Great place for after dinner drinks and late night cap.

Great place for after dinner drinks and late night cap.
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Boo. This place blows. At first I thought it was because it was a "scene" but then I went in to try their food and it was BAD. And the wait staff was rude. And it was still a scene. And loads of... More

Boo. This place blows. At first I thought it was because it was a "scene" but then I went in to try their food and it was BAD. And the wait staff was rude. And it was still a scene. And loads of drunk people come out of there at night and harass the other people trying to enjoy their evening.
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The time to hit Matador in Ballard is 4-6pm or 10-12pm Sunday through Thursday for Happy Hour or to watch a game. Like it's cousin, Pesos, in Lower Queen Anne - just about any $4 appetizer is going... More

The time to hit Matador in Ballard is 4-6pm or 10-12pm Sunday through Thursday for Happy Hour or to watch a game. Like it's cousin, Pesos, in Lower Queen Anne - just about any $4 appetizer is going to be great during these times. My favorites on the happy hour menu include the romaine salad, fire jumbo prawns, fish tacos, and the nachos (add chicken). If you can't make it by 6pm - try the chevre-filled bacon-wrapped jalepenos, the 1/2lb burger or the Habenero Enchiladas (one of the few items also found on Pesos menu). Beyond the food, the atmosphere is warm and inviting - a triangle of glass on the corner of Ballard Ave and Market - where the sun sets framed perfectly in the summer evenings - even has a number of tables set outside the open windows in the warmer months. The custom wood and ironwork, as well as warm colors, open fire pit, grand mirrors, hanging glass globe lights, and a hip selection of music make you as comfortable as any of the many staff who have been there since it opened. For lunches and weeknights, you're likely to find mostly casually dressed, friendly Ballard residents or regulars of all ages from nearby neighborhoods at the bar who welcome a good chat. If the weeknight crowd sounds appealing, definitely find other places to go on the Friday/Saturday nights though, as you will find the regulars driven out by the super-sharky, cuff links and cleavage Belltown overflow, snorting heavy perfumes and cologne, ogling each other and the wait staff, while crushing in to standing-room only 3-4 deep from the bar.
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... which is a fun, upscale Mexican/latin/whatever restaurant. We went there on a quiet Monday evening in late February and didn't wait more than a couple of minutes for a table. We ordered some... More

... which is a fun, upscale Mexican/latin/whatever restaurant. We went there on a quiet Monday evening in late February and didn't wait more than a couple of minutes for a table. We ordered some appetizers and a salad: the spicy prawns were *very* spicy but good, the crabcakes were very nice, and the scallops were awesome. Highly recommend all of them. Margaritas were excellent as well.
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But still fun. Summer happy hours were great, after 10pm on the patio, and the ribs? They are truly to die for.

But still fun. Summer happy hours were great, after 10pm on the patio, and the ribs? They are truly to die for.
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Randomly ended up here on Sunday night to watch the football game. It's primarily a restaurant, a little on the upscale side, but there's a great bar, two HDTV screens and Pilsner Urquel on tap. I... More

Randomly ended up here on Sunday night to watch the football game. It's primarily a restaurant, a little on the upscale side, but there's a great bar, two HDTV screens and Pilsner Urquel on tap. I was there with a couple of friends and we ordered the nachos which were spectacular. If you're wimpy about spicy food, then avoid the stuffed jalapenos, but if not, those are top-notch as well. Lots of pretty people at the bar and the staff were a blast too. All in all, a great spot. I'll definitely be going back.
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I've been to matador 3 times and I'm still not converted. I found the food so-so and the service just o.k. The place is a little to "sceney" for Ballard and gets really busy. Sure, the outdoors... More

I've been to matador 3 times and I'm still not converted. I found the food so-so and the service just o.k. The place is a little to "sceney" for Ballard and gets really busy. Sure, the outdoors are nice in the summer, but I don't think this place is worth the wait. Drinks are pretty expensive and it may be awhile before you get a second round.
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I really like this place. The bartenders are great. Service is very good. And I totally, tottaly recommend the happy hour! DO NOT MISS the chance to have there Nachos. I'm not kidding when I say... More

I really like this place. The bartenders are great. Service is very good. And I totally, tottaly recommend the happy hour! DO NOT MISS the chance to have there Nachos. I'm not kidding when I say they have the best plate of nachos I've ever had in my life, anywhere. No kidding.
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