What We Crave
A seasonal menu is a delight. We love revisiting all our old haunts only to find new discoveries. It keeps things fresh and lively. That is, of course, until our favorite dish or cocktail disappears from the menu -- which is exactly what happened on our last trip to Capitol Hill's swanky Sun Liquor, when we searched in vain for our beloved Punetazo ($8).
By Lara Ferroni | March 31, 2008
Gentle Snark
Not all of Seattle's great restaurants are new. NWsource presents Seasoned Seattle, an opportunity for you to sample a prix-fixe dinner at the best of the city's old-timers -- Elliott's Oyster House, Salty's on Alki, The Georgian and nine others -- for just $25 a plate. That modest investment gets you an appetizer and an entrée, or an entrée and dessert -- to say nothing of a sense of supporting the old Seattle, the one you fell in love with all those years ago.
By Geoff Carter | March 27, 2008
Life Behind Bars
In the course of my work I am introduced to many fine adults, and many fine adult beverages. Tini Bigs' annual cocktail tasting, hosted by the bar's owners and resident bon vivants Keith Robbins and Patrick Haight, brings the best of both. This year's tasting found me and several other local media peeps enthusiastic and thirsty. So. Very. Thirsty.
By Geoff Carter | March 24, 2008
Daily Find
With the exception of a dash of Chambord for a classic kir royale, champagne can rarely be improved upon. But former Australian tour guide Lee Etherington has stumbled upon a great addition to sparkling wine: Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup.
By Natalie Bow | February 6, 2008
Life Behind Bars
Located on a section of East Madison Street that most people simply pass through on their way to Madison Park or up to Capitol Hill, the Bottleneck Lounge is something of a rarity: It's a fancy-pants lounge that could hold its own against the spendy upscale lounges of downtown, while steadfastly maintaining a cozy neighborhood vibe. All the class goes into the glass -- where it belongs.
By Geoff Carter | October 19, 2007
Convergence Zone
If you're over the age of 21, can mix a decent cocktail and have the ability to combine up to six disparate elements without ending up with sludge (or worse yet, a Long Island Iced Tea), your fishy friends at Ivar's would sure like to hear from you.
By Geoff Carter | October 4, 2007
Life Behind Bars
Now, let's contrast my preconception of Copper Gate with my most recent visit to the revamped establishment, now owned by the local concern that runs Thaiku and La Carta de Oaxaca , two of Ballard's most popular (and least Ballard-like) establishments. The place didn't look too much different on approach – the new owners thankfully kept the bar's beautifully-maintained vintage neon sign – but I couldn't have imagined Copper Gate's new interior in my wildest dreams.
By Geoff Carter | April 3, 2007
Life Behind Bars
As ridiculous as “punk rock fine dining” sounds, it somehow fits perfectly at Solo, lower Queen Anne’s haven for anyone hoping to avoid the neighborhood’s typical meat market crowd.
By Cody Ellerd | March 13, 2007
Life Behind Bars
While you and I sit here, contemplating the vagaries of fate, another upscale bar has opened in Belltown. This is not unusual: Such bars appear in Belltown at the rate of one every six seconds. By the time you've finished reading this piece, every last scrap of real estate in Belltown will have converted itself to an upscale bar. The fish-throwers will toss their wares into martini glasses and douse them with gin; the upscale boutiques will ask you if you'd like to accessorize that new gown with a necklace of olives, on the house.
By Geoff Carter | March 6, 2007
Life Behind Bars
I'd rather be enjoying a Jamjuree Roll right now. This glorious piece of sushi -- made with shrimp, spinach, cilantro, mint, red pepper, cucumber, cabbage and spicy peanut sauce -- is a specialty of Liberty, an easygoing Capitol Hill bar that, by a not-so-extraordinary coincidence, is also serving my favorite cocktail of the moment: The Dragon's Toe.
By Geoff Carter | February 1, 2007
