Tigertown
What: Wild Mushroom Potstickers ($7), Chinese Braised Pork Belly ($10), Sake Steamed Clams ($8)
Where: Tigertail Bar & Restaurant (704 NW 65th St., 781-TAIL, www.tigertailbar.com)
When: 7pm Weds
I still get funny looks when I try and describe the Wallingford neighborhood - home to The Luau, Leny's, Zoka and a slew of other businesses. When the hell did they rename it Tangletown?! I don't even like saying the word Tangletown. It's corny.
It won't be long before someone comes up with a catchy name of the Ballard/Phinney neighborhood on NW 65th (between 3rd and 8th) that seems to be transforming itself overnight. Now home to The Tin Hat, The Reading Gael, The Sneakery, and Bambino Coffee, a new bar/restaurant called Tigertail has dug in its paws. Tigertail has a great ambiance and style of its own. One feature not to overlook is that the bar and tables are made out of Kirei Sorghum Plywood which, like bamboo, is a green alternative to wood.
My buddies and I sat down and were overwhelmed at the menu selection of 16 different types of sake. We all ordered the Hatsumago Sake ($12 decanter) that was served in a decanter submerged in a glass filled with hot water. Besides a great sake selection, Tigertail has an extensive beer list and "specialty drinks". The "Saigon 66" combines house made lemon grass simple syrup, gin and champagne. How about a "Pacific Rim Job" - a margarita made with fresh ginger?
A small chalkboard next to the kitchen window listed the evening's food specials. The small plates coming out of the kitchen were only a tease for what was to come. We snatched up the last two plates of wild mushroom pot stickers (shaped more like large tortellini) were boiled then pan fried to perfection. A bowl of sake steamed clams swimming in a sweet pineapple broth with honey crisp toast for dipping was delicious. I couldn't wait to cut into the thick hunk of Chinese braised pork belly. The pork was moist and fell apart with the cut of my fork. Sliced fingerling potatoes, brussel sprouts and carrots soaked up the juices of the pork belly. I was told by one of the owners that a full menu would be available on Sunday with rotating nightly specials. Tigertail - "They're Great!"
11 comment(s)
Seely says:
The official name for that neighborhood is Phallard Gulch.
Posted On: Thursday, Dec. 6 2007 @ 2:05PM
riggins says:
like everything but the name
Posted On: Thursday, Dec. 6 2007 @ 2:15PM
Halley says:
Wow I think Pacific Rim Job has to be the least-appetizing name for a cocktail I\'ve ever read.
Posted On: Thursday, Dec. 6 2007 @ 3:03PM
frank new says:
Well Brad, you have got me drooling again. Thanks for the tip. I will be sure to get a heeping helping of all that good stuff there in Tangletown.
Posted On: Thursday, Dec. 6 2007 @ 6:17PM
RW says:
But there killer margaritas though, Halley
Posted On: Thursday, Dec. 6 2007 @ 7:56PM
Lara says:
I\'ve heard the area being called \"east ballard\" by some, but Phallard Gulch sounds more appropriate. Looks tasty
Posted On: Thursday, Dec. 6 2007 @ 10:10PM
SJ says:
Decor was great, but that\'s was all. Bad service, and food was lacking to say the least. Not worth the drive or even the walk.
Posted On: Thursday, Dec. 6 2007 @ 10:14PM
SJ says:
Decor was great, but that\'s was all. Bad service, and food was lacking to say the least. Not worth the drive or even the walk.
Posted On: Thursday, Dec. 6 2007 @ 10:18PM
Heather says:
Appealing from the outside, but that\'s about it. Some of the lamest service and blandest food I have tasted in a long time. Nice try but you will have better luck passing this place by.
Posted On: Thursday, Dec. 6 2007 @ 10:40PM
robert c. says:
the neighborhood in which Luau, Eve, and Tangletown are in should be called Latona.
Posted On: Friday, Dec. 7 2007 @ 5:02PM
Charo Jones says:
The Tigertail neighborhood used to be caled \"West Woodland\" (the old theater up the street was the West Woodland Theater)
Posted On: Friday, Mar. 7 2008 @ 12:00PM