NFT Radar: Stella Cafe

Everyone knows that Seattle loves coffee. So it’s surprising that it took this long to get an authentic Italian cafe. Stella fills that void with ease. The Vespa in the window tells you they’re bona fide before you even order your espresso. You may think a shot isn’t your thing, but that’s because you’ve never had it the Italiano way. It’s not bitter like that Starbucks crap. Their dark Roman blend is brewed just right, covering every shot with a thick layer of “crema”. This is the magic of espresso and it lends sweetness to every nutty sip. Afterward, you will feel relaxed and pampered instead of jittery. Of course, Italians also like to eat and Stella serves up the classics with perfection. Choose from 9 huge Panini for under $6 featuring a variety of meats, cheeses and vegetables. They have the Sweet-tooths covered too. If you’re a native Seattleite, chances are you’ve never had a proper Canoli. Now is your chance to try these crispy, creamy confections of perfection. The portions are small so you don’t have to share unless you want to. They haven’t forgotten about the Panetone either. This light, sweet fruit bread is served grilled. La Vita es indeed Dolce!


1224 1st Ave 98101
206-624-1299
www.stellacoffees.com

X-posted from Not For Tourists.

February 27, 2009
Categories: NotForTourists, Seattle . Tags: . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment

I’m Still Young!

This test proves it. Because that noise is damned annoying.

Train Horn

Created by Train Horn

I think this is the same sound they played on our hotel roof deck in Rome to keep the pigeons away. The pigeons didn’t seem bothered by it. They must have been old pigeons.

February 26, 2009
Categories: Dear Diary, Meme Crazy . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment

Coolness!

At long last! Synchronize credit cards!

February 26, 2009
Categories: Hug Your Television . . Author: Baxter . Comments: 2 Comments

NFT Radar: Carmelita

Perhaps February 14th was a risky date to try someplace new, what with set menus and fact that most restaurants are booked solid. But I’d wanted to try Carmelita for a while and their romantic but laid-back ambiance and upscale vegetarian cuisine seemed ideal for Valentine’s Day. Besides, their set menu sounded foolproof. So I made a reservation for two and scored one of the last tables. Truffles and risotto are two of my favorite things so imagine my delight when one available entree involved both of these things. Unfortunately, the result was lackluster at best. Truffles have a very strong and distinct flavor and I couldn’t taste them at all. Did they forget to add them? The orzo was al dente and the whole dish was overwhelmed by cauliflower, a fairly bland vegetable when under-seasoned. It’s disenchanting to have to add salt to a $40 meal. Perhaps they were off their game on account of being so busy. Still, everything else was terrific. My guy loved his Carrot-Mascarpone Gnocchi. Our wine recommendation panned out (Malbec). The Chocolate Muck Muck was both chocolatey and muck mucky. I’d go back again for sure. But what the hell happened with that risotto?


7314 Greenwood Ave N 98103
206-706-7703
www.carmelita.net

X-posted from Not For Tourists.

February 25, 2009
Categories: NotForTourists, Seattle . Tags: . Author: Baxter . Comments: 1 Comment

The Lizard King

I don’t know what’s happening here but I like it!

Thanks, Dlisted.

February 25, 2009
Categories: Hollywood Side Show . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment

A Few Words About Dollhouse

Those interstitial promos featuring Dushku and Glau sexing it up for the camera, their heads in CONSTANT motion, are pretty irritating. Dushku is a little too good at the Tabula Rasa look. But she’s come a long way since Tru Calling and so far I think the show is pretty good. The supporting cast (particularly Harry Lenix and Tahmoh Penikett) really puts a nice shade of lipstick on that hot little proverbial pig. Provided they are allowed to stop over-explaining things to the Fox audience, there is a lot that they can do with those characters.

QUESTION: Why not Jonathan M. Woodward as the evil nerdy scientist? Didn’t he corner the market on that role? He isn’t busy. I would have loved to see him and Amy Acker together again. I feel there was a real missed opportunity there. This Fran Kranz person is a little too Mutant X for my taste. And Topher? His name is Topher? Does every Whedon show have to have a middle-of-the-name nicknamed character? I know there’s a precedent for “Topher” but it still seems a little forced to me.

Otherwise I’ve enjoyed the first two episodes immensely. It’s a nice fluff break from the heavy OMFGness of Battlestar Galactica. But once BSG ends, I hope Dollhouse is allowed to shed a bit of the fluff and gain some muscle.

February 22, 2009
Categories: Hug Your Television . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment

NFT Radar: The Spectator

It’s the classic couples problem. One of you enjoys professional sports and one of you doesn’t. Fortunately, you both like to drink. The Spectator has your compromise. With 13 flat screen TVs broadcasting everything from American football to what the rest of the world calls Football, the sports enthusiast you are or love won’t miss a play. Numerous classic arcade games, pool, and shuffleboard keep the less enthused half entertained. They also have a video poker machine featuring my all-time favorite bar game: Naked Lady Poke (a.k.a. Spot the Difference). Their weekday happy hour prices almost everything below $4. The eats aren’t too shabby but they get a little too liberal with the nacho cheese. 5 minutes after your cheesy bacon tater tots hit the table, you’ll need a fork, lest you contribute to tree genocide with the amount of napkins you’ll need. That’s not all they’re liberal with. They boast about their famous pound of chicken wings but I suspect they serve everything there by the pound. Rent the mezzanine for private parties or settle into a big, cushy booth for impromptu gatherings. Go team!


529 Queen Anne Ave N 98109
206-599-4263
www.thespectatorsports.com

X-posted from Not For Tourists.

February 19, 2009
Categories: NotForTourists, Seattle . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment

What’s In a Name

1. YOUR REAL NAME:
Jessica Baxter

2. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother and fathers middle names)
Catherine Arthur

3. NASCAR NAME: (first name of your mother’s dad, father’s dad)
Joseph Patrick

4. STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name)
Baxje

5. DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Red Kitten

6. SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, town where you were born)
Kealoha Dallas

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd fav color, fav drink, add “THE” to the beginning)
The Orange Screwdriver

8. FLY NAME: (first 2 letters of 1st name, last 2 letters of your last name)
Jeba

9. STREET NAME: (fav ice cream flavor, fav cookie)
Cookies n’ Cream Oatmeal

10. ROCK STAR NAME: (pet’s name and street where you live)
Tobe 59th

11. PORN NAME: (1st pet, street you grew up on)
Cinderella Rockport Landing

12. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (first 3 letters of real name plus izzle)
Jesizzle

14. YOUR GOTH NAME: (black, and the name of one of your pets)
Black Lucy

15. STRIPPER NAME: (name of your fav perfume/cologne, fav candy)
Old Spice Good n’ Plenty

February 17, 2009
Categories: Meme Crazy . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment

Answers: BSG Style!

Suck it, Lost. Battlestar Galactica really knows how to EXPLAIN things. And even though I’m pretty sure they made some of this up later on in the series, it all fits together really nicely. I feel like we’re finally back in Season 2 quality territory. Continue reading →

February 16, 2009
Categories: Hug Your Television . . Author: Baxter . Comments: 2 Comments

Let the Sunshine In

This morning my New Age hippie mom sent me an email about the Age of Aquarius. Apparently, last night at 11:40 pm, the moon was in the 7th house and Jupiter aligned with Mars. This has happened before, of course, because the plants, they are always moving. But the fact that it is on February 13th-14th, while being entirely a coincidence, is still pretty cool for fans of the musical Hair (me and my mom) and for hippies in general (my mom). Love will steer the stars, ya’ll!

I had a really hard time finding any legitimate articles about this event. Every mention of it is on an asTROLOGy website. No real mention on the asTRONOmy side. But even if it doesn’t have any real world implications, I still think it’s neat.

February 14, 2009
Categories: Dear Diary, This is the End . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment

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