Friday, July 18, 2008
Sycophantic Saigon
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Saigon City
The spring rolls came out of Saigon City's kitchen too fast to have been wrapped fresh. Even the plate felt refrigerated. The beef pho was, well, disappointingly unremarkable (waaaay too salty), but at least there were numerous other Vietnamese dishes offered compared to the usual pho place. Yet, this family-run restaurant (which looks like the type of place you would find just off a highway exit in the middle of nowhere) also has a frozen yogurt and bubble tea counter. To me that's real sketchy. Like it's catering to people who have never had Vietnamese food and have nothing to compare it to. I hate to say it, but while the service from the Vietnamese family was very cheerful and attentive, they may be trying too hard--there are even old family photographs displayed in the menu.
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Thursday, July 17, 2008
Neon Bikinis and Saltwater Taffy
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Long Beach
I spent 10 years in Philly and when the days were hot and sticky we'd head to the Jersey shore, driving over 2 hours each way just to lie in the sun. The Jersey shore is a cheesy place no way around it, but there's something lovable about it. I didn't realize how much I'd missed it till I discovered Long Beach. Don't get me wrong, Long Beach can't touch Jersey for its cheesiness, but it's by far the tackiest thing I've found in Washington State. The motels are perched right on the beach, the arcades all have skee-ball or go-karts, and there's a strip of stores selling neon bikinis and saltwater taffy. What more could you ask for? They even let you drive on the beach.
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Wednesday, July 16, 2008
A Fatal Dip
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Collins Pub
I've reliably come to this bar/pub for the past two years--once a month--to meet with a small group of friends. The food, staff, and beverage selection have always been fine--you know, nothing to write home about but on the average well-suited for a group of 6–8 people who want a relatively quiet place to meet, perhaps eat, and definitely drink. Lately, however, the place feels too "cool" for me. The wait staff is far less attentive, as though a group of five or more who maybe just want a cocktail or beer (isn't the word 'pub' in the name of the place for pete's sake?) is far too much trouble for the meager tip they expect to receive. And really, haven't we seen enough menus with the unimaginative hummus, burgers, and artichoke dip to last a lifetime? Don't get me wrong--sometimes you don't want the unexpected. The same ol' thing is comforting after all. But if you've already got your favorite place for that same ol' thing, stick with it.
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Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Amatory Mercantilism
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Ballard Town & Country Market
What do dorky single girls do on Friday night? Well, I wander through the sinfully beautiful produce displays and luscious bakery section at the Ballard Market. For a foodie like me, it's almost as good as looking at David Beckham's underwear (ads). They cover all the bases with a tremendous wine selection and a knowledgeable staff to provide great recommendations for all price ranges. Every cook has had the experience of trying a recipe that calls for a small amount of an obscure spice that you will never use again. I rely on my local store for just this situation because they sell spices in bulk and I can purchase just ¼ teaspoon if I want. While the Ballard Market stocks many of the same items you'll find at the PCC or Whole Foods, it's locally owned making it a better choice for those who don't want to shop at a chain (remember how a block of Fremont was destroyed to make way for the PCC and upstairs condos?).
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Monday, July 14, 2008
Pizza Paean
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Talarico's
Only at Talarico's do televised sports have stiff competition for viewership from the pizza cooks deftly lifting 28 inches of pizza dough over their heads. Pizza is available by the slice or pie, but don't even think about ordering a pie unless you are with 5 other adults or Godzilla. I'm a purist and usually order plain cheese but there are other yummy options like arugula, roasted garlic and goat cheese. It may be wise to calculate the Angle of Repose before dumping on a multitude of heavy toppings since thin crust, enormous surface area, and gooey cheese make for fine avalanche conditions. Sauce stains are a bitch to clean. Talarico's bar is almost as large as its pizza and is the best spot to enjoy the three dollar beer and slice specials during happy hour or American Idol during karaoke night.
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