I love Thai Curry Simple. I have said it before and I will say it again. It is a great Thai restaurant located in the International District.
When I moved to Seattle, the first weekend the kids were over, I took them to Thai Curry Simple. They were closed. Ok, it was the day after Thanksgiving. I can accept that. Thier main business is M-F lunch crowd. But then I went back in January.. it was still closed. A poorly written note in the window said "closed till Jan 9", the date was Jan 12. I checked the website and the website said "closed until Jan 16". Very dissapointing.
I have been skeptical ever since. If I go to the ID, 10 minutes from work, will they even be open? The website seems to indicate that they are back open.
Today I was heading to Thai Curry Simple. I had a few errands to run in Pioneer Square, so I figured I would keep on going and get some lunch. As it happened, I found a new Thai place. I really didn't want to try a new place, but I still feel let down by TCS. I walked in to Thai Taste on 2nd and Cherry and ordered Phad Tha w/ Tofu to go. $8.60 with tax.
The serving size was bigger than TCS. I liked that. They use Fried Tofu, which was nice, but, it was no TCS. It reminded me of Mae Phim Thai. The dish is ok, but to orangy, like they used the cheater method of adding orange juice concentrate as flavoring. Boring.
I may actually come back here, they have lunch combos for $8.25. You get a spring roll, Phad Thai AND an entree. I think the only one you can get with Tofu is the Swimming Angel which I like.
This place is no Thai Curry Simple, but it is closer to work and affordable. It is clear that TCS has to learn to be more reliable and also hire a staff so you can take a vacation and still keep the doors open to your once loyal fans. I can we won back, but any more unexpected closures will probably signal my last visit.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, October 17, 2011
Ocean Shores dining - Bennetts Fish Shack and Alecs By the Sea
Typically I have had some of the worst meals in my life on the Washington Coast....
We arrived Saturday ready for lunch. I went to my old favorite, Mikes Fish Market. We pulled up to it, it looked exactly the same as it did two years ago, only with 2 years of Ocean weathering.. It looked run down and no one was there. It wasn't closed, just not popular obviously. Caddilac Jacks next door is closed.
I turned the car around and headed back to a new place I saw on the way. Bennets Fish Shack. We walked in, and there was a big paper menu on the wall behind the counter. You order at the counter, and the bring your food to you. Like a fast food place, except that there is a bar also. Kelsey ordered a Dungeness Crab Caeser ($15.99) and I ordered a Halibut Sandwich ($12.99) after inquiring if it was frozen Halibut. The counterperson told me it was fresh.
We sat at a small table, the boothes were full. I could see the bar and the TV in the bar from my angle. I watched two bartenders tending an empty bar, while the two counter girls were running around like crazy with a full lunch crowd. I realized they were new and lacked experience. Soon though, the bartenders did come out and run food.
The bar began to fill up, the UW Huskies were playing Colorado. The bar tvs were on King of Queens. sigh... The bar customers asked for the game and the bar tender went to find it. He had no idea where to look for a UW Husky game. He started searching by title.. UGH,I just wanted to scream, 627! But I watched him fiddle with the remote for close to 5 minutes before finding the game.
The food came. My sandwich was HUGE. The fillet must have been at least 8 ounces. It was topped with a quality kaiser style roll, Romaine lettuce, red onions, tomatoes, cheese and tartar. It was fantastic! It didn't really need the cheese, but it didn't hurt. The fish was fresh and cooked to perfection. Kelseys Crab Caesar was also great, topped with a generous helping of Crab meat. We both ate every bite.
For dinner, we went to Alecs by the Sea. I have been meaning to try this place for years. We had to wait 20 minutes for a dinner table, it is a popular place.
I was torn, I really wanted the Captains platter, but do I really need a plate of deep fried fish? No. I ordered the Lytle Oysters. Locally harvested. They were fantastic. I think there was a dozen oysters on my plate!
Kelsey gambled on the Razor Clams, lightly breaded and grilled. She was not pleased by the fact that you need to use a steak knife to cut them! They were tough. I tried them. I didn't care for them that much either.
Overall, this place is average at best. It did not live up to the hype. This "Chef" wouldn't make it far in the city, but it's good enough for the coast. I watched droves of people turned away from the bar, Reserved signs at most the tables. No one ever did come sit in those Reserved tables.
Breakfast at Shilo. It was good! I was shocked. A man was complaining loudly at the hostess station when we got there. As we were being taken to our table, we passed by a 6 top, 4 of 6 plates were untouched, and the party was gone. I don't know what happened there, but we had good food and service.
We arrived Saturday ready for lunch. I went to my old favorite, Mikes Fish Market. We pulled up to it, it looked exactly the same as it did two years ago, only with 2 years of Ocean weathering.. It looked run down and no one was there. It wasn't closed, just not popular obviously. Caddilac Jacks next door is closed.
I turned the car around and headed back to a new place I saw on the way. Bennets Fish Shack. We walked in, and there was a big paper menu on the wall behind the counter. You order at the counter, and the bring your food to you. Like a fast food place, except that there is a bar also. Kelsey ordered a Dungeness Crab Caeser ($15.99) and I ordered a Halibut Sandwich ($12.99) after inquiring if it was frozen Halibut. The counterperson told me it was fresh.
We sat at a small table, the boothes were full. I could see the bar and the TV in the bar from my angle. I watched two bartenders tending an empty bar, while the two counter girls were running around like crazy with a full lunch crowd. I realized they were new and lacked experience. Soon though, the bartenders did come out and run food.
The bar began to fill up, the UW Huskies were playing Colorado. The bar tvs were on King of Queens. sigh... The bar customers asked for the game and the bar tender went to find it. He had no idea where to look for a UW Husky game. He started searching by title.. UGH,I just wanted to scream, 627! But I watched him fiddle with the remote for close to 5 minutes before finding the game.
The food came. My sandwich was HUGE. The fillet must have been at least 8 ounces. It was topped with a quality kaiser style roll, Romaine lettuce, red onions, tomatoes, cheese and tartar. It was fantastic! It didn't really need the cheese, but it didn't hurt. The fish was fresh and cooked to perfection. Kelseys Crab Caesar was also great, topped with a generous helping of Crab meat. We both ate every bite.
For dinner, we went to Alecs by the Sea. I have been meaning to try this place for years. We had to wait 20 minutes for a dinner table, it is a popular place.
I was torn, I really wanted the Captains platter, but do I really need a plate of deep fried fish? No. I ordered the Lytle Oysters. Locally harvested. They were fantastic. I think there was a dozen oysters on my plate!
Kelsey gambled on the Razor Clams, lightly breaded and grilled. She was not pleased by the fact that you need to use a steak knife to cut them! They were tough. I tried them. I didn't care for them that much either.
Overall, this place is average at best. It did not live up to the hype. This "Chef" wouldn't make it far in the city, but it's good enough for the coast. I watched droves of people turned away from the bar, Reserved signs at most the tables. No one ever did come sit in those Reserved tables.
Breakfast at Shilo. It was good! I was shocked. A man was complaining loudly at the hostess station when we got there. As we were being taken to our table, we passed by a 6 top, 4 of 6 plates were untouched, and the party was gone. I don't know what happened there, but we had good food and service.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Food trucks
Why the sudden craze about food trucks? They are all over the news recently, new ones popping up daily.
My earliest experience with food from a truck was the "roach coach" that would show up at the docks at lunch and break. Cheap, greasy food. These new trucks are anything but that.
I tried Maximus Minimus a few years ago, AKA, the flying pig. http://maximus-minimus.com/. It was decent, but expensive. They have a nice veggie bbq sandwich though. You don't see that very often.
Today I tried Curry Now, http://www.iwantcurrynow.com/index.html today. I had veggie curry tacos. $6 for 2. They were small, but very satisfying. The curry had a really good flavor and had a good kick to it. The veggies, potatoes, onions and tomatoes, were good. I see on the website they have Samosas. The truck didn't list them on the menu today though. I love Samosas. I'll probably try this truck again.
Next to Curry Now was a truck called Here, There and Everywhere. http://www.hereandtheregrill.com/. Now this was a fancy food truck. I don't think they had anything below $10 on the very limited menu. One sandwich was going for $12.95! from a truck no less! wow. I don't know if I can spend that much on truck food. If I was going to spend over $10 for lunch, I'd probably go sit down somewhere, most likely Wild Ginger, and have good service, clean napkin, water glass, the whole bit, for the same price as getting a sandwich handed to you from the window of a truck.
For the record, no one was at either of these trucks, today or yesterday when I walked by. I think these trucks do most of the business catering to the bar crowds after dark.
In other news, Pot Belly Sandwiches opened to much fanfare on 4th ave today. It is a Midwest chain and I guess there are a lot of Midwesterner people here because for the last two days, the line has been around the block. PEOPLE, when a restaurant is that crowded and busy, the workers are too. What do we do when we have too much work to do? Typically quality goes out the window. Or, maybe they think its only going to be open for a week? I dunno. I did grab a menu and it is really reasonably priced. Less than $6 for a sandwich! wow. Take that you dumb trucks.
My earliest experience with food from a truck was the "roach coach" that would show up at the docks at lunch and break. Cheap, greasy food. These new trucks are anything but that.
I tried Maximus Minimus a few years ago, AKA, the flying pig. http://maximus-minimus.com/. It was decent, but expensive. They have a nice veggie bbq sandwich though. You don't see that very often.
Today I tried Curry Now, http://www.iwantcurrynow.com/index.html today. I had veggie curry tacos. $6 for 2. They were small, but very satisfying. The curry had a really good flavor and had a good kick to it. The veggies, potatoes, onions and tomatoes, were good. I see on the website they have Samosas. The truck didn't list them on the menu today though. I love Samosas. I'll probably try this truck again.
Next to Curry Now was a truck called Here, There and Everywhere. http://www.hereandtheregrill.com/. Now this was a fancy food truck. I don't think they had anything below $10 on the very limited menu. One sandwich was going for $12.95! from a truck no less! wow. I don't know if I can spend that much on truck food. If I was going to spend over $10 for lunch, I'd probably go sit down somewhere, most likely Wild Ginger, and have good service, clean napkin, water glass, the whole bit, for the same price as getting a sandwich handed to you from the window of a truck.
For the record, no one was at either of these trucks, today or yesterday when I walked by. I think these trucks do most of the business catering to the bar crowds after dark.
In other news, Pot Belly Sandwiches opened to much fanfare on 4th ave today. It is a Midwest chain and I guess there are a lot of Midwesterner people here because for the last two days, the line has been around the block. PEOPLE, when a restaurant is that crowded and busy, the workers are too. What do we do when we have too much work to do? Typically quality goes out the window. Or, maybe they think its only going to be open for a week? I dunno. I did grab a menu and it is really reasonably priced. Less than $6 for a sandwich! wow. Take that you dumb trucks.
Friday, January 14, 2011
The Burrito Experience - Chipotles
I finally was able to go to Chipotles yesterday. It opened at least 6 months ago and has a line out the door since. Why? There are two other Burritos places within 500 feet of Chipotles. I saw the SouthPark episode.. why would everyone line up for exploding diarrhea?
I actually made an earlier attempt at Chipotles a few months ago. When I opened the door, the fire alarm went off! I thought I had done something at first.. but then closed the till and kicked everyone out. No burrito today.
This visit, there were no alarms. The menu is basic, Chicken, Beef, Pork or Veggie burritos and rice bowls. Soft tacos. Chips and 4 salsas. Soda, beer and margaritas.
I ordered the Veggie burrito of course. It comes with white rice, grilled peppers and onions, cheese, guacamole (free for veggie burrito), lettuce and salsa. I ordered a side of chips and hot salsa just to try the salsa by itself. $8.15 with tax.
The burrito was rolled into a football shape, not really burrito shape. More short and fat. It was pretty good, the thing that really impressed me was the guacamole. It was fabulous!
The chips and salsa were very good. The chips had a light lime salt on them and the salsa was very hot and flavorful. It also had the most beautiful red color I've ever seen in a salsa.
All in all a good experience, with no Southpark 'ending'!
But, why does this place rise above Qdoba, Blue Water, and Taco Del Mar? Excluding Qdoba, the ingredients are better.
Del Mar sold it's soul a few years back. When it started, it was a quirky SoCal Fish taco place (founded in Everett!). The fish was a good quality cod. They abandonded that model, replaced the Cod with Pollock and focused on traditional America palettes which like ground beef over a good piece of fish.
I still haven't figured out Qdoba yet. I went when they opened a year ago (6 months before Chipotle and kitty corner from it). I wasn't overly impressed because they just put too much stuff on my burrito. Grilled squash was just a bit much, Even though I like squash, it didnt work for me on my burrito. Theyt are definatelt looking for the high end burrito market.
Blue Water has been around the longest in Downtown Seattle. I have been going there for a decade. It is cheap, quick and has a lot of convenient locations all over town. I am especially impressed by the new BlueWater on 6th and Union. It appears to be more Cantina style, offering buckets of beer during happy hour.
While I welcome Chipotle to Seattle, I wish that the other Colorado taco chain, Wahoo, had come here instead. Wahoo and the SoCal chain Baja Fresh are still my tops. There is a new Baja Fresh in the Seattle area now, I guess the Fremont location opened and closed already. Bummer
I actually made an earlier attempt at Chipotles a few months ago. When I opened the door, the fire alarm went off! I thought I had done something at first.. but then closed the till and kicked everyone out. No burrito today.
This visit, there were no alarms. The menu is basic, Chicken, Beef, Pork or Veggie burritos and rice bowls. Soft tacos. Chips and 4 salsas. Soda, beer and margaritas.
I ordered the Veggie burrito of course. It comes with white rice, grilled peppers and onions, cheese, guacamole (free for veggie burrito), lettuce and salsa. I ordered a side of chips and hot salsa just to try the salsa by itself. $8.15 with tax.
The burrito was rolled into a football shape, not really burrito shape. More short and fat. It was pretty good, the thing that really impressed me was the guacamole. It was fabulous!
The chips and salsa were very good. The chips had a light lime salt on them and the salsa was very hot and flavorful. It also had the most beautiful red color I've ever seen in a salsa.
All in all a good experience, with no Southpark 'ending'!
But, why does this place rise above Qdoba, Blue Water, and Taco Del Mar? Excluding Qdoba, the ingredients are better.
Del Mar sold it's soul a few years back. When it started, it was a quirky SoCal Fish taco place (founded in Everett!). The fish was a good quality cod. They abandonded that model, replaced the Cod with Pollock and focused on traditional America palettes which like ground beef over a good piece of fish.
I still haven't figured out Qdoba yet. I went when they opened a year ago (6 months before Chipotle and kitty corner from it). I wasn't overly impressed because they just put too much stuff on my burrito. Grilled squash was just a bit much, Even though I like squash, it didnt work for me on my burrito. Theyt are definatelt looking for the high end burrito market.
Blue Water has been around the longest in Downtown Seattle. I have been going there for a decade. It is cheap, quick and has a lot of convenient locations all over town. I am especially impressed by the new BlueWater on 6th and Union. It appears to be more Cantina style, offering buckets of beer during happy hour.
While I welcome Chipotle to Seattle, I wish that the other Colorado taco chain, Wahoo, had come here instead. Wahoo and the SoCal chain Baja Fresh are still my tops. There is a new Baja Fresh in the Seattle area now, I guess the Fremont location opened and closed already. Bummer
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Fun at Whole Foods!
I LOVE Whole Foods. If I ever came in to a large sum of money, I would immediately rent a flatbed and go to Whole Foods. They have the best stuff. However, the best comes at a price. If you shop smart and selectively, you can get some good deals. Today I felt like just spending some money.
I got some Yogi Tea. Mint Garden Green Tea. Never tried this variety, never even seen it before. It was on sale for $3.99.
I bought two salsas I've never heard of before. Frontera Roasted Habenero and Green Mountain Gringo Hot Salsa. I tried the Green Mt today with lunch. It was good. Both were on sale for $3.00.
Bhutanese Red Rice! wow, it looks really cool. 16 oz bag on sale for $3.00.
Finally, the real reason I even came to Whole Foods. The frozen burrito.
I went with the Whole Foods 365 Brand Bean and Cheese ($1.69) and Helens Kitchen Pinto Bean and Two Cheese ($2.69). The Whole Foods brand was ok. The Helens Kitchen Burrito was better, but I still prefer Amys over these two.
I got some Yogi Tea. Mint Garden Green Tea. Never tried this variety, never even seen it before. It was on sale for $3.99.
I bought two salsas I've never heard of before. Frontera Roasted Habenero and Green Mountain Gringo Hot Salsa. I tried the Green Mt today with lunch. It was good. Both were on sale for $3.00.
Bhutanese Red Rice! wow, it looks really cool. 16 oz bag on sale for $3.00.
Finally, the real reason I even came to Whole Foods. The frozen burrito.
I went with the Whole Foods 365 Brand Bean and Cheese ($1.69) and Helens Kitchen Pinto Bean and Two Cheese ($2.69). The Whole Foods brand was ok. The Helens Kitchen Burrito was better, but I still prefer Amys over these two.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Pho T and N vs Pho Tai
First off, why the hell do I have to drive to Poulsbo WA to get decent Pho? Why are all the good restaurants opening in Poulbo? oh well.
I had my first Pho at T and N. I have yet to find another pho as good. I get the vegetarian Pho. This is really not Pho. Pho is made from beef marrow. But, in the USA, it's considered Pho. Vegetarian stock with tofu.
The stock is very flavorful. T and N has three separate stocks. Traditional Beef marrow, Chicken and Vegetarian. Am told the two meat broth is very good too.
Joe, the manager/owner is one of the most friendly guys you will ever come across in a restaurant. He sometimes acts like it is his personal dining room in his house, and we are his guests. I was taken back a bit the first time he ribbed me for not eating my mushrooms. He told me there were expensive. At first I though, so? But they are special, expensive mushrooms. I don't like mushrooms, I appreciated him letting me know that I should order without mushrooms.
Now that we know Joe better, he spends a lot of time at our table. Sometimes too much time. He loves to tell us how we "should be eating it". How its eaten traditionally. His intentions are the best, but sometimes I just want to eat! However, I can't imagine a T and N without Joe.
I have tried the fresh rolls and I find them to be great as well. They use a very good tofu.
Pho Tai opened before Summer. Coincidentally, it is on the other side of the shopping complex from T and N.
The building is brand new. It appeared ready to open many months ago, but never did. It just sat there for many months. One day, it opened.
They do offer a vegetarian Pho, just like T and N. It comes with carrots and celery in the soup. I don't care for that. The broth is good, not quite as good at T and N.
The Vietnamese sandwiches are GREAT! Fresh baked bread from a 3rd generation Vietnamese bakery in Seattle. The bread alone is fabulous. Filled with Tofu, lettuce, carrot shreds and cilantro. this is a great sandwich, for $4.19!
Pho Tai is new. I've had the Pho twice now and it was different both times. I will try again at some point, but for now, T and N is my Pho source. I will be back for the sandwiches. I will be back because, its a nicer space than T and N. It's new, has nice comfy booths. It is more comfortable than T and N.
Overall T and N wins. Now, would someone open a place on Bainbridge?
I had my first Pho at T and N. I have yet to find another pho as good. I get the vegetarian Pho. This is really not Pho. Pho is made from beef marrow. But, in the USA, it's considered Pho. Vegetarian stock with tofu.
The stock is very flavorful. T and N has three separate stocks. Traditional Beef marrow, Chicken and Vegetarian. Am told the two meat broth is very good too.
Joe, the manager/owner is one of the most friendly guys you will ever come across in a restaurant. He sometimes acts like it is his personal dining room in his house, and we are his guests. I was taken back a bit the first time he ribbed me for not eating my mushrooms. He told me there were expensive. At first I though, so? But they are special, expensive mushrooms. I don't like mushrooms, I appreciated him letting me know that I should order without mushrooms.
Now that we know Joe better, he spends a lot of time at our table. Sometimes too much time. He loves to tell us how we "should be eating it". How its eaten traditionally. His intentions are the best, but sometimes I just want to eat! However, I can't imagine a T and N without Joe.
I have tried the fresh rolls and I find them to be great as well. They use a very good tofu.
Pho Tai opened before Summer. Coincidentally, it is on the other side of the shopping complex from T and N.
The building is brand new. It appeared ready to open many months ago, but never did. It just sat there for many months. One day, it opened.
They do offer a vegetarian Pho, just like T and N. It comes with carrots and celery in the soup. I don't care for that. The broth is good, not quite as good at T and N.
The Vietnamese sandwiches are GREAT! Fresh baked bread from a 3rd generation Vietnamese bakery in Seattle. The bread alone is fabulous. Filled with Tofu, lettuce, carrot shreds and cilantro. this is a great sandwich, for $4.19!
Pho Tai is new. I've had the Pho twice now and it was different both times. I will try again at some point, but for now, T and N is my Pho source. I will be back for the sandwiches. I will be back because, its a nicer space than T and N. It's new, has nice comfy booths. It is more comfortable than T and N.
Overall T and N wins. Now, would someone open a place on Bainbridge?
Thursday, July 29, 2010
La Fluente - West Wenatchee, WA
La Fluente
816 South Mission Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801-3054
(509) 664-1910
This is possibly the best Mexican food I have ever had. The receptionist at the Coast Hotel told us about this place. Her favorite.
We ordered Shrimp Fajitas, House nachos and a Chili Relleno. Omg, the Relleno was heaven! It was freshly made and had an amazing egg batter. It reminded me of eating an omelet.
The beans and rice were incredible. Beans so rich, rice so fluffy and seasoned just right. The house salsa was great too.
The shrimp fajitas was excellent. Big prawns cooked just right. The fajita sauce was great, the sauted veggies were great. Everything was great!
however, I did feel a bit ill a few hours after. I suspect the rice or beans had meat in them. oh well, I'd eat there again in a heartbeat.
816 South Mission Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801-3054
(509) 664-1910
This is possibly the best Mexican food I have ever had. The receptionist at the Coast Hotel told us about this place. Her favorite.
We ordered Shrimp Fajitas, House nachos and a Chili Relleno. Omg, the Relleno was heaven! It was freshly made and had an amazing egg batter. It reminded me of eating an omelet.
The beans and rice were incredible. Beans so rich, rice so fluffy and seasoned just right. The house salsa was great too.
The shrimp fajitas was excellent. Big prawns cooked just right. The fajita sauce was great, the sauted veggies were great. Everything was great!
however, I did feel a bit ill a few hours after. I suspect the rice or beans had meat in them. oh well, I'd eat there again in a heartbeat.
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