#2266 #S1168 - The Old Sage, Seattle - 9/3/2013

Update: Old Sage closed June 17, 2016

---

Oh man, do I love these guys' places. Old Sage is another restaurant/bar from my favorite Seattle chefs, Brian McCracken and Dana Tough (Tavern Law, Spur, Coterie). This place has an emphasis on smoked meats -- and a smokey vibe in general -- though the smokiness is more subtle than barbecue. And just as in their other places, they've delivered bartenders who craft excellent cocktails (here with a malty, smoky, scotch theme) and I love pretty much every item I order, even in a magician type way when the ingredients are not ones that would generally entice me. I started with the malted emmer, with a bit of local apples and mountain cheese, and it was delicious. Emmer! Emmer was delicious.

It was a little less surprising that they could also make Coho salmon, my second dish, so delicious. After getting a bit my tastes, bartender Miles added a pretty much perfect cocktail to top things off; the Expat was made with blended scotch, Carpano Antica, Campari, Averna and sassafras.

With the small plates and craft cocktails flowing, evenings at McCracken and Tough's places can quickly start to get a little pricey. But when I'm in the mood for a drink and fine meal there is simply no place in Seattle I like better.

1410 12th Ave Seattle, Washington 98122 - (206) 557-7430
Est. July 31, 2013 - Building constructed: 2007
Previous bars in this location: Local Vine
Web site: theoldsageseattle.com - facebook - blog
Ranked articles: seriouseats - seattletimes - thrillist - eater - seattlemet - seattlemag - eater - capitolhillseattle - thestranger - seattlemet - eater - yelp

#2265 #S1167 - Masala, Seattle - 8/30/2013

Masala ("spice mix") is a fairly standard Punjabi style Indian restaurant which tends to be ranked among the better ones in Seattle -- at least outside of the U District. They operated just a little bit down Northgate Way for a decade or so before moving into this new building in 2013 and adding a substantial lounge. They have super nice people working there. The lounge portion remains a mystery to me, as I've only gone in the afternoon and it's just very difficult for me to imagine a crowd gathering here that matches the club-like decor -- or any crowd, to be frank.  I suppose I need to swing by on Saturday night sometime to get any idea of what kind of bar it really is, but in the meantime it is a very satisfactory lunch or dinner stop.

507 NE Northgate Way, Seattle, WA 98125 - (206) 417-1118
Est. March 19, 2013 - Building constructed: 2008
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: masalaofindia.com - facebook - facebook
Reviews: thestranger - yelp - tripadvisor

#2264 #S1166 - Westcity Sardine Kitchen (West Seattle), Seattle - 8/30/2013

Update: Westcity Sardine Kitchen closed June 13, 2019.

---

 If I was to try and think of the Seattle restaurant names that seem least enticing to me, I can't think of any I'd put ahead of this one. Thankfully, the "sardine" part of the name came from the feeling of walking through the narrow space rather than the full content of the menu ("Well there's sardines, sardines, eggs and sardines ..."). Indeed, the "sardine" part was actually removed from the official name before they opened. They serve some nice, fairly fancy food with a Mediterranean theme. The bar is not the sort you relax and hang out in, with its bright colors and somewhat cramped quarters, but they do serve some quite nice, creative cocktails while you get a bite to eat.

3405 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116 - (206) 937-0155
Est. Aug 2, 2013 - Closed June 13, 2019 - Building constructed: 1924
Previous bars in this location: The Bohemian
Reviews: seattletimes - westseattleblog - westseattleherald - yelp

#2263 #S1165 - Pecado Bueno (West Seattle), Seattle - 8/30/2013

This is the second Pecado Bueno ("good sin") from James Schmidt, co-founder of Taco Del Mar, and it is the 5th Mexican restaurant in the Junction. It has better than average Mexican food, better than average margaritas for $3, and a good salsa bar.

4523 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116 - (206) 457-8837
Est. Aug 15, 2013 - Building constructed: 1946
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: pecadobueno.com - facebook
Reviews: link - yelp - thestranger - westseattleblog - westseattleherald

#2262 - Bent Prop Pub (Sharp's Roasthouse), Seatac, WA - 8/29/2013

Sharp's Roasthouse and the Bent Prop Pub were established here by the Seatac Airport in 1990 by Tim Firnstahl of "Von's Roasthouse" in downtown Seattle (Firnstahl also co-established Jake O'Shaughnessey's and FX McRory's in the mid 70s) . Like the new Von's on the Harbor Steps, it is now run by his daughter Merrisa, and like the previous Von's, it caters to American roast beef and mashed potato style standards, with seasoned chickens turning on a large roaster and spin-the-wheel specials amidst a TGIFridays sort of decor. It is not a craft cocktails sort of place, but again like the new Von's, it has a very large assortment of spirits.

18427 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188- (206) 241-5744
Est. Dec 18, 1990 - Building constructed: 1990
Previous bars in this location: None
Web site: sharpsroasthouse.com - facebook
Reviews: northwestgoldcoast - northwestgoldcoast - yelp

#2261 - Triplehorn Brewery, Woodinville, WA - 8/24/2013

The Triplehorn Brewing "Micropub" is an archetypal suburban craft brewery, with a small tasting carved out of the brewery warehouse, with food trucks and various events ("Hordefest") in the parking lot.

19510 144th Ave NE #6, Woodinville, WA 98072 - (425) 242-7979
Est. Aug 25, 2012 - Building constructed: 1980
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: triplehornbrewing.com - facebook
Reviews: washingtonbeerblog - beeradvocate - yelp

#2260 - Duvall Grille and Tap Room, Duvall, WA - 8/24/2013

The city of Duvall, it is said, was officially incorporated for the purpose of having a saloon (city status was apparently required to establish one in 1913). The Hix Market and the Grange Hall here were moved here from the Snoqualmie riverside in 1909, along with the rest of the town, then called Cherry Valley, to make way for the railroad. It's now a city of about 7,000 people, with a Main Street section that's been gussied up with public art and broad walking space. The Duvall Grille and Tap Room fits comfortably into this modest span between locals and sprinkles of tourists -- nothing fancy, but a homey sort of setting where you can get a good beer, burger or breakfast.

15602 Main St NE, Duvall, WA 98019 - (425) 844-1430                
Est. 2006 - Building constructed: 2000
Previous bars in this location: Jasper's BBQ Smokehouse
Web site: duvallgrill.com - facebook
Reviews: yelp - tripadvisor - northwestlibations - urbanspoon