Canadian Invasion: One Restaurant At A Time

Joey's - "New World Cuisine", Eclectic Fare (3.5 Stars)
http://www.joeysmedgrill.com

It's surprising what a $240 million dollar expansion can do to a bedraggled mall: 400,000 square feet of new and shiny, 75 new specialty shops, and seven new restaurants ("real" ones, not just food court noshes). According to Joey's website, "It's a lively place where we've used the rocket science of acoustic design to let you sit at the centre of the action and still enjoy a quiet conversation."

Despite my general lack of interest in chain restaurants, Chris always rallies a defense: "It's CANADIAN! And it's only located in the Seattle metro area." And yes, that's true. Joey's only non-Canadian locations are in Bellevue, Southcenter, and Lake Union. An invasion never looked so good! With an ultra modern, yet relaxed decor, clean lines, and an attractive staff, Joey's serves up an ambiance as much as a menu and that's Chris' favorite part.

Typically Joey's ends up being our destination of choice when needing to fuel-up before a mad shopping spree that inevitably involves visiting the two-story H&M, a trip to Starbucks (though, admittedly, Chris is now boycotting them), and whatever else meets with our fancy along the way. One note: when visiting on a Sunday during football season, expect to have the game playing on half the LCD TVs and a radio broadcast being piped into the dining room. This may or may not be your cup of tea.

After sizing up our options for all of about a minute (we WERE starving after all), we agreed to start with the Nachos Grande. The corn tortilla chips are house-made, cut extra thick (this was arguably the best part of the nachos), and stacked about six inches high. The plate was loaded with shredded chicken, fire-roasted tomato salsa, sour cream, pickled jalapenos, sliced black olives, Monterey jack cheese, diced avocado, and refried black beans (the chicken was actually in the beans)! You can choose between mild, medium, hot, or even "hurt me hot" salsa for your largely portioned appetizer/entree. This is definitely a hearty eat, though the $12.99 feels about two dollars too much. Also, despite being stacked to the rafters, about a third of the chips underneath had no toppings and they put all the salsa on one side and beans on the other. Be sure you uncover the hidden gems before the loaded chips are gone or you'll be left snacking on them au natural.

Chris typically orders the Better Beef Dip, but decided to be adventuresome and go with the Hi-Rise Burger with Cheese. The menu states this is a classic, using ground chuck, and that it's loaded with "all the groceries", which means lettuce, onion, pickle, tomato, and cheddar cheese. The large, probably third-pound burger, comes with a side of thin-cut fries and ketchup. We did lament to the waitress, twice, that they're no longer serving the shoestring fries - arguably the best we've ever had. The burger had a meaty, beefy taste to it, with no heavy seasonings so the beef could actually shine. For some reason though, about half of the burger was relatively done and the other half was very pink. The inconsistent cooking (not sure how they actually accomplished that) was barely a complaint from Chris and he said he would definitely order this again. He even had a compliment for the fries.

When it came time for me to select an entree, I waffled. A lot. The "New World Cuisine" that Joey's offers means they have a little bit of everything from Thai and Chinese, to American and Mexican, plus seafood. However, I was finally able to settle on the Chicken Souvlaki. I was missing the original skinny fries, so chose a Cesar salad instead of the regular accompaniment. Also, for those of you with large appetites, take note that this entree will be on the smaller side. That said, the warmed pita is slathered with hummus, then topped with lettuce, perfectly roasted chicken, and drizzled with tzatziki. Bottom line: this sandwich is delicious, but felt overpriced given the mediocre portion.

There were really only two things that kept Joey's from being 4 Stars. The first was the haphazard nachos (toppings not very evenly topped) and the second was the odd doneness for Chris' burger. Chris summed it up well when he said, "I really just like coming here for the ambiance. It's so cool!"

Since When Is Mall Food Zagat Rated?

Mexico Cantina Y Cocina - Mexican Fare (3.5 Stars)

http://www.eatatmexico.com

If you’re in Pacific Place and want to grab a quick bite to eat before seeing a movie, your choices are sushi, burgers, Thai, American, or Mexican. Fortunately, Mexico Cantina Y Cocina serves up delicious food at a price that will leave you enough money for popcorn and a drink.

Ryan and I have eaten a late lunch or early dinner here on more than one occasion as it’s our fall-back restaurant when our favorite waitress isn’t working next door at Gordon Biersch. This time, Chris was able to join us. Because we mercilessly devoured the chips and salsa, we had to settle on ordering an appetizer and Flautas de Pollo looked perfect. Stuffed with shredded chicken, peppers, and cheese, then wrapped in a flour tortilla and deep-fried, you really can’t go wrong with the Flautas. It even came with a side of their house guacamole topped with Cotija cheese. The portion was just big enough for us to stop greedily eyeing the chips and salsa and wait patiently for the rest of our order.

Ryan confessed he wasn’t terribly hungry, so he wanted to order a soup and salad. (This happens rarely enough that Chris and I both had to tease him about it.) He started with Jane’s Mexican Wedding Soup, a classic, hearty, chicken and Mexican rice soup with a Southwest twist: green chilies, corn, and avocados. The chicken was plentiful and tender and the soup had big chunks of each ingredient. The bowl was actually a generous portion that could probably replace an entree (maybe with a few chips and salsa) if your appetite’s on the smaller end of the scale.

The salad Ryan decided would best accompany his Wedding Soup was the Mexican Chop Salad. Ironically, though in keeping with Ryan’s love of carbs, he said the best part about the salad was the slightly sweet jalapeno cornbread croutons. The salad is packed and included organic greens, avocado, sweet and smoky roasted red peppers, roasted corn, Cotija cheese, pico de gallo, and black beans. It was topped with a cumin vinaigrette that, unfortunately, was a bit heavy-handed with the cumin. Also, for two dollars more, you can include either grilled chicken or fajita beef added and make this a serious entree.

Our love of deep-fried foods is hardly a secret, so it was no surprise when Chris ordered the Chicken Chimichanga complete with shredded chicken and jack cheese served piping hot in a deep-fried flour tortilla. It was accompanied by scoops of sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo as well as refried beans and rice. The chimichanga was slightly overcooked (you can see in the photo that the end was crunched in and crumbling), but the inside was piping hot and very cheesy. The condiments were nearly the most flavorful thing on that dish because the beans and rice were boring and bland.

In keeping with the “healthy choice” theme Ryan had started and Chris completely ignored, I found myself searching the menu and continually coming back to the Ensalada a la Evelyne. The generously portioned salad comes piled high with fire-grilled chicken stacked on organic greens, roasted artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and avocado. It also had pepita-crusted (yes, that’s right: pumpkin seed crust) provolone cheese that was absolutely delicious. There’s nothing better than grilled cheese, except maybe tender and juicy grilled chicken. The big chunks of tomatoes worked well with the large pieces of chicken and provolone. The salad usually comes with a tequila-lime dressing, but I was glad I ordered it on the side as it was a bit overpowering.

It’s about as rare for us to order two desserts as it is for Ryan to order a salad. However, sugar deliciously compels and we were left with a unbreakable tiebreaker: crunchy or creamy. Given there were three of us at the table, we figured two desserts couldn’t be more appropriate!

We began the sugar rush by ordering the Chocolate Mousse. The Patron XO and Kahlua chocolate mousse was thick, rich, and creamy, and topped with a blackberry and strawberry, along with a generous dollop of whipped cream. The dense mousse clung to our spoons as we hungrily licked our lips. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much from the mousse but it was surprisingly good. It definitely tasted homemade and the serving glass was large enough for all three of us to have several bites each.

We ended our late lunch with arguably the most well-known and beloved of Mexican sweets (at least by an American audience): the Churro. The carnival favorite of slightly sweet "donut" dough is deep-fried, then immediately sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar which stick to the hot oil. The order of four churros was plenty, but unfortunately they weren’t as good as the mousse. The churro dough had an unidentifiable accent flavor (we three finally agreed it was “citrus”, but even that was vague at best) that was unexpected and unwelcome. We felt the star flavors should be the cinnamon and sugar, but instead found it competing with the secret ingredient.

Overall, you can expect a meal at Mexico Cantina Y Cocina to be better than average and a solid choice regardless of the real reason you were in Pacific Place. The service has always been at least good and sometimes excellent, though we haven’t tried dining during primetime hours or holidays.

Yeah, It's Lost Its Mojo

Agua Verde Cafe - Mexican Fare (2.5 Stars)
http://www.aguaverde.com

Given Dan and I both enjoy Mexican food, and he'd heard great things about this restaurant in the U-District, we were excited to try a place new to both of us. Once we arrived, the long line out the front door lead us to believe it was worth the wait. Well, at least the view was stellar.

Agua Verde splits its seating into indoor and outdoor, though the outdoor portion is tiny and you're awkwardly seated in a odd traffic zone (I was seated behind a skinny wall) so you're constantly getting interrupted by people milling about in the grass below you and forgotten by the wait staff since they can't see you. Fortunately, we were seated facing the water and it was sunny and warm despite the cool breeze. However, being outdoors, even on a perfect evening, isn't necessarily a plus when the courtyard nearby has a "band" providing its amateur entertainment. As such, it's very hit or miss, so I'd recommended not dining here if you're trying to have a romantic meal.

While we investigated the menu, our organic chips and hand-made salsas arrived. I definitely have a thing for salsa and we were happy to see three different varieties offered. The Salsa Mexicana had tomatoes, onions, chilies, and cilantro, and was the weakest flavored of the three. The darker green "Salsa Verde" was smokey and had more bite than the Rojo, though the lighter green salsa (the waitress didn't know the name) was our favorite with its sweeter, warmer flavors of cilantro and chilies.

For his entree, Dan decided on the Tacos de la Casa. Agua Verde actually offers 10 different fillings for their house tacos including the traditional beef with peppers and onions, chile-rubbed chicken with cranberry slaw, and shredded pork, along with vegetarian options of portabellas or yams, and even five different seafood options including grilled catfish, smoked salmon, sauteed shrimp, grilled mahi mahi, or coconut beer tempura cod. Each of the entrees is served in three soft corn tortillas along with sides of pureed black beans and their "green rice". The taco filling includes red and green cabbage and most are topped by an avocado cream sauce. Despite looking tasty, the rice was bland, the beans were an odd soupy texture (pureed really doesn't work well for a side), and the mahi mahi could have easily been any other meat as the flavor was very mild.

Once I saw the Burrito de Mole, my love for the rich, complex, nutty, chocolately brew took over. I did order mine without the chipotle-flavored tortilla which is why there's a "side salad" along with a cup of the mole and the filling in a separate bowl. Overall, the filling texture was great: chunky, well-cooked beans, the organic free-ranged chicken was tender and juicy, and the rice was fine. The lettuce, sour cream, and "pico de gallo" topping was pretty standard fare. The problem, however, was the mole. It tasted like bottled BBQ sauce and was too sweet (even for my sweet tooth). I'm glad the extra mole was put on the side because it certainly would have detracted from the filling otherwise.

Despite their drive to use "organic, sustainable, and eco-friendly food," and Agua Verde's pride in their recycling and composting efforts, the overall experience left us feeling bored with the food, but grateful for the view.

Bullfights and Hot Bites

The Matador - Tex-Mex Fare (4 Stars)
http://www.matadorrestaurants.com

In trying to find a fun restaurant in West Seattle that Ryan and I hadn't been to recently, we came up with The Matador. The last time we had visited this tasty Tex-Mex restaurant, we fell in love with their grilled, charred, spicy asparagus. Unfortunately, it wasn't on the menu this time but we found something almost as good (more on that in a bit).

The Matador appetizers offer a generous variety of spicy, chilies-infused options, but it was the Chilean Rock Crab Cakes that really caught my attention. Even though they're not packed as full and aren't as chunky as the Steelhead Diner's jumbo lump cake, you do get two cakes and they offer a completely different and equally rewarding flavor. Packed with Habaneros and shredded crab, then pan seared and served with a sweet and spicy pineapple cream sauce and tomato and green onion relish, the crab cakes certainly won't disappoint. The combination of sweet coconut and heat from the chilies is reminiscent of Thai curries, but this definitely stayed Tex-Mex with the tomato salsa.

As for the aforementioned asparagus, Ryan had to settle for the Grilled Broccolini. Oddly enough, this dish is not listed on their website or in-house menus and was simply on an insert for "current specials". That said, these were a satisfying replacement to their incredible asparagus side. Complete with red chili flakes, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and charred from being grilled to al dente perfection, the mound of vibrant green stalks were quickly finished off. It's served with a side of their southwestern sour cream "ranch" dipping sauce and Ryan said he loved it.

For my entree, I had to order the Pan Seared Mahi Mahi. It's very lightly floured, then pan seared and served on top of a roasted Serrano and tomatillo tequila salsa. A generous dollop of Habanero cream tops the fillet. This dish usually comes with annotti rice, but I asked for "seasonal veggies" instead and got a side of the charred broccolini along with halved grape tomatoes. The Mahi Mahi was perfectly cooked, moist, flaky, and had a great flavor that didn't get overwhelmed by the bold flavors on the rest of the plate.

Despite being at a Tex-Mex restaurant, Ryan decided he really wanted the huge Matador Burger. This half-pound all-beef patty is served with caramelized onions, thick-cut bacon, sweet cherry peppers, cilantro, cheddar cheese, lettuce, and tomato. It's accompanied by chipotle mayo both on the bun and in a side sauce container. Ryan ordered his giant burger without tomato but with extra onions. Ryan said the burger was excellent even though he waited almost 10 minutes for his extra caramelized onions (the burger was served with literally only three). His fries had a slight spice on them and were crispy, but ultimately just "regular fries".

Overall, we both felt the depth of flavors, interesting use of chilies and heat throughout the course offerings, and generally quite delicious food was more than enough to award Matador 4 Stars. This is a local chain restaurant, but the West Seattle location is certainly worth a visit especially if you are a tequila connoisseur as they have over 80 varieties!

Flaky, Fried, Tasty Corn Dough? Yes, Please!

Huarachitos Mexican Taqueria - Mexican (4 Stars)
http://www.yelp.com/biz/huarachitos-mexican-taqueria-seattle
http://www.flickr.com/photos/93204832@N00/3346971528/ (Interior)

I had read several times that the recently opened Huarachitos was the place to go for authentic Mexican fare in Seattle. Having received high praise on Yelp and Urban Spoon, and given Steve and my recent whining about lackluster "Mexican" food, we decided to give it a try.

The restaurant is quite small, but has a lovely open kitchen where all the food is prepared in plain sight. The owner, Anna, greeted us warmly and later confided that they had opened five months ago and she and her husband, the chef, had plans of adding alcoholic beverage service later this summer along with a nice deck outside. (She also has a thing for well-made margaritas and loves tequila, so expect to see them offered soon.)

While looking over the menu, we noticed a few typos. Neither of us would have said anything, but Anna actually pointed it out (along with a mildly embarrassed laugh). She then proceeded to blame her husband and his menu layout program for the errors. It's always the chef's fault, isn't it? She then offered to bring us chips and salsa.

For Guacamole and Chips, Huarachitos really delivers. The verde salsa is quite spicy and has a really tasty green chilies flavor. Steve found it too spicy but did love the sweet and smoky rojo salsa with tomatoes and chipotle peppers. Freshly fried and topped with salt and black pepper, the chips were good enough to eat by themselves! Combined with the chunky, fresh, cotija-topped guacamole, you could easily get carried away and stuff yourself well before any entree arrived.

In response to "What's the best item on your menu?", Anna had mentioned several meat dishes. When asked specifically about a vegetarian dish, she pointed to Huaraches Estilo DF: a handmade, thick, flaky corn tortilla topped with beans, lettuce, cheese, onions, and "mixed vegetables". Steve thought maybe the vegetables were prepared from a frozen mixed veggies bag because it had broccoli and "Who's ever heard of broccoli in Mexican food?" That said, the tortilla was incredibly delicious, the toppings were plentiful and well-cooked, and Steve was quite happy with his choice.

I decided to go for the Gorditas. Both these and the Estillo DF use the same dough base for the tortilla, but the Gorditas are small rounds that are fried then split and stuffed with cotija cheese, shredded chicken, onions, cilantro, and tons of shredded lettuce. Steve commented "That actually looks really healthy" once he saw all the greenery pouring out of the tortillas. These are probably the most delicious "Mexican" item I've ever had. I was dead set on taking one of them home, but after the first few bites it was a lost cause.

Two things of note. First, with both of our entrees (and from what I can see, the rest of the entrees on the menu), there are no ubiquitous "beans and rice" sides on every plate. If you have a voracious appetite, you can always order bean and rice sides for $2 each. Second, they are not yet serving desserts. Anna did mention they intend to start serving flan in a few weeks and possibly a tres leches cake starting this summer. Though, in all honesty, you probably wouldn't have room for dessert anyway.

Overall, I was impressed and will definitely be returning (especially once flan is on the menu).

Is That A Grasshopper On Your Plate?!

El Sabor De Oaxacan - Oaxacan Fare (2.5 Stars)
http://www.elsabordeoaxaca.com

A few reviews ago, Ryan decided he was not interested in any restaurant that served Chapulines (grasshoppers). I still had a hankering to try it, so my friend Steve agreed to be a fellow guinea pig (despite the fact that he's a vegetarian). There are three things that set Oaxacan restaurants apart from "Mexican" restaurants: Tlayudas, Chapulines, and Mezcal, so we ordered all three!

The standard chips and salsa routine was original in two ways. First, they served amazing refried beans (creamy and cheesy) and second, it was accompanied by a thin, rather spicy salsa that you just can't get enough of. Thank God it came in a squeeze tube so you didn't feel like a total pig by asking for your third salsa bowl refill.

Steve was talked into trying a shot of the imported Mezcal (complete with an uncomfortably large worm). After extracting the worm and making faces about it the entire time, he downed the shot, sucked the lime like it was candy, and remained that animated the rest of the dinner.

The Tlayuda was our appetizer. Imagine a "Mexican pizza" but with a thin, very crispy corn tortilla, creamy refried beans, Oaxacan string cheese (think of a love child between brie and mozzarella), tomatoes, avocados, cabbage, and features mashed pork (tender, juicy strips of grilled pork). We ordered it half vegetarian and half meat so we could both sample. We both thought it was good and probably something we'd order again.

As for the Chapulines, we learned their grasshoppers are organically farmed off alfalfa and corn, come in two sizes (regular and tiny), are flash-fried then tossed with chili powders, lemon juice, and salt. It took me several tries to grow a set large enough to overcome my generally unadventurous tastebuds. It wasn't until the owner stopped by for one of her frequent table visits and said, "It's like 'regular time'", which apparently meant eat it as if it were just another regular day. "It's regular time" has now become my new favorite phrase! As for the Chapulines meal experience, imagine eating spicy sunflower seeds with the shells still intact. That said, I doubt I'd actually order them again though they do enhance the "authenticity" of the restaurant and definitely provide something you'd be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.

Steve ordered the Vegetarian Empanadas for his entree. For me, I always think of empanadas as a tender, flaky dough filled with a savory or sweet stuffing. However, the Oaxacan version is more like a stuffed quesadilla with a double-thick tortilla. It did have zucchini, but Steve said, "It really was pretty bland and dry" and suggested it could have used extra cheese and plenty of refried beans.

My entree was the Mole Negro con Pollo and was quite good! The mole was complex, slightly sweet, and poured steaming over an extremely juicy chicken breast that was so large, I was surprised it wasn't still on the bone (whew!!). The rice was buttery and spicy, though the small side of the fantastic refried beans just wasn't enough to completely satisfy.

The quick review from Steve was "underwhelming", while I thought it was "good". The restaurant itself is understated at best and located in a strip mall, but the service is genuine and the owner loves to share stories of her hometown.

Even Rachel Ray Can Be Wrong

Cactus - Mexican and Southwestern Cuisine (2.5 Stars)
http://www.cactusrestaurants.com

I asked Ryan if he'd be willing to try an authentic Oaxacan restaurant for dinner. He said it sounded like a place with creepy menu items. I commented it was "Oaxacan, like Mexican but authentic," to which he replied, "Why can't they just call it Mexican food then?"

I eventually confessed that I wanted to try Chapulines, a Oaxacan dish that features grasshoppers in chili powder. (Yes, the insects.) For some strange reason that ended the Oaxacan food conversation, so we looked on the Passport website to find a Mexican themed restaurant we could both agree on. It wasn't until we got in the car that we realized the restaurant we chose was in north Seattle and it'd take forever to get there during Friday rush-hour traffic. Thankfully, Becky (Ryan's portable car navigation system) came to the rescue and recommended a Mexican restaurant in West Seattle: Cactus.

With locations in Madison, Kirkland, and West Seattle, numerous "Best of" awards for its Mexican food, and being recently featured on Rachel Ray's "Rachel's Vacations" on Food Network (http://www.foodnetwork.com/rachaels-vacation/seattle/index.html), we thought this would be a guaranteed great meal. Unfortunately, when you come away literally saying, "The salsa was the best thing we had to eat tonight", it's tough to swallow that so many people think the fare is outstanding.

Apparently because we went appetizer crazy at Dragonfish the night before, improvising a "tapas night" seemed like a great idea at Cactus. That said, as with virtually any Mexican restaurant anywhere, Chips and Salsa come practically before you even get water. In this case, it really was the highlight of the evening. The chips were freshly cooked, extra thin, crispy, and the salsa was spicy with great hits of tomato and green onion. Despite having plenty of cilantro, the overall flavor was balanced and delicious.

In a Mexican twist on an Olive Garden classic (God have mercy on our souls!), Ryan ordered the Chorizo Queso Fundido. Ironically, it features Oaxacan cheese (which I vigorously and with much revenge in my heart pointed out to Ryan), house-made chorizo, roasted poblano peppers, and basil, along with corn tortillas. The "dip" is served in a small cast-iron skillet with the flavorful though mild chorizo on the bottom topped with layers of cheese. I think because of the thickness of the cheese (and the copious amount of grease at the bottom of the skillet), the appetizer was actually too rich and oily and really needed lime, cilantro, or some other flavor to help cut through the fat and lighten the overall impact.

The Crispy Coconut Prawns were possibly the best of the appetizers. According to the menu, the "mango-pineapple mojo and swizzle of tangy chimichurri" are served with the prawns. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to counteract the too-heavily breaded shrimp. Also, the coconut flavor was relatively muted. As for the chimichurri, both Ryan and I came away saying, "It's too sweet" and neither of us could define a real "flavor" in the sauce.

The other appetizer vying for "best of the evening"< was the Charred Asparagus. Finished with lime and a smoky "Fresno aioli", the only real downside was the too-woody bottom ends on span style="font-size: 100%;">the pencil asparagus. Despite their thinness, the asparagus really did need to have the ends trimmed to prevent a texture mismatch. The smoky aioli was passable, though I think just simply grilling the asparagus in lime juice and oil would have offered plenty of flavor.

Oddly enough, the Chicken and Corn Flautas are not on the online menu, but are featured at least at the Alki Beach location. There is a definite smokiness to the filling, but that's the only taste that stands out and it gets boring after the second or third bite. The plate does have an aioli along with a ring of cilantro oil, but neither of those were really enough to lift the flautas above a rather forgettable flavor.

Despite all of the appetizers, I didn't feel I could get a real sense for Cactus' offerings without at least trying one entree. I asked our waiter, "Assuming your food is being reviewed by a critic, what is the absolute best dish on your menu?" I had already been looking at Butternut Squash Enchiladas and was happy when he mentioned it was probably that dish.

The "enchilada" is not a traditional corn tortilla wrapped around filling and served in a sauce, but rather more like stacked tostadas and includes sauteed spinach, caramelized onions, Jack and goat cheeses, manchamanteles mole, and, of course roasted butternut squash. You'd expect that many ingredients together to have a rich, complex flavor. However, the squash was undercooked and boring, the spinach was virtually flavor-free (despite eating it in a bite all on its own), the onions lacked punch, and the overall flavor you were left in every bite with was goat cheese. That said, I think the biggest disappointment was the mole.

Even though traditional "mole manchamanteles" is made with plantains and pineapple and can be sweet, it literally tasted like a berry coulis you'd drizzle over a slice of cheesecake or chocolate brownie which made me happy I had ordered the far too sweet sauce on the side. Ryan mentioned he thought the sauce "tasted good" and could see why people would like it, but it just did not work on that dish for me other than as a way to help mute the goat cheese. The plate also contained the ubiquitous beans and rice. Ironically, the black beans were spicy with plenty of cumin and was the best tasting item on the plate. The rice, even with pumpkin seeds, was as boring as the enchilada.

I'm not sure if the kitchen staff was just having an off night or not (we did see a table of two get their entire meal comped for some reason), but for now I have no intention of giving Catcus anything above 2.5 Stars and probably will not dine there again anytime soon. Ryan mentioned his margarita was good, but I doubt that'd be enough to really make a meal here worthwhile.

UPDATE: My good friend Carrie said that her absolute favorite menu item at Cactus is the Butternut Squash Enchiladas, so we'll chalk this experience up to a bad kitchen night.

Columbia City: Favorite Restaurants And Why

Nick asked what my favorite restaurants were near my house and I thought it'd be a great opportunity to actually have my first "real" blog post. Thanks, Nick!

1. Columbia City Bakery - French and American Pastry (4.5 Stars)
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/8110/restaurant/Columbia-City/Columbia-City-Bakery-Seattle

While not technically a restaurant, they have some extraordinary baked goods. UrbanSpoon.com readers agree with me, as they should! Try the seasonal fruit tarts, ultra flaky croissants, various danish (over the top delicious), or the muffins. I gather up a mixed baker's dozen to delight my coworkers from time to time.


2. Kallaloo - Caribbean (3.5 Stars)
http://www.kallalooseattle.com

The interior is quaint and the service was excellent the last time I ate at there. The St. Lucia Stuffed Plantains were *delicious* as was the Vegetarian Plate (it's a mix-and-match of three sides and I had the Vegetarian Callaloo, Red Beans and Rice with Coconut Milk, and Fried Plantains).


3. Geraldine's Counter - American Classics (5 Stars)
http://www.geraldinescounter.com

It's impossible to visit Columbia City for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and not stop by Geraldine's. The restaurant is constantly packed due to the generous portions and home-cooked fare. I've had everything from the Avocado and Pepperjack Omelet and Biscuits and Gravy to the All Natural Burger (quite literally, the best burger in town; even better with extra cheese and thick-cut bacon) and Cobb Salad. Their Macaroni and Cheese is good, though mine is better. :) They don't have room for larger parties, but we've found space for five or six at times. Expect a solid wait if you're visiting during prime meal times.


4. Tutta Bella - Authentic Italian Classics (3.5 Stars)
http://www.tuttabellapizza.com

Everyone I've talked to gushes over their pizza. I think it's marginal at best and generally don't order it because the crust is *always* soggy, almost as if the toppings just steamed on top of it, so the toppings fall right off when you bite. That said, the Insalata di Salerno and Insalata di Mista salads are stellar and well-portioned with the Filomena's Tiramisu (the most amazing tiramisu I've ever had) or the house-made Carolina's Cornetto (cookie cone stuffed with cherries and pistachios) offer delectable finales to your dinner.


5. Awash - Ethiopian (3.5 Stars)
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/335814/restaurant/Columbia-City/Awash-Seattle

This restaurant seems to receive mixed reviews (mainly on service, so I wouldn't take someone you're trying to impress), but the food itself has always been excellent. I always order the Vegetarian Sample Plate which consists if five or six to eight smallish “dollops” of lentils, cabbage, carrots, and other veggies resting on a gigantic Injera (a large, sourdough, pancake-like bread you tear apart and use to eat your food). The portion overall is healthy and I always leave with a full belly and a happy heart.


6. El Sombrero Family Mexican Restaurant - Traditional Mexican (3.5 Stars)
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/4706/restaurant/Columbia-City/El-Sombrero-Family-Mexican-Restaurant-Seattle

El Sombrero is a sure-thing when you want inexpensive, non-pretentious “Mexican” food. The service is quick, the portions large, and you can usually find just what you're looking for on the menu including rich moles with complex flavors, man-sized burritos, and their spicy and delicious house salsa. They also have a nearly endless variety of margaritas (the Macho Margarita comes in a glass the size of your head). The only downside is the apparent lack of “wow” factor with their dishes. All are tasty, but it's tough to find a dish that's better than any of the chains. That said, you won't be disappointed by a visit.