Taproot Cafe &amp; Bar

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).

All local spirits :-)

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Singing Bad Things

Persephone

3.9(16 reviews)

0.1 mi•Columbia City

Had a really lovely apertif here with the afternoon sun streaming in. It was my first time having…read moreone, and they gave great suggestions! Love the ambiance.

Both female store managers followed me throughout the store because they don't want Black Americans…read moreshopping in it. They assumed that because I am Black that I came in there to steal because I couldn't afford any of their wines. The snobby younger manager claimed that I had shoved her in the store proving the lies white women will tell to get Black Americans in "trouble". Moreover, both female managers made it well known they didn't like my presence and didn't want my business. This tacky bottle shop sells overpriced mid grade wines one can easily find at Total Wines and More without the snobbishness.

Special for the day! Barramundi (I think??) Spread with grilled bread

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Menu; they specialize in amaro and aperitivo bitters

Jackalope Tex Mex & Cantina

4.3(222 reviews)

So good that I ordered two!! Fresh, juicy and flavorful. Service was swift and friendly.read more

Our first time here, amazing! Not your standard Mexican food, best I've had... a fantastic find!…read more Homemade Chips! Thin, crisp, and nicely seasoned. Great Salsa and quac! We split the brisket enchiladas. They were awesome! This will be a regular stop for us! Well we are back! 3 days later on our return to SeaTac. Sharing the seafood enchiladas, FABULOUS!!!

Another view of interior

Mezcal Flight

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Tex mex margarita

Lottie's Lounge

3.9(222 reviews)

Sweetest bartenders, good drinks and I'm always happy when there's a hot dog on a bar menu. Such a…read moregood spot to meet up with friends or have a drink alone, my favorite cozy neighborhood bar! Also +5 points for having bottled Coors Light :)

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.

Karaoke night

Chips and salsa

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Slushies

Island Soul Rum Bar & Soul Shack

4.0(1.1k reviews)

0.1 mi•Columbia City

My first time at Island Soul and I was blown away. The food is rich and flavorful without being…read moreheavy. The servers were attentive without being overbearing - thanks Natalie and Hector! The atmosphere is a little noisy just because people were having a good time. I look forward to going back.

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!

Amazing curried mussels, a Must Have

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The sampler was impeccable...

Rookies Sports Bar and Grill

4.1(350 reviews)

Colombia City Sports Bar…read more Had a great time catching up with friends while in Seattle for the week! Lunch at 1pm, was not crowded which allowed the waitress to focus on us! Amy was the BEST waitress ever! Steak salad is what the are known for was delicious. Grilled parm wings were ok, just needed more parm and Amy was happy to oblige. Drinks were sooo good. Hibiscus margaritas with double shot of tequila...AWESOME!! I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. Until next time Seattle...

This is for a rainy Friday afternoon - we picked Rookies to the variety and the relaxed sports bar…read moreatmosphere- I got the cubano and I come here a lot but I wanted to say that I love this cubano- because it's so focused on just being a good Cuban sandwich. Some places add some weird stuff but Rookies is like "I wanna make something good"- anyway if you choose a potato side pick the Gorgonzola dip- or buffalo they are both good. Before my Cuban arrived I was like "I'm gonna take a picture cause it will help my Yelp review" but I ate it too fast so oh well

Fish and chips

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Shrimp po boy with sweet potato fries

Off Alley

3.6(101 reviews)

Overhyped and overpriced for what it offers. I really wanted…read moreto love this place, especially after seeing it featured in the NY Times, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. While the atmosphere is undeniably hip and trendy, the overall experience didn't justify the price tag. The food itself wasn't bad, but it lacked that "wow" factor. We tried several tapas-style dishes ranging from $20 to $50 each. The Farmer's Rice ($48) arrived in a small sauce pot, which felt underwhelming for the price. The octopus was overcooked, and the black cod was just a single, small piece. I was also disappointed by the Uni Butter Radish--the radishes were fresh, but I couldn't taste any uni at all. On a positive note, the broccolini and the potato with crab meat were the highlights of the night. Service was hit or miss. Our initial server was very kind, but the wine steward and the female server who followed were quite cold and dismissive. Bottom line: This isn't a place to go if you're looking to get full. It's better suited for a quick drink or a "pre-game" spot before heading elsewhere. The vibes are great, but the value for money isn't there.

You gotta know what you're going to, otherwise you won't like it at all. It's a narrow place if…read moreyou're inside, you're at a counter staring at a wall. You'll be offered interesting things to eat - including kidney and liver. Music is not elevator style. You interact with staff - chitchat - and they're engaging. They wanna chat because they're excited about the food. And so am I. It was great! It was a fantastic experience! But you gotta know before you go. Otherwise, you're gonna be bitter

Pork belly roulade, country gravy

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Smoked sturgeon, fennel, horseradish

Asa Gathering

4.5(32 reviews)

3.0 mi

Great cocktail bar on the Island! A really great selection of spirits. If you are chasing allocated…read morebourbons, come here to try and taste them yourself. Our bartender Tyler was well versed on both Bourbon and Gin - and our group got a few different cocktails and not one of them disappointed. Great decor inside, nice and chic. Patio is great on a spring or summer day. One of the few places with a decent outdoor patio. Perfect place to stop before taking the light rail downtown for a game or a concert. Will definitely be going back. Ask them to make one of your favorite cocktails, but with a different spirit that the bartender recommends!

Such a chill spot on Mercer Island to stop and grab a drink! Coffee in the morning/afternoons and…read morecocktail bar starting later at like 4pm? I think. Stopped to grab coffee and do some work. Bring your tech already charged because I couldn't find an outlet. I don't think the space is made for that! Seating: outdoor patio and indoor. Inside it was a bit warm and stuffy because it was a rainy and humid day in Seattle. Service: super nice service! I also overheard the employee being very patient with a customer who sounded very rude (to me). Latte: good foam, latte art, and strength of the espresso was just right

Great bourbon selection !

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1988 Cocktail Lounge

4.9(45 reviews)

1.7 mi•Georgetown

I've been here twice now. The first time was on a Friday at 9 pm and it was crazy packed and didn't…read morehave a great experience. The second time was also on a Friday but right when they first opened and it was much nicer. The bartender was so friendly and hilarious which elevated our experience but we also really enjoyed our drinks. I love that there is a big selection of Asian inspired cocktails. Overall, I would recommend this place as a pre dinner cocktail joint otherwise, it gets a little busy after.

The shenron was awesome! So smooth--no burning after taste and you could really appreciate the…read morepandan and cononut aroma. The service was phenomenal The ambiance was chill

The pho fries are on another level - get these!

Juniper was delicious!

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Los Muertos, Revival

Cloud Cafe

4.0(77 reviews)

2.0 mi•Beacon Hill

THE BIG: Located in the North Beacon Hill area of Seattle. Very cute and quaint vietnamese cafe…read more Street parking available. THE BLACK AND WHITE: I walked here from a friend's place and was excited to try their pork vermicelli bowl because the reviews said they were great. The Cafe is situated on the corner of Beacon ave and lander in this baby blue color theme. For food, we got the pork vermicelli and the chicken banh mi. To be honest, the chicken banh mi was underwhelming with shredded bland chicken and very soft bread. The vermicelli bowl was better with all the sauces but even then the flavors were lackluster. THE FINAL BAMBOO: Overall we spent around $21 for the two dishes. It was alright and I dont know if I would come back to try more of their items. Maybe their drinks?

Came in looking for coffee and i was surprised to find that the cafe is a Vietnamese cafe! Serving…read morePho and other delicious Vietnamese dishes... Small place but it's nice and quiet, the coffee was delicious! Can't wait to come back and try the Pho!!! Service was average