#1683 - The Keg, Kirkland, WA - 2/17/2012

Sometimes you just want steak and potatoes and nothin' fancy.

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Postscript: I like straightforward steakhouses (I sorely miss the Outback in my area), and I enjoyed my meal and the mediocre Manhattan. Lots of other people clearly like places like this, particularly in the suburbs and on the East Side, and the place was really packed. That said, if I had my druthers, I'd prefer a place with a little individuality.

I almost always check out the web sites of bars I go to and I am always happy to see a line for "About," or even better, "Our Story." These are places where you can often get a good amount of history of the business, and stories of the people who defined its personality. These are nice for larger corporate chains and franchises, as well, as you often find stories of how the founders worked their way up from humble beginnings and see a bit of how their personalities come to bear on even the current places.

The Keg site has an Our Story link. It doesn't mention a single human being by name. It is not a story at all. It's some pretty boilerplate puffery about their food that could have just as easily been written about a million other restaurants across the country. As far as I can tell they are doing fine, and if I had one in my neighborhood and would probably come back. But I sure wouldn't shed any tears if they were eventually replaced by steakhouses that had a little bit of a soul.

10416 N.E. 38th Pl, Kirkland, Washington, 98033-7925 - (425) 822-5131
Web site: kegsteakhouse.com
Reviews:  yelp - urbanspoon

#1682 - Two Twelve on Central, Kirkland, WA - 2/16/2012

Pleasant little bistro with a small bar, a focus on mediterranean small plates, and good live music.

212 Central Way, Kirkland, WA 98033 - (425) 828-4252
Est. Sep. 22, 2011

twotwelveoncentral.com - facebook - kirklandviews - yelp

#1681 - The Crab Cracker, Kirkland, WA - 2/16/2012

The Crab Cracker web site states that it is "the Eastside's most established seafood restaurant, and arguably one of the very best in the entire Northwest." I like the "arguably," which seems a little tentative for your own web site. But then, it is also clearly not one of the best restaurants in the northwest.

The food is rather average here, as is the bar, but both the service and regulars at the bar were friendly and engaging. And of course "average" Dungeness crab is one of the better treats on earth.

The old warehouse sort of setting makes all the boating and fishing paraphernalia more charming and at home than in, say, an Anthony's. If you go, try to get there at Happy Hour (4pm-6pm), when a huge range of food items are half off.

452 Central Way Kirkland, WA 98033 - (425) 827-8700
crabcracker.com - facebook - chefseattle - yelp

#1680 - Tiki Joe's Wet Bar, Kirkland, WA - 2/15/2012

"Are you going to start your own tiki bar?" the bartender asked me, and I walked around taking photos.  I didn't have the heart to tell her that I have more tiki stuff in my basement.  Tiki Joe's is a small dive that serves strong drinks to a crowd in their lower 20s and wearing popped collar polo shirts.

106 Kirkland Avenue Kirkland, WA 98033 - (425) 827-8300
Est. 2004
Previous bars in this location: Smokie Jo's
tikisbarandgrill.com - facebook - critiki - yelp

#1679 - BeachHouse Bar and Grill, Kirkland, WA - 2/15/2012

6023 Lake Washington Boulevard Northeast, Kirkland, WA 98033 - (425) 968-5587
beachhousekirkland.com

#1678 - Suite Lounge, Bellevue, WA - 2/9/2012

 This is a pleasant place if you enjoy hotel bars, and I do.  It's got the typical benefits of hotel bars, such as the rolling cast of characters, many more interested in chatting than the locals are.  And it has a few unusual touches as well -- they have aerialists performing on weekends.  I had a pleasant bar chat and some good cocktails here from Joe, whom I met at Pop Kitchen in the EMP.

10500 NE 8th St, Ste 125, Bellevue, WA 98004 (Hyatt Regency Wintergarden) - (425) 679-6951
Est. Sep 22, 2011

suitebellevue.com - opening night photos - yelp

#1677 - Big Fish Grill, Kirkland, WA - 2/8/2012

10426 Northup Way Kirkland, WA 98033 - (425) 827-2722