#1334 #S799 - Bing's, Seattle - 1/3/2011

Update: Bing's closed in August 2019

Since 1999, Bing's Bar and Grill, AKA Bing's Bodacious Burgers, has been selling somewhat upscaled diner food (or "comfort food," if you prefer) in Magnolia. It's a pleasant, casual place to have a drink and some dinner, particularly -- as was not the case on this visit -- on a warm afternoon when the patio is open.

4200 East Madison St, Seattle, WA 98112-3237

4200 E Madison St, Seattle, WA 98112 - (206) 323-8623
bingsbarandgrill.com - dogjaunt - yelp

#1333 #S798 - Needle and Thread, Seattle - 12/31/2010

If you pick up a phone at Tavern Law, you can be admitted into the "secret" bar upstairs, Needle and Thread. You go through the bank vault, wind up the narrow, woody stairs, past old photographs of naughty ladies, and enter into a sort of lavish, 19th century den of iniquity. The food is from the kitchen downstairs, which is to say, it is as good as anywhere in the city, and the cocktails, as below, are marvelous (although it was the upstairs bar that made GQ's list of best cocktail bars in the country).

Best not to order a particular drink here, but rather give your bartender some basic parameters and let him create something lovely. Tavern Law and its sister restaurant Spur are my favorite Seattle dining experiences and cocktail bars, and the cozy N&T is the best space to enjoy them.

1406 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 322-9734
seattle weekly - gq - yelp

#1332 #S797 - Local Vine (Capitol Hill), Seattle - 12/31/2010

The new Capitol Hill location of the award-winning Bellevue wine bar, with some nice food and cocktails.  I had a Blueberry Tea (ammaretto, Grand Marnier, Earl Gray tea).

1410 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 257-5653

thelocalvine.com - seattlepi - thestranger - yelp

#1331 #S796 - Seastar, Seattle - 12/28/2010

2121 Terry Ave Ste 108, Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 462-4364
seastarrestaurant.com - seattletimes - seattlepi - yelp

#1330 #S795 - Pau Hana, Seattle - 12/27/2010

Update: Pau Hana closed in late August 2012, with plans to move to Pioneer Square, which apparently did not work out.

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Hawaiians like some disgusting foods. As lovely as the islands are, it's hard for me to identify with people who treasure poi and spam. But there are some very tasty items on the menu at Pau Hana. I had the very good Kalua pig and excellent sweet chili chicken wings.

Pau Hana (Hawaiian for "After Work" or "After Work Drink") was opened by one-time Hawaiian residents Peter Duane, Derrick Rowland and Bruce Wilson in November, in the former location of Huiyona (and Galerias and Cellar Bistro and Ortegas and Spaghetti Red's). As the litany of recent owners attests, it will be tough to make a go of it in this location off the beaten path (around the corner for the also new Easy Joe's).

It probably won't be the tiny bar that makes the difference, and while I like the food much more than the overly sweet cocktails, I think the place would have a better shot if it was more of a bar that served food, rather than a restaurant that has a bar. But in any case it is nice to have another different option for good food, and I wish them the best.

2355-1/2 10th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102 - (206) 323-4262
pauhanaseattle.com - facebook - the stranger - yelp

#1329 #S794 - The Highliner Pub, Seattle - 12/26/2010

Update: The Highliner closed in 2011

This is a serious fisherman's bar, nestled in the too-modern building at Fisherman's Terminal.  It has photos of customers and their vessels, massive burgers, and somewhat grumpy staff.

3909 18th Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119-1659 - (206) 283-2233
highlinerpub.com - the stranger - seattle weekly - seattleweekly - yelp

#1328 - The Inn Sports Bar, Lynnwood, WA - 12/25/2010

16716 Highway 99 # D, Lynnwood, WA 98037 - (425) 743-0700
yelp  - uptake.com