#1102 #S650 - Clam Digger Lounge, Seattle - 5/11/2010

Who doesn't like Ivar's? The Clam Digger is the lounge at the Elliot Bay location ("Ivar's Acres of Clams"). I'd never previously gone to the bar there.

1001 Alaskan Way, Pier 54, Seattle, WA 98101 - (206) 624-6852
Est. 1946 - Building constucted: 1900 or earlier
ivars.com - facebook - yelp

#1101 #S649 - Wann, Seattle - 5/8/2010

The fact that Wann's bar generally sticks to the basics is reflected in the bartender's answer to my question about his favorite cocktail:  Ketel One, rocks.  As the web site explains, and then seemingly contradicts itself, "[Izakaya] restaurants are often informal and have a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere....  WANN have brought class, sophistication and refinement to match the modern people of today."

I don't know if I count among the "modern people of today," but as I understand it, izakaya (literally "sake place") are basically places for drinks and upscale small plates, i.e. another tapas bar for Belltown, and the decor of Wann is apparently quite redolent of the Tokyo versions.  It does seem to provide a crush of subcultures, with a minimalist, woody interior -- and booths floating over rock gardens -- but a bar that ends with a view of a wildly colorful mural by a tattoo artist.

2020 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 441-5637
wann-izakaya.com - seattle times - seattle weekly - yelp - the stranger

#1100 #S648 - Madhu, Seattle - 5/8/2010

Update: Madhu closed in 2014

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This seems like a pretty standard Indian restaurant, with the buffet during the day and small bar at the rear. It's just a few weeks old and the owner, who has a couple other restaurants in town, is looking to entice more late night crowds into this one by soon extending food availability into the late evening and offering really good prices on drinks ($2 for my gin and tonic).

2330 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 441-7017
seattlemadhu.com - yelp - the stranger

#1099 #S647 - Clever Bottle, Seattle - 5/8/2010

Update: Clever Bottle closed in Feb. 2017

First of all, one must be clever -- or at least persistent -- to find Clever Bottle, as the facade is quite subtle and there are now three places that share an address of 2222 2nd Ave.  I'm not sure that Belltown really needs another wine bar, but this is a pleasant, somewhat rustic, little place that benefits from the contrast with neighbors Shorty's and the Lava Lounge.  I had a pleasant conversation with Katie the bartender, and they are currently applying for a liquor license to expand their cocktails beyond the wine-based current offerings.

2222 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 915-2220
Est. 2010 - Closed Feb 2017 - Building constructed: 1923
cleverbottle.com - seattlemet - yelp

#1098 #S646 - Delicatus, Seattle - 5/8/2010

This is a new (6 weeks old), somewhat upscale deli in a Pioneer Square building that pre-dates the great fire (where Longhorn BBQ previously resided).  In back there is a small bar, which nevertheless services some very nice drinks.  I had a very tasty bourbon orange julep, made by Mike Klotz, co-owner with Derek Shankland, both of whom recently worked at Oceanaire.

With breads from Essential Baking, produce from Franks, and meat from Zoes, Delicatus ("del-li-KOT-uhs") is said to be built on "the simple concept that people in the greater Seattle area deserve a better sandwich."  Their web site claims that Delicatus is "an authentic, cross-cultural delicatessen built on the traditional principles of European immigrants while incorporating the vast diversity of resources unique to the Pacific Northwest."  I was only stopping in for one quick drink on my visit, but I will definitely be back to try the food.

103 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104 - (206) 623-3780
delicatusseattle.com - seattlemet - yelp - seattlepi - the stranger

#1097 #S6454 - Taqueria Tequila, Seattle - 5/7/2010

301 NW 85th St, Seattle, WA 98117 - (206) 784-4699
seattle weekly - yelp - the stranger

#1096 #S644 - Kaname Izakaya & Schochu Bar, Seattle - 5/6/2010

I'm not much of a sake man, so I had a Lime Chuhai (Tamara shochu, lime, and soda). It was, as expected, a bit candy-like for my tastes, but it's a nice little place for Japanese food.

610 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104 - (206) 682-1828
kaname-izakaya.com - seattle weekly - seattle times -