#2257 #S1163 - Percy's, Seattle - 8/20/2013

While the horse is well out of this barn, some of my age group would still have us despair of the gentrification and hipification of north Seattle's old Scandinavian shake mill and fishing community of Ballard.  But while I prefer dive bars filled with crusty old blue collar workers over faceless condo buildings as much as anyone, bars as good as Percy's simply leave one no option but to capitulate.

Percy's & Co. Apothecary Bar and Restaurant is in an old bar location -- built in 1898 according to the owners and in 1893 according to the Ballard Historical Society -- which first housed Percy Sankey's "Ballard Bar." It has hosted various bars and types of bars since then, including, according to rumor, throughout the years of prohibition.

Seattle hipster hotspot owners Wade Weigel (Ace Hotel, Rudy's Barber Shops) and Jeff Ofelt (Bimbo's, Cha Cha, King's Hardware) upgraded the food considerably and made what had been a fairly attractive bar substantially more elegant, as well as increasing the nods to the history of the location and neighborhood. They host classic movies on the patio and live music from blue grass to garage rock. More to the point, they induced craft cocktailers Kyle Taylor  and Joe Petersen of New York's "Apotheke" to join them, and to create delicious and creative drinks with an antique herbal pharmacist spin.

Even with the old Smoke Shop and Hattie's Hat still serving the dive crowd, it is increasingly rare to run into someone like the old fisherman I met in a joint up the street, who used to trade salmon for drinks, and proudly told me that in all his years of walking back to his boat from the bars, he'd only fallen in the water once. And the space that is now Percy's is a world away from the seedy old Silver Spot Beer Parlor, which took over after prohibition. But while the condo buildings rise relentlessly around it, this old avenue has preserved its century-old buildings, even while it has become awash in great places to eat and drink -- unmatched in Seattle outside of Capitol Hill. And damned if Percy's isn't one of the best of them.

5233 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107 - (206) 420-3750
Est. Aug 19, 2013 - Building constructed: 1893 1898?
Previous bars in this location:  Old Town Alehouse, Enger's Fish Knot Inn, Silver Spot, Ballard Bar
Web site: percysseattle.com - facebook
Reviews: thestranger - seattlemet - eater (photos) -  myballard - yelp

#2256 #S1162 - Lotus Asian Kitchen and Lounge, Seattle - 8/19/2013

Update: Lotus Asian Kitchen & Lounge closed in April 2018.

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For three and a half decades this was a Greek diner with a lounge in back -- the kind that had murals of ancient Greece painted on the walls, belly dancers, and coin operated plungers that sprayed cologne in the mens room. It has now been taken over by Ridgley Kuan, who runs the well-regarded Green Leaf Vietnamese restaurants in Seattle. This location is not another Green Leaf; while it contains some similar dishes it seems to focus on Chinese American dishes, which are pretty good. The lounge is not a major attraction, but my visit was pleasant thanks to very accommodating bartender Peter.

901 Madison St, Seattle, WA 98104 - (206) 623-6333
Est. Aug 2013 - Building constructed: 1908
Previous bars in this location: Grecian Corner, 1st Hill Bar and Grill
Web site: lotusasiankitchen.com - lotusasiankitchen.net
Reviews: thestranger - eater - yelp - urbanspoon

#2255 #S1161 - Bellini, Seattle - 8/17/2013

Update: Bellini closed sometime between late 2016 and Jan 2017.

There isn't much to the bar of this little southern Italian bistro, although you can get a nice glass of wine or sangria. But the food is quite good. Early reports had well known Seattle restaurateur Enza Sorrentino (AKA "Mama Enza") as the executive chef, but there was apparently some falling out between her and the owners, sending the latter scrambling and flying to Naples to import another chef. In any case, it's a modest, breezy setting with an open kitchen and offering nice southern Italian plates for lunch, dinner or snacking.

Historical notes:  I've found no bars in this space, although there was a pre-prohibition saloon owned by Nick Cunningham in the earlier 1900s next door, in the space currently occupied by the Endless Knot shop. The building is well over 100 years old, though there is relatively scant visible evidence of that after remodels.

2302 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 441-4480                 
Est. 2013 - Building constructed: 1900 or earlier
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: belliniseattle.com - facebook
Reviews: yelp - tripadvisor

#2254 #S1160 - Chinook's, Seattle - 8/16/2013

For people who've lived a while in the greater Seattle area, all you need to know about Chinook's is that it is part of the Anthony's chain. What this means is that you'll have a very solid selection of seafood, nothing super fancy, not cheap but not expensive, and a really nice view of some body of water. The setting for Chinooks is sometimes called "non-touristy" because it is a more industrial seaport setting than the others, but at the same time it's commonly recommended as a place that will please both you and your elderly relatives visiting from the midwest. The bar too is nothing cutting edge, but reliable on the basics.

1900 W Nickerson St #103, Seattle, WA 98119 - (206) 283-4665
Est. year - Building constructed: 1989
Previous bars in this location: The Wharf (The Mermaid Room and the Moby Dick Room)
Web site: anthonys.com
Reviews: seattlemet - thestranger - seattlemag - yelp - zagat - urbanspoon - gayot

#2253 #S1159 - The Masonry, Seattle - 8/15/2013

Matt Storm (Malt and Vine) owns this small craft beer joint in lower Queen Anne and manages the beer selections, with Lucas Neve (Cafe Lago) handling the small, wood-fired pizzas.  Both are pretty good, and the space is a bit spare, but with a relaxed, pleasant crowd.

20 Roy St, Seattle, WA 98109 - (206) 453-4375                        
Est. Aug 8, 2013 - Building constructed: 2000
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: themasonryseattle.com - facebook
Articles ranked: thrillist - thestranger - seattlebeernews - seattletimes - seattlequeenanne - queenanneview - seattlemag - yelp - tripadvisor

#2252 - Mist Bar, Snoqualmie - 8/11/2013

37500 SE N Bend Way, Snoqualmie, WA 98065 - (425) 888-1234
Building constructed: 2008
Web site: snocasino.com
Articles: seattletimes

#2251 - Woodman Lodge, Snoqualmie - 8/11/2013

The Woodman Lodge is set a restored lumberman's fraternal hall constructed in 1902, and now filled with nice wood, antiques, old photos and grand taxidermy. From this very pleasant setting they serve a fairly standard contemporary steakhouse menu, including several seafood choices, along with a good selection of wines and common cocktails. It's a good place for a reliable and satisfying meal and feels like eating in a historical museum. I'd eat here a lot if I lived in this town.

38601 SE King St, Snoqualmie, WA 98065 - (425) 888-4441
Est. July 15, 2008 - Building constructed: 1902
Web site: woodmanlodge.com - facebook
Reviews: yelp - urbanspoon - video