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Lucinda Daly is making our wedding cake, and I won't know how it turns out till August 5th. But the tasting was free (and delicious! and she offered champagne!), she is a total sweetie, and she's...
Lucinda Daly is making our wedding cake, and I won't know how it turns out till August 5th. But the tasting was free (and delicious! and she offered champagne!), she is a total sweetie, and she's had great reviews from other folks. She's a well-kept secret - bakes cakes out of a professional kitchen in her house in Lake Forest Park - and her cakes look amazing from her extensive photo album. She's also totally willing to work with you on flavors, styles and decoration - we are very excited about her making our wedding cake! You can reach her at 206-417-3514
Update: the cake was DELICIOUS. a little crooked, but very beautiful, and absolutely stunningly delicious. everyone I talked to had 3 pieces and we ran out.
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I don't have my dress yet, but so far, La Belle Elaine's has been absolutely great to work with as a bridal shop. Stacy, the woman assigned to me for service, is personable, extremely helpful,...
I don't have my dress yet, but so far, La Belle Elaine's has been absolutely great to work with as a bridal shop. Stacy, the woman assigned to me for service, is personable, extremely helpful, opinionated without being overbearing or pushy, and sweet as can be. The store itself is beautiful, and ridiculously upscale in design - if you're into the "I want to feel like a princess/supermodel while I pick out my wedding dress" (which I'm not), this is the place for you. The selection is awesome and beautifully displayed, there are spacious and comfortable dressing rooms, and they actually have a runway you can walk up and down with lights cameras and all that (not my thing, but my parents got a huge kick out of it). Prices can be high, but I found something beautiful and reasonably priced there (for a wedding dress - what an industry!). Stacy has also been working with me on bridesmaids dresses and has been beyond helpful with my many requests. Definitely should be on the list of places to visit while dress shopping, and I'll let you know how things go with actual dress delivery, quality, timeliness, etc.
Update: dress was beautiful, arrived with plenty of time and was altered expertly. I couldn't ahve asked for better. Bridesmaids' dresses were sort of a disaster - they arrived in the wrong color twice, and then ultimately weren't here until the week of the wedding. good thing I was a low maintenance bride! to La Belle Elaine's credit, the mix up was the fault of the dress manufacturer, the manager of the store called me to apologize, and they kept me regularly updated and did express alterations at no charge - well, no charge for the express anyway. awesome service, and everyone I spoke to there was always super gracious, professional and helpful. I highly recommend this shop.
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Elliott Bay Books is one of the best bookstores on the West Coast, or arguably in the country, in the running with Powell's Bookstore in Portland. Incredible selection, fabulous service, highly...
Elliott Bay Books is one of the best bookstores on the West Coast, or arguably in the country, in the running with Powell's Bookstore in Portland. Incredible selection, fabulous service, highly knowledgeable staff. Awesome.
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Volterra
Category:
Restaurants
5411 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, Washington 98107
(425) 336-1679
OK, I admit it, the food was good. In fact very good. But the service was so bad at Volterra that I have a hard time imagining going back, and it takes a lot to dissuade me from a delicious meal...
OK, I admit it, the food was good. In fact very good. But the service was so bad at Volterra that I have a hard time imagining going back, and it takes a lot to dissuade me from a delicious meal opportunity. My party and I sat down for our bimonthly tradition of a four hour meal with lots of chatting, eating, laughing and drinking - we were really looking forward to the Volterra experience. Admittedly, one of us was late (OK, it was me), so it took us awhile to order. Soon after we ordered, around 7:30 or so, our waiter informed us that we needed to clear out by 8:45 since our table was reserved for another party. We were taken aback, but pressed on. Then our entrees came on top of our appetizers - we hadn't even finished eating the starters when the entrees were plopped down. The waiter skipped bringing the dessert menu, hoping we didn't have a sweet tooth, and once we passed on dessert and paid, the hostess scurried over to our table to inform us we were now being asked to leave. If I didn't know us, I would have assumed we were being disorderly - I've never been asked to leave a restaurant before! I guess I just expect a little more from a restaurant billing itself (and us!) as a fine dining experience - the hustle out the door maneuver was an amateur one, and I hope Volterra learns better reservation etiquette in the near future. If they do, let me know...
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So I know nothing about this place except that they fly in fancy H&H Bagels from NY, and that all the moms I know like to go there because it's kid friendly. Not sure about bialys, but the bagels...
So I know nothing about this place except that they fly in fancy H&H Bagels from NY, and that all the moms I know like to go there because it's kid friendly. Not sure about bialys, but the bagels apparently are to die for.
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I love both the Columbia City Farmers' Market and the little mini Ballard market. The Ballard market is fun because the shopping is so great around there, plus you can always stop for a raging...
I love both the Columbia City Farmers' Market and the little mini Ballard market. The Ballard market is fun because the shopping is so great around there, plus you can always stop for a raging cajun sandwich at the Other Coast cafe....
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The closest thing to real bagels and bialys in Seattle that I've found is Bagel Oasis. They steam their bagels, which gives them that authentic, strange chewy but not too chewy texture that bagels...
The closest thing to real bagels and bialys in Seattle that I've found is Bagel Oasis. They steam their bagels, which gives them that authentic, strange chewy but not too chewy texture that bagels are supposed to have. I love their bialys too. (Is that how you pluralize bialy? It looks so strange...) I drive miles to get these as opposed to succumbing to what Noah's claims is a bagel. It's close to Whole Foods, so you can always stop there while doing high end grocery shopping, if that's your thing. Apparently there's also a cafe in Madison Valley called My Place or something that flies in bagels from New York - if you're desperate for the real real thing, that may be your next best bet.
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I have always been really happy with the service I've received from Superb Custom Tailors - their staff is friendly and professional, their alterations have been excellent, and they are speedy and...
I have always been really happy with the service I've received from Superb Custom Tailors - their staff is friendly and professional, their alterations have been excellent, and they are speedy and reasonable in terms of cost.
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I couldn't be more excited about Vios and as someone who eats out enough to be slightly jaded about eating out in Seattle, that's saying a lot. Vios is the reincarnation of a Greek restuarant that...
I couldn't be more excited about Vios and as someone who eats out enough to be slightly jaded about eating out in Seattle, that's saying a lot. Vios is the reincarnation of a Greek restuarant that I think used to be on Broadway - Thomas the owner is wonderful and really involved in the whole experience. The space is comfortable, warm and simple, and they have breakfast, lunch and dinner, and sell olive oil, cheese and other gourmet yummies. If you come to eat, the food is simple and perfect from start to finish - hummus and baba gannoush that are fresh, delicious and exciting to eat, creative and satisfying side salads (like garbanzos with octopus or a simple perfect greek salad), soft, warm, slightly salty pita served with e.v. olive oil, and grilled meats that are to die for - especially the lamb and pork tenderloin. Desserts like rice pudding are simple and completely satisfying. And it's all reasonably priced, with lots of shareable plates. I ate at Union the night before for four times the price and was ten times happier at Vios, truly - it was wonderful. Also, if you have kids, Thomas has a five year old, and has created a restaurant with a play space for children. You can actually go out to eat with your kids and enjoy your meal with your kids in full view while you nosh. My sister was so thrilled. (And if you're looking for a quiet date night, it's possible to sit on the other side of the room and not be too disturbed by the three year olds...) Don't tell too many people - this place is so great it could get overrun.
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I love Dr. Shigaki - some people complain that she tries to sign you up for too many expensive services (fancy mouth guards, teeth whitening), but I've had nothing but good experiences with her and...
I love Dr. Shigaki - some people complain that she tries to sign you up for too many expensive services (fancy mouth guards, teeth whitening), but I've had nothing but good experiences with her and her staff. She's very professional, her space is great and her team is wonderful.
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