#2431 #S1227 - Din Tai Fung, Seattle - 3/11/2014

Din Tai Fung, Seattle

In creating this blog post for the U Village instance of Din Tai Fung I've noticed that I never created an entry for the earlier Bellevue version -- no doubt overlooked because I did not go to the bar until after I'd eaten there a few dozen times. Had I written about the Bellevue location, this post could have simply referred back to that one, as it is the same serviceable bar, the same small army of cooks methodically hand-preparing dumplings behind a window, the same regrettable, busy mall location, the same long lines to get in (despite room for 230), and the same lovely, lovely food that makes it all more than worthwhile.

Shrimp and pork wontons in spicy sauce
Din Tai Fung, Seattle

The wait is mitigated by DTF's support for the NoWait app, which you can use to reserve a place in line, if you are that prepared, or if you are not, to track the number of parties ahead of you. The latter feature allows you to loll around in Barnes and Noble until you see there are just one or two groups ahead of you. Mark Davis's bar program for the local restaurants is satisfying, and while you won't typically want to brave the mall crowds just for the bar, it can occasionally payoff as a shortcut to a seat for small parties.

Foodies will need no introduction to the Taiwanese Din Tai Fung chain -- they serve what have been called "the world's greatest dumplings," the Hong Kong restaurant has a Michelin star, and the New York Times named them one of the top ten gourmet restaurants in the world. At last count there were only 5 Din Tai Fungs in the U.S., with 2 in the Seattle area, and a 3rd on it's way (to yet another busy mall, alas -- someone needs to convince owner David Yang Wasielewski to build one on a nice waterfront location). The first northwest DTF in Bellevue caused a minor sensation when it opened in 2010, and hopes that eventually you could get in for either lunch or dinner without waiting in line have been futile.

DTF is most famous for its "xiao long bao" soup dumplings, but for my money the best item on the menu is the shrimp and pork wontons with spicy sauce. But you can't go wrong here, so if you are going for the first time it's nice to have a large group that is happy to share many items (and don't overlook the Shanghai rice cakes with pork or the cucumber salad). It won't be a cheap meal and it probably won't be a short wait, but you'll be happy you did it.

2621 NE 46th St, Seattle, WA 98105 - (206) 525-0958
Est. Dec 29, 2013 - Building constructed: 2013
Previous bars in this location: None
Web site: dintaifungusa.com - facebook
Articles Ranked: thrillist - seriouseats - seattleweekly - seattletimes - heelsfirsttravel- seattlemet - seattlemet - forbes - yelp - tripadvisor - zagat - eater

#2430 #S1226 - Traveler Montlake, Seattle - 3/10/2014

Traveler Montlake, Seattle

Update: Traveler Montlake was refashioned into Pub Montlake in 2016 and then closed altogether in 2017. It subsequently housed Purr, which moved from Capitol Hill.

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Traveler Montlake is the sort of place you want to pull into after being out in the snow or rain for a while, when you're in the mood for a meal that is well made, not too common but not too fancy, and to sit by the fire with a hot cocktail of some sort. It is very Seattle-y, from the allegiance to the Huskies and local sports teams to the sweaters and jeans crowd. Most of this was probably also the case for several previous joints in this location, from the Montlake Alehouse the decade preceding it back to the 50s when UW students would bring their prime rib sandwiches from Perry Kelly's Big-K Bar-B-Q here to Jilly's East. But this incarnation, from Devlin McGill of the Leary Traveler and Nabob, is more pleasant for adults -- with more creative food (though still centered around American comfort foods), better cocktails, and elimination of the family-friendly conversation-pit area for kids.

Traveler Montlake, Seattle

I chatted with bartender Anna, who designed the bar program, and tried a 1776 Boulevardier (I liked this, though I prefer the classic, which is one of my favorites). I also had a very good Argentinean Roast Pork Sandwich and curry carrot mango soup (which comes around in the rotation now and then).

Argentinan roast pork sandwich with curry carrot mango soup
Traveler Montlake, Seattle

2307 24th Ave E, Seattle, Washington 98112-2606 - (206) 946-6980
Est. Feb 23, 2014 - Closed 2016 - Building constructed: 1922
Previous bars in this location: Jilly's East, Grady's, Bleachers, Montlake Ale House
Subsequent bars in this location: Purr
Web site: travelermontlake.com - facebook
Reviews: capitolhillseattle - thestranger - yelp - tripadvisor

#2429 #S1225 - Plaza Garibaldi, Seattle - 3/9/2014

A few years ago this was Jalisco, which was curiously right across the street from Jalisco. Just as it was difficult for me to tell the difference between the double Jaliscos, it's difficult for me to spot the difference between this new place in the Jalisco west-side-of-the-street space, as it seems to be mostly the standard, Azteca-style, American Mexican plates and magaritas. So even if you didn't realize Jalisco closed, you will know what to expect, and Garibaldi reliably delivers.

Historical notes: This space, constructed in 1926, was the home of the Footlight Tavern from the 40s into the 80s. In the mid-80s it was briefly the Sea Otter Saloon, and then Taqueria Jalisco from 2007-2012.

129 1st Ave, N Seattle, WA 98109 - (206) 397-4088
Est. Aug 9, 2012 - Building constructed: 1926
Previous bars in this location: Footlight Tavern, Sea Otter Saloon, Taqueria Jalisco
Web site: pgaribaldi.com - facebook
Reviews: yelp - tripadvisor - queenannereview - thestranger

#2428 #S1224 - Serious Pie, Seattle (South Lake Union) - 3/3/2014

Sweet fennel sausage pie - Serious Pie, Seattle, WA

The drinks are fairly good at the bar they've added this instance of Tom Douglas's mini gourmet pizza chain. But of course the focus remains the pizza -- one of my favorite meals in the city. Have the sweet fennel sausage choice.

401 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109 - (206) 436-0050
Est. Dec 1, 2014 (date bar added) - Building constructed: 1948
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: seriouspieseattle - facebook
Articles ranked: seattlemet - seattleite - seattletimes - yelp - gastronomyblog - absolutelymonica - seattlepi

#2427 - Russian River Brewing, Santa Rosa, CA - 3/3/2014

You can't visit Santa Rosa without visiting Russian River, but the locals advise not to simply dive into the Pliny. So at the advice of bartender Jeff and customer Gary, I started with a "Row 2 / Hill 56," before moving to the inevitable Pliny the Elder. They were both my kind of beers, and had some pleasant chats with various folks at the bar. Russian River sells over 50% of its beer in this one pub, which was the main reason cited for ceasing shipments to my hometown Washington state in 2013, thus putting an end to the annual Pliny the Younger frenzy here in our thirsty town.  E.g. from the Seattle Times 2011:

"It causes lines around the block and packed houses that would violate most cities’ fire codes. Last year, Naked City Brewery & Taphouse in Greenwood blew its Pliny the Younger keg in six minutes."

'Last year, Jamie Butler, co-owner of The Dray in Ballard, nonchalantly noted on Facebook one night that he would tap Pliny the Younger at 3 p.m. the next day. He ran some errands and strolled in at 3 to find a full house with “people slamming their hands on the bar,” he said.'

"The Whisky Bar in downtown won’t announce when it will release Pliny the Younger because, the bartender said, the place would just go nuts." (seattle times)

Of course the delta between Pliny and many other fine, more readily available beers doesn't merit the mania unless you are fairly devoted. But it does add to the gratification of a northwesterner casually sipping Russian River's goods while in town.


725 4th St, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 - (707) 545-2337
Est. April 3, 2004
Web site: russianriverbrewing.com - facebook
Articles: sfchronicle - wikipedia - yelp - sfgate - craftbrewingbusiness

#2426 - Tradition, San Francisco, CA - 3/1/2014

I only stopped in for a quick drink at this place from the people behind Bourbon and Branch, etc. It was packed, and I had not made a reservation for any of the "snugs" -- reservation-only booths decorated in various bar themes (tiki bar, speakeasy, English pub, etc.). The drinks are nice and were I living or working in the area I might be tempted to work my way through each of the booth areas.

441 Jones St, San Francisco, CA 94102 - (415) 474-2284
Est. June 2012
Previous bars in this location: Club 441, Mister Lew's Win-Win Bar & Grand Sazerac Emporium
Web site: tradbar.com - facebook
Reviews: 7x7 - seriouseats - thrillist - yelp

#2425 - Rainbow Cattle Co, Guerneville, CA - 3/1/2014

Rainbow Cattle Co, Guernville, CA

My cousin made fun of me (she is often cruel to me in this way) for being well into my drink and examination of the Rainbow Cattle Co. premises before opining that it may be a gay bar. But really, how was I to know? I was not informed of the cultural history I've now noted in the entry for McT's Bullpen. Of course there was the prominent rainbow on the sign and in the name. And there were the bear-ish patrons around and behind the bar. And there was the flyer for Musical Sundays. And the ones with people who looked like members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. And an unusual number of leather hats. And all the other rainbow pennants and flags. But really, what am I, psychic? Stupid cousin.

Rainbow Cattle Co., Guernville, CA

Anyway, the Cattle Co. seems like a pretty fun place, and I regret I wasn't there to see it on a busy Saturday night. The woody, rustic decor contains various western icons -- painted saws, steer skulls, etc. -- and is only better for multiple pieces being broken. They offer a fairly typical set of dive-bar style cocktails and craft beer selections, with a signature Long Island Ice Tea that comes in a 32oz Mason jar.

16220 Main St, Guerneville, CA 95446 - (707) 869-0206
Est. 1979
Web site: queersteer.com - facebook
Reviews: about - tripadvisor