Anyone know if the Baconesque popcorn has been discontinued? I haven't seen any in ages, and I'm always in too much of a hurry to stop by the main desk and ask (individual cashiers haven't known the answer).

Thanks!

D'oh! But thanks!

Yeah...a year or two I bought the pumpkin spiced pumpkin seeds and was enjoying them until I spotted a flower-shaped plastic bead in amongst them. Which...WHAT?! I immediately thought "well, if THAT'S in there, who knows what else might be?" Instant turn-off.

Should've taken 'em back but kept forgetting to; ended up just throwing them away. :(

Has anyone tried the "Steamed Mussels in White Wine Sauce"? I'm tempted, but I thought the steamer clams were really disappointing and I don't want a repeat of that experience.

Hate the new layout. HAAAAAATE. This isn't just a matter of "oooh, change is scary!" It's hard to find the things I want. It's hard to tell what I've read and what I haven't. It's so NOT user friendly.
I'm not saying I'm swearing off Chowhoud forever, but I'll definitely be spending less time here and definitely WON'T be recommending it to anyone.

BIG yes to Columbia City Bakery -- I've loved pretty much everything I've had there, both sweet and savory. Am especially a fan of the savory scones at breakfast.

And YES to Full Tilt Ice Cream -- salted caramel is really lovely and hard to resist but other flavors are good too.

Columbia City Farmers' Market is on Wednesdays through Oct. 14.

Lunch at Noble Eatery (if you're here on a weekday) or Welcome Chicken + Donuts.

Dinner at Crudo.

A visit to the Musical Instrument Museum.

W & C is definitely worth it.

I haven't been myself but have heard raves about Sutra from friends. If you're looking for "nice" that's probably one of your best options.

Cafe Flora isn't as spendy and I've had some very tasty, satisfying things there. And I'll second the vegetable thali at Poppy recommendation.

Ha, see, I thought it was too sweet and not gingery enough. Drank the 4 pack I'd bought but definitely won't purchase again.

The new ginger beer is a NAY for me. Too sweet, barely gingery, and there's a weird, slightly medicinal taste to it. I'd much rather have the seasonal "triple ginger brew" they have in the winter (I'm still baffled as to why it's seasonal but I have to assume it's a supplier thing...?).

I've tried it straight, with gin, and with whiskey, all of which are ways I would normally drink ginger beer, none of which work with this one.

Just remember the rhyme that they should teach all Seattlites -- "the #8 is always late." Other than that, it has served me well for getting on/off the Hill (to South Lake Union & Queen Anne as well as to Columbia City).

Yeah, a meh from me too. They're fine but don't have a lot of flavor.

On the other hand I really like the cookie butter sandwich cookies. I find those a little dangerous.

Honestly...Mexican food is not really what Seattle does best (or even particularly well, generally speaking). I don't think I'd waste a meal on Seattle Mexican if it were me (I'll admit to not having tried several of these places, though. Plus, having spent most of my life in Texas and Arizona, I might have different standards than many. :) )

Yep, chocolate masa. They are made by the Tucson Tamale Company so I'm not surprised they're just West Coast.

Here's the description from TTC's site: "Milk Chocolate Chips and Sweet Red Cherries in Cocoa Masa" (and they're called "St. Valentine" so I'm guessing they won't be around for long at TJ's).

Yeah, chocolate masa and sweet cherries and the ingredients say "chocolate chips" -- I can detect a little melty chocolate in there but it all kind of blends together. I've been too lazy to bother with whipped cream but it'd definitely be a nice touch.

I asked at my TJ's (Phoenix, AZ -- Camelback) about the Sky Valley heirlooms and was told "they're only shipping them to California but not to Arizona." It sounds like you're getting them in other parts of the country though. If anyone sees them in the Phoenix area, report please!

Once upon a time their breakfast sandwiches were really great. But then they changed the bread, and did some other things, and they went from terrific to meh.

You could do worse, but yeah, not deserving of a "woohoo!" unfortunately.

After all those raves about the hand creams here I nabbed some this year but I don't love them. They work ok but the smell is too strong and perfume-y for me (and my co-workers, smelling me from across the room, agree).

The Ginger Brew is back?! Hooray! Still don't understand why it's "seasonal" because it would be lovely in the summer but WHATEVER Trader Joe's.

Once upon a time, Trader Joe's roasted vegetable pizza WAS Amy's (assuming this is the one with no cheese?). Maybe that has changed and they're making their own now (I haven't had it in ages so can't say).

I'll second that "yay" for the scalloped potatoes.

The bacon cheddar dip is weirdly good with the snap pea crisps.

Not exactly a restaurant but: Rachel's Ginger Beer
http://rachelsgingerbeer.com/

One of the finest products coming out of Seattle or anywhere. Great alone or in a cocktail, lots of seasonal flavors.

Walrus and the Carpenter
http://thewalrusbar.com/menu/

Simple preparations let the fresh, high-quality ingredients shine.

SO SAD. SO SO SO SAD.