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June 12th, 2009
It’s nearly summer and we’ve been having a blast. So much so, in fact, that we took a consensus and decided to take a hiatus… just for a little while. Don’t panic. In the meantime, get out there and enjoy the weather, free up some time to drink, eat and enjoy general revelry with good friends, and make the most of what you’ve got. Whatever that may be. |
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Seattle Picks for Men: |
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| 1 | Dinner and a Movie There are very few positive things in life that don’t come with a small downside. Sometimes the downsides are big, sometimes they are small, and sometimes they take the form of six-dollar candy bars. We are of course, talking about the outrageous prices for most movie theater eats. We wouldn’t mind paying a bit extra assuming that what we are getting is worth the additional cost, but it usually never is. Thankfully, a new food-focused movie theater has come to town—Cinebarre. Here, for ticket prices similar to other theaters, we get three big added bonuses: 1) Good, reasonably priced food like 10-inch personal pizzas, sandwiches, and burgers; 2) Extra leg room to make space for tables and 3) Beer and wine. With a decent beer list, Cinebarre lets you experience the movies the way they were intended—with a full stomach and several drinks at hand. The best part is that ordering and receiving your food at your seat is easy and unobtrusive. Tell your server what you want (or write it down if the movie has started) and enjoy the flick. Cinebarre |
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| 2 | Grappa Time We in Seattle are pretty big into recycling. Most of us try to reuse as much as we can, reduce our waste, and recycle the rest. It’s surprising then that it has taken us so long to start bringing this practice into our local wineries. Thankfully, it’s happening now. Soft Tail Spirits in Woodinville has started distilling the pomace and grape residue left over from nearby winemakers into Grappa by way of the traditional Italian method. The grape-based liquor is reminiscent of brandy and generally drunk after meals as a “digestivo.” The distillery is micro, and shares a welcoming space with a stone importer next door. Currently, Soft Tail Spirits is offering three varieties of Grappa: Grappa Blanco (traditional), Grappa Giallo (a more complex version), and Grappa Reserve (smooth and rich with a 100-proof kick). Full bottles, glasses, and samples are available in the adjacent tasting room. Soft Tail Spirits will start producing more products, including vodka, in the near future. But stop by and check it out now—it’s about time. Soft Tail Spirits |
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| 3 | Served, Frozen With the summer heat just around the corner (for Seattle, 90 degrees is plenty) we are weighing our options. We can buy an air-conditioning unit and use it a few times a year, start making as many ice cubes as we can for the next few weeks until we have a large enough stockpile, or simply find a place nearby to chill out during those hot days. We suggest the third option for those living around Capitol Hill. The newly opened Old School Frozen Custard is a great place to cool down, hang out, and take some sweet frozen goodness with you back into the heat of the day. Forget ice cream—everything on this menu is custard-based except the hot dogs from Nathan’s Famous—those are beef-based. We suggest swinging by and trying one of their signature sundaes like The Recess: custard, Reese’s cups, caramel, hot fudge, whipped cream, and an obligatory cherry on top. Don’t worry about those hot days ahead—Old School Frozen Custard has got your back. Old School Frozen Custard |
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| Mandatory Gear: | |||
| 1 | Stay in the Sun We all love being green, but it can get expensive and it’s difficult to start down that path. If only there was a way to take small steps… The first (affordable) step toward energy independence is the Sunforce 60 Watt Solar Charging Kit. Perfect for cabins, RVs, the top of your Volvo, or house, this introductory solar kit introduces you to renewable energy at a fraction of the traditional cost. |
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| 2 | Protect Your Eyes Most men love to work outside, and unless they tuck their pants into their socks, will look cool doing it. The big drawback though—safety goggles. Now we don’t have to look like a tool when we use them. The Milwaukee Safety glasses will protect our eyes from flying shrapnel and will keep us looking cool. |
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| 3 | Wraparound Vision Dual computer monitors are dated. We all like having more screen size and the gamers among us love the extra visibility, but who needs the gap? The new CRV43 from NEC is here and it’s awesome. The 43-inch wide, curved display brings a unique experience to gaming, digital imaging, and even boring spreadsheets. Why have two monitors when you can have one amazing one? |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Washington Beer Festival? We’re In. |
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| 2 | Three Nights in Portland For upcoming three-day weekends (or mid-week sick-cations), swing on down to Portland and stay at the swank Aloft Hotel for three nights for the price of two. Don’t forget to grab a drink at the wxyz bar or take the train into downtown PDX. Tell them Seattle Picks for Men sent you. What: 3 nights for the price of 2 at Aloft Portland Where: 9920 NE Cascade Parkway, Portland When: Now til July 31 Visit: Aloft Portland |
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| 3 | Fremont Fair & You |
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Keep an eye out for our triumphant return in fall… and in the meantime, thanks for reading Seattle Picks for Men. We really appreciate it, man. |
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