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Wednesday, February 12, 2020

The Loft Cafe & Courtyard (Edmonds, Washington USA)


Feburuary 12 2020
The Loft Cafe & Courtyard  515 Main Street, Edmonds, Washington USA.  www.theloftlounge.com  We were recommend this place by family and friends. Right in the vibrant heart of Edmonds. This place looks cool and inviting on the outside. The inside does not disappoint.  It kind of looks like a ski lodge bar with the big exposed beams and timbers. They have a cozy 5 person marble topped sit-up bar. Facing the bar is a long bench along the wall with one table for 3 a pub high table for 4 and another table for 2. You could squeeze people in in the bench. Just past the bar is a stair case up to the small cozy dinning room  with about 7 tables. Out back is the court yard, with live bamboo along the east side and a out door bar. I imagine this hops in the nice weather. Out front there is a small sidewalk patio area with 3 tables for 3 or so all facing the side walk. Very reminiscent of the European way.  They open at 4 pm, 3pm on Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday during the winter.  As for their Happy Hour it runs 4pm to 6pm and 9pm to 11pm. Happy hour offers food $6 to $10, $5 well drinks, $6 wine and $1 off other wine. They have 4 beer on tap. For food we had the Gnocchi, house made Ricotta gnocchi, crisp bacon and spicy pesto (was not too spicy at all, thank goodness) it was very very good! We also had the Kobe Beef Sliders and fries which comes with 2 sliders. Made with Wagyu beef, Brioche bun,  garlic Aioli, bacon jam, Arugula,  tomatoes and cheddar cheese.  These too were very good. They have very nice back ground music, not too loud and just right. We met Nico the owner who advised they have been here for 12 years. He was great and also the bartender. Between making drinks, dealing with everything else  he has time to talk to us and was so nice! We had a very good vibe here and look forward to coming back soon!!!

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Kingston Ale House (Kingston, Washington USA)


February 11 2020
The Kingston Ale House  11225 NE Washington State Route 104 USA or just off the Kingston/ Edmonds ferry.  www.thekingstonalehouse.busnieas.site.  It is right on the corner and you can't miss it. This place is an absolute gem and a fabulous find. The owners have had it for 4 years and it is located in an old heritage building. As you enter in the right is the beautiful 8 person sit-up bar and a very neat and well displayed bar. They have 20 different types of beer on tap and some are rotating. Only 21 years of age and over at the bar area. They have great cocktails  too!  Happy hour runs 4 pm to 7 pm, $1.00 of wine, draft and well drinks as well as good prices applies. There is a long bench down one wall and hangs a right to make an L shape. It has several tables for 2 and 4. There are also 2 one sides pub high tables that are narrow and face the bar. They have a 4 person bar by the window in front. In back is the small dinningroom. The hall to the dinningroom is open to the kitchen and there is nothing to hide! Out back is the patio area that overlooks the water. When you go there, you must be there when Allie is bartending! She is awesome and very knowledgeable.  Sooo friendly and helpful!  She knows her drinks well and makes them even better. We would go back just to have her bartend for us. We didn't eat there but the menu was very good, hand cut steaks, salads, burgers, sandwiches and seafood. We met one of the owners Kim and she was wonderful. She told us about various events they have and things to watch for. She and the Chef were very proud of the fact they finished in 2 and place by 9 votes for best seafood chowder in the Edmonds Seafood Chowder competition. I am looking forward to trying it out.  This is truly worth going to and trying out! Take the Edmonds Ferry to Kingston and it is right there in the left! I guarentee we will be back and it will be soon! 2 thumbs up for sure!!!

Filling Station Tavern (Kingston, Washington USA)


February 11 2020
Filling Station Tavern 11200 Washington State Route 104. If you take the Edmonds ferry to Kingston it is 2 blocks up on the right. Great ferry ride by the way and not expensive at all. It has been here since 1980. This is unique, the sit-up bar has 2 sit-up bars one right in front of the other. This may be the first time I have ever seen this. The front and main one sits 11 and the 2nd one which is right behind it seats 8. Another very interesting feature is, all the table tops and bat tops are made from old shuffleboard tops and bowling alley lanes wood. They have 7 pub high tables for 4 and 4 booths for 6 as well as a round cement table around the fire pit, which is cool. There is a separate room for the pool table. They have 22 different types of beer on and numerous ones are rotating. They have wine and spirits to. 2 TVs if you are interested.  Out front is an al year around street level patio. They have a higher patio/ deck that faces the water and is open in good weather.  For lunch I had the Cobb Salad, it was big, fresh and the chicken was awesome. I couldn't finish it. My lunch partner had the soup and salad and in this case was the Washington Apple Salad and a clear mushroom soup.  The salad was very good but the soup was a little too salty. It is a cool place for sure!! Walk on the ferry in Edmonds and short walk and you are there!

Friday, February 7, 2020

Bar Dojo (Edmonds, Washington USA)


January 30 2020
Bar Dojo 8404 Bowdoin Way Edmonds Washington USA  www.bardojo.com. Located in a small nondescript building part of a small strip mall. Don't let the bland exterior deter you, it is much nicer and upscale in side. It is mostly a restaurant but in the back is the 11 person sit-up bar and must be 21 years or older in this area.  Very popular at Happy Hour which runs 4pm to 6pm and 9pm to close. Monday it is all night and Tuesday is 1/2 price wine. Happy Hour is $6 wine and $1 off draft beer and well drinks. 4 different beer on tap. Some higher end spirits as well. The bar area has a pony wall that separates it from the restaurant area. The bartender was Kelsyn who was very good, friendly and well organized! He also made great food and drink suggestions. To describe their food I will use the description from their website. Modern Asian with local ingredients, a melting pot and focusing on Chino Latino.
We did appys and this is what we had. Beef Satay Skewers, grilled marinated flat iron steak, peanut sauce and jicama slaw. It was very good and very tender. Pork Dumplings, Kurobuta pork, house chili oil, scallions and garlic They were steamed and amazing, probably my favorite! Coconut prawns, shaved coconut,  mustard seed, orange chili sauce. These too were good. And lastly we had the Prawn and vegetable tempura. It was fresh and tasty.  Every thursday at 7 pm they have a guitarist who plays back ground music. The prices are slightly on the higher side but well worth it as everything is fresh, local and made in house. If you want the bar area get here early. People are friendly too! We really enjoyed it here and can't wait to come back!!