SOoo Pho good!

Pho Saigon, at the corner of Bronson Way and S. 2nd is like a second home to many. It gives the entire neighborhood an option not to cook at least once a week. Whenever you happen by, Dang, the owner, always has a ready smile for you and her food is fresh, fresh, fresh. They also serve Bubble Tea and are a wonderful place to stop and get food "to go" when ambling off to a picnic bench with your name on it. This is a combination Vietnamese and Thai restaurant, with some basic Chinese dishes thrown in for good measure. Many love the Pho here and are religious about returning to get their fill of that noodle soup dish.

With all of the new places going in, it's nice to remember who has been happily feeding us for years - and that is what Pho Saigon is all about. My favorite on-the-go food to order are the Spring Rolls, pictured above. Comes with a little carrot salad and that delicious peanut dipping sauce, which I will drink if there is any left at the end of the meal - it's too good to waste.

Pho Sai Gon Vietnamese and Thai Restaurant 924 Bronson Way S. (425) 917 - 0305

While over at the Landing...

"I wanna give people a taste of food that they remember having had in their mouths before" - enter Chef CJ Houk, lover of food and travel, fluent Vietnamese speaker and the driving force in the kitchen at the Landing's new Papaya.

The restaurant is as local as you can get- restaurateur Gene Sens, of Redhouse/Blossom fame, is the owner. Chef CJ hails from studies at Renton Vo Tech. The kitchen staff includes Chef CJ's own apprentice that he brought with him, interns from Youth Service - a work program for youth at risk, and CJ's Mom, who helps in the kitchen. "It's about giving back" and Chef CJ isn't just going to stop here - plans are to have a nonprofit cooking school started as well.

The atmosphere is good and inviting (everyone greets you upon arrival) and right across the street from the Regal Cinema . The food is lovely - well presented, uber fresh and very satisfying. The prices are very easy on the pocketbook - hovering around $7.95 per entree, they have a kids menu, beer and wine selection and a range of choices from Vietnamese baguette sandwiches that come served with yam fries, to Pho noodles, to lovely bowls of vermicelli noodle salads topped with chicken, pork, salmon and more.

Chef CJ treated me to a helping of his Chocolate Ravioli with the Mango/Pomegranate sauce. I am still smacking my lips over that taste in my mouth - a food memory I don't want to forget.

Papaya Vietnamese Cafe - The Landing - Across from Regal Cinema Theater
830 N. 10th Street (425) 917-1447


Look, I also found the UPS Store...
Finally some of the spaces are filling up at The Landing. There were lots of workmen making busy sounding noises there and some store fronts seem to be getting ready for (hopefully) some "opening" action.
UPS 720 N. 10th St. (425) 235 - 7447
Mon.8-7, Tues- Fri. 8:30 -6:30 pm, Sat.10-5, Closed Sun.