WTF, Seattle? Part IV. (Utilikilts)

I'd never encountered the Utilikilt before coming to Seattle. What is up with them, Seattle? Are they hip? Are they so old they're out of fashion now? Has anyone ever seen them elsewhere?

Wikipedia tells me they originate here in Fremont. I first noticed them at their flagship store in Pioneer Square. I've heard about them since in an awkward clubbing story and on this Pemco Insurance radio ad:




So what do you think? Would you wear a Utilikilt?

Nashville Eats: Perfect Pig

About a 40 minute drive out of Nashville lives Carl's Perfect Pig, a legendary Bar-B-Que joint. The ribs were prolly the best thing I tried, but everything was darn good. I think I'll just post photos (copious amount of meat to follow).

Meat and Three: Pulled pork, mac-n-cheese, baked potato (w/ sour cream, cheese, bacon), turnip greens ($7.50)

 Meat and Three: Ribs, cucumbers & onions, corn, baked? beans (~$11)

Meat and Three: Pulled pork, fried okra, turnip greens, mac-n-cheese ($6.50)

Full slab of ribs. (~$15)

8.5/10 on the bangin' scale.

Nashville Eats: The Picnic

 Welcome to the refined South, ladies, welcome.

That's what you think when you walk into the Picnic Cafe at the far end of the parking lot of the Hill shopping center in the Belle Meade neighborhood of Nashville. Blue and white china plates on the walls add to the... dare I say...almost-old-lady-English-tea-room vibe I get as I look around. But, no, not quite. 

Decor at the Picnic, Nashville, TN

The Picnic is an order at the register and we'll bring it to you establishment, but the table setup is much fancier than you would expect at such a place. You feel inclined to gossip for an afternoon at some of the sunny tables near the windows, or on the patio outside.

Tables at The Picnic, Nashville, TN

Before arriving I'd been told to try the chicken salad and the special The Picnic punch. Chicken salad. Delicious. Picnic punch. Sweet, but not too sweet. I had to go back for refills. I also tried the pimento cheese sandwich, which was also quite delicious. It was the first time I'd tried pimento cheese, but I can definitely say that if all pimento cheese tasted like this, I'd eat it all the time.

Chicken salad sandwich and pimento cheese sandwich at The Picnic, Nashville

Overall, I'd give The Picnic an 8/10 on the bangin' scale, for a combination of food (Please sir, I wahnt some more?), ambiance (because china plates, matching tablecloths,  paper doilies are where it's at!), and experience (OMG this exists!).

Peace Park

It's springtime and Peace Park is in full bloom. I must say, Seattle has a host of tiny parks in some weird places. This one is at the entrance to University Bridge, which is a rather highly trafficked area. This park is pretty awesome because Seattleites take it upon themselves to dress the statue of Hiroshima victim Sadako Sasaki in cute clothes and paper cranes.

Pair: Good for pairs.

Pair
(7/10 on my bangin' scale)

30th & 55th NE, right on the 30 bus line.

Very cute setting, pretty dece service, with kinda sexy-lighting at night. The food is quite good, and they also have some great wines (not that I tried any of the super expensive ones...) to be PAIRed with the food. OMGZ HOW PUNNY!!!!!! Their dishes are French/American "tapas"-style (aka small dishes at $7-$15 a piece, that you share). They suggest getting 2-3 per person. 3 per person would definitely be way too much, 2 is a big meal, provided that you get dessert at the end.

Dinner: The Cambozola fondue--served with pear slices, toasted bread (oh... wait "crostini"), and apple slices-- was tiny/cute and fun to eat. (Also, it was good, because it was CHEESE.) The wild salmon toasts (with shallots, capers, creme fraiche) and filet mignon were OK, but I'd definitely prefer getting a double order of their so-delicious-omg-i-want-it-right-now cassoulet (along with, maybe, a side of sauteed greens). Just to clarify, I want a double order because I'm a fatty, not because the plates are particularly small. Desserts are pretty good. Try some apple crispy pastry thing, or their creme brulee.

Kinda-sexy lighting: Cambozola Fondue by candlelight.

Happy Hour (5-6:30): Frequented mostly by early-bird retirees, this menu features bite-sized (but pack a huge taste) brisket sliders, mac-n-cheese, and cheesy poufs (they call them "gougeres") for $5 or under. Tasty McTasterson Sidecar Cocktails are the special drink (a brandy martini) at happy hour. Despite their yumminess, they're not too popular, so don't order too many, or they may run out! Glasses of house wine are $5 and pints of beer are $3.

Brisket Sliders: 3 for $5 at happy hour.

It's probably best to bring parents when they come to visit or a date; they only take reservations for big parties (6+), but don't appear to cater tooooo well to them. Or, maybe they just want to serve the people with the bucks.

"I hope this turns into a full length epic like 'Trapped in the Closet' "

For the two of you who haven't seen this yet. Lady Gaga. Beyonce. OMFG.

My second favorite Whoopi Commercial.

Ok, maybe it can be my first. (Compare to this.)

Thanks to Kat who gave me the heads up, since I'm not watching the Oscars.