Rotgut.org Blog

Thursday, March 07, 2013

#1970 - Cinebarre, Seattle - 11/11/2012

One of a number of nice things about Portland that are lacking in Seattle is the movie pub. We don't really have cozy little pubs with a theater attached where you can catch a film while enjoying a microbrew or cocktail. The Big Picture is an exception, but it is as much a rented event space as a public theater, and you can't count on it being available when you want it.

Another approximation is Cinebarre, in the north Seattle suburb of Mountlake Terrace. It is part of a small national chain, and the decor, remodeled from a 90s multiplex, is arid and mall-like. But despite the lack of charm, it does feature very comfortable seating and servers who deliver mediocre food and drinks to your seats. It's not fine dining or craft cocktails, but for the same price as other theaters, it is quite pleasant to have the service, food, and liquor options.

6009 244th St SW, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043 - (425) 672-7501
Est. May 28, 2009 - Building constructed 1994
Previous bars in this location: None
Web site: cinebarre.com - facebook
Reviews: thestranger - seattletimes - cinematour - yelp - urbanspoon

#1969 - Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant, Mountlake Terrace - 11/11/2012

This small chain's ownership has a nice story about founder Andrés Cárdenas Guitrón immigrating to America, working his way up from dishwasher to owner of 16 restaurants, and giving back to charitable interests in both the U.S. and Mexico. So congratulations and best wishes for further success. However, if there's a way to distinguish this place from any Azteca or hundreds of other apparently identical American Mexican restaurant across the country, someone is going to have to explain it to me. So it is not a bad stop -- you know what you're getting and you get a good quantity of reasonable food for your money. But if you aren't already nearby just seeking an average place, there aren't any distinguishing features to attract you.

6003 244th St SW Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043 - (425) 409-9867
Web site: mazatlanwa.com - facebook
Reviews: yelp

#1968 #S1080 - Pestle Rock, Seattle - 11/9/2012

Pestle Rock Isan Thai Cuisine is name for the rocking pestle used to grind the spices of the northeast region (Isan) of Thailand. This is apparently the first restaurant in Seattle to focus on Isan dishes. They have added a bar at the back (it used to be the original Snoose Junction location), though the bar is fairly forgettable. But it's nice to be able to get a cocktail while enjoying the food.

2305 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107 - (206) 466-6671
Est. 2012 - Building constructed: 1928
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: pestlerock.com - facebook
Best articles: ballardnewstribune - seattleweekly - eater - thrillist - urbanspoon - thestranger - yelp

#1967 #S1079 - Elemental Pizza, Seattle - 11/5/2012

So I will confess at the outset that you have to be something pretty special to bring me out to a mall, and especially the crazy, no-parking space U Village Mall, more than once. Elemental Pizza is not quite that. The pizza was pretty good, the cocktails okay, the bar not much of a bar. They do now have a star chef, and it seems like a reasonable option if you are in walking distance and craving wood-fired pizza, or have to stop by the Apple Store. So particularly as bar, which is what this project/blog is about, there's not enough at Elemental Pizza to pull you there if you are not already in the mall; but of course lots of people are already in the mall ...

2630 NE University Village St., Seattle, Washington 98105 - (206) 524-4930
Est. Oct 25, 2012

Web site: elementalpizza.com - facebook
Reviews: seattleweekly - seattlemet - eater - yelp

#1966 #S1078 - Corner Bar, Seattle - 11/4/2012

Update: This new location of the Corner Bar closed in mid 2013

The former Whisky Bar space is now named the Corner Bar, as it was earlier, and now run by the Buenos Aires Grill people. It has its own menu, but is a bit spare, and seems to be feeling its way as far as what kind of place it wants to be.

2000 2nd Ave, Suite 103, Seattle, WA - (206) 448-3352
Est. Oct 31, 2012 - Closed 2013 - Building constructed: 1910
Previous bars in this location: DT Cooper Saloon, Mickey Flynn's, Whisky Bar
Web site: cornerbarseattle.com - facebook
Reviews: thrillist - seattleweekly - eater - yelp

#1965 #S1077 - Ha!, Seattle - 11/4/2012

The full name of this place is apparently "Ha! Comfort House," which fairly adequately describes the atmosphere and food. There is a more intimate back room, but the small bar up front is where you'll typically find Alycia Prather, the owner whose laugh continuously punctuates her conversation and inspired the name. Alycia serves some pretty good spicy margaritas and the food is reasonable.

4256 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 - (206) 588-1169
Est. Oct 1, 2012
Previous bars in this location: Hunger
Web site: hafremont.com
Reviews: seattletimes - thrillist - seattlemet - thestranger - yelp

#1964 #S1076 - Whisky Bar, Seattle - 11/2/2012

A somewhat gentrified version of the bar that opened a block up 2nd Avenue in 2003, and gradually upgraded itself from PBR dive to a decent selection of craft beers and cocktails. The new new location takes that a bit further, with no vestiges of diveyness, a kitchen, and a nice selection of whiskeys, beers, and cocktails. Mind your glass if you're sitting at the bar however, as it is sometimes confused for a bagpiper stage.

2122 2nd Avenue Seattle, Washington 98121 - (206) 443-4490
Est. Nov 2, 2012 current location - Building constructed: 1926
Previous bars in this location: The Corner Bar, Saito's Japanese Cafe & Bar, V Bar, Splash Lounge
Web site: thewhiskybar.com - facebook
Reviews: seattletimes - yelp

Wednesday, March 06, 2013

#1963 - Fatburger Bar, Las Vegas - 10/28/2012

Yes, of course the Fatburger in Vegas has a 24-hour bar.

3763 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89019 - (702) 736-4733
Est. 2012

Web site: fatburger.com
Reviews: vegaschatter - lvrj - vegas.com - yelp

#1962 - The Joint (Hard Rock), Las Vegas - 10/27/2012

We went here for Halloween, so I don't have a lot to judge it on as a 4,000-seat musical hall. Seems pretty basic.

4455 Paradise Rd Las Vegas, NV 89169 - (702) 693-5000
Est. April 17, 2009 (replaced a smaller venue of the same name, which opened in 1995)

Web site: thejointlasvegas.com - facebook
Articles: wikipedia - yelp

#1961 - Gold Boutique Nightclub & Lounge (Aria), Las Vegas - 10/27/2012

"During the day, it's more of an ultra lounge. Then, around 10 p.m., Gold begins its nightly transition into a boutique nightclub.... Bottle service begins at $150, and the cocktail menu includes the signature 24-karat Martini whose ingredients, Duran notes, include real gold flakes." (lvrj)

3730 Las Vegas Blvd. South , Las Vegas, NV 8910 - (702) 693-8300
Web site: arialasvegas.com/nightlife/gold-boutique-nightclub-and-lounge
Reviews: lvrj - yelp

#1960 - Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant & Bar (Bellagio), Las Vegas - 10/26/2012

3600 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109 - (702) 693-7223
Web site: bellagio.com
Reviews: lasvegasweekly - vegas.com - yelp

#1959 - FIX Restaurant & Bar (Bellagio) , Las Vegas - 10/26/2012

A pretty restaurant with pretty people and pretty drinks in the Bellagio. There are undulating waves of "Costa Rican padouk wood" across the ceiling, a nice level of lighting and pretty good food. If you're going to do a big strip restaurant/bar, this is a fairly good choice.

Bellagio - 3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV, 89109 - (702) 693-8400
Est. 2004
Previous bars in this location: Sam's, Nectar
Web site: bellagio.com
Reviews: vegas.com - burgerbeast - gayot - lasvegasweekly - yelp

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

#1958 - Seahorse Lounge (Caesar's Palace), Las Vegas - 10/26/2012

3570 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 - (702) 731-7110
Web site: caesarspalace.com
Reviews: lasvegasblog - lasvegassun - yelp - tripadvisor

#1957 - Old Homestead Steakhouse (Caesar's Palace), Las Vegas - 10/26/2012

A pretty nice steakhouse addition to Caesar's in 2011, from the New York institution since 1868.

3570 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89109 - (877) 346-4642
Est. 2011

Web site: theoldhomesteadsteakhouse.com - facebook
Reviews: eatinglv - vegas.com - lasvegasblog - lasvegas.com - lvrj - yelp - tripadvisor

Monday, February 18, 2013

#1952 - Rouge (MGM), Las Vegas - 10/23/2012

3799 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 - (702) 891-1111

Web site: mgmgrand.com
Reviews: vegas.com - yelp - lasvegassun - about.com

#1951 - Jean Georges Steakhouse (Aria), Las Vegas - 10/22/2012

3730 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109 - (877) 230-2742
Est. 2009

Web site: arialasvegas.com
Reviews: eatinglv - vegas.com - eatinglv - tripadvisor - yelp