cburnsi

I agree, the goat tangine is a winner. The rabbit tangine is also a good choice, and I love the Lola sampler. You could get a sampler for the table to share. Happy Birthday!

No problem, you can find decent Dim Sum in the ID. I forgot about Honey Court, that is a good choice, too. The other two places I mentioned are also in that part of town, China Gate and House of Hong. Any would be good choices for you and your Mom. Although I don't tend to go there much myself, I've found House of Hong very convenient and easy. They have a parking lot (big plus) and the decorating is much nicer than the other two restaurants. To answer your earlier question about ordering, they'll just bring carts of food around and you can point and smile if you find you're having a language barrier. The person pushing the cart should open all the tops on the containers that she thinks may interest you - you may never know the names. You can also order off of the regular menu, which is a good way to supplement your meal if you don't find the carts compelling. Most everything is pork or shrimp - okay that is an exageration, but pretty close to the truth! Chronicle Books puts out a little book that is very helpful, especially for conversing with the women pushing the carts, as it has pictures, common american names and description, phonetic pronunciation of the chinese names, and the chinese spelling. Good luck, I hope you have a good meal!

I work in Kent and go to Imperial Garden once a month or more. I was there last week with a group from work. I have to say, not the best or even in the running for the best I've had, even in Seattle. It used to be great and occasionally (but not at lunch) is still quite good, but overall I'd say the haven't been able to keep up with the crowds and they've fallen off quite a bit. The food we could get was decently prepared, there isn't much that is unusual or much better than even the most mundane place in the ID. There not only isn't much selection at lunch time, there isn't much food. Only one cart at any given time and occasionally someone walking around with a tray. Definetely don't sit in the back right corner (looking into the rest. from the front door), anything on the carts except maybe sui mai and char sui bao will be gone by the time the carts reach you. I'd sooner go to House of Hong, China Gate, Noble Court or Top Gun in Bellevue -because at Imperial Garden, I'm still waiting in hope of steamed lobster dumplings, garnished with fish roe, and small crocks of exotic seafood soup with shark's fin. (paraphrased from The Times). All this is making me homesick for Yank Sing back in San Francisco

Where on QA is it? ← It's in the old Dolce Vita spot. I noticed a sign in the window as I walked by directing employment inquiries to the Queen Anne Cafe nextdoor, so I wonder if it's a burger offshoot of the cafe?? It's called Flame. ← I went by there last night. Same owners as Queen Anne Cafe and Elliott Bay Pizza down the block. The place was full of families with small children, this is probably the most 'casual dinner' kid friendly place on the hill. The food? Well my burger was okay. The fries decent but not great. My friends had the pulled pork and smoked beef sandwiches and reported that they were very good (I'll have to go back and check for myself )

A new burger joint opened on Queen Anne this weekend. Of course, my mind is a blank this morning and I can't remember the name , either Flame or Blaze. Looks fine, no dynamic decorating or anything. I saw some families in there this weekend, maybe I'll check it out mid-week. The menu is burgers (beef and garden), BBQ (pulled pork, etc) and salads. cburnsi

It's really just because of their sign, and the fact that it's day-glo bright inside because of a ceiling full of flourescent lighting. Ick, sorta the same colors as a Baskin Robbins. One door south of the Home Street Bank, in fact, I think it's the same building. ← Good comparison, actually. That's "Scoops" an ice cream and candy place from Seattle Center. It smells too sticky sweet, so I haven't been in, but I think they do a decent kid business in the summer.

Yum. I had bfast there this morning (we were the only ones there) they were out of chorizo but the sopas were fantastic.

Two weeks ago, I was shopping around the market and found someone selling smoked pimenton. It is amazing outstanding stuff and I'd love to get more. Unforturnately, I can't remember who I bought it from. Is anyone familar? The booth was in front of the building and toward the south side (I think). Please help!

don't think so, but I'll look today to be sure. There's Pat's on the Ave, which I would think will survive the others, because Pat has been making espresso on the Ave for a lot of years and has a loyal following. The weirdly cartoon like place just literally a few doors south of there is still functioning, although I don't know how. ← Oh no, now I have to drive by there and see exactly what a 'weirdly cartoon like place' looks like. I can't think to which place you may be referring.

Yes it is. They're very good and have a nice mix of traditional and unusual flavors, plus you get to enjoy your gelato in Lenin's shadow FYI I'm told that the Fremont Torrefazzione will close it's doors on sept 20th. I assume the others will close at the same time. ← I had rice gelato and also a scope of rose. The rice was great, kind of like frozen rice pudding without the texture. The rose was good, but a little too sweet. I think that the gelato is made by the Dolce Vita crowd.

We tried to get there today, but the were not-unexpectedly closed. Headed over to the Bay Cafe for a Pan Fried Oyster Omelet. Yum!

I thought I noticed some movement there. I almost dropped by for an ice cream last night, but got distracted by Postmark Gelato in Fremont. We sure don't need another cafe of this sort, I can't imagine how they will last.

Had a craving for Aglio Olio after a movie last night, so I headed over to Brad's Swingside in Fremont. Lucky me! The special was Aglio with fresh Dungeness Crab. It was great - they still do have the best Aglio I've ever had (better than mine).

Does anyone know what is happening with the old Dolce Vita spot on Queen Anne Ave? I noticed the For Lease sign come down, but no info was posted (so I'm guessing no liquor). Today I noticed that there are tables set up with Mustard and Ketchup everywhere. An expansion of the QA Cafe maybe? cburnsi

Had? Are they gone now? I see a peach pie in my future. Or baked peach halves with amaretti crumbled inside.....

Thursday, you say? I'm there! With Proscitto, fig and fresh moz sounds like it could be my favorite pizza. Have you considered offering pizzas with sliced potato?

I bought some excellent peaches at Peachorama this year. The Pence O'Henry's which were there and gone in one day on Queen Anne. Just Friday I bought a case of Cal Red's (my favorite) from Frog Hollow farms. They needed a couple of more days to ripen, but at breakfast this morning they were better than the best "oh my gawd" peaches from Sosio's. I think ALOT depends on the variety and timing.