cburnsi

My favorite under the radar, great cheap food restaurant is closing. Inn Bin in Ballard will be no more after May 31. They had arguably the best pot stickers, imperial shrimp, sizzling rice soup, garlic chicken, and assorted chow mein in Seattle. So much better than the awful exterior (and not much better interior) would suggest. I'll miss you.

It's a small local chain. I think their first store was on the north side of Greenlake, then Greenwood and Belltown and even an outlet store on Aurora. It's a stop for a cup of chocolate or a treat (but skip the coffee). www.chocolati.com cburnsi

I hadn't realized how close to home I was sticking until I started thinking about this! These are the ones I tend to favor when the "where to go" decision gets too overwhelming. Hilltop Ale House Orrapin Thai Ototo Sushi (I'm thinking Tuna Tataki Salad for dinner tonight) Lately, I've been wanting to favor Bricco over Hilltop - but the waitstaff just isn't all that friendly. cburnsi

If money wasn't an issue and since I agree with your three above, I'd pick the cold water fatty CR or Yukon over even well-handled Columbia, Trask or Rogue/Klamath river Chinook anyday. The marketing efforts on the Yukon Gold put it right up there in price with the CRs.

I'm sorry the name has slipped my mind, but does anyone know anything about the new place open next to Jone's BBQ in Columbia City? cburnsi

Walked up to the new Gorditos on Queen Anne last night. We timed it just right and the lined formed behind us - all the way out the door and it was still that way when we left. The kitchen did not seem overwhelmed at all, I think they just need to add a cashier or expedite that part of the process. The room is nice enough when empty, but full up and it is loud and raucous and seems more cafeteria than cantina. The floor is hard, the walls and ceiling are hard, the tables and chairs are hard, even the artwork is all hard angles. Nothing outside of the kitchen seems warm or welcoming. The food was fine. The chips okay but not great, the salsa a warm mix that was more than mild enough for all of the young children there with their familes. My enchilladas were good if excessively cheesed and a little under sauced. Spicier blends of salsa are offered on a self service bar. And speaking of bars, they have a semi full one and were cranking out decent margaritas (which I ordered because it was loud and cold in there and there were many kids running around). The thing I really want to mention is the size of the food. They have a burrito there that is made from two full size flour tortillas - stuffed full. It is definetly enough for cheap eats for two (or maybe more). cburnsi

Excessive amounts of cheese on a grilled cheese sandwich is a bad thing?!! What sort of cheese is used, if you don't mind me asking? ← Well, I am all for a cheese sandwich and this over the top example couldn't be contained within the borders of the oh so excellent Columiba City Sour Batard bread - grillled in butter . I believe the goey combo was gruyere, cheddar and havarti. They have a - <A HREF="http:/www.geraldinescounter.com/menu.htm"> Geladine's Counter website</A> cburnsi

I have a new addition to my favorites list! Yesterday I was fortunate to enjoy a BLT at Geraldine's Counter. This was my first experience of them as a lunch place. Yum! It really is hard to beat Columbia City Bakery bread and in this instance it was perfectly grilled. My friend order the grilled 3 cheese and tomatoe soup (one of my all time comfort food combos). The soup was good, but the sandwich was a bit over the top with the cheese - a sandwich with half the cheese would have still be plentiful. cburnsi

A group of us enjoyed a terrific dinner at Roti on Queen Anne the other night. Being from that neighborhood I'm embarassed I hadn't been before. The butter chicken was terrific and the Saag Paneer perfectly spiced. They had the biggest Samosa I have ever seen - the meat filled one was great.

Having done LOTS and lots of business meals by the Convention Center for out of town associates I'd say - stick with Oceanaire, Palomino, Il Fornaio (upstairs), and Earth & Ocean (if they aren't tradionalists). PF Changs and Fox Sports can work out in a pinch, the food is what you would expect. If you have a big expense acct and like steak, go do Morton's Steak House. These places have something for every palate and won't make anyone uncomfortable. Those are the best, very close, bets. Dahlia Lounge, Palace Kitchen, Etta's Seafood, Pike Place market and all its restaurants are a bit of a hike in business shoes, especially if any women present are wearing heels or insufficient outdoor wear. Although, if you want to cab it or do have time and enjoy the walk - go for it. Many excellent options were mentioned. Baguette Box, as much as I love the truffle fries, isn't really the place for a "business lunch". It's a great place for a bunch of people who work together to go to lunch, but I sense that isn't what you are asking.

I can relate has anyone heard anything about the (kithcen at) new wine bar at the top of QA hill?

Irwin - I don't know how I did it, but I messed up your post! I'm so embarassed - and sorry - and I "shot myself in the foot" (now I don't know where to go to get my Monte Cristo). Can you repost it? My sincere apologies and pledge to do more careful posting in the future. cburnsi

My other favorites are the various Vietnamese Sandwiches according to my mood from different places off Jackson, but I never yet had anything but good ones everywhere. Irwin ← Thanks for the info on the Monte Cristo, I love a good Monte Cristo and they are rather hard to find! Your mention of Vietnamese Sandwiches made me flash on one I had last week at Pho Cyclo on 1st Ave S. It was roasted pork and certainly the best one that I have had in recent memory (even better than the last sandwich I had at Baguette Box, although I have had many a good sandwich - and truffle fry there). I guess I'm off to Lake City tomorrow cburnsi

We've used Joanie's Catering for several Board meetings, store openings and parties, great friendly service and even better food - all at a price we could afford. They're in West Seattle but they'll travel to whereever (we had them do a store opening at Alderwood). They'll also prepare what you need and have you pick it up if you don't need full service. Joanie's Catering cburnsi

Alas, Sanmi has closed it's doors. I really liked that place. Another place I really like....Ototo on Queen Anne. The sushi is great, but the Tuna Tataki salad is what keeps me coming back.

Goodbye to Sanmi Sushi at Elliott Bay Marina in Magnolia. You will be missed.

Has anyone been to Moxie on Queen Anne? (in the old Nonna Bella?) I noticed it was open last night. cburnsi

We've (my neighbors and I ) been avoiding breakfast there (it is now Lumette, not Firefly) because the dinners are so marginal. Thanks for the plug, I'm going to check it out.

Not a Northwest native product, but I recently got an email from a friend of mine who is charged with improving the quality of produce selection at Safeway: "We locked most of the crop on this completely amazing grape. It is limited quantity. It will be in Seattle the weekend of Oct 15 & 16 (probably just the 15th)... at the store at the bottom of the hill (Lifestyle store, not conventional). Okay, seriously, this is the best green grape I have ever tasted. It's huge, and has a crispness that will blow your mind." I believe the name of the grape is "pristine". The bottom of the hill location she's referring to is the store on lower Queen Anne. cburnsi

I don't know, maybe guilty pleasure? I have this big beautiful grill with a big strong roti at home, set up in a very convenient spot, easy to use, but I can't get enough of that fat juicy chicken. It is certainly less expensive than I can buy a good raw one for and roast it, let alone brine it for an hour or more . And you have that whole immediate gratification thing (I try to stop short of eating it in the car on the way home.)

Just to keep the picture clear, the Capital Hill location is the original. 5th Street was added later.

I second the vote for Ken's, and I do feel uncomfortable even saying it, but Costco has a very good roti chicken. In a completely different league than Safeway and QFC and Larry's. cburnsi

You can get Pilot bread at Uwajimaya. I'm sure I've seen it around other places as well.

I used to by black mustard seeds at Whole Foods, although I haven't tried in a while. They were in the bulk section. I'm thinking I may have seen soy granules at Trader Joe's. But I couldn't say for certain. It's a fair bet you'll find them at PCC, but of course I'm always looking for a reason to go to Central Market.

I've tried Jeem as well and liked it. It's the preferred choice for Dim Sum for one of my eastside chums. If you ever get to China Gate for Dim Sum be sure to check out the salt and pepper prawns. The best prep around. Yum!