For ice cream, try The Scoop at Walter’s ( 6408 32nd Ave NW). Their ice cream is probably some of the best ice cream I have tasted. My favorite is Lavendar Honey, but they have other chocolate and fruit flavors. The Scoop also has donuts and coffee. Beware, they do close up shop early at 7pm.

For cupcakes, try Cupcake Royale (2052 NW Market Street). They have everything from chocolate to peppermint to orange to red velvet. Cupcake Royale also has mini cupcakes for the kiddies, or if you just want a small treat. You can eat in or take out, and they have good coffee, too.

For frozen yogurt, try Mooberry ( 2019 NW Market St). Mooberry just opened up this spring and it is quite good. They have a variety of different flavors and add-ins.

For ice cream, try Little Coney (8003 Seaview Ave NW). Its a great little place to stop on your way to Golden Gardens to grab some ice cream or burgers.

You can’t go wrong with a game of pool at the Old Pequliar Bar 1722 N.W. Market St., 12pm – 2am. Note the ample parking to the west of the “O P”. Situated in the back of the bar, you would never guess there is a pool table there.  Grab a glass of your favorite brewski, rally your friends together and enjoy a night of pool. There are also darts and some old arcade games if you prefer. If you’re feeling lucky, Tuesday night is trivia night.

Head down Leary Way and check out Ballard Grill and Alehouse 4300 Leary Way N.W., 11am – 130am. Here you will find a great bar and food menu as well as card tables for gambling, pool tables, darts, big screen tvs and a jukebox. Gobble down a cheeseburger and challenge your buddies to an afternoon game of poker while listening to some Bob Dylan.

Go back into downtown ballard to the Ballard Loft 5105 Ballard Ave. N.W., 12pm-2am. This bar just opened last fall but its turning into a great hang-out. Check out their flat screen TVs, pool tables, darts, and shuffleboard. The Loft even has a large front patio which is a nice place to relax with a pint on a sunny afternoon.

And last but not least, just north of Ballard is Molly Maguire’s Irish Pub 610 N.W. 56th St., 12pm-2am. An Irish Pub with a traditional Irish menu, grab your Guinness here. Molly’s has pool tables, live music Friday and Saturday nights, Wednesday quiz night, Thursday karaoke night, and darts.

For breakfast, check out Vera’s (map).  It’s a 50s diner/greasy spoon.  Looks may be deceiving but the food is yummy!  Plus, the service is friendly and efficient.  Two perks for early morning eats.

While waiting for the oh-so-popular Ballard Ave stores to open up, why not travel a bit east for your mid-morning coffee.  You would never know that Sip n Ship has some of the best coffee beverages.  I tend to get their soy chai but I’ve had their other beverages and they were great!  They even have a cute store with cards, stationery, and gift wrap.  I find myself buying the majority of my cards at this shop!  Plus you can address, purchase a stamp, and send out your cards at the mail center.  They have plenty of postage deals and a nice, helpful staff.

For your picnic lunch to take to the Locks, I recommend the Great Harvest Bread Company.  Their bread is made fresh two times daily, ingredients are fresh, and their sandwiches are more than filling.  You’ll find me eating a turkey sandwich on whole wheat and a peanut butter/chocolate chip cookie.  YUM!!  And you can stuff yourself even before you take your first bite of that to-die-for sandwich with a sampling of their bread.  My favorites happen to be the cinnamon chip bread and occasionally they have a rosemary bread of some sort.

I quite often get ravenous in the late afternoon.  It’s too early for dinner, but man, am I starved.  For a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, cross 15th and check out the Ballard Market produce department.  They have a large variety of produce, including both organic and non-organic produce.  It’s usually packed with the neighborhood shoppers, so try to get there before the rush hour.  I like to nosh on their carrots, grapes, and apples, to name a few.  While you are there, check out their cheese selection.

For Dinner, you can never go wrong with Lombardi’s.  Their hosts are friendly, their staff are very friendly, and their food is delicious.  Start off with a lemon drop….you practically get 2 drinks for one.  For appetizers, you must try the Angel of Death.  It is to die for, no pun intended.  Lombardi’s usually has entrees that coincide with the seasons/months.  And they change their specials frequently.  You can go to Lombardi’s monthly and always have a different meal, or the same meal like me.    If you can, save room for their Gelato.  It is delightful and completely refreshing after a carbo-heavy meal.  I tend to go with the chocolate gelato, it comes with a few cookies as if the gelato is not enough.

Or if you need a few minutes to digest your food, take a stroll around Ballard and then head over to Cupcake Royale.  I know some people would much rather head over to Trophy Cupcakes in Wallingford, but try the Lavender cupcake.  Yeah, I know, so the cake portion is a bit dry, but the frosting makes up for it.  If I wasn’t watching what I ate, I would eat a Lavender cupcake every day…

No with the heartache and sadness since Denny’s closed, I’ve had to explore other places for a late night snack.  Most bars in Ballard offer food but not one place has called to me.  I guess I will leave it to the folks of Ballard to let me in on the secrets…

That said, maybe I’ll see you around Ballard at one of these fine eats!