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Looking for some ideas...

Submitted by Tschida on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 11:49am.

I am looking for some idea on good restaurants in the greater Olympia Area. My twelfth wedding anniversary is up coming and would be interested in some input on good restaurants that you have been to. I have been to the cafeteria at Target next to Capitol Mall. The nachos and cheese with jalapenos are good but the coffee was burnt. I have also been to the Costco food court and although the polish sausage was terrific, the pizza was very greasy. I am interested in hearing your two or three favorite restaurants, and maybe a high or low point about each.

Also anyone who is familiar with wine could possibly help me out with this. I am looking to match a wine to my anniversary. I am looking for a 1995 white, Pinot Gris/Grigio, Chardonnay, or Gewurztraminer. I am after a wine that is light and full of notes of fruit. If you have other suggestions as to varietals I am not limited to those grapes I listed.

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There's a great French place

Submitted by Rob Richards on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 11:57am.

There's a great French place out in Tumwater near the South Pacific, can't remember the name though.

The wine shop downtown on 4th probably has what you're looking for.

Here's some, in no particular order

Submitted by Guglielmo on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 2:12pm.

Trinacria: Simple, authentic Sicilian food by Eugenio. The broccoli penne is pretty good, but you must like garlic. Can be quite romantic on a cool evening when the widows fog up. And after dinner you're just two doors from a nightcap at The Brotherhood and a quarter of the posters here.

Gardners: Excellent seafood and pasta. Terrific service and a very nice selection of wine. Definitely a PNW style culinary treat. A little harder on the wallet though.

I'm not a fan of the chain, but if you want a great view, check out the new Anthony's (not the one by the market).

Trinacria

Submitted by paisleyboxers on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 6:25pm.

Excellent service and very genuine atmosphere..going to the bathroom means walking through part of the kitchen. A BIG plus!

The food is not exactly ultra-traditional (anyone able to find out whether or not they are Northern or Southern style Italian?), but the food is not disappointing.

The biggest selling point for the local 'T', is definitely the atmosphere.

Blogging: If minds had anuses, blogging would be what your mind would do when it had to take a dump.

Southern...

Submitted by Guglielmo on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 9:36pm.

Definately southern.

In agreement about Anthony's

Submitted by paisleyboxers on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 6:49pm.

It is a chain that usually serves as the "Second best", in Seattle it's near Salty's and sort of acts as overflow. The food can be hit and miss, but usually defaults to basic seafood fair.. so the menu never goes outside of a "safe" comfort zone.

Don't expect anything very creative or exciting, outside of the drink menu.

Blogging: If minds had anuses, blogging would be what your mind would do when it had to take a dump.

Dockside Bistro & Wine Bar

Submitted by JstPlnOnry on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 12:29pm.

http://www.docksidebistro.com/press.html

You will not go wrong going here! It has to be THE BEST place in Olympia! Make sure to read the reviews in the PRESS link!

I'm not sure when your anniversary is but check out the EVENTS link too & maybe you can plan it around listening to some great live jazz! The Gary Scott Trio features Frank Sinatra's saxaphonist!

You can check out the MENU link too! It changes, but not on a daily basis! And don't let the prices scare you! Your plate will arrive with a piece of art on it! You'll almost hate to eat it! And you get your money's worth for sure!

For our first wedding anniversary we went to El Gaucho in Seattle and thought nothing would ever compare! We spent our 9th anniversary at the end of June here and it blew El Gaucho out of the water! Jeff & Laurie (the owners) are phenomenal people who have put their hearts & souls into Dockside and it truly shows!

Given it's a wine bar, you'll find the cellar master knows & does his job well! I have never had a bottle of wine there I didn't fall in love with! If nothing else, I'm sure if you called and asked for the cellar master (I think his name is Craig but not positive) he would definitely give you the wine advice & suggestions you're asking for! He's a great man!

I can't say enough great things about Dockside and the people who work there! I eat lunch & dinner there a lot and take as many people as I can!

"Do not mistake for conspiracy and intrigue what can best be explained by stupidity and incompetence." - Unknown

ate there

Submitted by oysterpreserve on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 3:33pm.

ate there last week for the first time. The food was excellent, atmosphere was very nice, the service was sub-par. Our waiter came off like he thought we were a couple of kids out for a nice dinner for the first time ever. Little did he know my partner and I very much enjoy fancy restaurants, and always leave atleast 20%. Unfortunatly for him he only got 17%. Keep in mind he is only one aspect of the wait staff there. So you may not have the problem that we did.

Cicada...

Submitted by oldtimeydave on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 12:52pm.

Anniversary Dinner??? You have to check out Billy & Lisa at Cicada and what I think is Olympia's best food. They are on 4th and Chestnut. Great food, great drink, great service and atmoshpere... you can't miss! In fact I went their for my last anniversary dinner.

A lovely Recommendation!

Submitted by paisleyboxers on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 4:41pm.

The Dinner and Deserts are good; The owner is living encyclopedia of good drinks to go with great food.

Blogging: If minds had anuses, blogging would be what your mind would do when it had to take a dump.

Oyster House?

Submitted by Anonymously Larry on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 1:16pm.

Mrs. Larry and I had our first date there and continue to return for casual and special occasions. I'm never disappointed with the food, the service is fine and I love being near the water

"There is only one race, the human race" - The Neville Brothers

Noooooooooooo!!!!

Submitted by paisleyboxers on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 4:43pm.

Not to detriment your taste Larry.. but the Oyster house is absolutely NOT the place for anything but fried food.
I moved to Olympia after living in Seattle, eating lovely food.. at places like the Flying Fish, Il Bistro, 611 Supreme, ...etc.

Olympia's Oyster House.. is absolutely NOT the place to send someone for things like 'crab cakes'.. which so happen to get served on old lettuce with a squirt of mustard.

Blogging: If minds had anuses, blogging would be what your mind would do when it had to take a dump.

Oyster House was great back

Submitted by Merwyn Haskett on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 4:49pm.

Oyster House was great back in the late 70s, early 80s. I understand it was even better before I was born.

Today it's a modified Red Robin.

It's a fair call, but Society's to blame. ~ Right! We'll be charging them too!

I Have To Agree...

Submitted by JstPlnOnry on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 8:48pm.

with Paisley & Merwyn... OH used to be a great place to go 8 years ago but now it's just bad! After the new owners took over & changed the menu we stopped going there. Used to be you could get a huge plate of snow crab and then they took it off the menu. Recent, I ranked it right up there with Applebee's but I like the Red Robin reference better! RR sucks and the last 3 times we've eaten there we've gotten sick. Twice off hamburgers and once off salads. We'll never go back!

"Do not mistake for conspiracy and intrigue what can best be explained by stupidity and incompetence." - Unknown

Oooh...

Submitted by Guglielmo on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 5:27pm.

The Flying Fish is nice. I'll say this about the Oyster House, on a hot summer day (if we ever have one), the deck is a nice place to sit in the evening.

..you're damned right.

Submitted by paisleyboxers on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 7:06pm.

The Flying Fish has a Specialty menu that involves food not going bad or needing to get sold (as in a whole mess of restaurants not needing to get mentioned).. and one of the persistent items are Crab Cakes, which have an -amazing- signature taste telling you that the Sou Chef was stuck making them in the first hour of the shift. Which means that the hint of lemon-grass and the fresh crab explode on your taste buds. One other restaurant has such compelling entry.. which is BoneFish.. also in Seattle.

Then of course you accidentally go ONCE (I accepted bad advice!!) to the Oyster House.... eeeeewwwww.

Blogging: If minds had anuses, blogging would be what your mind would do when it had to take a dump.

Wow, did I open up a can of oysters?

Submitted by Anonymously Larry on Fri, 08/24/2007 - 4:20am.

Mrs and I went there again last night. Fried seafood? Wouldn't eat the stuff regardless of where I went.

I had a prawn cocktail and some chowder, Mrs. had sauteed prawns. Worked for me.

Of course (and I laugh) I AM an old fart, although I haven't gotten to the chicken fried steak stage yet.

I don't expect Olympia to stand up to Seattle, although at times it does.

"There is only one race, the human race" - The Neville Brothers

Oly cuisine

Submitted by Sarah on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 1:24pm.

Try the reviews on Olympia cuisine: from scrumptious to noxious.

In my opinion Olyblog really

Submitted by oldtimeydave on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 1:52pm.

In my opinion Olyblog really should have it's own restaurant/bar review section.

Spokane used to have a really excellent food review blog/site called "Taste Everything Once".

It was a terrific review site but shut down when the owner of the site was incorporated into "Taste of the Town". No danger of that happening here on Olyblog though...

We can do that

Submitted by Sarah on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 1:55pm.

I know we have some restaurant reviews already up on OlyBlog, when I get a chance I or another docent can set up a collection site listed in the Books & Collections section.

Nice... I think that would

Submitted by oldtimeydave on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 2:01pm.

Nice... I think that would be great.

Dave White - "Old Timey Dave"
Oldtime Design & Beverage Blog

great idea

Submitted by oysterpreserve on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 3:26pm.

That would be fantastic

Ditto...

Submitted by paisleyboxers on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 7:32pm.

Working at an actual 'career job' means I can afford to eat out again! And since food is my greatest passion next to drinking, I would be happy to pour my budget into restaurant reviews in Olympia. Maybe even debate local recipes and challenge Olympia staples to match up to some real competition!!!

p.s. Clubside.. you are on serious thin ice... cheesesteaks have been skimpy and on dry buns.... don't think we don't notice that your hungover cookstaff aren't slipping your reputation up.

Blogging: If minds had anuses, blogging would be what your mind would do when it had to take a dump.

Oh yeah...

Submitted by oldtimeydave on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 1:42pm.

It is a dangerous thing to come here and ask us our opinions... It means you have to come back and tell us where you went, what you had, and how you liked it.

Boccata

Submitted by CIAGuy on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 2:11pm.

If you don't mind a bit of drive head south to Centralia and try Boccata. It's a mom and pop just up the street from the Olympic Club. The place is funky, the service friendly and attentive and the food is great and inexpensive. I bet if you called and told them about the occasion and the wine they would build an experience around it. Good luck.

Wherever you choose can you be persuaded to come back to this thread with a review?

Second that motion

Submitted by Sarah on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 2:30pm.

Yes, please give us a review, it would be much appreciated.

Boccata Goodness

Submitted by Grace Elizabeth on Sun, 08/26/2007 - 9:14am.

I couldn't agree more. I love Boccatas. It is by far my favorite restaurant in Washington. I have never ever had a bad experience there and I am slightly obsessed with their butternut squash cake. http://www.boccatadeli.com/

Sorrento Italian Restaurant

Submitted by artopening on Fri, 08/24/2007 - 6:21pm.

An experience indeed and the food is to die for!

I am feeling soo guilty...

Submitted by paisleyboxers on Fri, 08/24/2007 - 6:29pm.

I have never been...
Although.. I usually order the same traditional dish when I go to a new Italian place I haven't visited before, and that ends up being a strong decider for what I order my next visit.

What would you recommend? Do tell!!!!

Blogging community: WOW players, goths, bedwetters, and journalism dropouts.

It's worth it

Submitted by Guglielmo on Fri, 08/24/2007 - 6:28pm.

just for the Victor experience.

It's good but

Submitted by oysterpreserve on Fri, 08/24/2007 - 8:01pm.

Sorrento's was the first place I ate at in Oly, the food was very good, and Victor (i guess that was his name) is a great guy. The main problem I found was that we were there on New Years, the menu was read to us by said person, which I am not typically a fan of getting the menu read to me. I like to try new things but i really want to be able to compare items, I don't feel I can do that when something is read to me. The other thing was, and this may sound weird, but the portion was huge. Way to much food. I haven't been back since but would like to try it on a day that was not a holiday.

I Like Sorento's Too!

Submitted by JstPlnOnry on Sat, 08/25/2007 - 2:40pm.

The food was incredible but what really blew us away was the cost of the meal for 2! How anybody affords to eat dinner there is beyond me!

"Do not mistake for conspiracy and intrigue what can best be explained by stupidity and incompetence." - Unknown

Worth a try

Submitted by Tweet on Sat, 08/25/2007 - 8:39am.

Check the menu and wine list at Mercado. The atmosphere is tasteful and the food is always good. It may be what you are looking for in a special night out.

You're right about Mercado

Submitted by paisleyboxers on Sun, 08/26/2007 - 6:21pm.

It is the first time in Olympia I had not been disappointed by a plate of bolognese.

Something though .. has always left me feeling kind of cheated.. I can't really put my finger on it..

Blogging community: WOW players, goths, bedwetters, and journalism dropouts.

Oh my...

Submitted by Guglielmo on Sun, 08/26/2007 - 11:06pm.

You have lost all cred with that one. Mercado? Blech!

I'm remembering what i disliked...

Submitted by paisleyboxers on Tue, 08/28/2007 - 1:16pm.

It was the wait staff and bartenders hitting on each other rather than being attentive to my empty wine glass.

Blogging community: WOW players, goths, bedwetters, and journalism dropouts.

It's Mercato

Submitted by Tweet on Tue, 08/28/2007 - 9:29am.

Sorry about that!

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