Dino's Pub

Dino's is a dingie local bar off NE 44th in Renton. The staff is friendly even if the service is slow.

There are three reasons to go to Dino's. The first two... $9.99 prime rib night on Wednesday. and $9.99 steak night on Thursday. In both cases a salad, baked potato with all the fixings and garlic bread come with your mean. The meat isn't always the best, but hey, your paying $9.99.

The third reason... It's not Denny's. There is a Denny's right behind Dino's. However unless it's 3am, and I'm very hungry, and no other place is open, I avoid Denny's.

Mucho Bueno

We went to Much Bueno on the recomendation of the Renton Hipster And, well, RO's margarita ended up having chips of glass in it. Aside from that, the food was good, plenyful and well priced.

The Fin and Bone

A very good restaurant-- seafood and steak house. We had great service.

As usual, Mark ran into martini problems. His martini came back warm. He did complain, but he saw the bartender put his old martini over old ice and a used shaker.

But... good service story... the waiter saw that Mark still wasn't happy with his Martini, so he got Mark a new Martini, and then asked why.

El Guacho vs the Melrose Grill

Let me start off by saying that I have had many great meals at the Melrose Grill. The steaks are excellent, the drinks are large and the service is friendly and efficient. I will go to the Melrose Grill again and again and I will always enjoy myself.

Then there is El Gaucho. El Gaucho is an A list restaurant in the middle of Belltown. Celebreties dine at El Gaucho and for good reason. The food and service are exceptional.

All staff are in tuxedos and they prepare your salads at your table. They bend over backwards to ensure you enjoy yourself. They have great pacing. You receive constant service without being rushed-- you feel like the table is yours for the night.

The food at El Gaucho is excellent-- large, very well prepared portions. Tasty and fresh ingredients. They end your meal with a fruit and cheese plate-- we had an excellent and large wedge of blue cheese.

So, comparing El Gaucho to the Melrose is a bit odd. But, it highlightes the dynamics of Seattle. And those dynamics have a direct effect on me-- I own a home decore in Kent-- a very nice home decore store in a city that A list Seattle would look down upon.

In Seattle, gap between rich a poor, or for that matter between rich and middle class is more prounounced than most cities. Thanks to boom in the 90's, companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks have turned tens of thousands of people into millionares and a half dozen or so into billionares. The result is a vibrant and pricy city.

So then, what about those of use who aren't poor, but still have to work for our money? We have three choices. Go deeply into debt to have a nice house or Condo in Seattle. Rent. Or live in the Burbs.

And that's where Renton comes in.

more later...