#1603 #S959 - Harissa, Seattle - 11/15/2011

"Harissa (Arabic حريصا) is a mountain village in Lebanon. The village, which is located 650 meters above sea level, is home to an important Lebanese pilgrimage site, Our Lady of Lebanon."  Harissa in Ravenna is a pleasant little Lebanese/Mediterranean restaurant run by the amiable Walid Alabtan.

Harissa is not likely to be a very interesting choice when you are looking simply for a bar.  But it does have a small bar and some pleasant wine choices to go with your kabobs and mezzeh.

Historical notes: This was the first location of the Santa Fe Cafe, established here in 1981. Before that it was Bimbo's, a biker bar. It was Earl's Tavern in the 60s and 70s, the Hop In Tavern in the mid 70s, and in the 40s Cliff's Tavern and Frank's Tavern.

2255 NE 65th St, Seattle, WA 98115 - 206 588-0651       
Est. Nov. 2010 - Building constructed: 1915
Previous bars at this location: Cliff's Tavern, Frank's Tavern, Earl's Tavern, Hop In Tavern, Bimbo's, Santa Fe Café
harissaofseattle.com - seattletimes  - ravennablog - thestranger - yelp

#1602 #S958 - Azteca (Ballard), Seattle - 11/12/2011

Update: The Ballard Azteca closed Feb 28, 2014

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Azteca is a local, family-run chain, that sells pretty much the definition of standard American Mexican food.  They were established in the greater Seattle area in 1974 and now have about 35 restaurants across the Pacific Northwest, including four in Seattle.

Adventuresome or remarkable Aztecas are not, and foodies should pass. But for people who like -- or are just in the mood for -- this type of food, they have a wide array of affordable selections, which arrive in large portions. They are good for families, but usually have a cantina area, which again serve relatively bland standards.

Of course if you would like fine Mexican food, La Carta De Oaxaca is pretty much right around the corner, and if you want fine cocktails, the Ballard area has any number of fine options (consider Sambar, The Sexton, Golden Beetle, Hazlewood, Bastille, Moshi Moshi, MacLeod's, Paratii or Staple & Fancy). But on the other hand, while Azteca is not about to win three Michelin stars, you know what you're getting, and it is just fine for what it is and whom it is for.


2319 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107-4027 - (206) 782-7079
Est. 1974? - Closed Feb 28, 2014 - Building constructed: 1915
Previous bars at this location: None known
aztecamex.com - happyhoursinseattle - yelp

#1601 #S957 - Jamjuree Thai, Seattle - 11/9/2011

This is a Thai restaurant run by a family that ran it under the same name name in Bangkok. There is not much to the bar here, but they do serve better than average Thai food.



509 15th Avenue East Seattle, WA 98112-4512 - (206) 323-4255
Est. 1995 - Building constructed: 1929
jamjuree.com - whatsthesoup.net - whatscookingoodlookin- seattletimes - citysearch - yelp

#1600 #S956 - Coastal Kitchen, Seattle - 11/8/2011

Update: Coastal Kitchen closed Feb 21, 2024

It's hard to imagine many people would come here for the small bar, with options like Liberty and 22 just down the street.  But they serve some decent drinks and are better known for their rotating menu, especially breakfast and seafood.

429 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112 - (206) 322-1145

Est. 1993 - Building constructed: 1924 - Closed Feb 21, 2024
Previous bars at this location:  None known - Unknown if any of these restaurants included an actual bar: Beau Jardin restaurant (1970s), Bentley & Ives' restaurant (1979-1980), Diamond Lil's restaurant (1980-1981), the Ritz Cafe (1982-1993) 
seattle-eats.com - seattletimes - thestranger - funfeasts - topthisplace - gayot - yelp

#1599 #S955 - Cafe Kanape, Seattle - 11/7/2011

Update: Cafe Kanape closed the weekend of Nov 17, 2012, apparently with plans to re-open elsewhere.


"Kanape," this cafe's web site explains, is a "finger food, often eaten in one bite, but shared with many."  Cafe Kanape features such dishes from across Europe, with an emphasis on Eastern Europe.  Owner Sabine, who is from Latvia, previously owned Contour for 10 years, and could hardly have created a greater shift in ambiance, with this romantic little cafe.  In addition to the small plates it features a worldly selection of coffees, wines and beers.  It is a nice stop for some pretty good food, much of which you do not see too often, and for a relaxed conversation.

700 Broadway E, Suite D, Seattle, WA 98102 - (206) 708-1210
Est. Feb 11, 2011 - Building constructed: 2002
cafekanape.com - facebook - thestranger - seattlepi - seattleweekly - thehungerseattle - thestranger - thrillist - yelp

#1598 #S954 - Dulce Latin Bistro, Seattle - 11/6/2011

 Update: Dulces closed at the end of July 2012

This upscale bistro, which builds around the tastes of Mexico, Spain, and France, has moved from Madrona to a portion of the former location of Typhoon, below the Harbor Steps (the original location of Wild Ginger).  Dulces started out many years ago from a bakery in West Seattle, and is now a somewhat pricey European style bistro, with white table cloths and piano bar.  The bar is nothing particularly special, but we enjoyed the food and the service from bartender Annie.

1404 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 - 206 623-3556
Est. Oct 2011 - Building constructed: 1915
Previous bars in this location: Wild Ginger, Typhoon
dulcesbistroandwine.com - seattlemet - seattletimes - eater.com -

#1597 #S953 - The Terrace Lounge (Fairmont Hotel) , Seattle - 11/2/2011

While the "Terrace Plaza bar" may evoke images of rooftop patios and ornate gardening, the location in the Fairmont is simply a small, elegant bar off the main lobby.  The Fairmont Olympic is Seattle's grandest hotel, hosting celebrities, world leaders, and every U.S. president since Herbert Hoover.  For several years I walked past it on my way from bus stop to office, and it was a fairly common event to see motorcades and security guards swarming the back entrance.

The hotel was specifically designed by the community to be just that sort of grand hotel, with the construction in 1924 funded by public bonds.  It sits on the original location of the University of Washington, in a place known as Denny's Knoll when Arthur Denny donated it 1861 to the Territorial University.  The UW, which moved northward to its current location in 1895, retains a large chunk of ownership of the land and building, although it sold 64% in the mid 90s.  The hotel was built around the Metropolitan Theater, which was demolished in 1956 (and eulogized by Helen Hayes, after a final night performance), providing the current entrance area.


I don't know how long the Terrace Plaza bar has been open in this location, but if you enjoy genteel hotel bars, this is a nice, intimate one, with capable bartenders and a small number of interesting patrons passing through.  The lounge area extends into the lobby, but if you like bars, you'll want to be in the elegant room around the bar itself, with it's welcoming wood and lowered lights.  And from 3:30 to 6:00pm Sundays through Thursdays the bar features all-you-can-eat appetizers or cheeses for $12 each.

411 University St, Seattle, WA 98101 - (206) 621-1700
Building constructed: 1924
fairmont.com - facebook - historylink.org - thestranger - fairmont.com - seattleweekly -