Peter H.

Balanced Bodyworks - Lynn Hajnal CFT

"Lynn is a really cool lady who helps older women get back into shape after injuries, or any other reason why they'd get overweight.

I like her because she is really into her work, has studied a lot of different things, both on the physical plane, the mental and energetic (that eating and weight loss stuff has so much to do with beliefs, habits and emotions.)

If my Mom lived out here, I would send her to Lynn to help her get more fit. By the way, I really mean MORE fit. She's not a fitness nazi who makes you run marathons, or work out til you drop.

If you're a lady over 40 on the Eastside, I say call her."

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

Doing the tourist thing? Or in Pioneer Square and need a clean bathroom? Or a history buff? If any of these are true, head into what I believe is known as the smallest national park in the US.

Yes, it's really a museum, of the Klondike gold rush days in Seattle back in the late 1800's. But it is a fun place to spend 15 minutes or so.

And, in a time of hard-to-find free bathrooms, they 've got a nice clean one!!!

PROS: Free, fun, quick
CONS:

Waterfall Park

If you work in, or are visiting Pioneer Square, you know it can get a little hectic - even a little icky. Waterfall Park (or Waterfall Garden) is just that, a waterfall oasis in the middle of the city.

It is such a rejuvenating place to walk through or stop at, that I highly recommend it to everyone who is visiting. Just stop and chill for a few minutes.

This was donated by the folks who started UPS - I think it is the site of the first UPS office.

PROS: Free, peaceful
CONS: Surrounding area is.....rough

Matthew Bell Od & Assoc

This is the "in the CostCo" eye care clinic, run independently of CostCo I found out.

I saw Dr Elizabeth Bell, who was wonderful. Personable, knows her stuff, did a great job on my eyes and the price was quite nice. She gave me great info on Lasik (which I am looking into) and did the all the requisites well.

PROS: Service, Price
CONS: n/a

Eyes On Fremont

Back when I had vision insurance, I splurged on very cool frames from Eyes on Fremont. The frames are from Belgium and have taken 3 pairs of lenses now.

The people here are great - know their stuff - are very cool, and have good fashion sense. The selection is wide and very hip. The service is good.

The prices, are, well, pricey. If money is not a problem I highly recommend it!

PROS: Selection, Staff, Service
CONS: Price

Cafe Van Gogh

So I've tried many of the coffeeshops on 35th Ave NE since Craniums closed. I really like this one.

The ambiance is simple. The baristas sweet (knew what I had by the 3rd or 4th visit). The place was quieeeeeet. Lots of older regulars. Sometimes a sweet old yellow lab there :-)

If you want hip, this is not the place. If you want low-key coffee or tea (and they do some wine stuff apparently) in Wedgwood - try it!

PROS: Quiet, staff
CONS:

Mr Villa Mexican Restaurant

Again, another spot I have driven by time and time again. My wife and I decided to try it. We usually like (but not love) Azteca and Jalisco. We REALLY liked Mr. Villa (formerly Pancho Villa).

The place is humble, one big room, sort of reminds one of Mexico. The waitstaff is nice. The flavors are GREAT. This is much more authentic than Azteca. You won't get all the blender drinks and sombrero-happy-birthday songs here, but you will get very good food at a very reasonable price.

PROS: Food, Price, Simplicity
CONS: Not great for big parties

La Casa Del Mojito

I have driven by here so many times - it is on my daily commute as Lake City Way sinks onto I-5. What a strange location I thought.

Then, one night last week, it got to be late (9:30) and many restaurants had closed. We decided to try Mojito.

First, this is the perfect place for a hot, late summer night. Outdoor seating, cool looking people, good looking waitstaff. I had my first Mojito (with a whole lime in it). Amazing!

Great music was playing - the place FELT like being in Cuba (the food is Cuban). My party of 3 split 2 HUGE entrees (which are a bit pricey by the way). The stewed beef was amazing. The plantains rocked. The rice and beans was awesome. Just a great experience.

FUN date place too.

PROS: Food, drinks, ambiance (after dark)
CONS: Pricey

Rowdy Cowgirl BBQ

"Just visited today for the first time (it opened this week). I am a BBQ nut, and my usual place is the Steel Pig on Aurora, which has great food, but is a bit out of the way for me, and has some scary weird ambiance (which is fun at times, but not always).

Had the pulled pork - YUM! On par with the Steel Pig. Better than Peso's (to me). Great sauce too - a vinegar/tomato hybrid. Wonderully light cole slaw. Haven't tried all the sides yet.

Ambiance is great. Service wonderful (the owner is running it), and the food came fast fast fast.

If you like BBQ, give it a try!"

PROS: Food, service, location
CONS: Pretty small - may run out of seating!

Coastal Kitchen

This is my friend Dina's favorite place to have a business lunch on 15th, and I always heartily concur. The menu is nice, the food is always good, and the service is alarmingly professional for Capitol Hill.

Their breakfast dishes are especially yummy, and for lunch i am apt to have a chicken breast on a salad. They somehow manage to snazz up even plain dishes like that with touches like pine nuts, that make it special.

The art is always cool there too, and when the sun is out, there is a patio out back. Just don't take MY table :-)