Oh interesting. I have read the book sharing the same title and that sounds like it would have been interesting. Thanks for the post.
We hired Paul Lewan at Stalwart Plumbing, (206) 713-0474, on the recommendation of some friends. I’m so glad we did! This guy is smart, efficient, straightforward, reasonably priced, and very good at what he does. He’s also an incredibly nice guy. We started off with a basement job and ended us having him repipe our whole house. I can’t recommend him enough. (Oh, and he has Carl Kassel from “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me” on his answering machine. If, like Paul and me, you are an NPR geek, you must call him.)
its all about the roaster, starbuck’s is too burnt. Tony’s coffee, supplier to ladro, uptown, verite and others is consistently very good, but can be ruined by the barista. My two citywide favorites are vivacci <sp> and lighthouse. only one of which is used in west seattle. C&P for my lighthouse fix.
I like Caffe Ladro but I must give a shout-out to Bird On a Wire Espresso, on Henderson west of 35th. They will take the time to craft for you a superb cup of joe. Plus I dig the cozy little shop, which has the feel of a family room. Also, as a long-ago former employee of Java Bean, I can attest to acemotel @8’s sentiment that they have both excellent coffee and serious management issues.
Seven Stars Pepper in the ID is great, as is Szechuan Chef in Bellevue. Otherwise, Lee’s is fantastic if you don’t mind that it’s more fusion than Chinese food. Anyone ever eat at Ho-Win on California? I’ve always said I’d give it a try but can’t imagine it’s any good!
I agree that the 35th & Fauntleroy SBUX has bad service. I’ve never had a good or fast experience there (d/t or walk-up), nor has anyone else I know. The Morgan Junction SBUX has much friendlier service and I also like Caffe Ladro ocassionally. Oh, my sister highly recommends the espresso bar in Thriftway…great espresso and more affordable prices.
I love C&P Coffee Company on California. I’m not that picky about coffee so I can’t offer a critique on that, but I love the funky-cozy atmosphere and the live music.
Great Harvest Bakery on California at the Junction – great service, great coffee and great treats too.
For drive-through: Red Cup on California.
Hotwire is good and my wife and I walk there often. But my favorite is Freshys on California just north of PCC. Funky furniture, friendly staff, and great breakfast sandwiches.
I was at the Starbucks on 35th and Fauntleroy this afternoon in a long line of cars waiting for coffee. When I finally got to the head of the line, the barista said my coffee had been paid for by the car before me. So I paid for the car behind me. She told me the kindness had progressed through eight cars at that point. Pass it on.
Coffee fans, note that we are once again collecting holiday hours – haven’t gotten to all the coffee shops yet but the ones we have been able to check are listed on the Holidays page. The ones where we know for sure you’ll definitely be able to get your Christmas morning latte’ are Hotwire 8 am-2 pm and Tully’s/Morgan Junction, 8 am-2 pm.
I really like New Kowloon (now called Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant) in the ID. Always tasty, consistent, and enjoyable Chinese food. Huge menu, fair prices, and very reasonable portions make this a regular stop for me.
When I’m really hard up for Chinese food I’ve been known to hit the Bowling Alley Chinese place once in awhile. I know the idea of Chinese food from a bowling alley seems kind of odd, but they’re food is alright (nothing special, just basic) and their prices are awesome. I particularly like their chicken wings.
Can I tell you my least favorite? The drive-thru Starbucks at 35th and Avalon. Horrible set up for that drive thru as far as parking/ entering/ exiting/ waiting in line, etc. Service is not good (given completely wrong order many times but I’m in such a hurry after the super long wait that I don’t notice till I’m too far away from the window). Anyway, just wanted to complain and see if I am alone here. (And do a test for WSB!)
Yep, that’s the one. There are two Asian restaurants north of Quidnunc; Lee’s is the most northern on that block. The other (the name escapes me) is mostly a sushi place. I do agree that Lee’s isn’t full Chinese, although they have a few of the traditional Chinese options like Mongolian Beef (which is so, so good) and Sesame Chicken (also great).
I can recommend House of Hong for Dim Sum, as well as Honey Court, both in the ID (although the latter is mostly fried Dim Sum). Then there’s P.F. Chang’s in Pacific Place, which is pretty good for a chain.
I can advise you to steer clear of Louie’s in Ballard. Granted, we’ve only been there once 9 years ago, and it was right after we’d moved here, so maybe it was just bad timing. But the egg roles were breaded and fried like fish from a fish ‘n chips place, and they served them with ketchup. Not my idea of Chinese. I remember those horrific egg roles like it was yesterday. :)
OK BL – let us know – we have received another anomaly report of people who sign in here then not being able to post their distinct screen name when they comment on blog posts (it says “logged in” which it shouldn’t because we thought we had the databases separate) and instead turning up as “anonymous.” That’s why we’re calling it “beta” (but what was alpha? and then do we go to centauri?) — WSB
I think A LOT of Owen Wright at Wright Innovations and Design (licensed, bonded, etc.). He is a contractor you can count on showing up when he says he will. He and his crew do a great job and take pride in what they do. He has done work for several of my clients as well as: Bath remodel, Kitchen remodel, and structural repair to my home. He works mainly by referral so drop me a line if you are interested in interviewing him.
Hello – we had a plumber from one of the bigger companies come out and quote us a sky high price to do some work on our hot water heater. We have one of those feelings like we are about to be ripped off and we’re looking for a second opinion. Does anyone have a handyman or local plumber they trust that they could recommend? Thank you so much!
My favorite place is Verite (based on the coffee, not necessarily the atmosphere). Don’t care for their cupcakes, but the coffee is great. Other than that, I like Uptown Espresso (Junction) or Hotwire. But my favorite coffee is Tony’s Organic at Alki Cafe.
Lee’s isn’t really “chinese food” though – it’s good, but it’s more of a fushion place, IMHO. I’d love to find a good chinese restaurant too, and willing to travel outside WS for it.
Noticed that edits to my profile didn’t take. Will check back in a few to see if it is just a “server thing.” I don’t even know what a server looks like. But people at work blame them for a lot of things.
Hi,
I would like to have a one-car stand-alone garage built on my property. Any recommendations for contractors who do this kind of work?
Thanks!
