Gastrolust

Seattle is drawing ever closer to having a bigger street food scene. With kimchi quesadillas, gumbo, and poutine coming out of carts, we’ve come a long way from hot dogs. But let’s not forget the lovely hot dog, and its potential for greatness. Modeled after the popular Japadog carts in Vancouver, Shinsuke Nikaido opened his [...]

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After passing by the place numerous times in the past, I finally made it in to Mr. Gyros in Greenwood. Once inside, the workers welcomed me with warmth, as if I was a regular. Seriously: Are these not the nicest people in the world? They’re all smiles, suggestions, and pleasantries. The menu’s predictable, with gyros, [...]

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Dish: Kimchi Ramen Place: Revel, Fremont Price: $14.00 In the bowl: Kimchi (of course), pork belly, egg, green onions, nori strips, and ramen noodles. Supporting cast: Nothing. What to do: Admire the bowl before you. Smell, noting the slightly pungent odor of the kimchi. Then dive in. Noodling around: I’m a ramen snob, sampling all [...]

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After my “bento box of pleasure” at Chiso, I managed to squeeze in a second lunch during last month’s Seattle Restaurant Week. The Pink Door has been sitting atop Urbanspoon’s “Best Fine Dining” list for Seattle for so long, and yet I’d never dined there. Finally, I found an inexpensive way to try the Lasagna [...]

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Dish: Ramen (chosen with chicken) Place: Okinawa Teriyaki, Downtown Price: $6.99 In the bowl: Ramen noodles and broth. (So far, so good, sort of. And then it gets weird.) Chicken. Strands of egg. And lots of vegetables: Mushrooms, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, and zucchini. Supporting cast: Nothing. What to do: Wonder what you’ve gotten yourself into. [...]

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This was not my typical scene. I’m comfortable in the filthiest hole-in-the-wall restaurants as well as the finest of fine dining establishments. But a cocktail lounge? I don’t really do cocktails, and, come to think of it, I’m not known for lounging. Yet there I was, sitting next to a grand piano and reading a [...]

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Dish: Special Saimin Place: Spring Hill, West Seattle Price: $12.00 In the bowl: Per the menu: “smoked pork belly, six-minute egg, pork & ham broth, fish cake, scallion”–and also gai choy (pickled mustard greens) and nori (dried seaweed sheets). Supporting cast: A small bowl of spicy chili oil. What to do: To add or not [...]

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