Eamonn's, a dublin chipper

The subtitle works to convey intent, but otherwise is stupid. Luckily the food at Eamonn's is good enough to make up for it. Just so we're clear, it's fish and chips, yeah? And mushy peas, which I totally forgot to order, damn. Well, it's mostly about the fried anyway. I'm not going back anytime soon; I was only there as part of the big inauguration trip.

There were four of us, which gave us a chance to try three things. Yes, Rakka and I both went traditional and got the cod. I figure when they emblazon "thanks be to cod" on the door, they're pretty serious about it. But my mom had the grouper, and my sister tried the chicken nuggets, having had fish for lunch that day.

For science, and for you, I nicked some of everybody's food. It was all very, how shall I put it, um, fried. But that's what you're there for, innit? The cod was my favorite, but it was all good.

Cod

So were the chips. They were ever so slightly battered. I don't know if that's Dublin style or just an Eamonn's thing. It was good though. And a lot; between the four of us we couldn't finish two large chips. And I was there, so that's saying something.

Cod and Grouper
(blurry pic courtesy of the no flash brigade)

The sauces are worth noting. In addition to traditional malt vinegar there is a selection of mayo based, flavored sauces. I chose the Chesapeake, because being a Maryland expat I must consume Old Bay whenever possible. My dining companions got the hot chili sauce, which I also liked. I should have gotten all Seattle and gotten some tartar just for my chips.

Chesapeake Sauce

People on yelp complain about the price and the portions, and you do only get one chunk of fish. But more food than four people can eat, for 40 bucks, is not something I'm willing to complain about. I may not be back soon, but only because I'm 3000 miles away. Thanks to Chris Glew for the recommendation!

[where: 728 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314]

uncommon esculents: alaskan crab legs

Being a Maryland boy, I grew up eating Chesapeake Blue Crab by the bushel. But as much as I love those, it's taken me three years in Seattle to get around to trying king crab. Today, that oversight has been rectified.

The apple is for scale

Now, at twenty dollars a pound, these are decidedly uncommon esculents. But sometimes, well, sometimes you just have to drop 30 bucks on a single course. When they're on special at Larry's (metro market) seems like as good a time as any.

this is the biggest solid chunk of crab I've ever encountered

I'm starting to understand the appeal of these things. I've just had the one leg so far and I had to take a break. It's so much crab in there. It really is sweet too. The butter, on the other hand, was a bad move. It's over powering. Best to just let the crab speak for itself.

Hing Loon Seafood Restaurant

I saw Hing Loon Seafood on msg150 a while back, and thought it looked good. So I went, and it was. The shocking thing is that I did this weeks ago and am just now getting around to telling you about it.

Better late than never.

Hing Loon is a solid, down to earth, borderline $$ Chinese restaurant. They do more than just seafood, but when a restaurant puts an ingredient in it's name it's a good bet that it's their specialty. So seafood it was!

Fish hot pot with tofu and mushrooms. Everything that I love.

The fish hot pot was great. The fish came in the form of dense doughy balls. There were a couple different kinds, both tasty. Over all it was pretty mild and it glistened with corn starch.

Kung Pao Prawns. Shrimpy goodness.

The Kung Pao was pretty standard, but it had prawns! And, as a bonus, they were not overcooked and were, in fact, very tasty.

The outside

Urbanspoon says it's $$. You can probably keep it under $ if you skip the seafood and go for the cheaper ingredients, like chicken. It's probably still good.

[where: 628 S Weller St., Seattle, WA, 98104]

Bonus: Lockspot pics from a perfect memorial sunday

I've already done the Lockspot Cafe in Ballard, so I won't bore you again with another review. But the pictures came out so well I had to post them.

On the menu this is a Fish Sand

Halibut and chips

Prawns and chips

The sign even looks tasty

Ivar's

Have I not talked about Ivar's? Bad food blogger! Ivar's is great summer food. The kind that feels like vacation. Probably because you're literally in a mob of tourists for the duration of the ordering and purchasing process.

It's just fish and chips. And clam chowder. And other kinds of fried fish.

Salmon and chips

It's a little pricey. For bits of salmon (3 pictured, oops), chips, and a drink came to $12.50. This puts it outside the everyday lunch range maybe. But on a fantastic day like today, I'll make an exception.

Order of Salmon and chips

The one on the waterfront is right by the fire boats. The seagulls come and demand their tribute. I didn't get a great shot of a chip catch, but here's an expectant luncher.

Seagull catching chips

Some gulls scream at you for food. Jerks. This one asked nicely.

[where: 1001 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98104] [map]

The Crab Pot [downtown]

It's seafood that comes with a bib. Yes, the Crab Pot the type of place where dinner comes with handy wipes. It's fun, in a touristy kind of way. Not surprising, seeing as it's across the isle from the Pirate Store.

Photo by Rakka

Fresh Neon Crab The evening was bathed in the light of electrified noble gases.

When you order one of the "Seafeasts for two or more" they give you little forks, big mallets, and the aforementioned bib.

Photo by Rakka

Little Forks and a mallet are your only utensils.

Then they bring out a big huge bowl of seafood and dump it on the table.

Vid by Rakka

Dumping Seafood Seafood is dumped on to the table.

It is quite a big pile of food. There are potatoes, corn, and for some reason, sausage bits mixed in.

Photo by Me

The bounty of the sea, in a pile It's a lot of stuff for two people.

The seafood itself isn't really the best. What you're really going for is the experience, and the quantity. We were a little sad that there was barely any crab in that big pile of stuff. Maybe it's the Maryland Boy in me, but when I'm presented with a pile of seafood on a table I want it to be all crabs. Maybe next time I'll get the Crab & Crab combo (wonder if I can get extra crab with that).

Oh, I should mention, it is possible to visit the CP for one dollar sign. But you won't be getting a pile of anything poured on your table. And you won't be getting a bib. You'll be getting fish and chips or a sandwich.

Ballard Brothers

Strange in a good way, Ballard Brothers' claim to fame is the Cajun Blackened Salmon Sandwich. I think the storefront is pretty new. It used to be a skippers or something. But the brothers have been making inexpensive seafood and burgers for years though; at carnivals and stuff.

black on pink, it's cajun salmon!

They do a pretty good job. I liked my sandwich. My companion liked his cod and chips, which were panko breaded for a little bit of extra fancy.

I thought the chips, or fries depending on what section of the menu you order from, were almost too crispy. They were almost impervious to the malt vinegar that I drenched them with.

Overall I'm happy with it. It's fast food, for sure, but it's also very local and a little bit different. Also it's highly affordable. There's nothing on the menu higher than $9, and adding a drink to most things will still keep you under $10 total.

So I'll be goinging back. The Hawaiian Salmon Sandwich sounds pretty tasty.

oh, what a perfect day [Lockspot Cafe]

it's soooo saturated

Yes, the perfect day is lunch from the Lockspot, at the locks, in the sun. I don't think it gets better. Life peaked at lunch last Friday; it's all down hill from here.

You might think that I'm exaggerating. Annnd, you'd be right. But it was the high point of the week. Seriously. Lunch, outside with flowers and boats? Seriously. High point. Seriously. Especially since Friday was one of the first days that really felt like spring.

simple, to the point, sponsored by snapple

Lunches at the Spot Stand are basic. Fried fish. Fried potatoes. Malt vinegar or ketchup in individual packets. One plastic condiment cup full of tartar sauce. It's on the cheap end* of Seattle food. Since it's a bit of a dive, that's all right and proper.

It hits the spot. The Lockspot!

It's not what I'd call healthy food. It's deep fried everything. As much as you might want to, you probably shouldn't go every day. So don't move in to those apartments across the street, because you will go every day!

and the sammich form

Oh, wait. It can be healthy. The sandwich comes with lettuce, maters and onion. That totally negates the deep friedness of everything else. In fact it makes the fries burn calories. That's 100% fact. Also, I have some ocean front property in South Dakota. I'll sell it to you for a song.

hey guys, is that my lunch you got on that boat?

I suppose I should mention that there is a dining room too. And you can go sit in your silly low backed western bar chair, under the shade of a carven wooden seaman and eat the same food you get at the stand. You'll look out across 54th street at the Taco Time and it will feel like vacation. But it won't feel as much like vacation as taking your fish out to the locks and watching the fishermen bring your next meal home.

*Anything under ten bucks counts as cheap in this town. Unless you consider taco bell. Which I don't.

[update: More pictures]