#2414 - Rainbow Cafe Lounge, Auburn, WA - 2/16/2014

There isn't anything particularly attractive about the bar potion of the Rainbow Cafe, which was created in the mid 1980s as the Rainbow expanded into an adjacent business. It is overly bright for a bar, has little personality in the decor, closes early, and serves standard dive-bar style drinks. A previous bar existed in the current meeting room before that, but I have been unable to find opening or closing dates. Little signs hanging from the ceiling direct customers to their desired section of the establishment.

It is the cafe portion, established 1929, which is the focus of the Rainbow. It is a historic landmark and said to be the "longest running restaurant in the state with the same name." Here they serve classic American diner food, surrounded by historical photos and western artifacts on the walls.

112 E Main St, Auburn, WA 98002 - (253) 833-1880
Est. 1980s (current bar, restaurant in 1929)
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: web site - facebook
Reviews: auburn-reporter - yelp - auburntourism

#2413 - Schooner Pub and Galley, Lakewood, WA - 2/16/2014

The Schooner, Lakewood, WA

Update: The Schooner Pub closed July 26, 2017.

I like pretty much any bar that seriously embraces an elaborate theme, and the more kitch the better, particularly when the has been sitting in some bland suburbs for a few decades. The Schooner in Lakewood is all in for its antique sailing vessel concept (although apparently the current level of dedication doesn't extend quite so far as getting around to dusting). Entering the establishment via a gangplank over a small pool in a suburban parking lot, you walk into a fairly sizable space of glowing, brown wood, rigging, and nautical knickknacks. From above the bar, life-sized and somewhat unnerving ship's officers gaze down at you, while a rigger reaches toward lanyards over a crow's nest and a maniacal cook reaches out a ship window extending a skillet containing a dusty blob. A prow and figurehead rise above a fireplace at the back of small dance floor, surrounding by sailing ship railings, pins and cordage. In a slightly lowered dining area classic black vinyl seats surround rope framed, thickly-lacquered tables in an area resembling a forecastle.

The Schooner Pub, Lakewood, WA

In the early 70s, Donald Dean Kitchen left the construction business to build and run a bar and restaurant, opening the doors to the Schooner in 1972. Vestiges of the 70s include a coin-operated cologne plunger in the men's room. The bar provides the sort of wide range of functions that suburban bars often do -- comfort food restaurant, nightclub, sportsbar, karaoke joint, etc. Don passed away in 2013 and the place is now run by his children Mike and Rita, but may have little time left as the owners appear to be negotiating with people looking to replace the 43 year institution with a Chick-fil-A drive-thru (newstribune). If you're in western Washington and haven't been there, you should probably go while you still can.

The Schooner Pub, Lakewood, WA

The Schooner Pub, Lakewood, WA

5429 100th St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499 - (253) 584-1919
Est. 1972
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: theschoonerpub.com - facebook
Reviews: northwestmilitary - tripadvisor - yelp

#2412 #1218 - Cask and Trotter, Seattle - 2/13/2014

There's nothing particularly outstanding about the bar at this new barbecue joint in South Lake Union, but they do have some good whiskey choices and fairly good barbecue and comfort foods to go with your drinks.

711 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109 - (206) 453-4756
Est. 2013 - Building constructed: 1914
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: caskandtrotter.com - facebook
Reviews: yelp - tripadvisor

#2411 #1217 - Tallulah's, Seattle - 2/1/2014

Tallulah's ("a neighborhood cafe") is one of my favorite new restaurants in the Seattle area. It is the first brand new space designed by Linda Derschang, who is better known around the neighborhood for transforming existing spaces with funky, hipster-friendly, rustic decor. This place is more sleek and elegant than most of her earlier places, and is said to be "inspired by a recent trip to Morocco and Spain, a love of mid-century design and the feeling of Big Sur in the 1970’s." (aneighborhoodcafe.com)

They describe the menu of chef Walter Edwards (Crush, Tilth, Golden Beetle) as "vegetable-driven without being vegetarian." I tried the grilled Halloumi cheese with roasted pears, which I thought was excellent, and a very nice lamb burger with zucchini, Harissa and fries. For cocktails I had a "Lost Acre" (rye, Dolin Blanc, Amaro Meletti, Peychauds), which I found excellent, and a "Benchmark" (rye, sweet vermouth, Campari, grapefruit) which was also quite good, and had pleasant conversation with various folks at the bar.

550 19th Ave E, Seattle, Washington 98112 - (206) 860-0077
Est. Dec 26, 2013 - Building constructed: 2014
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: aneighborhoodcafe.com - facebook
Reviews: seattletimes - seattlemet - eater - capitolhillseattle - seattlemag - thestranger - yelp - tripadvisor

#2410 #1216 - NW Peaks Brewery, Seattle - 2/9/2014

NW Peaks is a nano-brewery in Ballard churning out less than a barrel per batch, but releasing two new beers per month, which they serve up in this tasting room, as well as the Bergschrund, in the former 2-Bit Saloon location, and several other local bars.

4912 17th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107 - (206) 853-0525
Est. 2012 - Building constructed: 1951
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: nwpeaksbrewery.com - facebook
Reviews: yelp - beeradvocate - ratebeer - thestranger - ballardbeerblog

#2409 #1215 - Miyabi, Seattle - 2/8/2014

Miyabi, Seattle (Wallingford)

Miyabi describe themselves as a Japanese gastropub and claim to be the only restaurant on the west coast specializing in handmade soba noodles. This Wallingford Miyabi is a sister to restaurants to the south of Seattle in Tukwila and Tacoma, which have more of an emphasis on sushi. In addition to executive chef Masaaki Ishikura and his wife Hisako, the ownership group includes major league pitcher Masao Kida, who had a brief stint with the Mariners. For this location the ownership team added artisan soba chef Mutsuko Soma (Chez Shea, Saito's).

In addition to sake and shochu, they have a nice selection of infusions and well crafted, fruit based variations on classic cocktails. I did not try the soba this time, but much enjoyed a "Bad Date" (date-infused bourbon, black walnut liqueur, xococatl mole bitters), an infusion sampler and a cheese plate. (You can get an idea of the range of tempting food offerings from the over 500 photos with their yelp reviews.)

2208 N 45th St, Seattle, WA 98103 - (206) 632-4545             
Est. 2013 - Building constructed: 1946
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: miyabi45th.com - facebook
Articles ranked: seattlemet - seattlemag - seattletimes - eater - thestranger - yelp - tripadvisor

#2408 #1214 - Octopus Bar, Seattle - 1/26/2014

Update: The Octopus bar at this location closed November 18, 2019, and is relocating a bit east at 2121 N 45th, i.e. the old Iron Bull and Goldies location.

---

Octopus Bar, I'm not going to try and deny that you had me at the sign. In fact, you had me mostly hooked as soon as I heard about a nautically themed bar from the people behind A-Pizza Mart and Royal Booze and Burritos -- those people know how to have fun and light up an otherwise mostly humdrum University District bar scene. Your flatbreads and margaritas are surely satisfactory, and your staff are fun and friendly, but I would be lying if I didn't admit that I loved you for your looks.

2109 N 45th St, Seattle, WA 98103 - (206) 547-3663
Est. Jan 25, 2014 - Building constructed: 1915
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: theoctopusbar.com - facebook
Articles ranked: seattlemet - seattletimes -  yelp - wallyhood - komonews - sosh - thestranger