Tag Archives: Washington

07.03.24
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[Seattle, WA] A Doh at The Dough Zone

20240301_165356815 Pine St
Seattle, WA

Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Website: doughzonedumplinghouse.com
Phone: (206) 682-6666

I don’t find the trend of choosing what you want to eat in advance all that unusual these days. This is more common in metropolises than anyplace else, and when operations like The Dough Zone to be as speedy as possible, I wonder if diner satisfaction is on top of the restaurant manager’s mind? I get the feeling they’re trying to the McDonalds of the Asian fast food scene when considering it is a franchise operation stretching from Washington State to California (and Texas).

If anyone wants to grab a quick bite here during the busy hours, I don’t recommend it. It’s best to reserve in advance. When the operation I went to is in the beating heart of the convention centre alley, they’re very popular. Also, when I didn’t want to stray too far when there were evening activities, they were pretty much the only choice unless I wanted to pay more at the bar that’s located at the Summit Building.

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06.19.24
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[Seattle, WA] Just Chillin’ at Ohana Belltown

Screen Shot 2024-06-12 at 3.32.37 PM2207 1st Ave
Seattle, WA 98121

Hours: 3 pm to 1:30 am (12pm Tues)
Phone: (206) 956-9329
Menu: http://www.ohanasushigrill.com/menu.html

Hawaiian food can be unique, and to say it’s a fusion of other culinary styles brought to the island depends on who you ask. I’m sure most folks agree it really is a combination of ideas from other regions and when I’m craving something authentic, I just have to visit Hawaii and hope I get invited to a Lūʻau. I want to experience that true Ohana spirit, and this operation is so aptly named, I want to come back!

What’s provided at Coco Grill (review) is “real” but it’s not the food I’m looking for. Where’s the poi? As for all the pokes, they’re a dime a dozen and while they come from humble island origins, that’s not what I’m after. There’s always going to be some pork dish at all diners, but what about the seafood? With eel, having enough to feed the masses can be problematic. And who would’ve thought Seattle would have the ideal outlet to get my Japanese and local flavour right. At Ohana, the environment felt just right, and I dived right into the ocean blue as easily as a dolphin into water.

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07.05.23
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How to Turn a Corn Dog to a Chung Chun Rice Dog is Easy. You just….

20230423_145323502 S King St
Seattle, WA

Hours: Daily from 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Menu: chungchunricehotdog.menu11.com
Phone: (206) 682-1300

ES: I must admit that in Seattle’s International District, there’s always a delightful scent that fills the air. No, I’m not talking about the smell of weed, but rather of all the bakeries that are around. From one place that we hit up for a quick baked snack that Don recommended to just walking around the block, I’m glad I wondered about all the people walking around with a corn dog in their hand. Although it didn’t take my nose to track it down, just walking by Chung Chun Rice Dog made me realise we gotta eat here!

DK: I’m a sucker for a slightly grubby looking place with a long line, and that’s how Chung Chun presented itself to us. By the time we ordered, there were approximately 20 people packed into a space designed for about half that, with another 20 or so waiting outside. We later learned part of the reason for the clown car conglomeration was likely the restaurant’s devotion to proper deep-frying. Our dogs were shockingly un-greasy, suggesting high-heat frying and an aversion to placing too many dogs in one fryer at the same time.

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06.07.23
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How “Pie” Can We Get When “The Bar” is in North Seattle?

20230422_232704(multiple locations)
2218 NW Market St
Seattle, WA

Website: https://www.piebar.com/
Hours: Weds to Sun 6:00pm to Midnight

DK: Every year, some local news outlet asks a 100-year-old lady, “What’s the secret to eternal life.” If the crew’s found an old coot that understands good TV, the answer back is always “whisky.” When my family asked my elderly aunt the same question, she said, “always eating dessert.” Well, call me Ponce de Leon, because on our Seattle trip I led Ed to Pie Bar to drink from the fountain of youth. Or to at least test old-lady wisdom.

ES: I’m glad we didn’t emerge out of that establishment visit with whipped cream beards on our way out. We had to look clean and shaven, with many years taken out, since added facial hair is an indicator. Although we hit this establishment late at night, I must say the more operations that exist till midnight are perfect for the drinking crowd. 

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05.17.23
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[Seattle, WA] How to Feast (or rather get Drunk) at Skål Beer Hall!

Ed and the Tree of Life5429 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, Washington

Hours: Weds, Fri-Mon
from 12 PM to 11:00 PM
Phone: (206) 829-9615
Website: https://www.skalballard.com/

ES: The next time I return to Skål Beer Hall and have friends with me, we’re either tackling the Roast Pheasant or Chicken! Don and I were talking about visiting Seattle for a long time, and all I knew during our discussions is that this place was #1 on my list. Even though we didn’t fully feast like a Viking, to be a karl to an Jarl (Earl) is fine by me. For starters, what we were delighted about was enough to satisfy the appetites of youths.

Yes, I have to bring up How to Train Your Dragon for comparison (well the animated one versus the book), Don was Hiccup to me being like Fishlegs (being stouter), but were we able to make a dent at attacking the Njord Bord? What say you, Don?

DK: Now is where I insert a witty riposte to Ed’s characterization of me as Hiccup. But, having not seen the film or read the books, I’ll just assume Hiccup is a charming and intelligent sidekick.

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11.23.22
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[Port Angeles, WA] When All Residents Need is Songoku Hibachi and Sushi!

20221009_142702Songoku Hibachi and Sushi Japanese
134 W Front St
Port Angeles, WA

Hours: 11:00 am to 9:00 pm (daily)
Phone: (360) 477-4315

In a small town like Port Angeles, the primary industry is fishing and tourism. In October, it’s the 21st Annual Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival. For the adventurous hiker, there’s Hurricane Ridge and the Olympic Mountains, but they are typically closed when the seasons change. Because there’s plenty of rainforests nearby, harvesting mushrooms (as my review from a few weeks ago explored) is no doubt next.

But instead of local delights, I had to see how Japanese food and the Pacific Northwest can be fused up. Fusion food is a big thing and can be a selling point for some operations, and Songoku has crawfish! I don’t think I’ve seen it offered in sushi before! Out of all the places I’ve visited in the past, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it offered in the menu.

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