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Few literary scholars know Chaucer’s twenty-fifth lost Canterbury Tale, about the wretched hive of scum and villainy known as the Canterbury Ales and Eats. Lack of notoriety didn’t stop some Seattle entrepreneur from opening a tribute business. Though located on the north end of Capitol Hill’s quaint, huppie-inhabited (hipster + yuppie, ya’ll) 15th Ave section, The Canterbury is a true dive bar. Its darkness shrouds ripped upholstery but can’t mask the faint smell of human excrement. Most of the staff are surly as hell (apart from the sunny Shauna… does she still work there?). Still, there are untold treasures in its expanse of four rooms! The front room, with its tall booths, is good for large parties, but be prepared to freeze your ass off every time the door opens. On the left, past the juke box, is a cozy sitting room complete with a fireplace. To the right, past the barfly corral, is the vast game room. Here you can challenge another chap to such olde-timey favorites as shuffleboard, pinball and pool. All this plus great fries and Strongbow on tap! When I lived three blocks away this place was my rec room.

534 15th Ave E 98112
206-322-3130

March 13, 2008
Categories: NotForTourists, Seattle . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment

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Tucked away in the corner of the Wallingford Winchell’s parking lot, one might not even notice Rancho Bravo Tacos. But of all the roadside taco trucks, this one is definitely worth checking out. Strategically situated one block down from Dick’s Drive-In and open till 2:30am on weekends, the grinning Rancho Bravo bull clearly has an agenda: lull the 2am snack scavengers away from boring burgers with the smell of fresh salsa and carne asada. So far, it appears to be working. No matter what you order, you’ll get your money’s worth. The burritos are a 5 napkin affair and their veggie quesadilla is packed to the gills with a pleasing array garden goodies. Those of you looking for the more unusual animal parts in your Mexican food might be a little disappointed, but the average taco consumer will be perfectly sated. Everything is made fresh and, while the service suggests they may be hot boxing the Bravo, they clearly know what they’re doing when it comes to taco truckin’. For a little dinner entertainment, “dine in” under their canopy and watch the eclectic Winchell’s regulars eye you suspiciously.

211 NE 45th St 98105
http://www.myspace.com/ranchobravotacos

March 12, 2008
Categories: NotForTourists, Seattle . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment

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The stately black building that greets you as you cross the Ballard Bridge is a long-standing institution. It was one of several Chinese restaurants opened by the Louie family in the Seattle area in the 1930’s. The remaining Louie’s restaurant upholds the class and tradition from that era. The high backed chairs and tall, private booths, elegant Chinese decorations and impeccable, attentive service will make you feel like you’re really dining out; not just grabbing a quick bite to eat. All your favorite Chinese entrées are available and prepared to precision. One simply cannot complain about their hearty plate of General Tso’s chicken or a steaming pile of moo shoo wrapped in a flowery pancake. Be sure to order the egg rolls, fat and fresh out of the fryer. They are spiced with just a hint of nutmeg and served alongside a trio of dipping delights. Louie’s is a unique dining experience.

5100 15th Ave NW 98107
206-782-8855
http://www.louiescuisine.com

March 11, 2008
Categories: NotForTourists, Seattle . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment

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In a town where “fusion” is on the rise, La Casa Del Mojito dares to serve classic Latin American and Cuban dishes with precision. Adventurous eaters mightn’t have the best experience but the food is so stupendous, it’s hard to imagine any patron unhappy. While, the vegetarian selection is limited, you can’t go wrong with the fresh, flavorful options. Their meat dishes are seasoned to perfection. Entrées come with delectable black beans and rice and a couple of tostones (fried green plantains dolloped with mojito sauce). Their titular drink is unequivocally the best in town. They also do Brazilian expats proud with a lovely Capirinha. Outstanding service helps round out a magnificent dining experience. When one of our appetizers came wrong, our server fired off a couple of partiality questions and brought us back an amazing marinated vegetable plate, smothered in garlic and olive oil and free of charge. Lounge outdoors for a leisurely summer meal, or distract yourself from winter gloom with the brightly decorated interior. Both locations are small and the Lake City restaurant fills up quickly on weekends so call ahead. It’s a bit pricey but well worth it for a treat.

5253 University Way NE 98105
206-524-4615
http://www.lacasadelmojito.com

March 7, 2008
Categories: NotForTourists, Seattle . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment

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Much to my delight, the taco appears to be rising in the ranks of urban street food. Forging the path is Taco Gringos, who give their tiny store front operation most of the characteristics of an urban cart with the added bonus of getting to wait for your tacos under the warmth and safety of fluorescent lighting. Their no-nonsense menu is scrawled on a tiny chalkboard. Mini tacos are $2 each and you have the choice between chicken, chorizo or vegetarian. Soda is $1. Choose from 3 salsas, pay the men (cash only), and be on your way. Don’t forget to drop a Washington into the tip jar. It’s so simple, yet so brilliant. These boys work hard doing one thing well. And they know their audience. They’re open 8pm to 3am 7 days a week to cater to the Capitol Hill bar crowd, and conveniently located across from the foodless divey wonderland of Clever Dunne’s. I wish there were more places like this. Who wants to open Cannoli Bambinas with me?

1510 E Olive Way 98112
http://www.tacogringos.com

March 3, 2008
Categories: NotForTourists, Seattle . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment

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I must be late to the Café Presse party because when we got there for dinner on a Thursday, we were told there was a 45-minute wait. I’m glad we endured, because we were seated in 20 and, I’m pleased to report, served fare that lived up to the hype. We washed down fresh bread and butter with outstanding French wine, whilst awaiting our hearty entrees. You can’t go wrong with the steak frites cooked to order, or the gargantuan côte de porc fume (smoked pork chop) with the veloute de champignons (pear and mushroom soup). If, like me, you’re crazy about beets, you’re in luck. The betterave, noix et bleu is a beet and blue cheese salad without any of those pesky greens to get in the way. If you’re not in a hurry, they’ll roast you a chicken. There’s also no shortage of egg and cheese dishes. Think this all sounds too fancy to be affordable? You may want to avoid it near the end of a pay period, but taking a date here won’t break the bank either. They’ll be trés impressed with your culinary palate and you’ll both be completely sated.

1117 12th Ave 98122
206-709-7674
http://www.cafepresseseattle.com

February 26, 2008
Categories: NotForTourists, Seattle . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment

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If you aren’t descended from the Vikings, it’s sometimes easy to forget that Ballard is the Little Scandinavia of Seattle. But the Copper Gate, with its unpronounceable menu and décor, is a potent reminder. The walls are adorned with paintings (some of them black light!) of Nordic beauties in the buff. The bar is a freaking Viking Ship, the sails of which are papered with a busy collage of the aforementioned nubile Norsewomen. Even the ladies room is decorated with naked ladies (along with an inspired diorama of Barbie Dolls). Sadly, I can only imagine what the men’s room looked like. My only design complaint is about the furniture. The walls and bar scream dive, but the tables and chairs are all Belltown. Once you order, the Belltown implications make a bit more sense. Beers, meats and cream soups say “feeding the famished dock-workers”, but small portions and specialty cocktails say “Scandinavian Porn bar! How kitchy! How delightful!” The food is pretty good (Blomkalsuppe and Grill Ribbe hit the spot) and the walls are fun to look at. (Did I mention the bar is a ship?) I just wish the place were a little bit dirtier.

6301 24th Ave NW 98107
206-706-3292

February 21, 2008
Categories: NotForTourists, Seattle . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment

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I was lured to Vessel by the promise of cheap champagne during happy hour. I stayed for the giant glasses they filled with my libation of choice. Vessel appears to be primarily a drinking destination, with upscale food as an afterthought. The Croque Monsieur Petit sandwiches, while delicious, are basically just Ham and Cheese with a dipping sauce. The most interesting thing about Vessel is the layout. It appears that the location used to be a clothing store, and it still feels a bit like one when you are seated at the “counter” in front of the window. Surely diners resemble mannequins as they enjoy their Vessel offerings. My companion and I were waved at by not one, not two, but FOUR passersby during our 30 minute set as window-dressings.

1312 5th Ave 98101
206-652-5222
http://www.vesselseattle.com

February 12, 2008
Categories: NotForTourists, Seattle . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment

X-Posted from Not For Tourists.

The Knarr is perhaps the most aptly named denotative dive bar in all of Seattle. I imagine the vibe is very similar to that of the Viking trade ships of yore: alcohol-infused, aggressive revelry, singing of songs, playing of games and generally getting into lots of trouble. The amnesia-inducing dirt-cheap drinks (emphasis on dirt) retrospectively make throwing sharp darts around seem like a bad idea. Feed the juke box (frozen in 1994) and utilize the power of grunge (or Jim Morrison) to aid you in defeating the pool table regulars. Grab a pile of quarters from the bar and be the Pinball Wizard of Medieval Madness all night. Challenge a pair of UW students who were brave enough to travel so far up the Ave to a game of Shuffleboard. It doesn’t so much matter how you decide to allocate your time at the Knarr. You’ll have a blast that you won’t likely remember.

Knarr Tavern
5633 University Way NE 98105
206-525-3323

January 30, 2008
Categories: NotForTourists, Seattle . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment