Back to the Brave Horse Tavern - SLU - Seattle, WA

Back to Brave Horse Tavern

So I knew it wouldn't be long before we decided to go back to Brave Horse Tavern... And I know I JUST reviewed this place a week ago... But I didn't take pictures because the lighting was so dim. We went on a Sunday afternoon around 4pm, and it was so chill.  A totally different scene than what we experienced opening weekend.  The daytime vibe is great - the place is so well lit, and it seems like a place you can go with a group of friends, a deck of cards and ravenous appetites.  

Review - Simply Desserts - Fremont - Seattle, WA

Simply Desserts

Although I do appreciate a Trophy cupcake from time to time, I really prefer a slice of cake. The perfect ratio of frosting and cake - not to mention it's so much easier to eat!

Simply Desserts in Fremont owns my sweet tooth. Whether it's the Chocolate White Chocolate or the Blueberry Lemon - every single bite has been heavenly.

Restaurant Deals - June - Seattle, WA (Madrona)

Today Rue La La has a great deal for June in Madrona! $60 for a exclusive chef's meal for four with wine pairings - this is such a fabulous deal and I hope you can snatch a voucher up before the flash sale ends tomorrow! I have been looking forward to trying dinner at June, so this is the perfect way to do it!

Rue La La sells vouchers/coupons usually at 50% off.  If you've used Groupon, it's the same kind of thing.  Rue La La also has clothing, accessories and housewares sample sales daily, so I love to check out those sales as well!  There's zero obligation after you sign up, and you can opt out of emails if you want to.  Rue La La is a members only site, but you can click here to sign up and get this deal!

Review - Trophy Cupcakes

Trophy Cupcakes

So in the past few years Cupcakeries have been popping up everywhere.  Every city I visit has some cupcake place claiming to be the best.  Crumbs and Magnolia in NYC, Trophy and Cupcake Royale in Seattle.  So far, Trophy Cupcakes is my favorite.

Review - Tamarind Tree - Seattle, WA

Tamarind Tree

Hidden in the back of a sketchy strip mall on Jackson St in the International District is a small but swanky Vietnamese restaurant - Tamarind Tree.

The menu is vast and at first I wasn't sure what to order. So I decided to stick with one of my favorite Vietnamese dishes - Bánh xèo Cây Me, or Vietnamese Crepes. These crepes are nothing like a French style crepe. Rice flour and coconut milk are combined to form a shell of sorts around various fillings. The crepe is super crispy almost like a cracker. It sizzles and lightly pops while it's frying.

Review - Root Table - Ballard - Seattle, WA

Root Table

Entering into Root Table is how I imagine it feels to be transported to a treehouse in Thailand.  Everything is made from raw cuts of wood, some intricately carved into sculptures.  Each chair and table is unique.

Review - Barriga Llena - Seattle, WA

Barriga Llena

Nestled in a very brightly colored strip of shops is Barriga Llena.  The are self described as Mexico City Style Tortas.  A Mexican Torta is basically a sandwich, often filled with delicious marinated meats from Carne Asada to Carnitas.

Review - Revel - Fremont - Seattle, WA

Revel

I've been wanting to try Revel for a while now, so when some friends and I decided to get together for dinner I suggested we try Revel in Fremont.  It's located in the middle of the shopping and bar scene in Fremont and can easily be missed if you're not looking for it.  The restaurant is super small but attached to the swanky Quoin bar.  

Review - Farm:Table - San Francisco, CA

Farm:Table

My SO is a coffee snob.  Whenever we vacation he tries to scout out the best coffee he can find.  He hates Starbucks and will resort to the canned Double Shots if he's in a remote area and finding a shot of espresso  that has the proper amount of crema, is going to be impossible to find.  He has stated that diner coffee tastes like paper towels.  I would have never known before I met him.  Starbucks was a regular stop in my daily routine. Thank you SO for showing me the light, and teaching me how a proper cup of joe should be.  In return, I will teach you that Hershey's Chocolate is NOT good chocolate, and all Bacon is not created equal. :)

Review - Mesa Grill - Las Vegas, NV

Mesa Grill

Sometimes it's difficult to write a review for a restaurant that you have been so repeatedly, it's hard to remember your initial reaction to the decor, the lighting, the overall ambiance.  If the food is good the first time, you will likely return a second.  If it's good the second and third times, you will likely become a regular.  I'll admit, the first time we dined at Mesa Grill, it was solely because I was hooked on watching Bobby Flay on Boy Meets Grill.  I followed a few of his recipes, and thought we might as well try one of his restaurants.

Sale - Rosanna Inc Tableware

I love Rosanna's tableware.  Everything is gorgeous - and I love it even more when it's on sale!  Rosanna Inc hosts a bi-annual warehouse sale in Seattle if you're in the area, it's awesome!  I have managed to always leave with a trunk full of fun stuff, some for gifts, but most of it I keep!  My SO thinks I am crazy.  He hates going to the sample sale with me because it's an insane amount of people crammed into a tiny warehouse, shuffling around with glass and ceramics.  And mostly women. There is nothing at this sale to hold his interest, but he's a sweetheart and he will hold my extra heavy boxes and help me lug them out to the car!

But today, I will spare him.  He doesn't have to go, he doesn't even have to lift a heavy box, for at least a week, maybe two.  Today only, Rue La La is having a Rosanna Sample Sale! 

Review - Brenda's French Soul Food - San Francisco, CA

Watermelon Sweet Tea

Brenda's French Soul Food

Who doesn't like to indulge in a little Soul Food from time to time?  Wait, what is French Soul Food? It turns out that Brenda's serves up New Orleans inspired cuisine.  It's a little Cajun, it's a little Creole.  It's French Soul Food.

Review - Brave Horse Tavern - South Lake Union, Seattle WA

Brave Horse Tavern

As we walked in to Brave Horse Tavern it was hard to miss the enormous menu on the wall. It looked almost like a magnetic wall with mangnet letters to form the menu? Not sure. Even people with really bad eyes will be able read this menu!

Anthropologie - Falling Petals Top

Anthropologie Falling Petals Top in Ivory $39.97 (reg. $68)

When I saw this top online, I wanted to love it.  Unfortunately in person it just doesn't meet my expectations.  The fabric is a gauzy knit, like an extremely light sweater and the petals are like thick linen  painted and beaded.

Restaurant Deals - Blackboard Bistro, West Seattle

Today Rue La La Seattle is featuring Blackboard Bistro in West Seattle for their deal of the day! For $20, you will receive a voucher for $40 towards food or drink during lunch or happy hour only.  The voucher is valid from April 9 through October 1, 2011.  There is also a blackout date: May 14, 2011.

Rue La La sells vouchers/coupons usually at 50% off.  If you've used Groupon, it's the same kind of thing.  Rue La La also has clothing, accessories and housewares sample sales daily, so I love to check out those sales as well!  There's zero obligation after you sign up, and you can opt out of emails if you want to.  Rue La La is a members only site, but you can click here to sign up and get this deal!

Review - Salumi

Armandino's Salumi

What do I say that hasn't already been said about Salumi? If you love the swine, Salumi is the motherland. Porchetta, pancetta, sopressata, Guanciale, you name it, they make it.   From what I understand, Mario Batali's Dad, Armandino Batali went to Italy specifically to learn how to make these the real Italian way.   I don't really like to wait in lines for food but this is one place in Seattle that I will stand outside in the rain without an umbrella for! Fortunately this time there wasn't a line, one of the pork goddesses looked up to take my order, and I said,"One Porchetta and one meatball and Gorgonzola please!"

Brave Horse Tavern Opens Today!

Finally, the much anticipated Brave Horse Tavern opens today at 4pm! I don't think I will make it today, but maybe this weekend!  If you get the chance to go, leave a comment, let us know how it was!

Brave Horse Tavern

South Lake Union

301 Terry Ave N

Seattle, WA 98109

Restaurant Deals - Blackboard Bistro, West Seattle

Cheesesteak Sliders?  Brussels Sprouts with Molasses Glazed Pork Belly?  I have had Blackboard Bistro on my list of places to try for a few months now, but we rarely visit West Seattle, so this may be my chance to do it, and with a discount!  

On Friday, April 8th, Rue La La Seattle is featuring Blackboard Bistro in West Seattle for their deal of the day.  They sell vouchers/coupons usually at 50% off.  If you've used Groupon, it's the same kind of thing.  Rue La La also has clothing, accessories and housewares sample sales daily, so I love to check out those sales as well!  There's zero obligation after you sign up, and you can opt out of emails if you want to.  Rue La La is a members only site, but you can click here to sign up and get this deal!

Blackboard Bistro
West Seattle
3247 California Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98116

Hours: Tuesday 5:00pm - 10:00pm
            Wednesday - Thursday & Sunday 11:30am - 10:00pm
            Friday - Saturday 11:30am - 11:00pm

Review - Shiku Sushi

Shiku Menu

Shiku

It seems like Ballard has a sushi place on every corner lately.  Moshi Moshi (yuck, I got food poisoning there..), O'shan, the list goes on.  We finally decided to try Shiku.  

Review - Cuoco

Cuoco

My SO and I remember when Anthony Bourdain once said something like, "You just want to pay someone to not fuck up your pasta".  We loved that, because it's so true.  Pasta although an easy thing to cook, isn't always done correctly.  Of course, Tom Douglas' new Italian spot didn't disappoint!

Review - La Isla

La Isla

So, yes, La Isla isn't exactly "authentic" Puerto Rican food.  The flavors aren't quite what one would find in Puerto Rico, but regardless, the food is still awesome!  I live a few minutes away and I don't come here nearly as often as I should.

Brave Horse Tavern - Opening Soon!

The much anticipated Brave Horse Tavern is opening this week - we are totally excited for this, and after reading through the menu, even more excited.  As I have stated many times, the Palace Kitchen serves up the best burger and fries in town, hands down. Well, I think that they will have some competition, being that Brave Horse Tavern looks like they will have a pretty awesome burger menu! I am wondering if they will be sliders, since they are only about $6-9.  Interesting....

Review - Dahlia Bakery

Dahlia Bakery

Where does one find the best doughnuts in Seattle? Not at Top Pot.  Definitely not at Krispy Kreme.  They are at the Dahlia Bakery!  As you enter, you can smell the baked goodness of fresh breads wafting in the air.  You can pay more to have them served on a plate at Lola during brunch or at the Dahlia Lounge, but why?  Dahlia Bakery is right next door to Dahlia Lounge, and across the street from Lola, and a bag of 6 doughnuts is $6.  (used to be $5 not so long ago, but eh, inflation, no worries).

Review - Book Bindery

Book Bindery

Walking in to Book Bindery, you immediately feel the warm welcoming vibe as if you entered into a familiar place. The atmosphere feels like the love child of Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware. The dim lighting and soft glow from the candle lights make it cozy.

Review - Cafe Campagne

Croque Madame $15

Cafe Campagne

There's something to be said about vacationing in your own city.  My SO and I love to go to places we have walked by or driven by a million times, and act like tourists.  Case in point, Pike Place Market.  Unlike the typical tourists spots with bad, chain restaurant foods, Pike Place has some really awesome foodie spots.