girl chow

EXCELLENT! Cannot wait to hear the details of your tiki excursion. Take pictures if you can. Ok, people! Here are some dates for the Spunky Monkey: Monday, Aug. 25 Wednesday, Aug. 27 Monday, Sept. 1 Do any of those days work? As for the start time of the tiki fest, I'd say probably around 6ish would be good. Probably YeYe Girl and I will be the first to arrive followed by the Seattleites? I leave work around 5ish, so I'll get a head start P.S. Auburn is about a 35-40 minute drive from downtown Seattle in light traffic. Add 15 minutes for heavy traffic. If you carpool, it won't be a problem. I just checked the White River Amphitheatre schedule and there are no shows on the above nights, so traffic won't be that bad (except around Southcenter). Edit: We had a scheduling conflict, so I changed the dates to later in the month.

Agreed! Indochine is great Thai. I used to work a block from there. I also used to eat at a place on 312th, out toward Saltwater, called Roncella's. Very good small Italian joint, but can't confirm if it's still there. I haven't been there in eons. Maybe you or someone else knows? The assessment of Indochine is dead on... the original location (the one with the green awning) is much better than the new location next door.

I've been meaning to post about this place since our Imperial Garden dinner in May (especially after finding out MsRamsey LOVES tiki lounges)... there is a great tiki lounge in Auburn called the Spunky Monkey that is a restaurant downstairs and a tiki lounge upstairs. Upstairs and downstairs, the restaurant has a totally crazy interior with monkeys and paper lanterns and tiki lights hanging everywhere. The restaurant downstairs is portioned into secluded booths that are separated by straw mats (and it's always dark and cavelike down there). Everyone gets games when they eat in the restaurant, either monkeys in a barrel or any board game you could possibly imagine. I got tiddly winks on my last visit. Upstairs is the tiki lounge, which, well, looks like a tiki lounge. I've posted some pictures below. They've got a great cocktail menu with about two dozen revolving martini specials and a decent cocktail menu. The food is decent although not anything fancy -- the usual aps along with interesting grilled panini sandwiches and pizzas and salad. They have an Atkins menu for low carbers, which I find really cool and interesting (some edible things even). Across the street is one of the best Italian restaurants around the south Puget Sound region: Auguri Ristorante. I like to eat dinner at Auguri and then go to Spunky Monkey's tiki lounge for the drinks. They have a smoothy bar and it is amazingly good, some of the best I've had.. fresh fruits and just the right texture and they always decorate your cup with crazy ornaments, like shiny monkeys on coconut tree toothpicks. You can never have enough shiny monkeys decorating your drink. The particulars: Spunky Monkey, 124 2nd. Street S.E. Auburn; 253-804-9567. MsRamsey, what do you think about a field trip to this place? I think we should plan one in August. YeYe Girl, are you still working in Auburn? If so, what do you think? Anyone else in? Also, post away if you've got some other tiki lounges you like. I think maybe Luau's is the only other one that we've discussed on this board, besides the new one that got a mention recently. Edit: well dammit, dotphoto has eaten my pics. i will see if Tighe can rescue me from picture hell. My links aren't working. Ugh.

If I can make this, anyone can. It's pretty easy. I use the recipe from Jill Conner Browne's latest book (a combination cookbook and psychotic diary) called "The Sweet Potato Queens' Big Ass Cookbook and Financial Planner." I believe she calls it "Bitch Bacon" or "Pig Candy" (or I think I've seen her write it both ways in her previous books). Essentially, it's slices of bacon rolled in dark brown sugar, then baked at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or so, turning once, and cooking until crisp. Here's what I consider the important part: lay the bacon on a cooling rack and then place the rack on a foil lined baking sheet. Otherwise, you'll have bacon swimming in fat and sugar. I roll the raw bacon in a LOT of brown sugar. I make this as an offering to my Sweet Potato Chapter Queen. We eat it at all our offical gatherings. P.S. I am a member of the Seattle Emerald Sweet Potato Queens. To discover more about this fabulous group and other SPQ chapters go here: Sweet Potato Queens rule

Tighe, I know! It's extremely frightening. Renton, as a whole, is pretty frightening. Even more frightening: Kent.

Hey Tighe, I definitely see your point about Jubilante, but surprisingly I've never been bothered by Jubilante's weird menu. I can see how you'd have to be a certain kind of person to like it because the menu is all over the place. I found Jubilante after I read about it on a "Top 10" list by John Hinterberger eons ago (like 1997?). I was skeptical on my first visit, but went back, and then kept going back. I loved the rustic artichoke tart, which was on their lunch menu for years. The women in my office continue to order the smoked salmon cake salad, even though it's been off the menu for years (the chef still makes it for them). Their pastry chef/baker produces some pretty decent stuff in their display case. The fresh baked bread still sells out really early in the day Ok, enough about Jubilante. We'll just have to agree to disagree Oh, one thing I forgot to say about Melrose: it's been evolving into a "see and be seen" joint on the weekends. Read: pickup joint. Weeknights, I hear, are still safe.

Ditto Tighe's suggestions of Spencer's and Filibertos. Both are excellent for birthday celebrations. Taqueria El Rinconsito is fantastic for a low-key celebration dinner. Spencer's has really really great steaks. It's more expensive than most SeaTac restaurants (which isn't saying much), but very well priced considering the quality rivals some of Seattle's great places for steaks, as Tighe said (steaks are priced at $20 and above and everything is served a la carte). Also, in Southcenter, I like Grazie. It's an Italian restaurant. It's simple and elegant and the food is good, although I think Filibertos might be a touch better. Still, I think Grazie is a restaurant that shouldn't be overlooked. It's directly across the street from Southcenter Mall. Also, in Des Moines (not as close to the airport), some people might recommend a French restaurant called La Bonaparte. I know a lot of people who love this restaurant, but I've never been a huge fan. My meals there have never been quite right, always over or under cooked or something promised is missing from the plate. I believe they have a sloppy kitchen staff. If you're willing to expand your search area to Renton, there are some wonderful restaurants there. I love Jubilante, which is an eclectic restaurant with a world flavors menu. I also really like Gene's Ristorante, a classic Italian restaurant with a really attentive chef. Also, I think that the Melrose Grill is a decent place to get a steak. The owners of Melrose also have Armondo's in Renton, which is decent Italian with wonderful pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven. Hope these suggestions help you find a great place to take your dad for his birthday!

Tighe, hope you didn't think I was being snotty, cuz I wasn't tryin' to be (uh, it comes naturally, I guess?)! I think ultimately it would be helpful to know what the preferences are of our Vancouver visitors so we can give some better guided recommendations. It takes a certain special egulleter to dig on bahn mi, roti canai and Kau Kau bbq pork. And maybe they like crappy Chinese

Because my experience with Vancouver food is pretty much limited to nothing but a liquid meal of beer, beer, beer when I was an underaged drunk, er, student at WWU in Bellingham, I can't say much about the food in Vancouver. But I do know that the ID has some pretty bitchin' and pretty affordable food. If occurs to me that we've all given wildly different recommendations to d.hawksworth...perhaps if you gave us more of an idea of what kind of diner/eater you are, we could find something that more matches your style of eating. As you can see, we all vary quite a bit on what we like to chow down on So what would you like your dinner to be like? A walking tour of the ID? A sit down with a good and affordable wine list? Standing up eating a sloppy Q sandwich?

I agree, Le Pichet might be more of a walk than most people can handle, although not bad if you exercise on a regular basis. You should have no troubles finding delicious, affordable food in the International District. Here's what I did when I went to a Mariner's game last week (it was my first Mariner's/baseball game ever): I picked up a few banh mi sandwiches ($2.75, tofu vegetarian and bbq pork) at Saigon Deli (northeast side of 12th and Jackson), walked across the street to Malay Satay Hut (the strip mall north of Saigon Deli) and picked up two orders of roti canai ($6) and then walked to Kau Kau on South King Street (656 S. King Street) and bought a pound of the best barbecued pork in the universe (about $6). We also bought peanuts from a guy on the street ($2) and had a feast for several people (we shared) for under $20. Of course, we spent $80 on liquor (they lost to Baltimore, so we had to drown our sorrow), but $20 wasn't bad for food for about 4 people. For a thread on bahn mi sandwiches, go here: yummy sandwiches For a thread on Malay Satay Hut, go here: Malay Satay Hut thread 1 or here for a thread on their sister restaurant in Redmond: Malay Satay Hut thread 2 For a thread on Kau Kau, go here: Kau Kau pork rules Now that I think about it, walking to 12th and Jackson, down to King and then over to Royal Brougham to Safeco Field, probably is about the same distance from the new stadium to Le Pichet Given the choice, I'd probably opt for Le Pichet, especially the charcuterie plate, which I think was $10 on my last trip there. But if you're looking for great, really affordable cuisine, you can't beat the ID for selection and quality.

Agreed about Piecoras, much better pizza, although the help can be a surly bunch (probably from too many body piercings). Piecoras was the first food I requested about 90 minutes after giving birth at Swedish a few blocks away (they don't let you eat during labor, it sucks). Thank God for Swedish's proximity to good eats. I've always thought Pagliacci's was fine, but not great and I always liked the feel of the Broadway location. It sucks that they ruined it. However, I would trade anything to have a fugly Pagliacci's in my neighborhood. All we have is a Pizza Hut and a Domino's in suburban hell. Oh man I have got to move.

If you plan on being there at 11 a.m. Sunday, Ken, Baby Ben and I will be there as well (Ben is driving. Kidding. I am.). Look for us! Oh, and in my book, it's always beer:thirty. Besides, it's a holiday, so morning drinking is acceptable (Father's Day and all).

Just talked to the Beer Fest oranizers. They claim parking is free (and that there's a lot of it). Still, bring $5 just in case (I am) and get there early. Last year, the place was packed 30 minutes after it opened. We're going right AT 11 a.m.

The owners of Le Pichet told me they met through the Ruins. The woman co-owner (I forgot her name, Joan or Joanne maybe?) was the catering director, I believe. Wasn't Jim Drohman (spelling?) the kitchen manager? I could be wrong. They do catering for lots of local upscale events, but their dining club is private. I don't believe it's all that exclusive. I don't think there is such a thing in Seattle. It wouldn't be allowed.

I loved the one at the Herbfarm! It was so grand. We used to pile into my friend's suburban (he'd always stay sober, bless him) and head out to Fall City. I loved walking around on the nutshells (hazelnuts?) on the pathways... after you got drunk, you would sorta slip and slide around on them, which made it even more fun. One year, my friends hijacked a Red Rider Wagon from some drunk people we met and we took turns running and pulling each other around the whole site. It was quite, uh, refreshing, until I fell out of the wagon and had to sit still for about 15 minutes because everything kept spinning. The one at St. Edwards Park is a lot of fun. I went last year and I had a grand time. I'm going again this year (it's a great dad's day event for my hubby). It's more family oriented than the Herbfarm one, which was more of a party party kind of atmosphere. But considering I now have a family, I guess I should just grow up and act respectable (not).

My herbs are going nuts right now too. I clipped off a huge bag of oregano (and sage and lemon thyme) and put it by the fax machine at work. Gone in no time. I'm also with the "bring a ribbon tied bunch to everyone you know" theory. In fact, I'll warn the Seattle egulleters now..I'll probably bring a bag of oregano to tomorrow's cocktail party at Nightscotsmans. Look out!

HeyJude, thanks for your very honest review! Never had dessert there or eaten an actual meal there *yet* (uh, maybe not at all after reading HeyJude's excellent, honest review), but I've been in the space and the atmosphere is pleasant enough. This is a head scratcher for me because this place should, in theory, be a winner because it's got all the makings for success: 1) a decent chef who (from what I gather) is there just about every day 2) a great location with easy traffic access 3) decent parking and 4) an interesting concept. It's got absolutely no competition (save for Daniel's or Ruth's Chris or maybe Sans Souci, which isn't really competition for a seafood centric restaurant), so why isn't it packed every night? Well, I guess probably for the exact reasons HeyJude outlined in her post. I'd love to hear from anyone who's loved their experience there. Schielke, didn't you eat there last year? I think I remember you being not all that excited about it too? So far, from friends and other posts on other restaurant boards, the consensus I've heard is to skip this place. And that sucks... I had really high hopes for Seastar when I posted about its opening eons ago (and I STILL haven't gone for the full deal... I'm such a lameass): Clickety here for past posts on Seastar: Seastar post from back yonder

Shoot, I had high hopes that place would be decent. Although I've never shopped much in that neighborhood, that corner of that street (Military Road?) has some interesting looking places. I didn't make it to the place in Southcenter last night, but I'm hoping today is the day. As for gathering and sharing our favorite shopping finds in the southend, I'm all for it!

Dave, thanks for the post! This is a great resource for us fellow southenders. I plan on driving by tonight and check it out. Have you ever been to the Middle Eastern market off of Pacific Highway north of the airport? It's the place with the "halal here" sign out front.. the market is tucked away behind some businesses just a few blocks southwest of Taqueria El Rinconsito. It's located sort of kitty corner to the pancake house at that weird 4-way stop intersection (sorry for the shoddy directions, I don't know the street names). I can't recall the name of the market (doh), but I've always been curious about that place. Also, this seems like a good time to bring up another one of my favorite ethnic grocery stores in the Southend. There are these two stores down here in Kent called Valley Harvest Ethnic Markets. There's one on the Kent/Federal Way West Hill and one on the Kent East Hill. They sell great produce for great prices...fresh lemongrass at 30 cents a stalk, limes at 5 for $1, sweet Thai basil for 69-99 cents a bag, great tomatoes at 99 cents a pound and all apples are 69 cents a pound (even the Fujis they just got in.. which look better than the Fujis I saw at QFC for $1.69 a pound). But what's really cool is the Ukrainian/Polish (?) Eastern European deli at Valley Harvest. In the deli, they sell ALL kinds of cool stuff... from pickled veggies to some really really unusual imported deli meats and cheeses. They have shelves and shelves of cool stuff. I like the East Hill store better than the West Hill store because the deli has more items and the layout is better... and the East Hill store has a fantastic olive bar Also, surrounding the East Hill Valley Harvest, there are about a half dozen Indian stores (clothing and food).. so it's good for going and looking around .. warning, though, this is a seedy neighborhood, so consider yourself warned (and lock your car). Locations, locations, locations: Valley Harvest (the one I like) on the East Kent Hill: 23636 104th S.E., Kent; 253-856-8462 Valley Harvest on the Kent/Federal Way West Hill: 28855 Military Road South, Federal Way ; 253-839-4570.

WOOHOO! The markets are opening! I saw Schielke's post about Farmers' Markets (thank you for the reminder!!!) and thought I'd resurrect this ol' thread about Farmers' Markets throughout the area. Hope my post from earlier in this thread helps people who haven't yet discovered the Farmers' Markets outside the Seattle area. There are LOTS of great markets outside Seattle, really! Be sure to call first and check addresses etc... my list at the top of this thread is old

Hey Trillium! Thanks for mentioning my favorite market these days. You can find another previous discussion of 99 Ranchhere. I can't compare it to other 99 Ranch markets outside Kent, but it's a great place for a bargain and their selection is fabulous. Still, the smaller grocery stores in the ID usually are the cheapest and best place to buy.

Thanks BH! I didn't know that. I stopped shopping at Safeway eons ago and didn't know I could go cardless for seafood Shielke, I think it took a week for prices to come down $5 a pound last year, but my memory is hazy. It's almost impossible to predict until the fish hits the market. But if everyone starts posting when/where they see it and how much it costs, that's a great way of catching the bargains. Last year's conversation was fantastic.

Forgot to add... Info about the run and other stats on the 12-hour opener. Cordova District Fishermen United

Probably everyone already knows CRS is here late Wednesday/early Thursday, blah blah blah. As always, please post prices and locations here. I found last year's discussion invaluable for getting the best deal on what has become a really expensive fish thanks to the marketing and global demand (dammit). I might even shop at Safeway if the price is low enough (ha!), but only with someone else's card I'm hoping Costco will have a good deal again this year like last year. With all the great wild salmon out of Oregon (?) right now, I won't be paying a premium for CRS when I can get wild king for half (or less even) right now. I'm happy to let the prices come down from the $25-$35 per pound I've heard quoted so far. Yikes. My food budget don't like that.

TACO WAGON BULLETIN There is a new taco wagon in Kent (that makes three). It's located on the West Valley Highway at the corner of James in the Texaco gas station parking lot (across the highway from Caveman Kitchen, the bbq joint). It's a bus! A big one too. And it's called "Taqueria." I love simplicity man. I plan on trying it next week and will give my first bite report. Ye-Ye Girl said the other night at dinner at the Great Wall that she's waiting to give her judgment. Ye-Ye Girl, make sure you post your thoughts after another visit! Ok, taco fans in Kent, here are the three locations for taco wagons: 1. Taqueria Something or Other. East Hill of Kent, near Ghorm's Drive-In at the corner of 104th where the road curves toward Kent-Kangley Road. It's in a 76 (?) gas station parking lot. 2. Taqueria Mi Pueblo. West Meeker in Kent, about 1/2 mile east of the Meeker bridge off of the Kent-Des Moines Road, in a 76 gas station parking lot. 3. Taqueria. On the corner of James and West Valley Highway in the Texaco parking lot. Look for the big "TACOS" sign on the sidewalk. I propose a daytime taco crawl during the early summer when the weather gets better. I'll check hours of the wagons to make sure we get the timing down. Mmmmm, tacos.