Nielsen's Pastry

The pastries are great at Nielsen's, obviously. Somewhat surprisingly, the sandwiches are really good too. I usually get the tuna salad sandwich, because you have to get there really early for the chicken. I'm not a morning person. One day I'll have one, even if I have to stay up all night.

Anyway, down to the pictures. First up, my favorite pastry, the cheese and berry danish.

cheese and berry danish

The have all kinds of stuff, some of it depends on the season. Like this hot cross bun from Easter time.

hot cross bun

And here's the sandwich. Look at that bread. There sure is a lot of it.

tuna salad sandwich

Nielsen's is an unassuming little place, in the bottom of some crappy condo building. But that's no reason to not stop by. Just get there early.

Nielsen's exterior

[where: 520 2nd Ave W, Seattle, WA, 98119] [map]

El Sabor De Oaxaca

Good, inexpensive, home made Mexican. My coworker, CG, has spent time in Oaxaca and vouches for the authenticity of El Sabor De Oaxaca, though they do have some americanized stuff too (veggie taco salad anyone?).

I've been there several times now. It's always good. Portions are reasonable but not huge. Nothing will set you back more than $10. Over all a good lunch place on week days.

The last time I was there they were pushing their Burien location really hard. I don't make it down there very often, or... ever. But the way the counter lady described it I think I want to go. Fresh hand made tortillas and everything even more authentic. CG says they use rosted grasshoppers as condiments in Oaxaca. I wonder if they do in Burian.

Sorry, no pictures this time.

[where: 217 James Street, Seattle, WA 98104-2211] [map]

Tat's Deli is the cure for east coaster homesickness

Whiz, hots and onions! For a displaced east coaster like myself there's no place better for a taste of home. Even the accents are right.

Everything about the place is east coast sub shop. It's a whole in the wall with crappy linoleum tables and uncomfortable chairs. The menu is huge, but everybody orders the cheesesteak. The proper cheese is 'whiz', and they have it in industrial size cans.

Enough talking. Just look at this:

Yeah, it doesn't get better.

Actually, I go for the chicken, which is a nice concession to the "health conscious". Not that I am, I'm just not big on beef. But the supposed health benefits of chicken over beef are my excuse to get a side of fries.

That's old bay on the fries. It's good. Try it, you might like it.

Also, there's hots (ie, pickled hot peppers) and onions on there. That's the business. Can't praise it enough. New favorite place.

Red Bowls

My new favorite lunch spot. I almost wish my job didn't feed us so often, because then I could have more Red Bowls. The place is fantastic.

It's Japanese/Korean fusion, or something. I don't know. I do know that it's a great place to get a unfried fish dish for lunch when you're in downtown/pioneer square. It's also a great place to get an uncooked fish dish. One of my favorite things is the Spicy (raw) Salmon Bowl. Don't worry, they have cooked fish, foul and mammals as well.

Spicy Salmon Bowl raw salmon in spicy sauce and assorted veg over rice.

I'm also a huge fan of udon, which they have in abundance. And it's good.

Udon Perfect for a cold winter day.

The place is tiny, but the proprietors are really friendly and helpful. Service is fast. I can't wait until I'm free for lunch again.

Piroshky Piroshky

Don't hate it because it's popular. You should love Piroshky Piroshky, because it's tasty. Albeit in a greasy sort of way.

Oh, and you're in Seattle, right. So you should try the salmon pate one. Which incidentally is shaped like a salmon.

Smoked Salmon Pate Looks like a Salmon, tastes like a Salmon, which is good.

Of course, they have all kinds of stuff. Sweet, meaty savory, and vegetarian savory. Check the menu.

Ready for the Oven Those are gonna be good.

Photo by Rakka

It's down at the market, so watch out for tourists. Actually, now (January) is a great time to go. The line is only about 5 or 10 people.

two bells tavern

You can sum up Two Bells in one word: Comfortable. Not only is the food really good, the staff is really friendly and they get in special beers all the time.

Two Bells The neon sign for Two Bells Tavern in inside the Two Bells Tavern

The menu is pretty standard "bar and grill" fare, with a few surprises here and there. The Ahi tuna caesar salad was the surprise that I went for, and it was very nice. My dinner companions had a turkey sandwich and a cobb salad, respectively, both of which received high praise.

There were some unique beers on the regular list. I had one off the list, and one of the specials, which was made with fresh hops; both were fantastic. Being the professional that I am I failed to write down the names of these things. My subconscious was already plotting my repeat visit.

Perhaps the main attraction, though, is the atmosphere. For Belltown it is an incredibly chill, low pressure place. It's been described as a dive, but I don't agree. But then, I've lived in Baltimore and Memphis, so it could be another case of skewed perspective. I will agree that it's about as close as you can get to a dive in Belltown. Semantics aside, it's a good place and you should go.

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.