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Seattle's first Hard Rock Cafe, located at 116 Pike Street, is open for business today, as of 11 a.m. Josh and Audrey went on a tour yesterday (see full photo gallery); after the fact, they discussed the tech-heavy new digs, the tons of memorabilia, and the unironically awesome rooftop deck.

The third floor is home to a magnificent roof deck with views of the market and sound and populated with weatherized couches and firepits. This is the feature most likely to make you a Hard Rock Cafe regular.

Josh: Let me begin by saying that before I saw that this place was under construction, I was not entirely aware that the Hard Rock Cafe was still in business, let alone opening new stores. Score one for the themed casual chain dining economy; times aren't as tough as I'd assumed.

Audrey: According to the Hard Rock's Wikipedia page, these are the other cities getting a new Cafe this year: Costa Maya, Los Angeles (Hollywood Blvd), and Krakow. To which I say: Seattle: Slightly More Culturally Advanced Than Krakow. Even Ho Chi Minh City got their Hard Rock last year!

Josh: We had no idea what we were missing! But I wonder if the EMP was strong-arming them out of the city for all of these years?

Audrey: A knife fight between the two awaits for sure. How did the EMP not get custody of Jimi Hendrix's green hat? Which brings us to a very important topic: memorabilia, though everyone at the Hard Rock likes to refer to it as "memo."

Josh: That's what it's all about: the stories. It is also the part of the HRC experience that is kind of baffling. It's as if someone realized one day that the biggest flaw in most museum experiences is the absence of a Hickory BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger on hand. Or, that what most restaurants were lacking were sufficient distractions from the usual dining experience. This is where the revamped HRC really shines. They know that obsessive music fans can be a little introverted.

Audrey : The Hard Rock Cafe seems to be the best place to go if you don't wish to interact with your dining companions (in other words, families on vacation).

Josh: TRUE. So they answer this by setting up those booths with the family/friends/social contact avoidance devices.

Audrey: Why talk as a family if Bobby can be voting on which video should be shown throughout the restaurant, while Mom takes a handheld survey on her dining experience thus far, and Dad is on his phone having a voicemail tour of the objects around him?

Josh: The family that avoids together stays together. Those screens are perfect for the surly teen who doesn't yet have an iPhone/iPad/iPod but still wants to see pictures of "memo" on display in Fiji, where he would have preferred the family take its annual vacay.... (more)

Amy Vanderbeck, her sister Katy, and Daniel Perry, all graduates of the Vivace empire, built Watertown Coffee on the grave of Coffee Animals, on 12th Avenue just south of Seattle University.

They opened in early 2009, and look to have been squirreling away board and video games in the cavernous interior ever since. (After months of "meaning to stop in," I was challenged to a ping pong tournament on their new table. The less said about that, the better, although the bourbon and hot apple cider took some of the sting out of defeat.)

There's Vivace coffee, a real bar, and a sandwich/soup/salad food menu. The "rec room" atmosphere--seriously, besides board games, there's an Xbox--surprises people expecting a standard coffee shop, and people used to Starbucks' consistently genial service are clearly taken aback by the staff's "attitude" and the music volume that's at the whim of the barista. (For better photos of the interior than an iPhone can provide, click here.)

Yelpers and Urban Spooners are divided into love it/hate it, and it's-just-a-coffee-shop-relax camps. However, if you are sensitive flower and need quiet study time, you might want to try somewhere else. That is not the aim of Watertown, which has a clubhouse vibe, and where--if you consistently miss ping pong returns and have to chase the ball as it thwocks and pwocks across the room--the baristas won't glance at you twice.

Seattle's first Hard Rock Cafe, located at 116 Pike Street, is open for business today, as of 11 a.m. Josh and Audrey went on a tour yesterday, and here are the photographic results. Here, they chat about what it all means for Seattle.

Today may be the last day of summer, but fall is a fine season for taking culinary-related trips outside of Seattle. Having previously reported on an "Escape from Seattle" to Whistler, it's now time to head south to Portland and then loop up through parts of central Washington to discover good eats (and drinks), as I did this past summer.

Let's start with Portland. You're probably thinking: Oh, not another article about how Portland's food is better than Seattle's. Maybe not better, but different. And when traveling, aren’t we usually looking for something different? I'll offer a few examples, but by no means an exhaustive list.

Portland's got a different food vibe than Seattle. As local food writer Lorna Yee recently remarked about Portland in a SunBreak interview, "the food is a little gutsier, and the scene a little grittier."

The dining spaces are certainly different. It seems Portland chefs and restaurateurs are more creative with their kitchens and dining rooms, as you can eat at carts, strip clubs, and converted industrial spaces. There's the usual glitz and glamor of downtown eateries, but in general, I find the better eats to be on the east side of the Willamette River. (Even if you take the train to Portland—a fun way to travel—you can easily head east by bus and foot. I've done it, and you get to discover more of the city this way.)... (more)

Photo courtesy our Flickr pool's zenobia_joy

In the 1960s and '70s, Seattle earned a reputation as a top-notch burger haven. Burger shacks like Turbulent Turtle and Red Robin served up burgers with a dizzying mix of embellishments, and Dick’s Drive-In and Daly’s cooked up an honest, tasty lunch at prices everyone enjoyed.

Sadly, that first generation of patty pioneers now lies moldering in redeveloped graves. A few years ago, Daly’s closed to make way for an Eastlake development that has been stalled by the economy. It’s now just a vacant lot. Earlier this year, the original Red Robin on Eastlake closed, the last link to a glorious past for what is now, basically, a mall-only restaurant. Only Dick’s remains, still serving the best burgers for the dollar in the city.

Thankfully, Seattle is in the midst of a burger shack renaissance and The SunBreak Lunch Team (not just for breakfast anymore!) has spent the past few weeks scouting out the new players.

iBurger and Shake (8000 Lake City Way N.E.) just opened. Housed in a beautifully restored 1930s-era gas station, it’s a welcome addition to the lunch landscape in Maple Leaf. We ordered the Cheeseburger and the Hawaiian Burger with chicken. A blueberry shake and an order of fries rounded out the meal.

The burgers are 1/3-lb. of 100-percent ground chuck and are delicious. Lettuce, onions, and tomato were crisp and fresh. The chicken was a large portion, well cooked but not dry. The shake was fresh blueberries mixed into soft-serve ice cream. The fries were crinkle-cut and disappointing. Prices were reasonable, with burgers in the $4 to $7 range. The two of us ate a good meal for $16.... (more)

Actually, the last time I was in Ivar's, I noticed the $0.75 cup of chowder, but settled on the bowl, thinking I'd pay full freight. When the bill came, it was $1.50. So, full disclosure, I'm not all that worked up about the billboard hoax/prank, even though I asked my waiter for the straight dope. An underwater billboard campaign aimed at nonexistent submarines strained credulity.

The Seattle Times sounds a little nettled though. Executive Editor David Boardman says they are reviewing their relationship with Paul Dorpat, the local historian who vouched for the authenticity of the underwater billboard campaign, saying "As far as I can tell, it's the real thing."

The Times took Dorpat at his word, it sounds like, and never checked to see if the price was correct for 1955 (it wasn't) or noticed that the "wrong governor was put on the letterhead from the Department of Fisheries." But maybe this is the attitude a very important newspaper must take. Public trust, and all.

The important news here is that the... (more)

So many in Seattle are atwitter with Canlis' menu contest. And rightly so. In hiding 50 menus in 50 days (Sundays off, generally), Canlis is providing 50 lucky Seattleites the chance to dine (with a guest) at 1950s prices. It's all part of Canlis' 60th birthday celebration.

The contest is brilliant on many levels. First, the clue-giving is a fantastic use of social media. Second, it's intellectually stimulating, as the answers often emerge from riddles, plays-on-words, etc. Related to that, the contest connects Canlis and all the contestants (and that's anyone) to Seattle, teaching a lot about regional history in the process. And finally, it's hip, bringing a new generation of fans into the Canlis fold.

For those not fortunate enough to find a menu, I always say that you can enjoy the splendor of Canlis by enjoying a bite (maybe teriyaki, or dessert and a drink?) in the bar area. Better yet, instead of a $2.75 salmon steak or $3.85 filet mignon from that 1950s menu, see how Canlis has changed by checking out the chef's tasting menu. Here's what Jason Franey is serving up this fall:

Amuse Bouche: Sunchoke soup and white truffle ice cream (this connected to the amazing white truffle menu that I enjoyed the same night)... (more)

If you haven't been in recently, or have been waiting for someone to offer you their chocolate dessert named El Diablo, you're in luck. Throughout April, Tango has a full slate of special events in celebration of turning ten years old. The party begins April 1, with free El Diablos, and continues $5 pairings of El Diablos and specialty tequilas, live tango, extended happy hours, and participation in the meal deals of Seattle Restaurant Week.

To get out the word on Tango turning ten, Travis Rosenthal had a swarm of food writers down to the corner of Boren and Pike this week to preview the cause for celebration. Rosenthal's owned Tango since 2006--he originally arrived in Seattle to help open Pacific Place's Il Fornaio, and was general manager at the U Village's popular Piatti, until making the leap to Tango's Latin American and Spanish small plates.

Rosenthal and his executive chef Michael Bruno were confident enough in their offerings that they opened the whole menu for review (see the photo gallery above). Missteps were few and far between, and I began asking myself more and more stridently why it had taken me ten years to darken their door. To read the reviews, everyone else clued in long ago. The candlelit ambiance draws everyone from canoodling couples and Paramount showgoers, to carafe-quaffing tables of ya-ya sisterhoods.

It is on, bitches. After a couple delays, Capitol Hill gourmet hot doggery Po Dog is all set for their official opening tomorrow. Today's the soft opening, and our good friends at Capitol Hill Seattle were lucky enough to attend the friends and family gathering that took place last night. 

I've perused the menu several times, and I'm not still not sure what dog to try first. My brain knows that the best way to judge Po Dog's quality would be their classic hot dog, but my heart pines for a Chicago dog, while my stomach is tempted by the menu's wackadoodle offerings (hot dogs with guacamole and wasabi aioli sound NOM NOM NOM). I suppose I will have to go back more than once. Darn.

Full press release after the jump.

Dog Days - New Gourmet restaurant opens on Capitol Hill by first time Restaurateur

While her friends and co-workers were being laid off left and right, Laura Olson, 25 decided to take a risky and unique path. She quit her job as a recruiter and began the full time planning of Seattle’s first gourmet hot dog joint, Po Dog. Working all hours of the day and night, Ms. Olson created a substantial business plan. Inspired by hot dog institutions like Pinks in L.A., Laura spent the first few months researching, tasting and thinking everything hot dog. Her next struggle was finding the capital required to open a business in the worst lending environment in recent history. She ran into road block after road block and was turned down at every door. But she persevered and was finally able to interest investors and raise the capital required. She was ready to embark on her new venture.

First, she hired local modernists Pb elemental to design her space inside a vacant Auto Battery shop in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. The design of the 1100 sq ft interior and storefront in Capitol Hill (Seattle) is based on the desire to offer something as unique as the owner’s toppings (ranging from peanut butter and bananas to deep fried egg roll wrapped wasabi dogs) and a desire to leave everything in the open. A 30’ Caesaerstone counter is the centerpiece of the 16' wide restaurant, housing the open kitchen and bar area. The bar is clad in wainscoting and lined with white bar stools. Built-in mahogany plywood seating lines the back half of the restaurant along with Lyptus community tables. A twelve foot tall pixelated photograph of Olson’s pet pug hangs at the end of the tables watching over the customers as they eat. The original fir beams and concrete block wall were sandblasted and exposed to regain the original character. A series of framed 8'x4' mirrors line the western walls, reflecting the Thug Stripe wallpaper (a blend of colt 45's, bullets and floral print). A 4' wide vertical lift window allows Po Dog to open up to its patio in the summer as well as provides access for deliveries. Next, Laura planned Po Dog's menu with input from local culinary celebrity Josh Henderson, founder of Skillet street food. Henderson will be appearing as a guest chef at Po Dog for the month of November.

After managing the construction of her space for four months, Laura is set to open this Saturday, November 14th. Her menu features twelve signature gourmet hot dogs all on Macrina brioche buns, including the Deep Fried Danger Dog (bacon wrapped, deep fried), Texas Dog (Tillamook cheddar cheese, homemade onion crisps and mesquite BBQ sauce), Wasabi egg roll Dog (deep fried roll wrapped dog, covered in a wasabi aioli) and the Dub’T Dog (crushed potato chips and cheese sauce) to name a few.

When I heard that Jacob Wiegner, the former sous chef at Olivar, had opened a place called Blackboard Bistro in West Seattle, I had a hunch it would be good. And a desire to quickly head over for lunch.

Yes, the menu is written up on blackboards. On those blackboards, I liked the humor with which the required health department warning is delivered: “Raw or undercooked food may make you sick. Or even kill you. But so could crossing the street.” What I really liked, though, was the chance to do a tasting menu, sort of like an American omakase. You name your price, and Wiegner sends out dishes of his choosing. It’s a great value and a chance for variety; $30 buys you a feast of small plates. Figure on $5 per plate, with one plate likely to be something not found on the menu.

Note that the menu is seasonal and always subject to change. Some of the dishes I sampled recently are no longer available.

But given the consistency of the quality, that’s okay, as you’ll find new favorites. I liked everything I tasted, appreciating some bold flavors and some tastes and techniques from around the world. My only minor gripe is that I felt a bit bloated afterward; given the richness of the dishes, I think Wiegner can back off the fat just a little. (I’ve recommended Blackboard Bistro to others, who raved about their meals but had this same issue.)... (more)

They say the pizza in New York City is so good because of the quality of the municipal water used to make the pizza dough. Well, if that is true, then White Center must have some of the best water in the state. I say this because Proletariat Pizza is some of the best I have ever had in my life. Though to be fair, I should point out that I have never been to New York. But based on online reviews, I'm not alone in thinking this way. The pizzas are consistently delicious. I have been back five times now, and not once did I finish eating and think, "It was better last time."

The pizzas are all 18-inch thin crust pies. You can order a 1/2-size of any pizza if a full one is too much. As far as toppings go, you can build your own with most of the traditional fare along with some surprising extras, like Mama Lil's peppers and Spam. However, the signature pies are all pretty good too. Personally I have tried The Favorite (Italian sausage, fresh chopped garlic, Mama Lil's peppers), The Real Hawaiian (pineapple and Spam), Margherita (basil, fresh tomato and fresh mozzarella), and the Cinco. The Cinco is my hands-down favorite, consisting of fontina, provolone, asiago, gorgonzola, and mozzarella cheeses. The full menu can be found on their website.... (more)

As skeptical as I was about going on a food-related trip to Whistler, I was even more skeptical about making a similar trip to Vancouver Island. I’d been to both places about fifteen years ago, but I figured that Whistler had probably evolved more. The Olympics were there, foreigners hung out there on an ongoing basis, and you could drive there from Vancouver. It’s part of Canada, whereas Victoria is, what, part of England? I always told inquirers that it’s a place you only need to see once. Too prim-and-proper. See the Gardens, enjoy the buskers, maybe have tea…but bring some cartons of Chinese food from Vancouver if you want something good to eat.

And then, recently, I got gifted a bottle of balsamic vinegar from Venturi-Shultze, and told that Vancouver Island is a bounty of good food. One sip of the vinegar, and I was already making plans to give Victoria and environs another chance.

And am I glad I did!It’s an easy trip from Seattle. My partner and I planned on the Victoria Clipper outbound and then a return via a Kenmore Air seaplane in order to experience the trip both ways. Three hours on the boat gave me time to review our itinerary, as the eating would begin almost immediately upon arrival. It was a majestic entry into the harbor, and then just a quick (five-minutes or so) walk to the Inn at Laurel Point, our home-away-from-home in Victoria.... (more)

Ballard's Original Pancake House is part of a nation-spanning, pancake-purveying chain, but you wouldn't know it from the old-school neon sign out front at 80th & 15th Avenue NW. Yelpers are giving it a respectable 3.5 stars, and Urban Spoon likes it 88 percent.

The first impression you get is that they're expecting company: part of the entryway is a large walled-in porch for hordes to take shelter from the weather in before being admitted to the restaurant proper. Our waiter Juliann said the weekends get a little crazy.

Inside is an expanse of tables made of blond wood ("summer camp ambiance" says Ballard Bites), seating Ballardites with sizable appetites who don't demand much from interior design. You can get pancakes, yes, but there's also waffles and crepes for those with a wandering eye. If you want to break all the rules, there's corned beef hash and more. But--and here is where the sizable appetite part comes in--the corned beef hash comes with pancakes. Just when you think you're out! They drag you back in.

The SunBreak Breakfast Team was three this day (Ballard resident Troy J. Morris sat in), and we ordered the Links & Eggs, Corned Beef Hash, and Buttermilk Pancakes (six). The pancakes came solo, but the Links & Eggs and Corned Beef came with a choice of two sides (we went with 3 pancakes and fruit). That, plus two coffees constantly refilled and a Diet Coke, came to $36, plus tip. The Corned Beef Hash was the most expensive option ordered, at $10.95, I believe.... (more)

Tillamook’s Loaf Love tour is making a stop in Seattle, and the welcome party is at Capitol Hill's Po Dog (1009 East Union Street), purveyors of fine hot doggery and dog-related accoutrement. Here is everything you need to know wrapped up in a tidy cheese package:

For one hour only–5 p.m. to 6 p.m.-on August 5th, 2010, Po Dog restaurant, Capitol Hill location, will offer free Tillamook-themed hot dogs, "The Mac & Tillamook Cheese Dog," in celebration of Tillamook’s Loaf Love Tour, the first ever cheese tour comprised of three refurbished VW buses designed to look like baby loafs of cheese, arriving in Seattle and rolling around until August 16th. In addition to free hot dogs, the Loaf Love Tour will be handing out free cheese samples, coupons, buttons & more to help spread the love of tasty cheese to the people.

We couldn't make this stuff up. Further details: The VW buses are 1966 vintage, and cheese is delicious. You can probably still eat it even if you are lactose intolerant. Tillamook is a cooperative. They're 101 years old. They also make ice cream and butter. But their cheddar is what gets you. You probably don't realize how good you have it, cheddar-wise. You can eat too much cheese, I'm told. Moderation in all things, even the extra sharp.

An expedition to West Seattle for a Lincoln Park getaway led me, on the way back, through the hallowed burger shack doors of Zippy's Giant Burgers. The hallowing has come early, since Zippy's was just born in spring of 2008, but there was no question from day one that the burger shack was a winner. At the moment, they've won over 93 percent of Urban Spoon visitors, and they're a solid four stars on Yelp.

The owners claim to be vegetarians, personally, which might strike you as odd. But then you probably don't charbroil over 85 pounds of hamburger a day. I can see how that might quell your appetite.

My group ordered the Zip Burger ($4.25), Zip Royale ($6.50), and the Zip with bacon and cheese ($5.50). Zippy's is a with-all-the-toppings kind of place: secret sauce, tomatoes, red onions, pickles, iceberg lettuce; but the burger is where they do themselves proud. They grind the chuck fresh each day--no frozen patties allowed. And as the pictures indicate, they taste deeply, smokily of the grill where they were forged.

The interior is tiny, and there's very limited parking in front. Regulars advise ordering by phone (206-763-7347) and getting your order to go at busy times. The guy at the counter was friendly and helpful. Payment is cash-only, but there's a small ATM that--sit down, you won't believe it--charges $0.25 per transaction. (That's right, a quarter. Not $2.50. A quarter! I almost want to go back just for the ATM. It also politely asks if you'd like to check your balance before you withdraw, to prevent overdraft.)... (more)

The first thing about La Bête is to be clear where on Capitol Hill it actually is. It turns out to be down around where The Saint is, but around the corner on Bellevue. It's a decent-sized spot, able to crowd in a good amount of brunch-goers; brunch on the weekend begins at 10:30 a.m. Coffee comes in French presses. The food and drinks are the work of Tyler Moritz and Aleks Dimitrijevic, with cocktails and wines by the glass generally ranging from $8-$10. We were looking for a brunch spot suitable for an editorial meeting, and this fit the bill nicely--it was never too loud, even when full. Read on for thumbnail reviews of brunch options.... (more)

Ah, breakfast. It sits right at the heart of mealtime ironies: widely considered essential for a healthy day and almost universally skipped by everyone beyond the age of ten.

The gap between importance and neglect is probably due to a traditionally narrow range of breakfast options. Let’s face it, not much has changed in the morning meal in the centuries since someone discovered that an egg can be scrambled, fried, boiled and beaten, and bacon and sausage come from our friend the pig.

So it came as a pleasant surprise when our friends at vegetarian-oriented Café Flora invited us in to try out their new breakfast menu, now being served every day during the week, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with their always popular brunch still going strong during the weekend.

The restaurant has been serving weekday breakfast since the beginning of the new year, and MvB and I, who sampled the Flora breakfast menu this morning, were told that business is steadily growing.

The coffee, from Stumptown, was the perfect eye opener. Michael remarked that it was hard to tell it was drip. The compact breakfast menu features seven items, four egg scrambles, a breakfast quesadilla, biscuits and gravy, and an old-world-style porridge served with dried fruit and almonds. The menu also includes a fruit parfait, a cinnamon roll, and a fresh pastry.... (more)

Chinook's cioppino is delicious and will rob you of your dignity.

Saturday noon-time my girlfriend and I are discussing where to get seafood for lunch, which has always proved problematic in Seattle, where a proximity to water and a supply of talented chefs rarely seems to result in a decently priced seafood meal. So we decide to bank on a proven commodity—Chinook's at Fishermen's Terminal in Magnolia.

Just to make the drive over a little more exciting, once we're in the car we decide not to map the route using our iPhones and just wing it by memory and luck. We've only lived in Seattle for seven years, which means I've only ever had to go to Magnolia twice: once for our first visit to Chinook's, and once a few years earlier to attend the filming of a hardcore porno.

We take Highway 99 north to the south end of the Aurora Bridge, where we turn off at the sign for the Queen Anne U-Turn, which nevertheless leaves us headed vaguely northwest rather than south. From there, we follow the signs toward Seattle Pacific University until we hit a street called Nickerson that jogs a memory of some sort, and leads us to the MC Escher-designed Ballard Bridge, where—in a rare instance of public art taking precedence over urban efficiency—motorists get to enjoy taking two lefts through an intersection in the sky in order to go straight on the same road. And then you're pretty much at Fishermen's Terminal.

Congratulating ourselves on getting less lost than the last time, when we actually did use Google Maps on an iPhone to get there, we wait for a moment at the front until our waiter comes to seat us. A baby-faced man whose name I later learn is Oliver, he sort of squints at me as he leads us to our table and then asks, "Have I served you before?"

Oliver was, in fact, the man who served us the previous time, and although I'm suspecting this is some sort of gimmick, I compliment Oliver on his memory. Laughing and shaking his head in a self-deprecating manner, he demurs: "Well, you did remember me, too."... (more)

Near the end of October (thank you, CHS), Zhivago's Café (Facebook) opened on Broadway, where the old Dilettante's used to be. It's a piroshkis-and-more shop (including Wi-Fi), founded by Geno Sabra, who is half Russian and half Middle Eastern. I have walked past it for weeks until today, when I couldn't remember the last time I'd had a piroshki.

I ordered the lunch special (piroshki + borscht + bread roll = $7.95), and had a seat. The server had my food ready before I sat down. As The Stranger promised, the borscht was remarkable, served warm with a dollop of sour cream. The piroshkis are baked on the premises daily (Time to make the piroshkis! is 4 a.m.), and there's a variety of carnivore and vegetarian options ($4-$6), as well dessert pastries and Russian tea cakes.

I had the beef, potato, and cheese piroshki, which was perfectly acceptable, if outshined by the borscht in terms of yumminess. But don't take this as a review, anyway--I've only stopped in the once. Take it as encouragement to pop in the next time you're in the mood for a piroshki and see for yourself.

In honor of screaming chicken day--and the offer of a free Denny's Grand Slam until 2 p.m.--we skipped the potential clustercluck at Seattle's one Denny's and headed to IHOP #612, the venerable 24-hour establishment (950 E Madison) now, the sign informed us, under new management.

The SunBreak breakfast team--RvO and MvB--came equipped with a Seattle Times to flip through and a reasonable appetite to satisfy. We hadn't experienced the old management, but new management was running a tight ship, to our eyes. Tables were clean and fully stocked, and our waiter Victoria stuck to us like maple syrup on a waffle. Granted, only two other tables were seated.

"I'm disappointed with the feeble sports coverage in a major U.S. metro area," announced Roger, brandishing the Times, to which Victoria responded, "You and me both." Placated, Roger ordered a Two by Two by Two (eggs, pancakes, bacon/sausage). I got the Rooty Tooty Fresh 'n' Fruity (essentially the Two by, but with two bacon and two sausage, and fruit on the pancakes).

Both were under $10, but I should note that "all you can eat" pancake offerings start at $4.99.

The market had climbed back to the sunny side of 10,000. Our pot of coffee was bottomless. The eggs were over easy. The pancakes, fluffy. The whipped cream on top of the cinnamon apple compote towered Everest-like. It seemed unlikely that much of it was, by any stretch of the imagination, healthy. I only wished I had ordered a side of toast to mop up the eggs.

This being St. Patrick's Day, it seemed appropriate to consume some sort of corned beef, even if--avoiding the Irish pubs as we are tonight--my girlfriend and I are not going to get our yearly dose of corned beef and cabbage.

Instead, we finally took the time to walk down to Market House Corned Beef at Minor and Howell, which we'd driven past about a million times but never stopped at.

Big mistake.

Open for over 60 years, the lunch menu is simple--about five sandwiches, $7.95 each. Take an order form, fill it out, and leave it on the counter top for them to grab while you sit back and watch mounds of corned beef and onions get seared on the stove. (A note: for a cold corned beef sandwich, you don't have to wait, just go to the register.)

We decided to experiment and share, and ordered what was billed as "Seattle's best reuben" (yes, it is) and a brisket sandwich. Both are worth it, though I'd choose the reuben any day. Served with potato salad, a pickle, and, today, a St. Paddy's Day cookie.

We visited Cafe Flora (29th & Madison) earlier this year to try out their breakfast menu; this time they invited us down to see the backyard patio and sample options from their cocktail menu (pdf). Click through the gallery for glimpses of vegetarian and vegan takes on cocktail hour.

Cafe Flora opened in 1991, the year I moved to Seattle, though the two events are largely unrelated. I do remember my first meal there, and the thrill that came with eating vegetarian fare that wasn't trying to taste like a meat dish. Everything celebrated precisely what was on your plate.

Now there's a new(ish) owner, Nat Stratton-Clarke, who started five years ago as a buyer, became general manager, and then took over the reins completely when founding owner David Foecke wanted to move on. So while Café Flora lives on, new approaches to menus and décor are being tried out.

To go with the cocktails, there's a Happy Hour: Monday through Friday, from 3-6 p.m., they offer select beers at $2.50, wines at $5, and a daily cocktail at $5. For the ultimate escape from a hectic day, make tracks for the back patio, and try the intensive garden immersion therapy it provides.

Last night, the members of the South Warsaw Street Social Club assembled at an eatery called Taste of Chicago, at 52nd Avenue and University Way NE. The majority of the club's members were from Chicago, and boasted names that ended in "-ski." Their plans to visit Taste of Chicago, announced on Facebook, had triggered a flurry of responses from other Chicago transplants along the lines of "I've got my coat on! Where is it?"

"Realistic, from the good food to the lame decor," was the verdict. The club sampled a gyro ($5.75), an Italian combo ($8.50, combining the gustatory pleasures of the Italian beef sandwich and Italian sausage sandwich), and cheese fries (cheese $0.50, everything comes with fries), and--between discussions of Wisconsin ski resorts and the cost of heating oil--plans were made for a return visit. The menu's low-end entrée seems to be bratwurst ($3.50) and it tops out at $8.50 items. Onion rings are $2.50.

Taste of Chicago has a new co-proprietor who arrived in town in October. "How do you like Seattle?" a table asked him. He shrugged. "I don't see anything but the restaurant. I wake up, I come here, I go home."

Here is a squat shoebox space with one of those hanging-tile ceilings you suspect has asbestos on the reverse, a linoleum floor, and a counter at the far end from the door. Chicago memorabilia--a painting of the skyline, a photo of the American Giants--hangs from the walls. Above the cashier is a genuine plastic diner's order board; a plastic menu is also taped to the counter. On one table sits a chess set, with foot-tall wooden pieces. On another, a Connect 4 game.... (more)

I just got a tip that the Marination Mobile (which I just posted about yesterday) is rolling their Hawaiian and Korean cuisine over to the new Belltown Key Bank branch on First Avenue at Wall today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Anyone that visits the Key Bank branch--ask about the interest rates on 6-month CDs--will get a coupon worth $10 of Marination munchies. I'm going to go out on a limb here and predict there will be a line.

A street foodie commented on my post about creating a street food corral downtown, so I gave Parks & Rec a call to see what they thought about my genius idea. I believe I got waved off the street-food take-over of Occidental Square, but in general they were supportive of "legalizing it." (It turns out the hugely successful "Mobile Chowdown" in Interbay wasn't permitted quite as strenuously as it could have been.)

The person to talk with about creating a street food corral may be Virginia Swanson, of the city's Special Events Committee (scroll down for contact information). The Parks & Rec... (more)