#1137 - Jerzy's Wine Bar, Redmond, WA - 6/16/2010

I'm not a big fan of wine bars, given that they tend to be pretty formulaic, and that you can buy a really good bottle of wine at any QFC. But Jerzy's Wine Bar and Bistro is a happy exception.

It seems to rise up like some red farmhouse accidentally dropped in the middle of an intersection, with signage that looks more like a suburban burger joint than a wine bar and European bistro.  Outside is a nice sort of tiki hut area that must be really pleasant in years when the Seattle area actually has some Spring weather.

There are, of course, lots of intriguing wines to choose from and the varied menu made it really challenging to narrow down my choice (I eventually ended up with a very tasty Croque Monsieur, with ham, Gruyere cheeses, and Bechamel sauce, and a Caprese salad). I don't make it down to these parts very often, but if I did, I think this would be a regular stop.

16727 Redmond Way, Redmond, WA 98052 - (425) 861-5407
jerzyswinebar.com - urbanspoon - yelp

#1134 #S681 - Southlake Grill, Seattle - 6/14/2010

There's nothing really outstanding about the Southlake grill family of neighborhood places, and they're not a place I'd recommend if you want a bar.  But they do have fairly good food, and while I probably won't see this one again, I like having the Greenlake version available near my house, and will hit the Eastlake version now and then for the view.  The residents of the condos this one is built into may feel the same way, and it has a pleasant patio for nice days, but the "Southlake" name is strictly for the neighborhood -- there's no hint of the actual lake from here.

1253 Thomas St, Seattle, WA 98109 - (206) 621-1090
neighborhoodgrills.com (warning: music) - seattle times - the stranger - yelp

#1133 #S680 - Chandler's Crabhouse, Seattle - 6/14/2010

The craft cocktail trend does not appear to have reached as far as Chandler's Cove -- it's all flavored vodkas and berry syrups.  But one can't underestimate the value of a seat on Lake Union on a sunny day either.

901 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109 - (206) 223-2722
schwartzbros.com - seattle times - seattle pi - the stranger - yelp

#1132 #S679 - Mix, Seattle - 6/13/2010

Update: The Mix closed on Oct 31, 2015.

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The bar here is fairly minimal, with some fine beer choices, but it's the nifty, funky club and music that are the focus.  It has a nice garage-y feel, and co-owner David was very cool and showed me around their Khaos Records studio next door, where the main mixing area, elevated and surrounded with monitors, looks like the heardquarters of some supervillain about to take over the world.


6004 12th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108 - (206) 767-0280
myspace - seattle weekly - the stranger - citysearch

#1131 #S678 - Ravish, Seattle - 6/12/2010

Update: Ravish closed in March 2015.

I'm not too fond of the setting for this place -- it's one of those retail spaces on the ground floor of new condo buildings -- but everything else is pretty super.  Their Prickly Pear (Pear Absolut, Hot Monkey jalapeno vodka, Saint Germain, lime, cucumber, sweet & sour, and a dash of tabasco) is particularly delicious.

The food was very good as well.  (I had a Grapple salad, curry flank steak satay, and flatbread with goat cheese, grapes, and carmelized onion.)  This place is less than a year old and doesn't seem to have been much discovered yet, but I'll definitely be coming back.


2956 Eastlake Ave E., Seattle, WA 98102 - (206) 913-2497
Est. 2009 - Closed Mar 19, 2015 - Building constructed 2008
ravishoneastlake.com - facebook - the stranger - urbanspoon - yelp

#1130 #S677 - All Nations Soccer Bar, Seattle - 6/12/2010

Update: All Nations Sports Bar is closed.

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I just dropped in for a quick gin & tonic and the last part of the US/England World Cup match.  But I will have to return, as they have an impressive looking set of infusions and what looks like a tasty Cuba Libre. This bar comes from Sam Hassan, who first introduced rodizio dining to Seattle at Rio and also founded Sambar and Ipanema.

930 N 130th St, Seattle, WA 98133 - (206) 365-5165
allnationssoccerbar.com - facebook - seattle times - the stranger - yelp

#1129 -The Hob Nob, Tacoma, WA - 6/9/2010

A nice little dive and greasy spoon, with a reputation for Bloody Marys and hangover food.  It's hard not to like a bar with an alley entrance.

716 South 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405-4603 - (253) 272-3200
facebook - myspace -  yelp