Origami Sushi - Silverdale

As a transplant from Redmond, WA there are many things I miss.  I miss my job terribly (not much I can do about that since the company no longer exists), I miss Redmond itself (it is a wonderful community as far as urban communities go), I miss my hair salon, my nail shop, my massage therapist...  all those special people who took care of me so well.

But one thing I truly miss that I never thought I'd find in Kitsap is sushi.  I discovered a love for sushi many years ago when a good friend talked me into trying 'something new'...  as I went kicking and screaming to a new taste I was sure I'd never like.  I was instantly hooked and never looked back.

Upon my arrival in Silverdale, a dear friend recommend the nail salon I have been frequenting for some time now and my nail artist who I've grown to feel very comfortable with now recommended Origami Sushi.  I recall questioning her --- because I was afraid I was going to walk into a teriyaki joint with sushi rolls and I'm a nigiri girl all the way.  She said I could trust her --- she was asian.  I was happy to find someone who loved sushi as much as I did, asian or not.

My life in Redmond - I frequented often a small sushi restaurant that I loved which was conveyor style.  Walk in, grab your seat and start looking for the plate of sushi you want.  When you're done, add up the numbers on the plates and that's your bill.  A wonderful quick lunch and a very social experience.  Sitting at the sushi bar with total strangers doing what you love as well.

But I digress.  Today I was at Origami Sushi for the first time.  As I stepped into the restaurant and greeted by the hostess I took a look around.  I see the sushi chefs instantly and know that I am home again.  I have found a place to eat my very favorite food --- even though my friends think I'm crazy and refuse to join me.

Today I decided to try my favorites that I have not had for so very many months.  Starting with miso soup.  No disappointment here.  This is the first time I've ever had it served to me with a spoon which I found interesting, but it was wonderful.  Followed by salmon and tuna nigiri...  I tend to judge a sushi bar on the freshness of the fish and Origami did not let me down.  I love much fresh ginger with my sushi and it was just as I like it -- very fresh... not as if it had been sitting for days.

Topped off with a fortune cookie.

The staff at Origami Sushi is quite friendly and very johnny-on-the-spot.  The menu is quite extensive expanding beyond japanese - I see myself returning to try other items I've not experienced before or at least not for some time.

I highly recommend.

http://origami-sushi.com/

Red Robin - Revisited

Although I am a frequent guest at Red Robin and usually order the same items, I decided to try something new this week - to order one item at least that I'd never tried at Red Robin.  I'm fairly picky about my burgers and having a dietary restriction of lactose - trying a new burger with a different cheese was pretty much out of the question so I decided to try an 'extra' side item.

I absolutely love onion straws.  I find this rather peculiar because I find the texture of onions themselves very displeasing to my palate and do not even cook with them - opting for onion  powder.  But onion straws, strings, whatever the restaurant chooses to call them - are a weakness of mine.  I have found that these are usually served with a good steak but some restaurants will give a few on the side with whatever I am ordering as you would onion rings.  They have just a hint of onion and if the batter is right and they are fried properly - hard to resist.

I have had the good, the bad and the ugly of the hay string onions as I like to call them.  But I have to say, as wonderful as the service is at Red Robin (except for the fact that my order was messed up and had my appetizer made over) - the onion straws at Red Robin were the worst I've ever had.  Greasy and without flavor is my opinion.  I've never had anything I didn't like at RR so I was quite surprised and won't be ordering them again.

I will be going back because the servers at RR are wonderful - very attentive, extremely friendly and for the most part the menu is remarkable - as far as gourmet burgers go -- if you can tolerate a birthday song thrown in with your meal that is.  

Seaport Salon and Day Spa - Silverdale

Last week I visited the Seaport Salon and Day Spa for the first time and wanted to share my experiences here because the staff was quite wonderful to me.

On my first visit, I went for just a 60 minute massage. If you haven't had a massage before, I must explain that the relaxation you will receive is incredible. I always get a swedish massage which is just for relaxation and not deep tissue (which I find to be a bit painful sometimes). I felt comfortable, relaxed and at ease the entire time with the practitioner and will return for this service. It is reasonably priced and you are made to feel very pampered.... a wonderful experience and fantastic reward for anyone.

On my second visit, I received a cut and color and the treatment was no different. Little nuances to make me feel pampered. I received a hand massage while waiting for my color to finish processing, a warm towel under my head on the wash bowl, tea/water to drink, pleasant conversation. The services themselves are not overpriced at all and I found all of the staff to be people I would want to work with again.

I highly recommend this salon/day spa to anyone searching for a new spa as I have been for some time now.

http://seaportsalonandspa.com/

The Olive Garden - Silverdale

This was certainly not my first trip to Olive Garden and it definitely will not be my last - I love lunch at Olive Garden.

It's very hard to beat that undeniable soup, salad and breadsticks that are never ending. This is the only restaurant where I would be compelled to have a salad with italian dressing but it is always, always wonderful. I know, without a doubt the salad will treat me well and I will leave satisfied.

I'm not a huge fan of soups in restaurants other than clam chowder and that is not an option in this case so I always go for the minestrone. Usually not letting me down, yesterday I must say, there could have been a few more shells of pasta as I believe I could have counted them myself... more pasta, less beans would be my preference (not being a fan of beans myself) but that is minestrone so I will defer to the experts. The flavor of the broth was magnifico however... we are talking Olive Garden and I'm not an expert on this soup.

My favorite dessert... black tie mousse. Did not dissapoint as it never does. I'm not a huge fan of chocolate cake but this is a chocolate dessert that I can't pass up ever - I never leave an Olive Garden without having it and it never fails to please.

I did also take the lemon cake home for a friend who finds himself to be a connoisseur of lemon desserts to see what he thought. He found the lemon cake to be rather 'not so lemon-y' so if you are looking for a lemon dessert, this is not the one... go for the chocolate.

For lunch - soup, salad and breadsticks is a never fail and I must say that of all the Olive Garden's I have dined in --- service has always been remarkable with very friendly staff in all including Silverdale making sure that you glass is never empty and you are truly a satisfied patron.

I will be returning... did I hear chocolate?

Busby's BBQ - Poulsbo

On my first visit to Busby's, a close friend of mine who was with me at the time, said they had the best burgers she had ever tasted so I was quite anxious to try these burgers as I had driven by this small BBQ joint which has a definite cowboy flair inside and out.

Located in Poulsbo, one step inside and you know you are going to get something BBQ and a menu with a western flair. A decor strewn with photos of cowboys and other western themed gear, you can't help but feel you are eating off the chuckwagon.

This is all too clear when your wait staff clarifies that all meat is smoked, including the burgers. I did want to give this a second go as I did truly enjoy the fries on my first visit but wasn't sure on the burger as it seemed a bit dry for my tastes. My preference is for a juicy bordering on greasy burger - away from healthy.

I'm not sure if it's the smoking process or because Busby's grinds their own meats, but the beef seems to have a different taste and one that I just can't wrap myself around. However, I'd return time and again for the fries. I would return again and try a pulled pork or chicken however because I did sample the sauces and they are quite tasty.

I opted to top off my meal with THE yummiest chocolate cowboy cupcake I've ever had. Chocolate molten lava cake topped with cream cheese and it was to die for!

The service... well, a bit disappointing I will say. When I arrived I was the only customer and my food arrived very quickly but after that, the service tapered off quickly. In fact, when there was a shift change I wasn't even aware that I was assigned a different wait staff which was a bit disconcerting. This seemed a bit impersonable.

Pros and cons... I did hear others raving about the food, I assume they were eating something other than a burger.

http://www.busbysbq.com/

Noah's Ark - Bremerton

This week I ventured back to what has become a favorite haunt of mine - Noah's Ark in Bremerton.

My dining adventure to Noah's Ark on Tuesday was only my second visit to Noah's Ark and I was not disappointed on this visit either. Although not a gourmet establishment by any means, typical diner fare of burgers and sandwiches to satisfy any palate. The menu is quite extensive with sides all 'round.

The staff has been overly friendly on both visits I have made and I only wish that it wasn't such a drive from where I'm located or I would go more often.

A simple burger and fries was on my list on Tuesday. A bun nicely toasted, something often overlooked it seems by quick serve locations in these times. A burger loaded with the works but not overpowering the reason for the sandwich. Although I did order fries, I was not overly impressed with them but the burger served me well enough to want to return.

I definitely put Noah's Ark on my list of places to recommend - depending on what you are craving for lunch that is.

Noah's Ark Restaurant
1516 6th St
Bremerton, WA 98337
(360) 377-8100

Red Lobster - Silverdale

A special thanks to my server today, Joanna, who gave excellent service - give credit where credit is due and to the manager who made a point to come to our table to see how our meal was when we were finished eating. It is the little touches that make or break the service of a meal.

I usually order my standby and thought in a 'fish place' surely I would be able to simply order 'fish and chips', be it cod, halibut or sole or something similar. However, the only way I would be able to have a deep fried breaded fish with fries would be to have a combination plate with two choices or two orders of fish and was told that the fish orders were quite large. I found this to be disappointing for a lunch menu - it seems there should be a smaller portion but I digress.

I reverted to my 'old standby' and favorite of snow crab legs. A starter of clam chowder, quite delicious I might add and baked potato with my crab legs. I have only good things to say about my lunch, including the cheesecake for dessert.

I will return, the service was excellent, food was good and nothing whatsoever to complain about (except the absence of the breaded fish and fries).

Until next time....

http://www.redlobster.com/

Taprock Grill - Poulsbo

I was fortunate to visit the Taprock Grill in Poulsbo earlier this week.

Greeted very quickly by friendly hosting staff, I waited at my table to be met by the rest of my party as I had told the host I would be joined by others. As it turned out, this was not observed and led to a delay in service. Service in general was quite slow considering the number of patrons in the restaurant in this diner's opinion giving us the feeling we had been neglected.

Once orders were taken, things seemed to progress at a reasonable pace however.

Taprock seems to specialize in northwest fare and I chose the Base Camp Burger - quite standard as far as burgers go but large in size and served with choices of sides although I opted for fries. One of the juiciest burgers I've had by far and definitely will go back again.

I am anxious to try Taprock's breakfast menu as it is quite extensive with northwest fare.

http://www.taprock.com/index_wa.html

Red Robin - Silverdale

Yeah, resorting to a franchise today but the food was good and it is Superbowl Sunday after all.

The one thing I like about dining by myself at Red Robin is that I know I can always get a table in the bar at any time without having to wait and it will always be free of 'family noise' that the dining room sometimes has. Don't get me wrong -- I have a grown child of my own so I was once there, but I do know that when a child is wailing, it is courtesy to remove the child from the restaurant and some patrons just don't seem to understand this. It is for this reason that I avoid family style restaurants much of the time. I have done my parenting, I like my meal in peace.

Now that I am off my soapbox, my experience today at Red Robin. I was rather disheartened to find that my usual 'extremely cheerful' member of the waitstaff did not tend to me today nor was she present. This person normally goes out of her way to point out more 'cost effective' ways for me to order the same things and I have found her to be the most cheerful person on this planet of ours! Not to say that I was given anything less than excellent service today --- Jennifer outdid herself to say the least.

Red Robin, known for its burgers/fries of course is not why I frequent the joint. I go for the bottomless soda (this is a place that makes sure your cup runneth over!) and the cheese sticks! If you are a fan of mozzarella cheese sticks (and I have tried many), Red Robin's can not be beaten and for the smaller party they are now offering a 1/2 order which I strongly recommend... 5 sticks vs. 10!

Next, the natural burger, sans tomato and onion, plus mayo and relish. I used to order the cheeseburger sans tomato, onion and cheese but my 'cheerful' friend pointed this option out to me for $1 less!

I've begun to notice that most restaurants have 'special' staff to bring the food to the table now instead of the wait staff - I'm wondering why this is. Then a few minutes later, the waiter arrives to see how your food is. I first noticed this years ago when Red Robin started the practice and I often thought they were just too busy but now I'm positive there's a reason for it because so many establishments are practicing this.

So host/hostess, waiter, food bringer, bartender..... must be other positions I am missing besides the kitchen staff of course. In this economy the more jobs we can create, all the better!

http://www.redrobin.com

Silver City Brewery - Lunch

I've dined at the Silver City Brewery on several occasions in the past, but usually for dinner, only once before for lunch. As has been my experience in the past, Silver City is either well-placed (located in the corner of the Kitsap Mall parking lot) and just off Silverdale Way or in my opinion as is the case, one of the best places in Silverdale to eat. You can be comfortable dressed up or down and the service is impeccable. I have to admit, regardless of your food choice, I have never been disappointed by the service at Silver City.

Today, I chose the Big Daddy Burger sans the Tillamook Cheese. This is a 6 oz. burger prepared medium-well with bacon and doesn't leave you hungering for more in the least. The Morningside Spent Grain Bun is one I've not seen elsewhere and it makes the burger. I am a fan of burgers myself... juicy, greasy burgers with plenty of fries to join and this is one burger that does not dissatisfy.

Every meal deserves to be topped off with dessert and Silver City has a Chef's Choice of cheesecake depending on the season. Cheesecake being one of my favorite desserts, I had to indulge in the New York Style with raspberry topping... lactose intolerances aside... somethings are worth suffering for!

As for the service again, I'm not a coffee drinker but I am a soda drinker and any waiter who can keep my diet coke/pepsi bottomless deserves my vote --- here's to you Ryan! But I will say this, of all the times I've delighted in Silver City, the wait staff and bar staff are wonderful - you will not be disappointed I assure you!

http://www.silvercitybrewery.com/index.htm

Planning my next lunch time stop

This journey/adventure of writing of the restaurants I dine in throughout Kitsap and other places I visit has me wanting to be more adventurous and selective in my selections now.  Do I try places I've gone to so very many times and know the menus well or try new hidden treasures?  Finding those hidden gems is half the battle of course.  I look forward to the spring here in the PNW when we can dine 'al fresco' once again - there's nothing like basking in the glow of the warm sunshine as you eat your lunch.  I'm not a 'sit in the shade' type of gal - never was for some reason.

I am thinking though...  I'm feeling a tug towards Silver City Brewery on Saturday for lunch.  I've never been disappointed but were someone to give me a suggestion otherwise, I'll try something else.  I usually venture there for dinner and not for lunch, so this will be something different for me.

Looking forward to lunch on Saturday now more than ever!

If only I had some friends who loved sushi as much as my Seattle friends did as I do miss it so!

Signing off....

First Adventure to Blog - The Toadhouse - Bremerton

I've been reading and hearing about 'The Toadhouse" in Bremerton on different forums for some time now so was quite anxious to give it a try.  Being new to Kitsap, finding these spots is always the hardest part of the adventure for me, but I was quite pleased when I found what I hoped would be a culinary delight.

I ate at The Toadhouse for lunch on a Tuesday and the crowd was very light, just a few regulars from what I could tell.  The environment resembled the ale houses I recall from my time working in the University District in Seattle and I developed a fondness immediately.  However, I was disappointed in that I had read somewhere that the burgers were quite yummy only to find there was not a burger on the menu - I do not fault The Toadhouse, but the writer of the forum I read before.

So what did I end up eating?  I fancy myself a pizza connisseur so went with the $9.99 lunch 4 1 special - quite a deal when you're dining alone I might add.  I was disappointed in that the menu stated French dressing and they did not have French dressing however.  Opting for a Caesar salad which was good as far as they go, but not the best I've had --- lettuce not being the freshest in my opinion.  I was impressed that 'real' parmesan was on the table and not something you'd find in a can.. nothing like 'real' cheese in my opinion.

So what about my pizza?  I'm a fan of brick oven pizza myself which this was, not as thin a crust as I prefer, but was good nonetheless.  Cheese only is my preference of topping - two cheeses were given, mozzarella and a yellow (cheddar I presume), I'm old school I guess where pizza is simply made with mozzarella.

All in all --- atmosphere was a 10, service a 9.5, cost very reasonable, food...  7-8 ....  mostly because they didn't have what I was hungry for - when you have a craving you have a craving and pizza was not it.  There's nothing worse than perusing a menu you can't find anything on you are hungry for at the time.

This place though ---- took me back to Seattle for sure... and that was worth every minute of my lunch break!

Until the next time....  Bon Appetit

Anne