Friday, April 8, 2011

Oliver's Twist in "PhinneyWood"


Remember when Greenwood and Phinney Ridge were two different neighborhoods? Well, seems they are now becoming Siamese twins joined at the intersection of Greenwood Ave. & 65th St. North. It is in the heart of this new/old neighborhood that you will find Oliver's Twist.
I have been meaning to give this joint a look. The menu is short on food and long on drink. I started off with their signature Truffle Popcorn and a Pilsner. These were served up by a bartender that was having a great time taking excellent care of his audience around the bar. As a matter of fact, all of th
e staff I came in contact with seemed to enjoy what they were doing. This goes a long way in making an evening out fun. Anyhow, back to the popcorn.....it is very good, although it would have been much better if it had been warm. Mine came cold and a bit greasy.
Next up was a plate of duck fat roasted fingerling potatoes! These were so damn good I can't describe them in words. My only criticism was the "aoli" that was served with them. I'm pretty sure it was plain sour cream. Now, I don't have anything against sour cream, and it was great with these perfectly roas
ted spuds, but maybe they should try Mexican sour cream. It's a bit saltier and richer. Just my opinion....
The evening was finished with chocolate gelato with peanut butter caram
el & sea salt. It was perfection on a spoon!!! I paired this with Yamazaki Single Malt Whiskey served up neat.
Now if I could just remember where I was.......Greenwood?.........Phinney?......??

Oliver's Twist on Urbanspoon

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Old Town Alehouse still feels like Ballard

While Ballard is swiftly becoming the new Bell Town, there are still a few corners that have kept that old Ballard feel. Old Town Alehouse is one of these. Workers from the boatyards just blocks away drop in for lunch, or later in the day, for a few cold ones before calling it a day.
I have stopped in a couple of times in the last few weeks for a bite of lunch. I can say that this place is pretty consistent. The beers are consistently good & cold, and the food is consistently well below average.
While the "Caprese Platter" sounds like a nice starter with
fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, fresh basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and cracked pepper. Served with bread and a dollop of tapenade. Truth is, not much looked or tasted fresh! The mozzarella was decent, but the tomatoes were green in the center and the basil was shriveled & black. The better choice is the Tapenade served next to a bolo roll. Nicely salty and perfect with Belgian Hoegaarden white ale.
Twice I had the "Hot Barbequed Beef" and twice I wish I had ordered the house special "Fish n Chips". While the BBQ Beef was only warm, the roll was frozen in the center and the slaw topping was mushy, the fish and chips were at least hot, and Old Town has great fries topped with parm cheese & fresh ground black pepper.
Old Town Alehouse on Urbanspoon