The Mark: Olympia

Do you crave for Italian, Spanish, Basque Influenced Rustic Cuisine? Then the next time you are in Olympia check out The Mark. I dont even know how to describe what this food was about because it was perfectly simple, yet very flavorful and delicious. The simplicity of the dishes and the use of fresh, organic ingredients fired on their apple wood grill created a tasty dining experience. The space itself is also worth talking about because the wood interior was beautiful and rich. I felt like I was in a upscale wood paneled basement from the midwest.

I was in Oly to check out a tour date that some friends had in our states capital. I use to live in Olympic circa 97-99-and I am pretty sure I only went back one time since I packed up and moved to the 206. I really don't remember much about the restaurants back then because I was a student and I rarely went out to dinner. Anyway, this is a friend of a friends restaurant who was also on the party train down south--we arranged to have dinner prior to the show just to give you some context on how we made it to The Mark. Her friend was out of town but had arranged for us to get seated which we did and started in on the drink menu.

Drinking out of Seattle is a nice treat when well drinks set you back a cool 3 bucks all the time. We went with cuba libre. Hell yeah. rum and coke plus lime...very fancy.


I was really interested in trying a few things so we decided to share a starter salad. This salad was made up of mixed greens and a light vinegar/oil dressing topped with some breaded and toasted goat cheese. The fresh grilled bread was a nice addition to the salad. This salad was my first taste on how the rest of the items would be delivered simple yet full of flavor. When the salad was put down on the table you immediately smell the wood grill. I was very excited to get down on the cheese too.

We decided to share two entrees. The first being the italian turkey sausage and roasted potatoes with rosemary and garlic. The dish tasted very fresh, but the sausage was way too dry. Again, I was really enjoyed the simpleness of the plates because it truly allows you to taste the main elements not covering them up with sauces or salt.

We also shared the butternut squash ravioli. The pasta was perfectly cooked and filled with a very sweet squash topped with two big slices of butter. You really cant go wrong with butter and pasta. The fresh cheese our server added was also the missing salt element the dish needed.


We talked about dessert but at this point the richness of the food and the sugar from our drinks was starting to set in. While we were waiting for our bill we received a small plate of apple slices which ended up being exactly what we needed. How did they know??? The apple was crisp and refreshing...exactly what we needed before going to the bar down the street for some more drinks and music.


Menu is all fresh prepared in the moment. Menu contains vegetarian friendly food as well as items for wheat intolerant folks. Plates run $6-$24. Other things on the menu included a wide range of pasta dishes, steak, salmon, chicken and veggies. The cocktail menu is large and offers wine and standard as well as creative drinks.

I want to go back to this spot again and spend more time at the venue and meet the owner. The Mark is also a gallery space which features a rotating array of local and regional artwork...might be fun to go to an upcoming event--maybe I will go back down there sooner than 10yrs.

The Mark
407 SW Columbia
Olympia
Reservations Recommended. 360-754-4414
Open Thur-Sat 5pm-2am (Dinner until 10pm)
Private Hire Mon-Wed (oh boy!)

Happy Holidays: Ten Mercer

Wow, its been a minute. Lots of holiday things happening! Earlier this month I had a night out with my mom. She took me to see the Nutcracker and then out for a late meal at Ten Mercer.I had a great time at the ballet. I have been going to see this show since I was a little kid. I remember one of the first times we went to see this show in Milwaukee. I was completely mezmerized by the stage and this old theatre. Now, I will tell you that I have only ever been to one ballet and that is the Nutcracker.I know for a fact I am not going to be impressed by the dancing, I just love chillin with my mom. I guess I have a holiday tradition after all...

So back to the food. Well my mom and step dad live in the neighborhood and they are regulars at this spot. I have been here a few times and have always had pretty solid food. Nothing I would tell you that you are missing but definitely a place you can try.

I had the Washington Chicken. The "rosemary garlic fingerling's" were quite tasty and the garlic crust was bomb. This was a great piece of chicken and was cooked perfectly. It was so juicy, flavorful and very savory. The portion was enough for me to take home and enjoy the next day.


So yeah, I mentioned my mom and step dad are regulars...well it just also happened to be the last night for one of their favorite bartenders. We all toasted him and celebrated with some mighty fine champagne.

And also some jager.

yikes. I worked the next day.

Ten Mercer
10 Mercer Street
Seattle, WA 98109

That Time of Year

So, I have been going out to eat at lots of random places for a week or so and have been quite underwhelmed. I am looking for some new places to check out...here is your opportunity to let me know some places you have gone to lately and some suggestions on what to eat. Comment and tell me whats up.

In the meantime...

I went to the Matador in Ballard for a quick bite with a few friends and tried the fish tacos. I'd post a pic but the lighting was so dim the pic turned out a straight blur. The tacos were pretty good, nothing to write home about but very edible. I thought the fish, which was tuna, was cooked well and had a nice flavor because of the fresh pico on the side. I did not eat the rice and black beans because they were cold...and to be honest I rarely eat the rice and beans when it comes to plated mexican food. Back when I was a cook, every time I went to get my food handlers card updated we took a class that stressed the importance of temperature when it comes to keeping bacteria out of rice and beans. For some reason I always think about that instructor when I get a plate with rice and beans on it. My friend k. had enchiladas which she can tell you all about...because she is an avid reader. Our girl r. got down on this bbq chicken sandwich, that looked pretty good mainly because it looked like the chicken was shredded and covered in thick sauce. k. and r. also shared some dessert which I believe was coconut flan...nice.

Few things to keep in mind with the Matador in Ballard. One bartender who works there is a dick. The kind of bartender who doesn't listen to you when you are ordering but lets you order and then says, "you got id"? Whatever dude, don't hate on me because we are the same age but you look like your 40. Perhaps he would look more like 30 if he spent a little more time putting on spf than laying in the tanning booth. The Matador has also been voted a good singles scene and that is very evident. Mainly because of the lurkers standing by the fire pit or the cool guys doing shots at the bar next to the animal skulls. They also put too much ice in their expensive drinks, which is not a good look. Its a great place to people watch...but I would recommend checking out the happy hour rather than the dinner menu. At least you get a good price on the comedy.

2221 NW Market St
Seattle, WA 98107

Hours: Mon-Fri 4pm-2am , Sat-Sun 11am-2am

The Matador also has a location in West Seattle and in Tacoma.

AND THE WEEKEND'S WINNER IS...

Between Friday morning and Sunday evening, I ate and/or drank at 10 different spots; Martin's, 611, Julia's, Il Bistro, Purr, Manray, Broadway Grill, Bleu Bistro, Paramount Club and Mexico. Can you guess which was my favorite? Il Bistro.

I love that place. This time I only had appetizers. We had crostini w/ goat cheese, roasted garlic and basil, an antipasti plate and the calamari. Il Bistro has one of the best calamaris in town, not your garden varietal deep fried squid rings, but really good sauteed calamari in a broth that is super--especially for dipping the bread they serve with the appetizers. I had a beer followed by a margarita (trying to cure the old age hangover White Pepper mentioned earlier). I'd never had a margarita there, but I could tell he was the type of bartender could be trusted. I was right.

I also recommend their full dinner. It is not cheap but if your going out for a nice meal it's well worth it. Ambiance also gets two thumbs up, it is in the market but doesn't have any hint of a tourist vibe.

P.S. They serve food until midnight on weekdays and until 1am on Friday and Saturday.