#1692 #S1008 - Skelly and the Bean, Seattle, WA - 2/29/2012

Update: Skelly and the Bean closed Dec. 20, 2012

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You want to like Skelly and the Bean.  It has charming stories behind its name and its financing, it was furnished and redecorated with the help of other chefs and supporters, including wood from an old Montana barn and a cigarette burned table from the Soundgarden guys.  And it has a generous program hosting promising new chefs.

But the food was quite inconsistent for our group.  The Maud's Burgers were dry and overcooked, and the "Petit Paquets" seemed no different than well-done standard tater tots, except that they arrived in a tiny bucket.  The cocktails were average, but the cheese plate was quite nice.  But it is the kind of place you root for, and with talented people involved, I am hoping to see it bloom into a long-running neighborhood favorite.

2359 10th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102 - (206) 328-2326
Est. Feb 23, 2012 - Closed Dec. 20, 2012 - Building constructed: 1930
Previous bars in this location: Easy Joe's
skellyandthebean.com - facebook - seattletimes - thestranger -  seattleweekly -  capitolhilltimes -  seattleweekly -  dailycandy -  wallyhood -  yelp

#1691 #S1007 - La Lot Restaurant and Bar, Seattle, WA - 2/28/2012

Update: La Lot changed its name to Pho + Bar in 2016 and then closed in 2018.

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Wow.  I did not expect a lot when I dropped in for dinner here -- I knew nothing about the place, I'm not a fan of bars in bright, modern spaces, and I might not have ever come in at all if I didn't have this hobby of having a drink at every bar in Seattle.  But this turned out to be one of my favorite dining experiences of that last few years.

This was their second day, and they only had a fraction of their cocktail menu ready.  The recipes seemed to lean toward the sweet, beginning drinker ingredients, but the cocktails were original and well balanced -- not overly sweet at all.  It got even better when I tried the food.

 The Betel Leaf Crabmeat appetizer was delicious, and the Claypot Catfish was fantastic.  The service was very friendly, especially Johnny the bartender.  I'm glad I made it in tonight when there were few people there, because while I definitely intend on coming back, it might be hard to find a seat once word gets around.

925 Stewart St, Ste 102, Seattle, WA 98101 - (206) 682-8812
Est. Feb. 27, 2012 - Closed 2016 - Building constructed: 2008
Previous bars in this location: None
lalotseattle.com - facebook - thestranger

#1690 #S1006 - Ma'Ono Fried Chicken and Whisky, Seattle, WA - 2/27/2012

 Previously Spring Hill, this place has always had terrific food. It's odd to remember that the bar portion was very underwhelming shortly after it opened.  Spring Hill subsequently expanded the tiny (8 seats) bar to a small (18 seats) bar, started serving very fine cocktails, and just last Feb 8, renamed themselves Ma'ono and shifted emphasis to "mid-Pacific" dishes and their very popular fried whole chickens.  They fry 30 chickens per night, and if you plan on having one, you should mention in while making your reservation.

4437 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116 - (206) 935-1075
Est. Feb 8, 2012 - Building constructed: 1941
Previous bars in this location: Spring Hill
maono.springhillnorthwest.com - eater - foodhipster - thrillist - seattleweekly - bizjournals - yelp

#1689 #S1005 - Rogue and Peasant, Seattle, WA - 2/25/2012

A cafe, bar, music performance space, and virtual art gallery -- at least on the bathroom walls.  The Rogue and Peasant has friendly people running it, and injects some old school Fremont quirkiness amidst the condos and gentrification.

3601 Fremont Ave N, Ste 207, Seattle, WA 98103         
Est. Feb 3, 2012 - Building constructed: 1996
Previous bars in this location: None
therogueandpeasant.com - facebook - fremontuniverse -  yelp

#1688 #S1004 - Restaurant Zoe, Seattle, WA - 2/22/2012

Update: Zoe converted from a full-time restaurant to an event space after Feb 14, 2016.













The popular, upscale Belltown restaurant from Scott and Heather Staples (along with the more casual Quinn's and Uneeda Burger) has moved to this new Capitol Hill location, shared with Oola Distillery and Lucky 8.  The menu is a bit more mixed, but it is still full of unusual ingredient names and fancy dishes.  Their is a small bar along the back wall which tends toward somewhat fancy twists on old classics.  The food is excellent and the drinks are good, but it's still the sort of bar where you go for dinner and bring your own company, rather than a quick drink and conversations with other folks there.

1318 E Union St Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 256-2060
Est. Feb 15, 2012 - Building constructed: 1963
Previous bars in this location: None known
restaurantzoe.com - thestranger - seattleweekly - culinaryfool - yelp

#1687 #S1003 - Fonda La Catrina, Seattle, WA - 2/22/2012

I don't know anything about the folk art or the name, so I will simply quote The Stranger: "In Latin folklore, Catrina is a skeletal dame who represents the equalizing concept of death when it comes to the rich and poor. In lieu of revolución, Fonda La Catrina seeks to bridge the class divide with affordable Mexican and a classy interior featuring the drawings of legendary political cartoonist Jose Guadalupe Posada."  What I do know is that this is some of the better tasting Mexican food in the area -- and more authentic, I am informed -- along with some pretty fine margaritas.  And the bartender, server, and owner all took care to explore my tastes and offer alternatives.  It's a very nice addition to the Georgetown area.

5905 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA 98108 - (206) 767-2787
Est. Feb 11, 2012 - Building constructed: 1900 or earlier
Previous bars in this location:  None known
fondalacatrina.com - blog - seattletimes - thrillist - eater - yelp

#1686 #S1002 - Saint John's Bar & Eatery, Seattle, WA - 2/21/2012

I haven't eaten at St. John's, the new spot in the former Rosebud space, but I have had food from this chef at Solo, the owners' other bar in Queen Anne, and enjoyed it.  The cocktails, also like Solo, are pretty good.  The place is more capacious and open after the remodel, and retains the hidden patio out back.  St. John's is named for the apartment building above, and is owned by former rockers Val Kiossovski (Kultur Shock) and Billy Gould (Faith No More).

719 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122
Est. Feb 15, 2012 - Building constructed: 1910
Previous bars in this location: Rosebud
saintjohnsseattle.com - facebook - thrillist - thestranger - eater - yelp