#1646 #S969n - Kiss Cafe, Seattle - 12/16/2011

 Kiss Cafe is a funky little place in Ballard that caters to beer lovers.  The "KISS" is said to stand for "Keep It Simple, Suckas,"and they maintain this in a comfortable, small space.  It has pretty good sandwiches and soups, and they're usually served with a jar of dill pickles.  It also has choice of over 100 beers in bottles, and a wall full of custom beer bugs owned by the Ballard Drinking Team, a group of regulars who are working through 100 different beers.

2817 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107-4215 - (206) 789-5477
Est. 2007 - Building constructed: 1946 
ballardkisscafe.com - seattledining - seattletimes - seattleweekly - thestranger - yelp

#1645 #S969m - Montana, Seattle - 12/14/2011

 Most of the log cabin decor has happily been retained from The Buck, and new owners Rachel Marshall (of Rachel's Ginger Beer) and Kate Opatz (of Pat My Butter) have a nice selection of wines, beers, some nice classic cocktail choices, and some unusual force-carbonated cocktails.

1498 Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 329-2493           
Est. Dec 11, 2011 - Building constructed: year
Previous bars at this location: The Buck
montanainseattle.com - seattlemet - capitolhillseattle - eater - thestranger - yelp

#1644 #S969l - Azteca (Eastlake), Seattle - 12/14/2011

Now closed, building razed.

See Azteca Northgate.

1823 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102 - (206) 324-4941
Building constructed: 1933
Previous bars at this location: Pierce's Ace Tavern (1930s), Casa Lupita (1970s)
aztecamex.com - yelp

#1643 #S969k - Marriott Waterfront Lobby Bar, Seattle - 12/13/2011

A fairly typical hotel lobby bar.

2100 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121 - (800) 455-8254
Building constructed: 2003
marritott.com

#1642 #S969j - Hook and Plow, Seattle - 12/13/2011

Marriott calls this a gastropub, and while it's location in a fairly newly built hotel doesn't lend in the casual warmth I like to associate with pubs, the gastro part is very good. The emphasis is on local ingredients with a number of affordable and tasty small plates.

The H&P follows Todd English's "Fish Club" and the "2100 Bistro" in this space across Alaskan Way from Elliot Bay.

2100 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 256-1040
Est. 2011 - Building constructed: 2003
Other bars at this location: 2100 Bistro - Fish Club
hookandplow.com - facebook - menu - prweb - yelp

#1641 #S969i - Azteca (Northgate), Seattle - 12/11/2011

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 currently have 27 restaurants in Washington state, 2 in Oregon, and 5 in Florida.  This one is located on the north end of Northgate Mall and opened in late 2001.


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.

401 NE Northgate Way, Seattle, WA 98125 - (206) 362-0066
Est. 2001 - Building constructed: 1950
Previous bars in this location: None known
aztecamex.com - yelp - urbanspoon  

#1640 #S969h - The Upstairs, Seattle - 12/10/2011

Update: The Upstairs closed Dec 10, 2017.

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The Upstairs is a rather hidden, semi-elegant cocktail parlor up the stairs in the former location of the McLeod Residence. It has something of the feel of the nearby Bathtub gin, and is a relaxing break from the Belltown streets, with dark wood, old brick, and some quite good craft cocktails.

2209 2nd Ave (2nd Floor, Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 441-4013
Est. Dec 7, 2011 - Closed Dec 10, 2017 - Building constructed: 1910
Previous bars at this location: The McLeod Residence
theupstairsseattle.com - facebook - seattlemet - belltownpeople - thrillist (video) -