Sushi Hana @ Bothell

If you are a Sushi lover and are in the Bothell area, try this all new conveyer-belt Sushi place at Thrasher's Corner. Located in a strip mall, this place is clean and sparsely decorated. I would love to call this place the Japanese Tapas joint or something. Small color coded plates representing different prices (ranging from $1.00 to $3.00) scoot on the conveyor belt ready to be picked up and devoured.  If you have trouble spotting the veggie plates, just tell the Chef and he will be happy to make them fresh for you! You could sit along the belt or in one of the booths. Why I like this more than Sushi Land or Sushi Connection? Tons of veggie options!

Conveyor belt @ Sushi Hana

Being Sushi lovers of epic proportions, A and I couldn't wait to try this place. The waitress brought us tea and menus. We told the chef what we wanted and the plates just kept coming one after the other. We started with the Veggie Roll. A dip in the soy sauce- wasabi mixture later we realized how much we missed Japanese food.

Veggie Roll

Veggie Tempura - Carrot, Broccoli, Potato and other veggies dipped in batter and fried. Delicious!

Veggie Tempura

Inari - Something we have never had before. It is a fried tofu packet stuffed with sushi rice. Oh, whatever! It was simply drool worthy!

Inari

Agedashi Tofu - Silken firm tofu, cut into cubes, lightly dusted with potato starch and then deep fried until golden brown. It is then served in a hot broth made of soy sauce and topped with finely chopped spring onion.

Agedashi Tofu

Egg Roll - This had only veggies and was yummy.

Egg Roll

Sesame Balls -  A type of fried pastry made from rice flour. The pastry is coated with sesame seeds on the outside and is crisp and chewy. The pastry is filled with sweet black bean paste.

Seasame Balls

And then we spotted the Super Veggie Roll and had to have it.

Super Veggie Roll

And, we had to end it with the Cheesecake. Where do you get a Cheesecake for $2.50? This place is definitely worth checking out, folks!
 

Cheesecake

Mr.Gyros in Greenwood

With a one month old baby in tow, long, elaborate weekend lunches are a thing of past. These days we prefer some place where the service is fast and the food, delicious. Since we were in the neighborhood, and the restaurant is voted for #1 gyros in Seattle, we stopped by for a yummy Sandwich.

A typical fast-food / take-out joint. So, yes, no noteworthy ambiance. L shaped counter with some stools. Menu on the wall. An open kitchen and a billing counter. Oh, the long line at the counter!

Coming to the point,  things I like about Mr.Gyros:

• $ restaurant, perfect for a quick meal or take out.
• We ordered a falafel and veggie gyro and it was ready in supersonic speed. Beware, if you order the wrong sandwich (like we did) and want to change it, sorry, too late.
• Bottomless, hot mint tea at no cost!

The food - Well, as always, vegetarians have only two options - the Veggie and the Falafel Gyros.

Falafel Gyro

Veggie Gyro

However, one could order the plate that comes with  hummus or baba ganoush, rice, greek salad & pita bread. Both the sandwiches were good, though nothing exemplary. There are other restaurants that make an equally good ones. But if you are in the neighborhood and want a quick lunch fix, then, a definite must try.

Mission @ West Seattle

My birthday and a craving for something I haven't had in a while found us at this Latin restaurant on a beautiful Thursday evening. Mission is a dark and dimly lit lounge cum restaurant, where the decor is very earthy and stylish and the attitude is quite casual. Stone walls, candle lights, date night, anyone? Grab a table and seat yourself, yo!

Mission, West Seattle

Either on the first floor or on the second level balcony which overlooks the bar on the floor below.

The bar @ Mission

Unlike most restaurants where the waitress introduces herself with a big basket of bottomless chips and spicy salsa, here, you order chips. They have a really huge menu with interesting appetizers and entrees, with good vegetarian options.

We started with Stuffed Jalapenos - Pan fried Jalapenos stuffed with cheese and mexican chocolate. There were a measly four pieces for $6. It was very different from anything I have had. The Jalapenos were spicy, obviously, and the cheese and chocolate gave it a sweetish taste. If you have a low tolerence for spice, I would say stay off from this one. But if you are a spice lover like me, you will relish it. It was fantastic!

Stuffed Jalapenos

We then got the Sweet Pappas – Sweet potatoes and roasted peppers, topped with cotija cheese. It tasted a lot like, well, sweet potatoes. Nothing glorious. Just some finely chopped sweet potatoes and some scanty peppers tossed in oil and topped with cotija cheese. It actually helped balance the heat from the stuffed Jalapenos.

Sweet Pappas

Sometime back I reviewed the best Chile Relleno I have had here. I also mentioned that no place in Seattle makes such good ones. I now take it back, because at Mission, we had the exact same plate of Rellenos. I was totally zapped when the waitress brought over the plate. It was plated and tasted just like the one we had at Palm Beach.
Chile Relleno – Two roasted anaheim peppers stuffed with three cheese mix, pablano potatoes, roasted corn, and toasted hazelnuts. Battered, flash fried, and served with red rice, black beans chili roja sauce, and garnished with crème fresca.

Chili Releno

So, yes. Just for their Rellenos, I wouldn't mind the long trek to West Seattle.

Olive You @ Kirkland

So, after reading all the not so great reviews of this restaurant, we had no choice but to dine atleast once, to use up the Groupon we had so enthusiastically purchased when the menu was different and so were the owners. Having read that its not a very kid friendly restaurant  made us even more anxious. It was the first time we were setting out with a four month old infant to a fine dining establishment. Thank heavens, the food, service and the experience was outstanding!

We got there at 6:45 pm on Friday. There were just two other couples dining and we were escorted to a nice big table right away. The blue walls and ceiling, white furniture, dimly lit interiors all make for a nice date night. They even have the patio open in summer, overlooking the lake.

With only a few vegetarian options, we knew what we wanted. The appetizer was a mushroom dish. I don't remember the name and it is not available on their website. Something like mushrooms sauteed in a creamy sauce. Delicioso!

We then ordered a Falafel Platter - House-made falafel served with jasmine rice, hummus, tzatziki, dolma, kalamata, pepperoncini and grilled pita.

Falafel Platter @ Olive You

One bite and we were in mediterranean heaven. Falafel was crispy outside and moist inside, dolma a little sour (like it is meant to be), rice was so flavorful, pita was slightly burnt like the Indian tandoori naan. Everything was so perfect.
We then called for the Spanakopita - Layers of flaky filo pastry baked around spinach, caramelized onions and sheep’s milk herbed feta cheese baked to golden hue.

Spanakopita @ Olive You

The Spanakopita was so different from the ones I have had. The phyllo pastry was a tad thicker than the traditional ones, but very flaky. It came with some veggies and rice on the side.
It was quite a nice dinner. The waitress was attentive and food came without any delay. It is also a tad expensive for the portion. In other restaurants the platters usually come with a soup and salad. Here there is no such concept, though you pay the same. Will go back if the menu changes :)

Masala Bar and Grill @ Bothell

One word - Yumville! This is a restaurant that puts hospitality and great food at the top of the menu. If you live in or around Bothell and love quality North Indian food, you probably have heard of  Masala Bar and Grill, yes? Or  like me, having paid a ton at average Indian restaurants and not having got the money's worth, you may veer off  from restaurants in obscure locations with mostly empty parking lots, what? Well, what can I say, most often, the hideous looking restaurants offer some of the most fulfilling meals of all times. On Sunday, we set aside all doubts and took my parents who are visiting, to this place for dinner. Boy, was it good! It is not sought after by many and stands in a not very happening place, but don't let that stop you from giving it a try.

When we got there at 8 pm, ours was the only car and for a few minutes we were hesitant to get off, contemplating reversing and heading off to Clay Pit in Mill Creek Town Center. But we went in, anyway and am so glad we did! Once inside, one feels like they are transported to a fine dining restaurant replete with table linens, dim amber lighting and prominent Indian decor. The huge bar area with big screens is a popular destination for watching Superbowl and other games. Occasionally on Friday nights they have Live Persian music, Karoke and what have you!

Coming to the food... We were first served papad with sweet and green chutney.

Papad @ Masala Bar and Grill

We called for a plate of Vegetable Pakora. It arrived at lightning speed, fresh and hot.

For the main course, we ordered Malai Kofta - Freshly made deep fried vegetable balls served in a creamy tomato sauce. It came in a Kadai with a flame at the bottom that kept it warm till we scraped off the last spoon of the creamy, buttery goodness. It was fresh, flavorful, creamy and absolutely delicious. My parents who are usually picky, loved it.

Malai Kofta @ Masala Bar and Grill

The next entree was Paneer Masala - Paneer cooked in tomatoes, Indian spices and onion gravy. This was fantastic as well. The paneer was fresh. The gravy was creamy, with oil floating on top (which my hubby loves to see). They don't use food colors like some restaurants.

Paneer Masala @ Masala Bar and Grill

We ordered Rotis and Garlic Naan to eat with. The entrees themselves came with Basmati rice.

It was a delectable dinner. Service was also very good. Even though we were the only people on a Sunday night, they were attentive in catering to our needs, instead of just leaving us alone in a corner. I am not sure why many people don't like this restaurant. May be they have improved over time. The buffet for $7.99 is not great for Vegetarians. They usually have four non veg and two veg entrees. But I highly recommend this place for dinner. Try it on Friday nights. Live Music will make it even better!

Queen Margherita @ Magnolia

The best Pizza in the world? Not sure about that as I have not been around the world yet, but most definitely one of the best Pizzas in Seattle. This is a place where you get real Pizza Italiano, said an Italian friend of A's. "The best Italian Pizza in Seattle? Go to Queen Margherita in Magnolia ", he said. So, when the Groupon came along, we HAD to go.

Queen Margherita is a small place, located in the same lot as the Seattle Pie Company. We almost missed it when driving by. Usually, there is a wait time of 15 to 20 minutes or longer if you get there after 6 pm. They open at 3 pm and have a happy hour from 3 to 5 pm on week days.

Queen Margherita Restaurant

The bar has the wood burning stove where the guys who make this miracle called Pizza happen, shovel it in and out the oven, non stop. It can take about 20 minutes for the Pizza to get to your table from the time you order. Be prepared to wait.

Wood burning stove

The hand tossed dough tastes like the Indian Naan. It is soft and chewy and incredibly thin! So thin (thinner than one's tongue) that you can fold a slice a couple of times and prop it in your mouth. I have always thought that the crust could either be thin and crispy or thick and doughy, but here's one that's thin and doughy! I was in Pizza Heaven. And the Cheese! None of the new age three Cheese or four Cheese Pizza, that makes one want to spend the rest the of the waking hour at the Gym. Cheese is used to add flavor to the Pizza and not with the intention of fattening one up. Just a dollop on each slice and you won't believe the fresh flavor it infuses the whole Pizza with. One can eat a whole Pizza.

We got the Queen Margherita Pizza - Buffalo mozzarella, San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh basil and extra-virgin olive oil.

Queen Margherita Pizza

Such a basic Pizza. The fresh tomato sauce was hot and bubbly and turned creamy as it melted the fresh Mozzarella. I took one bite off a slice and the crust folded, the fresh hot dollop of Mozzarella ran off as if it were on a slide and the tomato sauce dribbled down my fingers. It makes a mess, but just deal with it.

Next we got the Patata Pizza - Yukon gold potatoes, fresh rosemary, roasted garlic, pecorino cheese and extra-virgin olive oil.

Patata @ Queen Margherita

Cheese was sparingly used and the main flavor was from the Olive oil and fresh rosemary and roasted garlic. Again, a very basic Pizza but the flavors it diffused were intense. My only complaint was that it was a tad dry. We asked for some Olive oil on the side to dip the slice in and that made it a lot better.

Beer was atrociously priced at $5.50, so we washed it down with Coke. Desserts were also a little on the higher side - $7 for a Tiramisu or $5.50 for a Gelato. Of course it might be the best one could get, but no thanks. The Pizzas themselves are not very big and are priced between $12 -$15. But of course, worth every penny. I am not sure why they picked such an obscure location in Magnolia. It will be great if they can open a branch in some place like South Lake Union where they will have long lines of people waiting to get in, shoving for access like they were trying to get space on the last ferry out of Orcas Island!

Ventana @ Belltown

Ventana in Spanish translates to a 'Window'. You won't know how apt the name is untill you visit this beautiful restaurant in Belltown - It has huge windows all around, with sweeping views of the Puget Sound, bringing in bright sunshine on the sunny days. We were there on one such Spring evening, enmeshed in the golden glow of the setting sun.  What I most love about these classy, stylish restaurants is the incredible Happy Hour! They have a twice daily Happy hour from 4:30pm - 7:30pm & 10:00pm - 2:00am. Plus, all day on Sunday and Monday.


Ventana

After wandering through Pike Place, A was in dire need of a beer. Sometimes, all we want to do is to chill and relax at some lounge with a nice view, great food and fabulous service. We headed straight to the bar area and made ourselves comfortable at a booth. The waiter brought us the menu. Guess what? The entire dinner menu is half off during the Happy Hour. Yes, you read that right! Vegetarians don't have those many options, unfortunately. A few to name are Steamed Edemame, Truffle fries, charred broccoli, house green salad and a pasta. We were there just for some finger food. We got the truffle fries made with black truffle oil and truffle salt. Let me tell you that that IS the best Fries in Seattle. Handsdown. I have had Fries at a number of other places, and found them to be just meh. But, this was exceptional.

Truffle Fries @ Ventana

And washed it down with a Negra Modelo

For $3, that was a lot of Fries! They were perfect - hot, flavorful, crunchy till the last bite. I got a sneak peak of their burger when the waiter brought it out to another table near us. It looked delicious. If only they could substitute a veggie patty in their burger....*sighs*

Just for the Fries and the view, I would go there any number of times! This is a must try, if you haven't been there yet.