braincell

I use Pioneer Organics and I love them. I had tried New Roots Organics--but they are relatively small and therefore didn't have the perks that I like about Pioneer Organics. Pioneer gives you a discount if you pre-pay for 10 boxes. There are multiple sizes--and I get the smallest one which is perfect for one person. You can also pay by credit card which I appreciate. Pioneer sends you an email informing you of what will be in your box, and you can make 3 substitutions per box. You can also have 3 permanent opt-outs. You can email and complain if there was something wrong with your produce (has happened rarely to me). They apologize and make it up in your next box, no questions asked. When they list the produce, the list will delineate whether the produce comes from the Northwest or not. You can also add to your order other groceries. I love that everything is online (although I'm sure you can use the phone as well). --braincell

I'm not sure if Brooklyn is still doing this, but it used to be that if you got on their mailing list, they would send you coupons every couple months. The coupons would be $10 off of lunch and $20 off of dinner. If you like the Brooklyn (or work in the building, like I used to do), it was great to have those coupons handy. --braincell

While I agree about Saito's, I'd like to add that Wasabi Bistro has a great lunch special. I think it's $11 for the sushi combo. And they use really big, yummy slabs of fish. Wasabi Bistro is a bit hip and cool--and I haven't been there for dinner because it's a little too hip and cool (and loud). But definitely check it out for lunch. Don't get the green tea tiramisu. It's weird. --braincell

I actually did go to Supreme on Sept. 1. It was a great meal. We had the garden frites and the manila clams. I can't say either were my favorite, but they were all right. My friend had the pork, and I had the butternut squash ravioli. I'm not a huge pork fan, but it was good. The ravioli though, that was delicious. I can't remember what we had for desserts--but they offered us anything on the dessert menu. The place was surprisingly busy for a Wednesday night. We also went down the Cupcake Royale for some cupcakes afterwards (to be eaten later, of course!). Tonight, we're going to Maguire's. --braincell

Ballet on Pike is a good Vietnamese place. I love their salad rolls. It has that very utilitarian, cheap Asian food place look. But, it's clean and and the price is right! Should definitely be able to handle a large group. There are also a bunch of restaurants in the Pike/Pine neighborhood. La Spiga is in building where the QFC is. That's a great Italian place. That's all I can think of right now. --braincell

One of my favorites is Crepe de Paris. Most people forget that it exists (it's in Rainier Tower). But it has a great deck, perfect during the summer. They have savory crepes, which I prefer. And it has a relaxed atmosphere--you almost forget that you're in the heart of the downtown. There are MANY other places for lunch (of course). But there's something particularly charming about Crepe de Paris. --braincell

I am in total agreement with the bad service. It was incredibly slow. We sat downstairs at the bar. There was live music, which was pretty good--but VERY LOUD. Hard to have a conversation. Then, we had a hard time getting our waitress when we wanted to order. We had a hard time getting our water glasses filled. Our food didn't come with the necessary silverware. Then it was hard to get someone's attention to get a spoon. We thought maybe it was because the place had been open for only a couple weeks, and they needed to iron out the kinks. But there was no reason for such slow service. The food was good--but we couldn't really enjoy it because we had to wait so long for everything. Plus, it was rather pricey--and not necessarily worth the price. --braincell

I've been to Bruno's once. There are a lot of people who work down in that area who go there very often. I had some very basic pasta with garlic, oil and broccoli--that was surprisingly good. I switched jobs before I could go again. Problem is, there are so many good restaurants downtown. But Bruno's is definitely affordable. --braincell

I was driving through Duvall one weekend, and stopped to get coffee at a place that had ice cream from a local dairy. It was REALLY good. I can't remember the name--but Duvall is VERY small, so it shouldn't be hard to find. It's next to the Duvall Cafe. There's also the dairy off of Redmond-Woodinville road. I can't remember the name of that one either. But they also have some very good ice cream. I recommend stopping by either one of them when you're in the neighborhood. --braincell

Flying Fish is now serving lunch. Parking in Belltown isn't too bad. --braincell

Bada Lounge--I know most people think of it as a pick-up joint in the late night--but it's happy hour menu is pretty good. Half-price on all appetizers--and the food was surprisingly good. Happy hour also lasts until 7 PM, which is nice. Musiquarium (bar for Triple Door)--doesn't have an extensive happy hour menu--but they have these chick pea frites that are really good. Their happy hour also lasts until 7 PM. --braincell

Hmm... I always have a hard time naming favorite restaurants. But, I do have some favorite food items. Gelato from Gelatiamo or the one in Pike Place Market (I'm blanking on the name) Potato bread from Dahlia Bakery $2 calamari from Cascadia (part of the happy hour) Burger from Red Mill Olive foccacia slice from Macrina Bakery Tacos at El Puerco Lloron Bread at La Rustica (it comes with dinner and it's delicious) That's all I can think of right now. Have fun exploring the city! --braincell

If you're interested in organic and shade grown coffee, I highly recommend Cafe Maree. It's in Green Lake--near the corner of Latona and Woodlawn. It's a small cafe with a funky space. Great coffee and people. --braincell

I've been to Vera's. That was great. But not quite a dive. I definitely will have to try Salmon Bay Cafe and Stone Way Cafe. Thanks for the suggestion. Does no one go to the true dive-y places? I'm talking about Turf (which has moved to the Olympic Broiler location). Maybe I will just have to start sampling the offerings on Aurora and S. Seattle. Andy's Diner still intrigues me. --braincell

Anyone know of good diners/dives to go for breakfast? There's the obvious choice of Beth's--and Hurricane (which has gone somewhat yuppy). I drive through SoDo pretty often and see the places like Andy's Diner or Koffee Pot. Never been to any of them and was wondering if it's worth it to stop by. Or, there are all those places on Aurora... Any ideas or suggestions? --braincell