November 2011

The Backdoor at Roxy’s

The Backdoor at Roxy’s

On a street lined with watering holes, this sexy little speakeasy nestled behind Roxy’s Diner in Fre

THE VIBE: The room’s feel is theatrical, yet intimate. The high wooden ceilings are decked with antique chandeliers and window frames suspended in midair. The VIP room is donned with floor-to-ceiling red velvet curtains. Great for dates, a casual cocktail or even a bros’ night out (all-you-can-eat ribs on Sundays, $18.95), it’s a revolving door…

Where to Find Spicy Chili

Where to Find Spicy Chili

As winter approaches, duck inside these cozy spots to warm up with a hearty bowl of chili.

MAGGIE BLUFFS MARINA GRILL The only thing better than the view of Elliott Bay here may be the prime rib chili, made with high-quality prime rib, then layered with sour cream and cheddar cheese. $5.59/cup, $6.99/bowl. Magnolia, 2601 W Marina Place; 206.283.8322; maggiebluffs.com SLIM’S LAST CHANCE CHILI SHACK & WATERING HOLE This 21-and-older hotspot serves…

Rose Hips: A Cure For What Ails You

Rose Hips: A Cure For What Ails You

The master forager fights the common cold with help from nature's Emergen-C.

My first priority as a forager is to enjoy the fresh air. Second is a good meal. Third—and not a distant third, mind you—is the inherent health benefits of wild foods. Nature will take care of us if we let her. A walk along Lake Union in November can satisfy all three. True, my preference…

Molly's Salads

Molly’s Salads

Making it easy to enjoy healthy food for lunch.

“A salad a day keeps the doctor away” is the philosophy at Molly’s Salads, a local artisan salad and sandwich eatery that packs a rainbow of veggies, herbs and protein into its flavorful to-go lunches. Owner Stefan Kalb became ill after quitting his global business development job in 2008. Enter trusty friend, Molly Ayre-Svingen, who…

Egan Orion, Flash Mob King

Egan Orion, Flash Mob King

The master crowd wrangler explains why his flash mobs have staying power.

At age 10, he was reciting Shakespeare on the stage of a community theater, and ever since, Egan Orion (shown in bullseye tee) has been commanding attention. With a background in theater and extensive experience producing mondo-scale parties (hello, Seattle PrideFest!), the 40-year-old Central District resident has become the name in the Seattle flash mob…

The iPad Joystick

The iPad Joystick

Local gaming company Discovery Bay Games bridges new and old-school gaming.

It’s a nerdy dilemma: Stay true to old-school video games or follow your fever for high-tech gaming gadgets? Pioneer Square–based company Discovery Bay Games (discoverybaygames.com) feels your pain, and in response, has invented a device representing the best of both worlds. Building on the massive success of Atari’s “Greatest Hits” app (100 classic games for…

Embracing a Silly Internet Trend, Seattle-style

Embracing a Silly Internet Trend, Seattle-style

"Owling", "Needling" and something we completely made up.

We love it when Internet trends encourage people to desert their computers, head out into the city and do something—even if that something is pretty inane. Last summer, “planking” (getting your photo taken while lying stiffly face down in public places) became an online sensation and led to a wave of imitator trends. For example,…

Two Reasons to Go to Puyallup

Two Reasons to Go to Puyallup

Fun ideas for taking a road trip down south.

WHERE: Western Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup, Washington. WHY: For the 31st annual Northwest Wood Carvers Association show and sale (11/12–11/13; $7, kids younger than 12 free), where carvers display some 300 original woodcarvings, many in the Northwest Native American tradition. Visitors can take part in woodcarving demos, and, of course, in buying original works of…

Anyone Can Be a 'Beardo'

Anyone Can Be a ‘Beardo’

Behold: bearded knit caps from three local crafters.

The beard is back, and it’s not just for men anymore. The lumberjack’s trademark style has been heartily embraced by Northwest indie rockers and trendsters—and now even the follicularly challenged can jump on the burly bandwagon. Behold: bearded beanies. Local Etsy artisans are crafting face-embracing knit caps that keep you warm while upping your style…

Climb a Mountain Without Breaking a Sweat

Climb a Mountain Without Breaking a Sweat

Take the new gondola at Crystal Mountain Ski Resort.

Ski bunnies and snowboarders, prepare to be totally stoked: This month marks the opening of Crystal Mountain Ski Resort, where the new Mt. Rainier gondola awaits. Built at a cost of $8 million and open since January, it’s the first such high-wire act at any ski resort in Washington—and by all accounts, it provides unbelievably…

3 Books By Local Cooks

3 Books By Local Cooks

These cooking experts aren't afraid to share their secret recipes.

So much for secret recipes. Seattle cooks are letting it all hang out with new books detailing how to concoct treats as tasty as their own. (In the process they reveal a common love of lengthy subtitles.) The Kitchen Counter Cooking School: How a Few Simple Lessons Transformed Nine Culinary Novices into Fearless Home Cooks…

Art Feinglass and Seattle's New Jewish Theater Company

Art Feinglass and Seattle’s New Jewish Theater Company

The founder and creative director explains what inspired him to launch this new troupe in April 2011

BD: Why did you start the Seattle Jewish Theater Company? AF: I felt the need to create something personally meaningful and significant. Being Jewish is important to me. While I’m not religious, I do very much appreciate the rich Jewish cultural heritage, especially in theater. I would like to introduce the great plays—provocative dramas, warm…