Nosh Pit Blog

Dollar(s) Menu

Cheap Date: Zhivago’s Cafe

With all piroshki costing just $4.85, it’s actually hard not to fill up on a budget.

Posted by: Nick Feldman on Nov 11, 2009 at 08:45AM Speech Bubble 0 Comments

Owner Geno Sabra works in front of the cafe’s elaborate chalk-art menu, which he plans to soon expand. Listed are coffee drinks and 18 varieties of piroshky.

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At the much-anticipated, just-opened Zhivago’s Cafe on Broadway, it’s clear right away service is a priority—the owner took and delivered my order, checked in to see how I liked the food, and on my way out thanked me graciously for visiting. But what really seals the deal at this Russian eatery is the perfect price point: All piroshki cost just $4.85, and a plentiful bowl of borscht soup is a mere $2.99. Here it’s actually hard not to fill up on a budget.

Though the menu is far from lacking—18 varieties of piroshki are listed on the massive chalkboard menu (over half of which are vegetarian; 80 percent of the products are organic)—owner Geno Sabra plans to soon include dinner options, such as kabobs. And while the space is still bare (check the slideshow), he hopes to host a revolving collection of art work.

With a $10 bill, I ordered a flaky, golden beef, cheese, and potato piroshki (thanks for the recommendation, Sabra) and the house made borscht soup, laden with vegetables and a generous dollop of fresh sour cream. Looking back I wish I also ordered a cup of coffee supplied by Kirkland’s Rococo, or a piece of baklava (so hard to find in Seattle!).

What’s the must-try item?
[Sabra] “ Oh God, everything is good. My favorites are the chicken and onion, and the potato, beef, and cheese… We’ll be expanding the menu as we go. We’re just taking it a little at a time and not rushing ourselves so the food stays good.”

MORE CHEAP EATIN’:
Samurai Noodle
Pike Street Fish Fry
Thai Tom
Homegrown
The Counter
Baguette Box
Citizen

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Tags: Cheap Eats, Cheap Date

Cheap Date: Samurai Noodle

This isn’t your two-for-a-quarter, college dorm ramen.

Posted by: Nick Feldman on Oct 28, 2009 at 08:00AM Speech Bubble 0 Comments

Photo: Nick Feldman

The tonkotsu, a savory pork broth with mushrooms, green onions, and perfectly cooked al dente ramen noodles.

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The original plan was to scope out Zhivago’s Café, a new Russian/Middle Eastern eatery that was slated to open last week next to Bailey Coy bookstore on Broadway. No dice—inspections have prevented that from happening until November 1.

So instead we found ourselves at an old cheap eats standby: the adored ramen spot Samurai Noodle. This isn’t the two-for-a-quarter ramen you make in a college dorm, and although it’s next to Uwajimaya Village, don’t expect food court fare. The noodles and broths found here teem with complexity and flavor. Just ask the crowds that regularly fill the small eatery to capacity—testament to its status as one of the International District’s best noshing spots. (And soon to be one of the best in the U District, too. We’re told a second Samurai outpost will be opening on the Ave anytime after late November.)

Most items on the menu range from $6.75 to $8 and accommodate all types of spice, broth, meat, and noodle preferences. If your stomach is really growling, extra noodles are available for $1.50—but believe us, you need them. The same goes for the extra meat helpings.

With a $10 bill, I opted for the tonkotsu. After my first sip of the rich pork broth I was grateful I heeded the advice of the employees who told me this was the must-try item. The al dente noodles were perfectly firm (you can order them medium or soft as well, though I wouldn’t recommend it), and the thick slice of pork was so tender that it literally fell apart in my chopsticks. Sugoi.

Turns out our little detour wasn’t so disastrous after all.

MORE CHEAP EATIN’:
Pike Street Fish Fry
Thai Tom
Homegrown
The Counter
Baguette Box
Citizen

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Tags: Cheap Eats, Cheap Date, Noodles, Samurai Noodle

Dollar(s) Menu

Cheap Date: Pike Street Fish Fry

Free fries on Friday? $2 pints of Fat Tire? And to think we were already smitten with the place…

Posted by: Nick Feldman on Oct 22, 2009 at 08:00AM Speech Bubble 1 Comments

Photo: Nick Feldman

Cod fish and chips paired with a house made tartar sauce and wrapped in The Stranger—a crispy, delicious slice of Capitol Hill.

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We didn’t think it possible, but Pike Street Fish Fry just got a whole lot more irresistible. Starting this week is a new thing called “Free Fridays.” That means complimentary boats of fries (yes! Free!) and $2 pints of Fat Tire, Blue Paddle Pilsner, and Hoptober Golden Ale from 5-8 p.m. (You can get the fries at neighboring Moe Bar, too.)

That aside, the other reason you’ll want to check out this tiny restaurant tucked next to Neumos is, of course, the golden-browned seafood that comes wrapped in newspaper. Pick your poison from a lengthy chalkboard menu—we’re talking catfish and ling cod to hood canal oysters, coho salmon, and halibut, all $7–$10. On a health kick? Switch to the grilled menu, which ranges from $6–$11 and proffers portabella mushrooms and Hawaiian ahi tuna. If you’re in the mood to snack, nosh on their famed fried asparagus or wax beans ($5), which you can pair with a wide array of dipping sauces, including lemon aioli, smoked chili mayo, and tartar.

With a $10 bill, I went for an old standby: the cod fish and chips. The succulent fish was expertly dunked and fried in a light, crispy batter and paired with a perfectly tangy house made tartar sauce and fries. Kudos for the battered and fried lemon wedge that comes on top—a seriously delicious touch.

“What’s the must-try item?”
[Mark “Chewy” Crowder, assistant kitchen manager] “Well fish and chips are our staple, and for that the halibut is a great item. A good alternative is the vegan field roast sandwich, which is like a sausage but made of grains and other vegan items by the Original Field Roast Grain Meat Co., a local Seattle company. We also do a pulled pork that’s delicious.

MORE CHEAP EATIN’:
Thai Tom
Homegrown
The Counter
Baguette Box
Citizen

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Tags: Cheap Eats, Cheap Date, Fish 'n' chips, Pike Street Fish Fry

Dollar(s) Menu

Cheap Date: Thai Tom

Home of the best peanut sauce in the city.

Posted by: Nick Feldman on Oct 14, 2009 at 09:00AM Speech Bubble 0 Comments

Tom drops rice noodles into one of the many pans he works with simultaneously.

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Stroll down the “The Ave” and behold ethnic food paradise. It’s great—fantastic, really—but for the eager eater who ventures with no particular destination in mind, the number of choices can be intimidating. If ever you find yourself in said situation, heed this: Head North toward 47th Street until you run into the surefire standby, hole-in-the wall Thai Tom.

The restaurant can seat just 20 or so, the music is loud, and the service is to-the-point (see the response to our question below and you get the idea). Depending on what time of day you arrive there’s a good chance you’ll be greeted on the sidewalk with a hand-painted wooden menu so you can order before you’re seated. Sitting at the marble counter that borders the kitchen is a must; watching the unflinching control Tom wields over his flying ladles and pans leaves you awestruck.

Once you bite into your dish you understand why a line wraps out the door, day in and day out. The menu is comprised of the usual Thai suspects—pad thai, curries, fried rice, spicy noodles—but they’re all done with an unbeatable authentic, home-style flair. The dishes are priced at a very affordable $7.45. Remember: The joint is cash-only, so hit up the ATM beforehand.

With a $10 bill, I opted for the swimming rama—a bed of spinach and bean sprouts topped with chicken and possibly the best peanut sauce in the city. Everything tasted fresh and crisp. Coolest of all, since I watched it come together just feet away I knew how much energy and attention had gone into it—even if several other dishes were being made at the same time.

What’s the must-try item?
[Lieu Pray, Thai Tom employee] “I’d start with the mixed vegetable appetizer with peanut sauce, and then either the pad thai or the panang curry with coconut milk, bell pepper, and basil. Those are my favorites.”

MORE CHEAP EATIN’:
Homegrown
The Counter
Baguette Box
Citizen

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Tags: Cheap Eats, Thai, Cheap Date, Thai Tom

Dollar(s) Menu

Cheap Date: Homegrown

Sandwiches for the sustainable-minded. Really good ones, at that.

Posted by: Nick Feldman on Oct 07, 2009 at 08:00AM Speech Bubble 0 Comments

Photo: Nick Feldman

The turkey, bacon, and avocado sandwich comes complete with gouda cheese, tomato, and mixed greens.

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If ever Seattle was missing a mid-day meal destination for the sustainable-minded, childhood friends Ben Friedman and Brad Gillis have heeded that call with Homegrown, a new-ish sandwich joint inconspicuously located on Fremont Avenue.

Friedman and Gillis’s goal is to make every aspect of Homegrown’s operations eco-friendly—they don’t use bottled water, all products are 100 percent compostable and recyclable, and ingredients are organic, local, and/or sustainable (check the massive chalkboard to see which sourcers fall under what category). All this while creating a truly gourmet (albeit affordable) product.

Choose from over a dozen different options; half sandwiches range from $5-$6.50, and whole ones will run you no more than $12. I highly suggest ordering the immaculate creations on Boulangerie Nantaise or Essential Baking Company breads, but if you’re cutting out the carbs (is that still an in thing?), you can also opt for a handful of salads for a similar price. And beginning Oct. 12, the sandwich shop will offer breakfast, too. Check out the offerings here.

With a $10 bill, I ordered the turkey, bacon, and avocado sandwich on country bread, with a side of the South Carolina slaw. Though the portions were less than impressive, the taste and quality of my artfully crafted meal won me over. Read: I’ll be back.

What’s the must-try item?
[Friedman] “Our must-have pick is the flank steak or the turkey bacon avocado; those are my two faves, and they’re both pretty meaty sandwiches. The flank steak comes with sliced Portobello mushrooms and South American-style chimichurri, and the turkey comes with a homemade aioli and melted Gouda, so it’s nice and garlicy. If I had to call it, those are both the house favorites.”

MORE CHEAP EATIN’:
The Counter
Baguette Box
Citizen

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Tags: Cheap Eats, Cheap Date, Sandwiches, Homegrown

Cheap Date: The Counter

You will never get bored with the menu at Ballard’s new burger joint. Pinky swear.

Posted by: Nick Feldman on Sep 30, 2009 at 02:45PM Speech Bubble 1 Comments

A hamburger on honey wheat bun, topped with grilled onions, Tillamook cheddar, roasted red peppers, dill pickle chips, and a lettuce blend.

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Eating at Ballard’s new, ultra-sleek burger joint The Counter is kinda like reading one of those Choose Your Own Adventure novels from back in the day. Take a seat, and you’re greeted with a clipboard chocked full of options: four patties, three buns, and dozens of cheeses, sauces, and toppings. With over 300,000 possible combinations—312,120, to be exact—each burger is unique to each customer. The decision-making doesn’t stop there. Since the custom-built burgers (which cost between $8.25-$13.25) are served a la carte, a beefy bevy of starters, side dishes, and desserts are available.

An indecisive type, are we? Then choose from a handful of signature burgers and sandwiches. Side notes: The music’s always fantastic—awesome—and there’s a full bar—even more awesome.

With a $10 bill, I opted to build my own burger—with incredible results. I piled grilled onions, blended lettuce, dill pickle chips, and roasted red peppers onto a third of a pound of beef smothered in roasted garlic aioli and Tillamook cheddar, then sandwiched it between a honey wheat bun. All that for just $8.25.

What’s the must-try item?
[Andy Reese, manager] “We certainly have our signature burgers, but the real part of the experience is about building your own burger. I really want customers to try our beef; it’s hormone and antibiotic free—more along the lines of steakhouse beef that just happens to be ground. If you’re not into beef, our veggie burger is made in-house and fresh every day. It’s not a soy patty either, but an actual vegetable burger made with 11 different vegetables and held together with brown rice and Japanese-style breadcrumbs.

And if someone’s coming in and they want the full Counter experience, what makes us a little different are our fried dill pickle chips. And we do sweet potato fries better than anyone else in Seattle.”

More cheap eatin’:
Citizen in Queen Anne
Baguette Box

Mmmmmm, beefy. Read about more great burgers HERE.

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Tags: Cheap Eats, Cheap Date, Burgers, The Counter

Dollar(s) Menu

Cheap Date: Baguette Box

These aren’t your standard banh mi sandwiches.

Posted by: Nick Feldman on Sep 23, 2009 at 07:00AM Speech Bubble 2 Comments

Photo: Nick Feldman

Surya Manickam prepares to dive in to her grilled Asian eggplant sandwich.

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In 2004, a brilliant idea struck Monsoon co-owner Eric Banh: Why not use his impeccable flair for Vietnamese cuisine to make affordable, Asian-inspired sandwiches? The result: Baguette Box, now a Capitol Hill staple, with a newer outpost in Fremont.

The menu offers a wide variety of a la carte sandwich options—both vegan and carnivorous—and they all run around just $7—a great price considering their gourmet touches. These aren’t your standard banh mi sandwiches; baguettes supplied by Pike Place Market staple Le Panier are slathered in inventive sauces—apricot aoli, cucumber yogurt—then stuffed to the gills with marinated meats and perfectly paired veggies. If you’re crazy enough to skip the carbs, salads range from $8.20 to $8.95; sides like their famous hand-cut fries (the truffled ones = wowza), are priced between $2.80 and $4.00.

With a $10 bill, I opted for the crispy drunken chicken baguette, rife with signature pieces of battered meat and caramelized onions ($7.20), and a soda to wash it down ($1.50).

Sean Pham, who has worked at the Baguette Box on Capitol Hill for about six months, has a handful of suggestions for newcomers: “For a first-timer? I’d have to recommend the crispy drunken chicken, then the crispy organic tofu and avocado, then the painted hills lemongrass steak. Those are usually the top three.”

More cheap eatin’: Citizen in Queen Anne

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Tags: Cheap Eats, Cheap Date, Baguette Box

Dollar(s) Menu

Cheap Date: Citizen

Crepes, wine, salads, sammies—take your pick at Queen Anne’s newest hot spot.

Posted by: Nick Feldman on Sep 16, 2009 at 01:00AM Speech Bubble 3 Comments

Photo: Nick Feldman

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Those lucky Queen Anne kids. When longtime neighborhood resident Suzana Olmos decided to open the new coffee and wine bar Citizen, she didn’t look far—the ultramod hangout on Taylor Avenue is just five blocks from her home.

The loftlike cafe atmosphere makes for a great conversation spot, but the real reason to check out Citizen is the crepes. Take your pick between savory (like apple-smoked bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and basil drizzled in maple syrup) or sweet (strawberries, ricotta cheese, and honey sprinkled with sugar), all ranging from $7.25 to $7.95. If you’re looking for something a little heavier, try the Vietnamese and pork sandwiches for $4.95 and $6.75, respectively. Citizen also draws a big crowd with its affordable wine selection—all glasses go for $4.50 and bottles range from $11 to $19. Tidbit to remember: The restaurant is also licensed to sell bottles to go.

With a $10 bill I opted for the turkey, raspberry jam, bacon, and Brie crepe. No complaints except that the melt-in-your mouth deliciousness ended all too soon.

What’s the must-try item?
[Olmos] Sorry, I can’t answer just one. My personal favorites are our creamy mushroom crepe, our September special crepe (with avocado, caramelized onions, bacon, and spinach), and our signature Citizen sandwich (with roasted pork and caramelized onions). The sandwich is a lot of juicy love on a really fresh baguette. And I can’t forget the must-try pint of mimosa. We’ve also really been turning people on to the sparkling shiraz, a really different sparkling red wine.

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Tags: Cheap Eats, Cheap Date, Citizen

Nosh Pit

Cheap Date: Zhivago’s Cafe

Cheap Date: Samurai Noodle

Cheap Date: Pike Street Fish Fry

Cheap Date: Thai Tom

Cheap Date: Homegrown

Cheap Date: The Counter

Cheap Date: Baguette Box

Cheap Date: Citizen

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