Cake and Balloons in the DTR

What's a party without some cake and balloons? Just this week, Downtown Renton received a new addition in the holiday baking and celebrating arena - Go Deli's new specialty cake counter.

The cakes are all baked and decorated on site - and every flower and flourish is hand piped on and made of frosting. The only exception would be the tiny silk leaves and the toys. The cakes are lovely pieces of art. Light and fluffy cakes that are not your typical American cake fare.

Nope, you won't find a buttercream frosting in sight on these cakes that have a texture akin to that of an angel food cake. The frosting is whipped (non-dairy) and not a bit cloying or overly sweet. The cakes each have a flavorful filling - like chocolate or strawberry are two that I saw yesterday afternoon. There are cakes available for immediate pick-up with matching festive balloons for sale, or you may browse through the books and place an advance order. Weddings, birthdays - you name it.

The counter is right in the front as you enter the deli. You will also find that Dawn Hart, the manager, has been expanding her baking repertoire and there are now muffins, quick breads, pastries and lava cakes for those wanting a small portion of something for their sweet tooth. What I love are the great mylar balloons that we now can get so easily in the DTR for celebrating. Balloons always put such a nice touch on cake days, whatever the cause for celebration.


Go Deli
306 Williams Ave.S. Renton WA 98057
425-255-0620
www.Go-Deli.com
Open 7am til 7pm 7 days of the week

Walking off the Holiday Pounds

Cedar River trail - 60 degrees out, sunshine and a public holiday. Needless to say, the pavement was getting pounded by a few more than the regulars yesterday afternoon. New Year's resolutions and a great outing for families to take together. Whatever the reason, let's just check in with this local and lovely gem.

In the shade, there are still all the remnants of this being winter. On cooler days, the path can still be coated with a hoary frost in places that the sun never gets to shine upon.

I like the little waterfalls and special quiet moments that are a part of the meditation that is one of the benefits of walking the trail.

There are now new signs advising the public to call the police if they are harassed or bothered. I put in a quick call to see if there was any incident that caused these signs to be placed. I will keep you informed of the answer when I have it. Don't let this put you off from enjoying the area. There are more folks who come now that the dog park is in full swing. This added trail attendance can be to our advantage.

Note that if you are a regular walker on the trail (or biker), that construction along the trail begins today for the next week. Think of it as an obstacle course and use it to your workout benefit.


All the rain has given our dear Cedar River a little more girth these days. It is cresting over the corners of the walkway here and threatening to dampen our toes. But only on small stretches of the trail, so don't let that stop you from getting out there anytime soon.

DK Market

If you like to mix it up in the kitchen and come out with a load full of groceries for a very pleasingly low price, than DK Market may become your new grocery food haunt. This is not the place for everyone. Some have likened it to a kind of "Winco" of an Asian, Russian, Indian, Filipino persuasion. I love it and especially like the fact that I can come and find new taste treats that differ from the previous visit's, but are just as welcome.

It is in a huge warehouse space, with pallets as display cases and a definite chill to the air (dress warmly for an extended stay). There is tea, jams, juices, spices, canned goods and dried legumes.

The bread selection is always improving. There are fresh selections from Russian and Asian bakeries, as well as pita bread and nan bread sitting side by side for sale. The Vietnamese Bakery's croissants and the Russian Rye bread are not to be missed. There is also something for the sweet tooth. Try the Chinese "Cocktail Buns" with the coconut inside. Personal favorite.

The produce selection is good and cheap. I bought a bunch of fresh mint for 79 cents, where it goes for more than three times that at Safeway. Russet potatoes were the same price as Red and Yellows. Cauliflower was a little over a dollar a head. I made out like a bandit.


This is a good place to come if you are on a budget, like to cook and want to experiment in your cooking routine.

Did you get enough chocolate for Christmas?

More and more, the parking lot seems to be crowded, so the word must be getting around. Inside the store, there are two structures housing a Russian Deli and a Vietnamese Herbalist. Weekends tend to be busy, so be forewarned. It is a treasure in the rough, probably why the prices are still so good.

DK Market

720 Lind Ave SW
Renton, WA 98057

(425) 228-2635

Renton in the rain

Morning Rain by Tu Fu

A slight rain comes, bathed in dawn light.
I hear it among treetop leaves before mist
Arrives. Soon it sprinkles the soil and,
Windblown, follows clouds away. Deepened

Colors grace thatch homes for a moment.
Flocks and herds of things wild glisten
Faintly. Then the scent of musk opens across
Half a mountain -- and lingers on past noon.

Cinnamon spice and everything nice

There are some of you that count on me to tell you the latest flavor of cupcake to be found around town. I do hate to let you down - so let's get right to the facts. It's cinnamon flavored and it's rockin'.

Salted cinnamon frosting? Yes, and worth every caloric bite! This may in fact be my favorite frosting that they have conspired to create.

Go in and have a smile from Brandie and a cupcake that will light your spirits up. You need it - did you see all that water falling down from the sky lately?

Common Ground Cupcakes and Coffee
900 South Third St.(425) 235 - 1717
www.commongroundcupcakes.com

Looking pretty

Every once in awhile, a girl has to put her finances to the tresses. Times may be tough, but when you look good, you feel good and everything seems to go just a tad easier after that. I wanted to check in with the girls at Shear Delight Hair Salon in Downtown Renton and remind you that it is not too late to treat yourself to the gift that keeps on giving - a new hairdo.

Stephanie Hilfer is my go-to gal when it comes to my hair. She has a good sense of color and cut, and has a way of keeping the salon chair talk fun and interesting. Before you know it, you are looking good and have regained a bit of your former feminine self that you were certain had died in the interim. Ahhh, thanks Stephanie for knowing how to make us all pretty again.

Sharon Martin is the gracious owner of the salon and always seems to have a chair full of regulars who come in for the latest cut and blow out. This is the type of place where no one feels as if they are left out of the conversation or in anyway unwelcome when they step through the door. The ambiance is just right.

The stock of haircare products is varied and is going through revamping, so stop by soon to see what new lines they will be carrying. My all time favorite is the ubermoisturizing product called "It's a 10". It is a spray that goes on light but works incredible wonders for my hair. I could own stock in this company.

Cut/color/facials/waxing/perms .
Appointments preferred, but walk-ins welcome.

Sharon's Shear Delight
334 wells Ave. S. Suite A
(425) 227 - 8057
Tues - Wed - Thur 10am - 8pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
We book other days for special occassions

Give me Art and give me LIberty

Get a sip of art and a slamming cup of brew when you meander over to Liberty Cafe for a look at the original artworks of Antonio U Lovett. The art show consists of charcoal pastel on paper and is bold and expressive. The first of two parties to honor the artist took place last Friday. But you can catch up with him again on the first Friday of Feb. when another party will be thrown with all the trimmings - wine, food and music. In the meantime, stop by and check it out.

Liberty Cafe
926 S. Third Street
(425) 235 - 1400