MsRamsey

I like going there for drinks and sharing an antipasti platter with a friend. I go there because I find the atmosphere to be near PERFECT.

SEATTLE: The Garage: Really good food, good beer, well-made drinks, warm and friendly staff. The Elysian: They make their own excellent beer. Lousy food, and they sprinkle cayenne pepper on everything they serve. Nice place, though. Pioneer Square is a great and friendly place to hang out, but not on weekends of course, when it's overrun with frat rats. My favorite dive bar is The Blue Moon. I'm just glad it's not in my neighborhood, because I could get into a lot of trouble there. :wow:

Re: El Greco. The owners were a married couple. The husband (Thomas Soukakos) ran the front of the restaurant; his wife Carol was head chef. They had a baby maybe a year and a half ago. Then a few months ago, Carol committed suicide. I saw Thomas walking down the street a few days ago with the child on his back, and sadness just washed over me. He was always so nice and seemed so happy, and I can't imagine how he must be coping.

I think Glo's has too many customers. They could stand some taking-away of customers. El Greco is usually crowded for breakfast. Their food is excellent (service so-so, even when you're a regular and tip well every time). I like to support them because they clearly care about the food, and because of their tragedy a few months ago. Julia's doesn't tempt me, except maybe as a place to have cocktails after work. It is pretty in there, but I loved Ileen's. I adore dive bars -- I'm strange that way. That said, I'm glad to see Julia's getting a lot of business. Kathy Edit: One bad thing about the Julia's bar -- they managed to stock all of the microbrews that I can't stand (the Pyramid/Pike type ilk). Bitch and moan.

Thanks, Blue!

Will someone please pinpoint exactly where this place is? I assume it's the Maple Leaf neighborhood, but I don't see any other clues in the thread. I want to try their food! Thank you. Kathy

I have to admit that I've never eaten at Flying Fish. It just looks like a yuppie singles bar to me! I hope someone can give more specifics about this place. I would recommend Le Pichet; it is a Seattle treasure. I resoundingly second Matt's in the Market. I've heard wonderful things about Cascadia. I really like Palace Kitchen. Of course this is all very downtown-centric.

I really like Becherovka from the Czech Republic. I was very happy to find a couple of places to buy it in Seattle. It's another of those secret blends of herbs and spices that was apparently sold as medicine in the 1800s.

Nah, Martha never makes anything with foil, toilet paper tubes, or even egg cartons for that matter. She'd bring in eyepatch-wearing, frizzy-haired glass artist Dale Chihuly. Dale would demonstrate for the viewers (in the glass-blowing studio in Martha's estate) how to recreate the Graphix bong you broke back in '88 when they stopped making them. Martha would demonstrate how to build a wooden box with a false bottom in which to keep one's stash, complete with decoupaged pot leafs and whimsical Grateful Dead dancing bears.

Oooo, I must STRONGLY disagree here.

It is a great and beautiful city, and I can't wait to go back, but you do not visit Prague for the food. There may be a small handful of decent restaurants, but THAT IS ALL.

"Or am I buying something else which I stupidly believe are garden peas?" Well, they're in season now. Are you saying you buy them year-round? Kathy

Wilfrid said: As far as I can tell, these are the basic peas that one can usually only get canned or frozen, but what is being referred to as "English peas" is the fresh version of these peas (different from sugar snap peas). Can anyone confirm or deny? Tangent: My sister used to throw her peas behind the stove when no one was looking. She knew she'd be found out if she just wrapped them in her napkin and threw them in the trash. Kathy

Sandra Levine said: Yum. I'm glad you brought this up. I just got the new Cook's Illustrated in the mail; they have what looks like a great recipe for Salade Nicoise this month. It's on my short list for the weekend. Kathy

Super article about women sushi chefs in today's NY Times (you have to already have a password to read the article through the link only). I can cut-n-paste the whole thing if anyone would like that. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/05/dining/05SUSH.html Kathy

If you miss it, it can probably be accessed on Web archive.

South Park is a neighborhood in SW Seattle. Here's a link to more info: http://www.allaboutsouthpark.com/ Kathy

I just saw this on the other site. I'm very interested to hear your comments. "Just saw the Copper River string from a few days back.... just a reminder.... salmon has worms & needs to be frozen before you eat it raw. Didn't want anyone to get sick." Kathy

The Broadway branch of Thanh Bros (Capitol Hill) is excellent. The broth is deep, hearty, and complex.

I think I'd try 'em first before complaining about the price. I'm more than willing to try them for many reasons. First, I can't make really good fries at home. The smoke alarm goes off when I boil water, so deep frying anything is right out. Second, I'm willing to bet they're using quality ingredients rather than the usual Sysco restaurant supply fries you'll get in most places. Third, I'm willing to bet that they're using high quality truffle oil and sea salt (both of which can be expensive). Fourth, you're paying for the atmosphere. $12 for a snack split between a couple of friends at a bar is not outrageous.

As for Capitol Hill breakfast, I highly recommend El Greco, but they don't open until 9 AM. I always look at those suckers waiting in line at Glo's (I live practically across the street) and wonder "why don't they just go to El Greco...") Not that Glo's isn't good, but I don't have 3 hours to spare in the morning just for the whole breakfast experience. And try getting a refill of water, _especially_ from Glo herself. Urgh. I'm surprised that you miss Minnie's, mamster! Was the fact that it opened early a big plus for you? My plans for Agua Verde this weekend fell through. However, I did go to Cactus for the first time on Saturday night. The fact that it was Memorial Day weekend made for a slow Saturday night. People have been raving about this place to me for years, so my expectations were too high. The waiter convinced me to order the chicken relleno, claiming that it was better than the chile relleno. I said okay for some unknown reason -- I hardly ever order chicken in a restaurant. I think I fixated on the "cornmeal crust" in his description. (I love anything having to do with cornmeal, polenta, grits, etc.) The dish was okay, but the combination of the relleno, beans, and rice made for a very DRY meal. The house Cactus Margarita, apparently made with a splash of Cointreau, was really nothing special. They make a far better margarita at Jack's Roadhouse (Olive Way).

I wasn't sure whether to start a new topic or not, but decided to shoehorn this in here: Has anyone been to the new Capitol Hill digs Julia's or La Tienda Cadiz? Husband unit and I did go to Julia's, but only for a cocktail. It's pretty, but the Liza Minnelli theme is ill advised. The dinner entrees were yawn-inducing at best: 3 chicken dishes, 1 duck dish, and 2 pork dishes I think. How's the execution? La Tienda Cadiz (on 15th) really intrigues me. Anyone have anything to report? I hope everyone has a fabulous 3-day weekend! Kathy

Hmmm, my coworkers and I are going to Agua Verde tomorrow after work for dinner. Too bad that review just came out . . . it'll be jammed! We're going earlyish, though.

Expect imminent dragging! LainerX can probably be persuaded as well.