total: $16 total with tax.
Rating: 4 Flying Fish out of 5. I'm not sure I'd eat Iranian again, but Cafe Farvahar was a nice exotic detour.
Cafe Yarmarka was a Russian joint; Cafe Farvahar is an Iranian restaurant. It is highly unusual for us to encounter a cuisine we've never experienced before, but here it was! We only had the cafe's menu board to assist us, so we chose Chicken Fesenjan (because the menu called it "exotic"!) and Koo Koo Sabzi (because of the name, obviously). The Fensenjan was delicious- chicken in a strange but yummy sauce of pomegranate and pureed walnuts, which admittedly looked like a plate of poop but was rich and intriguing nonetheless. The Koo Koo Sabzi was essentially an omelette with parlsey, fenugreek, and onions, all served on a white roll. While the omelette itself was interesting (if a bit bland), we could definitely have skipped the hoagie roll it came in. But overall, our first foray into Iranian food- and our last foray of the Challenge- was a rousing success.
Eaten:
Denise: The majority of the Chicken Fesenjan. Mmmmm.
Angie: Half of the Koo Koo Sabzi, and what little I left of the Fesenjan.
Check total: $16 total with tax.
Rating: 4 Flying Fish out of 5. I'm not sure I'd eat Iranian again, but Cafe Farvahar was a nice exotic detour.
Final thoughts on a completed challenge....
We get these questions a lot, so here are our compiled opinions from a nearly 2-year quest.
Favorite restaurant
Denise: Maximilien's. I think we knew that going in (it was our first restaurant), but now that we've tried EVERYWHERE, I can definitely say it's my favorite. Runners-up: Matt's at the Market, Virginia Inn, El Borracho, Le Pichet
Angie: For sandwiches, Michou and Three Girls Bakery. For overall goodness, Matt's in the Market. La Vaca for on-the-go, Pike Place Chowder for chowder (duh), and Soundview Cafe for salads.
Least favorite
Denise: Bacco's. Ugh. I have a few unforgiveable sins of food, and Bacco's hit them all: Underseasoned food, uncaring staff, and a boring menu.
Angie: Chicken Valley
Places we'd never have gone to otherwise, but loved once we ate there
Denise: Michou, Pan Africa (sadly, no longer there), Market Galbee, and Emmett Watson's Oyster Bar
Angie: Cafe Campagne, Los Agaves, La Vaca, and Pear Delicatessen
Oh please, don't make us eat there again
Denise: Pike Place Bagels, Chicken Valley, Bacco, Sisters Cafe
Angie: Chicken Valley (I threw away food!!), Copacabana, Taxi Dogs, Cafe Lieto, and Market Diner
Surprisingly disappointing
Denise: Jasmine Thai. How can you have a Thai restaurant, in Seattle, in the MARKET, that is so crappily mediocre???? Also, The Crumpet Shop. I don't get why everyone swoons over this place.
Angie: The Crumpet Shop (my appetite is bigger than their food), and Matt's in the Market (still a great place, but my pesole was just so-so)
Places that left the Market during this moving-target challenge
Pan Africa, Cafe Yarmarka, Japon Dog, Chez Shea, Shea's Lounge, 94 Stewart, Gary's Tex-Mex Snack Shack, I Love New York Deli, and Campagne (though Cafe Campagne is, thankfully, still there)
Places that opened for business during this moving-target challenge, making us think we'd never finish
El Borracho, Cafe Farvahar, Kastoori Grill, Los Agaves, Marche, and Cha:n (and Zaccagni's is opening next year in the old Japon Dog space, so it's a damn good thing we're finished because otherwise this would go on forever...)
Life is short. Eat well. Angie & Denise out. :)
Favorite restaurant
Denise: Maximilien's. I think we knew that going in (it was our first restaurant), but now that we've tried EVERYWHERE, I can definitely say it's my favorite. Runners-up: Matt's at the Market, Virginia Inn, El Borracho, Le Pichet
Angie: For sandwiches, Michou and Three Girls Bakery. For overall goodness, Matt's in the Market. La Vaca for on-the-go, Pike Place Chowder for chowder (duh), and Soundview Cafe for salads.
Least favorite
Denise: Bacco's. Ugh. I have a few unforgiveable sins of food, and Bacco's hit them all: Underseasoned food, uncaring staff, and a boring menu.
Angie: Chicken Valley
Places we'd never have gone to otherwise, but loved once we ate there
Denise: Michou, Pan Africa (sadly, no longer there), Market Galbee, and Emmett Watson's Oyster Bar
Angie: Cafe Campagne, Los Agaves, La Vaca, and Pear Delicatessen
Oh please, don't make us eat there again
Denise: Pike Place Bagels, Chicken Valley, Bacco, Sisters Cafe
Angie: Chicken Valley (I threw away food!!), Copacabana, Taxi Dogs, Cafe Lieto, and Market Diner
Surprisingly disappointing
Denise: Jasmine Thai. How can you have a Thai restaurant, in Seattle, in the MARKET, that is so crappily mediocre???? Also, The Crumpet Shop. I don't get why everyone swoons over this place.
Angie: The Crumpet Shop (my appetite is bigger than their food), and Matt's in the Market (still a great place, but my pesole was just so-so)
Places that left the Market during this moving-target challenge
Pan Africa, Cafe Yarmarka, Japon Dog, Chez Shea, Shea's Lounge, 94 Stewart, Gary's Tex-Mex Snack Shack, I Love New York Deli, and Campagne (though Cafe Campagne is, thankfully, still there)
Places that opened for business during this moving-target challenge, making us think we'd never finish
El Borracho, Cafe Farvahar, Kastoori Grill, Los Agaves, Marche, and Cha:n (and Zaccagni's is opening next year in the old Japon Dog space, so it's a damn good thing we're finished because otherwise this would go on forever...)
Life is short. Eat well. Angie & Denise out. :)