Dim Sum 4Ever

I may be veggie, but I love Dim Sum. I'm always game to visit traditional places with friends and gorge on dessert or receive derisive laughs from cart ladies when I ask if something has meat in it. But at Vegetarian Bistro, the veggie is king. They have all the Dim Sum favorites like Hum Bun, Shu Mai and dumplings, as well as Chinese classics like Won Ton Soup and General Tso’s Chicken. And you can order it all no questions asked. Faux-flesh connoisseurs will delight in their house recipe. The General Tso’s is crispy and tender, its deliciousness agreed-upon by all dietary persuasions. If fake meat isn't your thing, there are plenty of straight-up vegetable dishes perfectly sauced and ready to sit in your gut for the next 4-6 hours. The only people who won't be happy here are the needlessly picky and the gluten-allergic. Save room for dessert! The egg custard pies are warm and fresh. The Pumpkin Cakes are almost too cute to eat... almost. The only thing missing (besides the meat) are the carts. Everything comes straight from the kitchen. Rest assured, they'll still pressure you into ordering more food than you can eat.

Link It  •  Print It  •  Email It  •  Post a comment

• More Info & Map

Restaurants • International District

The Magic of the East!

In the International District at the corner of 6th Avenue and Weller Street is the magic that is Uwajimaya. Started by a Japanese immigrant in 1928, it has mushroomed into an entire overwhelming mega-retail block. Kinokuniya Bookstore, located inside the market, is the largest Japanese bookstore in the Northwest. The gift shop has an impressive selection of Hello Kitty merchandise, Japanese knives, rice cookers, lacquer ware dishes, and luck cats. But the real reason to go inside is the grocery selection. Prepare to be stunned by the number of unidentifiable products located up and down every aisle. At the seafood counter you can even pick your own sea cucumber or live Tilapia out of huge water tanks. When all the smells and eye candy get you salivating stop by the deli for a Bento Box or fresh sushi to enjoy in the attached food court. Oh, and the coconut buns at the Yummy House Bakery are pretty spectacular too.

Link It  •  Print It  •  Email It  •  Post a comment

• More Info & Map

Restaurants , Shopping • International District

One Love

A Cantonese tradition, dim sum means "to your heart's content" but be careful not to order too heartily since your stomach may be in disagreement. But with cart after cart of food rolling by it is difficult to resist the temptation to order a little of everything. Dumplings and BBQ pork-filled buns fill up those that want to play it safe but locals and those with more advanced palates go for the chicken feet and jellyfish. Pot stickers are given a refreshing fry up tableside and will certainly fulfill your daily requirement of Vitamin G. I usually alternate between a serving of steamed dumplings and then a fried course, thus avoiding sending my gut into an oil overdose. All the items are served in trios so bring friends, but only those who like to share.

Link It  •  Print It  •  Email It  •  Post a comment

• More Info & Map

Restaurants • International District

The Secret Import Store

Big John's isn't a place you discover, it's a place someone tells you about. It's in a back alley by Safeco field. Shelves of olive oil and balsamic, big barrels of bulk herbs and spices, a huge counter of cheeses, nearly 20 different kinds of olives--all for amazingly low prices. Not to mention the shelves and shelves of imports you can't find anywhere else (marmite, guava paste, pomegrante molasses, halumi, akvar). I could spend hours in there. You do have to buy the cheese and olives by the pound, but their selection is so good you'll polish off whatever you buy in no time. The catch? So easy to spend money when it all looks so good.

Link It  •  Print It  •  Email It  •  Post a comment

• More Info & Map

Shopping • International District