I'm a sucker for good BBQ, and nowhere in Renton is great barbecue. We've got some pretty good barbecue in Sandie's Place and Cedar River smokehouse, and Gabby's in Skyway.
There's a new player on the BBQ scene, Slow Pokes, located near the Great Wall Shopping Center. Technically, they are not "real" in that the meat is slow roasted rather than smoked. Still, the meat is good, and the sandwiches are a very good value. The sandwiches are all served on sub rolls, or maybe Vietnamese Banh Mi rolls? And they are stuffed with meat. The place is part of a gas station building, always a good sign. Choices include the original with it's natural juices, or Texas Style ( with BBQ sauce) or Philadelphia cheese steak style, or Mexican, or Italian. The place has maybe three tables, but for 6.99 you will get a good tasting very large sandwich on a good fresh roll.
18010 E Valley Hwy
Kent, WA 98032
(425) 251-6820
slowpokes1.com
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Where is Renton's Best Pizza?
The Rock Wood Fired Pizza and Spirits has opened in The Landing, and among many other things has a lunch buffet featuring a variety of pizza, pasta, soup, and salad. Not a bad deal for 8.49, including soft drink, but how's the pizza?
The place is a fun, rock n'roll themed restaurant. The music's great. The servers were attentive and welcoming. One of the soups, a creamy chicken with wild rice, was outstanding.
The pizza? It's good. Almost all wood fired pizza is going to have a good crust, and crust is so underrated in general.
I've had better wood fired crust before, but just the fact that this is a wood fired crust is a big plus. Toppings were pleasant and there was a good variety of them. Sauce was a little too thin.
Is this Renton's best pizza? No. Renton is blessed with a few really good pizza places including Angelo's, Armando's, Vince's, and Amante.
But the Rock is pretty good, and some people really like odd themed places. I'll go back.
The Rock Wood Fired Pizza and Spirits
830 N 10th St
Renton 425-255-0334
The place is a fun, rock n'roll themed restaurant. The music's great. The servers were attentive and welcoming. One of the soups, a creamy chicken with wild rice, was outstanding.
The pizza? It's good. Almost all wood fired pizza is going to have a good crust, and crust is so underrated in general.
I've had better wood fired crust before, but just the fact that this is a wood fired crust is a big plus. Toppings were pleasant and there was a good variety of them. Sauce was a little too thin.
Is this Renton's best pizza? No. Renton is blessed with a few really good pizza places including Angelo's, Armando's, Vince's, and Amante.
But the Rock is pretty good, and some people really like odd themed places. I'll go back.
The Rock Wood Fired Pizza and Spirits
830 N 10th St
Renton 425-255-0334
Monday, April 27, 2009
Pssst, wanna buy a house?...OR Playin RUFF!
Two things today which are related:
1. Renton's Off Leash Dog Area, to be located behind the Renton Community Center across the river and near the Cedar River trail, is aiming for an August opening if the user group, Renton's Unleashed Furry Friends can match the city's 20,000 dollars. They're off to a good start, have a wine and auction benefit scheduled for tonight at Vino in the Landing, and a later event being scheduled for the Dog and Pony Alehouse and Grill. They're looking for donations and volunteers and are a wonderful group of people.
2. I'm a real estate agent. It is seldom revealed here because I have to keep up the image of uber cool blogger, and face it, real estate agents aren't cool. They're thought of as people who will sell their grandmother if they could earn a commission, and you can tell they're lying because their lips are moving. On the evolutionary scale, they're thought of as somewhere between a leech and a tick.
Two years ago many real estate agents were suggesting that if you didn't buy a house right then, you'd never be able to afford one, you'd be priced out forever.
Fast forward two years, and many Renton area homes are now worth 25% less than they were. But now, many of these same real estate agents are suggesting that you'd better buy a house right now because we've hit bottom and that interest rates won't fall any more.
What am I suggesting, and what does this have to do with dog parks?
I'm not suggesting that people buy houses or not buy houses. Prices have come down and interest rates are low, but I'm not going to be like many real estate agents and pretend I can predict the future.
But....if you already want to buy a house, and use me as your real estate agent, I'll donate two thousand dollars for the Renton off leash park. I'll donate it in your name if you like. Buy enough houses and you can probably have the dog park named for you or your German Shepherd- Basset Mix.
I'm not going to suggest that if you buy a house you'll get rich. In fact, the opposite happened a couple of years ago after some real estate agents referred their clients to their loan originator buddies to make sure they could qualify for a loan they couldn't afford, and then prices went down.
There are lots of good reasons to own a home. Over the long haul homes usually keep pace or exceed the inflation rate. And when you own a home, it's yours, meaning you can do with it what you like. Tear out all that grass and plant blueberries. Or paint the house purple. Use the garage for your heavy metal band to practice in.
If you want to buy a house, and also want to support Renton's Offleash Dog park, I'm your man. How cool is that? 206-349-2574 or sacharoff@gmail.com
Ira Sacharoff Betterproperties.com Seattle office
1. Renton's Off Leash Dog Area, to be located behind the Renton Community Center across the river and near the Cedar River trail, is aiming for an August opening if the user group, Renton's Unleashed Furry Friends can match the city's 20,000 dollars. They're off to a good start, have a wine and auction benefit scheduled for tonight at Vino in the Landing, and a later event being scheduled for the Dog and Pony Alehouse and Grill. They're looking for donations and volunteers and are a wonderful group of people.
2. I'm a real estate agent. It is seldom revealed here because I have to keep up the image of uber cool blogger, and face it, real estate agents aren't cool. They're thought of as people who will sell their grandmother if they could earn a commission, and you can tell they're lying because their lips are moving. On the evolutionary scale, they're thought of as somewhere between a leech and a tick.
Two years ago many real estate agents were suggesting that if you didn't buy a house right then, you'd never be able to afford one, you'd be priced out forever.
Fast forward two years, and many Renton area homes are now worth 25% less than they were. But now, many of these same real estate agents are suggesting that you'd better buy a house right now because we've hit bottom and that interest rates won't fall any more.
What am I suggesting, and what does this have to do with dog parks?
I'm not suggesting that people buy houses or not buy houses. Prices have come down and interest rates are low, but I'm not going to be like many real estate agents and pretend I can predict the future.
But....if you already want to buy a house, and use me as your real estate agent, I'll donate two thousand dollars for the Renton off leash park. I'll donate it in your name if you like. Buy enough houses and you can probably have the dog park named for you or your German Shepherd- Basset Mix.
I'm not going to suggest that if you buy a house you'll get rich. In fact, the opposite happened a couple of years ago after some real estate agents referred their clients to their loan originator buddies to make sure they could qualify for a loan they couldn't afford, and then prices went down.
There are lots of good reasons to own a home. Over the long haul homes usually keep pace or exceed the inflation rate. And when you own a home, it's yours, meaning you can do with it what you like. Tear out all that grass and plant blueberries. Or paint the house purple. Use the garage for your heavy metal band to practice in.
If you want to buy a house, and also want to support Renton's Offleash Dog park, I'm your man. How cool is that? 206-349-2574 or sacharoff@gmail.com
Ira Sacharoff Betterproperties.com Seattle office
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Breakfast at Ikea
Have I mentioned how much I hate shopping at Ikea?
I know, it's almost disloyal to Renton to say that. Did I mention that the place is too big,the parking garage is insane, I can't find anything, it's too crowded, every piece of furniture or kitchen nicknack is named Sven or Lutefisk or Dritsek, and it just gives me a headache almost every time I've gone there? Not that I'm the type who complains :)
But....they have the best breakfast deal around in their restaurant, if you get there before 10 AM...Your choice of Swedish pancakes with lingonberries and coffee, or two eggs, potatoes, bacon, and bread ( kind of a sweet bread/donut hybrid)and coffee, for $1.99!
If you get there early enough, the store is not open but the restaurant is!
So the parking lot will be empty, you'll even be able to park right next to the entrance, and you won't have to be distracted by some teak veneered magazine holders named Torvald.
Ikea
601 SW 41st St.
Renton, WA 425-656-2980
I know, it's almost disloyal to Renton to say that. Did I mention that the place is too big,the parking garage is insane, I can't find anything, it's too crowded, every piece of furniture or kitchen nicknack is named Sven or Lutefisk or Dritsek, and it just gives me a headache almost every time I've gone there? Not that I'm the type who complains :)
But....they have the best breakfast deal around in their restaurant, if you get there before 10 AM...Your choice of Swedish pancakes with lingonberries and coffee, or two eggs, potatoes, bacon, and bread ( kind of a sweet bread/donut hybrid)and coffee, for $1.99!
If you get there early enough, the store is not open but the restaurant is!
So the parking lot will be empty, you'll even be able to park right next to the entrance, and you won't have to be distracted by some teak veneered magazine holders named Torvald.
Ikea
601 SW 41st St.
Renton, WA 425-656-2980
Friday, April 03, 2009
A short ramble on Annexation
Some of your neighbors who you think live in Renton don't actually live in Renton. They may live in unincorporated King County very near the city limits. I am one of "those" people. I live in Earlington, about two blocks from the Renton city limits. King County wants to rid itself of administering and providing services to unincorporated areas adjacent to cities,is urging adjacent cities to annex them, and Renton has a bunch of those. Benson Hill was annexed to Renton in 2008, and Springbrook Terrace is going to be annexed in April, 2009. Fairwood residents narrowly voted last year not to become an independent city, but annexation to Renton is still a possibility, and within the Fairwood area is a smaller area known as the Red Mill area, where there is a movement afoot to have this smaller area annexed to Renton, regardless of what happens to the rest of Fairwood. Then there's the West Hill and Earlington.
On Monday, April 6th, 7PM at Renton City Hall, there will be a hearing on the Earlington annexation proposal...But wait a minute, you say? Isn't Earlington already a neighborhood in Renton? Yes, it is, just not all of it. Some of Earlington is in Renton ( annexed to Renton in 1948),some is in unincorporated King County, and The Earlington annexation would add to Renton about 100 acres, 127 dwelling units, 292 people, and Minter's Earlington Greenhouse....But wait a minute, you say? Isn't Earlington part of the West Hill, and aren't they also being considered for annexation to Renton?
Yes, the Earlington that isn't part of Renton is part of the West Hill, which also includes Lakeridge, Bryn Mawr, and Skyway, and yes, there is a separate effort going on to annex that whole big area to Renton, but the Earlington area has some different issues. We, the unincorporated Earlingtonians, unlike our fellow West Hillers, have Renton phone numbers. Unlike our fellow West Hillers, we are served by City of Renton water. And we're closer to the Renton Fred Meyer than to the Skyway bowling alley.
In the interest of full disclosure, I'm not only a resident of the Earlington and West Hill annexation areas, I'm also on the West Hill Unincorporated Area council.
I don't have an official position on the overall West Hill annexation. But I'm in favor of the Earlington annexation. If nothing else, I'd get annexed off the West Hill council, a much more honorable way of leaving than being diselected.
On Monday, April 6th, 7PM at Renton City Hall, there will be a hearing on the Earlington annexation proposal...But wait a minute, you say? Isn't Earlington already a neighborhood in Renton? Yes, it is, just not all of it. Some of Earlington is in Renton ( annexed to Renton in 1948),some is in unincorporated King County, and The Earlington annexation would add to Renton about 100 acres, 127 dwelling units, 292 people, and Minter's Earlington Greenhouse....But wait a minute, you say? Isn't Earlington part of the West Hill, and aren't they also being considered for annexation to Renton?
Yes, the Earlington that isn't part of Renton is part of the West Hill, which also includes Lakeridge, Bryn Mawr, and Skyway, and yes, there is a separate effort going on to annex that whole big area to Renton, but the Earlington area has some different issues. We, the unincorporated Earlingtonians, unlike our fellow West Hillers, have Renton phone numbers. Unlike our fellow West Hillers, we are served by City of Renton water. And we're closer to the Renton Fred Meyer than to the Skyway bowling alley.
In the interest of full disclosure, I'm not only a resident of the Earlington and West Hill annexation areas, I'm also on the West Hill Unincorporated Area council.
I don't have an official position on the overall West Hill annexation. But I'm in favor of the Earlington annexation. If nothing else, I'd get annexed off the West Hill council, a much more honorable way of leaving than being diselected.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Renton Annexes Kent
April 1, 2009
In a surprise announcement, Renton Mayor Denis Law announced to the City Council today that the City of Renton was unilaterally annexing the entire City of Kent.
" Enough of this studying stuff", he said, "Annexing unincorporated areas is simply not enough if we are to become the second largest city in King County. Kent is now ours, and Tukwila is next."
Despite objections from Councilmembers Zwicker and Corman, the council assented to the Mayor's action.
Asked for her reaction, Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke displayed a certain finger and said "Annex this!"
She also reported that Kent was sending forces to protect it's boundaries, and that roadblocks would be set up near the Great Wall Shopping Mall as well as along the boundary separating Kent from Renton's Cascade neighborhood. Mayor Cooke also announced that Renton residents would be charged ten dollars to enter Kent.
Asked for their opinion, a representative of the Skyway Business Association stated " Please annex us. We won't set up roadblocks, and it's pretty unlikely you'll even get shot."
In a surprise announcement, Renton Mayor Denis Law announced to the City Council today that the City of Renton was unilaterally annexing the entire City of Kent.
" Enough of this studying stuff", he said, "Annexing unincorporated areas is simply not enough if we are to become the second largest city in King County. Kent is now ours, and Tukwila is next."
Despite objections from Councilmembers Zwicker and Corman, the council assented to the Mayor's action.
Asked for her reaction, Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke displayed a certain finger and said "Annex this!"
She also reported that Kent was sending forces to protect it's boundaries, and that roadblocks would be set up near the Great Wall Shopping Mall as well as along the boundary separating Kent from Renton's Cascade neighborhood. Mayor Cooke also announced that Renton residents would be charged ten dollars to enter Kent.
Asked for their opinion, a representative of the Skyway Business Association stated " Please annex us. We won't set up roadblocks, and it's pretty unlikely you'll even get shot."
Friday, March 27, 2009
Cafe Lure has it's allure
Some restaurants have menus that go on for pages. Those restaurants have got nothing good to eat, but the menu is like an encyclopedia, and the menu goes on and on.
Cafe Lure is different. The menu is small, but the food is really good. I went for the first time this evening. Cafe Lure has been open since early December, alongside it's sister establishments the Tapestry Saloon and Calico Cheesecake.
Cutting to the chase, prices are reasonable, the place is pleasant, and service is very competent.
Entrees run from 12-17 dollars, and range from Fettucine to short ribs to salmon to bourbon steak to ciopinno, amongst other items. Also on the menu are sandwiches, salads, and burgers.
Burgers and sandwiches run about 8 dollars, and come with soup or fries or a side dish. I had the Jamaican jerk chicken burger served with sweet potato fries. Anyplace that has sweet potato fries can't be all bad. Two of my companions had the portobello mushroom burger, and the other companion had the salmon, which he proclaimed as moist and succulent.
I also had some vanilla creme brulee cheesecake for dessert, which I shared with my wife, but I hoarded most of it.
Cafe Lure is a nice addition to downtown Renton, and between Happy Delusions across the street, where you can buy adhesive bandages that appear to be sliced bacon, and the fun new Liberty Cafe, it appears that this corner of downtown Renton is evolving into one very cool area.
Cafe Lure
917 S. 3rd St
Renton WA
425-572-5931
Cafe Lure is different. The menu is small, but the food is really good. I went for the first time this evening. Cafe Lure has been open since early December, alongside it's sister establishments the Tapestry Saloon and Calico Cheesecake.
Cutting to the chase, prices are reasonable, the place is pleasant, and service is very competent.
Entrees run from 12-17 dollars, and range from Fettucine to short ribs to salmon to bourbon steak to ciopinno, amongst other items. Also on the menu are sandwiches, salads, and burgers.
Burgers and sandwiches run about 8 dollars, and come with soup or fries or a side dish. I had the Jamaican jerk chicken burger served with sweet potato fries. Anyplace that has sweet potato fries can't be all bad. Two of my companions had the portobello mushroom burger, and the other companion had the salmon, which he proclaimed as moist and succulent.
I also had some vanilla creme brulee cheesecake for dessert, which I shared with my wife, but I hoarded most of it.
Cafe Lure is a nice addition to downtown Renton, and between Happy Delusions across the street, where you can buy adhesive bandages that appear to be sliced bacon, and the fun new Liberty Cafe, it appears that this corner of downtown Renton is evolving into one very cool area.
Cafe Lure
917 S. 3rd St
Renton WA
425-572-5931
Monday, March 23, 2009
Papaya is open and good
Papaya has opened in the Landing, directly across from the Regal Cinemas. It's not what I expected. For whatever reason, I was expecting elegant Vietnamese ala Lemon Leaf, but Papaya is casual and inexpensive. I don't recall anything on the menu over 7.95. I had the Lemon grass chicken and carmelized onions over rice noodles, and my wife had a salmon baguette, a first cousin to sub sandwiches and Vietnamese banh mi. The salmon was very fresh, and the lemon grass chicken was very nicely done, maybe not as spicy as I usually like, but there's a large selection of sauces available to add.
I didn't order dessert, but they sure look tempting. Either I didn't read the menu correctly (that's entirely possible) or they have a maple bacon cream fritter, amongst other things.
It's a fun place with good food, and I hope they do well.
Papaya
830 N 10th st, Suite 11
Renton, WA 425-917-1417
I didn't order dessert, but they sure look tempting. Either I didn't read the menu correctly (that's entirely possible) or they have a maple bacon cream fritter, amongst other things.
It's a fun place with good food, and I hope they do well.
Papaya
830 N 10th st, Suite 11
Renton, WA 425-917-1417
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Is the Landing just full of characterless chain stores?
When the Landing first opened, I didn't really get what the excitement was all about, other than to provide tax revenues. Lowes, Target, Red Robin, Petsmart...these kind of places are found all over the United States, and I wouldn't go around proclaiming my pride in Renton because they have a Lowe's.
But, Papaya is set to open soon in the Landing, across from the movie theate. And it's owned by Gene and Hoang Sens, my favorite Renton restauranteurs...How might you have heard of them or experienced their food?
30 years ago, you might have eaten Gene's pizza at the old Renton food circus, which was across the parking lot from where the downtown Renton Fred Meyer now stands. Then they opened Gene's on 3rd, an awesome Italian restuarant...Then they opened Jubilante, developed the menu for the Dog and Pony, opened the Red House, and then Blossom Asian Bistro. I remember when they were selling Gene's, tired of being in the restaurant biz. That sure didn' last, or maybe it's all they know how to do. But damn, they do it well!
But, Papaya is set to open soon in the Landing, across from the movie theate. And it's owned by Gene and Hoang Sens, my favorite Renton restauranteurs...How might you have heard of them or experienced their food?
30 years ago, you might have eaten Gene's pizza at the old Renton food circus, which was across the parking lot from where the downtown Renton Fred Meyer now stands. Then they opened Gene's on 3rd, an awesome Italian restuarant...Then they opened Jubilante, developed the menu for the Dog and Pony, opened the Red House, and then Blossom Asian Bistro. I remember when they were selling Gene's, tired of being in the restaurant biz. That sure didn' last, or maybe it's all they know how to do. But damn, they do it well!
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Greenfresh gone, Thriftway going, Uwajimaya coming?
Greenfresh Market, Renton's closest thing to Whole Foods, closed it's doors a few months ago.
Unbeknownst to many, they happened to serve the best burger in Renton at their deli, but it's a vacant storefront now, and I miss them
Renton Village Thriftway is having a 20% off inventory reduction sale, but it appears to be going the same route as Greenfresh. Renton Village Thriftway has been a pleasant, if somewhat overpriced place to shop, with a lot of consistently high quality items, very similar to the Metropolitan Market chain, and I'm sorry to see them go.
These aren't easy economic times for Renton nor a lot of other places. It seems that upscale supermarkets have reasons to worry.
But today's P-I (also likely shutting down in a couple of weeks) had a blurb stating that Uwajimaya was eying the Thriftway site. I've been to the International District store many times and I think they'd be a great addition to Renton.
Unbeknownst to many, they happened to serve the best burger in Renton at their deli, but it's a vacant storefront now, and I miss them
Renton Village Thriftway is having a 20% off inventory reduction sale, but it appears to be going the same route as Greenfresh. Renton Village Thriftway has been a pleasant, if somewhat overpriced place to shop, with a lot of consistently high quality items, very similar to the Metropolitan Market chain, and I'm sorry to see them go.
These aren't easy economic times for Renton nor a lot of other places. It seems that upscale supermarkets have reasons to worry.
But today's P-I (also likely shutting down in a couple of weeks) had a blurb stating that Uwajimaya was eying the Thriftway site. I've been to the International District store many times and I think they'd be a great addition to Renton.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Pulcinella Pizzeria
I'm really the wrong guy to be reviewing a pizza place. Having grown up in Central New Jersey, the land of tomato pies, amongst the best in the world, I just have a low tolerance for bad or mediocre pizza. Seattle may have many wonderful things, but there aren't very many good pizza places. Pulcinella Pizzeria, at 10003 Rainier Avenue S, Seattle has recently opened to big crowds.
And for good reason. The pizzas, and salads are clearly a cut above. The flour and tomatoes are imported from Italy, and the pizzas are baked quickly in a wood fired oven.
From what I've read, this is a venture for the owner of Vince's and a partner. For years I've thought of Vince's as an above average Seattle pizza place, so when Vince's is going upscale, it's worth checking out.
......and yet, while it's good pizza, it's not like some of the amazing jaw dropping, awe inspiring pizza I've eaten in the past. It's pretty comparable to Tutta Bella in Columbia City...It's in the old Lakeside Tavern space, and it's a cool, nicely renovated space...
....and yet, it's crowded and noisy, a little too expensive and a little "precious".
Also, for me the crust means a whole lot, and while I do prefer wood fired pizzas like Pulcinella does, theirs is a little too thin for me. I like thin crust, but not this thin.
People are obviously loving this place, it's generating buzz, and yeah, it's good.
But it ain't THAT good.
Pizzeria Pulicinella
10003 Rainier Ave S., Seattle 98178
206-772-6861
And for good reason. The pizzas, and salads are clearly a cut above. The flour and tomatoes are imported from Italy, and the pizzas are baked quickly in a wood fired oven.
From what I've read, this is a venture for the owner of Vince's and a partner. For years I've thought of Vince's as an above average Seattle pizza place, so when Vince's is going upscale, it's worth checking out.
......and yet, while it's good pizza, it's not like some of the amazing jaw dropping, awe inspiring pizza I've eaten in the past. It's pretty comparable to Tutta Bella in Columbia City...It's in the old Lakeside Tavern space, and it's a cool, nicely renovated space...
....and yet, it's crowded and noisy, a little too expensive and a little "precious".
Also, for me the crust means a whole lot, and while I do prefer wood fired pizzas like Pulcinella does, theirs is a little too thin for me. I like thin crust, but not this thin.
People are obviously loving this place, it's generating buzz, and yeah, it's good.
But it ain't THAT good.
Pizzeria Pulicinella
10003 Rainier Ave S., Seattle 98178
206-772-6861
Friday, January 02, 2009
East Valley Cinema now a discount theatre
Now that the Landing Cinemas have opened, Regal Cinemas has designated their other Renton theater, the East Valley Cinemas at 3751 East Valley Hwy, as a three dollars at all times theater.
They're not showing first run films, but they are currently showing 11 different films, including Batman, the Dark Knight and the Coen Brothers Burn After Reading, which I saw and loved, a frequently hilarious film with a great cast.
They're not showing first run films, but they are currently showing 11 different films, including Batman, the Dark Knight and the Coen Brothers Burn After Reading, which I saw and loved, a frequently hilarious film with a great cast.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Landing movies open
The Regal 14 Cinema at the Landing, the new retail and residential complex in Renton, is open.
It's a "soft opening" meaning it's not officially open til Friday October 17th, but Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, all movies, all shows are two dollars.
Saw " Iron Man" today, and it was easily worth two dollars. Not the type of film I usually like, but it was well written, full of action, and clever.
It's a "soft opening" meaning it's not officially open til Friday October 17th, but Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, all movies, all shows are two dollars.
Saw " Iron Man" today, and it was easily worth two dollars. Not the type of film I usually like, but it was well written, full of action, and clever.
Block Watch Meeting
For those of you who live in the 80th Avenue South and South 130th Street vicinity on Earlington Hill, there's a block watch meeting on Wednesday, October 15th at 7 PM at the Skyway Fire Training Center, 12424 76th Ave S, Seattle, behind the Skyway library.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Skyway Outdoor Cinema
This Friday, August 22nd will mark the final film for the year for the free Friday at dusk showings.
It'll be Horton Hears a Who, behind the 7-11 at S 126th St and 76th Avenue S, just east of Renton Avenue, a mile west of downtown Renton. Admission is free, popcorn and soda is one dollar.The show will start around 8:30.
It'll be Horton Hears a Who, behind the 7-11 at S 126th St and 76th Avenue S, just east of Renton Avenue, a mile west of downtown Renton. Admission is free, popcorn and soda is one dollar.The show will start around 8:30.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Sinbad Cafe
Sinbad Cafe is at 229B S 4th Pl in Renton 425-228-9990, and it's my kind of place. I love cheap hole in the wall ethnic eateries, and this qualifies. The owner is Iraqi and has cooked in Greek restaurants, so the place has some of both. You can get falafel and hummus and kebabs, but also Greek salad and baklava and rotisserie chicken. The place is warm and friendly and inexpensive and good.
Blossom Asian Bistro
Blossom Asian Bistro fairly recently opened in the spot formerly occupied by Jubilante at 305 Burnett Ave South, in Renton 425-430-1610 www.blossomasianbistro.com
It's an unusual place. something like an Asian tapas bar, with small plates and large rolls. Everything is artfully presented, it's creative, the food tastes good, and it's a pleasant place to hang out. It's also partly owned by Gene and Hoang Sens of the Red House also on Burnett, and that's always a good sign. Gene knows and loves good food, and cares about what gets served. The spider rolls were pretty amazing...The food is primarily a Vietnamese-Japanese fusion, and it's good.
It's an unusual place. something like an Asian tapas bar, with small plates and large rolls. Everything is artfully presented, it's creative, the food tastes good, and it's a pleasant place to hang out. It's also partly owned by Gene and Hoang Sens of the Red House also on Burnett, and that's always a good sign. Gene knows and loves good food, and cares about what gets served. The spider rolls were pretty amazing...The food is primarily a Vietnamese-Japanese fusion, and it's good.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Sandy's Taqueria
Sandy's recently opened in the location of the sorely missed Aloha BBQ, and it's a good one.
They've only got five menu items: Tacos, Burritos, quesadillas, tortas, and mulitas. A mulita is similar to a quesadilla but with meat..greasy but delicious. A torta is a sandwich on a Mexican roll, and the one I had was the best I've eaten outside of Mexico. Prices are insanely low. Everything on the menu is 4.25, and that includes four tacos. The meats are great, they've got horchatas, what's not to like?
2439-B Maple Valley Hwy, Renton 98055 425-226-7752
They've only got five menu items: Tacos, Burritos, quesadillas, tortas, and mulitas. A mulita is similar to a quesadilla but with meat..greasy but delicious. A torta is a sandwich on a Mexican roll, and the one I had was the best I've eaten outside of Mexico. Prices are insanely low. Everything on the menu is 4.25, and that includes four tacos. The meats are great, they've got horchatas, what's not to like?
2439-B Maple Valley Hwy, Renton 98055 425-226-7752
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Good new Chinese place in Renton
I'm generally not a big fan of Chinese food, but the recently opened Szechuanese First Restaurant at 18124 East Valley Hwy,( 425-656-0889) just south of the Great Wall Shopping center really impressed me. Several things come to mind: Good, fresh flavors, large portions, and low prices. Large menu, and best of all, typos on the menu. For some reason, I always see that as a good sign, that they're devoting energy to food rather than spelling. This menu has Chinese celery with lamp.
But what we did eat was all delicious, and I'll be back for more. We had Eggplant with garlic sauce..they don't skimp on the garlic and it was attractively presented with red and green peppers.
Chicken with broccoli was also a good choice, the broccoli nicely tender and the chicken lean and flavorful. Curry prawns were fabulous, and the pot roast with flank was spicy and tender and great.
Most items on the menu are 6.95-9.95, and portions are larger, prices are lower, and the flavor is better than the same items ordered at many other Chinese restaurants.
But what we did eat was all delicious, and I'll be back for more. We had Eggplant with garlic sauce..they don't skimp on the garlic and it was attractively presented with red and green peppers.
Chicken with broccoli was also a good choice, the broccoli nicely tender and the chicken lean and flavorful. Curry prawns were fabulous, and the pot roast with flank was spicy and tender and great.
Most items on the menu are 6.95-9.95, and portions are larger, prices are lower, and the flavor is better than the same items ordered at many other Chinese restaurants.
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