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A free americano for waiting - PCC
We used to have our offices close by PCC and so every day around 3:30 pm we would visit the bakery area for some of those Vegan chocolate chip/peanut butter cookies which are sure tough to beat in my...
We used to have our offices close by PCC and so every day around 3:30 pm we would visit the bakery area for some of those Vegan chocolate chip/peanut butter cookies which are sure tough to beat in my experience--worth the $0.99 by far. Now that we've moved down the road on 36th it isn't as convenient.
I was there the other morning to get a breakfast burrito, which are a good tasty value for the price--around $3.50, varying by ingredients. I carefully picked out the best burrito that I could find and then wandered over to the drip coffee by the window. A few people were crowded around it and by the time I got up to the container it was out. To my surprise an employee was right behind me and said, "Oh is the coffee out?" And I was so bewildered because just as I was about to walk the container over to the counter an employee was right behind me taking it out of my hands. Plus, she had such a good attitude for the early morning even joking around in a theatrical voice.
As she took the empty container out of my hands she offered to make me an Americano (my favorite) instead--I hesitantly replied, "OK" still kind of bewildered. So I got my Americao + a theatrical accent and walked to the register. The reason code written on the cup for the cashier was "waiting."
The best part about that experience was that someone was right there addressing my problem and they solved it. I wouldn't of cared if I had to wait at all. Each time I got to PCC it is a good experience and I seem to leave with a skip in my step from the cheery service and good products.
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Your Grandmother's Magazine
here's a blog entry i wrote about sunset on my blog, thought i'd share it here--sunset magazine is quite possibly my all-time favorite mag. i feel a little shy saying that being a 26 year old guy,...
here's a blog entry i wrote about sunset on my blog, thought i'd share it here--sunset magazine is quite possibly my all-time favorite mag. i feel a little shy saying that being a 26 year old guy, but it's the truth. read my thoughts:
Browsing the newstands I’m overwhelmed by all the new post-modern, design inspired lifestyle magazines on the shelves that cover food, fashion, architecture, and travel.
Not one of them measures up to the nostalgic comfort I have reading Sunsent magazine. Amidst the heavily art directed covers of the other magazines in its category I’m consistently drawn back to the familiar cursive typeface, simple layout, and adherance to good design in all aspects of life.
One could mistake Sunset as a magazine geared for middle-aged, successful people who have nothing better to do but travel and gorge themselves on fine foods served at picturesque backyard barbeques. A further look into its pages proves you can do this at any age, not just when “you’ve made it.”
“Life in the West” is its motto and it is the West, an elusive idea, that Sunset covers so expertly. The articles inside it’s simple cover display the “good life” through delectable recipes to clever solutions to practical problems.
My first experience with this magazine was on my grandmother’s coffeetable and now as it rests on mine I think back to a treasured time when all I had to do was taste those recipes my grandmother tried and soak in the good design that was all around me reinforced by the images in the magazine I love so much.
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Blackbird Makes Me Feel Special
It's becoming more and more acceptable for men to be interested in grooming and looking good in clothing. Finally, women have a place to take their boyfriends/husbands to find jeans that don't have...
It's becoming more and more acceptable for men to be interested in grooming and looking good in clothing. Finally, women have a place to take their boyfriends/husbands to find jeans that don't have the saggy butt--a complaint by many women I've found concerning men's jeans. It is also a cool place because while you're there you'll notice other straight men browsing clothing. The stereotype is that only gay men know how to dress well and straight men need a lot of help so it is refreshing to see other straight men seeking out fashionable options. Gents: you'll need to get over the whole "this isn't manly" idea when visiting and possibly adjust your perception of what being a man truly is. I believe there is general discontent from certain females that men have gone too casual. My grandma thinks this is a disgrace as men in her day used to dress to impress.
My experience with Blackbird has been from their Fremont location. Immediately this store gained popularity with male friends of mine because at that time there wasn't a true men's boutique that catered to young professional men with an urban twist (not just suits, but casual streetwear)
I first met Suzy the mother of Nicole whom I later met and had a great discussion about brands and clothing. I purchased my first Coal hat there and was later invited to an exclusive sale (windows were covered with paper, a guest list, a bottle of water, and a survey) that was only available to past shoppers. It was at this sale that my Brown Sound jacket was on sale which I spied one of the first times I visited the boutique. I got it for a good deal and have been happy with it ever since.
The staff is really helpful and they make you feel really comfortable while shopping. Plus, they know and love the brands they carry so they can tell you all the backstory behind each brand and if Nicole is there she'll tell you why she bought the brand and even a bit about the politics that went into it.
For a guy who's the least bit interested in dressing well this is a great place to start. Fellas, there's more options out there than fleece and bad denim!
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No Scene, Just Good Food & Simple Service
The Varsity Inn reminds me of that restaurant in Seinfeld (help me out with the name), but a lot smaller and the waitresses don't wear uniforms. Basically, this place is a mom & pop Denny's, but the...
The Varsity Inn reminds me of that restaurant in Seinfeld (help me out with the name), but a lot smaller and the waitresses don't wear uniforms. Basically, this place is a mom & pop Denny's, but the food is way better maybe because it isn't a Denny's.
I was initially drawn in by the huge yellow banner outside that advertises an insanely cheap breakfast during the week, which was perfect for me as I was attending college at the time.
The atmosphere is comfortable and filled with locals most likely strolling in from up the street where ever they live for a leisurely breakfast. I've noticed many types of people here from the elderly to the hip.
The coffee refills are prompt and the food portions huge. My favorite is the Denver omlette because I've never wanted to try anything else although the menu has everything from steaks to oatmeal. There's bound to be something on there for everyone.
Most notably the place is unpretentious. The patrons visiting the restaurant aren't scensters or hipsters and don't seem to have any other agenda but to get a good meal and a fair price with some peace and quite to read the paper. No one seems to be in a hurry to leave.
Now I eat there with a group of friends and we make plans to get their right when it opens on Saturday, when it is the most alluring because it's quiet, not packed, and it's fun to watch what types of people steadily trickle in. After 8 a.m. on a Saturday the place tends to fill up, but I've never noticed a line like at some places in Seattle on a weekend.
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Excellent View From The Deck
Ray's Cafe upstairs from the fancy Ray's Boathouse Restaurant is a good retreat on a beautiful Seattle day or on a mixed-weather day when you want to watch the clouds come in.
They don't take...
Ray's Cafe upstairs from the fancy Ray's Boathouse Restaurant is a good retreat on a beautiful Seattle day or on a mixed-weather day when you want to watch the clouds come in.
They don't take reservations for the deck and reservations for inside are always recommended as it has been busy every time I've been there (4 times now).
If you do make it out to the deck bring a light jacket if the weather is partly cloudy. Otherwise you can request a blanket.
The food is really good cafe food. It's nothing to write home about specifically, but it is tasty and hits the spot when you want to relax with friends or a significant other. Or, you could just enjoy a good book and the view while snacking.
There's plenty to choose from on the menu, with options for everyone. Drinks abound as well from cocktails to a decent selection of beers.
Going to Ray's Cafe is a classy experience even if the fancy restaurant is downstairs. Dress is casual here and there are no pretentions by guests or waitstaff. It is even good for visiting family or friends. Don't forget the sunglasses on hot days, but they do have a canopy to protect you from the sun and when I asked for sunscreen they let me have some.
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Toasted subs you'll never forget
Elliott Bay Pizza was the first place I ever tasted a true toasted sub, which was the Chicken Ceasar. Since I was in college at the time of discovery it became a staple of my diet because it was so...
Elliott Bay Pizza was the first place I ever tasted a true toasted sub, which was the Chicken Ceasar. Since I was in college at the time of discovery it became a staple of my diet because it was so tasty and comparitively cheap.
If you wanted a break from the commons this was the place to go. Walk over to Safeway, grabe a bevie of your choice and you've got a complete meal (or two if you get the foot long, eat half and then save the rest for lunch the next day--I actually eat it cold).
Since having my first sub there about 6 years ago I haven't strayed far from the Chicken Ceasar except for the Chicken Cordon Bleu, which is incredible with all the black forest ham, chicken, fresh tomatoes, melted cheese and seasonings.
Plus, the staff is all pretty chill and the entire place is completely understated. You'd never expect it to be one of the best sub places in town.
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Don't forget the corn dog bites!
It is true that Greenlake Bar and Grill has one of the best and most convenient happy hours (Sunday night at 9pm), but what people may not know is that among the usual happy hour menu items you can...
It is true that Greenlake Bar and Grill has one of the best and most convenient happy hours (Sunday night at 9pm), but what people may not know is that among the usual happy hour menu items you can find corn dog bites. For about $2 you can get a small plate (about 10 bites) to enjoy for yourself and they are really fun to share. Probably the best part about the corn dog bites is that you know you can just go to Costco and get a huge bag and make them at home, but that will probably never happen so getting them at GB&G is a treat and kind of nostalgic. Each time I lift one to my mouth I'm transported back to my public school cafeterias where full size corndogs were a staple.
GB&G is a great place to meet people after a Sunday night church service, which is what we normally do. Most of the time we get seated promptly and after awhile you get to know the staff and before long your waitress or waiter may become one of your friends.
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pesos is good for breakfast too
A friend of mine suggested that we go to pesos one morning for breakfast because he heard it was a good one. We arrived that morning and the place was packed. I didn't realize that Peso's served...
A friend of mine suggested that we go to pesos one morning for breakfast because he heard it was a good one. We arrived that morning and the place was packed. I didn't realize that Peso's served breakfast. Breakfast is one of my favorite things in the world.
We had to put our names in and the hostess was really nice to take down our cell number so we could go scout out lower Queen Anne. About 5 minutes later we got the call and were seated. Our waitress was extremely attentive and kept refilling our coffee with delicious Cafe Vita.
The food was excellent and reasonably priced.I ordered the blueberry pancakes with a die of eggs and my friend ordered eggs benedict with hemplar bacon I believe it was.
As we ate and chatted people kept pouring in sitting in the dining area or heading over to the bar. I would suggest hitting this place up after a long night or taking visiting relatives for a good "urban" experience.
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