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.
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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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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