Teriyaki with Ducks ?!!? GINGER TERIYAKI

No they don't serve DUCK. But they do feed two ducks that have been visiting seasonally for about 4 years.  These Ducks actually stare inside the window looking for the guy who comes out to feed them. But enough about birds.  The GINGER TERIYAKI is the best teriyaki place in Renton.  We love their quick service, the way they grill their chicken, the clean interior, and the location: right across from Bank of  America ATM Machine.

I usually have the Spicy Chicken w a side order of Gyoza.  My eating partner had a salad because she had dined earlier.  If you were to look at the portions, you could split a meal if you wanted to actually follow dietary standards and eat smaller quantities.  But I usually do not.  I enjoy the feeling of a complete Teriyaki overdose.

The menu has your typical variety of dishes that our Great

Ginger Teriyaki received 4 out of 5 stars on Yelp

http://www.yelp.com/biz/ginger-teriyaki-renton

We have tried out a plethora of teriyaki places in renton and feel that this one is simply the best.  Give it a shot.  You will not be dissapointed.   

Lunch in Hong Kong ? Nope. Just Rentong

We had heard the  rumors of a Restaurant in Renton that could compete with the best in Seattle's China Town.  So we traveled to the block just south of the Renton Airport  to "Hong's Garden Restaurant" for Lunch.  Specifically: Dim Sum !!! 

What is Dim Sum?  It is basically Chinese finger food that is served in small portions within a steamer basket or bowl. I do not do it justice, but pictures do.

It all began 18 years ago when the owner "Janie"  brought the "House of Hong" from China Town.

  Want consistency:  The House of Hong and Hong's Garden have been serving Dim Sum for over 55 years!!!!  Lunch is served Monday - Friday 11am - 2:30pm.  Saturday & Sunday 11am-3pm.  

Our choices are marked on the Menu shown below.  All were great.  I prefer the fried not steamed selections.  There are many different selections.     

My favorite was the "Baked Lean Pork Pies # 23 (shown below)

Tired of the lunch time sandwich or burger? Then travel to  HONG'S GARDEN and enjoy their amazing lunch special.  Say hi to Janie the owner. BUT, DO NOT TAKE HER PICTURE.  Janie also wanted us to mention that they have a great Happy Hour 

2:30-5:30pm during the week.

Happy Eating.

DK's Market has the SPICE KING !!!!!!

First of all, have you been to DK's Market?  It is a warehouse grocery store with food products from around the world.  It is amazing w great prices.  But now to our new find,     

                            The Spice King

It is located in DK's Market and is a small 

family run restaurant that has both Indian Cuisine and Sweets.  While exploring DK's we decided to give it a shot and see what it had to offer.  The young people who helped us and answered our many rookie questions added to the experience. 

 At one time my sidekick asked for a yogurt type dip for our food and after many questions dealing withe translations, some concerning mango, they were able to finally Sherlock Holmes an answer into the proper dip.  Success !!! and Delicious. 

The menu is inexpensive but great.  I chose the Non Veg dish # 7 Chicken Chilli  w #1 Plain Naan. 

 Great Taste w the Naan bread absolutely light and fluffy.  the Naan is similar to a flour tortilla or American Indian Bread (not PC but that's what they call it).  I would go back again just for the Naan.

My better half sampled a Snack #6 Chicken pakora w the yogurt type dip they found.  Once again it passed the test w flying colors.

Their menu has a great selection

Finally, when all is said and done, and you have finished your meal, there are desserts to try:What is a Chum Chum?  According to the internet, Chum Chum is a popular Bengali (East Indian) sweet dish that is made with Paneer, (home-made cheese).  

Are we finished yet, NO !!  Need a breath mint?  Then take a dip in the bowl of breath mints and enjoy a new type of sweetening your pallet.

When all is said and done, stop by and try this unique, small, friendly Restaurant:  

Spice King.  www.spicekingrenton.com

You and your pallet will be happy you did.

Been To Mexico Lately?

We have not been eating out lately so our blog has been lacking.  No more, No Mas !!!! 

My wife and I have eaten tacos with the best of them.  From a taco wagon named "Taco Rey" with Marcos and Rene in Sanger, CA. back in the mid 1980's, to the eastern hills above Ensenada where only the locals eat.  From Coachella Valley near Palm Springs, to a

small taco shop in East L.A. 

 WE HAVE EATEN TACOS.

HERE IS RENTON'S BEST KEPT SECRET

Their food is great !!!!  I love their tacos, and my wife loves their Sopes.  There are pictures of what you want to eat.  The menus is authentic and the people who own and run the restaurant are genuine.

Their food and Salsa Bar puts Taqueria El Rinconcito to shame.  We happened to sample their Avocado Salsa that was creamy and had a nice bite to it. I will give you a hint, VERDE color.

My wife had Sopes : Delicious

A Sample of their Menu

I know there are a bunch of taco places in Renton.  Save your energy and time.  Just stop by Primo Tacos and sample the good life.  You almost think you are on vacation when you do.

Smoking Monkey ? PIZZA !!!!

We have been to this new pizza place twice in the past two weeks and have come to the conclusion:  Its Gooooood !!


It is located across the street from the Renton downtown plaza where the farmers market takes place in the spring and summer.


We had always stated the Renton needs pizza by the slice.  Well, it is here and it delivers the goods.

We experimented a bit and went with a Kale Salad and the "Norton" pizza.  The Kale was a stretch for me.  Having been used to traditional salads, I found that the Kale was too much work for me and a bit rough.  Don't get me wrong, it has a unique taste, but when I order a salad, I want more weight too it.


The "Norton" was great.  It is a thin crusted pizza named after the honeymooners character, I think.  Either way, we liked it.  


Our waitress was Sanna, pronounced Sanay.  She was wonderful and was always there to take care of our needs, the culinary kind.
The pizza guru was Gustavo who knows how to work magic in this brick oven. Check out the menu.  There is great variation.  If you get the chance.  Stop by and have a slice.

http://www.smokingmonkeypizza.com/

Melrose Grill !! Champions of the Steak

Voted Best Steak House in the State of Washington !! My wife and I can not tell you how many Rib Eyes we have put down within these hallowed walls.  Too many to count.


Do you remember Daniel Victor Kirkman?  Probably not.  But you do probably know him as Boone Boone Kirkman the local Boxer who once fought George Foreman back in November of 1970.  He owned the Melrose Tavern in 1972 and is a local legend.  

The Tavern is now the Melrose Grill and is a hidden gem that Renton can call its own.  The menu is absolutely fabulous, the people working there are even better.  On a Saturday Night look for a stout, bald man behind the bar or working the floor.  Ask to sit in Leroy's section because, he is a PISTOL.  Be prepared, he is going to treat you like he has known you for years.  You are in for a treat.  


Not to be outdone by the male servers, there is Jaime, who can hold her own with Leroy, but in a different style.  She understands what a person wants out of the Melrose Experience and goes beyond the call of duty to make your evening a culinary delight. All the people at the Melrose make it a quality evening.


Anyone for bread and butter.  They serve you a basket before the main meal and you have to watch yourself, it is so good you could fill up before the steak arrives.


I prefer a Hefferveisen, but no matter what you like like, their bar will not disappoint you.

Did I mention they have STEAK. My typical meal is:  Rib Eye Medium Rare, Baked Potato with all the trimmings on the side.  How they grill their vegetables is a trade secret.  You have to try them.  My better half enjoys shrimp or the salmon entre.  There is not an average dinner selection on the menu.  The Metropolitan Grill? Ruth's Criss? or Jak's Grill? Hands down, or Forks down, The Melrose Grill is better.


Did I mention to look at the pictures hanging on the walls?  They show the history of the Melrose, not to mention, the 3 legged Ghost Dog. 


http://melrosegrill.com/

Loretta's Northwesterner in South Park

Do you like Hamburgers and Fries?  Do you like to eat them in an Airstream Trailer?  Then we found the perfect spot to do this!!!!


We happened upon it while googling a place to eat in South Park.  Yes, I know it is not Renton, but my Mom's name is Loretta, and my beautiful spouse has a thing for Airstream trailers, and, Azzizza their great waitress, lives in Renton.  There you have it.


 Its ranking had 4-5 stars from all of its reviews.  And, they mentioned that there was  a trailer parked in back for us to dine in.  

Say no more.  We were off and driving.  In reality, South Park is only about 10 minutes from Renton.  


The Airstream lived up to the billing.  It was a funky, eclectic, dining room for a small group of people that allowed you privacy from the other patrons.  


I asked Azzizza what they were famous for.  The answer was fast and true:  Tavern Burger and Fries.  I ordered the double, and we split the fries.  Do you remember when fries were hand cut and deep fried?  Those past days are back.  The burger taste like I cooked it on my weber BBQ and the fries were big, thick, and pure heaven.  You need to stop everything and get over there and eat this Combo.  To die for.

As you can see there is plenty of covered outside seating in the back.  The man at the outside bar had his laptop out and was surfing the web.  I do not know if there is WiFi. 

Once again, probably the best burger and fries combo not in Renton that I have tasted in many years.

http://lorettasnorthwesterner.com/index.html

This is a Bar and Grill.  No Minors allowed.

Did you say BREAKFAST?