"I refused to eat at a place named Veggie Veggie...until this Ave Review." - Mike McEvoy
Veggie Veggie is an Ave restaurant now in its 3rd year of existence located just south of 47th. He's not the biggest fan of places that make derogatory comments towards meat. (i.e. their name being Veggie Veggie) Since it was a Thai place, they had a lot of Thai pictures inside that were classy from far away, but once you get closer you see tiny signs on them made with blue marker that claim their business hours for everyone to see. Weird.
Mike ordered soy chicken. Mike's palette was extremely confused by this culinary invention. It's not tofu, but it definitely wasn't meat. Mike described it as eating a flavored sponge. (A stark departure from the organic free-range chicken he was expecting.) Mike ate his whole meal...which of course means absolutely nothing and on average 1 out of every 6 bites tasted good. (The other 5 were okay, but it just lacked flavor or something.)
That is how his meal tasted, and now this is how his meal smelled:
Have you ever been to the county fair? Let me describe it for you. You're walking the fair ground passing booths offering shaved ice and elephant ears. People are all around displaying smiling faces and trucker hats. As you make your way through the fair with the sun beating down on you and your overalls clinging to your shoulders you stroll into the 4-H barn. Then it hits you! A suffocating wave of farm animals and hay ravage your nostrils! That's what Mike's food smelled like. Nothing else in the restaurant smelled like that, just his meal. So if you order the pad kee-mo, consider yourself warned.
Besides that, the service was great with extremely nice people helping you order and make your dining experience better. And the music! It was amazing! An eclectic mix of Rascal Flats, U2, The Fray, and the like. They also had HUGE water cups that were never empty.
Taste: 5
Value: 5.5
Intangibles: 7
Total Score: 17.5 out of 30*
*While Mike doesn't reccomend this lifestyle, if you are a vegitarian or a vegan it's a pretty legit place.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Yummy Bites [20]
"C'Mon That place is called Yummy Bites. Let's just say that my expectations weren't really that high." - Mike mcEvoy
On the outside of the restaurant, at 42nd and the Ave, there is a sign with a dolphin with rainbow colors all around it. Mike wasn't sure if this restaurant served illegally caught dolphin meat or rhino steaks or what. Who knows the type of food they serve. If you really think about it any food from any place in the world could be served in the form of a bite...that is yummy.
When you walk in it is actually pretty good looking with nice tables, mirrors, 4 walls, the usual for a classy joint. When you approach the counter to order you get assaulted with many different options for your meal. There were about 8 different menu sections to choose from ranging from soups to korean dish to eel burgers. Mike almost partook in eel burgers, but didn't. He ended up getting beef bulgogi with spicy pork. It was decently priced too. Both Mike and Matt (his prtner-in-dine) ate for under $13. Not bad.
Mike says he learned 3 things from Yummy Bites Today:
1) He is never ordering anything bulgogi ever again. It turns out that boiiling meat makes meat less appetizing.
2) Menu items with a tiny chili pepper next to it, probably are extremely spicy and make him sweat a lot.
3) Yes. Yes Mike can eat a whole meal with chopsticks. It took him a little under an hour to finish, but he perservered.
Overall Mike was pleasantly surprised. He won't be making the walk anytime soon, but if you really REALLY need some bulgogi, this is your place.
Taste: 5.5
Value: 7
Intangibles: 7.5
Total Score: 20 out of 30
On the outside of the restaurant, at 42nd and the Ave, there is a sign with a dolphin with rainbow colors all around it. Mike wasn't sure if this restaurant served illegally caught dolphin meat or rhino steaks or what. Who knows the type of food they serve. If you really think about it any food from any place in the world could be served in the form of a bite...that is yummy.
When you walk in it is actually pretty good looking with nice tables, mirrors, 4 walls, the usual for a classy joint. When you approach the counter to order you get assaulted with many different options for your meal. There were about 8 different menu sections to choose from ranging from soups to korean dish to eel burgers. Mike almost partook in eel burgers, but didn't. He ended up getting beef bulgogi with spicy pork. It was decently priced too. Both Mike and Matt (his prtner-in-dine) ate for under $13. Not bad.
Mike says he learned 3 things from Yummy Bites Today:
1) He is never ordering anything bulgogi ever again. It turns out that boiiling meat makes meat less appetizing.
2) Menu items with a tiny chili pepper next to it, probably are extremely spicy and make him sweat a lot.
3) Yes. Yes Mike can eat a whole meal with chopsticks. It took him a little under an hour to finish, but he perservered.
Overall Mike was pleasantly surprised. He won't be making the walk anytime soon, but if you really REALLY need some bulgogi, this is your place.
Taste: 5.5
Value: 7
Intangibles: 7.5
Total Score: 20 out of 30
Friday, February 13, 2009
Greek Continental [13]
"This is the ideal place for a business meeting you wish you weren't having." - Mike McEvoy
This review won't be very long for 2 reasons:
1) Mike gave me his scores then walked into a meeting. I have no idea what he experienced, I just have his scores.
2) I [Tom] have a little bit of unfinished business of my own (that I left in the middle of) to do this blog post. It is a very important meeting with a very important client. (I'm almost to the raptor part.)
So, here is the review...
You go in, and you sit down and order. They bring you a gyro, salad, and french fries. Mike ate it and he wasn't too happy. Anyways, he ate and paid too much and left and now he doesn't want to go back.
The End
Taste: 5
Value: 3
Intangibles: 5
Total Score: 13 out of 30
This review won't be very long for 2 reasons:
1) Mike gave me his scores then walked into a meeting. I have no idea what he experienced, I just have his scores.
2) I [Tom] have a little bit of unfinished business of my own (that I left in the middle of) to do this blog post. It is a very important meeting with a very important client. (I'm almost to the raptor part.)
So, here is the review...
You go in, and you sit down and order. They bring you a gyro, salad, and french fries. Mike ate it and he wasn't too happy. Anyways, he ate and paid too much and left and now he doesn't want to go back.
The End
Taste: 5
Value: 3
Intangibles: 5
Total Score: 13 out of 30
Thursday, February 12, 2009
La Casa Del Mojito [21]
"It's Cuban food and that scares people a little bit. That's because Fidel Castro scares people a little bit." - Mike McEvoy
La Casa Del Mojito (which is spanish for The Casa Del Mojito) is located at 55th and the Ave. The only thing from keeping this restaurant from being insanely popular is the fact that it is so far north. You walk in and something hits you, it doubles as a salsa dance club on Fridays. They have Cuban food, and for those who have never partaken in this type of food, the cuisine is centered around AMAZING sandwiches. AND the pork was some of the best Mike has had. AND fried plantains accompany your meal. So delicious.
The owner of La Casa is a man named Luigi. (Omar Vizquel is the godfather to his kids.) He sounds as if he is originally from Latin America and he is so nice! In one lunchtime conversation, Mike felt like he's formed a lifelong friendship. The pictures around the restaurant were pretty and didn't make a lick of sense. They were super confusing and you couldn't tell what the artist was going for.
WARNING: They give you 2 salsas. One was delicious, and one was frappin' hot. Choose wisely.
Taste: 7
Value: 5
Intangibles: 9 (Mainly because of Luigi)
Total Score: 21 out of 30
La Casa Del Mojito (which is spanish for The Casa Del Mojito) is located at 55th and the Ave. The only thing from keeping this restaurant from being insanely popular is the fact that it is so far north. You walk in and something hits you, it doubles as a salsa dance club on Fridays. They have Cuban food, and for those who have never partaken in this type of food, the cuisine is centered around AMAZING sandwiches. AND the pork was some of the best Mike has had. AND fried plantains accompany your meal. So delicious.
The owner of La Casa is a man named Luigi. (Omar Vizquel is the godfather to his kids.) He sounds as if he is originally from Latin America and he is so nice! In one lunchtime conversation, Mike felt like he's formed a lifelong friendship. The pictures around the restaurant were pretty and didn't make a lick of sense. They were super confusing and you couldn't tell what the artist was going for.
WARNING: They give you 2 salsas. One was delicious, and one was frappin' hot. Choose wisely.
Taste: 7
Value: 5
Intangibles: 9 (Mainly because of Luigi)
Total Score: 21 out of 30
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Kai's Bistro [17.5]
"I didn't even know Kai's Existed." - Mike McEvoy
For those who don't know, Kai's is located at the Ave and 43rd.
From the outside Kai's looks like nothing. Possibly a bagel shop from the look of it. When you walk in, though, it has a unique feel. Very loungy feeling with high backed chairs and lots of seating. Interestingly enough there were a lot of older-than-college people, if that's your scene. It feels like a Belltown restaurant that was relocated to the Ave. It's a nice place, but it doesn't fit the feel of your typical "Ave lunchtime restaurant".
They served a happy hour menu all day.....right. Why can't their happy hour menu just be called 'menu'. Mike wasn't complaining though, because he ordered a chicken burger and fries for 5 bucks. His eating partner, Jordan Collier, got some delicious chicken strips and fries. Since each meal was 5 bucks, they ordered a third meal to share, Mac-and-Cheese with marinara. The third meal was sub-par compared to the other two.
Sidenote: Mike would rather read a book that's thin than a book that's thick.
Taste: 6.5
Value: 7.5
Intangibles: 3.5 (Mike has nothing against the environment of the restaurant, it just doesn't feel like the Ave)
Total Score: 17.5 out of 30
For those who don't know, Kai's is located at the Ave and 43rd.
From the outside Kai's looks like nothing. Possibly a bagel shop from the look of it. When you walk in, though, it has a unique feel. Very loungy feeling with high backed chairs and lots of seating. Interestingly enough there were a lot of older-than-college people, if that's your scene. It feels like a Belltown restaurant that was relocated to the Ave. It's a nice place, but it doesn't fit the feel of your typical "Ave lunchtime restaurant".
They served a happy hour menu all day.....right. Why can't their happy hour menu just be called 'menu'. Mike wasn't complaining though, because he ordered a chicken burger and fries for 5 bucks. His eating partner, Jordan Collier, got some delicious chicken strips and fries. Since each meal was 5 bucks, they ordered a third meal to share, Mac-and-Cheese with marinara. The third meal was sub-par compared to the other two.
Sidenote: Mike would rather read a book that's thin than a book that's thick.
Taste: 6.5
Value: 7.5
Intangibles: 3.5 (Mike has nothing against the environment of the restaurant, it just doesn't feel like the Ave)
Total Score: 17.5 out of 30
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Best of Bento [13.5]
"Best of Bento is worth a shot if there is an earthquake and you are stuck between University Smoke Shop and Flowers. But, if the crack between you and Chipotle is less than 8 feet, I'm going for it." - Mike McEvoy
Best of Bento is located at the Ave just south of 43rd (close to Chipotle). Mike has walked by Best of Bento probably 25 times and he's never wanted to go in once. It makes Ichiro look like an art museum the way Best of Bento scares you away. According to Mike, here is the definition of bento: teriyaki in an elementary school tray but without the chocolate milk carton
The normal lunch deal is $5.99 with chicken rice, salad, and mee so soup. Mike ordered the combo meal which cost $7.99. It came with chicken Katsu, pork teriyaki, rice, salad, egg rolls and an orange slice (which Mike failed to eat. again, Mike was put onto this earth for one thing: to eat meat.) The egg rolls were really delicious. It took a while to order there due to a language barrier between Mike and the worker there.
Inside of the retaurant were about a dozen people and some tiki looking roof things. They also had giant copper fish on the wall which is fun. The environment was conducive for talking and hanging out. The water cups were a good size which is always a plus.
(sidenote: Contrary to popular belief: sushi is not a meal...for a guy. If you (a guy) are going to take someone (a girl) out to sushi, you need to eat at least one meal before the date.)
Taste: 3
Value: 3.5
Intangibles: 7
Total Score: 13.5 out of 30
Best of Bento is located at the Ave just south of 43rd (close to Chipotle). Mike has walked by Best of Bento probably 25 times and he's never wanted to go in once. It makes Ichiro look like an art museum the way Best of Bento scares you away. According to Mike, here is the definition of bento: teriyaki in an elementary school tray but without the chocolate milk carton
The normal lunch deal is $5.99 with chicken rice, salad, and mee so soup. Mike ordered the combo meal which cost $7.99. It came with chicken Katsu, pork teriyaki, rice, salad, egg rolls and an orange slice (which Mike failed to eat. again, Mike was put onto this earth for one thing: to eat meat.) The egg rolls were really delicious. It took a while to order there due to a language barrier between Mike and the worker there.
Inside of the retaurant were about a dozen people and some tiki looking roof things. They also had giant copper fish on the wall which is fun. The environment was conducive for talking and hanging out. The water cups were a good size which is always a plus.
(sidenote: Contrary to popular belief: sushi is not a meal...for a guy. If you (a guy) are going to take someone (a girl) out to sushi, you need to eat at least one meal before the date.)
Taste: 3
Value: 3.5
Intangibles: 7
Total Score: 13.5 out of 30
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Pagliacci's [22]
Pagliacci's. You all know where it is. You've all been there. Now...the Mike's Ave Review of Pagliacci's pizza:
"I still believe that Pag's is the best place for pizza on the Ave. Don't take that you should go anywhere else for pizza from this review. They have a good variety of salads and slices AND they have a great coupon in the Student Survival Guide AND their pizza is delicious. I just think that people make too much of a deal about Pag's and I don't get that." -Mike McEvoy
Pizza for Mike is a big deal. At any sitting, anywhere, Mike mentally wants to go for half of a pizza or more. Two slices of Pag's doesn't fill Mike up. Eating ONLY two pieces of pizza is an anomaly to Mike.
WAIT! Mike just had an epiphany! Pag's is Mike's new Tulley's! You go to Tulley's for a little drink or a muffin to pass the time. It's not edifying in any way. Now, Mike will start to go to Pag's for only one slice. (Since that one slice of Pag's ranks lower than a snack for Mike.) Since he won't be going for a meal, this breaks the anomaly of ordering two slices of pizza at a pizza place! Hooray!
Taste: 8.5
Value: 6
Intangibles: 7.5
Total Score: 22 out of 30
"I still believe that Pag's is the best place for pizza on the Ave. Don't take that you should go anywhere else for pizza from this review. They have a good variety of salads and slices AND they have a great coupon in the Student Survival Guide AND their pizza is delicious. I just think that people make too much of a deal about Pag's and I don't get that." -Mike McEvoy
Pizza for Mike is a big deal. At any sitting, anywhere, Mike mentally wants to go for half of a pizza or more. Two slices of Pag's doesn't fill Mike up. Eating ONLY two pieces of pizza is an anomaly to Mike.
WAIT! Mike just had an epiphany! Pag's is Mike's new Tulley's! You go to Tulley's for a little drink or a muffin to pass the time. It's not edifying in any way. Now, Mike will start to go to Pag's for only one slice. (Since that one slice of Pag's ranks lower than a snack for Mike.) Since he won't be going for a meal, this breaks the anomaly of ordering two slices of pizza at a pizza place! Hooray!
Taste: 8.5
Value: 6
Intangibles: 7.5
Total Score: 22 out of 30
Northwest Fish & Chips [15.5]
"I don't want to say I was disappointed...but I was disappointed. When I walked in there was no sea captain working behind the counter. I would've even settled for a pirate. Just someone who looks like they just caught the fish I was about to eat." - Mike McEvoy
Northwest Fish And Chips (NWFAC for short) is located at the Ave and 42nd st. The first thing that Mike noticed was that there was no all you can eat fish and chips. Normally a fish and chips place has an all you can eat deal. That is the challenge of going to these places. (For example: The most Mike has eaten at an all you can eat fish and chips restaurant is 12 fish, 6 baskets of fries, and 6 bowls of chowder. His main gift in life is definitely eating.) They did, however, have a family meal on the menu. It was $20 with 12 fish and fries. It's good to know that most American families eat as much as Mike does in one sitting.
NWFAC also failed Mike with the lack of a "Captain's Booth" (i.e. a place that one goes when you attempt feats of eating massive amounts of food) What they did have at NWFAC's was a little basket with 15-18 fried shrimp and fries for $3.99. Good deal and okay taste (the fries were pretty bland), but you need to supplement with something else. For Mike's supplement he chose a bowl of chowder. (Bowl is a loose term here since it was a super tiny bowl.)
Overall, NWFAC adds variety to the Ave and has a niche there.
If this place were down on the Pier though, it'd be out of business in about 2 weeks.
Taste: 4
Value: 6.5
Intangibles: 5
Total Score: 15.5 out of 30
Northwest Fish And Chips (NWFAC for short) is located at the Ave and 42nd st. The first thing that Mike noticed was that there was no all you can eat fish and chips. Normally a fish and chips place has an all you can eat deal. That is the challenge of going to these places. (For example: The most Mike has eaten at an all you can eat fish and chips restaurant is 12 fish, 6 baskets of fries, and 6 bowls of chowder. His main gift in life is definitely eating.) They did, however, have a family meal on the menu. It was $20 with 12 fish and fries. It's good to know that most American families eat as much as Mike does in one sitting.
NWFAC also failed Mike with the lack of a "Captain's Booth" (i.e. a place that one goes when you attempt feats of eating massive amounts of food) What they did have at NWFAC's was a little basket with 15-18 fried shrimp and fries for $3.99. Good deal and okay taste (the fries were pretty bland), but you need to supplement with something else. For Mike's supplement he chose a bowl of chowder. (Bowl is a loose term here since it was a super tiny bowl.)
Overall, NWFAC adds variety to the Ave and has a niche there.
If this place were down on the Pier though, it'd be out of business in about 2 weeks.
Taste: 4
Value: 6.5
Intangibles: 5
Total Score: 15.5 out of 30
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