Eatin' Out 'N' About at Five Guys Burgers and Fries ~ near Northgate Mall in Seattle, WA

311 NE 103rd Street Seattle, WA 98125
www.fiveguys.com (for all locations AND you can order online!)
Check them out on Facebook

My husband had heard about this place from a buddy of his so we popped in after a baseball game to check it out.

Looking at some of the locations, it seems FGBAF doesn't feel the need to eat up real estate with their own lots.  So, because of that, we had to park in a nearby lot.

Below an AMC theater, the inside is similiar to a basement.  In fact, one of the -MANY- posters on the wall promoting itself, said something about the restaurant feeling similar to being in a bathroom.  Taken out of context, that would sound bad but they seem proud of the fact.  It's all tiled in white/red with stainless steel panels on the restroom doors.

Though we came through the front, we have to meander around the drinks dispenser and tables to the back where the order counter is.  Eating somewhere new is always interesting since you don't know what to get.   Dave's buddy said that a Regular Fries (plain or cajun) is enough for three people so since we're STARVING, we order a Large to share, two Regular Drinks (free refills), and since they don't have ANY kids menu, the lady at the counter slipped me a water cup for our 4 year-old's soda.  Dave orders the Hamburger with "the works" but without tomato or mushrooms and I get the Cheeseburger with "the works" but without mayo.  ALL TOPPINGS ARE FREE!!!  Talk about making it how you want it!
After you order, you are given a slip for when they call your order.  It takes longer that I thought so we get our drinks, find seats and use the restroom.  I MUST SAY that my 4 year-old (who was asleep when we got there) declares he does NOT want to be here and refuses to sit with us.  Whatever....the music, sounds of cooking and background noise of the patrons is loud enough that not a single person hears him.

The bathroom, like the rest of the building, are practically wallpapered with laminated signs with every single good review FGBAF has ever had.  Some of these quotes are the highlight of the decorating scheme plastered in large letters around the room.  On their website, it says, "At Five Guys, we don't like to talk about ourselves very much.  We would rather focus on making burgers."  Well, with all the reviews everywhere, FGBAF doesn't HAVE to talk about their own food!  Though, it makes me think of the guy who protested too much???  So here's hoping their food is as good as they are trying to hypnotize you into believing.

Finally they call our number and it comes- no matter if you're dining in or not- in a brown paper bag.  Sure enough, the fries are a VERY generous portion!  Not only is that cup filled, but those fries in the bag is what over-flowed!  I really liked the fries, Dave said they needed salt (we're used to McD) and Corbin wouldn't touch them since they were natural looking.  Oh well, more for us!

I reach in the bag and pull out two over-sized foil bundles.  Little did we know that a Burger is actually a double patty so this is A LOT of meat!  Dave mentioned that the burger itself could be a little more seasoned but you are so focused on how all of the toppings are super crisp, fresh and DE-licious, that you don't notice.

Since I had more toppings than Dave (oh- he soooo misses out not eating all that good stuff!), my cheeseburger is S.U.P.E.R. huge!!!  I -literally- have to take a bite of the top half, then the bottom half since I can't fit my mouth around the dang thing.

As we are almost finished eating, we notice these large bags of peanuts stacked in the middle of the room.  I vaguely remember hearing Dave say something about peanuts and we do see a few people eating them but it's not on the menu....

Of course, it's as we leave that we practically stumble over the low table stacked with boxes of peanuts for people to scoop as they come in (hmmm...with the box being right by the front door, makes me wonder how many homeless people snag some freebies?).  By this time, we are bursting so skip the peanuts.  Guess we'll have to come back! ;)

Friday Flick- The Nanny Diaries (released 2007)

This made from a book movie is about a college grad from Jersey who accidentally gets a job as a live-in nanny when she realizes she doesn't know who she is or what she wants to be now that she's on her own.  Annie (Scarlett Johansson from He's Just Not That Into You and The Other Boleyn Girl) is naive and the relationship between her best friend is unbelievable (Alicia Keys) but she is like-able character.

Her new employer, "Mrs. X", (Laura Linney from Love Actually and The Mothman Prophecies) is an unhappy and bitchy woman who makes Annie's life hell, and her over-weight husband (Paul Gimatti from Sideways and John Adams) is a cheating non-existent husband/father.

Embarrassed by her escape-job, Annie lies to her mom about her new job and living conditions. Unable to even show interest in anybody else besides her new charge, Annie's life gets even more difficult when she meets "Harvard Hottie" that lives upstairs, and her heart breaks watching how the people she now lives with treat each other.

The beginning of this movie is done in an awkward report-style that disappears through out the middle but does close at the end tying it all together.  Maybe could have been done a little smoother...

My favorite part of the movie: the ending with the mom

*************************SPOILER ALERT*********************************

No surprises to speak of so nothing to write... ;)

Shopping- City Perk Home and Garden Enumclaw, WA

1616 Cole St Enumclaw, WA 98022
www.cityperk.biz


The Hungry Housewives were out "shopping" yesterday and were able to pop into one of my favorite little stores.  This is a great little shop near the end of all the busy hub-bub on one of the main drags.

I think of this as a gift shop first (love the bird logo!) and a coffee shop second but apparently, their main focus is coffee judging by their web-site (which I really don't like the layout of).  There are TWO City Perks- one in Enumclaw and another in Maple Valley (that one has a drive-thru stand) which I didn't know about before.

I've had coffee here once but since I can't remember what it is like- it must have been a decent cup.  I love how the front of the store has these cute little bistro tables for customers to enjoy their drinks.  So cute in fact, one of THH with me tries to find a price tag to buy a set.

Oh- I would just love to have any of those clocks ;)

They have darling little baby clothes and items

Adore these!

oooh....those French signs on the left would look great in my house...

These little cupcakes would make good thank-you gifts

So if you are in the area, make sure to pop in also!  Tell them The Hungry Housewives sent you :D

Eatin' Out 'N' About at Sorci ~ Sumner, WA

Weekday summer afternoon
1012 Ryan Avenue, Sumner, WA 98390
www.sorcisitaliancafe.com


I always call this "MY Italian Restaurant".  It is a little off the Main Road with nothing but a sandwich sign on the corner so it seems that nobody knows about it!  Can't remember when I first came here- sure it was with the girlfriends out shopping. I've been here for birthdays, lunches with friends, and even during a quiet-argument-filled-anniversary-lunch with my hubby!

The place is definetly small but cozy- I can see big groups eating here (in fact- check their website about cooking classes and movie nights).  Since it's such a nice day, my friend Dawn and I opt to sit outside though it's crowded (we're happy as long as there is an umbrella seat available!).
The outdoor seating is tiny, tiny, but perfect for dining in small groups.  They have attempted charm with a couple of statues....but it could use a  touch of polish.  The inside, though, is exactly what you would expect from a quaint Italian cafe- lots of greenery and structure style designs on the walls.

The last few times here I have eaten the Caprese (my FAV thing- order it!) but I wanted to try something new so I ordered the Spinach, Feta & Sun Dried Tomatoes Panini (which came with a regular tomato too...by mistake?).  It's regularly $6.95 but I got the Lunch Special of 1/2 a Panini with a small cup of Asparagus Soup for $7.00 (side choices were the soup, Caesar salad or Misto).  The sandwich was really good- though at first I was afraid there was no feta (was placed mostly in the center), and I enjoyed the Asparagus Soup after I added salt.

Dawn decided on a beer and the Tuscano Panini but she opted for the side Misto Salad.  The Tuscano is not normally a part of the Lunch Special but the waitress made an exception (cause Dawn is cool like that).  When her lunch came, she was a little dismayed by the portion sizes since she was starving but she said, "The salad had just the right amount of dressing (usually orders that on the side, but forgot), and it was zesty- but not too spicy.  My sandwich was also delicious.  I love Italian Sausage so it definitely hit the spot.  Once I was finished, I'd realized the portion was actually just the right size.  Filling me up but leaving just enough room ice cream later.  I was satisfied, but not over full."

Usually their food case is filled on one side with food items you can take home like prosciutto wrapped asparagus and on the other little desserts but it was sparse today.  Also, the gelato case was completely empty, too...hmmm.  But since we weren't taking anything home, it didn't seem to matter to us- we hit McDonald's for an inexpensive Snack Size McFlurry instead!

Overall we had a great lunch date. Dawn summed it up the best:  "All in all, good food and fun with a great friend!  Definitely recommend to friends and would go there again- even if just to have a drink with appy and enjoy the ambiance".  Thanks Dawn for lunching with me!

Friday Flick- definitely, maybe (released 2008)

It's Friday and here's my input on a movie I watched this week:

From the makers of Notting Hill and Love Actually, this romantic drama/comedy is about a young girl (Abigail Breslin from Little Miss Sunshine) who- just hearing the sex talk at school- wants to know all of the details on how her dad Will met her mom (they are currently divorcing) and his relationships leading up to getting married.  The dad (Ryan Reynolds from The Proposal) reluctantly tells her but changes the names of the three women and says that his daughter has to guess which one is her mom in the story.

The woman -of course- are a blond (Elizabeth Banks from the TV show Scrubs and the Spiderman movies), a redhead (Isla Fisher from Confessions Of A Shopaholic) and a brunette (Rachel Weisz from The Lovely Bones and The Mummy movies).  Beginning in the early nineties when Will has just graduated college and is off to help Clinton get elected, the movie goes through all of the years of life-before-marriage while his daughter crosses off her list which one she thinks is her mom.  

At first, it was a little odd because he does talk lightly to his daughter about having sex (including a hint at a girl-on-girl love affair) but after you ignore that, it's a really sweet story of how much we change over the years, and the effect people have on us.  I am a sucker for love stories but what I really liked about this movie is how it isn't just a man and a woman but about lots of relationships.  During the "behind the scenes", lead actor Ryan sums it up by saying that in most movies/books, you know the love interest on page three, while in this movie, you don't know who he's going to end up with.  Also, it reminds us that our parents are people, too, and actually had a history before children.  I also thought it was interesting how the political scandal timeline follows the mood of the movie.  People were so excited to have Clinton in office to "change the world"- they were full of hope and dreams (just like Will is when he graduates college).  Then we had to deal with the disappointment of his affairs while in the oval office (which is mirrored when Will goes through a tough heartache in his life).

I did adore all of the cast.  It says Dane Cook was up for the lead role (whom I might have enjoyed more- he's SO hot) but Ryan is really good in this.  And of course, the daughter is everybody's darling.  What's not promoted on the box is that brilliant Kevin Kline plays a small- but important role- in one of the relationships.

My MOST FAVORITE part of the movie: one of the female characters collects Jane Eyre books because her dad gave her one with an inscription (which she lost) so she's always on the lookout for it :D  

I liked this movie and would watch it again!

**************************SPOILER ALERT*********************************

Well, even though you don't KNOW who he's going to end up with in the end of the movie, you really just like one character (the redhead) so you kinda guess they live happily-ever-after.  It is odd that he signs off on this divorce papers without ever stating what the marital discord was about.  We all want Happy Endings but in this movie, the ending is better than if he had stayed with his wife.

While watching the "behind the scenes", they talk more about his future career plans but I'm glad they left it out....I don't like politicians!  It is weird they barely touched on what he does for a living...it would have been better if they had at least shown him happy with where he's working in the final scenes.  

Eatin' Out 'N' About at Johnny Rockets - Kent Station, WA

A Friday afternoon 
418 Ramsey Way Kent Station Kent, WA 98032
www.johnnyrockets.com 
We headed to Kent Station to do a little school shopping before Dave's baseball game but ended up just having enough time to grab something to eat.  Normally we go to my FAVorite Zao Noodle Bar (for some reason it's closed at this location?) so we had to find another alternative.  Kent is a GREAT date night place- lots of good restaurants...but not much as far as fast-food or saving-money with a family of four.  Luckily there was a Johnny Rocket's right there which we haven't been to in awhile.  

For some reason, it was one of those so-glad-we're-out-in-public kind of meals where the 4yr old is ticked about going to somewhere new to him and the 16yr old....not sure what her issue was but there's nothing like squabbling while ordering!  

Dave and I both got The Original which came with shredded lettuce, fresh tomato (Dave gave me his), chopped onions, relish, pickle, mustard and mayo (both of us ordered NO mayo).  The bread had been grilled on the inside so it was YUMmy.  Dave thought it could have done without the relish but other than that- he thought it was good.  My only issue was that it seemed kinda...messy.  Nothing was soggy but it was kinda hard to eat.  

I LOVE that I got to order a "shot" of vanilla into my Diet Coke

Burger of The Day- Single Special w/fries and drink

Jordan had the Rocket Single Special which was the same as ours but came with special sauce and cheese.  She had even a harder time eating her burger since it was leaking all over (Dave said it was probably wet lettuce).  Her fries were good and she shared them with little Corbin.  They weren't salty and when you tried to self-salt, it wouldn't stick.  Which I guess it means they weren't overly greasy!

During past visits, the wait staff would sing and perform but they probably save that for when there are more than three families dining. My only complaint would be the bathroom.  It looked like they have issues keeping the toilet unclogged...wouldn't flush right (I didn't go in there until we were leaving).  ewwww.

Eatin' Out 'N' About at Sizzler ~ Tukwila, WA

After 8pm on a Saturday night
16615 Southcenter Parkway Tukwila, WA 98188
www.sizzler.com
Ok....you know you can't say Sizzler without saying "Sizzzzzzzzler" just like from the commercials!!!!  Do they even play those commercials anymore?  My 16 year old daughter didn't know what it was so while we were driving on our way home from a baseball game one night and wanted to avoid fast food, we thought we'd try it out.

It has been QUITE awhile since I've eaten here and I don't remember the ordering being Country Buffet Style.  You stand in line with a single menu on the wall and have to order EVERYthing right there before you go in.  Was odd and left us feeling like we weren't sure what we got!



So you order your food then a waiter takes you to your choice of a booth or table (we do booths), brings your drinks, and free Texas Toast.  It had been raining at our baseball game so we were all damp so we thought of asking for new seats away from the air conditioning blowing right on us but the waiter said it was no big deal- he just turned it down.

4 year old Corbin got his standard Chicken Strips and Fries but it also came with a buffet-looking Jello that -rightfully so- scared him (it was watery but Dave ate it anyway).  Fries were nice and crisp which Corbin liked but he wouldn't touch the strips....probably because they weren't McD round!

I ordered the 6oz Steak with Giant Shrimp and for my side- a baked potato.  The steak was good though it didn't have much "bite" to it....I had to add A1 Sauce :(  The rest was good...nothing spectacular.  Since I usually order fish (my hubby won't let seafood in our house), red meat was a nice treat!

Jordan got the 10oz Steak with fries.  She ordered it medium-rare but it was over-cooked.  The waiter was sweet about it but I did notice a "chef" kinda guy was the one to re-take her order and bring out her new steak.  It was nice, though, because they told us to take home the first steak for our dog (we gave it to our 12 yr old who wasn't with us).  When she got the right steak, it was perfect- very good!  Makes me wish I had ordered that instead.

Now Dave's Malibu Chicken Platter looked a little scary but was actually good....kinda like a cordon blue.  As we were finishing off, and it was close to closing, our waiter came back to tell us we could have free ice cream from the buffet but by the time we got over there, just two brownies and one bowl of ice cream were left.  Since two HUGE groups came in while we were there, I'm nut surprised it was all gone.  It got me to thinking that Sizzler is a better choice than pizza for a sports end-of-the-year-party!
In the end, you got mints, a survey card with a chance to win a $50 gift card, and a flyer with a two coupons good for 2 Steak Dinners for $11.98.  Guess that means we'll be coming back!

Eatin' Out 'N' About at Panda Express ~ Puyallup WA

A Friday after a loooong appointment at the dentist
16428 Meridian Ave East Puyallup, WA 98375
www.pandaexpress.com


My daughter threatened that she could not eat ONE MORE TIME at McDs so she enforced driver's privilege and went the extra miles away from the dentist to go to Panda Express.  

That's my son....thinking he's a dinosaur!

I've never been here before so was unsure of what to get so I tried their Walnut Shrimp (I can't find on the online menu).  It was yummy- though a little overly sweet so I settled on the Panda Bowl- Chow Mein with Mushroom Chicken and Jordan got the Panda Bowl- Chow Mein with Sweetfire Chicken Breast.  The bowls run just under $5.00 a piece with sodas just over $1.00.  We also ordered a side of pot-stickers (YUM) which were inexpensive at $1.25 for three.  You get free fortune cookies with your meal which is always nice :)

Sweetfire Chicken Breast with Chow Mein Panda Bowl w/a side of Chicken Potstickers

The Sweetfire Chicken was SOOOO good.  Jordan thought there were too many onions and not enough pineapple but the chicken itself was perfect- the breading was nice and crispy which kept the sweet chili sauce from making it soggy.  The Potstickers tasted like Potstickers...no surprise there.

Mushroom Chicken with Chow Mein in a Panda Bowl

My Mushroom Chicken with a mild garlic ginger sauce was good, too.  Lots of nice, fresh mushrooms and zucchini (my fav).  Would SO order this again if I'm not in the mood for something sweet!
Corbin....of course.....just ate his McD Happy Meal and chocolate milk that we bought him on the way over LOL.  It was a nice day for once so we got to enjoy eating out on their nice patio area. 

OK- we're happy!  Can't wait to go there again :D

Grandma's Apron

I don't think our kids know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath,because she only had a few,it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables...After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the menfolks knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

REMEMBER:

Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron.

(Author Unknown).

Eatin' Out 'N' About at Windmill Bistro ~Sumner

Windmill Bistro August 2010 on a Tuesday for lunch

16009 60th St E Sumner, WA 98390

www.windmillbistro.com 

To celebrate a birthday for one of "The Hungry Housewives", we decided to head down the hill to the Windmill Bistro.  Originally a private residence built during the turn of the 20th century, this building has been recreated into a charming little restaurant.  Though this was the birthday girl's first time eating here, I had been here before a few times- once while I was a coordinator during a wedding, again for another birthday lunch, and I've attended one of their tea events.  Our goal was to sit outside but it was a little overcast when we first arrived so we sat in the cozy main seating area.  

Alisa (me!) and Tamie  (far right is a friend of mine Diane who works here)

Birthday Girl Stephanie and Tari

Soup Of The Day- Broccoli Cheese 

Dungeness Crab Melt and Caprese Sandwich- both with Coleslaw with an Arnold Palmer

The soup I had was creamy with bits of brocoli and carrots and I absolutely ADORED my Caprese Sandwich!  Caprese is one of my favorite dishes but I've never had it on bread- and this one included a large red grilled pepper.  I was worried that the moisture of the insides would make the bread soggy but it was toasted just enough.  YUM.  One of the gals tasted my coleslaw and suggested salt and I really liked it....not too tart.  Tamie also liked her lunch saying that her Dungeness Crab Melt was just as good as when she had it the last time she ate here.

Steph's Side Salad (she substituted that over fries or coleslaw) was a tad over ripe so it was a little bitter, but she thought her "Our Favorite Gyro" was excellent.  She said it was "warm, with the pita being perfect- not too dry.  The beef was a good texture... nicely cooked".  Unfortunately Tari's Chicken Walnut Salad Sandwich was just "OK" but her Bistro Salad was "Fabulous!".  She said that the combo of the candied walnuts with red onions, tomatoes, and blue cheese was tasty (in fact, after she had this dish before, she tried to recreate it at home!).

OF COURSE, as we were leaving the sun came out and people were now eating outside.  Oh well, we'll just have to come another day!!!  Happy Birthday Miss Stephanie!!!  Love you!