Author Archives: Ed Sum

08.26.10
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Dining with a Sasquatch

Cougar Bar & Grill
1689 Lewis River Rd
Cougar, Washington 98616
(360) 238-5252

Nestled near the base of Mount St. Helens is a town where there’s more than just one type wildlife for one to hunt for. For some people, it’s like the last vestige of humanity before Big Foot comes knocking at your door or it’s the last resort for folks like me before I go venturing near a volcano that nearly blew off its top back in the 80’s.

There’s an aptly named Volcano Burger ($8.95) that I had to try at the Cougar Bar & Grill. For the chili lover, this meal can set you simmering with delight. For the hamburger lover, you’ll wonder what the fuss is about.

If there were a few veggies added to the meal and they were propped up to mimic a forest, I’d say the cooks here were making a statement. Culinary art would be imitating history. In this case, when there’s a lava flow coming your way, that forest is going to burn. I imagined the fries were the woods, and they were certainly crisped up nice.

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08.24.10
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Seattle Can Light my Fire

Laredo’s Grill
555 Aloha Street #100
Seattle, Washington
(206) 218-1040

Mexican food is great if one can handle the spiciness in some of their dishes. But when it comes to gulping down a jalapeño whole to kickstart my meal, it felt like I walked into Hell’s Kitchen, and I mean that with the highest regards.

Back home, Hernande’z in Yates Street mall does a good job for meals on the cheap, but when you start paying more for a more filling soft taco, there’s a better value for the buck.

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08.20.10
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The Voodoo Verdict

Voodoo Doughnut Shop
22 SW 3rd Avenue
Portland, Oregon
(503) 241-4704

 

I survived the three-day sugar binge, and I must say Voodoo Doughnuts certainly has the mojo. Even after a few days, these doughnuts stood the test of time in my iron stomach. The toppings remained sweet and I’m surprised I didn’t go into a sugary coma. Fortunately, I didn’t survive on just doughnuts alone. I had a decent meal to accompany my morning sugar rush. But before these doughnuts became too old, I had to try the show stoppers first.

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08.10.10
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Dey Call Me Dr. Craw!

For me, Portland turned into New Orleans for a few hours as Yvonne and I ventured into new territory. With only a road map and instinct to guide us, we were only interested in dodging wet weather. So we headed towards the Columbia river instead, and I partook in other pleasures other than my own growing gullet.

But even for a pit stop for breakfest, I’m sad to say Jack in the Box stopped making their delicious chiabatta burgers. Although discontinued last year, some outlets continued on until about a month ago.

Out of all the burger chains, Jack’s burgers have always tasted better. They’re still holding the crown with a new sourdough bun burger. They’ve been more innovative with what to use for buns than any other national chain and I must say Burger King is looking less appealing these days. I’ve stopped hitting McDonald’s a long time ago because their quality never appealed to me. They just make burgers too small for this growing boy to appreciate.

But what I needed was seafood! I don’t make any bones about it. So far this trip has become more than just a culinary adventure; it’s a bibliophile’s wet dream come true. While in Portland, I had to stop by Powell’s Books and blew my budget. Like I didn’t realize that’d happen. At least I still had my credit card for two of Portland’s famous eateries:

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08.08.10
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Death by Sugar and it’s not Cheese

Cow Chip Cookies
102A 1st Avenue South,
Seattle, Washington
(206) 292-9808

One thing I have to ask is that who doesn’t love pie? Or some of that stuff cows poo out? Well, that’s the gimmick some cookie chefs use just to gross people out, and it works. When Yvonne challenged me to try it, I did.

By hook or by crook, there’s nothing that’ll scare me away. Even the basic cookie is worth rating and I can finally say that I found the one that I’ve been after for a very long time. I love my cookies gooey and soft. There should be enough intensity without having to knock a tooth loose. Well, any sugar will.

I despise hard baked cookies. The softer they are the tastier they are. It’s almost like eating dough. A good cookie, like one of Cow Chip’s, should be malleable. And it has to be a gooey mess to make a soft cookie really good.

I’d rate these fad cookies from Cow Chip as a definite step above gourmet cookies. Even for the stuff that you buy at a grocery store or a bakery, they don’t always make ’em soft.

Just because a food item may look like something you stepped on, it doesn’t always mean it’ll taste like it.

3½ Blokes out of 5

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08.08.10
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The Return of Ed from the Victorian Lagoon!

The Crab Pot Seafood Restaurant
1301 Alaskan Way, Pier 57
Seattle, Washington
(206) 624-1890

It’s been more than a decade since I last visited the Crab Pot in Seattle. Back then, it was known as a great place to hit by locals. And since that time, it’s risen in popularity.

I couldn’t help but be trapped by that thing tourists have to do, but when considering that three varieties of crab (Dungeness, Alaskan King and Snow) are offered in their deluxe Sea Feast menu offering, that’s what I was after. But I forgot that the meal had to be ordered in pairs.

Unfortunately, Yvonne is allergic to shellfish. But I was still able to go primal, and I resisted ordering one of each individual sized portions otherwise the meal would’ve hit epic proportions, costing around $80 USD. So instead, I tried the King Crab Legs Feast ($32.95) and I must say the only thing thar has changed was the wait.

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