Disqus - Latest Comments for amusedpen

Re: US t-mobile

amusedpen — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 13:02:35 -0000

Super slow internet in Uptown Seattle. Struggling for 4 Mbps download - upload okay.

Re: Texas Gov. Rick Perry compares homosexuality to alcoholism in San Francisco speech

amusedpen — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 14:33:29 -0000

Who cares what Perry, or Bachmann, or any of these other babbling idiots have to say. They have proven they are both uneducated, and out of touch with mainstream America. Stop giving them a podium to say stupid things.

Re: Luigi’s Pizza and Pasta has new owners

amusedpen — Sun, 22 May 2011 22:29:33 -0000

Well, I gave the "new" Luigi's another chance tonight. Gale is at a bridal shower, and while I love being surrounded by beautiful women, I decided I didn't want to be the only man there:-) With me there, the ladies might feel uncomfortable man-bashing:-)
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Since we were disappointed the first two times we tried the new owners in the first month they opened (February 2011), and Gale now refuses to go in the place (it's that Italian vendetta thing:-) I decided to go in and giver their macronada a try. They didn't have it in the beginning, but apparently they got a lot of requests for it, so they put it on their menu.

The first two times, one sit down dinner, and one take out, we were not happy with the results. The owners seem like nice enough folks. We've only talked to Jason who's out front, and his wife, Christina is in the kitchen. The first time we ordered pasta - I think Gale got the meat sauce and I went with the marinara. The pasta was overcooked, under-drained with standing water in the plate, and the sauce tasted like someone had dumped a bunch of sugar in it, but with little other spice. Oh, and when Gale got her side Caesar, it was made with iceberg lettuce. Don't know if they've fixed that or not.

The next try was sandwiches to go - they are doing sandwiches, meatball, Italian sub, etc. I got Gale the meatball sandwich, and I went with the Italian sub. The meatballs were just okay, not much flavor, and there was the overly sweet tomato sauce again. My sub was passable, but the quality of the salami and ham weren't that great in my opinion. We both like Romio's sandwiches better.

After dropping Gale off, I decided to go and give the macronada a try. They have something they call, "The best salad anyone has ever had" or something like that. That should probably be a clue - no one names a salad that. Anyway, the salad is mixed greens with some kind of special dressing, some walnuts that I think are dipped in honey then dusted with cinnamon (those were good) and a couple of dried cranberries. The salad (admittedly it's included in the price of the macronada - $11.95) amounted to about 10 leaves of various greens, about 6 little walnut chunks the size of large raisins, and the aforementioned pair of dried cranberries. It may have been the smallest salad I've ever seen, but fairly tasty. I ordered a glass of pinot grigio for $6, and that was okay.

Then came the much-anticipated macronada. Again, overcooked pasta, but at least drained this time. There was some yellow liquid in the bottom of the bowl that had a butter flavor, but was far short of the old macronada swimming in butter. And as hard as I looked, I could not find one piece of garlic in the dish - Chris used to throw in about a handful of sliced fresh garlic and brown that in the butter making the dish reek of garlic - you gotta be a garlic lover, and we are. There was a mild garlic flavor, but nothing like the old days. Even the feta cheese didn't seem to have much flavor, but by then I may have just been so PO'd that I didn't care. I reached for the shaker of parmesan cheese, and ground a bunch of black pepper on it to give it flavor. My guess is that they make up some butter concoction, probably with garlic powder, for the garlic bread, and that's what goes in the macronada.

So, now I'm depressed that Luigi's has dropped off our list of inexpensive and tasty places for a bite to eat close to home. I understand that everyone cooks differently. My grandmothers fried chicken or bolognese sauce will be different from every other grandmother's cooking, but I want flavor in my food. I want tomato sauce that tastes like tomatoes, and hopefully with some herbs and spices, not sugar. If a dish advertises garlic, I want to taste garlic, big time.

I won't go so far as to tell people not to try it - everyone likes something different, but if you were a fan of Chris' great macronada, or mediterranean pizza, you're probably not going to get too excited about the new Luigi's.

Re: Mulleady’s Irish Pub and Restaurant

amusedpen — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 18:31:04 -0000

Tired of green beer and dodging projectile . . . on St. Paddy's Day? Mulleady's is offering something different; a sit-down dinner with choices of four courses, and of course some libations along with soft Irish music. Check it out at their website.

Re: Luigis Pizza & Pasta

amusedpen — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 18:20:25 -0000

Was just revisiting some of these comments. I suppose you'll be happy to know that Chris, the owner/chef, has sold Luigi's. Don't know anything about the new owners that take over 2/1/2011. But, you are totally wrong on the pizza crust, the chicken breasts (they may be frozen after he roasts them in the pizza oven ahead of time). Yes, the pasta is dry pasta - few places make their own like Mondello. I find it irritating that whoever you are, must sit out front and make assumptions about restaurants. I've been in back with Luigi before he opens and personally watched him make crusts, cut blocks (about 6" X 6" X 10" ) of fresh mozzarella into quarters and shred it for all his dishes. I've watched him bake the chicken breasts coated with olive oil and spices. I watched him slice fresh mushroom for pizzas and salads.

So, until you've spent a hour back there watching him go to the work he does to prepare good food, perhaps you should preface your comments with "I assume", because that's what you're doing.

Re: Serendipity

amusedpen — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 20:23:32 -0000

Have to give this another go. Went there a couple of times in the first six months they were open and wasn't impressed. Friends tend to say the same thing, but I know they're trying hard so will give it another chance. I'll try to time it when the ankle biters are taking their naps:-) I know, parents. You need a place to go as well - I look forward to your snarky responses:-)

Re: The Village Pub

amusedpen — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 20:20:11 -0000

The Pub just got a new owner a couple of weeks ago, so lets see what happens. With Kevin, he wanted to do more in the kitchen, and what he did was good, but his clientele were basically the beer and burger crowd. That's not a knock, I like a beer and burger as well as the next person, but pubs are a-changin' and I'd like to see this one kick it up a notch.

Re: Luigis Pizza & Pasta

amusedpen — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 20:17:58 -0000

Too bad more people can't spend time in the kitchen with Luigi and see what goes into his food. He uses fresh ingredients (no the lasagna is not microwaved), makes his own crusts with herbs, uses real cheese, not sawdust, and works his tail off. Everything is made to order, so yes, you may have to wait. Jack In The Box drive through is open until late every night if you're in a hurry.

I have to assume the naysayers prefer Godfather or Romio's pizza.

Re: Gim Wah

amusedpen — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 20:12:39 -0000

This is going to sound weird. I gave it three stars on the basis of some hot & sour soup. I panned the place a year ago (used to be amusedpen). Some friends wanted to go there after a night at Swirl, so we went along. My wife and I shared a tureen of hot & sour, and it was some of the best I've had anywhere. We'll try some other things, now.

Re: Rudy’s Place

amusedpen — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 20:10:22 -0000

Not sure I like the "new" Rudy's as much as the old one. Didn't sit down and eat much, but would stop in the bar for takeout. Nothing special on the menu, but comfort food at decent prices.

Re: Upper Crust Bakery

amusedpen — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 20:01:07 -0000

Don't know why this doesn't rate more stars - it's a great little bakery. Everything we've had is top notch. I keep lobbying for prune Danish, but so far no luck:-)

Re: Pronto Pizza & Pasta

amusedpen — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 19:59:13 -0000

Not that exciting in my opinion. It's a carbon copy of Romio's, which can serve in a pinch, but I'd rather have either Luigi's Mediterranean Pizza, or one from Queen Margherita.

Re: Pagliacci Pizza

amusedpen — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 19:57:30 -0000

Just okay. Too much like all the other American pizza joints.

Re: Katina’s Kitchen

amusedpen — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 19:56:21 -0000

If you've ever been to a truck stop in the Midwest, and loved breakfast, then you should stop by Katina. It's not fancy, but man for about $10 you'll get a breakfast to knock your socks off. A recent visit included two eggs (sunny side up and perfect), real fried potatoes, and two pork chops the size of Frisbees (well, almost). Took one chop and some spuds home. It's home cooking at its best.

Re: Palisade

amusedpen — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 19:50:24 -0000

We're in the bar more than the restaurant. Beautiful, and expensive, but it's something of a landmark now, and not a cheap operation, so for a special evening out, it's great.

Re: Mondello Ristorante Italiano

amusedpen — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 19:48:11 -0000

"Now that's Italian!" Don't remember which commercial used that line, but it applies to Mondello. This is southern Italian, which means tomatoes, olive oil, and garlic, and they do as well or better than just about anywhere we've been. People drive from all over Seattle, and beyond, to have their food. We're lucky they made Magnolia their home.

Re: Mulleady’s Irish Pub and Restaurant

amusedpen — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 19:45:28 -0000

Mulleady's is still a favorite stop. Sorry to see Andy's ambitious menu gone, but it still has that Dublin pub feel, great bar, and of course, Guinness. Henry, Sam, and Eli are all great bartenders.

Re: Queen Margherita

amusedpen — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 19:42:59 -0000

Magnolia has waited a long time for this, and they haven't disappointed us. Great pizza, appetizers, and wine for very reasonable prices. This is what pizza was in Italy before we started burying them in cheese.

Re: El Ranchon

amusedpen — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 19:41:26 -0000

Regular customers since they opened about 17 years ago. Good food, and great people. It's what we call formula Mexican (what Americans expect), and we're always encouraging them to expand the menu, but we certainly won't stop going there. Great Chinese coffee (ask Raul to explain).

Re: Seattle Pie Company

amusedpen — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 19:38:59 -0000

Just not impressed. Maybe it's because I grew up in Nebraska and homemade pies aren't a big deal. We tried sandwiches that were not inspiring, and a slice of pie that was better than what you get at the market, but didn't make me say OMG. Looks like I might be in the minority on this one:-)

Re: Wheeler Street Kitchen

amusedpen — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 19:36:50 -0000

Only had lunch one day. Glad to see they have beer and wine now to go with what appears to be really good food. Only problem for us is they close too early.

Re: Queen Margherita restaurant opens Friday

amusedpen — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 14:47:58 -0000

Stopped in last night, and it was great. Warm wonderful feel to the place. They are handling the rush of business after only three days better than most as they work out a few wrinkles.

Had the Insalate di Tonno - cannellini bean and tuna with red onion, cherry tomatoes, lemon, and olive oil - stupendo!

We had to try the pepperoni pizza - my wife's favorite - and it was perfect. A couple of glasses of wine, and we were as happy as clams at high tide.

We definitely want to go back and try the Spagnola pizza, the Patata - what am I saying, all of them. I think next week they are planning on doing a happy hour from 3 to 5 pm, and again from 9 to 11 pm. That will be great. There will be a happy hour menu with, I think, a Margherita pizza, a couple of antipasti plates and salads, and $4 dollar wines and $3 beer. Sounds like a winner to me.

Re: Photos: The Pacific and Adjacent Theaters in WWII

amusedpen — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:48:38 -0000

This was not a war of our making, but one we had to enter on two fronts, Japan and Germany. Brave men and women suffered, and died in this war, along with many non-combatants. Those who fought this war should never be forgotten. At the same time, we must never glorify war; it's an ugly and deadly business that yields little to celebrate. Be proud of what we did in WWII, but never think of war as the first choice.

Re: La Isla

amusedpen — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:29:01 -0000

This place is great, and the only Puerto Rican food in Seattle to my knowledge. The new bar is terrific, and the food from top to bottom is marvelous. A must stop for anyone tired of hamburgers.

Re: Hale’s Ales

amusedpen — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:26:19 -0000

Use to be better, or maybe with all the great food in Seattle, we've become jaded.

On our last visit, we stopped by around 9 PM. The menu said they served until 10 PM. The server brought us menus, then when we tried to order, she said the kitchen was closed - huh? So why did you bring us menus?

We pointed out that it said they served until 10, she had a consult with the kitchen, and then said okay. Whatever we ordered wasn't available, and what we did order appeared to have been thrown together with little enthusiasm.

We'll probably try again one day, but the competition for the food dollar these days is frantic, and you can't really afford to tick off customers.