Lunchbox Laboratory

Few restaurants food give me a food buzz.  Pix Patisserie in Portland, Angel Thai in Bend, Oregon and Espresso Vivace in Seattle are some of the select few who are buzz inducing!  Now I can add Lunchbox Laboratory to the list. Lunchbox Laboratory is located in Seattle (near REI) and Bellevue.  They have been written up countless times and is worth all the praise they receive.   The Seattle location has a very hip and kitschy vibe.  Lunch boxes and lava lamps decorate and they have a rumpus room up stairs.  I think the rumpus room is adult only but I am not sure.

Lunchbox serves gourmet burgers.  All their burgers are artfully make with fresh and whole ingredients.  Hand formed kobe beef style patties, home made mayos, local kaiser rolls and crazy good toppings.  I had the burger of the Gods.  Made with candied caramelized onions, blue cheese and Gorgonzola spread.  Amazing!!  and incredibly sloppy.  Like I said, buzz inducing!  My husband the Tear Jerker!  Pepper Jack cheese, jalapenos, habanero mayo, Satan's tears ketchup.  Sounds crazy hot but my husband thought it the perfect amount of heat.   He enjoyed his burger just as much as I did.  My son order the corn dog off the kids menu.  I was surprised that they make there own batter and hand dip the dogs fresh to order. Our burger came with lettuce, tomato and red onion on the side.  All of our meals came with our choice of sides.  I got sweet potato fries, my husband order shoe string fries and my son got tater tots.  Our fries were made in house and were excellent, how ever the tater tots were not homemade.  We also order home made mac n cheese and a Whopper shake. Both indulgent and so tasty.  Whether you come for cocktails or dinner Lunchbox Laboratory is a fun and tasty place to go to!

Lunchbox Laboratory

Hours 11am-11pm Daily
Happy hour 3pm-6pm Daily

1253 Thomas St
Seattle, Wa
206-621-1090
or
909 112th Ave NE #105
Bellevue, Wa
425-505-2676

Things I liked:

• Retro drinks like Kool-Aid and Tang
• Candy bar shakes
• Homemade kids menu items
• Special salts
• Its just a fun place to go!

Things I would like to see:

• Option for a green side salad
• Option for a slider version of their massive burgers

Whopper Shake!

Evviva Woodfired Pizza

So I have been craving gourmet pizza like Pizzicato Pizza in Portland.  Some thing with goat cheese or asparagus.  Something special and different.  I found it at Evviva Woodfired Pizza in Edmonds near the ferry dock.  Evviva is located in a rundown strip mall and looked on the out side to me your average pizza joint.  But when you walk in your realize this is some place special.  There is a large domed oven in the back with fire wood underneath.  2 huge family style slab wood tables and 3 smaller tables.  Slab limestone tiles on the floor and a Gelato case.  The place had a homey feel and I was certainly excited to have there pizza.

Their pizza come in 11' and 16' sizes. Made with organic ingredients and baked with apple wood from Yakima Washington.  My son and I got a 11' pizza to share.  Half Pepperoni (nitrate free) and half Cranberry Goat Cheese.  When I tasted it, I knew I had found my special pizza place!  The crust was super thin and had the perfect chew.  My side with the Goat Cheese had a garlic and olive oil crust, and also sun dried tomatoes. I loved every bite of it and I even ate my crust.  Something I don't normally do because regular pizza crust is just to thick and hard.  My son's pepperoni side was equally amazing.  Not to much sauce and not overly cheesy.  Just right.  Our pizza came to $10 and was just big enough for my son and I to share with no left overs.  All their pizzas are made with traditional Italian ingredients and fresh veggies. Each week they have a Special pizza.  This week its Funghi.  Made with porcini, crimini, fior de latte mozzarella, grana, prosciutto cotta and basil.  Sound great!  I will have to come back for that one.

Things I like:

• Beer on tap
• Good Wine
• Tiramisu
• Corn syrup free bottled beverages
• Easy parking
• Takes Cards
• Salads: Caprese and Caesar

Things I would like to see:

• Nothing,  this place is perfect!

Evviva Woodfired Pizza

Hours Tuesday-Thursday 4pm to 9pm

           Friday-Sunday 11am to 9pm

178 Sunset Ave. South

Edmonds, Wa

425-299-0142

Yeah!  Thin Crust

Bookend Coffee Company

I feel a little silly,  I have been lamenting about the lack of good coffee houses in Everett and I totally overlooked Bookend Coffee Company!  Bookend Coffee Company is located on Hoyt Ave adjoining the Everett Public Library Downtown.  This place is super cozy, quite and relaxed.  I often see people with with there text book or laptops getting work done.  I also have noticed book clubs meeting here.  There is about 5-6 lg oak tables with cushy seats and a couch and a few mission style upholstered chairs next to a electric fire place.  The style is art deco, like the library.  With wood paneling and law books lining the walls.  This place is classy and cozy all at the same time.

The coffee is always really great and if you ask, you can get a "for here cup".  They serve really well made sandwiches from a local deli for under $6.  There pastries are average but defently will satisfy your sweet tooth.  One of the things I like is they have small bags of pretzels or chips for cheap.  There is also cups of soup, lolly pops, bottled drinks and teas available.  Service is always friendly and quick.  I really love this place and we all should not forget its there.  Parking is in the library garage and there is no time limit.  WiFi is free with purchase.

Thing I love:

• Great kid snacks
• You can enjoy your library books and have a cup of coffee
• Its quiet

Things I would like to see:

• Wish there was pastries from a local bakery

Bookend Coffee Company
2702 Hoyt Ave
Everett Wa 98201

425-530-6422

T n A Latte

T n A Latte stands for tasteful and appropriate latte.  This a coffee hut located on West Marine Drive in Everett.  This coffee hut is NOT a bikini barista.  It is a family friendly drive up that serves well made coffee drinks and snacks.  For the kiddo they give suckers and for the 4 legged friends they have doggie treats.

I visited today and found the girl working there to be sweet and chatty!  I order a non-fat/decaf latte.  I was made perfectly.  They take cards which is always helpful.  On the menu they offer breakfast sandwiches, oatmeal, beagle dogs, breakfast cookies and other sweet treats.   I will  be coming back again.  Its a lot easier that going to Starbucks and a lot closer.

Check them out on facebook!

BARK Espresso Seattle, Wa

BARK Espresso is one of my favorite places to visit while I am in Northgate visiting my acupuncturist.  Who is right next door to them. This coffee house is split into two hang outs.  One for humans and one for humans and their doggies.  It is attached to Great Dog (grooming, daycare, obedience, shop and adventure time for our pets).  BARK serves Caffe Vita espresso. The day I visited I had a decaf americano and a squash bread with pumpkin seeds.  The coffee was plenty strong and tasty.  My squash bread was lovely also.  One of the things I like about BARK is that there is a comfy couch. Something missing in some coffee houses.  I love to kick back and enjoy my coffee and play words with friends and be left alone.  I can do that at Bark.  Service is always friendly and quick.  I never have to wait in line for my coffee.  I asked the barista what made BARK special and her response was, We always display local art that is pet related and we serve a doggie latte to our 4 legged friends who come in.  The doggie latte is made from peanut butter and soy milk and served gently warmed.

The last trip I made to BARK, I visited the doggie side.  I found it to be equialy cozy with a faux leather couch and lots of tables and chairs.  On the doggie side you go to a ordering window to get your drinks.

Things I love:

• Doggies are welcome
• Lunch is available
• Lovely baked goods
• There are Gluten free items on the menu
• Cozy and quiet
• Easy Parking
• They take cards and do not charge you an extra fee to do so
• Wifi with purchase of a drink or food

Things I would like to see:

• More people and doggies to visit BARK

Check out my pictures of BARK on photobucket
http://s1172.photobucket.com/albums/r576/cvankeu1977/BARK%20Espresso/

BARK Espresso
Hours: Monday 7am to 4pm
Tuesday-Friday 7am to 5:30pm
Saturday 9am to 5pm
Sunday 9am to 3pm

Address: 11335 Roosevelt Way NE
               Seattle, Wa 98125

Golden Gardens Seattle, Wa

So picture this.  Its the 5th day of mid-winter break and your 9 year old has been inside for 4 days strait because the weather had been dismal.  So what do you do on the first dry day off of school.  You go to the beach.  It does not matter in the pacific northwest if its February or July.  North westerner will take any dry day as a sign to go to the beach!  So I have been to just about every beach in the Seattle area and north but Golden Gardens.

When I arrived there we were greeted with bracing wind and scores of mom's in puffy jackets with wool caps and coffee in there hands.  Seem to me all the other Seattle mom had the same idea as me.  At Golden Gardens there are 3 play structures and a set of strings.  One of them is the main attraction.  Its a massive dome with a web of ropes inside for all the kiddo's to climb to there heart's content.   There is a snack shack that provides Ice cream, candy, soda, chips, hot dogs, coffee and much more.  Bring cash though,  the shack does not take cards.

The beach is quite amazing.  Loads of sand with out any waves.  So all the little ones can play safely in the sand.  Fire pits and picnic structure are available for your use.  An outdoor shower and bathrooms are provided.  There is a meeting hall also for your parties to rent. There is an Off Leash area for your pooch.  Just contact Seattle Park and Rec for cost and reservation.
Check out my my pictures on Photobucket
http://s1172.photobucket.com/albums/r576/cvankeu1977/Golden%20Gardens/



Golden Gardens
http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=243
Hours 6am to 11:30
8498  Seaview Pl. Nw
Seattle, Wa
Phone: 206-684-4075

Things I like:

• Ample Parking
• Coffee Available at snack shack
• New and unique play structure
• Lots of sand

Things I would like to see:

• Kids and adults stay off the freshly planted plants
• The snack shack would take cards