A few pizza places

I've been overdoing it a bit lately on pizza. Within the last couple of weeks I've been to four different Renton pizza places. This review does not include those places I haven't been to very recently, so it does not include some worthy competitors like Flying Pie, or Armandos, or Amante, or the Rock.
But it does include Pizza Man, 1222 Bronson Way 425-430-0066.
Pizza Man only has one or two tables, so I assume most people get the pizza to take out or be delivered. But we ate it in, and I recommend that. It's an above average quality pizza place, run by a friendly Bulgarian guy with a sense of humor. After he revealed he was Bulgarian, and I mentioned that the Amante chain was also Bulgarian owned, he said he thought there was still a few Italians left in the pizza business.
The Gourmet Vegetarian pizza was especially good.

Another worthy pizzeria is Jay Berry's Cafe, at 16341 Renton-Issaquah Rd, 425-271-1817.
Jay Berry's has a much larger menu than just pizza, and includes pasta, burgers, entree salads, and weekend breakfasts. Lunch specials include two large pizza slices with two toppings and a hefty side sald for 7.25. The pizza is a style I'd characterize as Greek American, though I don't think the owner is Greek. It's a nice crunchy crust, slightly thick, with not a lot of sauce, and a ton of melted cheesy goodness. It's not "my style" of pizza, but I appreciate it for what it is, and enjoyed the place a lot. Salad dressings include a great home made honey lemon. Friendly and fun place to hang out in.

I fairly recently reviewed the happy hour at Vinces. They have a Renton location at 2815 Sunset Blvd NE, 425-226-8180. Vince's is a small chain, and the original branch still exists just north of Renton in Seattle's Rainier Beach area. Vince's in Rainier Beach has been around since the 1950's. Vince's continues to bake far better than average pizza. The crust is especially good, as are the prices.

Last but not least, I can't forget about Angelo's, at 3809 NE 4th ST, 425-228-7415.
There are a couple of pizzas I like better in Seattle, but Angelo's is seriously awesome pizza. Just the right mix of puffy, crusty, bready, but fairly thin crust, with an assertive, delicious sauce.They're not afraid of garlic here. This is " my kind" of pizza, but it's also the kind of place where I have absolutely no willpower. It's a good thing I don't live nearby, I'd weigh 500 pounds.
Great, friendly service. Red plastic checkerboard tablecloths, and good Greek salad.

Best Happy Hour Food

I just came back from Vince's Pizza in Rainer Beach. It's got to have one of the best happy hour food deals in the Seattle area. You have to dine in the lounge to get the happy hour deal, but dang! Huge antipasto for 2.99. Large plates of pasta for 2.99. Microbrew or import beer for 2.50. 8 inch pizza with pepperoni, sausage, or mushroom for 2.99, all available from 4-6 PM weekdays.
Vince's may be Seattle's oldest pizzeria, having started at this location in 1957. It's also much better than average pizza. The same owners own Pulicinella Pizza on Rainier Avenue, their " authentic" Neapolitan pizza joint. I've eaten there. I like it.
But for my money, I prefer the crust at Vince's ( does that make me a non cultured slob?), and the prices. I've been to Blossom Asian Bistro for happy hour, as well as the Lakeside Bistro, and like them both. Anywhere else I should go?
Vince's
8824 Renton Ave S.
Seattle, WA 98178 206-722-2116

What? Soda isn't healthy?

I admit it. I have a thing for diet soda. At home, it's usually Diet Rite from a can, and in restaurants it's often Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi from the fountain.
I'm under no illusions. I realize that after going for a buffet meal and downing ten thousand calories, the Diet Coke will not magically dissolve away all those calories.
Still, if you can't count on a chemical laden soda to be safe and healthy, what can you consume?
Alfalfa sprouts were implicated in an e coli episode, and so were organic fruit juices.
But soda?...Yes.
A recent study in Virginia found that 48% of the soda dispensed from fountains contained fecal bacteria.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Germs/soda-fountains-squirt-fecal-bacteria-study-finds/story?id=9506583
I haven't stopped drinking fountain soda since I read the study. Bad habits die hard, and it's awfully hard to turn down a free refill of a fecal bacteria laden soda.