Ballard Restaurants

Pizza and Guitars, Please

SeattleMeg April 28th, 2008

Madame K's
Saturday revealed a few treasures during the deliciously sunny hours of the day. A faint breeze kept me at a very comfortable temperature for a walk around the neighborhood. Where to eat? Wandering down Ballard Avenue uncovered an unassuming storefront of glass with a neon sign of lips and the intriguing name of “Madame K’s”. The aroma of browning crust and bubbling tomato sauces made my hands open the door and seek seating.

Madame K’s plays upon the alleged previous life of the building, that of a brothel. The wait staff is friendly and flirty and an actual joy to chat with. Be warned, they are generous with the portions and the garlic. If you don’t care for garlic, this is not your place. Being that I can eat cooked garlic like candy, I was in heaven.

Being the middle of the day, I chose to forgo the much-touted Sangria, but I managed to get my own buzz off the scent of the dessert they called a “screaming orgasm”. No, there’s nothing dirty about it, unless you get melted chocolate on your hands. A skillet-sized fresh-baked cookie with ice cream on top, I was sorry I’d eaten enough pizza to fill me so full I couldn’t get one. Although with the size of the portions, it’s probably better enjoyed with a date or a bunch of friends. Please note there is no seating for anyone under 21. Madame K’s can be found at 5327 …

(Read more...)

The “Ocho” Number Game

Erin April 28th, 2008

Hidden by the neon lights of Azteca on Market and 24th Ave, a faintly stained glass window has four letters etched into a sign. “Ocho” - it reads, denoting the number “8″ with zero known significance to the restaurant it is named for but has a couple other digits that work with it. 

7 - Possessive power lesbians clinging to their rights to the side of the bar that uncomfortably angles into the inward-opening door and pound their “$10 Margaritas” that consequently result in their falling off their benches later. 

6 - Other seats of the “L”-shaped bar that are occupied by rosemary and beet garnished martini-sippers who are not willing to give up their spot for a cancer patient on crutches. Tough luck.

5 - Remaining tables of the restaurant with no more than 2 chairs at each and 5 people crowding around to stab at one tiny tapas plate for the white-wine soaked clam. 

4 - The average priced tapas on the chalk-written menu that hangs on the far wall which you’ll need to order more of to fill you up but will keep you busy licking your fingers in between plates. 

3 - Consummate cooks whom fill the kitchen (on a busy night) which can not harbor any more people nor talent.

2 - FOH servers (one cocktailer and one bartender) who make you feel as if you could stay for hours although you know they want their tables to turn so they can possibly get more people in the box they work in.

1 - …

(Read more...)

« Prev