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The Seattle Diner on Aurora (where Denny's used to be) is boarded up. The liquor license sign for Alexandria's, and any other activity in the space that was Falling Waters (on 2nd Ave), has disappeared. Cold feet?

will my cats go insane over it? any brand in particular? i have little tomato-lets on a bunch of plants and tons of blooms. Hmm, Alaska Fish Fertilizer is the old tried and true. The neighborhood cats love my yard but stay out of the plants mostly. They just like the bare spots. Never thought about that aspect. I have heard dogs will dig up a garden if you use bone meal. And I think dogs like the fish fertilizer too. The scent disappates pretty quickly - ie, after a day or two, you can pick the strawberries.

Harvest the pods. Some years they keep producing, but sooner or later, you will know they are through - the vines will dies back or will get mildewy. Eew. You will need to replant each year. Feed tomatoes fish fertilizer. It doesn't stink as much as it used to. Remember that too much nitro will give you lots of green plant, but may not mean more or better fruit. I can't believe I already I have blossoms on the tomatoes and fruit on the pepper plants!

Uhhh, actually that is the location I assumed he was referring to. Sorry if my directional references weren't sufficiently precise.... Oh - with the referrals to places on Eastlake and Capitol Hill, I thought you were thinking of the Residence Inn by Fred Hutch...I'm easily confused.

This might help - and it includes prices - but only for what is available in Washington State: Liquor shopping list

Head "down" to Olympia - it's South and I can't imagine getting there without a car, especially if you are short on time. What's there?

The Courtyard is the place on the Southwest side of Lake Union - actually not so convenient to the places tighe mentioned. And even more of a wasteland for food - you got Jillians, Outback Steakhouse, and Bonefish (an Outback relation.) There are the places along the West side of the lake, buried in commercial office buildings, but I know nothing about them, except they seem like places for happy hours and pick ups. The ride from there to Ballard is not too bad - Dexter or Westlake over the Fremont Bridge, to the Burke-Gillman trail and West into Ballard. Recommendations in Fremont? Chiso for sushi. In Ballard- Thaiku for Thai, Oxaca (?) for Mexican (though I haven't been), divey West Coast breakfast at Dish, Cafe Besalu for espresso (you probably don't need that!) and pastry, India Bistro for buffet lunch. Hale's or Maritime for brewskies. Towards town, you will be close to lower Queen Anne - not a great eating spot, and not far from Belltown - check out the happy hour (5-7) bar dining at Cascadia or Brasa (whole threads devoted to these.) Okay, those are not particularly ethnic or hole in the wall, for the most part. Someone else needs to chime in. The buses can accommodate up to 2 bikes each - though you can't unload them in downtown during peak hours. This can expand your options too. Ask for transfers - they are good for a couple of hours (more after hours), and can continue your route or be used for return.

I was there from 2:00-2:45 (kind of a late lunch.) When I left, the place was almost full!

Katie, mint syrup can work amazingly well with tequila. I use a mint and jalapeno infused syrup in what I call my "fire and ice" margarita -- tequila, lime juice, and the syrup, blended with ice. It's about the only drink I like slushy. And by the way, weren't you going to start a flavored syrup thread? Made a batch of mint syrup - thanks, I was wondering what to do with the spearmint pruning. I have tequila. I have limes. I'll pass on the peppers. And it's almost trying to be hot here.

My turn! The pork loin sandwich was worth the 12 minute hike. Decent portion of pork, some cooked onion, sauce, fresh cilantro, and lettuce spilling out of a crusty baguette. I actually liked the bread - it was crusty and hard to eat as a sandwich, but the crust didn't tear up the insides of my mouth - and it had a nice crunch and flavor. The prices are already creeping - it was $6.50 plus tax (versus starting price of $5.90.) It was pretty quiet when I got there - but it took 15 minutes to get the sandwich - don't expect a quick dash if that is typical.

There used to be - but Kathy Casey and her emporium (Dish) bought him out for the high visibility location. That was a good spot for grab and go... The place on Post Alley, under Seneca, Post Alley Pizza, has had decent reviews - haven't tried it in half a dozen years - anyone else?

How did it go?

IF you could read his reviews. Fine dining, Tacoma...just barely. I suppose there are one or two places more than a few years old. I did read a few of his reviews in days gone by. They were colorful and entertaining, as Russ notes. I thought they worked well for the dining scene, though I admit I haven't eaten in Tacoma that often.

Guess not - they claim 99th largest in the US! And 3rd in Washington. But about a third the size of Seattle and less than half the size of my former home town. Never realized I was a big city girl.

Seattle. Not exactly a small town. Tacoma. Not Seattle. Not a suburb of Seattle either. (49 square miles. Population - approximately 200,000. Incorporated in 1884)

I understand the paper deleting the reviews from their archives, from their perspective. But this is a huge dis-service to the local restaurants. At least there was something more there than an address and phone number for someone to look at. I suppose if you want a restaurant recommendation in Tacoma, there's always eGullet!

Small town paper explains it all: Ripped (Admin) An excerpt for posterity:

Huh, the Seattle Art Museum was/is featuring a drink they call Montmartre (did I spell that right?) It's Absolut, Lillet Blonde, and Sierra Mist - not sure if there is a garnish. Working with what they have. Featured for $2.00. On the rum note - had a drink called "Painkiller" - dark rum, Malibu rum, pineapple juice and orange juice, ice. It's was very tropical - much lighter that a pina colada. I'm also a big fan of strawberry dacquiris in the summer - mostly because there is always some point when the strawberries in my yard get ahead of me and I don't feel like freezing them. Blend and pour.

I looked in on many of these last month - I know, who cares about decor - it's all about the food and wine. However, depending on what else you are looking for, I really liked the feeling and details of Ogden's space.

Landmark is Chinooks - you need to be on the Magnolia side of the Ballard Bridge.

Got my latte from Lighthouse Roasters this morning - upper Fremont neighborhood - 43rd and Phinney (?). The scent of roating in the air. Highly regarded.

Newsworthy? Perhaps. Duke's Chowder spot under construction on 4th across from Rainier Square. The steam table chinese place on the next block North is gone! Remodel underway on the whole storefront where they and Wendy's used to be. Can't tell if it it will be food service or not.

I'd be tempted by the mid-West, hoping that includes Chicago. (Slightly geographically impaired.) Never been, but I keep hearing and reading about the wonderful restaurants and local specialties. Kansas City for bbq? Family visited Atlanta, Charlotte and Savannah - thought the food was very good, the history, architecture, sociability (?), and ambiance were great. Wished they had more time. I'd love another trip to Montreal and Quebec. Wonderful food markets, bakeries, architecture, art, gardens...and I'm sure restaurants - I wasn't there for the food, unfortunately. (edit to add - I know, not in the U.S., but on the same continent at least!)

All the talk of meatball sandwiches elsewhere - I forgot to tell you about the lamb meatball sandwich special - Thursday's I believe - on the lunch menu. This was unreasonably good - big, light meatballs with mozzarella and rich tomato sauce served on a crusty roll. I ate it with a knife and fork. It could have fed two. Sided with a small argula salad. The lunch menu is very nicely done with the menu changing each day of the week so it would be hard to get tired of it - plus some dishes on there everyday. lunch menu

Flying Fish is opening for lunch.