Greenwood

Sam’s Club, Walmart’s answer to wholesale shopping!

Warehouse shopping has gained popularity as rising costs in everything from gasoline to milk, meat to dairy, medicine to photo shop all add up to a bigger burden for budget conscious Americans fighting to just stay afloat. I am one of these consumers. As a restaurant owner and merchant, I have shopped for groceries and supplies almost daily for the past 20 years. Thus, I am well experienced in finding outstanding deals as the result of comparison shopping and warehouse shopping is a great resource. Sam’s Club is one of these local warehouses, similar to Costco, but different enough to have built a name on it’s own. With only two locations locally, one on 135th and Aurora Ave N. and another in Auburn, customers flock from all around town to buy in bulk and save. Buying in bulk is great for restaurants and other food service companies, however, it is not for everyone. Savings per item is apparent when buying, for instance, a dozen butter croissants for about $6 or 50 cents a piece.  Any bakery or grocery store sell the french breads for a dollar and up per piece.  But if you are not going to eat a dozen pieces in a matter of a couple of days, it may not be worth the large... 

Chocolati Cafe in Greenwood / Phinney Ridge

A good coffee house is always worth remembering, and in this Greenwood neighborhood bordering on Phinney Ridge Hasten Your Footsteps to Chocolati Cafe in Greenwood (the two are close together and share much character and atmosphere, in fact they issue a combined newsletter, and have a combined Chamber of Commerce) there is better than that. Yes, as indicated above, I speak of the Chocolati Cafe.  What makes it better?  OK, the scones.  I’m sorry to all the other wonderful scone makers out there, but these are definitely the best scones I’ve ever had.  Ever.  The best.  Like, the buttery lemon cranberry scone, and the crumbly buttery frosted blueberry scone.  (Note to self:  find out who makes them!!)  Warm and evocative art on the redwarm walls. And the wi-fi.  And the very friendly and sweet baristas.  And the truffles!!!!!  Yes!  And the perfect atmosphere, because as you know, a coffee house should be a little bit quiet and a little bit dim with rich colors and mirrors, and have wood floors and small round tables and the right kind of wooden chairs.  Quiet music so as not to overwealm the hiss of the espresso maker.  Chocolati?  Check, check, check, check,... 

Gorditos in Greenwood…my vote for Best Mexican Food

Gorditos in Greenwood...my fav! Admittedly I went to college in a beach town and the tradition of bopping down to a local favorite in flip flops and an old shirt is burned deep into my soul.  I guess that’s why as I see the casually dressed very happy looking patrons in Gorditos passing from the pick up counter to head for their tables I feel a thrill of joy.  On a casual Sunday afternoon I will never ask for anything better than this tip top Mexican Food place in the heart of Greenwood where those in the know show up for the best food in this category I’ve had in these parts. You can have a huge platter complete with rice and frijoles, Cerviche Tostada with Fresh Avocado along with choices of salsa, smoky hot sauce and an onion cilantro fresh mix, or order some of the smaller plates.  This time I got the ceviche lime tostada topped with fresh avocado ($4.55), while my Fajita Chicken Taco with Sour Cream companion choose the fajita taco with chicken and sour cream ($3.90).  I got the cantelope juice drink and loved it…but was way too full!  Yes, they have Corona & some other beers. Clients of mine, a hip young couple who lived in Fremont and ended up choosing... 

Cinco de Mayo at the Pig N Whistle in Greenwood

Well, everyone must be making plans to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, and if you like local beer, select wines, a full bar Greenwood's Pig N Whistle open day and night and a place that combines laid back Seattle quirky style with a glance back to traditional Irish neighborhood pubs, try the Pig N Whistle tucked happily between  Cobblestone Furniture (used and antique furniture and repairs) and Space Travel Supply (an after-school tutoring and space equipment supply store) Cinco de mayo at the Pig N Whistle on Greenwood Avenue N, one of my favorite little neighborhood locals in North Seattle. In celebration of the holiday festivities, they have $2 coronas all day.  Pair one up with Risotto and Dungenous Crab Cakes or (hold on to your hat) Crunchy Pig Ears with Spicy Mustard.  Or maybe Sweet Potato Fries with Smoked Tomato Jam.  If you want a sandwich, how about a Brick Pressed with Salami, Ham, olive spread and roasted green chilies or a Classic Rueben? Patrons enjoy a late lunch at the Pig N Whistle With friends, great art on the walls, great local beer, and time to “live laugh and love” as you will see on garden signs in this villagelike Seattle neighborhood, how can... 

What’s Great in Greenwood?

 There are better known neighborhoods in Seattle, maybe neighborhoods with a little more edge or more shopping along the main thoroughfare (although I’m not so sure about that) but when I was in Greenwood the other day the answer to this question presented itself over and over again. Seattle PI describes Greenwood as “Seattle’s hidden treasure,” an old fashioned neighborhood with a trendy edge. In Balderdash Books and Art I chatted with a customer…a librarian from Gig Harbor who has an apartment there with her husband too as he works in the city at the moment. She told me her husband loves it because it’s such a distinct community, with activities and trends and established traditions and a definite character. You would never need to go out of the neighborhood to eat, have coffee, shop, or any of the daily tasks and enjoyments of life. Balderdash was a true neighborhood used book store, with loads of character and a white cat sitting on top of one of the bookshelves overlooking the shop. They had some great photographs on the wall, and told me all about the first Greenwood Art Walk, scheduled for Dec. 12. You can read about it on the PhinneyWood,...