tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4247073045074765052011-08-31T05:39:14.798-07:00reviewing restaurants, condos and whatever else in the seattle areaDunnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09621740673538458526noreply@blogger.comBlogger321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-82027468189965317282010-12-03T19:29:00.000-08:002011-01-06T21:11:35.863-08:00

In an age of forever nows, I'm always glad to find something that is timeless. More than any other joint in Seattle, The Zig Zag Cafe is that place. There are bars that try to pull this off in the decor, some better than others. That's where Zig Zag is different. I'm not sure they built it with any intention; it's just a place. Where the magic happens is behind the bar. Some of you might

Dunnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09621740673538458526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-27218832178125457732008-12-24T12:46:00.000-08:002008-12-26T02:26:14.244-08:00

Merry Christmas, everyone! In the end, few things really matter; and none of them involve condos, restaurants or meaningless reviews on a blog. So I hope everyone is with those they love this time of year. I wish you all a truly meaningful holiday.

Dunnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09621740673538458526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-92219995993324372562008-12-21T12:42:00.000-08:002010-12-04T01:00:26.200-08:00

Strange to be reviewing a condo in the current market. I heard the market is not going to bottom out in the area until possibly 2010. In any case, it might be good to sit things out if you are a buyer until the panic truly sets in. With both Safeco and WaMu gone and the economy taking a dive, I'm guessing there are many sellers out there who need to unload.I first got to know the Galley Condos

Dunnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09621740673538458526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-45641129538474506332008-12-14T22:15:00.000-08:002011-07-09T08:56:27.321-07:00

One of the great late night eats in the country is Angel's Share in NYC which serves all forms of japanese street food. If you're ever in the city, bar hopping and hungry at 2am, get in a cab and ask to be taken there (3rd ave and E 9th st); you can thank me later when you sober up. Just like cocoa beans go with milk and sugar, japanese street food goes great with being drunk off your ass. I

Dunnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09621740673538458526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-43741041602699774152008-11-07T14:28:00.000-08:002010-12-03T23:08:28.819-08:00

Oh the places I've been, the people I've seen. Good to be back, though. One place I do remember going during my absence is Phoenix. Not sure about the city but at least I got to try what many call the best pizza in the country. Pizzeria Bianco is often credited as kicking off the gourmet pizza craze. I don't know if this is true since I don't usually follow trends in the pizza industry.Chris

Dunnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09621740673538458526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-45871769377123282362008-03-31T19:57:00.000-07:002008-11-13T04:33:21.439-08:00

Breakfast is a weird time for me. I gave up eating breakfast a long time ago, partly to get more sleep, partly since I don't like being full going into work. Since it is rare that I go for morning eats, I find it odd that I have been to 35th Street Bistro for brunch so many times. I think it speaks to the quality of food and restaurant overall.35th Street Bistro is known throughout Seattle but

Dunnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09621740673538458526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-56356613806958680942008-03-23T16:16:00.000-07:002010-12-03T23:16:56.789-08:00

In a jungle of teriyaki and cheap takeout joints there exists a conundrum in the university district named Thai Tom. On one hand, they have good food if a little too authentic. They heavily sauce their food and considering most dishes involve fish sauce, you can be left over-powered if you are not expecting it. Also, they mean spicy when they say spicy. Don't be a hero, go for 2 stars. However,

Dunnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09621740673538458526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-38827061556744626922008-03-21T00:51:00.000-07:002010-12-03T23:19:29.901-08:00

I once heard that the best Pizza in the country is in Arizona. I know; Arizona? Well, I can't tell if this is true since I've never tried (correction; review above). However, considering that one of the best mexican food I have had is in Seattle, maybe it is not so far fetched. I have to give credit of finding La Carta de Oaxaca to my significant other as I had serious doubts of trying any

Dunnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09621740673538458526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-38887498193063655282008-03-20T23:07:00.000-07:002008-03-24T01:17:27.426-07:00

There is a new steak house in town looking to take down the old guard. Capital Grille looks like they are no strangers to the game considering how many locations they have around the country. I saw them getting set for their grand opening as I visited Purple a while ago. Considering the craving for good steak I get, I made a mental note to check them out.The comparison is going to be against El

Dunnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09621740673538458526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-17702598020245512282008-01-10T20:29:00.000-08:002010-12-03T23:28:39.561-08:00

I am so fond of indian cuisine with beer that I wonder if I'm part english. In any case, I have been pleasantly surprised at the number of indian restaurants in Seattle and many are quite good. My vote for best goes to India Bistro. They have two locations; one in Ballard and one in Roosevelt. I go to the one in Ballard because... actually I don't know why. All the familiar dishes are there, from

Dunnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09621740673538458526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-27567623939377480392008-01-07T19:57:00.001-08:002010-12-03T23:30:59.243-08:00

I have visited Canlis several times. The food is good but the reason I keep going is for the view. As a downtowner, I prefer the vibe of the city. However, you cannot deny the beauty of Lake Union at sunset as you see cars pass by on I-5 and sea-planes land. It reminds me of a model train set. The atmosphere of the restaurant itself compliments the view. It is high class although definitely looks

Dunnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09621740673538458526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-46401176814957020592007-12-28T19:42:00.000-08:002010-12-04T01:32:34.537-08:00

One more review to put me in a better mood. One of my favorite places to go in the world, period, is Cartier. Cartier Seattle is not Cartier Paris or New York but still a great place to go to be surrounded by beautiful things. Maybe I'm not really an existentialist. Who cares. I tend to be drawn to their watches. I don't want to give away how many I have but it is likely too many. They may not

Dunnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09621740673538458526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-12235579335042098012007-12-27T20:08:00.000-08:002010-12-03T23:40:00.589-08:00

Why do I keep going on planes? It's a known fact airlines cancel flights at the last minute to save money when they do not have enough passengers. I get the urge to review airlines at times but what would be the point? With the exception of JetBlue and sometimes American and Alaska, the other domestics aren't worth a damn.To put me in a better mood, I'll review Rover's. It has been said that

Dunnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09621740673538458526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-38717475133705912322007-12-17T23:22:00.000-08:002010-12-04T01:03:06.429-08:00

It's sad when something that makes Seattle unique closes. It's like a little piece of the city dies. I am talking about the closure of Crocodile Cafe on 2nd and Blanchard. It was truly an institution and I don't know if anything could replace it. I know in life everything must change but it is hard to give up something that gave the area so much character. Without places like the Croc, downtown

Dunnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09621740673538458526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-5678286238896981002007-12-12T21:46:00.000-08:002010-12-04T00:32:15.628-08:00

Say you ended up spending the night with someone out of your league. Now she is about to wake up and you have to quickly think of a place to take her for breakfast so that she doesn't think you were a drunken mistake. Easy, just take her to the Georgian at the Fairmont! It is old world meets great food. You have to pay for it but there is nowhere in Seattle more fancy for morning eats. The decor

Dunnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09621740673538458526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-36923991481144258752007-12-11T20:52:00.000-08:002010-12-04T00:34:10.734-08:00

Purple is a local chain of wine bars/restaurants. I've been to the Woodinville and the downtown Seattle locations. This review is about the one in the city, of course. It is a decent place overall but the reason I keep going back is the decor and atmosphere. Although it occupies a two story lot, only the back has the second story meaning the ceiling is very high for the rest. The mood is swanky

Dunnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09621740673538458526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-81173930376744994272007-12-09T14:35:00.000-08:002010-12-04T00:35:03.245-08:00

While on the subject of West Seattle, there is another gem of a restaurant that I go to frequently. Buddha Ruksa holds it's own compared to any thai in the city. They are never as busy as I would expect. This is likely from their location as they are in a residential neighborhood away from other restaurants. That's fine; more thai for me. I have noticed even the best thai joints in Seattle tend

Dunnohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09621740673538458526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-20146663442829814772007-12-06T18:58:00.000-08:002010-12-03T23:50:53.392-08:00

I consider Mashiko the best sushi/japanese restaurant in the area as well as being just a cool place. How can you not like a place that calls itself the "Sushi Whore?" Hey, I'm as ticked as you are that I have to get in my car and drive 20 minutes to get there, but that's life. Shiro's and Nishino have nothing on this place. I give props to Toyoda in Lake City for their authenticity but you can't

onoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-53253124828595819872007-12-05T19:20:00.000-08:002010-12-04T00:36:36.784-08:00

Another place I go late or even after work is Tini Bigs. They are located at the north end of Belltown on the border with Queen Anne. I like the atmosphere. Built as a lounge, it's not presumptuous and you see many locals stop by for happy hour before going home. In the evenings it gets busier and more intimate and it's fun just to people watch Saturday night. They offer many variations of the

onoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-50460071146509595972007-12-04T20:17:00.000-08:002008-11-13T04:33:23.987-08:00

I first heard of 1521 2nd Ave two years ago. Then, for some reason, I forgot about it and never followed up until much later. Was I unconsciously intimidated by the "priced from one-million dollars" plastered on their ads? Did I dismiss the project due to my perception of the shadiness of the location at the time? Was I more interested in their neighbors, the Four Seasons and Madison Tower? Who

onoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-58294497176823677552007-12-02T18:19:00.000-08:002010-12-04T01:40:33.331-08:00

Sorry for the lack of posts recently. Been on vacation. It was fun but getting back was hell. It seems from the comments that you guys are most interested in condos so I thought I would start off again with my review of Escala downtown. I had a chance to go to the grand opening of their showroom and have been back a couple of times since. The food at the party was good, although not as great as

onoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-22086728509210618122007-11-20T20:51:00.000-08:002010-12-04T00:00:35.349-08:00

Having lived on the east coast, it is hard to find a decent bagel in Seattle. New Yorkers say that it's the water that makes their bagels so good. If that's the case, I wish someone would ship some over. The only reasonable facsimile in the area I found is Noah's. I know, I know; it's a chain. They seem to have started in California and have locations in CA, Oregon and here in Washington. I go to

onoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-24589784377772496432007-11-19T00:08:00.000-08:002010-12-04T00:04:04.851-08:00

In my quest to review anything and everything in downtown Seattle, I am about to review a grocery store. I am not sure if I have ever seen a review of a grocery store before in Seattle or even if one has been attempted but here goes. Enjoy.I am partial to Whole Foods in general and try to go there for veggies, and meats. I always get my eggs and milk there since a friend of mine told me how much

onoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-35096128311768306992007-11-18T11:10:00.000-08:002010-12-04T00:08:15.530-08:00

My dearest is complaining that I am cranky and critical today. That's what happens when I don't get attention for a whole day, babe. To cheer her up and prove I'm no cynic, I am going to write a review of CJ's restaurant in Belltown. Those who do not live close by might not realize that it is actually a thriving business. This is because they only open for breakfast and lunch. They tried a couple

onoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-55432505334866836432007-11-18T00:01:00.000-08:002010-12-03T23:54:31.125-08:00

My significant other is busy today and I am bored. It's either this or drink and I'm trying to cut down. Hotel 1 peaked my interest when it was announced. There was some wait as it took them time to develop the project and many changes have been announced to the original plan. Furthermore, it seems that they will halt construction over the holidays due to traffic rules although I have not heard

onoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-25398365983764355392007-11-17T18:51:00.000-08:002010-12-04T00:17:33.167-08:00

This is my review of the preeminent condo being developed in Seattle. It has a great view, combines the service excellence of the Four Seasons brand and is being developed by some of the most prominent figures in Seattle. It is rumored that even Bill Gates has bought a unit. Starting to feel nervous, I better be on my game!Let me start with the showroom. The presentation center was built before

onoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-12734498575467830682007-11-17T17:35:00.000-08:002010-12-04T03:09:34.678-08:00

There is a restaurant in town that is so over-hyped yet so mediocre that I am forced to think they either; a) pay off reviewers or b) are part of the mafia. The restaurant in question is Flying Fish. Did I miss something? Was this a decent eatery at some point? I will admit the fish is fresh and prepared in a delightfully adequate way. However, their portions are small, they are over priced and

onoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-89891642208757509172007-11-17T16:21:00.000-08:002010-12-04T03:11:53.491-08:00

This has got to be my favorite restaurant in Seattle. Well, that changes week to week so let's just say that El Gaucho has the best steak in the city. What's not to like? The meat is grade AAA and aged perfectly. They actually make medium-rare medium-rare. You even get a show when you order certain dishes as the servers prepare it in front of you. Decor is steak-house perfect with low lighting

onoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-26582062498253548232007-11-17T15:38:00.000-08:002010-12-04T00:26:31.170-08:00

I enjoy finding "local joints." You know, places that locals go to hang out. It might not be anything special but the food is good and mostly cheap. Belltown Pizza is one of those places. I find myself going there 3-4 times a month. Who doesn't like pizza, right? The food has gotten better in the past couple of years which I mainly attribute to them making the pizza crust thinner. I love

onoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-58363719199723091232007-11-17T15:18:00.000-08:002007-11-17T15:35:15.705-08:00

I want to show my support for the owners of the Cosmopolitan who are trying to stop the construction of a behemoth office building around them. If the Mayor is really serious about making downtown more urban and residential, I suggest he pay attention. It always seems ludicrous to me how many breaks businesses get when the majority of taxes that pay for government and public servants' salaries

onoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-23591347850088647652007-11-17T13:47:00.000-08:002010-12-04T00:27:26.402-08:00

I often go out late when I can't stand the hunger. I have been to many (if not all) of the restaurants downtown and one of my favorites has been Red Fin at Hotel Max. I sometimes go for dinner but their happy hour can't be beat. From 4-6pm then again from 10pm-1am they have one of the best food values in Seattle. Sure, you can get it cheaper but not likely better. My personal favorite is the

onoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424707304507476505.post-42302211879528171332007-11-17T13:06:00.000-08:002010-12-04T00:29:43.522-08:00

I sometimes post on a real-estate blog run by a local realtor. I enjoy reading her blog but I have to say I often disagree with her about her assessment of downtown condos. As a person who has been living in downtown for a while as well as having lived before in Manhattan and other major cities, this is how I would score the buildings around me. I absolutely do not agree that having a hotel as

onoreply@blogger.com6