I'd Love to Have a Seat

Being a stranger in a strange land requires one to be adventurous, curious, and eager to learn. But most of all, it requires moxie. As a Seattle newcomer, I can't wait around for people to come find me - I have to make the first move.

And with that in mind, I arranged to meet a friend of a friend on a "blind friend date" of sorts at a lovely spot she recommended, The Sitting Room. This casual bar/cafe feels like it got swept up in Dorothy's cyclone from Paris or Prague and landed right here in lower Queen Anne. Amber-red lighting, random art and bric-a-brac, and an array of both wooden bistro tables and comfy wing chairs set the stage for one of the best places I can think of for meeting up with friends - and actually being able to hear each other talk.


The Sitting Room is located right next to On the Boards, which boasts visionary and comtemporary artistic performances; thus, a stream of both artistic and neigborhood folks create a relaxed vibe that is not a pick up scene, nor a snoozefest. It just felt good to there. One of those places where you immediately feel comfortable bellying up to the bar, even if you are alone and waiting for someone you've never met before.


I was not feeling particularly beverage bold, so I ordered a Grey Goose and Tonic (my standard) and it was served with love and an adorable lime twist. They also offer some specialty cocktails made with goodies like cucumber and pomegranate that sounded refreshing and intriguing I was feeling a bit peckish, as my Scottish husband would say, so I opted for the bruschetta special of chevre and mision figs, drizzled with a red wine reduction and topped with walnuts. It was lovely and the bread was just crispy enough to hold the chevre without wounding the roof of your mouth. The Sitting Room also offers a full menu for those who don't want to leave this oasis after Happy Hour. I could easily whittle away a Friday or Saturday night with friends here, especially ones who might be visiting and require extensive quality catch-up time.


The new friend I made is a theatre compadre who grew up with a fellow actor I knew in SF. She is heavily involved with Annex Theatre and they are in the midst of a unique production called "I Feel Fine" running until November 10. It is a collaborative performance collage centered around a party at the end of the world. View the production pics on their site - looks like quite the colorful apocalyptic party!

Great Pub Food with Man's Best Friend

Getting into this casual, rainy Autumn vibe that is Seattle is agreeing with me. Last night, my hubbie and I did the nice little 10 minute walk to Fremont so he could show me Norm's Eatery and Alehouse. We were greeted by a friendly barman, and guests drinking and chatting with their dogs in tow. Yes, Norm's allows you to bring your dogs which is a plus for this neighborhood. I'm sure we will appreciate this much more after we get a dog (still contemplating which breed but leaning heavily toward a rescue mutt for kindness reasons) but really, people were very disciplined with their little friends. No running around barking, no snatching of food dropping off other people's tables. It was quite amusing- as I looked around, it was like being in a coffee shop with a bunch of moms and newborns. Some were holding their dogs on their laps, others were fussing with their dogs on the floor, while others cooed over their friends companions. And the dogs were a lot less tantrum-prone than babies so I say, "Bring 'em on!"

The decor was funky, full of canine inspired art - of every breed. Everything from vintage posters, to cartoons, to lifelike statues of Golden Retrievers filling every wall and crevice. I assumed Norm was the name of the founder's dog and I think an Internet search has confirmed this.

Our casual Tuesday night meal was just delicious for bar food. We split the side Ale House Salad, topped with hazelnuts, gorgonzola, crispy onions and a Sherry vinaigrette. Just lovely. I'm very picky about pub salads, as sometimes they contain waxy bagged lettuce but this was fresh, crisp and sophisticated. I then dove into the Panko-crusted fish and chips with some of the most perfect fries I've ever had. Exactly the right crispness and seasoned with something wonderful. Mmmmm.

My husband had an avocado burger and said it was really good. I tend to judge pub food by the burger standard and he said it fit the bill. The Oktoberfest I washed everything down with was smooth and not too heavy - a nice compliment to the fish. Coming from someone who does not normally drink beer, this is high praise.

The place was not that full, which was nice and it didn't seem too cold because of it. I've read posts on Yelp that said it is a pain when crowded. But for us, it was the perfect weeknight respite and I found the staff to be very friendly. Overall, when we do finally get a dog, I think we'll be stopping into Norm's more often.