Posts Tagged ‘PrimeCard-No’
Thursday, April 16th, 2009
OGF: 4/5
A traditional American-Italian restaurant serving pizza by the slice, calzones, lasagna and pasta dishes off a reasonably priced lunch menu. As with most pizza by the slice, it’s better when it’s fresh, so try to judge by taking a look at the tray as you enter to see which pie looks the freshest.
Taste: 4/5 – Pretty much what you’d expect from a decent place of this kind. If you were looking for a classy dinner you might be disappointed, but as a lunch option it beats the chain options.
Price: 4/5 – The base prices of most dishes are reasonable, but adding a salad to anything but a pizza slice is a little more pricey than I’d like ($4 extra).
Quantity: Doggie bag – unless you get a single slice you’ll probably get more than you should eat (but maybe not more than you could…).
Wait Time: 15 minutes
Rotation: 2 days a week
% MSFT employees: About Half
Parking: Easy
Prime Card: No
Don’t Miss: The house special calzone with a small caesar salad to start.
Frankie’s Pizza & Pasta
16630 Redmond Way, Redmond, WA
http://maps.live.com/?v=2&ss=ypid.YN925x15775283&encType=1
Tags: msfties-50, OGF4, Parking-Easy, Price4, PrimeCard-No, Quantity-DoggieBag, Rotation2, Taste4, WaitTime-15
Posted in Italian, Pizza | No Comments »
Saturday, February 21st, 2009
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
Tags: OGF3, Parking-Easy, Price4, PrimeCard-No, Quantity-JustRight, Rotation0.25, Taste3, WaitTime-5
Posted in Japanese, Teriyaki | No Comments »
Saturday, February 21st, 2009
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
Tags: msfties-100, OGF4, Parking-Difficult, Price3, PrimeCard-No, Quantity-DoggieBag, Rotation1, Taste4, WaitTime-15
Posted in Asian, Thai | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009
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
Tags: msfties-25, OGF2, Parking-Difficult, Price3, PrimeCard-No, Quantity-JustRight, Rotation0, Taste2, WaitTime-5
Posted in Fast Food, Mexican | 1 Comment »
Monday, February 2nd, 2009
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
Tags: msfties-50, OGF4, Parking-Reasonable, Price4, PrimeCard-No, Quantity-JustRight, Rotation1, Taste4, WaitTime-15
Posted in Asian, Japanese, Sushi, Teriyaki | No Comments »
Saturday, January 31st, 2009
OGF: 4/5
With more and roomier seating, a wider selection of vegetarian dishes (along with all the meat dishes you’d expect) and far easier parking, we can heartily recommend Taj Palace over the slightly closer Mayuri to satisfy your Indian lunch buffet needs. The day we visited, there were all the standards (Tandoori and butter chicken, palak paneer etc) along with an additional set of 4-6 rotating dishes. The fruit, vegetable and desert selections are also worth a stop.
Taste: 4/5 – The dishes seemed slightly better prepared and of higher quality than Mayuri. Nothing amazing, but solid choices all around.
Price: 3/5 – Typical price for a buffet lunch in Bellevue of about $10.
Quantity: Just right – It’s an all you can eat buffet, so quantity is not an issue
Wait Time: 3 minutes – there was a short line for the buffet when we arrived, but nothing compared to Mayuri on a typical weekday.
Rotation: 1
% MSFT employees: 75% or more
Parking: Easy
Prime Card: No
Don’t Miss: Those balls floating in goo at the desert tray are actually honey and cardamom soaked donut holes. Delicious!
Taj Palace
2331 140th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA
http://maps.live.com/?v=2&ss=ypid.YN925x15733839&encType=1
Tags: msfties-75, OGF4, Parking-Easy, Price3, PrimeCard-No, Quantity-JustRight, Rotation1, Taste4, WaitTime-3
Posted in Indian | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009
OGF: 3/5
Probably a better choice for dinner; if MicroGrub weren’t specifically rating spots for lunch, we would have gone for a higher OGF. As it is, Celtic Bayou probably won’t make it into most people’s regular lunch rotation, despite its surprisingly complimentary mix of Irish, Cajun and burgers with a Pub atmosphere. Which is a shame since it’s one of Redmond’s more unique restaurants. If you’re a trivia fan, be sure to stop by Monday nights for some friendly competition.
Taste: 4/5 – It’s hard to find a dish here that’s a disappointment, with the possible exception of vegetarians, it should be easy for everyone in your group to find something they like whether it be a Cajun gumbo, an Irish stew or a surprisingly good burger.
Price: 3/5 – Nothing shocking, dishes usually clock in at just over $10.
Quantity: Just right – maybe even a little too much, but you most likely won’t be bringing home leftovers
Wait Time: 25 minutes – this really is the main issue preventing us from giving it a higher recommendation, CB is definitely more of a dinner and drinks place making it hard to be in and out for an hour lunch.
Rotation: 1 – there’s a decent variety, but more in terms of the spices used than the meat + starchy carbs theme
% MSFT employees: 75% or more
Parking: Easy
Prime Card: No
Don’t Miss: Adding some novelty hot sauce to your Jambalaya.
Celtic Bayou
7281 W Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE, Redmond, WA
http://maps.live.com/?v=2&sp=Point.rybdt74tp7jz_Celtic%20Bayou_7281%20W%20Lake%20Sammamish%20Pkwy%20NE%2C%20Redmond%2C%20WA___&encType=1
Tags: msfties-75, OGF3, Parking-Easy, Price3, PrimeCard-No, Quantity-JustRight, Rotation1, Taste4, WaitTime-25
Posted in Burgers, Cajun, Irish | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 27th, 2009
OGF: 4/5
Good Thai food at a fair price.
It’s easy to overlook the Thai Chef restaurant as it’s nestled in the Safeway / Office Depot strip mall at 140th Ave and Bel-Red Rd. But it’s still a pretty popular spot with the soft, inside is a sea of badges and glasses.
Taste: 3/5 – My cashew chicken was a bit too sweet, but cooked perfectly and very pleasing to the eye. Rated a 3 because it’s pretty generic Thai food, which isn’t a bad thing! Were it not for luminary Thai spots like Chantanee I could easily rate this place higher.
Price: 5/5 – Great lunch menu prices ($7 for an entree or $8.50 with salad/pad thai).
Quantity: Just right. But if you have a hearty appetite you should probably get the combination.
Wait Time: 5. This is a pretty big place and they serve the food up fast. I could only imagine getting the food faster by calling ahead or installing some sort of ESP device.
Rotation: 1. Could easily be your regular Thai lunch.
% MSFT employees: 75%
Parking: Easy
Prime Card: No
Don’t Miss: Super heavy chairs!
Thai Chef
1645 140th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98005-2320
http://maps.live.com/?v=2&where1=1645%20140th%20Ave%20NE%2C%20Bellevue%2C%20WA%2098005-2320&encType=1
Tags: msfties-75, OGF4, Parking-Easy, Price5, PrimeCard-No, Quantity-JustRight, Rotation1, Taste3, WaitTime-5
Posted in Asian, Thai | No Comments »
Monday, January 26th, 2009
OGF: 3/5
A local fast burger chain with decent food and good appetizers, but the burgers can’t compare to Wibbley’s. Don’t get us wrong, Kidd Valley’s still a class above national chains like Burger King, McDonald’s or Wendy’s. Service was friendly and fast, although not chain-fast, which is a good thing. However, when compared with all the excellent burger joints that can be found in the Seattle area, it can’t really stand with the Red Mills, Blue Moons and Wibbleys (although unless you head into Seattle, you’re not going to be able to hit up the Mill or the Moon for lunch).
Taste: 3/5 – A good selection of quality appetizers (we tried them all – the onion rings and sweet potato fries were our favorites). The burgers however were a bit uninspired, and even a bit cold when they arrived.
Price: 3/5 – In the $5-$10 range depending on how much you order. More expensive than McDonald’s, but cheaper than most sit-down places. About what you’d expect.
Quantity: Just right – menu items range in size from snack-sized mini-combos to double burgers, it should be easy to find a meal to fit your appetite.
Wait Time: 10 minutes – once we ordered, the food arrived quickly, just took a while to make our way to the front of the line with only one cash register open shortly after noon.
Rotation: 0.5
% MSFT employees: 75% or more
Parking: Difficult – a very small lot, but when we arrived, there was still one spot
Prime Card: No
Don’t Miss: The sweet potato fries and the indestructible, milk-shake-proof straws.
Kidd Valley
15259 Bel Red Rd, Bellevue, WA
http://maps.live.com/?v=2&ss=ypid.YN925x42158560&encType=1
Tags: msfties-75, OGF3, Parking-Difficult, Price3, PrimeCard-No, Quantity-JustRight, Rotation0.5, Taste3, WaitTime-10
Posted in Burgers, Fast Food | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
OGF: 4/5
Not exactly a hole in the wall – these jokers have 11 locations. If you like pho (fuh fuh fuh!) you’ve probably been to one of them. If not, go! They treat you to some puff pastries as an appetizer. This offends Andy because they are dessert. But you can just stare them down until you’ve polished off a hot steamy bowl of beefy goodness.
Taste: 5/5 – Pretty standard fare Pho, but the broth is just a bit better than the rest. Addictively so!
Price: 5/5 – For the amount of food you get, the prices are great. Pho is under $5.
Quantity: Just Right – I’ve never ordered more than a small and it’s plenty for my normalish appetite.
Wait Time: 10 minutes. Beware, if you can’t find a seat right away, you might be better off coming on another day. It can take a while for them to turn a table. Come early or come often.
Rotation: 1/5 – They specialize in Pho without much variety. Unless you are a pho-fanatic I can’t see going here several times a week.
% MSFT employees: 50%
Parking: Easy – usually not a problem aside from being on a busy street and some killer speedbumps.
Prime Card: No
Don’t Miss: Chili sauce in your Pho.
Than Brothers
1299 156th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98007
http://maps.live.com/?v=2&where1=1299%20156th%20Ave%20NE%2C%20Bellevue%2C%20WA%2098007-4599&encType=1
Tags: msfties-50, Overall4, Parking-Easy, Price5, PrimeCard-No, Quantity-JustRight, Rotation1, Taste5, WaitTime-10
Posted in Asian, Pho, Vietnamese | 1 Comment »
OGF: 4/5
