Palace Kitchen

The Burger (10 of 10): Yikes! A $14 blue-cheese burger? In this case, we came to the conclusion that it was worth it, believe it or not. Chef Tom Douglas has a reputation, and at the Palace Kitchen, he has worked his magic on a (formerly) lowly hamburger, and turned it into something that is worth the price. I've never had a burger that was so tender. Even the bun was to die for. This might be the ultimate burger.

Sides (8 of 10): The fries were great, maybe not up to the Elysian's, but after the burger, who remembers? But I do remember "Tom's famous triple coconut cream pie." What can I say? The name says it all.

Ambience (7 of 10): Surprisingly friendly and laid back for 7:00 on a Friday night. We waited maybe five minutes, and while the place was full, it didn't feel crowded. Not fancy, just a standard bar-restaurant feel.

Service (8 of 10): Ditto.

Overall/Value (10 of 10): Okay, I've been thinking hard about this one. "Value," to me, means "you get what you pay for," not necessarily cheap. In this case, you definitely get what you pay for, and it's worth every penny. I won't be going back every week -- sorry, who has that kind of a budget? -- but I will be going back.

Palace Kitchen
2030 Fifth Ave., Seattle
On the corner of 5th and Lenora
(206) 448-2001

Road Trip: Burgerville, Woodland, WA

The Burger (6 of 10): Disappointing. Thin and bland, with the usual skimpy bacon and blah fixings.

Sides (6 of 10): Fries okay, but try the rings and strawberry shake if you can get them.

Ambience (4 of 10): Basic fast food.

Service (3 of 10): Basic get-it-yourself-from-the-counter fast food.

Value (7 of 10): Beats the national fast food chains at similar prices.

Overall (6 of 10): I'm beginning to think that the quality of burger joints is 50% nostalgia. We keep being told about places that someone remembers fondly from their childhood, only to find that the reality just doesn't cut it. I outfoxed myself with recollections of this Portland-based chain that has restaurants as far north as Centralia. I recalled fondly the Walla Walla Sweet onion rings, and the fresh strawberry milk shakes. But if they aren't available, as was the case when I visited recently, the burgers just aren't worth the trip.

Burgerville
1120 Lewis River Road, Woodland, WA
360-225-7965

Red Robin

To be reviewed.

The Deluxe

To be reviewed. Check the date.

Elysian Brewing Company, Capitol Hill

The Burger (8 of 10): We did the Elysian Burger with blue cheese ($8). Both the burger and the fixings were very good indeed. On our return trip, we tried the half-pound Kobe Beef Burger ($12). It was okay, but it was a bit disappointing for the price -- the charcoal flavor totally overpowered the "Worcestershire sauce aioli" which could hardly be tasted.

Sides (10 of 10): The French fries get a standing ovation. Get the special homemade "wedge" fries, not the ones that come with the burgers. They're more like potato wedges than the usual fries, and they are superb. The Elysian is a brew-pub, and the beer-lovers among us give a thumbs-up to Dragontooth, and the hard cider is excellent as well.

Ambience (5 of 10): The Elysian is a big, warehouse-like room, as befits a brew-pub. It was pretty empty when we went in the late afternoon, but it gets much more crowded later in the evening.

Service (5 of 10): The wait staff is friendly, but can be overworked.

Overall (7 of 10)

Elysian Brewing Company, Capitol Hill
1221 E Pike St.
Seattle, WA 98122
206.860.1920

Edited 9/3/07