White Lotus Restaurant

White Lotus serves pho and other Vietnamese dishes.  I also saw some Chinese, Thai and Japanese(no sushi) dishes also. The dinning room is nicely decorated and is a happy departure from some of the "dive" pho restaurants. The food I tried was fresh rolls($3.50) and a small flank steak pho($5.25).  I really enjoyed the fresh rolls.  They are different than others I tried.  It had shrimp and pork in it but no mint or basil.  Inside was a fried wanton roll. Served with peanut hoisin sauce. The pho was very tasty also.  But different than my favorite pho place written about previously   First difference is there is a lot more noodles.  Maybe that is what people want but I thought it was to hard to mix up my broth with different sauces.  I found it nice that they added a lot of meat.  However they don't trim the fat from the meat.  Maybe its traditional not to trim the fat, but I had a hard time getting use to it.  Again Pho on Broadway trims all there meat.  But I would still order it again,  and for the price.  Its a good value.

Things I liked:
Nice dinning amisphere
Good prices
Very friendly wait staff
Takes Cards
Vegitairian options

Things that could be different:
A little less noodles in the pho

White Lotus Restaurant
35 Everett Mall Way SE
Everett, Wa 98208
425-355-8018

Slices part 2: A Pizza House

A Pizza House Everett, Wa

The one thing I can say about the pizza house is that its cheep (about $1.90 a slice) and for that I will definitely go back.  My son and I went around 1:30 during a week day and the there options for slices were pepperoni  sausage and cheese. The dough was thick and soft, kinda like a bread stick.  No crunch.  The sauce was a little to sweet for my taste, but my son enjoyed it just fine. The restaurant was small and had about 4 or 5 tables.  Decorated nicely. They keep there slices warm all the time. Unlike some shops who reheat slices to order.  Like I said, I would come back but its not my top pick.  More research is need to find the best pizza slice place in Everett. I am not sure when they start serving slices and when they stop.  Safe to say you'll be good for lunch time!

What I liked:

• It was cheep
• They had parking
• Lots of choices for bottled drinks
• Open everyday and open late

The Pizza House
http://everettpizzahouse.net/
2625 Colby Avenue
Everett, WA 98201
(425) 252-5555

Hours 
Mon-Fri: 10:30am-11pm 
Sat: 12pm-11pm 
Sun: 3pm-11pm

Slices Part 1: Major League Pizza

So my son's and mine favorite lunch out is to go and get a slice of pizza.  So my mission in the next few months is to find the best places to get a slice of pizza in the Northwest.  Today's post is about Major League Pizza.  This is a cute/very clean little place on Colby in Downtown Everett.  They start serving pizza around 11am and stop around 2ish.  The pizza we had was tasty and the crust was on the thin side.  They reheat there pizza to order.  I prefer it that way, it does something to the cheese and makes it less stringy! The way I prefer it.  For a slice of cheese and a slice of pepperoni it the total came to $5.46.  Over all I would go back to get pizza and for friendly service.  Please visit the web site for all menu options


Major League Pizza
http://www.majorleaguepizza.com/
2811 Colby
Everett, Wa
425-259-5554
Hours Monday- Thursday 10:30am - 10pm
Friday - Saturday 10:30am - 11pm
Sunday 11am - 9:30pm

Lynnwood Pool

Hey you all.  I just to my son to the Lynnwood Pool and felt that I should give people some information and pointers about this fantastic place.  The recreation center had 3 pools.  The water is very warm and the pools have some unique features.  I will not go into them here because the website does a better job than I could. What I wanted to do is give you some need to knows:

• Arrive 30-45 min before open swim.  There is always a line and if your at the back you may not get in. 
• A great time to go is when the Everett Public Schools have a half day or a furlough day. 
• Bring your own pad lock.  The lockers are not coin operated.  
• Bring a snack or change for the vending machines.  My little guy is always hungry after swimming.  
• There is an outdoor playground just out side the main pool for kiddos who are tired of swimming and not ready to leave.  
• The library is right down the street. 

Here is a picture of the line.  I am not kidding, you need to get there at least 30 mins early before open swim! However, it is the one of the cheapest places to take the kids to be active ($4 for kids and $5 for adults)

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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!

Sno-Isle Food Co op

 I am going to use my power of influence to get you to come to the Sno-Isle Co-op.  Beer!!  Enough said. They have a whole walk in cooler full of local beer.   If you need more convincing read on.

Sno-Isle mission is to provide local, orgainic or free trade products and gifts.  When you walk in you will see a bounty of fresh produce.  Everything is beautiful and tasty.  Besides the  beautiful produce they have the best bulk section I have ever seen.  You can find loads of gluten-free flours, beans, pasta, candy, dried fruits, nuts and so much more.  On the opposite side of the bulk bins is the bulk spices, herbs and teas.  There is cooking herbs and medicinal herbs.  Bulk coffee, nut butters, honey and oils are also available in bulk.  Of course they carry all the regular grocery stuff, including beauty products, organic wines, dairy and vitamins. You can find just about everything you need here.

If you need a quick bite to eat they have a deli case with homemade salads and baked goods. In the case in front of the deli they also have pre-made sandwiches and salads.  You could come here for your lunch and feel good you had a healthy and tasty meal.  There is seating in the front of the store if you want to eat there.

You can become a member and help support their mission to support local farmers.  A life time membership is a $100 and with that you get discounts and invites to member only events and tasting.  But you don't need a membership to shop.  To learn more about Co-ops check out this web site.  www.strongertogether.coop

Sno-Isle Food Co-op
2804 Grand Ave Everett, Wa 98201
(425) 259-3879

Open 8 to 8 Monday - Saturday 10-6 on Sundays

Things I love:

• All the natural sodas and drinks
• The selection of natural cleaning products
• Natural pet products
• Local and handmade gifts
• Free trade gifts
• Great books for sale
• Local beef 

Things I would like to see:

• Meats that are sold fresh (all meats are sold frozen)

Langus Riverfront Park and Trail

Langus Riverfront Park and Trail

Bridge at the end of Langus, this
is also where you enter Spencer Island

Langus Riverfront park is located just north of Everett on Smith Island.  If you start your walk at the beginning near the Animal Shelter and you walk to the bridge its about 3 miles.  You can walk, bike, ride your scooter, walk the dog (on leash of course) or Rollerblade on the trail.  The path is wide enough to let the little ones ride there bikes and feel safe doing so! It is all paved.  The views are of the river and wetlands.  On our trip we saw Coots, King Fishers, Ducks, Swallows and Herons. A bird watchers paradise.   This is a great place to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors.  There is lots of parking and bathrooms available.  Also there is a picnic shelter and a boat launch.  The Launch fee is $5. Payable by cash or check in the drop box.  This park and trail is a fabulous place for people of all ages.
Over all this park is a fantastic place for family.

Langus Riverfront Park and Trail is open from 6am to dusk


Thinks I like:

• Kids can ride their scooters or bikes while the parents talk
• Dog friendly
• Doggie bags are available
• Trailer parking
• Wildlife viewing

Things I would like to see:

• Dog owners picking up after their dogs

Wishes

Wishes is a new toy store in Everett. Yeah!!! I am so happy they are in Everett. We were so in need of a boutique toy store. Wishes sell toys from smaller and specialty toy companies. Toys for all ages. Popular books. Stuffed animals. Art supplies. Unique broad games and much much more. They are located in the old Borders store in the Everett mall. They are local business and they deserve your business. Check them out next time you need to by a present for your kiddos or a friends party.

Check them out on facebook.

Wishes

1402 SE Everett Mall Way #335

Everett, Wa

wishesemployment@gmail.com

Things I love:

• Green toys
• Science Toys
• German Games
• Popular Best Sellers Books
• Toys for Babies
• Euro Toys
• Jewelry
• Helpful owners

Thing I would to see:

• Everyone I know in Everett go here and give them business!

Pho On Broadway Everett, Wa

Pho on Broadway is one of the best places in the Puget Sound to get pho. The owner is a really nice guy who always recognizes all his regulars and always chats with us when we come in. He tells us he make his broth the right way by cooking the beef knuckles for 20 hours and that allows him to use almost no MSG. The result is a dark brown broth that is super flavorful. All pho has MSG in it but the shops who take short cuts use the most. They always use great cuts of beef and when the make chicken pho the use chicken broth. I have been to other pho places and I always get gross fatty bits in my soup. Yuck! There is a full menu of other vietnamese favorites. Including my favorite, salad rolls. Made with mint and basil. The shop it self is unadorned but clean.

Things I love:

Drive up window

Nice friendly owner

Fantastic food

It's cheap

Easy location

I would like to see:

Nothing, its a local place that services great food. That's all you need!