Ballard Hour

Kate’s Pub
309 NE 45th Street
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 547-6832

INTRO:

I’ve frequented Kate’s Pub for the last 2 years.  I love it.  The ambiance is that of a typical Irish pub with some TVs, Guinness signs, a full selection of taps, and low lighting.

Kate bought the place February 1st, 2006 and has transformed it into one of the most kick-ass Irish pubs in town.  How?  A few reasons: great servers, great food, great beer, and awesome prices.  I almost feel like I’m doing a disservice to myself and the folks who frequent this place by mentioning they have the best happy hour in Seattle.

What happens when it’s so damn popular that I can’t come in on my regular day(s) and find a seat???

It’s 4-7 everyday.  “Ok,” you say, “I’ve been to happy hours that are 4-7 everyday, maybe even a few 3-7 everyday.”

Yeah, sure you have.  Kate’s happy hour has all food 1/2 off.  Again, all food is 1/2 off.

Does your other happy hour have that?

We’re talking appetizers, entrees, and dessert.  And drink prices are affordable to boot.  Lets get on with the review.

The Ambiance:

I’ve already talked about the ambiance above.  It’s a great little Irish pub on 45th in Wallingford, just off the freeway, next door to Petosa’s – the piano place.  They’re also close to Dick’s, Pudge Brother’s Pizza, and some Hawaiian grocery I can’t remember the name of.  It’s not hard to find.

If you like Irish pubs, you’ll like Kate’s.  There’ a pool table, streamers, big screen, low lights, good music mix, some cofy booths, table, and stool combinations.  What really sets Kate’s apart is the SERVICE.  The guys / gals and gals (and Kate, who does a number of shifts) are AWESOME.  Best service in Seattle … period.  Fast and friendly, even when they’re chock full of happy hour goers, which they often are.  My food is always hot and prompt, my beer is always cold and full, and the bartenders are always cool and friendly.  What more can you ask for.

Oh, yeah, and they have WIFI.  I’m writing this review from the pub at the moment.

The Food

God, where do I start?  Everything’s 1/2 off during happy hour.  EVERYTHING.  Average price is about $10 so you’re getting your grub for about $5.  Are you a carnivore?  There are burgers and meaty sandwiches galore.  Veggie?  Homemade Hummus platter or one of their delicious salads will do the trick, along with a number of other appetizers involving cheese.  They’re big on cheese here.

Reviewing Kate’s food is tough because there’s so much.  I’ve had the wraps, the apps, and the entrees.  I usually go for a build-your-own burger, which I’m enjoying right now.  You have your choice of any and ALL toppings, at no additional charge.  Toppings include your choice of meat (beef, chicken, or veggie), your choice of cheese (cheddar, swiss, or crumbled bleu cheese), and any and all of the following toppings at no charge: bacon, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, jalapenos, guacamole, BBQ sauce, sour cream, Frank’s Red Hot sauce, and / or a FRIED EGG.  Talk about a protein fix.

Seriously, the food is good.

The Drink:

I’m just going to list this, as everyone has their own taste in drink.  But, Kate’s offers a little bit for everyone… beer specials AND well drink specials: $1.50 Rolling Rock, $3 micros, $3 well drinks.  ‘Nuff said.  I like me some Manny’s.  You get what you want.  NOTE: happy hour prices are subject to your purchasing a drink.  I think soda’s count, but I’m not going to ask.  Just buy a beer or a whisky coke, already.

Overall:

OK, so, if you like pub grub, gourmet meatloaf, pool, your favorite sports on a projection screen, and good times, come to Kate’s Pub in Wallingford… preferably between 4-7 for an awesome happy hour experience.  They have other specials throughout the week, in case you show up late: Monday’s quiz night, Tuesday’s $2 well drinks 9-close, Wednesday’s karaoke 10-2, Thursday’s $3 pitchers of Rolling Rock 10-close, Friday’s $5 TGIF bomb night (you‘ll have to show up to find out what this is).

Just get here already.  Say hi to Kate for me.  She’s a cutie.

I highly recommend this place: 5/5

Pictures coming forthwith!

A-PIZZA MART
5026 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 517-4000

INTRO:

I hadn’t been to A-Pizza Mart since about 2000 or 2001.  I went in one day for a small pizza for lunch between classes at the UW.

It was the typical pizza delivery that caters to the college crowd: A good price for pies, if you’re up late.

Well, the place has changed quite a bit and it’s showing a lot more moxie and personality.  It has veritably been transformed into a bar / lounge with decent pizza and cool clientele, to boot.

I showed up around 4:30 and, having staved off lunch, I was pretty hungry.  I asked what they had for happy hour and was shown this lovely menu:

THE DRINK:

The only beer on special is Rainier, but that’s ok with me… can’t argue with $2 / pint or $9 / pitcher.  There are good deals on a number of cocktails, also.

THE FOOD:

Now, I was hungry, but even in light of my hunger and desire for anything to fill the gullet, the pizza was good.  I opted for the pepperoni, because I get only one topping for the happy hour price of $5 for a small.  It was good.  It took me a good 1 1/2 hours to eat it… a great deal for a small pizza.  The dough was ok, but the sauce was really good, with a fair amount of garlic and spice, which I like.

Now, it wasn’t STELLAR pizza, but it was good.  Better than Ragazzi down the road, and a much better place to chillax and have a beer along with the pie.

THE AMBIANCE:

The place has one long bar, a big U-shaped booth, a couple of easy chairs, and 3-4 tables with enough for 5-6 people per table.  Really cool decor… very much a hipster / indie place… it reminded me of a divey Chinese restaurant lounge mixed with the smells of good pizza.

There are a number of paintings on the wall, some really nice light fixtures, xmas lights throughout (all year ’round), LPs lining the tops of the walls, and more.  Lots to look at and a very comfortably low-lit, alternative-vibe place.

OVERALL:

I’m looking forward to going back with some friends and splitting a large pie with a pitcher of Rainier for only $14.  The bartenders Cam and Chris were cool, friendly, and I’ve heard the other ‘tenders are just as neat.

I recommend this place: 4/5 OVERALL

BONUS:

They have a few special nights that all start after happy hour … usually between 9-10pm:

Posted by diznanl at 7:05 PM 1 comments

First post – and the PLAN

I’m going to blog and review happy hours in Seattle. Why? Because I’m a good judge of happy hours.

Today, I will try out A Pizza Mart in the University District.
Tomorrow, I’m hitting up Naked City Brewery and Taphouse in Greenwood.

I will post more tonight and tomorrow about my findings and the lo-down on the food and drink of each of these fine establishments.