If you didn't know, I'm a Seattle DUI defense attorney and Seattle criminal lawyer. The philosophy of my firm is that we work hard to save and restore the reputation and livelihood of the everyday people out there who, for whatever reason, have made one bad decision and now are facing consequences for it. We typically handle, as the name suggests, DUIs, BUIs, misdemeanors of all sort, and low level felonies (typically involving drug possession, sales, and manufacturing). It is a very rewarding job because I get to help people out like me every day.
But letting people know I exist is not as easy as it sounds. There are a bunch of criminal attorneys out there vying for business, making the hardest part of what I do putting my information in front of people so they have a way to contact me if they think I can help them.
One of the ways I get noticed is my website. I put a lot of work not only into what is on it, but into making sure it has the requirements so that when you look for my services on the internet you can find me. One of these things is having my picture up. I feel like you can tell a lot by seeing someone, and what better way to that then a picture?
The thing is, if you are going to put a picture (otherwise known as a head shot) up on the internet for all to see, it had better be of good quality, and it had better make you look as pretty as possible, or at least make me look respectable. So I went out looking for professional help - someone that could make me look as pretty as possible.
To find someone to help I started asking around to other criminal defense attorneys in the area that I knew, and I started scouting out some other websites to look for photos that I thought represented the style that I was looking for. And I stumbled upon Malcolm Smith Photography out of Seattle. I actually saw a photo on a legal website that I thought looked good and asked that guy where he got it from - he told me Malcolm Smith photography and gave me his contact information.
If you want to see Malcolm's work, you can check it out pretty easily. He does Seattle headshots, Seattle engagement and wedding photography, Seattle event photography, Seattle portraits, and Seattle fashion photography. And he's really good at what he does. He's been doing it for years, really has an eye for the shot, and will set you up so you look really good.
I'd love to show you a couple of examples of me on here, but I'm shy, and I don't have the images yet to post on here (I've seen the proofs and they look great - as part of his services, he touches up four of them to look even better). All I can say is if you are looking for a Seattle photographer, you should check him out. You won't be disappointed.
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Wednesday
Pacific Inn & Pub - Wallingford/Fremont - Seattle
Seattle is a city known for a few things: the space needle; pike place market; the Seahawks; the Huskies; and great seafood. It's the great seafood part that I want to talk about today. And, it's actually great fried seafood that I want to talk about today.
I live in the Wallingford area, and though I've been here less than a year, I hear things about the place to go in the Seattle area that have great food, great booze, and great people. And when I first arrived, Pacific Inn & Pub, located at 35th and Stone Way in the Wallingford/Fremont area was one of the first places I was told to go. It took me a while, but I finally made it. And I wasn't disappointed.
The reason I was told to go there were the fish and chips. Now, fish and chips probably seems like a pretty simple dish. It certainly isn't a delicacy you'll find in an fine dining restaurant. But if you've ever had fish and chips, and had it in a few different places, you know there are good ways to make a fish and chips bad ways. Well, Pacific Inn & Pub has perfected the art of fish and chips.
Before I get to their cooking prowess, first let me explain the ambiance a little. When you first walk up to the place, you will know you have located the type of place you are likely to find great fish and chips. It doesn't look great. It doesn't grab the eye like an Anthony's or a Waterfront might. And when you walk in, you get exactly what you expect: a long bar covering one side of the place with a few fryers at the end; and about 10 booths and tables along the other side for people to sit and eat in.
When you get there, if you've never been before, the first thing you should do is cozy up to the bar, order a drink, and just listen. This is the kind of place where people have hung out for years, and they don't care who hears their conversations. Let the bartender know it's your first time (the didn't even flinch when I mentioned I was a Seattle DUI attorney). They'll let you know what you should order (fish and chips) and treat you like you've been coming there for years.
And then comes the fish and chips. They make them fresh, every day, right in front of you (well sort of in front of you). They don't batter them up until you order them, and they cook them at just the right temperature so when you get them they are hot, they are steamy, and the fish just flakes right off in your mouth. Delicious.
In the end, if you are looking for a great fish and chips in Seattle, you should give this place a try. And, they have a few big screens in there that are perfect for watching a college football game, a Mariners game, or a Seahawks game. So get on down there and check them out. You won't be disappointed.
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Have you been here too? Don't let me be the only one to review this great Seattle hot spot. Let everyone know what you thought by leaving a comment.
I live in the Wallingford area, and though I've been here less than a year, I hear things about the place to go in the Seattle area that have great food, great booze, and great people. And when I first arrived, Pacific Inn & Pub, located at 35th and Stone Way in the Wallingford/Fremont area was one of the first places I was told to go. It took me a while, but I finally made it. And I wasn't disappointed.
The reason I was told to go there were the fish and chips. Now, fish and chips probably seems like a pretty simple dish. It certainly isn't a delicacy you'll find in an fine dining restaurant. But if you've ever had fish and chips, and had it in a few different places, you know there are good ways to make a fish and chips bad ways. Well, Pacific Inn & Pub has perfected the art of fish and chips.
Before I get to their cooking prowess, first let me explain the ambiance a little. When you first walk up to the place, you will know you have located the type of place you are likely to find great fish and chips. It doesn't look great. It doesn't grab the eye like an Anthony's or a Waterfront might. And when you walk in, you get exactly what you expect: a long bar covering one side of the place with a few fryers at the end; and about 10 booths and tables along the other side for people to sit and eat in.
When you get there, if you've never been before, the first thing you should do is cozy up to the bar, order a drink, and just listen. This is the kind of place where people have hung out for years, and they don't care who hears their conversations. Let the bartender know it's your first time (the didn't even flinch when I mentioned I was a Seattle DUI attorney). They'll let you know what you should order (fish and chips) and treat you like you've been coming there for years.
And then comes the fish and chips. They make them fresh, every day, right in front of you (well sort of in front of you). They don't batter them up until you order them, and they cook them at just the right temperature so when you get them they are hot, they are steamy, and the fish just flakes right off in your mouth. Delicious.
In the end, if you are looking for a great fish and chips in Seattle, you should give this place a try. And, they have a few big screens in there that are perfect for watching a college football game, a Mariners game, or a Seahawks game. So get on down there and check them out. You won't be disappointed.
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Have you been here too? Don't let me be the only one to review this great Seattle hot spot. Let everyone know what you thought by leaving a comment.
Friday
Seattle Restaurants | Atlas Foods
It's been quite some time since I've written a review on here, but I've been quite busy doing some other stuff, including opening my own business (which should be reviewed on here soon). After switching gears and reviewing Seattle banks, reviewing Seattle locksmiths, and reviewing Seattle hair stylists, I'm getting back to what we all love, reviewing Seattle's best restaurants and bars. This time, however, I must admit I have another one of those bad reviews. I don't think it is a bad as the negative review of El Gaucho Pampas Room I gave a while back, but it's pretty close.
If you've never heard of Atlas Foods, it's probably because it appears that there is only one in Seattle, and it's located in University Village, which, unless you are in college or live in the immediate area, you probably don't get to very often. But, I do live close, and while not in college, my wife works nearby, so we get over there from time to time. And if you are ever in that area and want to eat, well, you'll have a review of Atlas Foods.
When you first see Atlas Foods, it actually looks pretty inviting. Set next to Piatti, it appears to be a nice alternative to Italian food. What they go for is a more American, wholesome type of food. This means lots of sandwiches, burgers, salads, and things like that. They also have a full service bar and a couple of televisions, so it might be a great place to watch a Huskies football game in a little more mellow atmosphere.
The problem with Atlas foods, however, is the service. It was not good. First, we walked in, and it wasn't busy at all. It was later in the afternoon. No problems here. But we wanted to sit in the bar and eat, catch something quick, and get back to work. There were open tables in the bar area, so we sat. And we sat. And we sat. And Atlas Foods people walked by us, and then walked by us again, and then walked by us again. After waiting for about ten minutes with absolutely no one coming up to us to even take a drink order, we left!
Several weeks later we did go back to give it one more chance, and I must say we did get to sit down and actually eat. The service was better, but still not great. And the food was good. But when the service is bad it kind of takes away from the dining experience, even if the food is great, know what I mean?
Anyway, it appears as though Atlas Foods is kind of hit and miss when it comes to service. If you are in the area and want a more American flavor of food (they also have Italian, sushi, fast food, and a sandwich shop) stop in and give it a shot. If you actually get to sit down and order, you'll probably have a pretty good time.
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Have you been here too? Don't let me be the only one to review this great Seattle hot spot. Let everyone know what you thought by leaving a comment.
If you've never heard of Atlas Foods, it's probably because it appears that there is only one in Seattle, and it's located in University Village, which, unless you are in college or live in the immediate area, you probably don't get to very often. But, I do live close, and while not in college, my wife works nearby, so we get over there from time to time. And if you are ever in that area and want to eat, well, you'll have a review of Atlas Foods.
When you first see Atlas Foods, it actually looks pretty inviting. Set next to Piatti, it appears to be a nice alternative to Italian food. What they go for is a more American, wholesome type of food. This means lots of sandwiches, burgers, salads, and things like that. They also have a full service bar and a couple of televisions, so it might be a great place to watch a Huskies football game in a little more mellow atmosphere.
The problem with Atlas foods, however, is the service. It was not good. First, we walked in, and it wasn't busy at all. It was later in the afternoon. No problems here. But we wanted to sit in the bar and eat, catch something quick, and get back to work. There were open tables in the bar area, so we sat. And we sat. And we sat. And Atlas Foods people walked by us, and then walked by us again, and then walked by us again. After waiting for about ten minutes with absolutely no one coming up to us to even take a drink order, we left!
Several weeks later we did go back to give it one more chance, and I must say we did get to sit down and actually eat. The service was better, but still not great. And the food was good. But when the service is bad it kind of takes away from the dining experience, even if the food is great, know what I mean?
Anyway, it appears as though Atlas Foods is kind of hit and miss when it comes to service. If you are in the area and want a more American flavor of food (they also have Italian, sushi, fast food, and a sandwich shop) stop in and give it a shot. If you actually get to sit down and order, you'll probably have a pretty good time.
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Have you been here too? Don't let me be the only one to review this great Seattle hot spot. Let everyone know what you thought by leaving a comment.
Monday
Seattle Restaurants Bars | Portalis Wine Bar in Ballard
A few weeks ago my wife and I went to Portalis Wine Bar for a birthday part. It is a super cool place located in the Ballard area of Seattle, with a different twist on drinking wine than you might be used to, so I thought I'd give you a quick review of Seattle restaurant Portalis Wine Bar.
Portalis Wine bar is located, as I said, in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, specifically at 5205 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA. It is nestled in a downtown area comprised of several different restaurants and bars, and is the perfect place to begin a night out on the town, relax with a bottle of wine, or hang out with friends. As I mentioned, we had the opportunity to go there for a birthday party, so a group of about 12 of us met there to celebrate.
When you first walk in to Portalis Wine Bar, the first thing you'll notice is that is looks a little bit like a normal Seattle bar and a little bit like the wine section of QFC all wrapped into one. But don't worry, it is supposed to look like that (you don't think you're in QFC when you're there, but there are hundreds of bottles of wine set up for your perusal). That's is the "thing" Portalis wine is known for - you have the opportunity, if you want, to hand select the wine you want to drink for the night. Each wine is identified by name, region, and price, and also has its rating, so you can know if you are getting a "good" bottle or not (although I have to admit, I am not the wine connoisseur - that is my wife).
Once you pick your bottle, you take it to your table, and they open it for you. There is a corking fee for the bottle, like most places, except Wednesday, which is a cork free fee day! In addition to booze, Portalis has a decent food selection, including all the cheese you care to eat. But, be careful if you have a large group of people going - the place probably accommodates, at best 30-40 people. Our 12 people crammed into one side of the bar and it was pretty tight.
In any event, if you love wine, love Seattle, and want to have a good time in Ballard, check out Portalis wine bar. It won't disappoint.
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Have you been here too? Don't let me be the only one to review this great Seattle hot spot. Let everyone know what you thought by leaving a comment.
Portalis Wine bar is located, as I said, in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, specifically at 5205 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA. It is nestled in a downtown area comprised of several different restaurants and bars, and is the perfect place to begin a night out on the town, relax with a bottle of wine, or hang out with friends. As I mentioned, we had the opportunity to go there for a birthday party, so a group of about 12 of us met there to celebrate.
When you first walk in to Portalis Wine Bar, the first thing you'll notice is that is looks a little bit like a normal Seattle bar and a little bit like the wine section of QFC all wrapped into one. But don't worry, it is supposed to look like that (you don't think you're in QFC when you're there, but there are hundreds of bottles of wine set up for your perusal). That's is the "thing" Portalis wine is known for - you have the opportunity, if you want, to hand select the wine you want to drink for the night. Each wine is identified by name, region, and price, and also has its rating, so you can know if you are getting a "good" bottle or not (although I have to admit, I am not the wine connoisseur - that is my wife).
Once you pick your bottle, you take it to your table, and they open it for you. There is a corking fee for the bottle, like most places, except Wednesday, which is a cork free fee day! In addition to booze, Portalis has a decent food selection, including all the cheese you care to eat. But, be careful if you have a large group of people going - the place probably accommodates, at best 30-40 people. Our 12 people crammed into one side of the bar and it was pretty tight.
In any event, if you love wine, love Seattle, and want to have a good time in Ballard, check out Portalis wine bar. It won't disappoint.
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Wednesday
Seattle Salon and Hair Cut | Margi David Salon
Seems like I just can't get back to reviewing Seattle restaurants and bars anymore. I've just been doing too much other stuff and want to write about it. So, without further adieu, as the title suggests, I have another Seattle salon review (two Seattle salon reviews in one week is a little weird, but it's on the list, so in it goes). As a little background, this Seattle hair cut review is of my "regular" hair cut place (I am a boy, so saying salon all the time is a little weird - I'm going to stick with it throughout the rest of this post, but just know that it makes me feel a little funny).
Margi David Salon (their website is a little slow - but check it out if you are curious) is located in the East Lake neighborhood of Seattle and from what I've heard has a reputation as a pretty solid, fairly high end salon. I heard about it through my brother-in-law and wife, who both go there on a regular basis to get their hair done. The brother-in-law, like me, typically just gets a haircut, for around $40, and the wifey gets the whole shebang - cut and color, for I think about $150. I've been pleased every time I've gone there, so I thought I'd let you all know about it in case you were looking for a nice place to get a hair cut.
After you find Margi David Salon (which, I must admit, was a little difficult for me the first couple of times - parking is in between the Margi David building and another building, and the spaces are tight) and go in, you'll immediately notice two things: (1) they want to be really cool; and (2) they are interested in making you feel great while you are there. The salon has a pretty cool vibe about it (but there is no DJ, like the other Seattle salon), is clean, and the stylists are generally young and in a good mood.
Jason has been my stylist every time. He cuts my brother-in-laws hair, does a really good job, and is really interested in his profession. This isn't the place where you get in and out in 20 minutes with a quick trim. Expect to take at least 45 minutes, even for a guy's cut, but expect to be looking pretty good when you leave. Jason was profiled in a Seattle magazine recently, which I thought was pretty cool, and he and the other stylists make frequent trips to New York to get the best training available. Bottom line, if you want a good cut, check these guys out.
I guess there isn't much else to say about Margi David Salon. The staff is polite and knowledgeable, the rates are competitive, and the aesthetic is good. If you are new to Seattle and looking for a great hair cut or style, give Margi David Salon a call and book an appointment with Jason. You won't be disappointed.
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Have you been here too? Don't let me be the only one to review this great Seattle hot spot. Let everyone know what you thought by leaving a comment.
Margi David Salon (their website is a little slow - but check it out if you are curious) is located in the East Lake neighborhood of Seattle and from what I've heard has a reputation as a pretty solid, fairly high end salon. I heard about it through my brother-in-law and wife, who both go there on a regular basis to get their hair done. The brother-in-law, like me, typically just gets a haircut, for around $40, and the wifey gets the whole shebang - cut and color, for I think about $150. I've been pleased every time I've gone there, so I thought I'd let you all know about it in case you were looking for a nice place to get a hair cut.
After you find Margi David Salon (which, I must admit, was a little difficult for me the first couple of times - parking is in between the Margi David building and another building, and the spaces are tight) and go in, you'll immediately notice two things: (1) they want to be really cool; and (2) they are interested in making you feel great while you are there. The salon has a pretty cool vibe about it (but there is no DJ, like the other Seattle salon), is clean, and the stylists are generally young and in a good mood.
Jason has been my stylist every time. He cuts my brother-in-laws hair, does a really good job, and is really interested in his profession. This isn't the place where you get in and out in 20 minutes with a quick trim. Expect to take at least 45 minutes, even for a guy's cut, but expect to be looking pretty good when you leave. Jason was profiled in a Seattle magazine recently, which I thought was pretty cool, and he and the other stylists make frequent trips to New York to get the best training available. Bottom line, if you want a good cut, check these guys out.
I guess there isn't much else to say about Margi David Salon. The staff is polite and knowledgeable, the rates are competitive, and the aesthetic is good. If you are new to Seattle and looking for a great hair cut or style, give Margi David Salon a call and book an appointment with Jason. You won't be disappointed.
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Have you been here too? Don't let me be the only one to review this great Seattle hot spot. Let everyone know what you thought by leaving a comment.
Monday
Seattle Banks | KeyBank
As you all know, I am a relatively new transfer to Seattle. This is one of the reasons I decided to make up this site reviewing everything Seattle. I wanted to let others know what to expect when moving to Seattle, and give those visiting Seattle a guide to some fun things to do while here (or at least some great Seattle bars and restaurants to hang out at while in the area). I'm so pumped that the weather has begun to change too, so I can start researching and rolling out my best patio bars and restaurants in Seattle. Stay tuned for those reviews.One of the first things you need to find, unless you have a national chain (which I personally don't like from a customer service standpoint) is a bank (photo above courtesy of www.ushistory.org). And that held true for my wife and I too. In Kansas, we had a bank we used that was regional that provided all the things we needed: great customer service; great loan rates; great security; and online banking. So, when looking for a good Seattle bank we wanted to keep with those same qualities. I had to look no farther than KeyBank to find exactly what we needed, and I must say I'm more than happy.
Even though funds are protected by the FDIC, in today's day and age it is important to have a bank that is run fiscally responsibly and promotes great customer service. In looking at KeyBank's website and talking to people in the area that used them, it was easy to see that they were a great choice.
At KeyBank in Seattle, we have a couple of checking accounts, including a business checking account. We decided not to open a savings account because with brick and mortar banks in today's world, their interest rates just can't compare with online banks (we have several savings accounts through ING). Setup of the accounts was easy, bank personnel were always very kind and courteous, and we have had absolutely no problem with any of our banking needs.
Additionally, their online presence is very well managed and their website is very easy to navigate. You can sign on to your account and see your current balance, pending and posted transactions, and old checks. And if you have any questions about the other services they offer, their website has much if not all of the information you might need. And if not you can just stop in at one of their branches and ask for help - I haven't ever had a hard time getting in touch with someone to talk to with any Seattle banking questions I had.
In the end, if you are new to the Seattle area and are looking for a good bank, I don't think you can go wrong with KeyBank, particularly with your normal, every day banking needs. They have great customer service, have a great online presence, and provide everything you need (and the checking is free, I might add). So welcome to Seattle, enjoy this great spring/summer weather, and come back to see great Seattle bar and restaurant reviews.
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Wednesday
Seattle Salons | Seven Salon
Looks like this will be two in a row for failing to review a Seattle restaurant or bar. But don't worry, there are many more of those in the cue waiting to be written and thrown up on here. My review today is of Seven Salon, located in Pacific Place in downtown Seattle.
Let me begin by telling you how I got to the point of getting my hair cut there. I am a traditional guy's guy. Although that doesn't necessarily mean I need to go to a barbershop to get my hair cut (I can, after all, appreciate a great hair cut), it does mean that I wait until my hair is extremely long for my taste before I even call to schedule a hair cut. Yesterday was no different. In fact, my hair had gotten mangy enough that my wife even commented that I needed to get a hair cut. So I put it on my to do list.
For the past five months or so since I've been here (I only moved to Seattle in November, following my wife as she took a great job) I'd been going to Margi David Salon in East Lake, and I'd been more than happy. Jason had been my hair cutter, I liked him, and I planned on going back. But on Monday my wife called me and said she'd gotten a coupon for a free hair cut from Seven Salon in Seattle. I honestly had never heard of them before (I am a guy, after all), but when I asked my wife, she said they had the reputation for being one of the better hair salons in Seattle. The coupon expired yesterday, so she wanted to know if I'd be interested. I said sure, sign me up.
So, yesterday I strolled into 7 Salon in downtown Seattle (second floor of Pacific Place) hoping that this wasn't some mall hair place that would buzz me and shoo me out the door in 20 minutes. They knew I was coming in on a coupon, so I was also worried I might get second class treatment. I couldn't have been more wrong.
First, 7 salon, once you walk in, gives off no mall hair joint vibe at all. There is a lot of wood, some flowing water, a very minimalist setup, and people all over the place just waiting to help. Once I filled out the informational card I was sent back with an associate to get my robe (guys, just an FYI, when they give you the robe and ask if you want to go into the changing room, politely decline unless you have something on you don't want to get hair on - they don't actually want you to take all of your clothes of), given a bottle of water and a little chocolate and told to sit and wait for Riley, my stylist, to come and get me.
Before I get much further, let me tell you that 7 salon has pulled out all the stops on making your hair cut much more of an experience than a chore. First, they have a full time barista on staff that can make pretty much whatever you want. I don't drink coffee (remember, I'm from the midwest!) but they've got a full on Starbucks setup right there in the Salon! And second, they have a DJ. You heard me correctly, a DJ. And he spins records all day long. I thought maybe it was just music pumped in on a CD or satellite radio. But nope, there is an actual DJ working full time just to make your Seattle hair styling experience a little more enjoyable.
Okay, back to the haircut. Riley, my stylist, was pretty cool. Riley was a she, in case you were wondering, about 24 years old, and very nice and talkative. 7 salon has got a nice mix of your artsy hair stylist types and your more traditional hair stylist types (I probably just offended everyone by saying that, but you know what I mean). Riley was more the traditional type. No colorful hair, no piercings. And her real name isn't Riley. I won't tell you what it is, but she shares the same name with someone that was already working there when she joined up, so to avoid confusion, she picked a different name. I actually kind of like it. It's the same name as my cat.
Anyway, the haircut was great. She did a great job, gave me a wash and a little style, and sent me to the cash register. I must admit, I think they did a great job with their service, even though I had a coupon for a free cut. Everyone was extremely professional but not stuffy. For a Seattle hair salon it has a great vibe - I could almost see myself hanging out there and having a cocktail if it was available. But, I will tell you, I asked what a cut normally costs, and $65 was the answer. Now, that is not astronomical, but for me it is definitely on the high side. You Microsoft and Boeing employees won't have any trouble affording this, but others might. But I would say that if you want to pamper yourself a little bit, give 7 salon in downtown Seattle a shot. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
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Have you been here too? Don't let me be the only one to review this great Seattle hot spot. Let everyone know what you thought by leaving a comment.
Let me begin by telling you how I got to the point of getting my hair cut there. I am a traditional guy's guy. Although that doesn't necessarily mean I need to go to a barbershop to get my hair cut (I can, after all, appreciate a great hair cut), it does mean that I wait until my hair is extremely long for my taste before I even call to schedule a hair cut. Yesterday was no different. In fact, my hair had gotten mangy enough that my wife even commented that I needed to get a hair cut. So I put it on my to do list.
For the past five months or so since I've been here (I only moved to Seattle in November, following my wife as she took a great job) I'd been going to Margi David Salon in East Lake, and I'd been more than happy. Jason had been my hair cutter, I liked him, and I planned on going back. But on Monday my wife called me and said she'd gotten a coupon for a free hair cut from Seven Salon in Seattle. I honestly had never heard of them before (I am a guy, after all), but when I asked my wife, she said they had the reputation for being one of the better hair salons in Seattle. The coupon expired yesterday, so she wanted to know if I'd be interested. I said sure, sign me up.
So, yesterday I strolled into 7 Salon in downtown Seattle (second floor of Pacific Place) hoping that this wasn't some mall hair place that would buzz me and shoo me out the door in 20 minutes. They knew I was coming in on a coupon, so I was also worried I might get second class treatment. I couldn't have been more wrong.
First, 7 salon, once you walk in, gives off no mall hair joint vibe at all. There is a lot of wood, some flowing water, a very minimalist setup, and people all over the place just waiting to help. Once I filled out the informational card I was sent back with an associate to get my robe (guys, just an FYI, when they give you the robe and ask if you want to go into the changing room, politely decline unless you have something on you don't want to get hair on - they don't actually want you to take all of your clothes of), given a bottle of water and a little chocolate and told to sit and wait for Riley, my stylist, to come and get me.
Before I get much further, let me tell you that 7 salon has pulled out all the stops on making your hair cut much more of an experience than a chore. First, they have a full time barista on staff that can make pretty much whatever you want. I don't drink coffee (remember, I'm from the midwest!) but they've got a full on Starbucks setup right there in the Salon! And second, they have a DJ. You heard me correctly, a DJ. And he spins records all day long. I thought maybe it was just music pumped in on a CD or satellite radio. But nope, there is an actual DJ working full time just to make your Seattle hair styling experience a little more enjoyable.
Okay, back to the haircut. Riley, my stylist, was pretty cool. Riley was a she, in case you were wondering, about 24 years old, and very nice and talkative. 7 salon has got a nice mix of your artsy hair stylist types and your more traditional hair stylist types (I probably just offended everyone by saying that, but you know what I mean). Riley was more the traditional type. No colorful hair, no piercings. And her real name isn't Riley. I won't tell you what it is, but she shares the same name with someone that was already working there when she joined up, so to avoid confusion, she picked a different name. I actually kind of like it. It's the same name as my cat.
Anyway, the haircut was great. She did a great job, gave me a wash and a little style, and sent me to the cash register. I must admit, I think they did a great job with their service, even though I had a coupon for a free cut. Everyone was extremely professional but not stuffy. For a Seattle hair salon it has a great vibe - I could almost see myself hanging out there and having a cocktail if it was available. But, I will tell you, I asked what a cut normally costs, and $65 was the answer. Now, that is not astronomical, but for me it is definitely on the high side. You Microsoft and Boeing employees won't have any trouble affording this, but others might. But I would say that if you want to pamper yourself a little bit, give 7 salon in downtown Seattle a shot. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
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Monday
Seattle Hot Spots | Pike Place Market
Although this site is primarily about Seattle restaurant, Seattle bar, and Seattle services reviews (dentist, lawyers, mechanics, florists, etc.), I thought I'd change it up a bit and talk about a fixture of downtown Seattle that is not only a tourist attraction but a great place for locals to hang out as well.
By the title you know I am talking about Pike Place market, a flea market type of a scene on steroids, with vendors ranging from redneck belt buckles to fresh mussels and fish, to artwork to gigantic cloves of garlic (I couldn't help but put this in there because it blew my mind how big this garlic was - to give you an idea put both of our fists together, that is about how big this garlic was!). It is also home to the famous flying fish, where they fresh fish market guys will give you the chance to catch the fish you order (if you choose). They were made world famous, by, among other things, one of MTV's Real World cast members working there for a time while on the show (I can't believe I just dropped a Real World reference on here - I know that's now why it's famous, so just give me a little slack, okay).
Pike Place Market is also home to the most world famous of donut holes. If you go there at any time when any people are around, the line is usually about 100 people deep. And I'll be the first to admit I'm not the biggest fan of pastries, but these are some pretty freaking good donut holes. If you are visiting from out of town and love a little donut, I'd definitely give these a try.
Getting to Pike Place Market is easy. Just exit off of I-5 around Union Street or so and drive toward the water. That is where it is. You can't miss the sign. It for a fact is famous and makes up a lot of well known Seattle photographs. Good luck finding a place to park though (and be weary of parking in the pay to park spaces during the week - we almost found out the hard way that you have to be out of there by three - three two trucks back to back to back made the point!). I'd recommend just paying to park in the Pacific Place parking garage and just walk down (it will also allow you to hit Nordstrom rack - great place to find dirt cheap jeans!).
Anyway, if you are in Seattle in the near future and need a place to kill a few hours and want to hit one of the prime tourist attractions, make your way down to Pike Place Market. It is great fun to people watch, see people's artistic abilities at work, and see some of Seattle's finest!
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By the title you know I am talking about Pike Place market, a flea market type of a scene on steroids, with vendors ranging from redneck belt buckles to fresh mussels and fish, to artwork to gigantic cloves of garlic (I couldn't help but put this in there because it blew my mind how big this garlic was - to give you an idea put both of our fists together, that is about how big this garlic was!). It is also home to the famous flying fish, where they fresh fish market guys will give you the chance to catch the fish you order (if you choose). They were made world famous, by, among other things, one of MTV's Real World cast members working there for a time while on the show (I can't believe I just dropped a Real World reference on here - I know that's now why it's famous, so just give me a little slack, okay).
Pike Place Market is also home to the most world famous of donut holes. If you go there at any time when any people are around, the line is usually about 100 people deep. And I'll be the first to admit I'm not the biggest fan of pastries, but these are some pretty freaking good donut holes. If you are visiting from out of town and love a little donut, I'd definitely give these a try.
Getting to Pike Place Market is easy. Just exit off of I-5 around Union Street or so and drive toward the water. That is where it is. You can't miss the sign. It for a fact is famous and makes up a lot of well known Seattle photographs. Good luck finding a place to park though (and be weary of parking in the pay to park spaces during the week - we almost found out the hard way that you have to be out of there by three - three two trucks back to back to back made the point!). I'd recommend just paying to park in the Pacific Place parking garage and just walk down (it will also allow you to hit Nordstrom rack - great place to find dirt cheap jeans!).
Anyway, if you are in Seattle in the near future and need a place to kill a few hours and want to hit one of the prime tourist attractions, make your way down to Pike Place Market. It is great fun to people watch, see people's artistic abilities at work, and see some of Seattle's finest!
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Wednesday
Seattle Bars & Restaurants | Pacific Lock and Key
Now, I know this is supposed to be a site about Seattle bars and restaurants, giving you all the latest information not only on how hot a spot is, but actually how cool it is, but I from time to time there are other Seattle businesses that deserve a shout out so that people know how good they are. This is one of those times.I may have already told this story, but a couple of months ago it snowed in Seattle. I'm sure you knew that if you were in the city at all at that time, because about half the streets were closed (by the way, I'm from Kansas, and that the city only had something like 10 snow plows blew my mind!). I didn't mind though. I have four wheel drive SUV (now, before all you greenies start to get mad and harp at me, you must know it is a Toyota 4Runner, which is on the smaller side and uses much less gas than you'd think). Because it was snowing, however, there was no chance to really get out to a favorite Seattle sports bar or Seattle restaurant. We didn't want to get in a log jam with any crazy drivers.
Instead we decided to head on out to Fred Meyer, our semi-local grocery store, to pick up some goodies, and some board games (I think). Basically we were going to drink at home and have a good old time. On the way, however, I noticed I needed gas. So I pulled into the next gas station I see, get out of the car, and fill 'er up, no problem. When I get back into the car and try to start it, however, the key won't turn in the ignition. The car still works fine, but it is as if the key is for a different car. So we freak out, talk to the gas station guy, he says he's going to tow us if we don't move (by this time there are 6 inches of snow on the ground - he's not towing us anywhere). We leave the car, call Pacific Lock & Key, a Seattle locksmith, and he says he can come first thing in the morning and take care of us.
We met the guy at the gas station the next morning, and I must say, I couldn't be happier with the service we received. He told us what the problem was (the tumblers on the ignition had worn out), tried to fix it the super cheap way, and then told us what he'd have to do to fix it all the way. He was very good at his job, worked very quickly, and charged a very reasonable fee. And then, the next day, when I freaked out and thought the key wasn't working again, he came out to the house, no questions asked, to help me out (I'd tell you that story but it is really embarrassing).
The reason I wanted to write about Pacific Lock & Key (206-784-2332) is because I feel like no matter where you are it is sometimes hard to find a trustworthy person in a service business (car mechanic, plumber, doctor, lawyer, dentist). So when I have an experience that I think is very good, I want to let all of you know about that so you can give them a try. And I would say I recommend these guys 100%.
Next time you will get another great Seattle restaurant review, probably involving wine and cheese (Portalis Wine Shop). Talk to you then!!
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Monday
Seattle Restaurants | Silence-Heart-Nest
You've already read a couple of couple of Seattle restaurant and Seattle bar reviews in my quest to find the best restaurants and bars in Seattle, but I've got something new for you today. This is my first breakfast/brunch/lunch cafe type of establishment I'll be reviewing. It's called Silence-Heart-Nest, and it is nestled in the heart of downtown Fremont. Here we go.
My wife and I actually ended up in Fremont in the first place in a pretty funny way. It was right after the big snowstorm that happened in December, and the night before our car broke down at a gas station in Fremont. It wasn't an engine problem or anything; the key actually got worn down enough that it no longer properly pushed down the tumblers in the ignition. Basically the key in our car stopped working. It was a pretty strange night.
Needless to say, the locksmith met us at the gas station the next day, so we walked to Fremont to meet him. We live in the Wallingford area, so it wasn't a long walk. And the snow was gorgeous, so we hiked over there. Once we met the locksmith (a great guy who will be reviewed later) he told us it would be about an hour before he'd be done working, so we walked over to Silence-Heart-Nest to grab a bite to eat. We'd never heard of the place before. We went there because it looked inviting.
When we first walked in to Silence-Heart-Nest it looked like what we expected it to look like - a cafe in Seattle. It wasn't spectacular, with a bunch of small tables spread throughout, a little breakfast bar people could sit at, and a couple of booths. The place was clean, but definitely gave off the vibe of a place with it's own style. In this case, that style is vegetarian, with a little bit of an extreme liberal vibe thrown in (what I mean is, when you walk in, you know it could be put together a little better and run a little better, but it's almost as if everyone is suffering a little because it's what is supposed to be done - probably doesn't make much sense, but I'm okay with that).
When we sat down our waitress was not friendly but not rude. I think she could tell that we were neither regulars nor necessarily the demographic they like to attract. I don't think that necessarily affected the level of service; again, I got the feeling you were supposed to suffer a little. I ordered an orange juice that came out pretty warm, and my wife ordered an espresso that after about 3/4 of the way done was refilled with coffee (she was not impressed).
The food, once it made its way out, was okay, but slightly overpriced (I think that is what you can expect at a place that bills itself as strictly vegetarian). I would give the food a passing grade. It didn't blow me away nor make me queasy. I had biscuits and gravy and a blueberry muffin. My wife had eggs Benedict. It was a nice cafe breakfast. And once our water was gone, it was never refilled. As you can tell, the service was a little suspect.
For my first Seattle breakfast restaurant review, it was a little shaky. I think it's safe to say I probably won't be going back again, both because the food and service were a little shaky and because it isn't really my scene (I have nothing against vegetarians or the whole super left wing vibe - and I'm not grouping them together - but I felt like people were eyeballing me the entire time). To get some of that Fremont vibe, it might be worth checking out once.
In the end Silence-Heart-Nest was just okay. If you get stuck in Fremont and need to eat and nothing else is open, I'd give it a shot. Otherwise, there is enough other selection around to have a better experience (and I hate giving even slightly negative Seattle restaurant reviews, but I just can't help it here).
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My wife and I actually ended up in Fremont in the first place in a pretty funny way. It was right after the big snowstorm that happened in December, and the night before our car broke down at a gas station in Fremont. It wasn't an engine problem or anything; the key actually got worn down enough that it no longer properly pushed down the tumblers in the ignition. Basically the key in our car stopped working. It was a pretty strange night.
Needless to say, the locksmith met us at the gas station the next day, so we walked to Fremont to meet him. We live in the Wallingford area, so it wasn't a long walk. And the snow was gorgeous, so we hiked over there. Once we met the locksmith (a great guy who will be reviewed later) he told us it would be about an hour before he'd be done working, so we walked over to Silence-Heart-Nest to grab a bite to eat. We'd never heard of the place before. We went there because it looked inviting.
When we first walked in to Silence-Heart-Nest it looked like what we expected it to look like - a cafe in Seattle. It wasn't spectacular, with a bunch of small tables spread throughout, a little breakfast bar people could sit at, and a couple of booths. The place was clean, but definitely gave off the vibe of a place with it's own style. In this case, that style is vegetarian, with a little bit of an extreme liberal vibe thrown in (what I mean is, when you walk in, you know it could be put together a little better and run a little better, but it's almost as if everyone is suffering a little because it's what is supposed to be done - probably doesn't make much sense, but I'm okay with that).
When we sat down our waitress was not friendly but not rude. I think she could tell that we were neither regulars nor necessarily the demographic they like to attract. I don't think that necessarily affected the level of service; again, I got the feeling you were supposed to suffer a little. I ordered an orange juice that came out pretty warm, and my wife ordered an espresso that after about 3/4 of the way done was refilled with coffee (she was not impressed).
The food, once it made its way out, was okay, but slightly overpriced (I think that is what you can expect at a place that bills itself as strictly vegetarian). I would give the food a passing grade. It didn't blow me away nor make me queasy. I had biscuits and gravy and a blueberry muffin. My wife had eggs Benedict. It was a nice cafe breakfast. And once our water was gone, it was never refilled. As you can tell, the service was a little suspect.
For my first Seattle breakfast restaurant review, it was a little shaky. I think it's safe to say I probably won't be going back again, both because the food and service were a little shaky and because it isn't really my scene (I have nothing against vegetarians or the whole super left wing vibe - and I'm not grouping them together - but I felt like people were eyeballing me the entire time). To get some of that Fremont vibe, it might be worth checking out once.
In the end Silence-Heart-Nest was just okay. If you get stuck in Fremont and need to eat and nothing else is open, I'd give it a shot. Otherwise, there is enough other selection around to have a better experience (and I hate giving even slightly negative Seattle restaurant reviews, but I just can't help it here).
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Seattle Bars and Restaurants | The Ram
If you are new to Seattle and want to go to a restaurant that can serve both as a fine dining establishment and a great sports bar, The Ram Restaurant & Brewery is the place to go. Well, fine dining in a great city like Seattle might be a stretch, but it is a great place to grab a bite to eat if you want to change your nightly routine up a little (the food is good is all I'm saying). And, if you time it right, while you are wining and dining your wife or husband you can catch that Seattle Seahawks game or University of Washington Huskies basketball or football game without catching a bunch of flack.For a little background, the Ram is a restaurant chain located throughout the greater Seattle area. Because I live in the Wallingford area, I frequent the Ram located in the University Village shopping center. I've been there several times to get prepared for both UDub basketball and football games and University of Kansas basketball and football games (I'm a huge Jayhawks fan and love going to any bar that will show a KU game).
No matter what your view of a traditional sports bar is, the Ram will not disappoint. The theme of the restaurant is sports, but they have not forgotten that people need to eat when there isn't much on television. Because of that, there is a central dining area, with an exposed kitchen, that services your regular dining crowd. And, as I've already said, the food is good. The menu ranges from burgers and sandwiches to steaks, pasta, and your traditional dining fare. It's really as good for sports watching as it is for taking a date for dinner.
And if you are looking for a traditional sports bar in Seattle, this is also the place to be. At the UVillage location, all you have to do is walk to the back of the restaurant to put yourself in sports bar heaven. Although it may be a little be more subdued than Fox Sports Grill in downtown Seattle, it definitely gets the job done. With a full service bar that comes to a "T" in the middle and plenty of high top tables and booths, it is definitely a great place to be for a big game. If you are going to go, however, you better get there early. It fills up quick, and I must admit that the service can be a little slow at times (when the place is packed, I mean). I stopped by there before the UW vs. ASU game last week and left before I even got a beer it was so packed and took so long to get a drink. Despite that, I'd still recommend it.
Another great aspect of The Ram is it's happy hour specials. They have great drink and food specials (1/2 price appetizers I believe, which are super tasty). So, if you just need a drink to unwind after work, I'd also pop in there (one of the great things about the northwest is how early all the sports start in the evening - so even after work you can catch a little bit of what is usually a mildly entertaining game).
As for service, I'd rate it average at best. As I said, it can be slow at times, and I've gotten the feeling in there before that some of the waitstaff is not as interested in customer service as they should be. But the booze, the televisions, and the overall atmosphere make up for that.
Overall, I'd highly recommend the Ram in Seattle for all of your dining or sports needs. So, the next time you feel like a beer, a crowd, and a great sports scene, check it out. You won't be disappointed.
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Wednesday
Seattle Restaurants | South Lake Union | Joeys
Over the past several weeks I've had the chance to visit Joeys on South Lake Union. The first time was for a couple of drinks and an appetizer with my wife on a Friday night. The second was for lunch with my mom, who was visiting from Kansas. Each visit was different, but both were quite enjoyable. Here is how it went - my Seattle restaurant review of Joeys on South Lake Union.
Joeys is a South Lake Union restaurant that is part of the regrowth plan in that part of Seattle. It sits right on the south edge of Lake Union, and has some really spectacular views of the water. The day I went for lunch it was crystal clear, the lake was full of boats, and it really did make the entire experience more enjoyable. As you can imagine, just sitting here hanging out, looking at the water and boats, makes you feel kind of cool. It also gives a good "Seattle" type of vibe.First, let's talk about the Friday night visit. If you don't live in Seattle and want a pretty cool place to go that isn't too far out of the way, Joey's is a safe bet. It doesn't have that Seattle club atmosphere, but the night I was there the bar was packed, people were happy, and the drinks were flowing. The bar holds about 50-60 people, and was a pretty good time. It is definitely not the place to go if you want to get crazy though. More of a lounge, martini bar kind of a feel.
As you can see from these pictures, this Seattle restaurant is built around a modern feel with an upscale attitude. And the prices, although not outrageous, match that feel. The price of everything was on the upper end. Drinks were relatively expensive, the food was relatively expensive, but again, it didn't break the bank. Bottom line, if you stop by Joeys on a random weekday night in particular, you might see me there having a drink (particularly in the summertime, when the back patio provides a great place to forget about your workday).
Now on to lunch. I had a hamburger, and my mom had a seared ahi sandwich (I think). Don't let the fact that I had a hamburger get you all bent out of shape and write off everything I've said so far in this review. I'm from Kansas. Hamburgers are a guilty pleasure. Sometimes you've just got to have one - this was one of those times. Anyway, back to it. The food was really pretty great. I've got no complaints on that. But the service, on the other hand, left a little to be desired.
It wasn't that the service was terrible or anything. We were in the restaurant at a fairly slow time (maybe ten to fifteen tables full), and there didn't seem to be much going on, but everything related to our dining experience was slow. It took five to ten minutes for our waitress to even greet us at our table, and everything after that was similarly slow. When the food came out it was hot and tasty, but the service could have been better.
This is about it for my review of Joeys restaurant on South Lake Union in Seattle. As you can tell by my review, I'd recommend people going there to give it a try. They also have several other locations throughout the greater Seattle area, and across the border in Canada. I think they try to create a feeling of uniformity with each restaurant (absent the great view), so you'd probably be safe giving any one of the restaurants a try.
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Thursday
Seattle Restaurant Review | Siam on Lake Union
I figured since I already reviewed a Seattle sushi restaurant and a Seattle steak restaurant, I'd explore another food and go to a Seattle thai restaurant - Siam on Lake Union. Although I must admit, in this instance I already knew how great the food was going to be.
To begin, however, I must dispel one myth just so you don't go into the place with a chip on your shoulder. Siam on Lake Union, located at 1880 Fairview Ave. E in Seattle, is NOT in fact on the water (it's location on the map is on Fairview between Newton and Broadway - there is a huge dock in between the restaurant and the water). Although I arrived at the restaurant after dark, I am pretty sure there is no water view from any seat in the restaurant (although it is very close to Lake Union). I just wanted to get that out of the way since the name, Siam on Lake Union implies that it is either on the lake or has a lake view. But don't let that deter you from going here. The food is great.
As for atmosphere, it is slightly cheeky. I am fairly sure it is owned by people of Thai descent, or at least Asian decent, because cultural ornaments adorn the walls (including a photo of someone over the hostess table when you first go in - first to tell me who it is wins a prize!). In the end it doesn't really do much for the atmosphere. But again, the food is great.
And now, for the service part of the restaurant review. Overall the service was very good. We sat at the bar for a little bit waiting for the rest of our party to arrive (I only drank iced tea...), and the bartender was chatty and made a great vodka tonic. When we were finally seated at our table, however, the service was a little slow. Taking our order took about fifteen minutes (or so it seemed). Once the order was placed, however, our food was out very quickly, almost as if they knew what we'd ordered. Overall I'd rate the service an 8 out of 10.
While I'm here, one quick note about Siam on Lake Union: allegedly they have the best karaoke in Seattle. We didn't experience it the night we ate, but some friends who'd been there before said it was awesome. They set it up in the bar area, and I think they do it every Friday and Saturday night. So if you are looking for something a little different to do this weekend, check out the karaoke at Siam on Lake Union. It should be a blast.
On to the good stuff: the food. As far as I am concerned, I thought it was pretty tough to mess up thai food. That is because I am pretty strictly a phad thai type of a guy. This night I held true to form and ordered the pork phad thai, two stars. As I expected, it was delicious. Just the right amount of spiciness, nice and hot, and a great portion. It was the other dishes, however, that really impressed me. We were a party of 8, and the selections ranged from curries to green bean dishes, and everything was great. If you really are looking for some great thai food in Seattle, you definitely want to check this place out.
Overall I'd give Siam on Lake Union an 8 out of 10. The drinks were cold and strong, the service was great, and the food was excellent. The only things keeping it from a 10 are it's actual location in relation to a lake and the decor inside. I'd highly recommend this place for a date or just for a fun night out at dinner.
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To begin, however, I must dispel one myth just so you don't go into the place with a chip on your shoulder. Siam on Lake Union, located at 1880 Fairview Ave. E in Seattle, is NOT in fact on the water (it's location on the map is on Fairview between Newton and Broadway - there is a huge dock in between the restaurant and the water). Although I arrived at the restaurant after dark, I am pretty sure there is no water view from any seat in the restaurant (although it is very close to Lake Union). I just wanted to get that out of the way since the name, Siam on Lake Union implies that it is either on the lake or has a lake view. But don't let that deter you from going here. The food is great.As for atmosphere, it is slightly cheeky. I am fairly sure it is owned by people of Thai descent, or at least Asian decent, because cultural ornaments adorn the walls (including a photo of someone over the hostess table when you first go in - first to tell me who it is wins a prize!). In the end it doesn't really do much for the atmosphere. But again, the food is great.
And now, for the service part of the restaurant review. Overall the service was very good. We sat at the bar for a little bit waiting for the rest of our party to arrive (I only drank iced tea...), and the bartender was chatty and made a great vodka tonic. When we were finally seated at our table, however, the service was a little slow. Taking our order took about fifteen minutes (or so it seemed). Once the order was placed, however, our food was out very quickly, almost as if they knew what we'd ordered. Overall I'd rate the service an 8 out of 10.
While I'm here, one quick note about Siam on Lake Union: allegedly they have the best karaoke in Seattle. We didn't experience it the night we ate, but some friends who'd been there before said it was awesome. They set it up in the bar area, and I think they do it every Friday and Saturday night. So if you are looking for something a little different to do this weekend, check out the karaoke at Siam on Lake Union. It should be a blast.
On to the good stuff: the food. As far as I am concerned, I thought it was pretty tough to mess up thai food. That is because I am pretty strictly a phad thai type of a guy. This night I held true to form and ordered the pork phad thai, two stars. As I expected, it was delicious. Just the right amount of spiciness, nice and hot, and a great portion. It was the other dishes, however, that really impressed me. We were a party of 8, and the selections ranged from curries to green bean dishes, and everything was great. If you really are looking for some great thai food in Seattle, you definitely want to check this place out.
Overall I'd give Siam on Lake Union an 8 out of 10. The drinks were cold and strong, the service was great, and the food was excellent. The only things keeping it from a 10 are it's actual location in relation to a lake and the decor inside. I'd highly recommend this place for a date or just for a fun night out at dinner.
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Tuesday
Seattle Sports Bar | Fox Sports Grill
If you haven't noticed by my previous posts, a lot of my social life consists of going out to bars and restaurants. Sometimes its just to drink (always with friends), sometimes its just to eat, but sometimes there are other motivations. About a week ago I had just such a motivation - sports. I am a die hard Kansas Jayhawks fan. I went to school there, I was born in Kansas, and I root for them as hard as I can. And now that I'm out here in Seattle, I need to find a good place to watch all those football and basketball games that will be on TV. The journey to find a great sports bar began with Fox Sports Grill in downtown Seattle.
Although I'd already been to some bars that have televisions, namely Murphy's Irish Pub in Wallingford and the Garage in Capitol Hill, I hadn't had the chance to go to any true sports bars yet. What makes a good Seattle sports bar? There are really three elements: first, there have to be televisions everywhere, and every angle should have the view of at least one TV; second, the people should know what the big game or games are for the day and have them displayed in a way that people can catch the game they want; and third, the atmosphere needs to be conducive to a little cheering at the TV (this includes great service, good beer, and good food).
So now let's get down to my review of Fox Sports Grill so you can see if it passes the test of being a great sports bar. To begin with, it's got a great location, right downtown by Pacific Place. It looks cool from the outside, and it makes you want to go in and catch a game. Pretty good start.
Just a quick side note. When you first go inside the place, don't worry about not seeing and people, a bar, a bartender, a waitress, or tables. It's supposed to be like that. The TVs are there, and the little waterfall is there to give it a little ambiance. Unless you need to catch a play before you grab a beer (which does need to be done sometimes), sit on one of the couches and enjoy for a couple minutes. If the need to quench your thirst wins out, though, just head down the stairs. That is where the magic happens.
Once you get in, if it is a big game, you should see the place packed. This is a good thing. We arrived at about 2:30 p.m. on a Wednesday (New Year's eve) and there were probably only 20 or 30 people there. But, the 20 or 30 people there were watching the Pittsburgh vs. Oregon State game, which in the fourth quarter was 3-0! And for a boring game, you know what? The fans were cheering! Good sign for this place.
We found a table, sat down, and were immediately greeted by a waitress in a great mood ready to make our stay enjoyable. Not only was she fast and courteous, but she brought us out New Year's Eve paraphernalia! What more can you ask for from a waitress? Honestly, though, the service was great, the food was great, and the beer was really cold (the even put an orange slice in my hefenwiesen - shows they actually pay attention to their garnishes!).
On to the number one factor for a good Seattle sports bar - TVs. As the pictures show, they had them everywhere. And they had the channels that were required to watch the game (we don't have NFL network at home, so we were excited to see that they had it).
We had no trouble seeing the game no matter what our viewpoint was (although the big screen was a little fuzzy), and they had several games on while the KU vs. Minnesota football butt whipping was on (I distinctly remember a pretty good Louisville basketball game being on).
So, to wrap this up, I highly recommend heading on down to Fox Sports Grill in downtown Seattle if you ever have the need to catch a big game and want to do it with 150 of your closest friends. They have all the requirements of a great sports bar: TVs; all the games; and great beer and food. I'd recommend you check it out sometime.
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Have you been here too? Don't let me be the only one to review this great Seattle hot spot. Let everyone know what you thought by leaving a comment.
Although I'd already been to some bars that have televisions, namely Murphy's Irish Pub in Wallingford and the Garage in Capitol Hill, I hadn't had the chance to go to any true sports bars yet. What makes a good Seattle sports bar? There are really three elements: first, there have to be televisions everywhere, and every angle should have the view of at least one TV; second, the people should know what the big game or games are for the day and have them displayed in a way that people can catch the game they want; and third, the atmosphere needs to be conducive to a little cheering at the TV (this includes great service, good beer, and good food).
So now let's get down to my review of Fox Sports Grill so you can see if it passes the test of being a great sports bar. To begin with, it's got a great location, right downtown by Pacific Place. It looks cool from the outside, and it makes you want to go in and catch a game. Pretty good start.Just a quick side note. When you first go inside the place, don't worry about not seeing and people, a bar, a bartender, a waitress, or tables. It's supposed to be like that. The TVs are there, and the little waterfall is there to give it a little ambiance. Unless you need to catch a play before you grab a beer (which does need to be done sometimes), sit on one of the couches and enjoy for a couple minutes. If the need to quench your thirst wins out, though, just head down the stairs. That is where the magic happens.
Once you get in, if it is a big game, you should see the place packed. This is a good thing. We arrived at about 2:30 p.m. on a Wednesday (New Year's eve) and there were probably only 20 or 30 people there. But, the 20 or 30 people there were watching the Pittsburgh vs. Oregon State game, which in the fourth quarter was 3-0! And for a boring game, you know what? The fans were cheering! Good sign for this place.We found a table, sat down, and were immediately greeted by a waitress in a great mood ready to make our stay enjoyable. Not only was she fast and courteous, but she brought us out New Year's Eve paraphernalia! What more can you ask for from a waitress? Honestly, though, the service was great, the food was great, and the beer was really cold (the even put an orange slice in my hefenwiesen - shows they actually pay attention to their garnishes!).
On to the number one factor for a good Seattle sports bar - TVs. As the pictures show, they had them everywhere. And they had the channels that were required to watch the game (we don't have NFL network at home, so we were excited to see that they had it).
We had no trouble seeing the game no matter what our viewpoint was (although the big screen was a little fuzzy), and they had several games on while the KU vs. Minnesota football butt whipping was on (I distinctly remember a pretty good Louisville basketball game being on).So, to wrap this up, I highly recommend heading on down to Fox Sports Grill in downtown Seattle if you ever have the need to catch a big game and want to do it with 150 of your closest friends. They have all the requirements of a great sports bar: TVs; all the games; and great beer and food. I'd recommend you check it out sometime.
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Have you been here too? Don't let me be the only one to review this great Seattle hot spot. Let everyone know what you thought by leaving a comment.
Thursday
Seattle Restaurant Review | El Gaucho Pampas Room
If you've been reading my other reviews you have probably begun to think that I don't have a negative bone in my body. This is actually not true. At each of the other places I've been, I've just generally had a good time. However, this time I cannot hold back. Believe it or not, I'm giving a negative review of El Gaucho Restaurant. Why negative? Read on to find out why.
El Gaucho is an interesting restaurant in and of itself. It bills itself as private dining, so to go you need to get a reservation. They have several different rooms you can dine in, namely: the 410 Room; the Grill Room; the Wine Cellar; the Pampas Room; and the Bolas Lounge. The setting is supposed to be a swanky 1940's ish type of vibe - meaning it is dark and there is old stuff on the walls (it actually is pretty inviting). We ate in the Pampas room, so my review will be limited to the Pampas Room of El Gaucho in Seattle, Washington.
We had occasion to visit El Gaucho because of a great holiday - New Years Eve. We went with several friends, had a reservation for 8:00 p.m., and were looking forward to having a great time. When we first showed up the place was great. The ambiance was good, the bartender poured me a Captain and Sprite so stiff I thought he put Coke in it, and everthing was going great. Then we met our waitress.
I don't know what her name was, but from the very beginning she was hard to deal with. And there really was nothing good to report about her. Her demeanor was not good (she was telling us what to do all night - even the order we'd order our food in), her service was not good (we went up to the bar to get drinks at least twice during dinner - when we'd try to order from her she would tell us to wait and then never come back), and overall she was just unhelpful. I don't think there is any doubt that her poor service had a profound effect on my impression of the restaurant. But wait, it gets better!
After we sat down, we ordered food. I got the steak sword (they flambe the meat on a sword - it's pretty cool) and my wife got salmon. They were both okay. We also ordered asparagus - it never came! And thirty minutes later when we'd asked where it was for the fourth time, we found out it wasn't coming. And then we were charged for it! The waitress actually said to us, "you ordered it, so you have to pay for it." Unbelievable.
And we didn't have the only food problems. Another couple had to send all of their food back (and I know it must have been bad because they never do that), and they never got anything back! And the length of time it took to get the food was unbelievable. I realize it's New Years and some slack needs to be given, but we sat down for dinner at 8:00, and when we left at 11:30 (to meet the in-laws down the street at the Waterfront (a great restaurant, by the way), the waitress was just taking orders for dessert!
There were a couple of high points, though. First, as I said before, there was no scrimping on the drinks. Also, if you do go eat there, get the lobster mashed potatoes. They are amazing. And the company was amazing!
I'm hoping it was just the service that made our dining experience one to forget. Our bill ended up being about $100 a person, no small chunk of change. If you are going to spend that, I'd recommend going somewhere else. It's not worth taking the chance of getting our waitress!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Have you been here too? Don't let me be the only one to review this great Seattle hot spot. Let everyone know what you thought by leaving a comment.
El Gaucho is an interesting restaurant in and of itself. It bills itself as private dining, so to go you need to get a reservation. They have several different rooms you can dine in, namely: the 410 Room; the Grill Room; the Wine Cellar; the Pampas Room; and the Bolas Lounge. The setting is supposed to be a swanky 1940's ish type of vibe - meaning it is dark and there is old stuff on the walls (it actually is pretty inviting). We ate in the Pampas room, so my review will be limited to the Pampas Room of El Gaucho in Seattle, Washington.
We had occasion to visit El Gaucho because of a great holiday - New Years Eve. We went with several friends, had a reservation for 8:00 p.m., and were looking forward to having a great time. When we first showed up the place was great. The ambiance was good, the bartender poured me a Captain and Sprite so stiff I thought he put Coke in it, and everthing was going great. Then we met our waitress.I don't know what her name was, but from the very beginning she was hard to deal with. And there really was nothing good to report about her. Her demeanor was not good (she was telling us what to do all night - even the order we'd order our food in), her service was not good (we went up to the bar to get drinks at least twice during dinner - when we'd try to order from her she would tell us to wait and then never come back), and overall she was just unhelpful. I don't think there is any doubt that her poor service had a profound effect on my impression of the restaurant. But wait, it gets better!
After we sat down, we ordered food. I got the steak sword (they flambe the meat on a sword - it's pretty cool) and my wife got salmon. They were both okay. We also ordered asparagus - it never came! And thirty minutes later when we'd asked where it was for the fourth time, we found out it wasn't coming. And then we were charged for it! The waitress actually said to us, "you ordered it, so you have to pay for it." Unbelievable.And we didn't have the only food problems. Another couple had to send all of their food back (and I know it must have been bad because they never do that), and they never got anything back! And the length of time it took to get the food was unbelievable. I realize it's New Years and some slack needs to be given, but we sat down for dinner at 8:00, and when we left at 11:30 (to meet the in-laws down the street at the Waterfront (a great restaurant, by the way), the waitress was just taking orders for dessert!
There were a couple of high points, though. First, as I said before, there was no scrimping on the drinks. Also, if you do go eat there, get the lobster mashed potatoes. They are amazing. And the company was amazing!I'm hoping it was just the service that made our dining experience one to forget. Our bill ended up being about $100 a person, no small chunk of change. If you are going to spend that, I'd recommend going somewhere else. It's not worth taking the chance of getting our waitress!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Have you been here too? Don't let me be the only one to review this great Seattle hot spot. Let everyone know what you thought by leaving a comment.
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