Gaba Sushi (now closed)

Gaba Sushi

4507 University Way NE

Seattle, WA  98105

(206) 556-8961

 Gaba Sushi Website

I love sushi - and I'm a vegetarian.  So I am happy to say that Gaba Sushi has more than once fulfilled my need for great sushi of the non-meat, non-fish genre.  For those of you who partake of the flesh, Gaba Sushi can fulfill your desires too.  Now, one word of caution, Gaba Sushi is very fresh, very flavorful, but not perfectly traditional; they use brown sushi rice.  It holds together nicely, but it does have the nutty, chewy consistency of brown rice, which I love, so I'm good with it, in fact, I think of it as an added bonus, but you may be looking for white sushi rice.  Just saying.

The photo above is called the Fifty 50 and consists of an edamame hummus and tofu roll topped with avocado, mayo, pico, cilantro, and drizzled with mango sauce.  Be still my heart.

Here is the ever-popular salmon bowl.  I went with a group of colleagues and fully half ordered this and ate every last flake.  Beautiful and guilt free.

Pretty, no?

So give it a try.  It's on my go-to list when I need something quick and tremendously satisfying.  Oh, if you eat in the seats by the window, you'll get a discount.  Just ask.

Postscript:  Gaba Sushi on University Way is currently closed.

Ruzhen Mongolian Grill

Ruzhen Mongolian Grill

4523 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105

(206) 632-3933

Ruzhen Mongolian Grill Facebook Page

I've been to one other Mongolian grill in my entire life.  I was not really looking forward to this visit.  The exterior of this place did not lend itself to revealing what lie within.  So I enlisted a couple of my colleagues from work and ventured forth.  Ruzhen Mongolian Grill is housed in what was once a McDonald's.  The windows are dark.  From the sidewalk, it is difficult to know what you are getting yourself into.  I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised.

The first hurdle for new visitors is understanding the pricing structure.  The man at the cash register did a good job explaining that all-you-can-eat can be had for $8.95.  There is a slightly lower price for a one time weight-limited option.  Both options come with limitless rice and a variety of condiments which are not included in the weight.  Beverages are priced separately.

The second hurdle is mastering how best to organize and design your meal.  There is a large choice of ingredients available including a wide variety of vegetables, mushrooms, tofu, beans, and meat.  There are also flavored oils and other seasonings that can be added before your ingredients are cooked.

Once you have chosen all of your ingredients (if you are going for the weight-limited option, have them weighed at this point), proceed to the large grill where several competent cooks oversee the grilling of your meal, keeping each plateful separate, and making sure that certain ingredients, such as meat, are cooked thoroughly.  This is all open to view and adds a bit of entertainment to your visit.

 Once cooked,  your ingredients are returned to your plate.  You can then add a variety of sauces and condiments, all the rice you can eat, and head to your table.

I don't think that the seating has not changed much from the McDonald's days, although I am not certain of that.  The seating is ample and relaxed.  The ambient temperature was neither too hot nor too cold.  I did not visit the restroom facilities, so cannot comment on that.

Overall, the visit was much more successful than I had anticipated. I was able to enjoy a plentiful, fresh, and flavorful meal at a modest cost in a restful environment.  If you haven't tried Ruzhen Mongolian Grill, give it a try.  You too may be surprised.

U:Don Fresh Japanese Noodle Station

U:Don Fresh Japanese Noodle Station

4515 University Way NE

Seattle, WA  98015

http://freshudon.com 

(206) 453-3788

U:Don Fresh Japanese Noodle Station is pretty terrific.  It can take a few visits to truly find the very best item for your tastes, but it's worth the effort.  First off, they make your noodles right there in front of your eyes.  Secondly, the menu tries to simplify the ordering process.  It's illustrated and fairly clearly explained on several large menu boards before you reach the place where your order is taken.  One note of caution:  It can be a bit noisy around the kitchen area and the names of some of the items can sound very similar, so make sure that the person taking your order gets it right.

The order line is something like a cafeteria set-up:  take your place in line, pick up a tray, and other dishes, place your order with the person who will be preparing it, add a few extra item such as tempura, pay at the end.  Pick up drinks at the soda dispenser/tea dispenser.

Noodle dough

Waiting in line; anticipating the divine.

The divine:  noodles, veggie soup, tofu, seaweed, ginger, tempura flakes, red pepper oil, yum.

Small soup with red pepper oil, tax, $7.15.  Oh, yeah.  I'll be back.

Tea Republik

Tea Republik

4527 University Way NE

Seattle, WA  98105

206-745-2310

Tea Republik Website

I wouldn't recommend Tea Republik for lunch.  Apparently they have a few lunch-type items, but they are hidden from view and extremely limited.  I visited twice over the summer.  On my first visit, the counter person was extremely nice.  I would just like to stop for a moment and mention that Tea Republik is not your typical bubble tea establishment.  In fact, I'm not sure that they even have bubble tea.  The decor is tasteful and calming.  It would be a nice place to go to just chat with friends in a comfortable environment or sit by yourself and contemplate life.  They have free wifi, but I didn't try it.  I think they have air-conditioning, but I don't remember being chilled to the bone.  Thank goodness.

Now, back to the counter person.  Orders are taken at the counter and the menu is rather long.  This type of situation can lead to a bit of anxiety since you have to choose something while the counter person is waiting and there may be others lined up behind you.  To add to the complexity, several special drinks are offered on a chalkboard next to the cash register.  Most of the menu was new to me, so the counter person took a long time helping me and truly seemed to care that my experience was a good one.  I was even offered a free sample.  Fortunately, no one was waiting while I was being served.  I finally chose a drink and had a seat at a table where I could observe a group of friends and a few other patrons.

After what seemed like a very long time, my drink was brought out to me.

Pretty, isn't it?

Tasty too!  It was very well presented, but wasn't quite what I was expecting. I don't remember the name.  The price tag was $4.37 including tax.

On my second visit, I tried one of the specials, Iced Elephant Vanilla Chai.  Same price and I got it "to-go."  It was everything I expected and no wait this time.

I would consider going back to Tea Republik, especially if my goal was to find a quiet, calm place and all I wanted was tea.  Although both of the drinks that I tried were iced, I believe they have a choice of hot drinks as well.  It's a bit of an oasis in the general hubbub of the Ave and might be quite lovely on a chilly winter day.

BBQ Chicken

BBQ Chicken

4525 University Way NE

Seattle, WA  98105

206-547-5151

BBQ Chicken Facebook Page

So, you tell me, when a restaurant is named BBQ Chicken, what is your expectation?  Oh, yeah.  I'm a vegetarian, so entering this restaurant took some courage.  This is one more of the "unfortunately named restaurants" on the Ave.  It's actually a Korean restaurant and tofu is served, in addition to Korean-style BBQ (not barbecue) chicken.  I can't attest to the taste of the chicken (sorry), but the portions are large and I've heard that it is great.  I ordered bibimbop and was not disappointed.  In fact, it's the best I've had so far! 

Super good bibimbob sauce.

The decor is clean, the serving staff was friendly and helpful, the air-conditioning a bit on the chilly side.

Good value

Lots of chicken options as well as non-chicken and non-meat options

Pagliacci's Pizzeria

Pagliacci Pizzeria

4529 University Way NE

Seattle, WA  98105

Website

Pagliacci Pizzeria is a Seattle-based pizza restaurant chain.  The website noted above will get you to the various locations and menu options.  The success of this restaurant is its consistent quality, good food prepared before your eyes, and quick service.  The restaurant in the U-District is the original and opened in 1979.

After eating in so many new restaurants on the Ave, my trip to Pagliacci's was a true relief.  I knew the menu, I knew the food, I knew the process.  Stand in line, pick up a tray, place order with the friendly staff standing there.  If you want salad, there are a couple options.  For vegetarians, the Pagliacci's salad can be requested without salami.  It will be made in front of you while you wait and it is quite tasty.

I kept my visit simple, ordering a slice.  Since I am vegetarian, I usually order anything with goat cheese, but this time there was a new option, Field Roast!  It's just like Pagliacci's to stay abreast of the latest trends.  Beer, wine, and sodas are available, as is water.  There are usually two or three slice options ready and sometimes more.  Whole pies can be ordered, usually for take out; most of the seating at this location is for one or two people.

Salad making

Simple decor and easy seating for one or two.  Italian-language movie posters line the walls.

Field roast pizza!

Staying up-to-date

Zen Noodle & Cafe

Zen Noodle & Cafe

4537 University Way NE

Seattle, WA

Zen Noodle is an amiable small sit-down restaurant about mid-block on the west side of University Way between 45th and 47th.  They have at least three menus, so take the time to review your options.  When you are seated, you will be given a legal-size sheet that has a menu on each side.  On one side, there is a menu for a bowl for $9.99 (big appetite) and on the other side is a menu for a bowl for $7.99 (smaller appetite but still hefty).  Follow the directions and take some chances, it's hard to go wrong.  In addition to these two options ($7.99 and $9.99 soup bowls), there is a hard cover menu with a large assortment of other options.  Most people order one of the soup bowls, so if you haven't been here before, start there.  The server can be a good resource if the choices are too numerous or if some of the ingredients are unfamiliar.  Vegans and vegetarians will find a vegetarian broth option and most food particularities can be accommodated by the menu choices.  If you like the soup, then next time try something from the hardcover menu or just return again and again for the soup bowl, trying various options until you find perfection.

Service is quick, usually two people are manning the dining area, one to greet and seat customers and take orders, the other mans the cash register.  The food is prepared in the tiniest of tiny kitchens, so be sure to take a short walk back to the restroom so you can have a peak inside.  The dining area is clean and cheerful.  Of note are the clever screens on the walls with indirect lighting along the sides.  You will not be chilled to the bone by air-conditioning - fresh air is provided by opening the windows to the street.  This might not be the best choice on a hot day, but hot soup is best on those chilly, moist Seattle days.  Give it a try.

 The food is simple and fresh.  The usual Asian condiments are available at the tables.  Ask the server if you don't see what you are accustomed to.

Zen Noodle and Cafe Facebook Page

Garam Masala Indian Buffet

Garam Masala Indian Buffet is one of several Indian buffet choice on the Ave.  It's located mid-block between NE 45th and NE 47th Streets on the west side of the street.  The lunch buffet will run you $8.99 plus tax, chai is not included.  The food is Pakistani-Indian, a richer blend than some with lots of creamy dishes.  A good portion of naan (Indian flat bread) is included in the price.

It's assumed that you will be having the buffet, so much make yourself at home, take a plate, load up, and have a seat.  Soon someone will be over to fill your water glass and take your naan order - plain or garlic.  The atmosphere is relaxed and congenial.  Many diners are eating alone, so don't worry if you aren't accompanied, no one will notice or care.

There is a wide variety of vegetarian and meat options which they keep somewhat segregated from each other.  In addition there are salads and dessert.

Dessert is amazing.  I'm a real fan of Indian rice pudding spiced with cardamon and was not disappointed.

Aloo Gobi, Dal Bhukara, Channa Masala, Vegetable Korma, Chuli Chicken, Goat Chetinad, Chicken Tandoori, Chichen Tika Masala, Coconut Rick, and Basmati Rice were the hot dishes on board the last time I visited.

Garam Masala Indian Buffet

4537 University Way NE

Seattle, WA 98105

(206) 632-1900

Garam Masala Website