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Hard Times? I Got Just The Place!
As most food blogs start… I went out the other night with some friends. We were all complaining about our lack of funds, but decided we still needed to get out and have a good dinner… DONE! We went to Hard Times Cafe and Cue in Fairfax. It was like walking into an old western movie (howdy partner!) with the huge bonus of plasma TV’s in every corner. From the moment we walked in you could tell this place was hip, relaxed, and happening… We knew we chose the right place. With all this rain and gloominess Virginia has been having, I decided a little chili in my stomach would be perfection, but with there vast amount of chili incorporated dishes and my inability to make quick decisions, I knew there was a challenge ahead of me. We promptly decided on their grilled wings which came highly recommended. Man, those bad boys did not disappoint. Each bite made my mouth salivate for them a little more. Too much information? I apologize.
They also had FOUR different types of chili, thankfully my lovely server brought me a sampler of them. Cinicinnati chili was the winner! Now what to put it on… a burger? nachos? cornbread? or just a bowl? No, No, No, and No. Though all viable options, I kept coming back to the tempting description of a dish they have deemed the “Chili Mac”. “What way would you like it?” asked my server. In a state of confusion, I glanced up at my waiter who then described that a 3-way is spaghetti, chili, and cheese. 4-way being spaghetti, chili, cheese, and onions. 5-way being all of the previously stated with some beans thrown in. Since beans can sometimes be a tricky dinner item, (tummy issues? no? okay.) I steered towards the 4-way option and was more than satisfied with the deliciousness that came before me.
After dinner, we decided to walk up the stairs to the sports bar area which seemed to be the place to be. Get there at the right time and you got yourself some $1 dollar domestic bottles! Also, their upstairs bar is lined with pool tables to test your luck. Need I say more? AND Apparently Hard Times is home of the $5 lunch? With my wallet feeling like the anti-Costanza version, I plan to go back guilt-free whenever my heart desires (which will probably be really soon). Dinner and entertainment? What more can a girl ask for?
Total Dinner (Food and Split App) with Adult Bevs= $15
4069 Chain Bridge Rd
Fairfax VA 22030
P: 703 267 9590
F: 703 267 9592
13 Coins… A Treasure From Sea(ttle)
13 Coins is a little pricey, but worth every dime! It has been an institution of downtown Seattle since 1967. The interesting ambiance has you residing in high back booths, swiveling captains chairs, and an exposition kitchen where you can chat with the chefs as they cook your meal. If you are so lucky to grab one of those captain chairs, you’ll never want to go. And are you prepared for this? 13 Coins is open 24 hours a day. Go for breakfast, lunch, dinner, happy hour, or even the new meal Taco Bell has created buzz about deemed “4th Meal” aka late, late night snack.
With pages of options (from Chicken Parmesan to Crabs Eggs Benedict), it is hard to not find something to enjoy on this menu. Having gotten into the city late, we were on a hunt for anything to appease our growling stomachs but what we came across was pure deliciousness. Since it was around midnight, we all had different ideas of what to get. We started with the Gorgonzola cheesecake, which was cream cheese, baked with roasted garlic, fresh basil, Gorgonzola and sun-dried tomatoes on a polenta crust and was served with Lahvosh crackers ($12.95). Yes, it is as good as it sounds. Two of my dining companions shared the bruschetta ($9.95), which has just the right amount of garlic and the baguette was the perfect amount of crispiness. I, myself, was in late night breakfast mode. I ordered the spinach omelette ($11.95), which was accompanied by a side of hash browns. Fresh spinach was what made this omelette fulfill its duty. It was a nicely portioned plate that tasted so good, a couple forks from various members of the table wandered over to grab a bite. The service was good, but it’s the ambience that draws in the crowd no matter what the time is.
Address: 125 Boren Avenue North, Seattle
Parking is Free.
www.13coins.com
