Ignore This Man

According to the Slog, there is a man on Broadway (and likely other men/women stationed elsewhere in the city) who is misleading voters into signing a petition to “get the bag tax initiative on the ballot” by letting them think that the VERY WISE and environmentally imperative initiative to charge 20 cents per plastic bag hasn’t ALREADY PASSED.

anti-bag tax idiots

Some short-sighted, selfish idiots (who probably live in Bellevue, drive S.U.V.s and regularly vote against Metro) would really like to be able to continue filling landfills and oceans with plastic bags FOR FREE because they can’t be bothered to bring cloth bags to the grocery store or because they are too cheap to buy garbage bags. Their website indicated that you will be charged $300 dollars a year for grocery bags from now on. They don’t mention that this is merely the AVERAGE cost of all the bags you would be buying if you decide to remain an asshole and not carry cloth bags to the store. And of course they play the FAMILY card. Look at all the food they’re denying your FAMILY by charging you for being blissfully unaware about our environment.

inane chart
They also say that they are just protecting grocery workers who will bear the brunt of customer ire. It’s 20 cents people! You know what makes me angry? It’s not 20 cents. It’s flighty checkers who upsell the pretty lady in the express lane who then has to go get another bottle of wine to get the DEAL while he fetches her cigarettes and the line of people behind us grows. Then the goofball takes forever to ring us up because he’s asking us questions about our cats and can’t do two things at once. But I digress…

So in order to get the signatures necessary to repeal this ALREADY PASSED INITIATIVE, they are being intentionally vague. Let this be a lesson to you about petitions. Always ask follow up questions and KNOW WHAT YOU’RE SIGNING. That is, if you don’t just tend to ignore people with clipboards, as I do.

KEXP BBQ Is Dandy-ish

This past weekend the Mister and I went to the KEXP BBQ. There were some bullshit moments including shrinking beer cups, and the show starting late thereby forcing the Dandy Warhols (who were the headliners and our whole reason for being there) to cut their set short.

There were some typical Seattle tragedies such as the sky dumping buckets of rain in August and what I like to call Small Town Disease.

But there were also magical moments like awesome people watching, delicious Applewood Smoked Tofu Dogs, seeing old friends, the Dandies rocking their curtailed set and…a FREAKING RAINBOW:

Though I suppose the Dandies time crunch was a blessing in disguise. Since they didn’t have much time, they only played one of their underwhelming new songs. The rest of the set were the hits. I adore Zia’s new Rogue hair and Brent’s 70’s Porn Star Look. But I still hate Courtney’s hat.

NFT Radar: Harried and Hungry

Every downtown office seems to have a boner for Specialties, but I’ve never enjoyed them. Maybe it’s because I get the veggie options, but my food has always been bland and soggy. But Specialties isn’t the only lunch delivery game in town. There’s also Harried and Hungry. If you’re dining in, you’ll note the ‘harried’ part. It’s not the patrons dining and dashing back to work. It’s the owners who don’t let you stare at the menu for more than 30 seconds before ushering you to a register. That’s why I like to ponder the website menu before I go. Once I have a mission in mind, I’m usually not disappointed. Their lunch fare includes the souped-up versions of the staples: sandwiches (Grilled Pesto), salads (Curried Chicken) pizza (Bacon Blue) and soup (Wild Mushroom Grain). They are generally outstanding and never soggy. On occasion, they have been too ‘harried’ in the kitchen to remember the ‘balsamic’ part of my Caprese sandwich, but it’s still pretty tasty. Wash it all down with a fresh-made smoothie infused with green tea for that low-level afternoon buzz. Unfortunately, the prices are more NYC than Seattle, so save your patronage for when you have access to the corporate credit card.


1415 3rd Ave 98101
206-264-7900
www.orderhh.com

X-Posted from Not For Tourists.

Are You Faster Than the S.L.U.T.?

Of course you are! Prove it by racing the damned thing.

Faster Than the S.L.U.T. Guerilla (Run or Bike) Race or Ride

Thursday, July 24th
7:15pm START

Who can keep up with the S.L.U.T.?

A 2.6 mile race from Pacific Place Hub (start) to Fred Hutchinson (finish).
Or, join along the route at Whole Foods/ Westlake and Denny stop.

Why wouldn’t you beat the S.L.U.T.? And you’re going to DRESS LIKE a S.L.U.T. (interpret at your will). We want to see SLUTty!

$1.75 entrance fee (if you RIDE the S.L.U.T.)
Free if you RACE the S.L.U.T.

Make Seattle proud people!!
Spread the word, bring your friends.

After Party at HOOTERS on South Lake Union (Mmm… hot wings!)

I’ve never been a jogger due to my gimpy knees, but I bet I could even out-hobble it. And defeating the S.L.U.T. is definitely one of my life’s goals.

ride the slut

NFT Radar: Red Fin

What is it about Seattle’s posh art hotels always being adjacent to sushi restaurants? Not that I’m complaining. Hotel Max has Red Fin, a black and red art deco number which looks unaffordable but actually isn’t. They’re open early for breakfast and late for midnight snacks (and for drinking any time because life on the road gets lonely). But this isn’t mediocre, travel convenience food. This shit is good. The breakfast menu is standard with a bit of culinary flair. Come lunch time, the Asian fusion kicks in. In the Seattle tradition, the sushi menu features inventive rolls with a geographical naming convention. Tempura abounds if you like your rolls to crunch. Get in on the happy hour deals from 4-6 and 10-1am daily including $3 hot sakes and an incrementally priced small plate menu. Hickory smoked sea salt makes a world of difference for edamame. Don’t forsake the shiitake mushroom dumplings or the teriyaki chicken sandwich (with applewood smoked bacon, naturally). When you’re stuffed with Asian goodies, feast your eyes on a stroll through the Hotel Max lobby.

red fin
612 Stewart St 98101
206-441-4340
www.redfinsushi.com

X-Posted from Not For Tourists.

NFT Radar: The Saint

Ding Dong, the Wingdome is dead, and in its place rose the Good Tequila Fairy, also known as The Saint. The robin’s egg blue exterior warmly invites Hillites to try their extensive tequila menu either straight or in a specialty cocktail. It’s difficult to choose the appropriate accompaniment. Agave syrup or egg white? Fortunately, they offer a rotating sampler so that you can get a feel for their offerings before committing to one. And at an average of $10 a cocktail, you are going to want to be sure. While you’re at it, line your stomach with decent upscale-ish Mexican fare. All the food is made on site, even the chips and salsa. Try the Pozole Verde, a green version of a Mexican pork and hominy stew. But if you’re eating, be sure to hit them up during happy hour. Three small empanadas are worth it at half price, but they are certainly not $8 worth of food. Also, you might want to ask for a salt shaker.

the saint

1416 E Olive Way 981022
206-323-9922

X-Posted from Not For Tourists.

NFT Radar: Boom Noodle

The creators of Blue C Sushi bring you the Euro-style Boom Noodle. The shared tables create a sort of upscale cafeteria feel. Perhaps that is why the place is often teeming with families; an unusual scene for a Capitol Hill restaurant. For a more private meal that is minor free, sit in the bar and take in the game with your sake or Shiso Mojito. As the name suggests, Boom Noodle excels at ramen. But this ain’t your 99 cent Top variety. These noodle soups made from fresh ingredients almost convince you you’re eating health food. Almost. Don’t fret if you aren’t into noodles. They offer large salad and rice dishes as well as a small plate menu full of beef and fish in a unique platform. I heeded the advice of the waitress and tried the Miso Broiled Rice Cakes. She flashed a smug smile when I confirmed their crispy deliciousness. Vegetarians can order with ease using their coded menu and most dishes can be altered to meet dietary restrictions. For dessert, the Mochi Trio doesn’t disappoint, but the Boom Waffle, with its strange bean compote topping, could use an overhaul.

boom noodle

1121 E Pike St 98122
206-701-9130
www.boomnoodle.com

X-Posted from Not For Tourists.

NFT Radar: Bento World

Belltown is seriously lacking in good cheap lunch spots. What are the working stiffs supposed to do? We can’t afford to lunch at a Tom Douglas restaurant every day and lord knows we are sick to death of the Westlake Center food court. Thank god for Bento World! It may be small but their comprehensive menu equally accommodates vegetarians and carnivores. $6.95 will buy you an entree, vegetables, and rice enough for at least 2 meals. Sushi, bento boxes, bee bim babs, and teriyaki provide Japanese delights for any mood. The tempura meal is truly transcendent. What a beautiful Bento World!

bento world
306 Lenora St 98121
206-441-4474

X-Posted from Not For Tourists.

Effed by the Weather

This is the current forecast for tomorrow:

weather forecast

In case you didn’t notice the date, it is JUNE SEVENTH. I am getting married tomorrow.

Outside.

Sans sleeves.

At least the ceremony is only 20 minutes long…

NFT Radar: Pizza Ragazzi

It’s not necessarily the best option for pizza delivery in the U District. It’s a bit greasy for my taste and they go a little too easy on the sauce. That said, I know people who positively swear by Ragazzi pies. Perhaps that is more to do with the fact that they will deliver to you as late as 4am, every day of the week. That means there are only 7 hours a day that one can’t have piping hot pizza delivered to them. You can Ragazzi around the clock, if you will. And let’s face it; if you need pizza between 4am and 11am, you need to rethink your life. Being that they are conveniently located near a large university, that is a smart as hell business plan. Adding to the convenience is the ability to order on-line and a walk-up window which sells slices. Now if only they would make it easy to turn off the “Candle in the Wind” elevator music on their website.

pizza ragazzi
5201 University Way NE 98105
206-525-1700
www.pizzaragazzi.com

X-Posted from Not For Tourists.