Ivar's Acres of Clams, 1001 Alaskan Way, Seattle

It was such a nice day yesterday my girlfriend and I decided to visit Ivar’s Acres of Clams located on the beautiful Seattle Waterfront for happy hour. Ivar’s has one of the best happy hours in Seattle that I’ve been to. The prices are around $4-5 that’s cheap when considering a gallon of premium gas right now is around $3.20! We ordered a diet Pepsi, Crab Quesadilla, and Blackened Salmon Caesar Salad. The Crab Quesadilla came out first, plated with Ivars special recipe salsa. The Quesadilla was very mild, but I actually preferred this because I could taste the subtle flavors of the cheese and most importantly crab meat. The plate was warm and the food was hot and fresh. Next, our Caesar Salads were served. Not as good as Claim Jumpers, but the Caesars were well made with creamy dressing, homemade tasting croutons, and plenty of parmesan cheese. The blackened salmon was served on top of the Caesar. The salmon was flaky, moist, with just the right amount of seasoning. The service was attentive and friendly and I even got to watch a NBA playoff game on the TV overhead. If you want an alternative to Salty’s choose Ivar’s who has a lively environment, great tasting food, reasonable prices, and wonderful service.

Address:

Ivar’s Acres of Clams

1001 Alaskan Way, (Pier 54)

Seattle, WA 98104-1028

Rating:

****

4 out of 5 stars (I recommend visiting Ivar’s for happy hour and ordering the Blackened Salmon Caesar Salad, great atmosphere, can be expensive if not happy hour, I'd choose Ivar's over Salty's any day)

Claim Jumpers Alderwood Mall My Favorite Restaurant of All Time

Claim Jumpers is hands down my all time favorite restaurant. I know what you're thinking how can a chain restaurant near Alderwood Mall be the best restaurant in Seattle? Well I'll tell you Seattleites it's the atmosphere, service, great tasting food, and most importantly attention to detail. I've been to the Dahlia Lounge , El Gauchos, etc. in Seattle, but as far as an everyday yet upscale restaurant Claim Jumper's is my favorite. When you first walk in Claim Jumper's you'll notice it looks and smells like a log cabin. It's reminds me of a massive ski log on Stevens Pass or a hotel in Yellowstone National Park. It's actually looks very similar to a restaurant I dined at in the Grand Tetons Montana last summer. I usually order water, caesar salad, and a club sandwich off the lunch menu. I love it when a restaurant pays so close attention to detail. It's obvious that Claim Jumpers does this for the moment you walk in. When you enter Claim Jumpers you are immediately greeted and lead to a clean, rustic looking table and seated, you are then asked what kind or drinks you'd like. The water is brought out in a large glass with a slice of lemon in it placed on a napkin on your table. Next I order my caesar salad. The caesar is always better than any I've had at another restaurant. They grate parmesan cheese on top, the crotons taste homemade, the waiter or waitress grinds ground pepper on top, the plate is ice cold and the lettuce is chilled, fresh, and crisp. Next, you receive your entrée, the portions are always large so bring your appetite, the ingredients and flavors are top notch. Claim Jumper's to me seems to combine casual with upscale dining. In upscale dining one can take a small bite of something yet experience enormous flavor, but who wants small portions and high $50+ a plate prices. Claim Jumpers combines the intense flavors you'd find in upscale dining with a casual dining experience. The prices are a bit above average, but its well worth it.

Rating:

*****
5 out of 5 stars

Review of Salty's Restaurant at Redondo Beach

I actually am writing a review for Salty's at Redondo Beach in Federal Way. I'm assuming there culinary experience would be similar between the two restaurants. I just dined at Salty's this evening with my girlfriend for happy hour. Happy hour started at 8:30. We arrived at 8:15 and I ordered Diet Pepsi and my girlfriend just had water. Water is taste like water everywhere right? Well, I don't know if it's the water in Federal Way, but it swelled like toilet water. Needless to say she didn't drink it. We wanted to wait until 8:30 to order so we could get happy hour prices. There was a shift change or something because it wasn't until 8:45 until another waitress came to our table and asked if we wanted to order anything. My girlfriend and I ordered the caesar salad $3.99 and the fish and chips $6.99. We were served the caesar salad with a little ground pepper on top. I might be a salad snob, but I like when the plate is cold and the lettuce is crisp. The Salty's caesar was served on a room temperature plate, the salad leaves were limp and room temperature like they had left the lettuce out. We were finally served our main dish. My first impression of the fish and chips was what happened to the food? There were two small pieces or fish and a few fries. Salty's is in Washington, it's on the water, for these two reasons I get annoyed when any fish house meeting this criteria is skimpy with portions. The fish was soggy and oily, the fries the same. My experience at Salty's tonight was a poor one and it's not even the summer time when Salty's on the water is busier. The service was very poor and the food was below average. For a restaurant that charges relatively high prices I expect a lot more. I could get this quality or food and service from a fast food restaurant. Instead of paying $31.00 I could have paid $10.00 and been just as happy. I won't be coming back to Salty's anytime soon.

Address:

Salty's at Redondo Beach
28201 Redondo Beach Dr S Des Moines
WA 98198

Phone:

(253) 946-0636

Rating:

**
2 out of 5 stars (Over, over, over, over...rated. Every time I go to Salty's it's the same thing... disappointment. The only reason I might go to Salty's again is for the atmosphere and the amazing views. The food is below average especially for a restaurant charging the prices Salty's does)

Update: 03-05-07
I told myself that I'd never ever go back to Salty's but I'm beginning to break down. I pass the Salty's on Alki in West Seattle frequently and notice there are tons of cars out in front on Sundays. Of course they are there for Salty's world famous breakfasts/brunch buffet. For only $28.95 you can enjoy this experience as well. I plan on trying it out soon and I'll definitely write about it here when I do. Link to Salty's menu here.