Far East by Northwest 
 
We cringe when the girl says she's going shopping. In this economy, room on our credit cards is disappearing like our closet space after the lady's recent move-in. We've "agreed" to move our clothes to the storage closet but it would be nice for a tune-up on our own wardrobe. 
 
Husband and wife partners Jay Doughten and Masako Kanazawa opened Atsui Tokyo in downtown Seattle thanks to Masako's frequent trips to Japan to shop her favorite fashion designers. After jealous friends raided her closet for the cool imports she brought back, the duo decided to open up a shop. Atsui, which means “hot” in Japanese, offers upscale threads exclusively by Japanese designers, yet they specialize in clothes to fit Americans’ professional and casual lifestyles with hard to find brands like Man of Moods, Mr. Olive, and Stodja. Atsui also offers a wide selection of denim by designers Hysteric Glamour and Sugar Cane. 
 
Bring your new roommate because Atsui offers men's and women's clothes. And make sure to dust off your treadmill because most of the clothes are silhouette-fitted. 
 
Atsui Tokyo 
90 Madison St. 
Seattle, WA 98104 
206.264.2728 
www.atsuitokyo.com

Psst, Your Tap is Open 
 
We can get a drink anywhere. Given time, we'll get to know and like a bartender at any tavern, pub, hotel or hostelry in the city. There's nothing wrong with this, far from it, in fact; we like knowing that there is a tapped keg manned by a potentially cool barkeep within a half block. Unfortunately though, too often we are disappointed by the selection of what's currently in the keg. 
 
With 24 unique Northwest brews on tap (and a big-ass fridge of international bottles to drink on site or take with you), Naked City Taphouse has come to our rescue. Through their RSS and Twitter feed, everyone in the city can stay abreast of what just got tapped, what's currently being poured, and what's coming soon to Naked City. It's a brewpub where tapping a new keg is a celebration, and where every third person seems to be a home-brewer.   
 
It seems that the Alaskan Smoked Porter just got tapped. Meet us at Naked City in 30? 
 
Naked City Taphouse 
8564 Greenwood Ave. N. 
Seattle, WA 98103 
www.nakedcitybrewing.com

Dining In?
 
We’ll admit it—we love food.  But we would rather work on our golf swing than spend the afternoon braising beef and chopping vegetables. For the sake of convenience, we saturate our bodies with sodium-laced TV dinners, greasy pub-grub, or processed meats on the Foreman Grill. Often the food we consume is as natural as the acne solution the 'tween grocery sacker uses as he quips, "Would you like paper or another box for your boxes?" while stacking our microwave meals.
 
On our latest trip to Queen Anne, we discovered a healthier alternative to our dining woes. Eat Local specializes in
prepared and frozen gourmet meals made with local and organic ingredients. With a large variety of entrees such as Buffalo Casserole, Beef Wellington, or Mac N' Cheese, the selection is never dull. Eat Local also offers Crispbread Pizzas, appetizers, and their signature wines.
 
The beef is grass-fed, the poultry is free-range, the veggies
are organic and the quality is uncompromising. And the
food is portioned to suit if you're eating solo, with a date,
or entertaining. 
 
Eat Local
2400 Queen Anne Ave. N
Seattle, WA 98109
206.328.3663
www.eatlocalonline.com

Photo courtesy of www.liberator.com.

Wild Kingdom
 
Once every summer we get together with friends to raft the mighty Rogue River. Besides the sublime scenery, there are plenty of whiskey-fueled acts that beg to be captured.
 
Enter our favorite new toy, the Panasonic SDR-SW20 camcorder. This baby is shock-resistant, dust-proof and waterproof up to five feet, so it is sure to survive the trip. And just think: after blackmailing your friends with threats of You-Tubery, this baby will pay for itself in no time.
 
www.panasonic.com

Band of Topsiders
 
The top-sider, once a summer staple, is back! Another example of how truly stylish classics manage to transcend fashion, it is done best this year by the uber-creative label Band of Outsiders. 
 
We're pretty sure these guys have yet to go wrong with anything they've attempted, but we especially like the handmade reconstructed boat shoe. It features bold contrast topstitching and amazing two-tone leather for a look that puts a hip spin on an old favorite.
 
www.bandofoutsiders.com

In Case You Missed It
 
Ask most men and they'll tell you that the TiVo and HDTVs are among the best inventions in recent years. Unfortunately, a 100-hour capacity DVR dives to a mere 20 when the content is HD. The answer? Try these boxes by weaKnees.
 
They've had their hard drives replaced with mammoth ones and have even been re-warrantied. Lots of options are available, but we recommend the big boy unit with more than 144 hours of Hi-Def storage at your disposal. 
 
www.weaknees.com

Office Jams

We consider an office audio set-up (besides our ear buds) a must. And we desire something that sounds exceptional at lower volume but more unique and stylish than a Bose Wave. For one with true verve, seek the Tivoli Model One.

A creation of legendary audio designer Henry Kloss, the TMO is a stellar example of classic meets contemporary. Available in white or maple (we prefer the latter), it's priced right, and just waiting for your iPod.

www.canoeonline.net

A Taste of Winter Beer
 
Join South Sound Eats and beer-blogger Philip Hamilton at 99 Bottles in Federal Way for an afternoon of tasting Porters and Stouts from the Northwest. Beers included are: Harmon Sasquatch Stout, Pike Entire Wood-Aged Stout, Iron Horse Quilter's Irish Death. Beer-appropriate food will be on hand and prepared by South Sound Eats. 
 
What: Dark Winter-Beer Tasting
When: Sunday, Dec. 14, 4–6 pm
Where: 99 Bottles, 35002 Pacific Hwy S, Suite A102,
Federal Way
Cost: $1
Call: 253.838.2558
Visit: www.99bottles.net or www.southsoundeats.com

Greenwood/Phinney Art Walk Kick-Off
 
The Greenwood/Phinney neighborhood is launching a monthly art walk and to kick it off, is celebrating tonight! Neighborhood retailers are staying open late with special discounts and promotions. So swing by, enjoy some art, and have fun getting to know your neighbors—even if you don’t live there.
 
What: Art Walk
When: Tonight, Dec. 12, 6–9 pm
Where: Greenwood Ave. N.
Visit: www.greenwood-phinney.com

Your New New Year's Eve Plans

Not sure what you're doing December 31st?  Why not kick-off 2009 with a mouthwatering, four-course meal prepared by one of Food & Wine's best new chefs, Ethan Stowell at Tavolàta in Belltown?  Highlights of the meal include; Veal Short Rib Ravioli and Grilled Branzino with Controne Beans.  A few blocks from the Space Needle, Tavolàta is the perfect stop to a great 2009.
 
What: Four-Course New Year's Eve Dinner at Tavolàta
When: Wednesday, Dec. 31, starting at 5 pm
Where: 2323 Second Ave., Belltown
Cost: $65/person
Call: 206.838.8008
Visit: www.tavolata.com