#1695 #S1011 - Empire Lounge, Seattle, WA - 3/8/2012

Update: The Empire Lounge closed in late 2012. It was replaced by the Ampersand Lounge, run by the Copper Cart team.

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Among the many exciting changes in this place since it was the Copper Cart are ..... er .... um .....

The place says that it is "the ultimate in a sophisticated music lounge. With its modern, sophisticated furnishings complemented by multiple billiard tables, HD projectors and plasma TVs. [sic]." 

113 Bell St., Seattle, WA, 98121 - 206 239-0830
Est. March 9, 2012 - Building constructed: 1930
Previous bars in this location: Copper Cart Cafe
coppercartcafe.com - link - yelp

#1694 #S1010 - Mestizo Tequila Ultra Lounge, Seattle, WA - 3/8/2012

Update: Mestizo closed in Sep 2012

There are many parts of Mestizo that make a good first impression.  There's some interesting art and decor from Mexico, there's the view of the sound, a fireplace, a water feature.  And our bartender was an attractive and friendly marine biologist named Gretchen.  There are 200 types of tequila to choose from, and a changing menu from across Latin America -- Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Argentina, Colombia and Venezuela.


Neither the food nor the cocktails that we had were particularly outstanding, and it does not yet seem to be attracking a lot of customers.  But it's clear the owners have put a lot of thought into it, so you would like to see it succeed. 

2313 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 535-7985
Est. March 8, 2012 - Closed Sep. 2012 - Building constructed: 1999
Previous bars in this location: Twist, Fandango
mestizogroup.com - facebook - seattlepi - thrillist - elisesaidso - thestranger - yelp

#1693 #S1009 - Fresh Bistro, Seattle, WA - 3/6/2012

Update: Fresh Bistro closed May 20, 2018.

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Fresh Bistro is a new-ish (2009) restaurant from the well regarded catering people at  Herban Feast.  It has an emphasis on local and organic ingredients, serves quite good food, and some fairly good cocktails in bar of a few seats.  I had an Orange Fitzgerald (house infused old Fitzgerald bourbon, Drambouis, Montenegro, orange bitters). 
 

4725 42nd Ave SW Seattle, WA 98136 - (206) 935-3733
Est. May 22, 2009 - Closed May 20, 2018 - Building constructed: 2008
Previous bars in this location: None known
freshbistroseattle.com - facebook - seattlemet - seattletimes - absolutelymonica - gastrolust - seattleweekly - westseattleblog - yelp

#1692 #S1008 - Skelly and the Bean, Seattle, WA - 2/29/2012

Update: Skelly and the Bean closed Dec. 20, 2012

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You want to like Skelly and the Bean.  It has charming stories behind its name and its financing, it was furnished and redecorated with the help of other chefs and supporters, including wood from an old Montana barn and a cigarette burned table from the Soundgarden guys.  And it has a generous program hosting promising new chefs.

But the food was quite inconsistent for our group.  The Maud's Burgers were dry and overcooked, and the "Petit Paquets" seemed no different than well-done standard tater tots, except that they arrived in a tiny bucket.  The cocktails were average, but the cheese plate was quite nice.  But it is the kind of place you root for, and with talented people involved, I am hoping to see it bloom into a long-running neighborhood favorite.

2359 10th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102 - (206) 328-2326
Est. Feb 23, 2012 - Closed Dec. 20, 2012 - Building constructed: 1930
Previous bars in this location: Easy Joe's
skellyandthebean.com - facebook - seattletimes - thestranger -  seattleweekly -  capitolhilltimes -  seattleweekly -  dailycandy -  wallyhood -  yelp

#1691 #S1007 - La Lot Restaurant and Bar, Seattle, WA - 2/28/2012

Update: La Lot changed its name to Pho + Bar in 2016 and then closed in 2018.

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Wow.  I did not expect a lot when I dropped in for dinner here -- I knew nothing about the place, I'm not a fan of bars in bright, modern spaces, and I might not have ever come in at all if I didn't have this hobby of having a drink at every bar in Seattle.  But this turned out to be one of my favorite dining experiences of that last few years.

This was their second day, and they only had a fraction of their cocktail menu ready.  The recipes seemed to lean toward the sweet, beginning drinker ingredients, but the cocktails were original and well balanced -- not overly sweet at all.  It got even better when I tried the food.

 The Betel Leaf Crabmeat appetizer was delicious, and the Claypot Catfish was fantastic.  The service was very friendly, especially Johnny the bartender.  I'm glad I made it in tonight when there were few people there, because while I definitely intend on coming back, it might be hard to find a seat once word gets around.

925 Stewart St, Ste 102, Seattle, WA 98101 - (206) 682-8812
Est. Feb. 27, 2012 - Closed 2016 - Building constructed: 2008
Previous bars in this location: None
lalotseattle.com - facebook - thestranger

#1690 #S1006 - Ma'Ono Fried Chicken and Whisky, Seattle, WA - 2/27/2012

 Previously Spring Hill, this place has always had terrific food. It's odd to remember that the bar portion was very underwhelming shortly after it opened.  Spring Hill subsequently expanded the tiny (8 seats) bar to a small (18 seats) bar, started serving very fine cocktails, and just last Feb 8, renamed themselves Ma'ono and shifted emphasis to "mid-Pacific" dishes and their very popular fried whole chickens.  They fry 30 chickens per night, and if you plan on having one, you should mention in while making your reservation.

4437 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116 - (206) 935-1075
Est. Feb 8, 2012 - Building constructed: 1941
Previous bars in this location: Spring Hill
maono.springhillnorthwest.com - eater - foodhipster - thrillist - seattleweekly - bizjournals - yelp

#1689 #S1005 - Rogue and Peasant, Seattle, WA - 2/25/2012

A cafe, bar, music performance space, and virtual art gallery -- at least on the bathroom walls.  The Rogue and Peasant has friendly people running it, and injects some old school Fremont quirkiness amidst the condos and gentrification.

3601 Fremont Ave N, Ste 207, Seattle, WA 98103         
Est. Feb 3, 2012 - Building constructed: 1996
Previous bars in this location: None
therogueandpeasant.com - facebook - fremontuniverse -  yelp