dandelion

Cafe on the Terrace (in Mountlake Terrace) has a Monte Cristo. I'm not sure how good it is since I've never tried it*, but it's one of the most popular items on the lunch menu. -- *I've never tried it because the idea of the Monte Cristo freaks me out... meat and cheese, battered and sprinkled with powdered sugar, and served with jam?! TOO WEIRD.

The Wedge is still around, but they've expanded, moved and merged with Baci Catering. Here's a link to their new website: The Wedge.

Took a peek into the window of chefturnedbum's new place on Capitol Hill last night.... He should opening next Tuesday! Fork

Review of Moxie in the Stranger this week: Nerve Is Overrated, But Moxie Is Great

Has anyone seen them yet this winter?

As in "bridge & tunnel" ... a derogatory term referring to people who live outside the city.

Stopped in at Bal Mar on Sunday night. It’s a great space, sort of modern industrial with a lot of ironwork and rough wood. It’s on two levels, with both intimate areas as well as big open spaces. With a bar on each level, drink service was quick and efficient. They’ve got a good-sized menu, with mostly small plates. On Sundays they do “Ballard Farmers Market Specials” made with ingredients that the chef has picked up on the way into work, which I thought was a cool idea. I tried a few things, which were perhaps a little summery for the middle of December (like gazpacho), but I thought they were still good. Everything had a bit of a smoky taste, which I didn’t mind; perhaps they’re doing something in the kitchen to do this on purpose. They’ve got a big list of specialty cocktails – the French 75 I had was pretty tasty. All in all, it was good. Prices were good. Service was great. Recommended.

Review in the Seattle Weekly: Veil Unveiled

Moxie is definitely open. I peeked in the windows on my way home from work, and the remodel looks great. A glance at the menu revealed some delicious sounding items, including the hilariously titled "lamburgers" and a wild mushroom mac and cheese. They also had a happy hour menu with plenty of options. I'll be in to check it out soon for sure.

Just ask for another, or grab one. They don't mind if you really need one. Most people, however, when allowed to take as many napkins as they want will take far more than they need. I can understand why a small place like Zaina would try to keep costs down. Plus, it enabled them to afford that awesome remodel last year!

It's on Capitol Hill, across the street from BMW Seattle and two doors down from Toys in Babeland.

Also... The grilled cheese at Cyclops, the veggie BLT at the Bleu Bistro (with the pear puree!), and the caprese at Delaurenti. Oh, I also really recommend the sandwiches at <a href="http://www.harriedandhungry.com/">Harried and Hungry</a>.

I <b>love</b> the <a href="http://www.thehoneyhole.com/" target="_blank">Honeyhole</a>! My favorite sandwich there is the El Guapo, which is also vegetarian. If you're looking for a meat sandwich, skip the french dip, but try the Chachi or the Roger Lodge (which is a special on Thursdays). The sandwiches at Hillside Quickies are also really good if you're looking for a vegetarian sandwich. My favorite there is the New York TLT. You can get them at their restaurant, and several markets around town... Mont's, the Rainbow, and others. As a final note, in case any restaurateurs are reading this... can we please do away with the grilled veggie sandwich as the default vegetarian option? Usually comprised of cold grilled eggplant, onions and peppers on a roll of some type, it's disgusting and found everywhere. I call it the Slug Sandwich.

What do people think of the Wasabi Bistro? I've only ever been in for a quick drink at happy hour, or a cup of miso soup when I'm not feeling well. They must be doing pretty well -- the owner/chef just opened a new restaurant called <a href="http://www.redfinsushi.com/about.html" target="_blank">Red Fin</a> in the Hotel Max (formerly the Vance Hotel) where the the Yakima Grill used to be.

LEdlund is right. City Kitchens currently has some big 12 quart enamel stock pots in closeout room for just $60 in four different colors.

I didn't mind the atmosphere, at least in the lounge when it was filled with people. It's true, the style they went for doesn't really fit the building (and seems a little strange for a place that's not downtown), but once I was inside I felt like it worked. If they had gone for a darker, more lofty exposed brick style that might have fit the building a little better, the place would have been too much like Crow, just 2 blocks away. My main problem with the place is that it's too freaking expensive. Again, this is in a neighborhood... NOT downtown.

You can get raw goat millk at Pike Place Creamery (Pike Place Market, in the Sanitary Market Building). They were trying to get raw cow's milk from Vashon, but last time I checked they didn't have it yet; they were trying to figure out the logistics of getting it to Seattle on a regular basis. Related thread is here: <a href="http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=71575&hl=milk">Raw Milk/Cream</a>

Thanks for the tips, hhlodesign. I know I'm going to have to gather my courage and try it soon! Also: Bal Mar in Ballard is opening on Friday. I don't know about DirectTV, Budweiser and Bacardi, but the place will have two bars (one upstairs, one downstairs), plus billiards upstairs. And food of some sort -- I wish I'd convinced the guy I was talking to outside to sneak me a menu.

Man, I really wanted to try the Lobster and Caviar! Veil really is in sharp contrast with a lot of Seattle restaurants. I haven't eaten at all of the restaurants listed by little ms foodie (such as Elemental -- I'm too scared!), but I think the main reason Veil stands out is that it's not a "comfort food" restaurant. The other places you list are definitely all "foodie" restaurants, in that they're making items that don't show up on every single menu around town, and they all do a pretty fabulous job of it. Eating at each of those places (with Union being a possible exception), one feels comfortable and warm, almost cosy and ready to get filled up with good food. Of course the servers are nice and gracious, but Veil's style isn't like that at all. I'd love to hear more reviews... has anyone else been in?

I went into Veil late last night to check out the lounge, and try to gauge how night number one went. The space is decorated almost all in white, with pink accents here and there, in lettering and pink roses. Somehow though, despite the modernism, they’ve managed to make it warm and comfortable, with padded leather seating and soft, gauzy drapes. The location is very “neighborhoody,” yet once I was inside I really felt as if I’d been transported somewhere else – maybe San Francisco. I had two of their signature cocktails, The Veil (Stoli orange, crème de peche, cloudy sake and muddled black current) and the Devil’s Bouquet (Hendrick’s gin, peach brandy, chamomile and peppermint tea). Both were large and served up, at $9 each. Really tasty, but I think the peach flavor in the Bouquet was too overpowering. They also have $8 champagne cocktails, a few beers and an extensive wine list. I looked over the food menu, which had some interesting items (peanut butter and jelly? – I wasn’t sure what to make of that), which all sounded pretty tasty. There’s around eight small plates, eight entrées and eight desserts. Entrees ranged from $23-29. No vegetarian entrees, which surprised me... this is SEATTLE, after all. Talking to some servers and kitchen people, it sounds like they had a great first night, with everything running really smoothly. It was packed, and hopefully they’ll do well. With prices like these however, this is just going to be a special occasion place for me. I’d definitely recommend checking it out, they’ve created something pretty special.

There's <a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/restaurants/2002583433_taste26.html" target="_blank">finally some news on Veil in the Seattle Times</a>... it looks like they'll be opening on the 11th. They really did go for that all-white, modern theme... it reminds me a lot of Bada Lounge when it first opened.

<a href="http://www.dragonfishcafe.com/sea/index.php" target="_blank">Dragonfish</a> is ONLY good for happy hour in the bar, and for that, I like it quite a bit. Sushi rolls and apps are tasty (though not particularly <em>traditional</em>). Specialty cocktails, like the lemongrass lime rickey (with lemongrass infused vodka that they make in-house), are big, inexpensive and strong. It's within walking distance of the Sheraton, on the other side of the convention center.

Cafe on the Terrace (in Mountlake Terrace) is great for breakfast or brunch. If you go, the signature dish is definitely the Stuffed French Toast (filled with crème fraiche and fruit). Omelettes and frittatas are also good, with lots of variety and fresh ingredients. If you opt for a salad, try the roasted red pepper dressing. Yes, the decor is fusty, but the food is good. They're open for breakfast and lunch, Wednesday through Saturday. Sunday for brunch only. There's also the occasional theme dinner. (Full disclosure: I worked there a long, long time ago....)

I really like Seattle Bagel Bakery, downtown at 804 Howell St. They've got a great texture, lots of varieties, and are freshly made all day. If you'd like a schmear, try the veggie cream cheese, which is excellent.

Does anyone know the status of the new Farestart Cafe that's going to be on Westlake? Are they still planning on moving there? The sign in the window says it'll be opening in early 2006, but it doesn't look like they've done any work on the space at all. I found an oldish article in the Seattle Times that mentions it, but nothing more recent.