Posts Tagged ‘WaitTime-15’

Frankie’s Pizza and Pasta

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

Frankie's-exterior 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: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Italian, Pizza | 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

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Asian, Thai | No Comments »

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

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

Ooba’s Mexican Grill

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

Ooba's-Exterior

OGF: 5/5
Cafe style Mexican behind the Redmond Way QFC.  Neither taking pains to be authentic, nor the typical Americanized mess of refried beans and cheese, Ooba’s is some of the best Mexican food in the Puget Sound.  The highlight of the menu is their deliciously marinated grilled meats, so we recommend passing on the burritos for an option that highlights the eponymous grill like a quesadilla or one of the excellent daily specials.

Taste: 5/5 – You might find Mexican to match if you sniff out an excellent taco truck or take the trek out to Ballard, but you won’t find a more delicious piece of grilled meat.

Price: 3/5 – Prices are reasonable, but expect to pay about $10 for a main which while high for a cafe, is well worth it for the food.

Quantity: Just right

Wait Time: 15 minutes, but you may want to come a little early to avoid long lines

Rotation: 2

% MSFT employees: About half

Parking: Reasonable – street parking only, but usually not a problem

Prime Card: No

Don’t Miss: Chuletas (rotating special) or a dinner-style quesadilla (adds sour cream and guacamole)

View Ooba's Mexican Grill
View Full Album

Ooba’s Mexican Grill

15802 NE 83rd St, Redmond, WA 98052
http://maps.live.com/?v=2&sp=Point.rych4b4tp6ws_Ooba’s%20Mex%20Grill_15802%20NE%2083rd%20St%2C%20Redmond%2C%20WA%2098052___&encType=1

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Mexican | 1 Comment »