Tag Archives: Washington

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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11.09.22
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All’s Welly in Port Angeles, Ice Cream and More!

20221009_160104Welly’s Real Fruit Ice Cream
115 E Railroad Ave
Port Angeles, WA

Hours: (Closed Tues)
12:30 AM to 8:30 PM daily
Website: https://www.wellysicecream.com/

While I’m not sure how well this ice cream parlour stays afloat when the weather is wet, there’s always room for this delight any time of the year! Welly’s is popular because they offer a dairy-free version. It’s not strange at all that Lillie and Jacob, the proprietors, took up residence in Port Angeles. Part of it may well be due to how similar it is to New Zealand. As explained from the company web page, the woman discovered how the Kiwi love making their ice cream and decided to take the idea home to set up shop here. This also includes buying the proper equipment to provide an authentic grind.

The milk trickling down the ridges and the taste of freshly blended fruit made my taste buds do the hula. The fact some fruit was kept chilled and was then crushed gave the ice cream an extra texture.

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10.14.22
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The Port Angeles Crabfest Experience is Back!

20221009_123140With the world deciding it’s best to live with the pandemic, many annual events have resumed and of the various foodie experiences in my region, I decided to make the Crabfest in Port Angeles my return to form. This event takes traditionally takes place on the first weekend of October.

I’m sorry Victoria, but what I’ve seen and done here is still the same ol’ same ol’, and I craved something new.  Not even the recently announced Maritime Museum’s Crabtober in November, a one day show, can match this Stateside experience. The key difference is that it’s a limited seating event than taking place at a public space (it sold out on the day it was announced) and people can’t wander around to look at arts and crafts vendors. There’s no mention of food trucks, thus making it seem like a closed event than something truly public like Esquimalt’s Ribfest.

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03.03.21
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I’m Screaming for Ice Cream (and to Travel Again)

Shug’s Ice Cream
and Soda Fountain
Pike Place Market
1525 1st Ave Seattle, WA

Hours: Thurs to Sun 2 pm to 8 pm
Phone: (206) 602-6420

I miss making my annual trip in March to Seattle, Washington. One reason is that this city is home to Emerald City Comic Con, the largest show celebrating pop culture for the Pacific Northwest (Canada included)! Last year’s event didn’t happen because of the pandemic. I was making my plans, but when Seattle became famous for being a hotbed of possibly getting infected, I knew I had to cancel.

ReedPOP made the wise call to “postpone” their event as nobody wants to get COVID-19, and while they are scheduling to resume for Winter 2021, just whether that will fly will depend on the global situation. Vaccines are being delivered and by Summertime, I should be a card carrying member of almost immune to COVID-19 club. I’m still going to wear a mask everywhere I go and have hand sanitizing wipes though! Upon landing, I know I’ll be making a beeline to Shug’s Soda Fountain and Ice Cream. They offer late night treats when the sugar craving calls! Throughout the year, plenty of seasonal flavours become available, but my plan is to attack the Big Eddie again–or I may order something different.

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01.08.20
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[Seattle, WA] Surfing Over to Nijo Sushi Bar & Grill

83 Spring St
Seattle, WA 98104

Hours: 11 am to 11 pm
Phone: (206) 340-8880

I should not be surprised that Seattle is becoming much more like Victoria, BC at every new visit I make. Yes, I’ve been spending my holidays here and that’s because this city is easy to reach, and not all that expensive to get there. The food can be pricey at times, but the less I spend on transportation, the more can be explored with various operations here. I feel more Japanese eateries exists in this city per square block than any other. Competition is stiff, and I don’t feel the need to return my go to places when there’s more to discover every visit.

Nijo is a comfortable place to have something old and something new. I had dishes which were not the staples for many a meal. Yes, I can get tired of tuna and salmon fast.

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