I am really big fan of the Metropolitan Market coffee shop. Really fun baristas, good drinks and suprisingly cheap prices (especially based on the location!). As a former barista, I must say though that the Starbucks on Alki APPEARS to be very poorly run. I love Sbux, but I try to stay away from that one.
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.)
And BL, if you check back, you should be able to edit your profile. I just tested it with this profile (which is NOT the admin profile) and it worked … even changed my password. Thanks for pointing it out.
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.
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.
need a good, reasonably priced repairman in WS to see what’s wrong with my TV – til I can afford to buy a new one, this has to work.
I would also love to find such a person. In my experience the large plumbing outfits are just an incredible ripoff. Very poor service at incredibly high prices.
Being a former employee for 7 years at a big coffee company, I can tell you that either people go to a coffee place because it’s popular, close by or accustomed to drinking Folgers at home. I don’t say this to be snarky, but ask for just a shot of espresso or solo, next time you go into your favorite coffee place and taste just the espresso and then go to another place and taste theirs and see if you can then tell the difference. This is the best way. I would suggest a place that does not use automated machines (these make the espresso taste awful) that pulls the shots around 16-20 secs. How they roast their coffee and how often they clean their machines plays a big part in this too. Hope this helps!
I go to the Starbucks on 35th every day. Occasionally there is a bad barista, but the coffee is far better than the Starbucks on Admiral, where the coffee is usually nasty and bitter. The Starbucks on Alki is usually good, but not always. The baristas who work evenings at 35th are great, and always remember my drink. The best coffee is at Java Bean, but I will never go in there again; talk about serious management problems, I had service in there that was not only bad, but downright scary.
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.
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.
rcrawley, the asian restaurant you’re thinking of next to Lee’s is Kamei – it’s a japanese place, and they serve a full japanese menu, not primarily sushi. I just got back from there – we go at least once a week. We love the people there and the food is inexpensive (for japanese food) and very good, despite it looking kinda dumpy. It’s probably the place I eat most at in the Junction.
Ya. Still not able to edit profile. No big deal. Just sharing …
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. :)
Is Lee’s by Quidnunc and Sweetie? Sue, I found Judy Fu’s Snappy Dragon pretty good. They make homemade chowmein noodles. Very good but they are in Maple Leaf area.
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.
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.
We’re looking for restaurants that will be open on Christmas. From breakfast to fancy dinners anything will be appreciated. Obviously not in WS, but I know House of Hong in the ID is going to be open, but we’re hoping to find one local so we can celebrate in style. :)
Thanks!
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!
Java Bean or the espresso cart at my kids school.
We talked about them pre-forum in this thread:
https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=3012
