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Despite the sometimes indifferent service, long wait time when it's busy, and pretty dinky portions, I think this is my favorite weekend brunch place overall. Their options are all so different from...
Despite the sometimes indifferent service, long wait time when it's busy, and pretty dinky portions, I think this is my favorite weekend brunch place overall. Their options are all so different from one another, but all so tasty. Order the Monte Cristo (with syrup) first, then the Fuji apple and brie omelette the next, then the soy-marinated beef tenderloin scramble with peavines, then the morning pasta (sans added bacon because it's too salty with), et cetera, et cetera. What I'm saying is that it's all good. I can never decide. I also like their eggs benedict, but you can get that anywhere, unlike some of the other dishes. I hear their stuffed french toast and huevos rancheros are good too.
They make a nice Bloody Mary with pickled green beans. The coffee is strong and very good and keeps on flowing while the kitchen works on your food. The restaurant is tiny, so they have a hard time seating big groups. Unless you come really early, be prepared to wait a good long time for a table. There's always parking out front during brunch because it's at the periphery of Capitol Hill and the Pike/Pine Corridor.
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They make custom wedding invitations and there is always someone in the store going through their samples binders. The examples on display in the store make it obvious that they're good at it. But,...
They make custom wedding invitations and there is always someone in the store going through their samples binders. The examples on display in the store make it obvious that they're good at it. But, I designed my own kick-ass wedding invitations, so I just come here to play with the paper.
They have a way better selection than The Paper Zone. I'm always especially impressed by the variety of colors in their individually sold envelopes. They carry a lot of Crane's stationery, but I think their real draw is that they have lots of really fancy (and expensive) paper which I've never had a reason to buy, including Washi paper. Because of the variety (and because of the invitation business), their scrap paper grab bags are better than the ones sold by any other paper store. They package them in color schemes, though, which means you have to buy more than one bag for the most variety.
There's a very limited selection of art supplies, rubber stamps, punches, seals, etc. Go somewhere else for that stuff.
Help is usually in the back room, but you can just poke your head in or ring one of the doorbells up at the cash register.
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In my opinion, this is the best Half Price Books store in the area because they have the biggest selection. I rarely have a problem finding the books I want and usually end up buying at least half...
In my opinion, this is the best Half Price Books store in the area because they have the biggest selection. I rarely have a problem finding the books I want and usually end up buying at least half my book club books from this store or the Crossroads (Bellevue) location. I love coming here to browse for nothing in particular. They have a lot of super-cheap books. They also have a huge selection of journals/diaries lately. There are some great random finds in the CDs/records and magazines. They even have a rare/collectible books case, which I don't think I've seen at any other Half Price. Downstairs is where they keep most of the fiction, including the $1 book tables where they sell the books they have too many copies of. The other day, I picked up Cold Mountain and The Pilot's Wife for a buck apiece!
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This place seemed promising for its intriguing menu options, respectable philosophy re: local and organic foods, good location, and good atmosphere. It turns out it's one of those places I will...
This place seemed promising for its intriguing menu options, respectable philosophy re: local and organic foods, good location, and good atmosphere. It turns out it's one of those places I will never go again and will tell all my friends to avoid. When we, a party of four, came in on a Friday night, we were told there was a long wait even though there were plenty of tables open and two two-party groups waltzed on in without apparent reservations. After a covert monetary exchange with the maitre'd, we were miraculously seated with no further delay. Huh.
Things were still promising when we got our wine, which gave off the most enticing smells, but forbode a bad night when we tasted it and found it tasted totally cheap and one-dimensional. We would have left then had we known the wine was an omen. My dinner was good. I liked my trout a lot, mostly because I have a thing for Meyer lemons and fennel and it came with a Meyer-lemon sauce and braised fennel. Sadly, no one else was particularly enthused about their food. The mushroom risotto was deemed un-risotto-like and very bland.
It was a Friday, but, as I said, the place was hardly full and stayed that way throughout our meal. The waitress was unable to competently answer most of our questions about the menu and then was completely MIA after dropping off our food. We were centrally located, but it seemed we were invisible to the other staff as well. We practically had to tackle someone who was not our waitress to ask for the bill after we sat there for who knows how long. The bill came, but no one was interested in picking up our cards.
In the end, the only thing going for it was the ambiance. The restaurant's designer was smart to bring in the outdoors with the high ceilings, big windows, and large ficus in the room, but ambiance is not enough to bring me back for a repeat of this.
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Making the decision to get produce delivered from Pioneer Organics was easy. They are local and have been in business much longer than other produce delivery places. They seem to have it all figured...
Making the decision to get produce delivered from Pioneer Organics was easy. They are local and have been in business much longer than other produce delivery places. They seem to have it all figured out. Each order is comprised of items that are in season that they suggest for you based on your stated preferences, but you can change the order as much as you want. The website couldn't be more user-friendly. It's not that expensive. Delivery is free. The produce itself is super fresh and tastes great. Their customer service is prompt and very friendly.
You can have produce delivered once a week or once every two weeks. Going with the $41 plan and a once every two weeks delivery schedule has been perfect for cooking dinner for two (sometimes three) about five nights a week. I've had to supplement some with items from the grocery store, but I think that's to be expected. Having a ton of produce around has made it SO much easier to cook frequently and to eat healthy. I thought I would have a lot of stuff go bad like I usually do when I binge-shop at the grocery store, but the few items that were still in the crisper last night looked great. I don't know how I ever got along without Pioneer Organics. Oh, yeah, I either ate out every night or I ate frozen burritos and cereal. Just kidding. Well, not really.
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I always say that if I was ever homeless, I'd eat here exclusively because the bowls are huge, cheap, and nutritious.
I used to pooh-pooh this place because I grew up right by Little Saigon,...
I always say that if I was ever homeless, I'd eat here exclusively because the bowls are huge, cheap, and nutritious.
I used to pooh-pooh this place because I grew up right by Little Saigon, where some of the world's best pho restaurants compete side-by-side. I haven't eaten pho anywhere else in Seattle in years, but I think the pho here is really good! I will confess that I can't really speak for the plain beef broth, the true measure by which a pho restaurant is judged, because I invariably adulterate my soup with hoisin sauce, Sriracha, lime, basil, and bean sprouts before I ever taste a drop. I will say that the clarity of the broth is good, it's not too fatty, and smells just right when they deliver it to the table.
The cream puffs here are great, especially if you add an iced espresso with milk (cafe sua da) to your order. It's up to you whether you eat the cream puff before or after your meal. Vietnamese limeade is also not to be missed. Order it if you aren't big into super strong, lip-smackingly sweet coffee.
Pho is lovely for breakfast (particularly after a late, boozy night), but I usually end up here for dinner. Just make sure to get here well before 9 because they usually stop accepting eat-in customers about fifteen minutes before closing and they close early!
Service is not great, but then again, that's not typically a hallmark of the dining experience at most Vietnamese restaurants. Everything you order comes at once, and then you never see your server again because you pay at the cash register. Anything you might need is on the table anyway, though you'll have to flag down a server if you drink up your huge glass of ice water and want more.
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The food here is solid, almost always great. The best thing about Mai Thao is that they cover a huge range, so each person in your party can always get exactly what they want. Pretty much anything...
The food here is solid, almost always great. The best thing about Mai Thao is that they cover a huge range, so each person in your party can always get exactly what they want. Pretty much anything "Vietnamese" you've ever eaten at any pan-Asian restaurant in Seattle is available here. (This was the first place I ever found bun rieu (rice noodle soup with tomatoes and egg "drops" with crab meat mixed in) in Seattle. Their bun rieu actually lacks some flavor compared to my mom's, but it'll do in a pinch.)
To give you an idea of the range: the last time we went, I ordered mi hu tieu dac biet (egg and rice noodle soup with meat, seafood, and vegetables), my sister got rau muong thit bo xao (water spinach sauteed with beef), and my husband got his favorite bun cha gio thit nuong (rice noodles with egg rolls and barbequed pork). The menu covers appetizers, stir-fried dishes (noodle, meat, or vegetable), noodle soup dishes, rice dishes, and hot pot items and includes helpful photos for some items. The text descriptions of the offerings are pretty good too, so don't worry if there isn't a photo for something you're interested in.
They also offer all kinds of Vietnamese desserts and drinks. They even have bubble tea.
Parking is free in the building's garage, but beware the elevator. It's very finicky and will take ages to come pick you up. The restaurant is on the 2nd floor, I think.
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You can't even imagine how happy I was to have this place open up in my neighborhood. Judging by the steady stream of customers from day one, I'm not the only person who felt this way. It's...
You can't even imagine how happy I was to have this place open up in my neighborhood. Judging by the steady stream of customers from day one, I'm not the only person who felt this way. It's especially busy on weekends when lots of families and couples stop here for lunch or brunch.
I had been to the Fremont Essential Baking Co. during dump runs and knew I could make this place a habit if only it were closer to home. The Madison location lacks the charm of the warehouse in Fremont, but it does have more of a seating area.
I really enjoy their rotating menu of cold and hot sandwiches and salads. I especially love that they serve cornichons with their sandwiches. It's a small thing, but not to someone who loves cornichons! All the ingredients they use are fresh and taste great. I'd recommend you get a side salad with your sandwich because it only costs marginally more, but you get lots of bang for your buck.
Their balsamic vinaigrette dressing is perfect. The sandwiches are just a hair too expensive because they're really not that big. Their crepes are a little skimpy on fillings, but otherwise good. The boutique-y selection (ginger beer, Honest Tea, etc) in the drink cooler is fun, but a lot of people just have coffee drinks with their meals. It's also fun to pick out dessert (gourmet chocolates, tarts, or cookies) while you're waiting in line to pay. Their cookies are big and wonderfully chewy, but we've had stale tiramisu (which they happily exchanged).
The place is small for the amount of business it gets, but tables turn over steadily. After you've ordered, just hang out and wait because a table will open up before your sandwich is ready. If you've dressed warmly, the tables on the patio are often open, especially on rainy days.
Also worth mentioning: I've noticed a distinct (yeasty?) smell clinging to my hair and clothes when I leave. It's pretty strong, so hopefully you can head home right after to shower and change.
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Rover's
Category:
Restaurants
2808 E Madison St
Seattle, Washington 98112
(206) 325-7442
I've had my fanciest meals ever at Rover's. It's probably the best restaurant in Seattle, but I can't really say since I haven't been to them all (yet). The menus, quality of the food, presentation,...
I've had my fanciest meals ever at Rover's. It's probably the best restaurant in Seattle, but I can't really say since I haven't been to them all (yet). The menus, quality of the food, presentation, and service are all top-notch. But you will pay dearly. (Hence, the four stars and not five.) Don't feel bad if you are there for special occasions only. I think everyone in the restaurant is there for one special occasion or another. They even ask if you are celebrating something on the phone so that they can plan accordingly when it comes time to write something on your dessert plates.
To set your expectations, the cuisine is Pacific Northwest with a strong French influence. The chef is Frenchman Thierry Rautureau, who makes the rounds during meals to check in with everyone. Their specialty is in the fixed price tasting menu. So, the plates are small, but the flavors are big. (If you have a big appetite, you'll still feel full after you've had all eight courses.) The prices are high, but it makes sense when you think about the ingredients they use. The eight-course menu is $125 per person. The five-course menu is $90 per person. The vegetarian five-course menu is $80 per person. These prices do not include wine. They have a huge wine list of lots of French wines you probably won't see at other restaurants. The servers are very knowledgeable and impeccable with their service. Be prepared to dress well; this is one of the few restaurants in Seattle where I feel obliged to wear a dress or slacks. Jackets are not required. If you're under thirty, you'll be the youngest diners (by at least ten to fifteen years) unless there are kids their with their parents. Also, they don't play music, which I only realized the last time we were there. The restaurant is in a former house and it still feels very much like you're eating in someone's livingroom. It's kind of an odd setting.
Anyhow, the first time I went to Rover's was back in August. My husband and I were celebrating our third anniversary and I really wanted to try out this restaurant I had heard so much about. For our first meal, we went with the eight-course Grand Menu Degustation. Though you have a choice between making an a la carte meal, choosing the vegetarian menu, the regular Menu Degustation, or the Grand Menu, I recommend going with the granddaddy tasting menu if it's your first time (and you're a meat-eater). I figure they put some thought into what to serve in the fixed menu and they know better than I do what would taste best together.
In all the dishes, the sauces really stood out. I think that's what the French really excel at: sauces. If it wasn't for the ever-replenished bread basket, we probably wouldn't have hurt ourselves eating so much. For a sample menu, you can go to their website--http://www.rovers-seattle.com.
If you have lots of time, you can read my UBER-LENGTHY descriptions of some meals below.
For the amuse-bouche, we had what I believe was foie gras on the thyme-brioche toasts and maybe some garlic puree. It's been awhile and the menu we took home isn't specific about this course. The amuse-bouche was good, but I was so looking forward to the scrambled egg with lime creme fraiche and white sturgeon caviar that I obviously didn't pay it enough attention. The scrambled egg and caviar is a French standard, I guess, but it was new to me. The egg was melty, but fluffy, and perfectly complemented by the subtle lime flavor and the caviar. I could have had five more. Then, however, they brought out the diver's sea scallop with sun-dried tomato, haricot verts, and a fresh potato salad. Every dish was done on a small scale, but I was impressed with how tiny the potatoes had been cubed for the potato salad. The scallop's delicate flavor had been seared in and was nicely complemented by the tartness of the sun-dried tomato. Next, we had soft-shell crab bisque with dungeness crab and glazed baby fennel. And so began my obsession with fennel. The crab bisque was silky smooth and rich as all get-out, but I loved having the glazed fennel, smoky-sweet and aromatic, to help cleanse the palate between bites. The next two dishes were probably my favorite for their memorable balance of flavors. Maine lobster (poached, I think), with baby beets, English peas, all in an organic red currant sauce. The lobster was so rich that it melted in my mouth. Something about the butteriness combined with the tart-sweetness of the dish made me think of buttered toast with jam, but oh-so-much better. The next dish was very similar in the balance of flavors. It was kind of odd, I thought, for them to have one dish follow the other, but maybe they expect people to crave more of that texture and flavor combination. The foie gras was decidedly more earthy, but also tender in a cut-it-with-your-for kind of way. The caramelized shallots rounded out the foie gras flavor and gave it more oomph when paired with the bing cherry gastrique. The next dish was my least favorite. The Copper River salmon tournedos with carrot, spinach, and a red wine bacon jus was just too much flavor. The salmon and bacon combination was fishy and salty after all the delicate flavors that had come before it. Before the main dish, we were served an orange lemon sorbet. The main dish, venison with chanterelle mushrooms, onion confit, foie gras, and a peppercorn-mustard sauce was nice, but my husband had to push aside the foie gras. We were both already feeling piqued by the time we finished the lobster. The foie gras topping was excessive in his opinion. I love the stuff, so I didn't mind at all. The symphony of desserts was good, but not as exciting as the rest of the meal. Because the menu doesn't describe them, I don't remember them well, but there was something chocolatey, something with puff pastry, and something fruity. The mignardises were little jelly candies. If I were more of a gourmand, I would be able to tell you what wines we had with the meal, but I don't remember now.
We went back in January to celebrate my husband's birthday and happened to hit them up during their promotion period for the Rover's cookbook. The five course tasting menu was available for half-price. This time, we had a similarly dazzling, but less onerous meal. (Peter calls Rover's Home of the Bataan Death Dinner TM. I'll happily settle in for a meal of such proportions.) The first course I remember is the dungeness crab salad with roasted garlic, shallots, and pomegranate vinaigrette. I liked this so much that I duplicated it at home (thanks to the cookbook). Then, we had a butter-poached scallop on celeriac puree with Meyer lemon nage and lemon confit. I really loved this one. The floral taste of Meyer lemon is a favorite of mine. Then, we had a red beet sorbet. I love beets, but a vegetable-based sorbet was a little unusual. The main course was roasted pheasant with brussels sprouts and roasted garlic. The serving was larger than I expected. My pheasant was perfectly done, with a slightly crispy skin and juicy meat, but my husband said his was a little dry. In addition to the brussels sprouts, the dish also had some crisp slices of Yukon gold potatoes and an olive tapenade as an accent. Dessert, pear and apple frangipane tartlets with pear sorbet were a standout. The sorbet was on top and got a little watery, but the tartlets arrived with their crusts still crisp, so I didn't mind.
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Not to knock this place in any way, but I think of it as a good place to go when I need to buy a gift for my mother-in-law and I have no idea what to get. The owner is helpful and is about my...
Not to knock this place in any way, but I think of it as a good place to go when I need to buy a gift for my mother-in-law and I have no idea what to get. The owner is helpful and is about my mother-in-law's age, so maybe that's why I think of the shop in this way. Also, the store shelves are populated with all kinds of "pretties." Pretty purses, pretty business card cases, pretty kitchen items... And yet, it's all pretty in a way that is a little too pretty and too precious for my taste. Their merchandise is also kind of pricey, but aren't good gifts often the things that the recipient wouldn't buy themselves?
The store is pretty small, but has a decent number of options. In the back, there is a selection of wines and Fran's chocolates. There's also some jewelry and small glass decorative items. In the front, there's a small section of gifts for babies off to the side. Then, there's everything else.
They have a good selection of purses, ranging from purely utilitarian to beaded, silky confections. They also carry decorative objects for the home and pretty kitchen items like really nice salad servers. There are business card cases and cute little books. Standard mother-in-law fare, really.
If you're scared of dogs, beware that there are usually two tiny little malti-poo (maltese-poodle) dogs running around in the store. If they're bothering you, the owner will put them on-leash in the back of the store. You can then let your eyes flit over the shelves until you find just the thing. In the event that you don't, the store is within blocks of a ton of other little boutiques and City People's Garden Store.
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