#2417 #S1220 - Cassis Bistro, Seattle - 2/22/2014

Update: Cassis closed on Dec 19, 2015.

Cassis was a highly regarded French restaurant on Capitol Hill from 1997 through 2004. Now owner Jef Fike is opening a version of it across from Alki Beach and next door to The Cactus. It seems a bit of an odd location for the delicate French dishes, with the Alki Ave vibe being more like a college part of town, and sunlight streaming through the large, garage door windows of the newish building. But then again, perhaps this is not so unlike the touristy seaside French commune for which it is named. For this version Fike has recruited Chef Andy Dekle from their days together at The Ruins. The food and cocktails are both quite nice, and it certain provides a change of pace from neighbors like The Cactus and Fatburger.

2820 Alki Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116 - (206) 743-8531
Est. Feb 19, 2014 - Building constructed: 2003
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: cassisalki.com - facebook
Articles ranked: seattlemet - seattletimes - seattlemag - yelp - tripadvisor - seattlemag - eater - thestranger 

#2416 #S1219 - Bar Cantinetta, Seattle - 2/19/2014

This is the newest, smallest and most intimate of the four locations of this Seattle area group of Tuscan-style restaurants. This version seems if anything a bit more wine centric, and features the same very fine and creative Italian themed dishes.

2811 E Madison St, Seattle, WA 98112 - (206) 329-1501                    
Est. Aug 30, 2013 - Building constructed: 1984
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: barcantinetta - facebook 
Articles ranked: culinaryfool - seattlemag - madisonparkblogger - madisonvalley.org - eater - seattlemet -  yelp - tripadvisor - thestranger - seattleweekly

#2415 - Oddfellas, Auburn, WA - 2/16/2014

Oddfellas Pub, Auburn, WA

Someone has obviously put some loving attention into Oddfellas Pub and Eatery in Auburn. Replacing The Pit, a fairly cookie-cutter, suburban sports bar closed in 2009, Oddfellas glows with custom woodwork, done by the owners themselves. and featuring their monocled, bowler-hatted logo.

Located in the bottom floor of the Truitt building in downtown Auburn, the hometown of Sir Mix-A-Lot some 28 miles south of Seattle, Oddfellas is part of a substantial downtown revival of the former Slaughter, WA. 'Auburn was originally incorporated as Slaughter, Washington after Lt. William Slaughter, who died in a skirmish fighting Native Americans which are now apart of the modern day Muckleshoot tribe in 1855. At the time, the main hotel in town was called the "Slaughter House." In 1893, a large group of settlers from Auburn, New York, moved to Slaughter, and renamed the town to "Auburn."' (wikipedia)

The Pastime Tavern, Auburn, WA, c. 1933
Property of White River Valley Museum via University of
Washington Digital Archives

Tax records list the Truitt building as constructed in 2003, but sitting in a location that hosted an Oddfellows fraternity a century ago, and from the early 1930s into the 2000s hosting the Pastime Tavern and Card Room. The current Oddfellas is a large, brick space which serves a broad menu of modern pub food with hints of English and European themes, with a selection of 25 craft brews on tap.

Oddfellas Pub, Auburn, WA

102 W Main St, Auburn, WA 98001 - (253) 939-7278
Est. Dec 31, 2010 - Building constructed: 2003
Previous bars in this location: The Pit, Pastime Tavern / Card Room
Web site: oddfellaspub.com (warning: super obnoxious audio) - facebook
Reviews: auburn-reporter - bestcraftbeer - foodspotting - yelp

#2414 - Rainbow Cafe Lounge, Auburn, WA - 2/16/2014

There isn't anything particularly attractive about the bar potion of the Rainbow Cafe, which was created in the mid 1980s as the Rainbow expanded into an adjacent business. It is overly bright for a bar, has little personality in the decor, closes early, and serves standard dive-bar style drinks. A previous bar existed in the current meeting room before that, but I have been unable to find opening or closing dates. Little signs hanging from the ceiling direct customers to their desired section of the establishment.

It is the cafe portion, established 1929, which is the focus of the Rainbow. It is a historic landmark and said to be the "longest running restaurant in the state with the same name." Here they serve classic American diner food, surrounded by historical photos and western artifacts on the walls.

112 E Main St, Auburn, WA 98002 - (253) 833-1880
Est. 1980s (current bar, restaurant in 1929)
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: web site - facebook
Reviews: auburn-reporter - yelp - auburntourism

#2413 - Schooner Pub and Galley, Lakewood, WA - 2/16/2014

The Schooner, Lakewood, WA

Update: The Schooner Pub closed July 26, 2017.

I like pretty much any bar that seriously embraces an elaborate theme, and the more kitch the better, particularly when the has been sitting in some bland suburbs for a few decades. The Schooner in Lakewood is all in for its antique sailing vessel concept (although apparently the current level of dedication doesn't extend quite so far as getting around to dusting). Entering the establishment via a gangplank over a small pool in a suburban parking lot, you walk into a fairly sizable space of glowing, brown wood, rigging, and nautical knickknacks. From above the bar, life-sized and somewhat unnerving ship's officers gaze down at you, while a rigger reaches toward lanyards over a crow's nest and a maniacal cook reaches out a ship window extending a skillet containing a dusty blob. A prow and figurehead rise above a fireplace at the back of small dance floor, surrounding by sailing ship railings, pins and cordage. In a slightly lowered dining area classic black vinyl seats surround rope framed, thickly-lacquered tables in an area resembling a forecastle.

The Schooner Pub, Lakewood, WA

In the early 70s, Donald Dean Kitchen left the construction business to build and run a bar and restaurant, opening the doors to the Schooner in 1972. Vestiges of the 70s include a coin-operated cologne plunger in the men's room. The bar provides the sort of wide range of functions that suburban bars often do -- comfort food restaurant, nightclub, sportsbar, karaoke joint, etc. Don passed away in 2013 and the place is now run by his children Mike and Rita, but may have little time left as the owners appear to be negotiating with people looking to replace the 43 year institution with a Chick-fil-A drive-thru (newstribune). If you're in western Washington and haven't been there, you should probably go while you still can.

The Schooner Pub, Lakewood, WA

The Schooner Pub, Lakewood, WA

5429 100th St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499 - (253) 584-1919
Est. 1972
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: theschoonerpub.com - facebook
Reviews: northwestmilitary - tripadvisor - yelp

#2412 #1218 - Cask and Trotter, Seattle - 2/13/2014

There's nothing particularly outstanding about the bar at this new barbecue joint in South Lake Union, but they do have some good whiskey choices and fairly good barbecue and comfort foods to go with your drinks.

711 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109 - (206) 453-4756
Est. 2013 - Building constructed: 1914
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: caskandtrotter.com - facebook
Reviews: yelp - tripadvisor

#2411 #1217 - Tallulah's, Seattle - 2/1/2014

Tallulah's ("a neighborhood cafe") is one of my favorite new restaurants in the Seattle area. It is the first brand new space designed by Linda Derschang, who is better known around the neighborhood for transforming existing spaces with funky, hipster-friendly, rustic decor. This place is more sleek and elegant than most of her earlier places, and is said to be "inspired by a recent trip to Morocco and Spain, a love of mid-century design and the feeling of Big Sur in the 1970’s." (aneighborhoodcafe.com)

They describe the menu of chef Walter Edwards (Crush, Tilth, Golden Beetle) as "vegetable-driven without being vegetarian." I tried the grilled Halloumi cheese with roasted pears, which I thought was excellent, and a very nice lamb burger with zucchini, Harissa and fries. For cocktails I had a "Lost Acre" (rye, Dolin Blanc, Amaro Meletti, Peychauds), which I found excellent, and a "Benchmark" (rye, sweet vermouth, Campari, grapefruit) which was also quite good, and had pleasant conversation with various folks at the bar.

550 19th Ave E, Seattle, Washington 98112 - (206) 860-0077
Est. Dec 26, 2013 - Building constructed: 2014
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: aneighborhoodcafe.com - facebook
Reviews: seattletimes - seattlemet - eater - capitolhillseattle - seattlemag - thestranger - yelp - tripadvisor