#1996 #S1096 - Metropole, Seattle - 1/2/2013

 

The Metropole American Kitchen and Bar replaces the shortlived Soban, the last of three pan-Asian restaurants with hit and miss food and some comically bad cocktails from the bar, to have tried to make a go in this space since it was built in 2003. It seems like a difficult location, benefiting from the sporadic crowds walking to the Paramount, but cut over the highway from Capitol Hill and off the beaten track from the heart of downtown. Perhaps the updated American comfort foods from chef Michael Bruno (Tango, Il Terrazo) will have a broader appear to the random gatherings marching home from Soundgarden and "The Book of Mormon."

 I had a quite pleasant baked ziti with lamb bolognese and a nice corn and crab bisque. The bar also seems somewhat upgraded. My "Fremont Old Fashioned" was watery from too much soda, but the "Metropole Manhattan" was considerably better balanced. Both bar and restaurant feature a lot of local products (e.g. Mischief Rye in my Old Fashioned), with several organic and vegetarian options. The name was chosen at least partially for the old Metropole Tavern, which was run by the owner's grandfather. (thestranger)

I had a quite pleasant baked ziti with lamb bolognese and a nice corn and crab bisque. The bar also seems somewhat upgraded. My "Fremont Old Fashioned" was watery from too much soda, but the "Metropole Manhattan" was considerably better balanced. Both bar and restaurant feature a lot of local products (e.g. Mischief Rye in my Old Fashioned), with several organic and vegetarian options. The name was chosen at least partially for the old Metropole Tavern, which was run by the owner's grandfather. (thestranger)

820 Pike Street Seattle, Wa 98101 - 206-832-5555
Est. Dec 27, 2012 - Building constructed: 2003
Previous bars in this location: Soban Restaurant and Lounge, 820 Pike, Bambuza
Web site: metropoleseattle.com - facebook
Reviews: thestranger - thrillist - yelp

#1995 #S1095 - The Whale Wins, Seattle - 12/29/2012

After spending my last "Project K-Bar" visit at Agrodolce, my visit to The Whale Wins featured quite a few parallel experiences: Dinners at restaurants opened in late 2012 by highly regarded chefs (Renee Erickson/Maria Hines), whose homey first efforts (Boat Street Cafe/Tilth) and more splashy second restaurants (Walrus and Carpenter/Golden Beetle) I like a great deal, but after quite enjoying the cocktails in the new places, the food left me disappointed.

Now it seems like everybody loves the food at the Whale Wins, so you should not take me experience to heart, and I certainly plan on returning (if I can avoid being tempted into Joule next door, whose food was a much more thorough hit for me). But I started with the roasted radicchio with hazelnets, buttermilk poppyseed vinaigrette and buttery crumbs, which was far to drenched in the dressing and far too rich for me (that is not a complaint you often hear from me). Then the roasted Emerald Acre clams with thyme, lemon peel, chili flakes, and cream were surprisingly bland.

Whether I should really count this as a bar was a difficult call for me. The physical bar itself seemed more of a counter, and it seemed doubtful that there are any regulars who drop in just for a cocktail. But perhaps I was persuaded by how much I enjoyed the drinks, starting with a Normandy Old Fashioned (Calvados, black tea syrup, bitters). While it lacks any hint of the darkness I prefer in a bar, the staff and overall vibe were both very friendly. And I repeat that everyone else in the city seems delighted with their meals here ("To eat The Whale Wins' roasted chicken is to ask: Is this the best restaurant in Seattle?"), and I myself really enjoy Walrus; so either my particular visit or perhaps my particular tastebuds would appear to be the outlier here.

3506 Stone Way North Seattle, Washington 98103 - (206) 632-9425
Est. Oct 17, 2012 - Building constructed: 1964
Previous bars in this location: None
Web site: thewhalewins.com - facebook
Best articles: thestranger - seattleweekly - seattletimes - seattlebusinessmag - seriouseats - seattlemet - yelp

#1994 #S1094 - Agrodolce, Seattle - 12/26/2012

Arancini, Agrodolce, Seattle

Agrodolce is an organic Sicilian restaurant from James Beard winning Seattle chef Maria Hines, in the space that locals remember as the old Still Life in Fremont. This latest incarnation preserves the small bar area created by previous residents "35th St. Bistro." I enjoyed my cocktails through the evening, starting with "The Thief" (Apple jack, Benedictine, peach bitters, lemon cava). The food, however, left me a little disappointed.

The Arancini and spaghetti were both fine, but when I'm paying for microscopic tapas plates at an upscale restaurant, I'm hoping for something delicious and remarkable. This was my only dinner here, so I have fairly little to judge upon at this point (although I noticed that the Seattle Times and Stranger critics had a similar reaction). With Sicilian cuisine and Maria Hines combined, my guess is that future meals here will be a bit more enjoyable.


709 North 35th Street Seattle, Washington 98103 - (206) 547-9707
Est. Dec 21, 2012 - Building constructed: 1909
Previous bars in this location: 35th St. Bistro
Web site: agrodolcerestaurant.net - facebook
Reviews: seattletimes - thestranger - seattlemag - yelp

#1993 #1093 - The Augustus, Seattle - 12/16/2012

Update: Augustus closed Feb 28, 2014

Augustus is a new bar and restaurant from Robb Sheldon (Liberty, Whisky Bar) and Sarah Sheldon (Zoe), with support from Brian Brooks and Jaime Mullins-Brooks of Hunger, next door. Augustus serves well-made cocktails with an emphasis on the recipes and styles of the late 19th and early 20th century. The name "Augustus" is a nod to David Augustus Embury, author of The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks. I started with a nice Dragon Toe, which Robb described as a sort of "gateway drug for women to brown liquors." Moving drinkers to more spirit-focused cocktails and brown liquors in particular is another focus of the bar. We also discussed my superstition about never having a bad cocktail with cucumber, and Robb observed that he may have started the cucumber trend back at the Bada Lounge 11 years ago. In addition to the very pleasant cocktail offerings, August serves food with an emphasis on house-made sausages.

Seattle Met's Allecia Vermillion describes how the bar came about:

"Robb and Sarah Sheldon were on their honeymoon when they got a call from two old friends. Sarah met Jaime Mullins-Brooks when the two worked at Restaurant Zoe; now Jaime and husband Brian Brooks run Fremont restaurant Hunger. And they had intel they promised was worth interrupting the couple’s newly wedded bliss: The former Rogue and Peasant space next to Hunger was suddenly available. The Sheldons had been looking for a place to open a bar, and here was an available space adjacent to their friends’ restaurant. From the beaches of Hawaii, the Sheldons green-lighted the plan."  (SeattleMet)

My one complaint about Augustus is that it is not open Sundays. I can certainly understand that from a small, family run, specialist restaurant, but Sunday is my favorite bar day, so I hope there is enough demand and staffing that I don't continue dropping buy mostly when it is closed.


3601 Fremont Ave N, Ste 207, Seattle, WA 98103 - (206) 588-0891
Est. Dec 10, 2012 - Closed Feb 28, 2014 - Building constructed: 1996
Previous bars in this location: Rogue and Peasant
Web site: theaugustusseattle.com - facebook
Reviews: seattlemet - seattlemet - yelp

#1992 - Horseshoe Saloon, Woodinville - 12/15/2012

The popular blue collar cousin to the tony wineries up the road, "the Shoe" is popular with the locals and the parking lot is usually full of pickups and SUVs. Basic bar food, basic cockails, basic beer selection, mix of ages, leaning toward older.

12461 NE Woodinville Dr, Woodinville, WA 98072 - (425) 488-2888
Est. 1982

Web site: facebook
Reviews: activerain - patch.com - king5 - yelp

#1991 #S1092 - Fish Cake Factory, Seattle - 12/15/2012

This is a new Thai restaurant from first time restauranteurs Jo and Arnon Kaseter in a new-ish condo building a bit off the beaten track in Belltown. A big catch here is chef Vimonsri Wongjarean, who is Arnon's cousin and has a high reputation among Seattle's Thai food fans for her work at Bai Tong (which Thai Airlines employees would seek out while in town). There's really no reason to go to the bar here if you are not going for dinner. But the food is good and the bar offers a small selection of wines for before or after.

2510 4th Ave Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 724-0194
Est. year - Building constructed: 2000
Previous bars in this location: Zeitoon Café Bistro
Web site: fishcakefactory.com - facebook
Reviews: seattletimes - eater - thestranger - cornichon - yelp

#1990 #S1091 - Reuben's Brews, Seattle - 12/14/2012

In what is becoming a fairly common site in Seattle, and particularly in Ballard, Reuben's Brews hosts a small tasting room, serving some fine beer choices in a space carved out of their new microbrew facility in an industrial area. This kickstarter-aided effort comes from award-winning home brewer Adam Robbings and his wife Grace (Reuben's is named for their son), and features 6 rotating taps. As usual with smaller tap rooms, hours are limited, so be sure and check before you go (currently Thursday and Friday, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday noon to 8pm.; Sunday noon to 5 p.m.)

Try the: Roasted Rye IPA

1406 Northwest 53rd Street #1A Seattle, WA 98107 - (206) 753-9583
Est. Aug 5, 2012 - Building constructed: 2000
Previous bars in this location: None 
Web site: reubensbrews.com - twitter
Best articles: seattlemet - washingtonbeerblog - washingtonbeer.com - seattleite - thestranger - beeradvocate - yelp

#1989 #S1090 - John John's Gameroom, Seattle - 12/9/2012

John John's closed in late 2017.

This is a second bar and game room from the owners of Add-A-Ball in Fremont. Like Add-A-Ball, John John's serves beer (bottles and cans) for adults playing old classic games. Unlike Add-A-Ball, this space (former home of cafe and jazz club Faire Gallery) is largely a wrap-around second level, with narrow passages holding pinball machines and games here and there. As opposed to feeling like you're in the exposed concrete basement of someone's irresponsible uncle, this feels a bit like you're taking a break at some hip architecture firm, amidst nice woodwork, unusual angles, and exposed brick. And like Add-A-Ball, the owners and other staff are always very cool and make you feel at home -- strange uncle or not.

1351 E Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 696-1613            
Est. Nov 8, 2012 - Closed 2017 - Building constructed: 1925
Previous bars in this location: Faire Gallery Cafe
Web site: johnjohnsgameroom.com - facebook
Best articles: capitolhillseattle - capitolhillseattle - thrillist - thestranger - didwelikeit - knarpsworth - yelp

#1988 #S1089 - Bait Shop, Seattle - 12/9/2012

The Bait Shop is a new Linda Derschang bar in the Capitol Hill area so it is, of course, instantly popular. It shares the woody, vintage elements of several other Derschang projects, but adds a new, maritime theme. The smell of fried fish hits you as you walk in the door, wafting over the bar from the kitchen and around the dark, knotty pine interior. Derschang recruited Forrest Brunton (Golden Beetle, Tilth) to put together a one-page menu of casual food (fish and chips, giant pork rinds, fried chicken sandwich) and Adam Fream (The Sexton) to create a tropical-themed cocktail menu that includes a couple selections on tap (a Dark and Stormy, and a Murray Stenson creation), as well as a couple frozen options. And unlike the vast preponderance of bars that serve tropical drinks, the Bait Shop actually serves a quite drinkable mai tai.

606 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102 - (206) 420-8742
Est. Dec 9, 2012 - Building constructed: year
Previous bars in this location: Jade Pagoda, Bako
Web site: baitshopseattle.com - facebook
Best articles: seattletimes - suzi-pratt - thrillist - seattleweekly - eater - eater - capitolhillseattle - seattlemet - thestranger - yelp

#1987 #S1088 - Bombay Bistro, Seattle - 12/4/2012

A fairly good Indian restaurant from Satinder Virk, who owns Maharaja in West Seattle and owned the recently closed Capitol Hill version, with a fairly average bar.

1200 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 708-1678
Est. Nov 1, 2012 - Building constructed: 1900 or earlier
Previous bars in this location:1200 Bistro, Pike's Bar and Grill, Chao Bistro
Web site: bombaybistroseattle.com
Reviews: thrillist - capitolhillseattle - thestranger - yelp

#1986 - Hotel Murano Lobby Bar, Tacoma - 11/30/2012

A fairly average hotel bar in a nice hotel, full of art on every floor, and a sort of mid-century modernist theme.

1320 Broadway Tacoma, WA 98402 - (253) 238-8000
Web site: hotelmuranotacoma.com

#1985 - Maxwell's, Tacoma - 11/30/2012

A romantic setting in an old Tacoma building, Maxwell's now features jazz bands, fine dining, and some nice speakeasy era cocktails. We did not have dinner in our stop, but they have rotated through a number of head chefs in a fairly short time, and recently moved to a somewhat more casual and less pricey menu.

Read more here: http://blog.thenewstribune.com/tntdiner/2012/02/10/taking-a-second-bite-zara-mediterranean-cuisine-and-maxwells-speakeasy-lounge/#storylink=cpy

454 Saint Helens Avenue Tacoma, WA 98402 - (253) 683-4115
Est. April 2008 - Building constructed: 1927

Web site: maxwells-tacoma.com - facebook
Reviews: tnt - tnt - tnt - tacomaweekly - weeklyvolcano - expeditionsbytricia - yelp

#1984 - Tacoma Cabana, Tacoma - 11/30/2012

The Tacoma Cabana

The Tacoma Cabana bills itself as "Tacoma's Premier Craft Tiki Bar." This is a bit like the Green Bay Packers calling themselves the premier NFL team of eastern Wisconsin. There are no dedicated tiki theme bars that make craft cocktails anywhere else in Tacoma -- or for that matter in Seattle or the Puget Sound region (although a few differently themed bars such as Rumba include some fine tiki cocktails, and Hula Hula offers an impressive tiki decor). Both the cocktails and the decor at the Tacoma Cabana are serious tiki (and no, that is not an oxymoron).

Owners Robyn Murphy and Jason Alexander used to run the Villa Caffe and Imbibery across town. They did a swell job converting a fine old space on Pacific Ave into a glowing, thatched hut setting where fresh juices and classic ingredients are used to make fine tiki concoctions, and served with "vacation fusion" appetizers and entrees. Tacoma keeps becoming a better and better bar town, and the Cabana is now a nice part of that.

The Tacoma Cabana

Read more here: http://blog.thenewstribune.com/tntdiner/2012/11/16/tiki-time-tacoma-cabana-brings-rum-fun-and-a-600-pound-marlin-to-downtown-tacoma/#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://blog.thenewstribune.com/tntdiner/2012/11/16/tiki-time-tacoma-cabana-brings-rum-fun-and-a-600-pound-marlin-to-downtown-tacoma/#storylink=cpy

The Tacoma Cabana

728 Pacific Ave Tacoma, Washington 98402 - (253) 222-4184
Est. Oct 17, 2012
Previous bars in this location: On The Rocks, Surreal Ultra Lounge

Read more here: http://blog.thenewstribune.com/tntdiner/tag/tacoma-cabana/#

Web site: tacomacabana.com - facebook  
Reviews: tnt - tiki central - amountainofcrushedice - weeklyvolcano - kevinfreitas - yelp - komonews

#1983 - Indochine, Tacoma - 11/30/2012

The "Indochine Asian Dining Lounge" is a flamboyantly decorated Thai restaurant in a rebuilding part of Tacoma, and featuring large drapes, a tatami room, a Thai house, a reflecting pond, and a bar in front where they serve cocktails very heavy on sweet juices.

1924 Pacific Ave Tacoma, WA 98402 - (253) 272-8200
Est. Aug 2005
Web site: indochinedowntown.com - facebook
Reviews: tnt - chowhound - yelp

#1982 #S1087 - Ayutthaya Thai, Seattle - 11/27/2012

Ayutthaya has served fairly good Thai food here since 1985. In late 2011, early 2012, they remodeled a bit, adding a small bar in back. It's not the sort of bar many people will seek out for a bar -- rather that a pit stop while getting food, but bartender Cameron, who also works at 611 Supreme, was friendly, and accommodating when I requested an Old Pal.

727 East Pike Street Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 324-8833
Bar est. 2012 (restaurant since 1985) - Building constructed: 1910
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: ayutthayathai.com - facebook 
Reviews: seattletimes - gastrolust - yelp - thestranger

#1981 #S1086 - World Sports Grill, Seattle - 11/23/2012

Update: World Sports Grille closed and became Art Marble 21 in early 2015

The former Jillian's, remodeled a bit, with an expanded bar and dining area, and managed by the GameWorks company.

731 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109 - (206) 223-0300
Est. 2012 - Closed 2015 - Building constructed: 1921
Previous bars in this location: Jillians
Web site: worldsportsgrille.com - facebook
Reviews: yelp - bellesofthesound
D.W.

#1980 #S1085 - Treehouse Lounge, Seattle - 11/21/2012

Update: The Treehouse Lounge closed in October 2016

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Drinking at the Treehouse Lounge feels like being invited to the home bar in the back shed of a particularly artsy friend.  It is a cabin-like bar in the small upstairs area of the Mind Unwind Gallery, in West Seattle, an "event-driven art studio and gallery" that features "low-key, unwinding classes become a playground for your creative imagination ... from meditation to music to art and everything imaginable." The funky little bar has a small but eclectic selection of bottled beers and wine.

2206A California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116 - (206) 849-7222
Est. Oct 28, 2012 - Building constructed: 2011 - Closed Oct 2016
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: mindunwind.org - facebook
Reviews: westseattleblog - thrillist - yelp