SeaGal

Yes!

I also like Burrito Loco. I go to both since I live fairly near U Village, but I prefer the Holman location for food/atmoshphere. The people at both are really nice. I really like their tortas, chiles rellenos, and coctel de camarones. Their mole is usually quite good and there salsa verde rocks. They also have posole on the weekends that's pretty good--although the quality varies on this. Where and what's good at La Carta de Oaxaca? I'd be interested in trying it with others if it's good. I really miss good Mexican. Jan

I'd second the Salmon and add Dungeness Crab. And beer, but specifically microbrews. Jan

Ask for John at Wholefoods (big guy with a beard). I bought a bunch of lamb from him for a big party, and he was great. - S

Crab

well I would too, if GIVEN THE CHOICE. But we were with a very VERY picky eater, and I've been in Cafe Campagne with her before and she couldn't decide what to order because NOTHING on the menu sounded like something she'd like to eat. So I knew that was out right away. Yeah, that's a tough one. I actually have relatives that would feel that way even about Etta's. We have to take them to Emmett Watson's for fish and chips (not that there's anything wrong with Emmett Watson's--great fried oysters!). They're just not adventursome about food at all. Jan

I also like most things, or at least can tolerate them. However, there are a few things I won't try again or just push away if it shows up on my plate. Natto--big, slimy, sticky ugh! Krab--always fish this stuff out of vietnamese seafood soups. And whatever happened to real crab in California roll? Caviar--I tried. Last New Year I decided to splurge and bought an ounce of Osetra. Roasted some little red taters, added a dollop of creme fraiche with chives, plopped on a spoonful of caviar and bleech! Swallowed a nice glug of Champagne and tried again, and again. Oh well, just too much oily, fishiness. But I really wanted to like it. Any type of Strawberries other than real, fresh, uncooked ones--eg strawberry soda pop, strawberry poptarts, strawberry-rhubarb pie (what's with ruining a perfectly good rhubarb pie!) Ika--raw squid is just too textural for me--also feel this way about sea cucumber. (but I scarf down uni, so I think that makes up for it.) What an amazing array of likes and dislikes. Jan

Ooooooo! I almost forgot about how bad Black Pearl is...you're right, it is worse than Snappy Dragon. Jan

Finally, someone says what I've always thought about the "Snappy Dragon". I've had what I thought was some of the most over-sauced, mediocre Chinese food there while people around me rave about it. They had the worst pot stickers I've ever tried and that's supposed to be one of their specialties. I also seem to remember lots of sweet, gloppy sauce. However, it's been a long time since I've eaten there, as I've never cared to go back. I'm so excited to hear about "Dong Kong Lau Hakka Restaurant". I've seen it many times and just thought it was another bad North Seattle Chinese place. Salt roast chicken is one of my favorite dishes and I haven't ever found a good version of it in Seattle, so I'm going to have to head over and try it out. Thanks, Irwin, for the great referral and information about this. Jan

I've also had good experiences at Etta's. Every once in awhile I crave and have to have their crab cakes with tomatillo salsa with the really wonderful, thin, crispy, real fries. They also usually have good veg sides and appetizers. I think of it as a reliable place to go for a good late afternoon lunch if I'm shopping at the market or with out-of-towners when doing the Market. I probably wouldn't choose it for dinner--I'd go to Matt's or Cafe Campagne instead.

I also like Crystal Meats in the PPM--I bought an amazing (though incredible expensive) rack of lamb for Christmas dinner. They're the only place I've seen that does a really good job of trimming and frenching the rack. I also like the meat counter at Central Market in Shoreline. Whole Foods has good meats. The only thing you have to watch out for is that some of the butchers are knowledgeable and some are not. Though, they are extremely accomodating and helpful and will usually ask someone if they don't have the answer to your question. If I had more mouths to feed or a big freezer space, I'd probably buy some of my meat at Costco.

I like the burger at the Maple Leaf Grill on Roosevelt in the Maple Leaf neighborhood. It's juicy and you can get it medium rare or medium, with blue cheese and bacon---yum! But the best thing is the pile o' fries. Real ones with skins attached and fried up crispy and salty. They have a nice selection of brews and are smoke-free too. They also have a great BLT. Jan