The BOB

Last Summer, motomotoyama and I were on a quest to find the best macaroni and cheese in Seattle. We had our list from NWSource, and one of the recommended eateries was The Blue Onion Bistro on Roosevelt.

A group of seven--sprizee, her Dude, Beth, dagmar b, miss villanelle, motomotoyama and I--headed over there about 7 PM on a Sunday night. The mac 'n cheese was bland. The service was inattentive. Beth (he's a guy, this is his nickname for those new to my tales), already pissed off that the waitress had addressed the whole table as "Ladies...", was convinced that the waitress was out back smoking pot. Humorously enough, we later ran into her out near the back dumpster. The prices were high for what we got. I couldn't recommend any of the dishes to anyone, except the pork schnitzel that The Dude got (and I kept laughing at the name...I'm a ten year old boy, apparently). Ever since, I've been a little bewildered that local reviewers kept it on their recommended lists.

Today, I logged on to read the local Sunday paper. I feel a little vindicated now--a recent review agrees that it's quite lackluster.

P.S. Out of several local places, we came to the consensus that Cafe Venus/Mars Bar has the best. There's probably more to come on the pursuit of good mac 'n cheese. Stay tuned.

OMFG, this is the best sandwich EVAR

For the last year, I've played on a Seattle co-rec soccer team (GO KRAKATHOOM!) on Thursday nights. Traditionally, we go out to a sports bar after the game either to commiserate, or to celebrate. My favorite of all of our sports bars is in West Seattle--The Rocksport. And that's because of two things: 1) cheap Killer Teas on Thursdays, which helps with the booze budget and 2) the Grilled Ham (and cheese) sandwich. I don't think I've tried much else there, but I haven't wanted to order anything else.

Now, I know what you're thinking--that #1 is why #2 is so good. But no, I have been back there and ABSTAINED from any adult beverages just to make sure it was soooo good. I don't know what these people are putting in those sandwiches, but they need to keep on doing it (I have a hunch they grill their sammiches in some sort of garlic salt or garlic powder...and probably with a lot of butter). It's basically just the most perfect grilled cheese sandwich I've come across in Seattle. I hear rumors that Hale's Ales gives them a run for their money...so seeing as Hale's is close by and I don't have to hit I-5, 99 or the West Seattle bridge to get a fix, the next time I have a hankerin', I'm gonna head over there for a little comparison.

Oooooh, that sandwich was goooood.

Going Casual on the Waterfront in Magnolia

Last month, I headed over to Maggie Bluffs in Magnolia with some friends of mine for lunch after a very busy and active morning. I'd never heard of this place before and I'm not totally sure who recommended it. It's near the marina next to the fancy-schmancy budget-busting Palisade. On a prior visit to Palisade this Fall, where I opted for the soup and salad to keep costs and calories down (still $30!), I didn't notice Maggie Bluffs at all. It's tucked away in the back and Palisade's presence dwarfs its sister restaurant. Maggie Bluffs is almost as memorable as Palisade, but come on, the chocolate pots I had over there in October totally trump fantastic french fries. If money's no object, and I do mean a lot of it for a full meal at Palisade...there's not really a question.

I love that this place has same view Palisade has, I'd take out-of-town visitors here for that alone. Regarding food, there are three things I remember best about Maggie Bluffs a month later: the fries, the Bloody Marys, and the excellent service. I'd never had a Bloody Mary before, and I didn't actually order one--one friend, Kathleen, made me try hers, and it was fantastic even though I get grossed out by the idea of V8 or tomato juice. Ooh, girl, this drink was tasty. My friend Ally ordered fries as we sat down, and these were pretty perfect. And believe you me, I know my fries. I'd planned to get a salad with whatever I ordered, but after trying these, I had to switch to fries for my side. It's a crime to pass up a good batch of fries.

Six out of eight of the women at my table were nursing hangovers that morning since it was the holiday party season. Some serious comfort food was in order and this place delivered. I recall an order for your average club sandwich, an unremarkable salad or two, my spicy chicken sandwich (pretty decent, decent enough to eat leftovers a couple of hours later) and lots of orders for chili. Judging from the reaction, chili seemed to be the best choice. If you check out other online reviews of Maggie Bluffs, you'll see references to fish and chips, or burgers, but I didn't notice that many people ordered those. I was too busy scarfing down my fries.

It was a really good, casual experience. I give this place 4.5 umbrellas on a 5 umbrella scale.

Rich. Velvety. Sophisticated.

On Friday night, sprizee and I had dinner with our friend E-FO. He introduced us to a beautiful, delicious new beverage at Starbucks: Chantico.

This Thursday, you can try it for yourself between 4 and 5 PM.