This place is pretty bad ass! I can't say that I was terribly impressed with the liquor selection…read morebut for a small (and new?) bar - they're really doing a great job. Aside from the awesome food - which I'll get to in a second - and the live music, I was most impressed by the bartender. He was super charismatic, super friendly and very funny. When I popped in with a group of 6 or so friends, he swiftly tended to us, made sure to introduce himself and took everyone's drink order. When it came time to get food I actually decided to opt out. It was nearly midnight and I had already eaten dinner hours earlier. But my friend next to me got a basket of fries and that's when it got hard to ignore the menu... The fries were AWESOME! In fact, they were so tempting that not only did I sneak a few, I actually asked to see the whole menu. Comprised mostly of about a dozen varieties of slider, I was super happy to see the variety. Suddenly my stomach growled and though I didn't want two sliders, I knew I could share with a friend. The only issue then was deciding which to get. I recall a buffalo chicken slider but only got as far as the fried bologna. HELL. YES!!! I ordered one and my buddy ordered another. (They come two to a plate.) My little slider was DELICIOUS! In fact, it was so good that I could totally envision making a trip all the way back to this bar just to have them again. So yeah... I'm a fan. The food is great, the bartender was totally rad, the live music playing in the theater was piped into the bar and the selection of beer and booze was just enough to satisfy. What a great little addition to the hood!

4 is the average between 3 stars and 5 stars: Why 4?…read more 3 stars: Meh. It is a cool, cute and subtly(?) intimate space for a hole in the wall. I had no drinks and drinks are not my forte, so I have nothing to contribute to with drinks (although I did get a water, more on that later). An interestingly mixed group of folks here (including the supposedly "local favorite", more on her later). =P Late Wed night, a bum can be met outside the front asking for crap... I didn't think this downtown-phenomenom could reach this far and late into Columbia City. o_O Now for the 5 stars: ENTIRELY for my fond memory of rockin' the mic with Sugarhill Gang's Rapper's Delight----and ALL fuc*ing 7 minutes of it! ----BAM! In addition to doing my thing up there, this "local favorite" chick asked me if she could join in---of course! Before I finish, let me fill you in on the intro deets. On occasion, one of the folks in our mini Yelp group asked me if I'd picked a song, yet. --No. --Nope. --Not, yet. --I'm kind of tied between between two... come almost-midnight, I'd finally settled on the one that's been bugging me all night, Rapper's Delight - Sugarhill Gang. Drop my card off and wait several songs until I'm called.... wait for it... ....dar-en ....dar-en ....dar-en ....dar-en ....dar-en--- (omg, ---WHAAAT?!). DUDE, both groups started *GASP* ---CHAN-TING & clapping(?)--- my name, when right then Kira *bowchikawowow!* took my hand and guided me up front. Rewinding back, the local favorite black lady joins me. I notice the screen.... someone says "wow, 7 minutes?!" I glance at the screen----hot diggity dam! Within 1 second, I thought of: why did I pick this song, 7 minutes seems long, I totally dig this song and the beat, I've heard it before but not the whole 7 min... and thankfully glad I asked for a glass of water prior to singing, because boy I tell ya, did I have a mouth drought in the minutes coming up to this (and slightly during, but I pressed on because, the more I sang/rapped it, the more I had tunnel vision on the lyrics screen and rippin' it in my own little world). I definitely heard the times the crowd join in during the good parts---most encouraging, hehe. All said and done.... wow (and phew!). Afterwards, the local lady came up to me and said something like, "Mmm Mm...that was ^fine^!..." I think I did come with my confidence, after all. 7 minutes... of rapping!? I think I just experienced a miracle... amazing. I think I want more karaoke (and drinking not even required! =P).

Came here on a whim for a dinner with the girls. We were so stunned by what a fabulous place it…read morewas. Such a cute vibe, love the large bar and open windows in the summer. Service was immaculate. Felt like we were treated as regulars. Truly the best margarita I've had in a while. Get the La Pina! The queso bowl was practically licked clean and the steak was better than the one we had at Daniel's Broiler like a week prior. We will 100% be back.

First time in there, earlier tonight: The Good: attentive…read morestaff, varied menu (which, considering it's all TexMex, is a real accomplishment), ceviche tostada, NY strip asada, Poblano Chicken flautas, bacon refried beans, flour tortillas, warmed salsa, vibe, engaged manager, paintings, Columbia City is fun The Bad: not a damn thing The Outstanding: they had to close for emergency pipe repairs the night we had a reservation; the team went above and beyond to explain what was going on and help us find our way there once things were rolling again.

TL;DR: Solid neighborhood standby - nothing flashy, just…read moredependable. It's the kind of spot you wander into when everything else is closed and end up staying longer than planned. Food: They've finally figured out who they are. The old menu was a mess, but now it's all about burgers, tacos, and nachos....and the burgers steal the show. Not gourmet, but hits the spot every time. Vibe: Unpretentious and comfortable, a true Columbia City fixture. You'll find locals, not tourists, and that's part of the appeal. It's got that familiar, slightly worn-in charm that doesn't need polishing. What could be better: Honestly, not much without killing what makes it work. It's not aiming for perfection, just consistency, and that's the point.

I've loved this place forever- if you get the couch and table near the back you're blessed. With…read morethe Columbia City Alehouse closed Lottie's is clearly trying to support the community by filling the gap their menu has burgers and stadium nachos now and a projector sharing big Seattle games. Their bartenders are experts and make many cocktails that are special to Lottie's or the current annual theme. Indoor and outdoor seating is available but again that back corner spot with the couch makes you feel like royalty . They got snacks and hotdogs and burgers - they are doing so great and deserve your best.

lets start with food Cuban Tofu Panini - didnt seem to have…read morebeen in a paining Press, was cold, wasn't good the skirt steak sandwich - cold steak.... didnt like it at all cooked veggies - surprisingly delicious Green smoothie was solid the restaurant was cute enough but the server wasn't serving. not a great attitude.

Wow, really pleasantly surprised that this fish sandwich was so freaking delicious! This is better…read morethan bar food. I heard they make great drinks, but my drink was just OK. My husband ordered the Reuben and the meat was delicious there could've been more of it not going to complain. The service was quick. It's a no-frills no nonsense sort of place. And I would definitely go back for the fish sandwich again.

This place is one of a kind and so delicious for Carribean and Jamaican cuisine! If you have not…read moretried -- you must! We were celebrating my colleagues birthday the day before and were going to see a show at the Royal Room! We got drinks and I had the caprihlana and the Carribean Star! The Carribean Star is a MUST- TRY, the flavors of that drink were amazing! Both the tostones and shrimp ceviche for appetizers was out of this world! The fried catfish was breaded and crisped perfectly and their sides, especially the collard greens are tasty, a bit tangy and phenomenal! I was able to sample my coworkers dishes (they offered of course and I did too) and the goat curry -- try this too if you like curry! Such amazing flavor and tender goat! They do not take reservations but it's peak around dinner time and weekends! We got lucky with the last big table! The menu is creative and colorful. Staff is amazing! They actually had a location in Kirkland but had to close it and this location remains and is a HIT!

Decided to try Island Soul with my Cousin today located in South Seattle on Rainier Avenue. Also…read moreknow to many as Columbia City. We decided to sit in the Bar Area. The atmosphere was quiet with really good music playing. I order the Chicken and Waffles 7/10. My Cousin ordered the Jamacian Rundown with Shrimp and Rice and a side of Greens. Her dish is listed as a Vegan meal. It has broccoli, cauliflower, onions and Brussels sprouts and a sweet sauce. 9/10. I also had a Mexican Coke. The Customer Service was ok. He almost forgot my Coke. I understand there were other Patrons but we told him it was our First time. We had to keep calling him over to explain the actual dishes. Parking is only street parking. I would come again to try some of the other dishes they have to offer but I will sit in a Booth.

We used to go to Rookies quite frequently, but the food here is pretty inconsistent and it's just…read morebeen getting worse and worse each time. Lately, it's been a struggle to figure out what to order from their menu. During the last visit, we tried: * Cajun chicken pasta: the blackened chicken was burnt to a crisp * Rookie burger: the burger was tiny and didn't hit the spot They also took the rigatoni bolognese off the menu, which was a favorite. This place also used to be pretty popular whether or not it is game night but it seems less crowded recently. They also seem to have a pretty high turnover in staff. It's rare to see the same staff twice, and previous friendly members we've come to know have all moved on. With all the delicious spots in Columbia City, it's hard to find a reason to return.

We went in because the other bar we wanted to go to was full and this seemed like a poppin vibe and…read moreour server, Katie, was super awesome and there was not a moment our drinks ran dry. She was amazing. The food was really good and we enjoyed the red card sandwich as well as some appetizers. The vibe was really good and we were there for a World Cup game so I would totally come back here for another big sporting event! L

The best way to describe the food at this place is it's off the beaten path (alley?)…read moreThe meats here are not something you can find everywhere else. From the most prized (foie gras) to the more normal (frog legs) to the odd (beef liver). And there was what I had - the rabbit kidneys on toast. I love the inventiveness of this place. It's so easy to just serve the same cuts of meats everyone else does - the prized, fatty parts of each animal and call it a day. But when there's a place that decides to dive deep (literally) into an animal and produce its organs and put that on a plate for you, it's just very cool. When you see a rabbit kidneys on toast dish on the menu - you can't not order it. The dish was pretty much exactly what you would expect - a bunch of rabbit kidneys on a slice of toast, over a cream sherry sauce. I had no idea what to expect in terms of kidneys, but these actually tasted quite normal. The best way to describe them is they had the texture and shape of larger beans, but had a bit of a meaty taste to them. Nothing over the top in terms of flavor or anything - just solid. They seemed to have been grilled. There were also a good amount on the piece of toast. The piece of sourdough bread it came on was quite good. The edges were crispy, and certain parts were perfectly lightly charred without being too burnt. The best part was the inside - which was super soft. What really tied this all together though, was the cream sherry sauce. This was outstanding. Certain parts were above the bread but a lot of it was below, and just tasting it I was blown away by its richness. It was on the sweeter side, but complemented everything so well. The way it soaks the inside of the bread is perfection - eating that was my favorite part. For dessert I got the foie gras ice cream. This was also really damn good. When two very fatty things come together, you'd expect there to be a full blast of flavor, but this was actually milder than I expected. It's still slightly salty, and very rich, but the added wine helps make it a more normal dish. I could still absolutely have a full scoop of this though. The one thing to know here is the portions are VERY small. The rabbit kidneys on toast dish is literally a single slice of bread with about 10 or so kidneys on top. The foie gras ice cream is truly miniscule - it's the smallest ice cream you've ever seen. The server did recommend 2-3 small plates per person, but I didn't particularly feel like paying a ton this night. If you were to come with someone (don't recommend groups here - the seating is very small), I'd say you could share a bunch of plates and feel pretty happy though. I wanted to give a shoutout that this place has the price inclusive of tipping. It's just so rare to see that, and absolutely wonderful when it occurs. I ended up paying around 38 for my two dishes. Overall, while not quite truly special, this place serves inventive, delicious mini-dishes that are certainly worth a try. 9/10

Everything here is delicious. These reviews saying otherwise, well. With all reviews, consider the…read morereviewer. If you're someone who cooks, and has said recently that everywhere you eat it costs a ton and is just okay -- like, you can make better at home? Come here. Because with few exceptions, I don't think you can. I've been here three times now and two out of three times everything was perfect. Absolutely. Perfect. I've recommended it to others and heard similar back from them. I think it's one of the more exciting restaurants in Seattle, and while the observation about cramped quarters is spot-on, I would imagine they'll likely evolve beyond that venue at some point, and that will be a pity, because having them close by in Columbia City makes me very happy. So book the patio if you want shoulder or elbow room, and enjoy a meal al fresco. And yes, it's a more expensive place, portions are small. It's a fine dining approach, and I think that's fairly clear up front. If you want a big pile of slop somewhere, there are a ton of options to fill up more cheaply. But if you want demi-glace and pan sauces that are perfect -- PERFECT! And meats you might normally not find compelling, like rabbit livers and kidney and, well, offal -- suddenly made succulent and delectable, try this. The only thing I felt was sort of not worth the bucks was the rabbit skull. Just not much in it and getting to it was a semi-feral process. Everything else, including the delicious salads, has be exquisite. Love this place.

Asa has quickly become one of my favorite places to ease into the day. I primarily come for the…read morecoffee, but I stay for the sense of community. It's the kind of serene, welcoming space where I can connect with new friends, catch up with old ones, or simply enjoy a quiet moment before the day begins. The service is consistently kind, thoughtful, and helpful. And my favorite order has to be the Orange Dreamsicle, a delicious coffee that comes with a surprisingly delightful orange slice right in the cup! What I love most about Asa is how I leave feeling: replenished, grounded, and ready to face the day. It has become a staple for me. A place where good coffee, genuine connection, and a peaceful atmosphere come together beautifully. Highly recommend.

Love the vibe here. Amazing patio in the summer and cool chic indoor vibes year round…read more Service is smart and prompt. We had a few snacks and cocktails, which were creative and fun. Would love to come back and try more of their food. Really cool spot if you're ever on the island or on your way somewhere eastside!

We hosted our after-wedding party at 1988, and it was the perfect way to end an amazing day. From…read morethe moment we started planning, the team was accommodating, easy to work with, and helped make the process stress-free. The space itself was fun, vibrant, and had such a great atmosphere for celebrating with friends. Our guests had an amazing time, and it was exactly the kind of night we were hoping for after our wedding reception. The drinks were great, the service was attentive, and everything ran smoothly throughout the night. Looking back, we're so happy we chose 1988 for such a special occasion. It created so many fun memories for us and our guests. Highly recommend for anyone looking to host a private event or celebration!

What a gem. Drinks were balanced and so, so interesting. I want to go back to try the rest of the…read moremenu! Loved the cucumber salad, their gangalal drink, and the Pandan drink too!!! 11/10. Props to the owner! I hope he'll consider clear ice cubes for the rocks drinks bc his drinks are next level!! N

Wine tasting events are the best way to try different wines and socialize with neighbors.read more

The new owner is knowledgeable and friendly. They have a great wine selection at a variety of…read moreprice points. I'm looking forward to shopping here regularly!