Archive for February, 2009

I (L) Teriyaki

Saturday, February 21st, 2009

I-Heart-Teriyaki-exterior2 OGF: 3/5

A small family run Teriyaki place – aren’t they all – just around the corner from Wibley’s. Nothing about this place screams out awesome or shocks you. It’s an average Teriyaki place serving the meals you would expect at reasonable prices. For those of you not familiar with Teriyaki joints you can expect Chicken/Beef/Whatever Teriyaki, Katsu (breaded and deep fried meat), Tempura (battered and deep fried), yakisoba (a stir fried noodle dish) with rice and a side of vegetables or salad.

Taste:  3/5 – Nothing special just you’re average Teriyaki joint.

Price: 4/5 – It’s a fair price around $7 a meal.

Quantity: Just Right – There won’t be food left over for doggy bags but you won’t leave hungry.

Wait Time: 5 minutes – Straight in, the place isn’t as busy as Sapporo’s so you should get a seat pretty easy.

Rotation: 0.25 – There is quite a few Teriyaki places around and ones that feel just a bit better

% MSFT employees: 50%

Parking: Easy – You won’t have trouble finding spaces nearby.

Prime Card: No.

Don’t Miss: Help yourself to soup free with every meal.

I <3 Teriyaki
2255 140th Ave NE Bellevue, WA 98005

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=47.634902~-122.140975&style=r&lvl=15&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=37552880&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&sp=Point.ry4gfc4tm90b_I%20(L)%20Teriyaki____&encType=1

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Posted in Japanese, Teriyaki | No Comments »

ZenYai Noodle House

Saturday, February 21st, 2009

ZenYai-exterior

OGF: 4/5
One of the more interesting of the abundant Asian pseudo-ethnic restaurants surrounding the Microsoft campus, ZenYai serves primarily Thai dishes of widely varying quality.  Sometimes excitingly named, it’s worth going in with a recommendation or spying on your neighbors dishes before making a decision as while the “Hot Mamma Noodles” (usually on special) are delicious, dishes like “Noodle Explosion” are decidedley “meh”.  Despite the name, there are also a large variety of non-noodle dishes.

Taste: 4/5 – While we’ve had our share of bland dishes here (avoid the Ramen and the  aforementioned Noodle Explosion), they have a number of delicious and highly satisfying options such as the “Angry Curry Noodles”, “Hot Mamma Noodles” and “Crispy Garlic Chicken”.  It’s also hard to go wrong with Thai staples such as Pad Thai and Panang Curry.

Price: 3/5 – What you’d expect, roughly $8-10 a meal.

Quantity: Doggie bag – always more than you can eat.

Wait Time: 15 minutes on a normal day, but this place can get busy!

Rotation: 1

% MSFT employees: close to 100

Parking: Difficult – in the frustrating Mayuri/Trader Joe’s/Can-Am complex

Prime Card: No

Don’t Miss: The Hot Mamma Noodles when they’re on the special’s bored at the front if you like spicy food, or, if you’re feeling unadventurous, the Crispy Garlic Chicken is a decidedly unhealthy yet scrumptious option.  Also, unlike the entrees, their appetizers are universally acceptable.

ZenYai Noodle House

15400 NE 20th St, Bellevue, WA
http://maps.live.com/?v=2&ss=ypid.YN925x15738201&encType=1

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Posted in Asian, Thai | No Comments »

Black Bear Diner

Saturday, February 21st, 2009

Black-Bear-Diner-exterior

OGF: 3/5
Upon entering Black Bear Diner, you may feel as though you’ve been transported out of the software developer cultural epicenter that is Redmond and straight into small town American West.  A chain started in Mt Shasta, California, the Redmond location certainly exudes the National Park family restaurant vibe.  Surprisingly given its proximity, it doesn’t seem to be frequented by many Microsoft employees, but rather a selection of the plaid button down shirt types.

Taste: 3/5 – Typical American restaurant food with burgers, sandwiches, salads and breakfast served all day.  Many of the entrees have a California twist, often by incorporating avocado in some way.  Most of us opted for the breakfast options and were not disappointed.

Price: 4/5 – Undiscounted prices are what you’d expect, however recently they’ve started offering a generous 20% prime card discount.

Quantity: Doggie bag

Wait Time: 20 minutes

Rotation: 1

% MSFT employees: 25% or less

Parking: Easy

Prime Card: 20% off

Don’t Miss: The “hobo” omelet with it’s huge accompanying biscuit

Black Bear Diner

14804 NE 24th St, Redmond, WA
http://maps.live.com/?v=2&ss=ypid.YN925x151462429&encType=1

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Posted in American, Family | No Comments »

Taco Time

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

Taco-Time-Exterior

OGF: 2/5
A North West fast food chain which purports serving what can be called "tacos" only in the loosest, technical sense.  Serving "Mexi-fries" (tater tots) and "crisp burritos" (deep fried tortilla wrapped meat), even Taco Bell beats them in taste and authenticity.  The best you can say about this place is that the lettuce shreds are green and fresh.  Why on earth you’d go here when delicious and cheap options like the taco truck on 24th and 148th abound is beyond me.

Taste: 2/5 – Somehow, they managed to take what looks like a burrito and make it blander than your Minnesotan mother’s tuna noodle casserole.

Price: 3/5 – Not particularly cheap for a fast food joint, and definitely not worth it.

Quantity: Just right

Wait Time: 5 minutes

Rotation: 0

% MSFT employees: 25% or less

Parking: Difficult

Prime Card: No

Don’t Miss: The exit, and if you’re brave enough to actually eat your order, make sure you locate the bathroom.

Taco Time

2001 156th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA
http://maps.live.com/?v=2&ss=ypid.YN925x15737578&encType=1

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Posted in Fast Food, Mexican | 1 Comment »

KoBe – Sushi Sake Robata

Monday, February 2nd, 2009

KoBe-exterior

OGF: 4/5
A Classy Japanese restaurant with more elbow room and variety than Bento Box, KoBe is located in the plaza just south of Fred Meyer’s.  Recently opened, KoBe was surprisingly empty for a restaurant of its quality, low price and speed.

Taste: 4/5 – It’s hard to find a bad dish.  Whether you’re craving soba noodles, sushi, teriyaki or katsu, you’ll be sure to find something you like .

Price: 4/5 – Surprisingly low prices despite giving off a higher end vibe; you can find many lunch dishes for $9.

Quantity: Just right

Wait Time: 15 minutes

Rotation: 1

% MSFT employees: About half

Parking: Reasonable

Prime Card: No

Don’t Miss: The donburi was quite good, but really, you can’t go wrong with any of their dishes.

KoBe

14603 NE 20th St, Bellevue, WA 98007-3750
http://maps.live.com/?v=2&where1=14603%20NE%2020th%20St%2C%20Bellevue%2C%20WA%2098007-3750&encType=1

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Posted in Asian, Japanese, Sushi, Teriyaki | No Comments »