644381 Thu Aug 13 09:05:51 -0700 2009 73 4 Pacific Northwest 0 4943188 Given that the Eastside is being populated with the PF Changs and Spazzo's of the world (not to knock them, they have their time and place), I would love some rec's for any hidden gems to try over on this side of the water. Thai, Italian, Bahn Mi, Cuban, Mexican, Best Sandwich...come on, what does the Eastside have that I have been missing out on? Thu Aug 13 09:05:51 -0700 2009 1091568 kgreig 1 4943283 There is a strip mall in Redmond (although it feels like it's in Bellevue) that is cheap ethnic food heaven-- on a 152nd between 24th and 25th NE. There you will find Malay Satay Hut, Mayuri Foods (an Indian grocery, with a bakery and Indian sweets/chaat store next door--forget the bakery to the extent they do Western stuff, but the Indian things are good but the Indian things are good), Kabob Palace (Pakistani) and a Brazilian bakery that I have yet to try but have heard good things about. Highly recommended. On the high end side, you can't do better than Cafe Juanita in Juanita. Trellis in Kirkland is also a good choice. Thu Aug 13 09:29:32 -0700 2009 4943188 19003 PAO 2 4943585 Mediterranean Kitchen in Bellevue, get the Grandfather Chicken! Thu Aug 13 10:41:26 -0700 2009 4943283 193069 plutch 1 4943589 Well, there are certainly some good options on the Eastside, just not as many as in Seattle. For Thai, Issaquah's Noodle Boat is considered by some to be the best Thai on the Eastside or in Seattle. It is very good and I have liked some of the more unusual dishes a lot - check out the menu if you have a chance. For Italian, Cafe Juanita is awesome. Tropea in Redmond might be the best standard Italian place i've been to on the Eastside. Calabria was good in Kirkland but i'm not sure if they had to close when those business were kicked out. Bahn Mi is a rare thing on the Eastside for some reason. Pho Express in the Totem Lake area of Kirkland though does a very good one. Nice baguette, very flavorful meats, they can be a little heavy with the butter spread though and I don't believe that they smear any pate on the bread. I don't believe there are any Cuban places on the Eastside. Mexican food is a little iffy. I enjoy Ooba's in Redmond. Also I think that of the standard Americanized Mexican places (one taco, one enchilada combo) that Mi Tierra in Woodinville is the best. I will also admit that I like Cactus for what they do. Not sure if Barrio opened up their Bellevue location yet but I know that the Seattle restaurant got mixed reviews but with some high praise. To be honest, Baja Fresh is quite a bit better than what often passes for Mexican around here (I am from Southern California so that means I am immune from getting flamed for that statement!) I am a big fan of sandwiches so here goes: The price is borderline ridiculous, but the sandwiches in Bellevue at Gilbert's on Main (check the hours they are open before going) are outstanding. The reuben is better than I Love NY deli in Seattle or any other reuben in the city. The sandwiches at Goldberg's Jewish Deli are not amazing but usually quite good. Twisted Sandwich in Woodinville has solid flavors placed on a tasty homemade bread. The hidden gem sandwich on the Eastside... the Taiwanese sandwich with egg at Cafe Happy in Kirkland. After Paseo, and Salumi, this is my favorite sandwich. Other Eastside places of note: Meze in Kirkland (fantastic hummus, everything else is okay), Taj Palace in Bellevue is my favorite Indian place, Seoul Hot Pot (in that same strip mall that PAO suggested) serves really high quality Korean, Bamiyan in Issaquah serves better Afghan food than Kabul in Seattle, i'm sure there are other places i'm forgetting but this post is long enough. Thu Aug 13 10:42:44 -0700 2009 4943188 193250 eat.rest.repeat 2 4946210 My goodness, thank you so much! It sounds like you love food as much as I do! You've tried it all!!! I will make a list (and check it twice) from your rec's. Fri Aug 14 08:23:54 -0700 2009 4943589 1091568 kgreig 1 4943616 There's the stuff that always gets listed, so I won't rehash here, but some that I don't see as often: Kafta sandwich at Persian Grocery-Deli on Main St. Swedish pancakes with lingonberry jam at Pancake Corral on Bellevue Way Dumplings at the little noodle place in Lake Hills Tacos and the torta at the place outside of the mall (to the east) in Crossroads Ooba Tooba Facing East I'm personally a big fan of Garlic Crush, but I realize it's nothing incredibly special (although I like it alot more than Med. Kitchen, which gets fawned over) This doesn't consider much on the Redmond (Microsoft) side of Bellevue, where there are decent places like Taj Palace, Spice Route and Kiku Sushi Thu Aug 13 10:48:41 -0700 2009 4943188 66211 GreenYoshi 2 4943711 Oh yeah, Won Ton City in Lake Hills. The wonton mein is not too far from what I had in Hong Kong. Thu Aug 13 11:15:20 -0700 2009 4943616 193250 eat.rest.repeat 3 4978283 I second Won Ton City...Please keep them in business. I love their wonton noodles....and the vinegar they serve with them. Yum! Tue Aug 25 21:38:55 -0700 2009 4943711 56183 soypower 4 4980875 Soypower, sounds like we could be related. My sisters and I get teased for "drinking vinegar." Wed Aug 26 16:38:38 -0700 2009 4978283 23199 ethereal 5 4980961 I do practically drink the vinegar they serve at Wonton City. Truly amazing stuff! Wed Aug 26 17:10:37 -0700 2009 4980875 56183 soypower 6 4981070 Speaking of drinking vinegar...http://www.portlandmonthlymag.com/eat-and-drink/articles/sour-power/ You could most likley find some at uwajimaya Wed Aug 26 17:52:06 -0700 2009 4980961 37834 dagrassroots 4 4984109 This is the first I've heard of Won Ton City? Do they serve xiao long bao with that vinegar? Thu Aug 27 16:43:55 -0700 2009 4978283 19098 equinoise 5 4984252 Nope. A very limited menu. The won tons and sui kau are great. The congee is very good as well. But the menu pretty much consists of that and also some chinese donuts. Thu Aug 27 17:39:05 -0700 2009 4984109 193250 eat.rest.repeat 2 4946217 ooo, I have heard of the Kafta sandwiches at Persian Grocery, but I had forgotten about that. I will have to try! I do yoga on Main just down the way! Fri Aug 14 08:25:08 -0700 2009 4943616 1091568 kgreig 3 4946432 One note, I've occasionally had times there where my sandwich has come out a little greasy. I don't know what it is, (probably just the fact that they don't make tons of sandwiches, so the process isn't super refined) just note that a place like that can have it's off days. Fri Aug 14 09:38:52 -0700 2009 4946217 66211 GreenYoshi 4 4946879 was it any sandwich in particular that seemed to come out greasy? I have heard so many great things about it, I will be sure to cut them some slack if it's not stellar the first time. Besides, I love the Mom and Pop stores. I'd rather have a greasy Persian sandwich than a dry Subway any day! Fri Aug 14 12:05:34 -0700 2009 4946432 1091568 kgreig 2 5043112 Was in Bellevue today on Main and looked for the Persian Grocery-Deli. It looked closed down. A google search shows one in Kirkland (Totem Lake). Does anyone know if this is the same place and they just moved? I was really looking forward to a good sandwich. Sat Sep 19 21:04:21 -0700 2009 4943616 193250 eat.rest.repeat 3 5045204 It's still open, well, at least as of a couple weeks ago (maybe not on weekends?) Up on Main and 108th or so, right? By the Toy's chinese. Sun Sep 20 23:43:50 -0700 2009 5043112 66211 GreenYoshi 4 5045856 Yep, it's still open. I was by there the other day. You have to get past the murky exterior, and go inside...the food will make you forget about the dingy storefront. Mon Sep 21 08:50:26 -0700 2009 5045204 1091568 kgreig 5 5046508 When I checked it out, they had a note up about how they're moving and changing the name, I think to Persepolis or Persepolis Grocery or something like that. If they're closed up, check to see if there's a little note in the window. Mon Sep 21 11:55:35 -0700 2009 5045856 11377 seattledebs 1 4945284 One place that doesn't seem to get mentioned often is Ginza in Bellevue. They do Japanese small plates and have a huge menu. I especially liked the tea smoked pork belly and the pumpkin fried rice. Tasty Thai in Factoria does a delicious Mussamun curry, and Zenyai Noodles (in the Bellevue Trader Joe's shopping center) has a cracktastic crispy garlic chicken. Also, Can Am Pizza, in the same shopping center, has really good Indian pizza. Thu Aug 13 19:58:01 -0700 2009 4943188 10398 creepygirl 2 4946221 My mouth is literally watering for the crispy garlic chicken. Is it served on noodles, or just a la carte chicken? Fri Aug 14 08:26:29 -0700 2009 4945284 1091568 kgreig 3 4947819 The crispy garlic chicken is served with rice. Fri Aug 14 19:12:47 -0700 2009 4946221 10398 creepygirl 2 4946450 ehh... I used to like Ginza alot more. Something seems to have changed with them. Best Japanese in the downtown area, but that doesn't say a whole lot.... Fri Aug 14 09:42:39 -0700 2009 4945284 66211 GreenYoshi 1 4946226 Any Pho rec's? I am taking my brother for some this weekend, and he's quite the expert... Fri Aug 14 08:27:17 -0700 2009 4943188 1091568 kgreig 2 4951833 probably too late for you kgreig, but I always liked Saigon City. Sun Aug 16 20:27:18 -0700 2009 4946226 28239 malarkey 1 4948019 I had the chance to try Spiced tonight. It's a new Sichuan place across the street from Crossroads Mall. This marks another worthy entry into the Sichuan scene alongside Bamboo Garden, Szechwan 99, and Szechwan Chef. It's a pretty small place with an enthusiastic following. Best of luck getting a seat. Fri Aug 14 20:56:32 -0700 2009 4943188 108835 HungWeiLo 2 4948057 Thank you very much for this piece of info. I just noticed that Spiced had opened up and was curious. Especially since I have found Szechwan Chef's quality to have seriously declined. Has anyone else been to the Chinese place in North Bend? I don't recall the name but I was very pleasantly surprised. Good hand shaven noodle dishes amongst other things. Fri Aug 14 21:17:59 -0700 2009 4948019 193250 eat.rest.repeat 3 4949894 Where is the Chinese restaurant in North Bend? Sat Aug 15 20:39:58 -0700 2009 4948057 16407 Jane917 4 4949958 Found it. It is Yum Yang. Its in the strip mall with the Safeway near the Outlets. Sat Aug 15 21:34:20 -0700 2009 4949894 193250 eat.rest.repeat 2 4948676 Szechuan Chef is under new ownership and the food is not the same - actually pretty awful on my last visit. Sat Aug 15 08:58:17 -0700 2009 4948019 141727 FoodDee 3 4949873 Szechwan Chef has always been at the bottom of the "acceptable or better" Chinese on the eastside. Sad to hear that I can disregard them now. Sat Aug 15 20:25:34 -0700 2009 4948676 108835 HungWeiLo 3 4951825 I am really sorry to hear this. When I was still working over there this place was outstanding. Where did the former owners go? Do you know? Sun Aug 16 20:23:37 -0700 2009 4948676 28239 malarkey 4 4952823 I understand that they have a history of selling a restaurant to their employees, then opening another one, so maybe we'll see them again. I recall some postings on their behalf by their web developer; maybe s/he will see your inquiry and have some info to share. Mon Aug 17 09:11:21 -0700 2009 4951825 12271 not the bad Steve 1 4948454 Crossroads Mall has an amazing food-court, ripe with locally owned ethnic food options. My home base used to be Issaquah, which has solid food options; Jak's – Top steaks Shanghai Garden – Almost identical to the ID location, for barley green hand-shaven noodles Shusiman – Upper-end sushi iSushi – More reasonable, conveyor belt sushi Flying Pie – Arguably the best pizza in the region next to that great Korean BBQ restaurant Taqueria La Venadita – Tacos al Pastor! Noodle Boat – Great Thai food and deep menu Pho Hoa – Issaquah valley's only Pho option Bangalore Cuisine - Better than average indian food Factoria is home to Top Gun, if you are in the mood for Dim Sum. Cafe Juanita, 'nuff said. Sat Aug 15 07:00:20 -0700 2009 4943188 132735 phinious 2 4959150 I canNOT wait to try Taqueria La Venadita! I just looked online for a website or reviews and came across a pic of their menu (attached). Definitely looks like the real deal! Wed Aug 19 09:36:40 -0700 2009 4948454 1091568 kgreig 1 4949726 I have an Eastside related question: Does anyone know what is up with The Stone House? It is one of the top rated Eastside restaurants on Yelp yet I never hear it get mentioned on Chowhound. Plus, a little while ago I saw someone actually did mention it and stated that it was really good and then someone else posted a reply saying that that poster needed to divulge their relationship to the restaurant. I interpreted this as someone knowing that the Stone House was up to something fishy. Is this the case? Thanks for any info. Sat Aug 15 18:26:47 -0700 2009 4943188 193250 eat.rest.repeat 2 4953665 I can't speak to the food, as I've never eaten there, but I do know that they are under new ownership (within the past 6-9 months, probably). The chef/owner is Ryan Donaldson, a seemingly ambitious young chef. I think his father is his financial business partner, but he runs the restaurant by himself for the most part. It's a very cute spot, great for a date night if you're on the eastside. Nothing fishy going on that I know of. More info here: http://www.stonehouseredmond.com/The_Stone_House/Home.html Mon Aug 17 13:20:43 -0700 2009 4949726 197337 abstract206 2 4955643 I've personally witnessed a few individuals personally connected to restaurants who created accounts here solely to trump their own businesses. Many times, it's quite obvious. When I read the posting that you pointed to, it had the signs of this - although one can't be sure. I remember that the Indian restaurant in Redmond Town Center (Mehfil) was definitely guilty of this. Tue Aug 18 08:07:25 -0700 2009 4949726 108835 HungWeiLo 2 4958137 I recently ate at the Stonehouse and didn't think much of it. I was rather dissappointed because I'd heard great things about it. The ambiance was nice, but the food was on the salty side and the dishes were just okay. The value wasn't there and the meals left dissatisfied. Thanks for all of the great eastside recommendations. I'd thought that I knew most of the best places, but you've all named some that I need to try. Tue Aug 18 23:14:13 -0700 2009 4949726 1102791 Yum.Drool 3 4959108 Who new we had so many treasures in the "burbs, huh? Wed Aug 19 09:23:39 -0700 2009 4958137 1091568 kgreig 1 4949751 Izumi in Kirkland for Japanese and Bis on Main in Bellevue for high end eats, kgreig. Sat Aug 15 18:40:09 -0700 2009 4943188 67600 firecracker 1 4950910 I second the Meditteranean Kitchen....great lebanese food...the best in all of Seattle, IMO. And I heard that Monsoon ('upscale' vietnamese) opened on Main St. in 'old' Bellevue. And of course, don't miss Pomegranate in Redmond. Sun Aug 16 12:49:02 -0700 2009 4943188 77289 staffstuff 2 4973928 I recently discovered that there is a branch of Meditteranean Kitchen in Kirkland on 124th. Mon Aug 24 15:12:18 -0700 2009 4950910 141727 FoodDee 3 4975936 Wow, I had no idea! Thanks for the tip! Tue Aug 25 09:26:26 -0700 2009 4973928 1091568 kgreig 1 4952218 Issaquah has a few offerings: Jak's for steak, Sip for something more refined, XXX for burgers and rootbeer, Issaquah Brew House for a pint of Rogue, Stan's BBQ for BBQ, and of course Boehms for a chocolate dipped ice cream covered with nuts. My mother raves about Taqueria La Venadita, but I've not been. Mon Aug 17 04:42:04 -0700 2009 4943188 158180 nanette 2 4952842 So I just went to XXX last week, and I was sorely disappointed. The rootbeer was still delicious, but the burgers are now a sloppy (expensive) mess. The burgers looked like preformed frozen patties and they didn't even have a nice char from the flattop. Just kind of an underdone blandness. It's still kind of a fun place with all the car show stuff and the rootbeer's good, but the food's a pass for me now. Mon Aug 17 09:19:27 -0700 2009 4952218 66211 GreenYoshi 3 4952970 XXX is only good for taking funny pictures of friends holding humorously large portions of food in their hands. Nothing more. Mon Aug 17 09:59:56 -0700 2009 4952842 108835 HungWeiLo 3 4952985 Oh no, that's horrible. I was there last summer home visiting and it was still good. Thanks for the update, thankfully Boehms up the road still merits a visit. Mon Aug 17 10:02:25 -0700 2009 4952842 158180 nanette 1 4954615 Preets in Bellevue for authentic Indian food Cafe Ori for HK comfort food, especially the delicious and cheap pork chops Tortas and tacos at the truck at the gas station at NE 24th St & 148th Ave NE Momoya Sushi in Kirkland - best QPR for sushi I have found on the Eastside, definitely a hole in the wall place O'Ginger in Issaquah - great, inexpensive Thai with some SE Asian dishes thrown in Mon Aug 17 19:23:18 -0700 2009 4943188 49004 gck 2 4954671 Oh that is good to know about the taco truck. I have always wanted to try it, especially since there is ALWAYS a line there. I am a young-ish female and have been a little intimated by the line of all men there. But, I guess I need to bite the bullet and give it a try! I am surprised by the votes for Jaks. Am I the only one that thought it was over-priced? People love that place!!! Where is Taqueria La Venadita?? Mon Aug 17 19:47:53 -0700 2009 4954615 1091568 kgreig 3 4955635 Jak's is not overpriced for the quality of beef that they serve at the price that they charge. I've always seen a number of women at the taco truck - although usually accompanied by men...but don't worry, it's perfectly safe there - it's not like you're in Rainier Valley or something. Tue Aug 18 08:04:12 -0700 2009 4954671 108835 HungWeiLo 4 4959154 good point, I will brave the truck in search of a yummy meal. Wed Aug 19 09:38:08 -0700 2009 4955635 1091568 kgreig 5 4960251 In my opinion, the truck is only alright. It's what we have to live with on the eastside. Although there's now a Taqueria El Rinconsito on 140th just down the street from there. Haven't tried it just yet - I've been to their other restaurants in south King county, and it's pretty good. Wed Aug 19 14:41:38 -0700 2009 4959154 108835 HungWeiLo 6 4982635 I am right by El Rinconsito once a week, so I will pop in there next time. Any rec's on what is good there? Thu Aug 27 09:08:21 -0700 2009 4960251 1091568 kgreig 7 4985312 I eat everything there. Last I tried, the lengua tacos was pretty decent. Fri Aug 28 07:20:19 -0700 2009 4982635 108835 HungWeiLo 6 4986941 I forgot all about TER...Their tacos are awesome and I believe they're open until 2am? Fri Aug 28 15:13:28 -0700 2009 4960251 56183 soypower 1 4970860 To stuff your face with decent sushi for little bucks, Marineopolis Sushi Land in Bellevue is great.... it's one of those conveyor belt places. Sun Aug 23 16:44:52 -0700 2009 4943188 225868 Senzinina 2 4981704 I went to a newer conveyor belt sushi restaurant across the street from the Crossroads mall and I actually thought that this restaurant (unfortunately, I can't remember the name of it) was much better than the Marinepolis' Sushi Land in Redmond's Bella Bottega Mall. If you get a chance, I'd recommend checking it out to compare it to the Marinepolis in downtown Bellevue. Wed Aug 26 23:53:03 -0700 2009 4970860 1102791 Yum.Drool 3 4986660 I think that's SushiMe. Fri Aug 28 13:32:09 -0700 2009 4981704 49004 gck 3 5043214 Agreed. I was basically ignored at the Bella Bottega location. The Lynnwood one across from Alderwood mall is consistently above average. They make a decent takoyaki and a great salmon skin roll. Sat Sep 19 23:12:24 -0700 2009 4981704 1106159 SporkChop 1 4978262 Facing East Taiwanese place. A couple of blocks north of Bell Square, ont he west side of Bellevue way (off the road in a mini-mall behind a bank). Really amazing. Tue Aug 25 21:23:27 -0700 2009 4943188 59438 dnamj 2 4982624 What do you like to get at Facing East? I will be by there today, coincidentally! Thu Aug 27 09:06:53 -0700 2009 4978262 1091568 kgreig 3 4983889 Was just there last night. I like the taiwanese hamburger. And I like their noodle dishes. The beef noodle soup and the vermicelli pan fried noodles are my regulars. My son and husband love the pork rice. We usually add to this whatever looks good from where we stand while we're waiting for a table. Can be fish or calamari or chicken. And my husband loves shaved ice for dessert. Thu Aug 27 15:12:49 -0700 2009 4982624 23199 ethereal 3 4985311 Taiwanese burger Pork chop with rice Oyster omelette (if they still have it) Fried chicken Three spices chicken Stir-fry clams Tofu / seaweed appetizer A spicy beef dish (can't recall the name) Mango shaved ice dessert in the summer Fri Aug 28 07:19:28 -0700 2009 4982624 108835 HungWeiLo 1 5046107 I went to Noodle Boat in Issaquah based on numerous recommendations and found myself incredibly disappointed. I much preferred the food at Chantanee. Add on the fact that you can get craft cocktails at the bar, and you've got yourself a winner. I'm a fan of the Indian food at Kanishka. Mon Sep 21 09:55:27 -0700 2009 4943188 50350 SauceSupreme 2 5049376 You really liked the food better at Chantanee than Noodle Boat? Why was that? I do like the craft cocktail angle at Chantanee, but I thought the food was less interesting than Noodle Boat, and overpriced. Tue Sep 22 11:05:47 -0700 2009 5046107 19098 equinoise 3 5049640 Granted I only had two dishes but both were very poor -- the khao soi and the eponymous noodle boat. I found the sauces weak and underseasoned, compounded by the fact that the kitchen made an error in swapping the noodles (the thin vermicelli in the khao soi and the the flat noodle in the noodle boat). Chantanee on the other hand was quite vibrant. I'll give you the price difference, but I'll disagree on the interestingness. The miang kham was excellent, using real betel leaves, and they had one of the better stir-fried beef in holy basil ผัด ใบ กะเพรา เนื้อ preps I've had. I'll admit I was there for the cocktails first and foremost, but I was duly impressed with the food, too. Tue Sep 22 12:14:46 -0700 2009 5049376 50350 SauceSupreme 4 5050933 wowwww, I couldn't disagree any more! I went to Chantenee expecting great things, but was SORELY disappointed. Let's make a deal...I will try Chantanee again if you give Noodle Boat another try? Have cocktails nearby, THEN go to Noodle Boat! :-) Tue Sep 22 19:47:10 -0700 2009 5049640 1091568 kgreig 1 5046266 Redmond is Eastside Pacific Northwest? Bellevue? What happened to Wenatchee? Mon Sep 21 10:46:48 -0700 2009 4943188 216197 kayssurf 2 5046487 Wenatchee is Eastern Washington. Redmond and Bellevue are 'the Eastside' as in the Eastside of Lake Washington. Mon Sep 21 11:49:51 -0700 2009 5046266 10120 Lauren 1 5048653 I never noticed it before, but there appears to be a Than Bros. Pho across the street from Crossroads mall, next door to Spiced. We went there a few nights ago for the most delicious cream puffs you'll ever have and, in my opinion, the best pho in Washington State. Tue Sep 22 07:32:20 -0700 2009 4943188 56183 soypower 1 5053690 I really, really like the Shoyu Ramen at the "Food Court" at Uwajimaya in Bellevue. Wed Sep 23 17:49:18 -0700 2009 4943188 214697 ritabwh 2 5054330 Mmm.... Takohachi. I kinda wish I had the chance to try it back when it was in the ID. Thu Sep 24 01:14:23 -0700 2009 5053690 50350 SauceSupreme