Do you have a favorite place where you pick up your morning coffee? Do you like the service and price you pay for your coffee drink?
Then reason I ask is this, I would always go to Starbucks in the morning and order a Iced Venti Vanilla Late and a blueberry muffin. The liens are long and the drinks are filled with more ice than anything else... so one day I decided to go to a new coffee shop.
As I was driving down Maple-Valley Highway going westbound I noticed "Maplewood Espresso & Deli". I went to the drive up window and right when I pulled up I was greeted by a friendly barista. She took my order, and gave me my bill. I was astonished at the price that I had just paid, I mean $5.75 was a deal, in comparison to $8.25 at Starbucks.
I started to question the flavor way before I could even sip the coffee. Thinking that if the price is low, then the flavor / food is cheap. WOW! I was wrong. It was so rich in texture, and the dark coffee was like no other.
I went the second time and they already knew what I was going to have and started preparing my drink well before I arrived at the window. Now that's service.
Ok, I understand that they might not have 300+ customers per day but even 50-100 customers is great, especially if they treat them like they treated me, they will have a very reputable business.
Business is not always about the "bottom dollar" its about service and being relational.
Since then, I have been going there for over two weeks and I'm proud to recommend this coffee shop for flavor, service and price.
When you're in the area stop by and experience this amazing coffee first hand
Do you remember your first concert that you went to? I do, it was just two weeks ago. My wife (Dionne) and I bought tickets to the Gipsy Kings concert that was being held at Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery in Woodinville.
Chateau Ste. Michelle celebrated their 25th anniversary of summer concerts and has now become one of the biggest concert gatherings in the Pacific Northwest.
This was my very first concert and I got to experience it with my wife (Dionne). I had a picnic basket filled with tapas, bread, olives, prochiuto, smoked salmon, cheese, and two wine bottles to enjoy while watching the concert. As we went through security check they told me that I was not able to bring my camera and wine unless it's from Chateau Ste. Michelle.
I bought Dionne a Riesling from Chateau Ste. Michelle, but the cabernet that I had was from another vineyard. So, I took the wine bottle and my camera back to the car. I then returned and went through security once more and then met up with Dionne.
Dionne relaxing and enjoying a glass of wine and tapas while enjoying the Gipsy Kings concert.
I went and picked up a bottle of merlot from Chateau Ste. Michelle sales store and got to enjoy it with the food that I brought.
The Gipsy Kings playing their first song of the night "Volare" (to fly).
I would do this again, if the Gipsy Kings were in town. Here are a few songs that we got to enjoy and want to share them with you.
Click here to listen to ‘Volare" by the Gipsy Kings
Click here to listen to "Baila Me" by the Gipsy Kings
Click here to listen to "Djobi Djoba" by the Gipsy Kings
The lead singer of the Gipsy Kings says "thank you and good night" to the crowd at the winery.
Dionne just amazed that she got to experience the Gipsy Kings concert and the stage as a back drop.
Prices:
General Admission: $49.50
Reserved Seating: $89.50
Here is a detail schedule of the summer concerts that are playing at;
Chateau Ste. Michelle, summer of 2008.
June:
Cosby, Still & Nash - Friday, June 5, 2008
The Neville Brothers & Dr. John - Friday, June 13, 2008
Earth, Wind & Fire - Saturday, June 28, 2008
July:
Mark Knopfler - Wednesday, July 2, 2008
BB King - Thursday, July 3, 2008
Hippiefest - Saturday, July 12, 2008
Ringo Starr & his All Star Band - Saturday, July 19, 2008
James Taylor & his Band of Legends - Monday, July 21, 2008
Chris Isaak - Thursday, July 24, 2008
Lyle Lovett & his Large Band with special guest Shawn Colvin - Friday, July 25, 2008
Steely Dan - Wednesday, July 30, 2008
August:
Smokey Robinson, Friday, August 1, 2008
KWJZ Musical Festival - Saturday, August 2, 2008
Gipsy Kings - Friday, August 21, 2008
Chicago with special guest Livingston Taylor - Saturday, August 22, 2008
Michael McDonald with special guest Danny O'Keefe - Friday, August 29, 2008
Have you ever been to Mongolian Grill Restaurant? I went to the one in Juanita / Kirkland last week. I was meeting with a friend to have lunch and we weren't sure where to go, as we drove to Juanita and noticed Mongolian Grill. We were SO hungry that we both decided to eat there as Dustin raved about how good and fresh the food is.
Dustin outside of Mongolian Grill Restaurant in Juanita.
When we walked into Mongolian Grill you could see that it was a clean and inviting restaurant. Dustin handed me a bowl and asked me to follow his lead. He went ahead of me and started adding vegetables to his bowl, so I did the same, but in bigger portions.
Fresh vegetables and sauces on the back table. The center table has table wear, water, and your to-go boxes in the event you cant finish all the food.
There were so many fresh vegetables that I didn't know which ones to pick so I added one of each. My bowl was massive, big, and out of control, yet I knew that I would get to enjoy this bowl once I sat down. I started to press my food down so that I could retain more on my bowl, not sure if your allowed to do that but I did.
I proceeded to the oil dressing section and I added sesame seed oil to my bowl.
Dustin ordering his rice and sauce as he is handed his dish that he prepared.
Finally, I handed my bowl to the cook to have it sautéed. "He asked what type of meet I wanted to have with my bowl" and I told him MEAT. He then tossed my bowl the Mongolian grill and started to stir fry it.
Once your food has been cooked, they call your name out.
So, I went to the front...the cashier asked me what type of rice and sauce I wanted on my plate. I was in the mood for white rice and plum sauce.
Dustin saying "look a tall this food for $7.50 per plate, you can't beat this anywhere else, now lets eat".
WOW! My plate was massive and I started to think "could I really eat all this food" but I knew that I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into the food.
Dustin and I ate, talked and finished all of our food that we had prepared half-hour ago. We both couldn't believe that we ate it all... I struggled trying to get out of my chair.
The food is so good that I'm blogging about it. If you're ever in the Juanita area and need a quick lunch, by all means try it out.
I highly recommend this place for any occasion and I will continue to go there.
Here is Mongolian Grill Restaurant information in Juanita.
9738 NE 117th Lane, Kirkland, WA 98034
Phone: 425-823-2873
Click here for map/ directions.
Q: Have you been to Mongolian Grill? How was your experience? Feel free to share your experience.
Freddy M. Delgadillo
Your Local Realtor ® - Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Seattle
Direct: 425-941-8688 / e-mail: freddy@freddyshomes.com
Welcome to the Kirkland Marina, my favorite park in Kirkland. The marina has many attributes and activities that anyone can enjoy. Great restaurants, shopping boutiques, ice cream shops, and large parks that sit on the edge of Lake Washington are just a few highlights.
It's by far one of the most active always-moving parks. If you like boating, this is the place to do it, I mean the cost is inexpensive and you have easy access to Seattle by crossing Lake Washington.
Main entrance to Kirkland Marina. Condos on the right and and far back. You can pick up a summer boat cruise that will tour you around Lake Washington for under $20.00
The place to hang out and moor your boat. Most of the locals moor the boat and go into the local restaurants. Wide selection of food, Italian, Mexican, French, Seafood,, and good old hamburgers.
People hanging out and enjoying a cold Gilatto. The rocks are a great place to sit and feed small fish or baby ducks.
You can take your boat across Lake Washington and get to Seattle. You can see the Seattle skyline in the background. I like to water ski and sun bath in this particular spot.
Take a look at how people are enjoying their summer times in the high heat
Here are some of my favorite restaurants in downtown Kirkland...
This really is a great place to come and hang out with loved ones on a nice hot summer day. Come on over and enjoy it first hand.
Have you ever craved McDonald's French fries? Well I did and it all started when I finished my open house in the Rose Hill, Kirkland area, and I was so hungry that I was tempted to go to the Costco store off 85th street and buy a hotdog and a pop for $1.50, but due to long lines I settled for McDonalds. I was on my way to pick up my last open house sign and I could smell the fries.
It then reminded me of when I would go to this specific McDonald's after school and buy only fries (lets not forget the sauce, BBQ & ranch) and devourer them for lunch.
So, I picked up my sign and went to the drive thru and ordered a combo # 6. It was a Crispy BLT Chicken sandwich, large fries and coke, plus the "sauce". I pulled up and they took care of my hunger needs really quick. I parked the car in a stall and started to soak the fries into the BBQ sauce and then into the ranch.
I felt as if I was re-living my high school years. The high school that I went to is Lake Washington High, just a few blocks south of McDonalds. I hardly eat McDonalds, maybe once every two-three years... but WOW! I needed the fries and the coke today.
Here are a few pictures of the McDonalds that I went to and used to go to when I was in high school.
I will try the McCoffee later... I heard that they make GREAT lattes.
Go and try the Fries and tell me that I'm right.
I wanted to share this great feeling with everyone, and don't forget to stop by your nearest McDonalds and try their fries with "sauce'.
Question for you that are reading this post;
Do you think McDonalds makes the best fries?
I think they do, but if you disagree and feel that someone else makes them better, let me know by posting a comment.
Freddy
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Practice real estate since 1999. I specialize in the Greater Seattle-Eastside Area. Selling homes & condos & townhomes in Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Renton, & Sammamish area.
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