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My wife and I have been trying to get out to new restaurants this month to take advantage of the 25 for $25 program that happens each year in Seattle, and for the most part, it's been...
My wife and I have been trying to get out to new restaurants this month to take advantage of the 25 for $25 program that happens each year in Seattle, and for the most part, it's been disappointing.
Many of the restaurants treat you like a second class citizen and serve you what appears to be the food that they couldn't get rid of from the normal menu. (See my review of Ponti's to get the real scoop on microwaved pork chops).
But Ray's Boathouse was different. Their service was attentive and timely, the atmosphere was welcoming, and the food was outstanding.
I had the Tuna Tartare which was an interesting blend of sushi flavors and Indian spices; Raita & Chickpeas and raw tuna went together well. For the main course I had the prawns; not only were they enormous, there were enough on the plate that I could barely finish. Desert was creme brulee; probably the best I've had in years.
If they treat you this well on the 25 for $25 program, I can't wait to see what I'll get when I come back, and I will.
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Seattle Kajukenbo is really two schools in one.
The majority of the students are children enrolled in the 'Kung Fu Kids' program. This is a great program for young children. Classes focus on...
Seattle Kajukenbo is really two schools in one.
The majority of the students are children enrolled in the 'Kung Fu Kids' program. This is a great program for young children. Classes focus on the study of Kung Fu while also integrating elements of gymnastics to develop self-confidence, self esteem, and self-defense skills in a very safe, very supportive and really fun environment.
Children are taught concepts including respect for one's self and others, diligence, complete effort, leadership, and peace-keeping skills.
The adult program is similar (though classes are typically much more quiet). The school teaches Chuan Fa Kajukenbo Kung Fu which includes elements of Tang Su Do Korean Karate, Kodokan Judo, Ju-jitsu, Kara-Ho Kempo, and Chinese Boxing, or Kung Fu.
Designed as a comprehensive art, Kajukenbo is a very practical martial art that emphasizes close-in street fighting strategies, which includes refinement of self-defense judgment and techniques, as well as practice in more traditional forms and fighting sets. Chuan Fa Kajukenbo incorporates the soft and the hard characteristics of martial arts training, from classical Kempo movement to classical Chinese Kung Fu.
The jead Instructor of Seattle Kajukenbo & Kung Fu Kids is Sifu Melinda Johnson. She holds the rank of fourth degree black belt in Kajukenbo, a black belt in Aikido, and has more than 20 years experience teaching martial arts and gymnastics.
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I go to Lowes all the time. Not because it's my favorite hardware store, really, but because of its relative proximity to my house. Generally, they have everything I need for chores around the...
I go to Lowes all the time. Not because it's my favorite hardware store, really, but because of its relative proximity to my house. Generally, they have everything I need for chores around the house. A year-end accounting of retail spend for our family would probably put Lowes at the top of the list of retailers who get my money.
But it's not a fantastic place to shop. Here's why: the employees don't really know anything. With the MAJOR exception of the plumbing department (those guys know everything and can explain whatever you need to know to fix something) most of the employees there don't know where anything is, what it's for, why it's there, what time it is, etc.
I know this because I've gone to Lowes enough to know where stuff is and I've heard employees tell folks that they don't have something when I know where it is. I take those people aside and send them where they need to go.
I have a red vest I sometimes wear when I a work outdoors. The color of this vest is very similar to the red vests the employees where. When I wear it; people (including, sometimes, actual employees) ask me questions.
I'm happy to help, but I shouldn't have to.
All in all; good selection if you're looking for low-to-midrange appliances and tools. Great selection if you need some piece for your drip irrigation system; fastener for your cabinet; random type of fastener.
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Great restaurant. Make sure you sit at the sushi bar. When it's super busy, the service can be slow in the back. In the summer, they open up the back deck; this is a wonderful way to eat. Just...
Great restaurant. Make sure you sit at the sushi bar. When it's super busy, the service can be slow in the back. In the summer, they open up the back deck; this is a wonderful way to eat. Just remember to put some bug spray on your ankles if it's early evening.
They have a number of great dishes that aren't sushi: I really like the bun cha gio (vermicelli noodle bowl) and the spring rolls are divine.
But the sushi bar is where it's at. When smelt is in season, Jae (the owner and sushi chef) will make amazing sushi with it.
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Ponti, a seafood restaurant near the historic Fremont bridge, is a real lousy restaurant. It has a lot of things going for it: great views, nice dining room, nice valet parking guys.
But the...
Ponti, a seafood restaurant near the historic Fremont bridge, is a real lousy restaurant. It has a lot of things going for it: great views, nice dining room, nice valet parking guys.
But the waitstaff and the food is average at best and if you're going to eat dinner at a pricey seafood restaurant, you at least want decent food. It's not that hard to get good seafood in Seattle; so why can't Ponti prepare any?
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