Restaurants – Page 4 – The Adventures of a Calamari Queen

PokPok / Podnah’s / Salt&Straw!

While in Portland, we visited our favorite places again( we didn’t really branch out). We went to PokPok thai restaurant for their fish sauce chicken wings. I personally love their wings,while the Hubs finds them OK. I’m disappointed with their other dishes though(just like the first time we were there) but I will still go there for the wings alone.

Lunch at PokPok:

Enjoying some Ice cream at Salt&Straw (PokPok and Salt&straw are just walking distance from each other). We sampled 4 different Ice cream flavors and my favorite was the Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black pepper, sounds weird but I really enjoyed it.

Salted Caramel cupcake,Strawberry Honey Balsamic with black pepper,coconut with Petunias salted caramel bars, Rose city riot

Podnah’s Barbeque (we stopped at Podnah’s to get some bbq for my In laws who took care of Riley for 2 days). Podnah’s was featured by Guy Feiri on his Foodnetwork show; we’ve been here before so we know it’s really good bbq).

Ribs,Brisket (my fave),chicken BBQ from Podnah's Pit — Ribs,Brisket (my fave),chicken BBQ from Podnah’s Pit

Kukai Ramen & Izakaya

The Hubs and I went to Kukai Ramen last Thursday because of the cold weather we have here, a bowl of ramen will just hit the spot! We’ve never been to Kukai before but with all of the good reviews we decided to try this “authentic” ramen from the famous Japanese chain (we learned that they only have 3 restaurants here in the US, two here in WA and they just opened one last year in Portland). We got there early because we wanted to avoid the long lines, lucky for us we were seated right away. The place is kinda small and the tables are really close together. We could hear the other table’s conversations, but it’s OK, after all we are there for the Ramen (which didn’t disappoint!). It’s so GOOD! The broth was so flavorful and the noodles are the best for me, the perfect consistency. It was quite expensive but at least it’s quality ramen. The hubs ordered their special “Garlic Tonkotsu Shoyu ramen”, it was really good. I had the spicy ramen, also a great choice, but personally I preferred the Hubs order. We added pork belly and eggs on our ramen and ordered 2 appetizers. It was a great experience and we will probably go back again if we’re craving ramen (it’s only 20 minutes drive from our place).

Serious Pie!

If you happen to be in Seattle and you love Pizza, I would recommend that you go visit the Tom Douglas’ Pizza place called “Serious Pie”. It’s more pricey than your typical Pizza place, but OH so worth it!

we had the roasted seasonal mushrooms and truffle cheese; and penn clove clams,pancetta tesa,lemon thyme

no leftovers! this is not your typical pizza people!

One thing I hate in Seattle is the expensive parking fee!

Valentines weekend!

Hope you had a great weekend friends. It was Valentines weekend and we celebrated it with my In laws. I personally don’t make a big deal out of this “holiday” because I try every day to celebrate my loved ones and friends in the best way I know how, no need to have a certain date for that. Although my Hubs and I had doughnuts and coffee, spent time watching “Elementary” before having dinner with my In Laws at Maggiano’s (Bellevue). We had a lovely time enjoying Italian food and desserts. The restaurant was packed and they ran out of their “braised short ribs” that I originally wanted to have 🙁 It was all good, I end up ordering their sirloin steak (decent but nothing out of the ordinary). Everybody enjoyed their dishes and all agreed that their meatballs were out of this world (especially the DILaw).

my other favorite Valentine, Riley! A.K.A “The Lovebug”

Our Maggiano’s dinner! We used my Sis In laws phone so the pictures are not the best quality (the restaurant was kinda dark too).

Dessert Sample (creme brulee, cheesecake,truffles,tiramisu,apple ice cream some kind of dessert)

Lunch Dates!

I’ve been enjoying some lunch dates with Hubs lately (at least once a week!), because the Hubs works at home he has the flexibility to manage his schedule. It doesn’t happen a lot of times but lately we did go out for lunch dates several times. Lunches are fun because it’s not as busy as dinner and it’s cheaper too.

Lunch date with my In Laws after church!

Pho time! — Pho time at our local Vietnamese place

My hubs is not a big Pho fan so he always gets their sandwich and durian shake — My hubs is not a big Pho fan so he always gets their sandwich and a durian shake

Weekend Fun!

Hello family and friends! I hope you’re having a lovely Sunday night with your loved ones. The Hubs is watching the season premier of the Walking Dead while I’m reading Ruth Soukup’s “Living Well Spending Less 12 Secrets of the Good Life”. I’m so enjoying it and kinda sad I’m almost done with it. I love her blog and her writing, it’s like I’m talking to one of my girlfriends! So relatable! We had a relaxing weekend, watched the movie “Jupiter Ascending” the one starring Channing Tatum. The movie was OK, I enjoyed the special effects but nothing great about it. After the movie,we had burgers at Red Robin and watched NBA games in the bar area. Our local Red Robin is always packed so we just go to the bar right away!

I always get the Double Tavern burger because it reminds me of In n Out's — I always get the Double Tavern burger because it reminds me of In n Out’s

We had sushi after Church this afternoon. I wanted some Ramen and got what I wanted! I cannot wait for Spring. I’m so over this cold winter (I know it’s not as bad compared to the other parts of the country). We stopped at Walmart after to check out their Spring candles and I got some. Will post it this week. I love me some candles:)

Now I'm off to cuddle this Lovebug! — Now I’m off to cuddle this Lovebug!

Cascina Spinasse

During the Holiday season a couple of weeks ago, the Hubs and I went to Cascina Spinasse because we’ve been wanting to try it for a long time and we had a gift card from my In laws from 2 years ago. The restaurant has lots of good reviews and it was even featured in one of Food Network’s shows and The Cooking channel, where one the chefs was saying “it’s a must” if you visit Seattle. I was excited and looking forward to try their famous “Tajarin al Ragu o Burro e Salvia(egg pasta with ragu or sage and butter).

The place was cozy and intimate, we liked their food but it was too pricey from what we got. The quality of their pasta was superb (they make it fresh) but their famous Tajarin pasta sadly for us was a big disappointment! I know we are probably in the minority but the Hubs and I were pretty disappointed because for us it tasted like pasta and melted butter,so bland! I know it’s says pasta and butter(on the menu) but not even a hint of salt and the sage was too subtle. We wanted to ask the server if they forgot to “flavor” our dish! I guess that was it. My poor Hubs was “forced” to finish it because I wouldn’t touch it after. Good thing the rest of our food was YUM! We will probably not go back to Spinasse just because we think it’s too pricey though the pasta was great, it’s just not worth it for us.

soup for the day! I forgot the name of this.. — soup for the day! Parsnip soup with balsamic reduction

we ordered their "Antipasto Misto Della Casa"; selection of their house anti pasti — we ordered their “Antipasto Misto Della Casa”; selection of their house anti pasti

Tajarin al Ragu o Burro e Salvia Fine hand cut egg pasta with ragu or butter and sage. — Tajarin al Ragu o Burro e Salvia
Fine hand cut egg pasta with ragu or butter and sage.

Eques!

Hi Friends! Last Sunday (my birthday) we decided to have brunch after church at Eques (it’s located inside the Hyatt Bellevue). We’ve passed the place many times, we always said that we should try it because the place was known for their breakfast buffet. After checking out their buffet selection, we were not impressed (not that it was bad, just not a wide selection) we decided to just order ala carte and forget the buffet. I had the crab cake eggs benedict (I really enjoyed it) while Zach had the smoked salmon eggs benedict (he said it was great!) We shared their banana split pancakes with hazelnut chocolate ,we really liked it too.Though it was pricey for a what we got, we would still come back. Great service and ambiance too (they had a TV in one area where the Seahawks game was on! Too bad they lost!).

I also would like to thank my Hubs and my family (including my In laws) for all their birthday gifts! To my friends who also took time to text,message,greeted me on my birthday! I appreciate you all! Thanks again to my family for their thoughtful gifts.

Raybans from my Sis and BIL! The camera is not giving the shades justice!LOL..this is one lovely shades! I cannot wait to use this one!

Gift cards from our favorite stores/restaurants!

Bday gifts to myself! My obsession lately:CANDLES!!!!

On my bday weekend,Bath and Body works had a sale $3 for their lotion so I went a little crazy because I had a coupon that makes it $2 each! half of these will be for my sisters! (original price:$262,I paid $42)

More BBW (this store is a trap! Their coupons are just so good!) I bought these Kate Moss lipsticks because Kris Aquino "recommends" this on her morning show. How she liked drugstore makeups too. SO of course I have to check it out myself. I listen to Kris Aquino's makeup opinions you all *sarcasm!). — More BBW (this store is a trap! Their coupons are just so good!) I bought these Kate Moss lipsticks because Kris Aquino “recommends” this on her morning show. She mentioned how she’s impressed with drugstore makeup too (not just the high ends ). SO of course I have to check it out myself. I listen to Kris Aquino’s makeup opinions you all *sarcasm!).

John Howie Steakhouse

Hi all! I hope you had a great weekend! Yesterday (Sunday) was my birthday so it was a busy and fun weekend for us. The hubs and I have 10 days between our birthday so this year we decided to just celebrate together because with Thanksgiving next week it’s just going to be busy. We had our birthday dinner at John Howie steakhouse with my In Laws. John Howie is our favorite steakhouse here in Seattle. We’ve been here many times and we are ALWAYS impressed with the food and the service. It was so nice of them to give us a birthday cake/dessert of our choice, but we decided to just take them home because my In laws ordered our birthday cake for us (delicious white chocolate cake!). We watched the movie Jiro Dreams of Sushi while enjoying our cake. Thank You to our family and friends who sent their birthday wishes to us! Thank You Jesus for blessing us with another year!

Charcuterie Plate (selection of house cured meats,Saskatoon berry reduction,pickled shallots,Guinness mustard,cornichons)

our server making *Tableside Wagyu Beef tenderloin tartare

Roasted Beet Salad (organic greens,shaved purple onions,salt brined pistachio nuts,champagne chèvre vinaigrette,Humboldt Fog)

MIL kathy had Roasted Jidori Chicken(super moist and flavorful)

Maine Lobster Mashed Potatoes (we also shared brussels sprouts and mac n cheese)

Thanks to my MIL and DIL for giving us our birthday cake! It was so good and pricey!hehe — Thanks to my MIL and DIL for giving us our birthday cake! It was so good!

enjoying our cake and coffee while watching the movie

Sip Wine Bar and Restaurant

Hi all! Couple of weeks ago Hubs and I participated in the Seattle Restaurant week(it was a 2 week event) and we didn’t want to go to Seattle because of the traffic so we decided (lucky for us) to just go to one of our local restaurants that was participating, Sip restaurant. This is so convenient for us because it’s like 4 minutes from our house. We love our neighborhood! Anyways, this is our second time to do Seattle restaurant week at Sip (our first was 2 or 3 years ago). We like the ambiance there, so cozy and beautiful (we were seated near the fireplace and it was great!). The food was decent, I had the beef bourguignon and my Hubs had the duck confit. The Hubs dinner was just Ok for him but he totally enjoyed our appetizer that was the Sweet roll sliders. Dessert was nothing memorable, but all in all we liked the experience and will most likely be back again.