Steelhead Slacker

It's been over two months since we last visited Steelhead Diner. I'm not certain why I didn't write a review soon after our last visit with friends because now the menu has changed (as it often does) and I can't recall the dishes we ordered that are not on the current menu. Not that the food wasn't memorable...our first visit there I ordered the best cod I had ever tasted in my life! No worries though because what I do remember is that almost everything we ate was top notch and we'll definitely be returning.

Steelhead is located on 95 Pine Street on the steep hill in the last block before you get to Pike Place Market. You can't miss the neon sign. In fact, it's the sign on the left on my blog photo. It's more of an upscale food, casual feel restaurant than a diner, but there is a "diner" counter you can sit at if you fancy watching the chefs do the "galley dance". This is your best bet to get seated on a weekend evening if you don't have a reservation. Unless you're set on watching the sunset over Elliot Bay through the floor to ceiling windows, the counter is great entertainment.

Here is what Chef/Partner Kevin Davis and General Manager/Partner Teresa Davis have to say about Steelhead on their website: "Our diner is a place of no pretensions where locals hang out, chat with others, watch the kitchen fun and have a great meal. It’s the perfect place to bring out-of-town visitors. They’ll get a real Seattle experience—great local food in the historic Pike Place Market setting with a view of the Market, Elliott Bay and the Olympic mountains." It's true! On our first visit, our neighbor at the counter was an instructor at the local culinary institute who had trained the head chef. He gave us the lowdown on the menu and informed us that deep fried capers in the asparaus dish were "so yesterday," even though we had never heard of them.

Despite the unhip "yesterday" factor, we ordered the pan roasted asparagus with battered deep fried capers and hazelnuts and it instantly became one of our favorite dishes. Whaddya gonna do? We just like what we like.

Here's a rating on a scale of 1-10 on the food we have tried at Steelhead that is currently on the menu:

JUMBO LUMP DUNGENESS CRAB CAKE [I've had better once, but not by far] *9.5*
With Crispy Parsley & Sauce Louis
$15.95

CHICKEN & ANDOUILLE SAUSAGE GUMBO [Smoky, rich, right on] *8*
With Hempler’s Smoked Andouille Sausage
$9.95/$7.95 Cup

KASU MARINATED CANADIAN BLACK COD [Recommended by the culinary instructor] *10*
With Baby Bok Choy, Roasted Butternut Squash & Carrot ~ Ginger Salad
$28.95/$21.95 8oz/5oz

WHOLE GRILLED IDAHO STREAM RAISED RAINBOW TROUT [A little bland for me] *8*
With Roasted Chestnuts & Cracked Sage Brown Butter
$26.95

BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH [The other half said it was just OK] *6*
With Tangy Cole Slaw Dressing
$11.95

THEO’S CHOCOLATE PECAN PIE [Cue the chorus of heavenly hosts: The dark chocolate "crust" layer and cocoa nibs!! put it over the top] *10* *10* *10* *10* *10*
With Cocoa Nibs & Bourbon Chantilly Crème
$7.95

SPICED STOUT POUND CAKE [Num num num but, problem is, we had the Pecan Pie too] *8*
With Poached Pears, Vanilla Pastry Cream & Snoqualmie Farms Fireweed Honey
$8.95

Steelhead also has an extensive menu of local wines. I highly recommend visiting Steelhead Diner if you're near the market.

Nitelite review or rantings of a madman? You make the call!

I told Kimmie I'd guest-post on her blog, but haven't found any time to write. I did, however, find this odd little missive that might pass as a review of The Nitelite. It was tucked into a seldom-used corner of my hard drive. Hmmm...

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Typical Seattle! The maelstrom at 2nd and Pine caused my Up-Armored Urban Assault Umbrella (AUAUAU) to flip-flop, becoming a giant black tulip. Piece of junk.

Bob’s crappy spy gear store is, well, just a waste of my money. In fact, if his sure-fire Eavesdropping Countermeasures had actually worked, I wouldn’t even be in this predicament. But that’s a whole ‘nother story – back to the umbrella!

As you know, I can’t bear to be without one downtown. Nanty Glo, my arch-nemesis, will stop at nothing to have paint dumped on me from above. Paint, or even viler stuff. I NEED the umbrella, clearly.

I continue north, tossing the remnants of the AUAUAU into the construction pit. This is my favorite block in town right now, no paint-dumping here! I stop for a brief moment and savor the sense of peace and quiet a simple hole in the ground engenders in me.

Halfway up the next block, though, and the buildings are becoming menacing. Spies everywhere! Cursed Nanty Glo!

I spot the sign: Nitelite. Half a glance reveals dive bar. Good. A dive bar is perhaps the last remaining place where being a pretentious ass won’t get you anything. Lawyers and politicians, among others, are turds in the punchbowl here. Which means I’m safe.

And surprised! Good food, good drinks poured strong, and good prices. I’d never noticed this place before, but it’s my second home now. Well, until someone finds this and Nanty’s minions come looking…


FOOD: decent to very good, inexpensive. The tamale dinner was delicious.
DRINKS: inexpensive and well-poured cocktails, several beers on tap
PEOPLE: mix of ages, backgrounds, conversations… quite a few regulars, some real characters (includes staff), and best of all, none of Nanty Glo’s minions are about.
BATHROOMS: (pool side only, haven’t been to the bathrooms on the main bar side) Unisex. Can smell of urine (guys can’t aim). Air dryer, no paper towels.
JUKEBOX: pretty much what you’d expect: classic rock, Bob Marley, Motown, Johnny Cash… the dive bar standards.
NOTES: Cash only. Outdoor seating available. Additional room with pool tables and darts is open Wed-Sun.

Pabla Indian Cuisine

You would expect almost any restaurant downtown to be busy at 7:30pm last Friday. Not so for Pabla Indian Cuisine. The other half and I had enjoyed the lunch buffet months ago and we thought we'd give it a try for dinner. People who looked like they were from India were seated at two of the three occupied tables so we took that as a good sign.

Pabla is located at 1516 2nd Ave and it's the closest Indian restaurant to Pike Place Market. The decor is a kooky mix of country kitchen and leopard print wallpaper borders, safari animal print chairs, fake flowers, framed Indian prints and statuary and 1980's lighting fixtures. It is very clean, but it will probably make you laugh.

Service was super slow...it took about 45 minutes for any food to arrive at our table.

The food was good and extremely affordable. We ordered #6 Mixed Appetizers: Samosa, Pakora and Chicken Tikka- $5.99. The fried goodies were yummy but the Chicken Tikka stood out for it's perfect Tandoori cooked flavor and moistness.

#20 Daal Soup- $3.99 was light, delicious and infused with cilantro, like drinking an herbal broth.

#27 Chicken Korma- $14.99 was a little strange looking. The boneless breast of chicken had been cut into large cubes that just didn't look like real chicken. It was of course and the buttery Korma sauce was decadent and rich, with cashews and raisins and that great curry flavor. We asked for medium/hot spice but it was more like medium.

For me the best part of the meal, #81 Garlic Nan- $3.50. Big chunks of garlic on pillowy bread with crispy toasted bubbles, sprinkled with fresh cilantro.mmmmmmmmm.

I had a Taj Mahal beer, a lager with notes of honey that paired well with the spicy, rich food. All in all, Pabla is worth the trip if you've got a jones for Indian. They also have a huge selection of vegetarian dishes.

Banh Mi? Yes, Please!

When I first moved to Seattle I was looking for a place to get cheap, delicious, cheap, authentic, cheap, ethnic food. I read about Saigon Deli in a local paper and decided to check them out. The Vietnamese restaurant is located in the Little Saigon section of the International District at 12th and Jackson. The paper recommended I try the Banh Mi sandwich. It cost $2.00. I was hooked.

The delectable sandwich comes on an 8 inch crusty fresh French roll and has julienned cucumber, carrot and pickled daikon, cilantro, thin slices of jalapeno, yummy mayonnaise dressing with black pepper, and the meat or tofu filling of your choice. I have tried the red pork (which is amazing and tastes like a combo of barbequed pork, jerky and bacon) and the tofu (equally as good but saucier). They offer other meats but I have had no need to try them. I have found my fave and I made a vow to eat a Red Pork Banh Mi from Saigon Deli every time I'm near the neighborhood, which is not often enough now that I live downtown.


They have lots of other delicious looking Vietnamese food in hot trays at Saigon Deli, and the prices are fantastic. But I can't bring myself to try them because the Banh Mi has a spell on me. DO NOT CONFUSE THIS SAIGON DELI WITH OTHERS NEARBY...they are not as good, in my opinion.

Best People Watching in Seattle

Due to visiting family and a west coast road trip, I haven't posted in awhile so I have some catching up to do to get current!

Wanna take a load off, grab a snack and do some "real people" watching? Look no further than the Golden Arches corner of 3rd and Pine across from Macy's.

This place is a veritable Cirque de Seattle so be prepared: downtown workers in "Seattle Suits"*, street kids with neon-colored hair and their dogs with neon-colored hair, non-street kids with neon-colored hair, old ladies with neon-colored hair, tourists with loaded shopping bags, locals with flower bouquets in hand coming from Pike Place Market, cross dressers, hipsters, homeless...

Try to get a seat by the window. This corner has major department stores, social service centers and bus stops so there's lots of pedestrian, loiterer, cyclist, bus & cab action/interaction.

People here are friendly. My counter guy was having the time of his life gossiping and joking with his female co-workers in Spanish. He had pink cheeks and lipstick, thick black eyeliner and mascara and he handed me my change with a dramatic flourish and a wink. I turned down a "free" hot fudge sundae being offered me by a homeless man sitting at the adjacent table. Even the dude with the dreads hanging to the floor talking to his imaginary friend was in pleasant conversation. On my way out, the street kid with blue hair asked for a dollar, I searched my pocket and realized I only had a twenty so I said sorry, no. He said that's OK, have a nice day!

Where else can you have all this fun for under $5?


*"Seattle Suit" is a term I coined for what most professionals wear in Seattle in Fall, Winter and early Spring. The outfit consists of slacks (Dockers or something similar in black or grey or jeans), a blouse or sport shirt and a North Face type jacket, preferably in black. Black shoes or boots. This is the same outfit for men and women. Anyone choosing to wear a "real suit" will be looked upon as an uptight freak.

Michou- A Love Letter

My Darling Michou,

Thank you so much for lifting my spirits this afternoon with your delectable ham, raspberry and brie panini with a side of beluga lentil, corn and tomato salad. My heart is overflowing with love for you. I already miss you desperately.

Michou, I crave you with all my appetite and soul. I have cherished and adored your long glass case filled with gourmet delights since I moved into your hood. All that you have shared with me, the gentle caress of your market fresh fennel salad, the touch of goat cheese on your $3.99 ratatouille baked potato, your warm layer cake-sized slice of macaroni and cheese, your loving and sensual roasted brussel sprouts, the feel of your luscious hot soups on my tongue, the thrill of holding my sandwich in your gingham-checked paper container wrapped in plastic wrap. I am amazed at what you do to my taste buds.

Michou, I long for you. I long to understand what you really are. Are you a sandwich shop, a bakery, a cafeteria, a gourmet market? Yes, yes, you are all these and more. I beg of you, why do you give yourself so affordably to be devoured by the masses who adore you? Why do you suffer me to endure your long lines stretching to the sidewalk at lunchtime just to get a glimpse of your salmon with dilled mayonnaise? I long to feel the comfort and peace of your half sandwich and soup for $5.50. I long to feel the sensual passion of a 75-cent shrimp artichoke tart. I long to swim in the warm, gentle sea of your tomato bisque, to be surrounded by it, to be enveloped in it, to draw strength from it. I long to be lucky enough to score a seat at your intimate lunch counter overlooking your sexy storage area, but if not, I will happily carry your treasures across the street to Victor Steinbreuck Park for a romantic picnic with a glorious view of Elliot Bay and entrancing homeless people…if it’s not raining.



With all the love of a hungry heart,

Kimmie

Le Pichet

I've eaten some delicious meals at numerous restaurants since moving to Seattle last August, but only two so far that are in the Seattle Weekly 2009 Dining Guide. Here's one:

My other half and I have dined twice at
Le Pichet and both times were heavenly. The first time we went was because this place is on our block and we were trying to eat at each of our block's restaurants (7) before venturing further. The second time we went to entertain an out of town guest. It's been awhile so my other half and I need to make reservations again so we can do a proper review but we've tried the cheese plate, charcuterie, mussels, quail, pork belly and more and have enjoyed each. The Chef de Cuisine Brent Harding changes the main courses often. The salade verte with hazelnut vinaigrette is to die for- so simple, clean and nutty, each leaf of butter lettuce dressed perfectly.

This is a definite must-do restaurant for visitors. Great atmosphere, menu and wine list. Good-looking, attentive staff. Typical French Cafe: small and cozy, noisy in the evening and fun! The prices can't be beat for a restaurant of this caliber. Two can dine with three courses and wine for around $100! If you don't make a reservation for dinner, you probably won't get a table after 6:30 on most nights.

Skillet Street Food

I've eaten some delicious meals at numerous restaurants since moving to Seattle, but only two so far that are in the Seattle Weekly 2009 Dining Guide. Here's one:

Skillet Street Food on a Friday at its Lower Queen Anne location. At 12:30, the line was about 15 people long and I waited about 20 minutes total. The airstream trailer is definitely a fun concept and the fresh, local food was delicious...but it was a bit pricey for a non sit-down lunch and the portions were modest. I had Penn Cove Mussels ($7) and a Watermelon Fresca ($3) that was so fresh and light it almost made me forget it was 48 degrees and raining outside. $10 isn't too bad for a good lunch in the city. Problem was, I was still hungry. A friend had the burger: grass fed beef, cambazola, arugula & bacon jam on brioche with handcut fries ($9). He was much more satisfied with the portion size.

Permanent Vacation/ Caffe' Lieto

I haven't quite gotten over the feeling I'm on holiday since moving downtown. There are such a wide variety of things to do within a four block radius of my apartment that it is sometimes overwhelming! Today, I decided to create this blog and consolidate all my networking sites and links into my google account. No need to get showered or dressed up for that. I threw on some wrinkled pants, a shirt and scarf, smoothed down my bedhead and grabbed a clean coffee cup out of the cupboard. Took the stairs down to my favorite coffee shop, Caffe' Lieto*, ordered the best Cafe Americano in Seattle from the proprietess, Rena, and stepped outside to light up a smoke.

The sidewalk had a steady stream of commuters and my crazy appearance didn't rate a second look from any of them. Saw a guy with 1960's polyester Beatle's-style pants, a striped cable knit sweater and a hipster briefcase (a manpurse that holds your laptop); the homeless dude that stands in the phone booth across the street all day was at his post; a man was observing his unleashed pitbull pee on the corner of the building; a pair of tourists were looking confusedly at the "pay to park" machine. Good morning, Seattle.
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*Caffe' Lieto is near the corner of 1st and Stewart. Local art is displayed (and for sale) on the walls and there is a comfy sofa and window seats with pillows so you can sit and people watch onto 1st Avenue. Outdoor seating is available on the 1st Ave. sidewalk. There are several computers with internet access available for 15 minutes free with purchase and a small fee thereafter, or you can use the wi-fi. Espresso is the specialty, I don't believe I've ever seen a drip coffee sold here although I'm sure it's delicious also. Rena offers all the traditional espresso drinks at more affordable prices (12 oz Americano- $1.80) than the chain coffee shops and with a more personal touch. Introduce yourself and she'll greet you by name next time you stop in. Bakery items from a local bakery are delivered daily- try the humongous Banana Blueberry Vegan Cookie- a meal in itself that tastes like dense banana bread with fresh blueberries baked on top. Yummy! Rena offers a variety of ready-made sandwiches: Turkey, Tuna Melt, Club, Caprese, Reuben, etc.($6.90) that can be grilled on the panini press for a quick lunch option. Salads are a winner too; fresh, generously sized and priced right at $5 or less.