jwbnyc "Assiduously seeking something spicy"

We were ‘wowed’ with the robust flavor of the red curry dishes we were served at Sea Thai last night!

This is the freshest-tasting spicy Thai food I’ve had in Seattle. For our appetizer, we had a unique ‘crispy fried rice’ dish in addition to the plate of a dozen little spring rolls. The red curry with pumpkin was almost as good as the BBQ duck in red curry. The most splendid spicy dish was the seafood in a coconut: ‘Ho Mok Talay’.

I enjoyed the sensation produced by the rivulets of sweat running down my temples and behind my ears. I didn’t get particularly sniffly from the spices in these dishes, though at least one of the others sharing the feast needed to replace a soaked napkin. It was definitely hot, spicy food, but not one-dimensional – the dishes were all richly flavored and nuanced.

The restaurant is small and bright, so it’s not a spot for romancing. The staff is pretty much all family, and they treat the customers as guests. We were very comfortable for the 90 minutes it took to consume our feast – I was disappointed that we ordered so much because I wanted to try the sticky rice for desert, but I was too full!

This is my favorite date restaurant. The wine list offers great variety and good value in fine Italian wines. The menu changes every few months, taking advantage of seasonal seafood and produce, so there are often new options to try. The new location (moved from Wallingford to Fremont last year) is spacious but tranquil.

The menu is classic Italian, with Bruschette topping the antipasti, insalate including a nice Caesar, primi featuring housemade pastas and secundi with several seafood options as well as meats and at least one vegetarian entree. The pasta dishes are splendid, sometimes a bit large for all but the biggest appetites. The preparation and presentation is impeccable, but the service is what distinguishes Asteroid from the other restaurants in Fremont or Wallingford. Most of the staff have been with Asteroid for years and those who are new are careful to keep to high standards of service that are quite a rarity in Seattle.

The Asteroid hosts a Jazz ensemble on Thursday evenings and sports a well-appointed bar. The dark wood and black decor is set off with small paintings by local artists and a small gas fireplace that’s very welcome on chilly evenings. It’s a little hard to spot – inside the building entrance. If you drive, parking is available in the lot on the north side of N 36th between Fremont and Evanston – you can take the elevator up and Asteroid will pay half the parking fee.

I’m not strictly vegetarian, so I wasn’t expecting much from a strict vegetarian Thai restaurant. I am striving to find places where I can get something truly hot in Seattle. I was delighted with Araya in its new location. The large storefront setting was nicely lit and decorated. The staff was particularly friendly and helpful; if they’d been more attentive, I would justify giving 5 stars to this lovely destination. They didn’t have a liquor permit, but they said they expect one around March 2007.

The appetizers were quite delightful and everyone got really fresh vegetables in their dishes. What really delighted me was that my call for “Thai style” was finally answered. The waitress confirmed that I wanted hot, fresh chillis, and I started to get excited. Remembering that I was in Seattle, I was prepared for another dish with a disappointingly ‘tepid’ level of spice.

Boy was I in for a treat! I got the Spicy Noodles and didn’t have to wait long before the burn set in. My mouth was on fire, but the other flavors of the dish came through beautifully.

I’ll definitely be returning to find out how the other dishes on the extensive menu turn out when they’re made “Thai style”. My dining companions ordered 3-star dishes and were delighted, though not as sweaty as me. The one item that was not so delightful was the ‘veggie chicken’ in one of the curry dishes. It doesn’t taste like chicken, or anything else I’d really want to eat.

My favorite Indian Restaurant. The family who run this little restaurant are the nicest people you could hope to meet. They are all a little slow with English, but I’ve never had a problem with an order, even phoning in. (Although I don’t mind repeating myself several times.)

The food is done nicely. The flavors are much more distinct than any of the larger restaurants I’ve been to in Seattle. The menu is mostly the standards that you’ll find at any of the other Indian resaurants in the city.

The service is a little bit slow, I assume because the preparation is done with loving care. At least, the food tastes that way when it arrives.

The restaurant is pleasant and quiet, but not romantic. A nice place to come and have a nice long talk over a Kingfisher and some good curry.

Easily the best restaurant in the neighborhood. I love the people! The food is exquisite – I’ve been overwhelmed with the quality of the food repeatedly. The service is intimate – they love what they do here, and they love the clientele. Things don’t move fast, so plan to enjoy a beverage, an appetizer and the bread while your entree is prepared.

They offer well-done classic cocktails. I’d stay in the martini zone – I wouldn’t expect a great marguerita.

This is a great place to bring a date that you’re passionate about. After you finish a meal here, you’ll want to throw off your clothes and have some desert! The only risk is getting carried away with the meal and getting so full that you konk out when you hit the sack. In case you haven’t gotten the hint: desert is not the high point of the menu here.

The menu is new each week. I looked at the menu online just now and there’s nothing on it that I’ve had before.

One more little secret: most of the wine list is offered at half the regular price on Tuesday!

It’s a beautiful morning when I get to go to breakfast with my wife at Silence Heart Nest. The restaurant is not open for dinner, but lunch can offer some wonderful curry choices.

The decor is odd and they don’t have any alcohol, so avoid it if you’re hung-over. If you’re hungry and want some of the best quality breakfast food in Fremont, this is the place to go. The service is quick and attentive, if not tremendously professional. Also, don’t say I didn’t warn you that they don’t make espresso or any meat. The coffee is strong enough, though.