FoodTrek: Rib-PAX-alypse Now

Wanna know what the worst thing is about a pork rib cook-off? Absolutely nothing. Especially when you're not cooking, you're just eating, and enjoying a Saturday afternoon. The Mister and I were fresh from this year's Penny Arcade Expo (PAX), with the distinct scent of  video game Nerdery and Geekery (aka, human body odor) lingering upon us, so we cleansed ourselves in the smoky fires of Ribpocalypse!

Riders of the Ribpocalypse, reign your meaty terror upon us! - Photo by Wasabi Prime

FoodTrek: PAX Snax

You're walking through the downtown streets of Seattle and you catch a glimpse of a demonic-looking clown with a big red wig and glittery nose, sipping a beer on a patio. You turn your gaze to find a leather barding-clad warrior with mech-like gauntlets and an oversized greatsword casually slung over his shoulder as he's waiting for the "walk" sign to change at the crosswalk. But you don't panic. You don't even wonder if your sanity is about to shatter into a million little pieces. You're just making your merry way to the Seattle Convention Center because it's Penny Arcade Expo 2012 (PAX) and you've got three days to party down like a nerdy maniac.

If you hadn't already heard, PAX is the annual video game conference put on over the Labor Day weekend by the creators of the insanely popular web comic, Penny Arcade. You're thinking, "Oh that's quaint, how nice to have a little event so people can play video games and dress up in superhero outfits made of old sheets." Maybe twelve years ago it was quaint, when PAX used to be held in Bellevue's Meydenbauer Center, but since then, it's an anime-spherical-slo-mo-explosion-blast that has created an exponentially larger expo. It attracts all the mega PC and console game companies like Nintendo, Microsoft/XBox, Sega, Ubisoft, Konami, along with numerous smaller, but no less popular game companies, which thereby cause an attendance swarm of around 60-80 thousand people. Yes, that number is fo' reals. It's an epic nerd army descending upon Mordor for three days to get precious playtime on as-yet-unreleased games, attending panels of game industry experts, and one of the rare times you can bust out that handmade Yu-Gi-Oh! costume and not get beat up for wearing it. Granted, I have yet to make it through all three days of PAX -- I made it to the opening day on Friday and was completely overwhelmed by The Great Wall of PAX Attendees. I spent most of Saturday there, but skipped out on Sunday, due to the nearly 14 hours of sleep my body desperately needed.

Revenge of the Nerds - Photos by Wasabi Prime

And the crazy thing is? I don't really play video games. I love tabletop games like Dungeons and Dragons or Dominion, because I'm analog like that, but after losing feeling in my hands after too much time on a Gameboy, I backed off games and left it to the experts. I mostly go to support the Mister and the gang at Runic Games, this year more than ever, since they used PAX as a venue to announce the release of the heavily-anticipated Torchlight II -- September 20th, if you haven't already marked your calendar with a big, squiggly, serial-killer red Sharpie circle.

Torchlight II - highly anticipated by humans and Mutant X carriers alike - Photos by Wasabi Prime

I like attending PAX to see old friends, take some crazy photos and honestly, just spend whatever spare moments I can with Brock, as I'm pretty much in Game Dev Widow purgatory before and during the show. But it's not just spousal duty, PAX is a fun, safe environment where capes, purple hair and battleaxes are the New Normal. People in costumes are pretty cool about getting their photos taken, eager to show off a battle pose -- of course they'd be fine with it, otherwise why else would they dress up? But I appreciate the eagerness to be photographed. And for the most part, attendees are pretty nice, albeit a little shy. You get a wide mix of people who attend PAX: the timid, foot-shuffling gamers who patiently wait in 3-plus hour lines to play a precious 10 minutes of an unreleased game; the attention-seekers who don't even dress in a recognizable costume, they just fly their freak flag and wear something outrageous that screams PLEASE DEAR GOD, LOOK AT ME!; the high-functioning nerds who likely work a corporate job or at one of the game companies, so it's a big networking boondoggle to see old friends; and then there's the self-important douchebags who think the only worthwhile universe is one within the screen, and can't bother to be civil to anyone else. Yes, these mouthbreathers exist and every year I seem to run into a few of them, which gives good, upstanding gamers a bad name. Thankfully the nice and pleasant folks far outnumber the Worthless Trolls.

The most important rule of PAX: DON'T BE A DICK. Or this guy will cleave your ass - Photo by Wasabi Prime

The one thing that kills me every year at PAX is the endless parade of greasy pizza slices and flaccid sub sandwiches. It's an Atkins Nightmare, all the overprocessed carbs floating around the convention center. My Gluten Sense is tingling and it's saying: Stop the Madness! I realize sandwiches and pizza are fast and convenient, but I wouldn't say inexpensive, given the event area/tourist pricing. The Starbucks in the con center is priced higher than the regular Starbucks barely a half block away. The convention center had flyers for food suggestions -- they were always out so I never got a chance to see what their suggestion list was, but I could already guess it was chain restaurant/fast food hell. There's nothing wrong with going to a national chain to grab a bite, but if you're an attendee, not working as a vendor with limited break times, you have an incredible city of deliciousness within walking distance!

It's a world of pure im-a-gin-ation... - Photos by Wasabi Prime

In between taking photos, I use PAX as an opportunity to, as Aziz Ansari would say: Treat Yo Self. I take in my favorite restaurants or spots I'd been meaning to visit, and it's usually at odd hours, so no wait time, just a relaxed cocktail and nosh break. Take note of some of the previous and just-enjoyed PAX lunch/snack break spots that are within reasonable walking distance:

Six Arms Pub - It's a McMenamins brewpub with tasty grub. Sandwiches, burgers, wraps; very casual with funky-cool interiors - great for lunch. Spicy tater tots and a microbeer = primo. About a 10 minute walk uphill from the Con Center, not a typical PAX spot, so not usually crowded. Mentioned in a previous PAX WP post.

Victrola Coffee Roasters - Located near Six Arms along Pike, it's the much-needed upper after a sleepy microbrew downer, as you make your way back down to PAX. Incredible coffee with the strength and power to see you through the rest of the day. If you're coming all the way to Seattle, you absolutely have to get a luxurious latte, topped with a pretty foam design. Mandatory! Mentioned in a previous PAX WP post.

Blueacre Seafood - Off of 7th, barely a stone's throw from the Con Center, you've got a great place for seafood. Don't let the delicious creatures of the sea be reduced to greasy fish n' chips or an excuse to stuff your face with chain restaurant cheese biscuits. The ocean is tasty, and you'll learn to appreciate oysters and shellfish in a new way, as I did at a dinner with friends a while ago, which has continued to bring me back to Blueacre. They also do box lunches, so FYI to PAX booth workers who wish to break free of their soggy club sandwich fate. 

Vessel - Cocktail hour just got more awesome. Just reopened on Olive/7th, it's the famed cocktail bar that will up the ante of spirit-drinking in the main downtown area. Cosmopolitans, no more! I visited Vessel on Friday night, which was comfortably filled with locals and PAX-goers in the know who wanted a damn fine frosty beverage. I need to go back, I spent far too little time here. Will definitely be on the Mister's hit list for post-work cocktail hour and I'll have to join them!

Urbane - Located in the Hyatt, maybe a block away from PAX, they've got a beautiful menu that's deliciously local. I was there Friday night during dinner rush, and while every place was packed, their bar was open and a welcome calm from the PAX storm. You can stick with comfort zone favorites like a hamburger or ooey-gooey mac n' cheese, but give their lamb meatballs and fried chickpeas a try. A just-right amount of food that leaves room for a cocktail (or two). Their Little Negroni is a smoother variation to the classic Negroni, using Aperol instead of bitters.

Bar snacks and cocktails at Urbane - Photos by Wasabi Prime

Chan Seattle - Head towards Pike Place Market, and nestled in the courtyard of the Inn at the Market is this little gem. It opens at 5, so it's perfect for a post-PAX nosh. Delicious Korean food, and don't be afraid if you're not familiar with the cuisine, you can start off with modernized spicy pork or bulgogi beef sliders, as seen on a previous post, and then move on to the more traditional market bi bim bap.

Seattle Coffee Works - Yes, you could see the first Starbucks in the Market, but why not go to a one-of-a-kind coffee shop with powerful brews and a chance to taste and appreciate different beans? Before making the trek back towards PAX, get your favorite coffee drink or wait a spell and have one of their unique cold press coffee drinks. It's worth the wait; the flavor is smooth and less bitter, as heat is what tends to draw out the bitterness of the bean.

Cocktail hour at the Market - get out from behind that computer and get drinking! - Photos by Wasabi Prime

Alibi Room - It's hidden, but use the Gum Wall in Post Alley as your guidepost to finding this place. You could have sad, soggy pizza at PAX or walk down to the Market and grab a table at the Alibi Room and have one of their amazing pizzas made fresh with ingredients right from the Market. Their happy hour goes from 12-6pm on weekends, even more reason to take a break and power-up with something delicious.

Steelhead Diner - Also in the Market, near Chan, this diner is great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Beautiful view of the water and the menu is a perfect way to appreciate local flavors, whether you're a visitor or a local. As for me, I indulged in the Canadian favorite, Poutine (fries, gravy and cheese curds from nearby Beecher's), and a summery gin gimlet because it was such a sunny, beautiful afternoon.

Steelhead's Poutine - comfort food done right! - Photo by Wasabi Prime

Cafe Campagne - Feeling more like French food than French Fries? Cafe Campagne is another Market spot that I like for lunch or breakfast. It opens early, which is nice if you're downtown before the typical 10am brunch starts. I like their Pâté de Campagne, as seen on a previous post, but if liver isn't your thing, their croque-madame, a grilled gruyere and ham sandwich topped with a fried egg, is like a breakfast sandwich on happy pills. And no one will throw a sidelong glance if you're having a glass of bubbly with breakfast.  

Local 360 - A longer walk, 15-20 minutes, but worth the trip north, towards the Belltown neighborhood. Incredible way to taste the Northwest, as the majority of its menu is regionally sourced and perfectly prepared. Fantastic hamburger and the bacon Bloody Mary is a kick, as seen on a previous PAX post.

Dota Tournament and world-record breaking bubble-blowing for Kirby - Photos by Wasabi prime

This list of foodery/drinkery locales by no means covers every potential meal option -- there are many more places to visit that don't have to include the Golden Arches, and Michael Phelps has enough millions, so skip the meatball sub in lieu of something truly fresh and local. It breaks my food blogger heart to see so many people visiting the cuisine-smart city of Seattle and hitting the "fast food" button when there are so many amazing places nearby. You'll be more likely to find Seattle-based game studio devs and artists sipping small-batch distillery cocktails or microbrews because they know it's the good stuff, and they know life is meant to be enjoyed equally, both in front of and away from the computer screen.

Keep eating all that junk food, you'll wind up looking like these guys - Photos by Wasabi Prime

FoodTrek: Set Hunger to Warp Ten and Geek Out for a Weekend

I've made no bones about what a total smelly nerd I am. Science fiction, comics, movies, television shows, it all fits in my repertoire of nerdiferous geekitude. One odd realm I've never ventured beyond a casual visit now and then is video games; it's just never totally sunk its gryphon-like talons into me. Which is odd, as Mr. Wasabi works at a game company and we have more game consoles than televisions to attach them to. But I do make it a point to jump headfirst into the mad world of Penny Arcade Expo, an annual game convention that happens at the end of every summer in Seattle, to take some fun photos and support the company my Mister works for (Go Runic Games and Torchlight II!). This year, I decided I'd eat like a nerd, but in a fabulously Seattle way, heading over to Local 360 to geek out with one of their tasty burgers and one heck of a spicy Bloody Mary.

Eating like a locavore/nerd queen at Local 360 in Seattle - Photo by Wasabi Prime

There can be as much geek-ness about food as there are arguments over who would win a fight, Superman or Green Lantern (neither, as Wonder Woman would smack them down with her hotness). Local 360 is one of those places that's straight out of a Portlandia skit, the one where restaurant patrons ask how the chickens were raised, were they local, did someone snuggle them and tell them positive things before their necks were unceremoniously wrung for the sake of dinner. But it's not a mean joke, it's like a "funny, because it's true," joke, because the whole idea behind Local 360 and their adjoining shop next door is that everything came from within a 360 mile radius, which is pretty fantastic. It's part of the growing trend everywhere, but especially in the Northwest, to emphasize the need to eat and live sustainably. It's not just about the resources, but the businesses as well -- it's local people, working at small to mid-sized companies, farms, etc. who were involved in getting the food on those plates. Local food, local jobs -- quite frankly, this is the American Dream needing to be readjusted towards. At Local 360, there are no mass-produced products spit out of a factory from a continent away; the bread came from a nearby bakery, the produce came fresh from a local farm, and I'm sure someone said some soothing things to the cow before it was made into the tasty hamburger I just chomped into.

I have to say, in the words of Jules from Pulp Fiction, this is one tasty burger. Fluffy bun, a bit like a potato bread; pillow-soft and not heavily fussed-over, the perfect doughy cradle for the burger. The beef patty has lovely charred smoky bits, cooked medium with a bit of pinkness in the middle, and my favorite is the sweet/sour spice of their pickled peppers they add as a relish. That tangy kick makes it distinctive. You can add cheese or bacon, but I wanted to enjoy the burger on its own. Besides, I wanted to save the bacon for... the Bloody Mary. Awww yeah. I wanted to live large, Big Pimpin' Geek style, so I went to Local 360 in the morning, killing time before the Seattle Convention Center opened for Penny Arcade Expo (PAX). The restaurant is in the perfect spot, as it's within reasonable walking distance in the Belltown neighborhood, but far enough to where the hordes of people dressed like Sailor Moon probably wouldn't think to head a few blocks north. But that's fine, all the more Hot Monkey Bloody Mary for me. Yeah, when you want a Bloody Mary with bite, absolutely "Hot Monkey" it, as it'll be a wicked kick of spice and they jam a huge spear of pickled asparagus and a hefty wedge of crispy bacon as a garnish. For them, it's a garnish, but if they could somehow introduce an egg to this drink, it's a whole damn meal.

Do you covet my Hot Monkey? Of course you do - Photos by Wasabi Prime

I couldn't even finish the whole thing. I finished off my Hot Monkey (I just like saying that) and wiped a bit of spicy sweat off my brow and scooped up half the hamburger and fries to high-tail it midtown to the convention center and the PAX epicenter. I bequeathed the leftovers to Mr. Wasabi, who was literally propped up on coffee and slightly zombified from the lack of sleep -- he spent the night in the office the night before after working the first day of PAX. What a trooper, right? Of course he deserved slightly cold locavore leftovers! Such a saint, I am.

What, your weekends don't look like this? - Photos by Wasabi Prime

The belly-filling, geek-approved breakfast powered me through the whole day and then some, as I wandered through the halls filled with gamers willing to wait three hours for ten minutes of precious play time on unreleased games. I wasn't there to play so much as be an eager observer. A fly on the wall with a big, heavy camera. And copious hand sanitizer usage, because a couple of years ago, swine flu hit PAX pretty hard, no joke. Not a surprise, considering over seventy thousand bodies wandering about, questionable hand-washing habits, lack of sleep, and a diet consisting mainly of pizza and nachos. Welcome to PAX, where the P should stand for Penicillin.

That's not to say it's a bad experience, just a health warning should you decide to revel in this celebration of all things that would have gotten your butt kicked over in grade school. Where else are you going to see a walking slice of bacon, Power Rangers, Star Wards droids, and every imaginable craft-class-gone-awry homemade costume the imagination could dare to consider? It's a plethora of crazy, to be sure.

Games, delicious swag, tons of people...and a dragon - Photos by Wasabi Prime

So, what's a game convention like? A bit like a refuge for the socially awkward damned, but oddly fun. There was a zombie makeup table, which meant everyone was having their cute little cherubs get turned into the bloodthirsty undead. Any girl wearing a figure-hugging costume was getting serious play, being asked for photos that are by now all over Facebook with the tag, "my hot girlfriend." You could get super-modded computers that looked like scooters. Yeah, so that's a thing. And after several years of attending PAX, I finally saw Wil Wheaton. Yeah, Wesley Crusher/Star Trek Next Gen, Gordie/Stand By Me Wil Wheaton. But lately he's been busy as the amusingly douchey Dr. Parrish on the erroneously cancelled SyFy series Eureka (seriously, SyFy - WTF?). Walking through one of the vendor rooms we literally almost ran into him. He was wearing a fan-made cape that had fleur de lis shaped like penises. Long story short, there was a longstanding joke about not being a dick at sci-fi/gamer conventions, so that's where the cape came from. Note, the cape is meant to be ironic, he's probably one of the cooler dudes out there in Hollywoodland. And if you're aware of nerd/gamer stuff, Felicia Day was there, too. Damn, that girl is tiny! But cute as a button, and super awesome for giving the good folks at Runic Games some shoutouts over Twitter and Google +.

Droids, scooter-computers, steampunks w/ smartphones and Wesley Crusher - Photos by Wasabi Prime

So there was the epic meal and gamer-fest that was. Don't ever say that this food blogger doesn't take you to some deliciously bizarre places.

FoodTrek: PAX Vorare

If you've been reading Wasabi Prime's Tweets, first of all THANK YOU, as I appreciate your following of my random bursts of 140 characters or less, and secondly, based on the Twittering, you will have realized that despite the scheduled food posts, it wasn't really that much of a labor-free Labor Day weekend. I spent Saturday and Sunday at the Penny Arcade Expo (PAX), in support of my plus-one, Brock, and the super-awesome team of Runic Games, and their game, Torchlight. I put my gamer face on, which is quite a feat, considering I'm not much of a gamer. And by "not much of a gamer," I mean, "I like Tetris because colorful blocks are fun." But being right in the heart of downtown Seattle for a weekend afforded me the rare luxury of visiting some favorite eating spots.

Feel the loving beer-laden embrace of Six Arms - Photos by Wasabi Prime

If you're familiar with the Seattle Convention Center, you're probably aware of the giant Cheesecake Factory sign. I didn't go there. Nothing against large, national chain restaurants, as they have to get down with their bad selves in a faltering economy with the rest of the industry, but I figured they wouldn't mind if I spent my lunch money elsewhere, and their phonebook-sized menu kinda weirds me out. Walking up on E. Pike St. the from the convention center, towards the Capitol Hill neighborhood, one will come across the glory that is Six Arms. It's part of the McMenamins pub family, offering hearty, inexpensive soups and sandwiches, along with a tasty beer menu of local brews. Their menu is a friendly mix of meat and vegetarian dishes, offering familiar pub fare like sandwich wraps and finger food appetizers, but they're all made with quality ingredients and you don't feel like everything's just been sitting in fry oil.

When you walk into Six Arms, it's a great example of Seattle quirk. The bar is framed with an arch made up of plumbing pipes. Posters for events and concerts, both past and upcoming, cover the walls. The light fixtures on the high ceilings are retro starbursts of metal and small lightbulbs. The deep red paint on the walls make you feel cozy as you sidle up into one of their booths. It has the proper feel of a neighborhood place while being a short walk away from the convention center, so there's no reason to wait for a seat in an overcrowded chain restaurant when you can go to somewhere as unique and wonderful as this place.

I went with a half turkey sandwich for $5.50 -- they had me at cranberry relish -- and a refreshing pint of their Ruby raspberry ale, the first fruity ale to be legally produced in the United States back in the like, totally rad year that was 1985. I know beer aficionados bemoan the fact that brews have gotten more rooty-tooty fresh n' fruity over the years, in the hopes of attracting a wider female audience, but for better or worse, McMenamins' Ruby ale is a perfectly delightful glass o' heaven to have with a simple turkey sandwich. Brock had his usual, which is to say the steak wrap. It looked delicious and if I wasn't so busy trying to take food photos, I'd have stolen a bite, but I'm sure I'll be back again soon enough.

These are a few of my favorite things - way better than raindrops on roses - Photos by Wasabi Prime

Warning: this is a tater tot establishment. Abandon all hope of fries, ye who enter here. Not that it's a bad thing, as I have an equal love of potatoes in all shapes and forms, especially when fried. But I know some folks appreciate fries over tots. Napoleon Dynamite would approve of this place, as their tots are crispy, flavorful and delicious. Consider yourself tater tot advised.

Six Arms has been an old favorite, and it was nice to be given another opportunity to enjoy a beer and lunch at this neighborhood haunt that's full of local character. PAX guests planning on returning for next year's event, take note of this place.

Victrola shows coffee the love - Photos by Wasabi Prime

The best thing to combat the post-lunch/beer foodbaby coma: have a coffee at Victrola, which is conveniently a few steps away from Six Arms. There's the common association with Seattle and coffee, since it's the birthplace of java megatron, Starbucks, but Victrola is an example of why the love between Seattle and coffee is an affair worth remembering. It's a small, specialty coffee company, so their beans are lovingly roasty-toastied to perfection in small batches. And it's truly roasted, not burned, aka French Roast. You can actually taste the subtle flavors of the beans, as all the oils aren't burned out from the roasting process like most industrial roasters do, for the sake of consistency. Victrola has respect for the almighty bean, and it shows in each drink they pour. I'm more of a latte drinker, and they don't shame folks like me who like to have a little coffee with their milk. They flourish their beverages with lovely foam designs, which I always appreciate, as it's a sign of a cafe's attention to detail. They recently had a competition over latte art, and if you doubt the power of beautiful foam, check them out on Victrola's blog, which has a link to other competition photos.

The rest of Saturday was a blur of quick snacks, a few hastily-imbibed cocktails, and an early finish at an after-party held by Warner Bros. Too tired to party on like Wayne and Garth, we retired for the night for Sunday's final round of PAX.

A little piece of France in Seattle? Oui, oui! - Photos by Wasabi Prime

On an early Sunday morn, I took some "Wasabi Time" and walked down to Pike's Market before the rush of the tourist/brunch crowd hit. One of my favorite spots is Cafe Campagne, located right on Post Alley at Pine, across from the ubiquitous red neon cup o' coffee sign, down the steep cobblestone path into the main market. It was still early, and because it's by the Inn at the Market, they thankfully start brunch at eight and you can just walk in and have a bite. I indulged in their wonderfully Francophile menu and ordered one of their spécialitées de la maison, the Pâté de Campagne. A gorgeous terrine of creamy, seasoned pork and chicken liver, served up in a chilled slab with a crispy baguette, lightly dressed greens, olives, pickled onions and cornichons. Don't be hating on the organ meat; it can be a lovely thing when it's done right, and Cafe Campagne does a mean pâté. It couldn't get much more French than this, and sitting in the little corner table, it was a nice moment of calm. I don't smoke, but it would have been a great time to have started, just to soak in the whole civilized mood before the dining area became too full. There were other single-party breakfast diners who were also taking in the early morning lull, morning papers in hand. I recommend coming in first-thing for a quiet Sunday breakfast or just during the week, when it's not too busy. The Market can be a bustling place, and I don't get to come as often as I'd like, so being able to enjoy an early breakfast there was a luxury in and of itself.

Organ meat is the breakfast of champions - Photo by Wasabi Prime

It was a picture-perfect Seattle morning, which is to say, gray, windy and rainy. My lack of preparation heading down to the Market left me running for cover for a few city blocks, scampering from one covered awning to the next, trying to make my way back up to the convention center. In a moment of drowned-rat misery, standing against a building waiting for the deluge to dial back, I had to remember what a friend once told me, which is that when things like this happen, just pretend you're in a movie. So I did. I pretended I was in a movie set in Paris, after a lovely breakfast, running through the rainy streets, waiting for my handsome leading man to find me for a lamppost corner embrace, and then WHAMMO, reality set in when I saw a herd of nerds dressed up like characters from Halo walk by. Doh.

I'm very thankful to Runic Games for giving me the opportunity to experience the Penny Arcade Expo, and all the sensory overload one gets when walking the exhibition hall floor. The team did an amazing job, and it afforded me a rare chance to do some extended wandering downtown and revisit some favorite places for a mini foodie vacation. To see more photos of PAX, go to the Prime's sister site, The Jaunty Magpie.