We stopped by the other day to say Hi to B-Town Blog friend and Advertiser Bison Creek Pizza & Pub. We enjoy the company of the proprietors, but honestly, we just can’t resist the food!

Bison Creek Pizza & Pub originated in West Seattle in 1975 and expanded to Burien in 1977. The West Seattle location is no longer in operation, but the Burien restaurant and pub continues to this day.

New owners Shauna and Ryan Rumel purchased Bison Creek Pizza on September 15, 2008, and have seen business increase due to their hard work even as the economy has seen a dramatic downturn.

Shauna met her husband Ryan at the Art Institute of Seattle where she studied video and film production and Ryan studied graphic design.

They started dating at school and they both graduated in 2001. Then Cupid shot his arrow and they were married in 2004.

Shauna was working in the financial field and Ryan worked in construction. When they both could see that the housing market was going to collapse, they decided to start their own business.

The couple often came to Bison Creek Pizza while they were dating and would drive up from Renton even after they were married because, as Shauna says, “It’s pizza that you crave!”

They noticed a listing for Bison Creek Pizza in 2008 and purchased it.

“It was meant to be,” they told us.

Shauna says “One of the things that sets us apart from other restaurants is that we offer wheat- and gluten-free pizzas, and even wheat- and gluten-free beer!”

“If you have allergies to wheat and gluten, just ask and we will make a special pizza just for you,” she says.

Between 11am and 2pm Monday through Friday, Bison Creek offers a wonderful all-you-can-eat buffet with a salad bar, soup and fantastic pizza!

In addition to pizza, the menu includes appetizers, calzones, a variety of salads, pasta dishes, hot sandwiches and a “Lil’ Bandits” Kids Menu.

Who the heck serves Root Beer Floats anymore? Well, Bison Creek does! Just ask.

On weekends Bison Creek Pizza offers live music featuring some of Seattle’s top bands.

Asked what advice Shauna and Ryan have for folks thinking of starting up their own business, they say “Have patience and go for it. We’re here and we’re happy!”

While eating or enjoying the atmosphere at Bison Creek, ask them about the 100-year old wooden back bar. It’s an 1890’s Brunswick model and was shipped in two pieces from the Bison Creek Dude Ranch in Montana to the Burien location in the early 1990’s.

Click on their ad on this page to read a fascinating history of the Bison Creek Pizza & Pub Burien location.

Better yet, stop by in person and try some of the best pizza you will ever have!

Bison Creek Pizza & Pub
630 SW 153rd Street
Burien, WA 98166

Phone 206-244-8825

Restaurant Hours:

• Monday – Friday 11am to 10pm
• Saturday 11am to 10pm
• Sunday 11am to 9pm

Website: www.BisonCreekPizza.com

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” Ad and/or Event Listing like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by nearly 50,000 interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

Burien’s recent rockin’ faves “Chrome Molly” will once again be rockin’ BTB Advertiser Bison Creek Pizza & Pub this Saturday night, starting at 10pm.

According to Bison Creek’s Shauna:

“We can’t get enough of these guys!

Chrome Molly is back to play another rockin’ show at Bison Creek.

They will start with their AC/DC tribute and end with other classic rock hits.”

Here are the show details:

• NO COVER
  
• Band starts at 10pm
• 21+ only please

Bison Creek Pizza & Pub
630 SW 153rd St.
Burien, WA 98166
206.244.8825

Here’s info on the band:

“CHROME MOLLY” formed from the ashes of several great bands that you never heard of but wish you had!

• *DEBBY G. – Vocals*
• *DAVE A.- Bass
• *CHRIS X. – Guitar and Vocals
• *DAVE C. – Guitars and Harp
• *DAVE on Drums
• *RON G. – Sound Engineer

IT’S ONLY ROCK & ROLL BUT WE LIKE IT!!!!! Enjoy your favorite songs from: The Stones – AC/DC – The Beatles – Led Zeppelin.

THE WAY MUSIC IS MEANT TO BE…RAW AND RAUNCHY!

Here’s a video of ‘em doing AC/DC’s “A Whole Lot of Rosie”:

More info, including MP3s of their music at their MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/231128029

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, Ad and/or Event Listing like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by nearly 50,000 interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

Our good friend Dan “The Sausageman” House has opened his new “Tin Cellars” wine, gift shop and bar.

His new “Tin Theater” is scheduled to open in mid-January or February, with the classic “Wizard of Oz” slated for the big premiere (stay tuned to the BTB for more details soon).

Here are the details for the Tin Cellars opening:

WHAT: Grand Opening of “Tin Cellars”

WHEN: Doors open Thursday, Nov. 12th at 11am; be sure to stop in, say hi to Chirlee and check out the place, as Dan is re-utilizing even more historic artifacts from the historic old Tin Shop that used to be in this location, making this another altar of sorts to the historic old Burien business which originally opened in 1930. Be sure to admire the old wooden sign above the new bar, circa 1940; here’s photographic proof:

WHERE: Tin Cellars is next to The Tin Room Bar at 923 SW 152nd Street in Olde Burien.

INFO: From their press release, which also includes updates on the “Tin Theater”:

Tin Cellars Is Opening!

We are proud and excited to announce the opening of Tin Cellars Thursday, November 12th!

Many of you have questions about Tin Cellars, the Tin Theater and Dan the Sausageman. Hopefully this will answer a few of them.

What is Tin Cellars?
Tin Cellars will be a wine shop featuring Dan the Sausageman sausages, assorted cheeses and Dan’s gift packs during the holidays. Hours of operation will be from 11 AM to 5 PM Monday thru Saturday with extended hours this Thursday for our Grand Opening Celebration. After Thanksgiving we will be open 7 days a week from 11 AM to 5 PM.

When will the Tin Theater open?
We are hoping for late January or early February.

What movies will you play?
Classics, foreign films and second run movies. We are hoping to hear from you on what movies you would like to see.

Can the theater be used for private parties?
Yes, you can book the entire theater as well as Tin Cellars, bring your favorite movie or DVD’s of family photos and enjoy your own theater for a night. Tin Cellars is available immediately for private parties so please call ASAP if this is something you would like as the days are already starting to be booked.

Why is there another bar in the Tin Cellars?
This will be the bar to service the movie theater when it opens. Also it will handle the overflow for the Tin Room allowing our guests to enjoy a new atmosphere, a drink and an appetizer while waiting for a table. You just might find it so comfortable and such a different experience from the Tin Room that you may just want to stick around.

Is the Tin Cellars open now?
Yes, it is open to handle whenever the Tin Room needs more space and it is available for private parties.

Thank you so much for your patience and we hope this is going to be a great new addition to the neighborhood. See you at the movies!

This month Kelley, Nikki and Kristin M are celebrating anniversaries working with the Tin Room. Kelley and Nikki will celebrate 5 years with the Tin room and Kristin M has been with us for 4 years. Chef Daniel and Rigo both have birthdays this month as well.

And, last but not least, the Tin Room will be celebrating it’s 5th birthday this month!!! Join us on Saturday, November 21st for an all out party where we will be giving away gifts and having an all-around great time. Thank you Burien for 5 great years! We’re looking forward to celebrating with you!

BTB Advertiser Bison Creek Pizza & Pub is presenting The Shivering Denizens again, for a night of FREE (as in No Cover) Honky Tonk & Blues starting at 10pm this Saturday night, Oct. 17th.

If you missed their first show (on Sept. 5th), now is your chance to see them perform, this time with Vanessa Page! The Shivering Denizens put on a great honky tonk/blues show, and from the bass to the banjo, have an original sound of their own.

Check them out on Myspace: www.myspace.com/theshiveringdenizens, then call to reserve seats: 206.244.8825.

This is a 21+ over show only, so leave the kids at home, but put your dancin’ shoes on, and bring your appetite and thirst (might as well include your pep too, since they’re open until 2am).

Bison Creek is located at:

630 SW 153rd St.
Burien, WA 98166
206.244.8825

For more info on The Shivering Denizens:

• www.myspace.com/theshiveringdenizens

For more info on Bison Creek Pizza & Pub:

• www.bisoncreekpizza.com

Note from Shauna, Bison Creek owner:

This is one of my personal favorite bands.

The banjo player and stand up bass player is amazing.

The crowd for the last show was diverse. Both the young (mid 20’s) and the old (50+) were enjoying the sounds of The Shivering Denizens.

Very unique!

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, Ad and/or Event Listing like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by over 35,000 interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

BTB Advertiser Bison Creek Pizza & Pub is holding a “Breakbeat Reunion Party” this Saturday night (Sept. 26th) at 10pm with three DJs battling it out on four turntables.

Here are the details:

• Redbeard Productions presents: Breakbeat Reunion 2009, featuring:
  • DJ Mota
  • DJ Switchy
  • DJ Redbeard
• DJ’s will be battling on 4 turntables
• Show starts at 10pm
• 21+ only

Bison Creek Pizza & Pub
630 SW 153rd St.
Burien, WA 98166
206.244.8825

BTB Advertiser Bison Creek Pizza & Pub is having another FREE show this Saturday night (Sept. 19th) in conjunction with 99.9 KISW, featuring heavy metal from “Zero Down” and the “Midnight Idols”!

• Show starts at 10pm.
• 21+ only.
• NO COVER!

Bison Creek Pizza & Pub
630 SW 153rd St.
Burien, WA 98166
206.244.8825

According to their MySpace page, Zero Down is:

..Formed in 2002, ZERO DOWN consists of five veteran musicians from the Seattle metal/punk rock scene that cast iron 70’s Arena Rock and NWOBM guitar riffs with hardcore punk intensity. ZERO DOWN has shared the stage with a variety of national acts including UFO, Motley Crue, Godsmack, The Accused, The Supersuckers, Faster Pussycat, L.A. Guns, Michael Schenker Group, George Lynch, Thor, Prong, Zeke and many more. Their new CD, “Good Times at the Gates of Hell” was recorded at Jupiter Studios with Martin Feveyear (QOTSA, Screaming Trees, Duff McKeagan’s Loaded, etc) and includes artwork by the master of metal art, Ed Repka (Megadeth, 3 Inches of Blood, Death, Misfits, etc)!

Check out what the rest of the world has to say:

Hands, er, down, Seattle’s Zero Down are America’s best unsigned band, and to be that, you gotta have more than one beer-bongin record of clanging rock God-ness, and well, Zero Down have two, 2005’s Old Time Revival and now this Ed Repka-painted ripper! – Martin Popoff (BWBK Magazine & Hard Radio.com)

…and Midnight Idols are:

“A true Head banging, fist pumping fury from start to finish.”
- metalwarrants.com

“…from the opening title track Midnight Idols scorch this gig, laying down a proud pounding metal assault that is sure to please fans of the old school of rock.”
- maximummetal.com

“I’ve not heard a riff cooler than the opening to “Satan’s Son” since 1985, believe it. If the NWOBHM and the Sunset Strip mated and created a bastard child of excessive proportions, it’d sound something like the Midnight Idols.”
- antidoterecords.com

BTB Advertiser Sidestreet Kitchen & Bar is hosting Burien jazz musician and singer Sandra Locklear, who will be playing piano and singing on every Thursday nights, starting at 7:30pm through the month of September, including this Thurs. night Sept. 17th.

Sidestreet Kitchen & Bar is located at 717 SW 148th Street in Burien (for more info, read our “Blogvertorial” for them here).

Locklear, a Burien resident, is both a musician and a singer, and according to her website:

“Music is a language of the human spirit. I can’t imagine a world without music and love lifting people up through the power of song!” – Sandra

Sidestreet Kitchen & Bar is located at 717 SW 148th.

A FRESH SOUND EMERGES
Seattle-based artist Sandra Locklear is both musician and singer with a natural gift for connecting with her audiences. With intuitive ease and passionate virtuosity, she pairs a rich alto voice with jazz piano stylings refined over many years of playing venues in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Canada and Europe. She effortlessly crosses over from jazz to blues, to folk to country, to pop and to rock with a technical proficiency honed since she took her first piano lesson at age 7. As a composer and performer Sandra sets a fresh standard full of vitality and soul.

EARLY INFLUENCES
Sandra began jazz and classical keyboard training with her lifelong music mentor, Hollywood B-3 jazz organist Margo Beecher. The music of Ellington, Jobim and Bach became standard fare for Sandra’s weekly lessons as her teacher passed on her repertoire. By middle school, Sandra was performing at weddings, fashion shows and church. In high school she won Yamaha’s Young Artists NW Regional Organ competition and went on to compete in California.

Afterward, a year studying jazz organ in San Francisco inspired Sandra to enroll in a college music program back in Washington State. Unable to resist the lure of the road, she soon accepted an offer to tour with a dance quartet. “And that’s when I really started singing. The band leader stuck a microphone in front of my mouth and ordered me to sing!” she recounts.

For more information, visit Sandra’s website here. To listen to some of her music samples, click here.

Sidestreet Kitchen & Bar’s phone number is (206) 504-5428. Visit their website here, and be sure to tell ‘em “the blog sent you!”

The Wurst is coming to Burien on Sunday, Oct. 4th folks…are you ready?

By “Wurst” we mean the very unique fundraiser known as the (first-annual) “Brat Trot” 5K run (which you can count down to with our handy-dandy timer over there in the right sidebar…).

As we first reported here on Aug. 3rd, Brat Trot is being “braut” to you by The Tin Room, with help from the good peeps who helped run the Cove to Clover Race back in March (which raised $12K), with proceeds benefiting:

• Safe Kids of South King County
• WestSide Baby

BRET THE BRAT (with Hot Link in the old country)

We were able to obtain an exclusive interview with “Bret the Brat,” who’s become a sort of official mascot of the event, which we present to you below in its unedited entirety (NOTE: Bret speaks with an accent, so it’s best to read this with one in your head):

Q: What is this “Brat Trot” thing anyways?
A: Think of this as gesture of goodwill…the sausage community extending handshake of friendship to nearby humans. Though we are sorry about that sausages will crush humans in the running challenge.

Q: Why Olde Burien?
A: Dan the Sausageman is near the center of the known sausage universe. All sausages want to come here…though most do not come because they can’t walk. And oddly, the ones who do end up here seem so happy, they never leave. Is odd.

Q: Is this a fundraiser?
A: Yes, yes, yes. We want to help smaller human children by helping WestSide Baby and Safe Kids of South King County. Maybe, we are working to help those organizations to care for perhaps, little bratwursts in future as well.

Q: Who the heck are you and why should we care?
A: Why you curse to me? I am a friendly Bratwurst trying to make place of Burien friendly. Humans and sausages we become nice friends, no?

Q: Will you be running?
A: I have been training for this for more than one month, I will be most likely be winning.

Q: What’s this about an oompa band at the finish line?
A: Bratwurst are from Bavaria, so naturally we love the oompah and this band is the best (and is very large). We tried to get German rock band Scorpions but they want more than $500…much, much more…is too bad.

Q: What can runners expect during the race?
A: Please prepare to lose running competition to highly trained running sausages. Other than that, there is much fun for human adults and children. Bratwurst with kraut, beer garden, root beer garden (free food and root beer for kids), floating brat races for the kids and of course dancing sausages. And have whole family take photo with a sausage for your special yuletide greeting cards.

Q: What’s this about a relay race with a hot dog?
A: NO HOT DOGS WILL BE AT MY RACE! The brat-ton is a faux sausage handcrafted from foam rubber. It will be a cherished item passed from down in family of high class. You want more details you go to this webpage! NO MORE SPEAKEN DAS HOT DOGGEN!

Q: Rumor has it that the “Yodeling Dominatrix” may be there as well?
A: Hmmm, is new information to me. Maybe special friend of Sausageman?

Q: Where the heck is this all happening again?
A: Oh for the sake of Der Schlussenfuffel, here’s das mappen – clicken to see larger version:

Q: What is this about a Pub Crawl on Sat., Oct. 3rd, the night before the race?
A: Ah yes, well yes I will be there, and will be allowing you humans to “warm up for race” with me during this fun pre-event. Pick up official crawl bib # ($10) at Tin Room beginning at 6pm, then crawl to at least five of the official crawl stops for “crawl drink and food specials.” At each you are to gather visitation stickers to qualify for door prize drawing to be held at Tin Room at 11pm. Humans asked to dress in traditional German costumes (not just hat mit das feather) or come dressed as a beautiful Bratwurst (even better) and you crawl for free (well, actually you’ve paid with your self respect in the case of the brat suit). Humans asked also please have what you call “designated driver” or taxi take you home, no? Seeking ze further info here.

Q: We understand that you’re in a video. Can we post it?
A: No. Whatever you does, no posting no viewing of video. I sign no release, and whoever watches will pay bigtime und hearen from mein lawyers!

by Diana Arney

Attention B-Town Blog readers – it is with great pleasure that we introduce our latest Advertiser: Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar! Blog Reader…Sidestreet Kitchen…Sidestreet Kitchen…Blog Reader.

There…consider yourselves formally introduced.

Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar, a.k.a Burien’s “Best Kept Secret,” is located at 717 SW 148th Street, in the heart of Burien. Dan Davis is the chef/owner of Sidestreet and I had the pleasure of talking with him about his restaurant recently.

Dan grew up in Burien, on our very own Three Tree Point. He went to culinary school in New Jersey. After various chef and catering positions, including Daniel’s Broiler and Ruth’s Chris downtown, he became the executive sous-chef at the top of the Columbia Tower in Seattle. It is here that Dan earned the honor of cooking dinner for President Bill Clinton. He kept the meal “local” by serving the President a chanterelle-stuffed Filet Mignon with a Rainier Cherry demi-glace and a Walla Walla onion crust. Dan was also selected to cook for many other diplomats during his time at the Columbia Tower.

The planning for Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar took over two years when Dan decided to “return to his roots” and start his business in Burien, a place he’s always called home throughout his many travels. Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar opened for business on December 26th, 2008 in the midst of the infamous Seattle winter storm!

Just recently, Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar had the honor of having The Blue Angels pay a visit! Turns out, Dan is good friends with another local celebrity by the name of Dave Eady, Harley Davidson uber-aficionado and owner of the Harley Davidson Memorabilia Museum ( HYPERLINK “http://www.dave-eady.org” http://www.dave-eady.org). Each year, Mr. Eady takes the Blue Angels on a few of his Harleys around town. This year he brought them by the restaurant on their Burien tour, where they sampled some of the fare and signed some pictures.

“To look out into our restaurant and see a great friend like Dave, the Blue Angels, our customers, and my parents (who sped up to the restaurant after they heard the Blue Angels were here) all rubbing elbows together, was a pretty special moment for me,” Dan recalled.

Dan likes to delve into various menu genres, picking favorites from his various influences that he’s picked up over the years. Mediterranean, Asian, Cajun, Fusion, and general upscale pub specialties are a few genres you’ll see on the menu. Most of the produce on the menu is local; purchased from either Burien’s own Farmer’s Market, Duane’s Garden Patch in Boulevard Park, or picked from Dan’s family garden. Even the fresh flowers on the tables are picked from this garden. Dan takes great pride in keeping things local; and it’s evident in the presentation…presentation of the restaurant and presentation on the menu.

A few of my personal favorites from Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar include:

Appetizers/Bar Menu:

• Hummus/Grilled Flat Bread
• Pulled Pork Sandwich with green apple slaw/hand-cut herb fries (YUM!)

Dinner Menu:

• Cucumber-Tomato Salad – baby spinach/peppers/feta cheese/mint/basil/red wine vinaigrette
• Grilled Italian Flatbread – Your choice of:
  • White bean puree/shaved parmesan/arugula/bacon, or
  • Tomatoes/basil/extra virgin olive oil/fresh mozzarella
• Pepper-Seared Rare Ahi Tuna – sesame-soy BBQ sause/wasabi mashed potatoes/chef’s choice vegetables.

And, my all-time favorite: PRIME RIB on Friday nights! A wonderful cut of Prime Rib, served with a loaded baked potato and fresh vegetables.

Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar has the best Happy Hour in town, Tuesday-Saturday from 3pm to 6pm. Rainier Draft for $2, all micro brews for $4, all well drinks $1 off, wine specials, and a nice variety of Happy Hour food! All drinks are made from scratch, using only fresh ingredients. You won’t find any mixers here, only fresh fruits, herbs and juices!

My article wouldn’t be complete with making special mention of Heather, one of the bartenders at Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar. Heather makes the most incredible concoctions, my favorite of which is her famous Mocha-tini. Enough said…you have to try this one!

Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar has a wonderful atmosphere, and very friendly staff who will always welcome you with a hearty hello and earnest smile. They’ll treat you like a regular, even on your first visit…and soon you WILL be a regular. The covered, outside patio, which is dog-friendly, by the way, is now open so you can enjoy your meal outdoors throughout the summer.

So, come on down to the Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar! Tell ‘em that “the blog” sent you and be prepared for a great meal and a great time altogether. For more information, visit their website here.

[Would you like to have a "Blogvertorial" story and Ad like this for your Business on a popular, fast-growing website seen by 25,000+ interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

by Janet Grella

Ever wonder why Burien-ites are not seeing as much of Mick and Adrian at their local Burien eatery, Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub and Restaurant (a BTB Advertiser)?

To find out, I spent a few hours with Mick’s Marketing Dirctor Sandy Schmitt. We visited their ‘new’ properties where they’ve been real busy expanding their restaurant business to Renton as well as the Glen Acres Golf Club.

In May of this year they resurrected “Full Throttle” in Renton. It’s now “Mick Kelly’s at Full Throttle.” Located on top of Bob Lamphere’s Renton Motorcycles and next to Renton Harley, this location can be called a real, upscale biker bar and restaurant. It’s got “outdoor dining” on a patio that overlooks the sales floor of Renton Motorcycles, and windows that overlook Harley’s service department.

Mick and Adrian not only imported all their Irish Specialities to Renton, but plan to offer pizza on the menu soon. Plus they’ve got lots of sandwiches, sides and appetizers. They offer $1 tacos and $2 beers on Tuesday and Thursdays from 5-8. Regular Happy Hour is Tues-Sun 3-6.

Mick’s sister, Lorraine Torrez, a long-time server/bartender in Burien, has joined Mick and Adrian as a partner in Mick Kelly’s at Full Throttle. She’s quite proud of the all-chrome bar and the bar stools that are authentic Harley motorcycle seats.

On Saturdays in Renton, customers will find the cooks firing up the BBQ downstairs from 11-3. Their specialty, hamburgers and hot dogs soaked in Guinness are served up with chips (that’s french fries) for $5 and $4 respectively. There’s also a beer garden for your drinking pleasure.

You’ll find Mick Kelly’s at Full Throttle at 3701 E. Valley Road in Renton, and here’s a photos slideshow by Michael Brunk that will transport you there:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Next on our road trip was Glen Acres Golf Club. “Mick Kelly’s at Glen Acres Golf Club” opened to residents and members on July 1st. Not only do they serve the same great food we all know and love, but also this location will house Mick Kelly’s Catering.

The catering division started about 18 months ago and grew out of “Mick Kelly’s Catering-Boxed Lunches” serving sandwiches and salads to go.

In order to expand their catering division, they hired Chef Richard Maglietto. “Chef Richard’ (to non-Italian speakers) has 45 years’ experience in the kitchen and his personal credits include 24 gold medals in national culinary competitions and he’s a Certified Chef through New York’s prestigious Culinary Institute of America. He also has extensive training in Tornino and Florence, Italy, mastering the art of baking and desserts.

When you and/or your group decide that you require the best in local/regional catering, contact Sandy Schmitt at sandy@mickkellys.com or call 206-244-1177. She and Chef Richard will create custom menus ranging in price from $12-25 per person.

Sandy tells us that no event is too small or too large for them to cater. They recently did an Irish funeral at the Cove for 300 people. They also do weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, retirement parties – you name it, they’ll cater it.

And this brings us back to Glen Acres. The clubhouse was built in 1935 and has long boasted beautiful views of Seattle, our own Emerald City. The main dining room captures this panoramic view. There’s a cozy bar area, another dining room as well as an outdoor patio. There’s room for up to 250 guests for special occasions.

When your book your event and catering with Mick Kelly’s you will have the full use of Glen Acres Golf Club. Golf Party on the Patio? Swimming party at the pool? Wedding on the lawn followed by catered dinner? No problem now that Mick’s and Glen Acres have teamed up for Mick Kelly’s at Glen Acres Golf Club.

But their catering is not limited to Glen Acres. They will deliver meals to any venue you want. Big or small. No service or full service.

So there you have it. Mick and Adrian are still around Burien…around Renton…now around Glen Acres…and at a catered event near you!

by Scott Schaefer

UPDATE: Cafe Mia, which closed without warning last Thursday (we first reported on it Saturday 4/25), is planning on remodeling and re-opening as a “family bar and grill” sometime in early to mid-summer, according to co-owner Todd McKittrick.

We spoke with Mr. McKittrick Monday morning (4/27), and he told us that the cafe, as it was, simply wasn’t making enough money. Despite a strong lunchtime crowd, business wasn’t consistent enough, so they decided to close it down.

McKittrick says that a new restaurant will soon open in the same location after a remodel that changes the current cafe to include:

• More comfortable atmosphere with table service
• Lower ceilings to make it quieter
• Replacing the round tables with more traditional square ones
• Enlarge the outdoor seating area
• Re-design it as a “family bar and grill”

A few Commenters mentioned that they thought the location in the new Normandy Park Towne Center was a problem, one calling it a “dead zone” and another a “black hole,” with one even suggesting that the only business that would thrive would be “a strip bar.”

McKittrick disagrees, saying that it wasn’t the location.

“All three owners are Normandy Park residents,” McKittrick said. “We’re all local, and we all believe that a local restaurant can work at this location. We’re just listening to our customers and making changes based on their feedback. We’ll re-open soon with the same great food, but with a different menu.”

McKittrick said that the remodeled restaurant will have a new name, but that they hadn’t yet decided on what that will be.

Despite the changes, the Cafe Mia website remains unchanged, with no mention of any closure or changes, as does their Facebook page.

Stay Tuned is a group of musicians from the Pacific Northwest who play acoustic bluegrass, country, folk, and western swing music, and they’re playing live at 909 Coffee & Wine Saturday night (April 25th) starting ’round 8pm.

There’s NO COVER charge, so what better way to have a mini Saturday night staycation than to listen to Stay Tuned at 909?

Stay Tuned consists of Alan Ehrlich on Banjo, Guitar, Vocals; Terry O’Brien on Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals; Pete Goodall on Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals, and Mary Sackmann on Bass and Vocals.

From their website:

Formed in 2002, they began playing with an interest to produce original acoustic music.

Members of the group formerly played with northwest bluegrass groups, Rainy Pass, Fidelity Grange and The Growlers.

Their music spans a variety of genres and consists of bluegrass instrumentation (banjo, bass, guitar, mandolin and vocals).

Great music, rich vocals, humor and the love of entertaining is Stay Tuned’s signature.

If you’re wondering what they sound like, here are a few audio samples:

[display_podcast]

909 Coffee & Wine is located at 909 SW 152nd Street in Olde Burien; phone # is 206 243 7909.

Our friends at Burien’s Bison Creek Pizza and Pub, located at 630 SW 153rd Street (in the historic building that once housed the Burien Theater) has undergone a major remodel, extended their hours, is now offering live music and DJs, and would like everyone to know about it.

Here are the details:

• Friday nights: live DJ.
• Saturday nights: live music.
• Here is a list of upcoming events and shows:
  • Friday April 24th: DJ Quinn, 10pm-2am, 21+, No Cover
  • Saturday April 25th: The American Night ~ A Doors Tribute Band, 10pm-2am $5 Cover, 21+; Here’s a sample of them doing “Break On Through”:

  [display_podcast]

  • Friday May 1st: DJ Quinn, 10pm-2am, 21+, No Cover
  • Saturday May 2nd: Kimball Conant and the Fugitives (a great NW Blues/Jazz band), No Cover, 21+ 10pm-2am
  • Friday May 8th: DJ Audacious, 10pm-2am 21+, No Cover
• Full bar.
• Kitchen is open until 2am every Friday and Saturday night.

So if you haven’t been in lately, go check ‘em out and be sure to tell ‘em The B-Town Blog sent you!

The good peeps at BTB Advertiser Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub are offering up some fine savings on their tasty food, and we’re proud to offer up the following coupon which you can print and use to save $6:

Just click on the coupon graphic above, then Print it and head on down to Mick Kelly’s on a Sunday or Monday to save $6!

Expires March 31st.

[Are you interested in getting an online coupon offer in front of the eyes of a local, affluent audience in the Burien area? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

by Gina Bourdage

The term “dive bar” conjures up negative images of dark, smoky, smelly taverns, shady staff and questionable menus full of deep fried mystery food.

Burien’s Barrel Tavern is in no way any of these things.

In a time where trendy bars are becoming dives or using gimmicks to lure you in, while dive bars are becoming trendy bars by serving 40s or watered down versions of drinks they call “specialty beverages,” there are fewer and fewer places serving up a good old dash of reliability.

After numerous visits, purely for research of course, I found there was far more at The Barrel than meets the eye:

1. The moment you walk in you are treated like a regular.
2. There are no unidentifiable smells that overwhelm you when you walk in. Rich local history.
3. Plenty of parking. Come on it used to be a Drive In! Built in 1963 as the “Triple XXX Drive In,” owner Linda Enright has worked hard to keep the integrity of the original landmark building.
4. Bikers welcome…but you can come too.
5. Live bands that you actually want to see. And did I mention NO COVER!
6. Seattle’s longest-running open Jam Session every Tuesday.
7. Karaoke every Saturday and sometimes Fridays. Hundreds of great karaoke singers…and 3 bad ones.
8. The most dedicated owner you may ever meet. She cares about her customers and her community.
9. No drama policy. Do not test this one – trust me, the staff will win.
10. Free poker tourney every Wednesday.
11. A menu that could put most dinners to shame. Fresh, well made pub grub that will have you returning for more than just a beverage. Insiders tip: go for the fresh, not deep fried tacos, the Barrel burger (fresh never frozen) or the Barrel chicken sandwich.
12. Saturday & Sunday breakfast menu that could cure any hangover.
13. If you need more than just liquid entertainment there are darts, a pool table, pull tabs, video games, and flat screens always playing the game.
14. A jukebox that is filled with only the greatest classic rock, country and 80’s faves.

Leave your club clothes at home and forget the overdone hair, this is one spot it won’t work.

Be prepared to sit back, hang out with old friends and even make some new ones.

If you’re looking for a dependable neighborhood bar with a ton of character, in more ways than one, you need not look any further than The Barrel.

The Barrel is located at:

11051 1st Ave S

Seattle, WA 98168

Get Directions

(206) 244-7390

View Larger Map

Pam Patty, a happy customer, and Mark Minium (of BTB Advertiser Burien Honda) take a break at Tuesday night’s Inauguration Party at The Mark Restaurant. The joint was so busy that Mark ended up volunteering some precious “day of service” time bussing tables to help out.

The B-Town Blog proudly welcomes its latest Advertiser, a quality local business we know quite well: The Mark Restaurant and Bar in Olde Burien!

The Mark is both a fine restaurant and a fun bar, located in a renovated historic building at 914 SW 152nd (see map below).

We know it well because a) we’re frequent customers and b) we had our Halloween Karaoke Party there!

Speaking of parties – The Mark is hosting a very special New Year’s Eve, 1920s-style interactive “Murder Mystery Party” starting at 8:30pm on Dec. 31st!

Here are the details:

• Join the fun as you navigate through “Murder at the Four Deuces” with gangsters, hit men, politicians, entertainers, molls and many other interesting guests in attendance.
• Price is $35 per person and includes dinner and a toast at Midnight and of course…murder!
• You must register ahead of time and receive your character packet. There are a variety of characters to choose from, including background ones, main/active characters, minor roles or just bystanders – it’s totally up to you. The night’s fun is based on the 1920s era, so “Flapper Wear” is encouraged for women and suits for men.
• This should be a popular, fun evening, so get your tickets or reservations now by calling 206-241-6275.

So…check out their Ad on the right sidebar, call and get tickets for their New Year’s Eve Party, and be sure to tell ‘em The B-Town Blog sent you!

View Larger Map

BTB Advertiser Elliott Bay Brewery begins offering Brunch starting this Saturday, Nov. 15th from 9:30am – 2:30pm and continuing every Saturday and Sunday morning.

As all good B-Towners know, there’s nothing better than a good solid locally-made, high-quality brunch to make your weekend, and we highly recommend giving your own local, organically-certified brewery’s a try.

Elliott Bay Brewery is located at 255 SW 152nd in downtown Burien (Street View map below), so we’ll probably see you there!

View Larger Map

Tonight’s “Jam Night” at The Breaktime, which is a sometimes-overlooked bar in downtown Burien at 635 SW 152nd Street, between Sixth and Ambaum Blvd. and right across the street from Miller Paint.

Hosted by Scott Rogney on drums, the regular jammin’ lineup also includes award-winning guitarist Rod Cook and Ken “Bernie Nitro” Lacombe on bass.

The music is mostly blues, older rock, country, jazz, and yes, there is a dance floor.

We’ve never been but we think it’s worth checkin’ out.

View Larger Map

Burien’s historic Bison Creek Pizza has been remodeled, and will re-open this Saturday as Bison Creek Pizza & Pub!

The grand re-opening starts at Noon and goes until 2am.

One reason we’re all over this is that we love the history of the place. The building that houses Bison Creek once served as the “Burien Theater” and showed movies from 1957 and continued until the 1970s when the now-gone Lewis and Clark Theaters were built. According to some sources, the theater was popular for its Saturday triple features of low-budget monster movies, Jerry Lewis double features and the classic Beach Party series.

After the projector lights faded for the last time, it became home to a very unique restaurant called “Big Bob’s Pipe Dream” which had a large 1918 Wurlitzer organ that was moved from Seattle’s Coliseum Theatre (now Banana Republic). The Coliseum was owned by the Bullitt family, who owned KING-TV (disclosure: the Publisher/Editor of the B-Town Blog got his first media “gig” at KING-TV’s “Almost Live!” in 1985, and was proud to say he worked there when an elderly Dorothy Bullitt still ran the place). The story goes that one day the Bullitt sisters decided to sell the pipe organ, and “Bob,” who was a TV technician for KING-TV, was interested. The sisters offered it to him, but he thought he couldn’t afford it. Their reply was, “Would a dollar be too much?”

So this KING-TV tech guy buys a big ol’ pipe organ for a buck from the Bullitt sisters and moves it to Burien! The pipe organ allegedly ended up being sold to a man in Oregon, who used parts to build another one.

And now, the former-movie-theater-turned-pipe-organ-joint-turned-pizza-joint is starting anew as a remodeled pizza-pub-joint.

Bison Creek will now have “pub hours” on both Friday and Saturday nights – starting this Sat. Oct. 11th from 10pm-2am (21 and older only), with live music!

The new owners are inviting everyone to come down for the grand re-opening this Saturday starting at Noon until 2am, so get down there, show your support and tell ‘em the B-Town Blog sent ya!

Bison Creek is located at 630 SW 153rd Street (map below).

View Larger Map

Elliott Bay Brewhouse and Pub (BTB Advertiser) will hold its 2nd Annual Oktoberfest this Saturday, Oct. 4th, which will include:

• A special Oktoberfest menu available all day
• Live music starting at 5PM
• Special Hop Harvest and Mashing Pumpkin seasonal ales
• Fun for families and children of all ages
• And of course, the infamous Chicken Dance, which you can learn by watching this wonderful instructional video from everyone’s-a favorite-a program, The Lawrence Welk Show:

Elliott Bay Brewhouse and Pub is located in the heart of downtown Burien at 255 SW 152nd Street (map below) and can be reached at (206) 246-4211.

EDITOR’S NOTE: If you’ve never quaffed a few brews whilst wearing lederhosen and doing the Chicken Dance at an Oktoberfest party, you ain’t livin’!

View Larger Map

The tavern formerly known as the MVP Sports Bar, located on Ambaum Blvd. and SW 128th, is now “Twigg’s,” complete with a new paint job and management.

It’s no secret that this building has had its share of troubles (a deadly shooting in May; and in its previous incarnation as the Flame Tavern, is where Ted Bundy met his only Burien-area victim, Brenda Ball).

However, we spoke with William, the new owner’s son, and he assured us they’re intent on cleaning it up. He mentioned an increase in security on weekends, along with new pool tables, TVs, event nights, renovations and more.

“We also haven’t had any problems in two months,” he remarked.

Let’s hope things continue to improve for this place.

For more information, visit the Twiggs MySpace page here.

View Larger Map

Police are asking that if you’ve seen the man in the picture to the left, please call 911 immediately.

He is the suspect in a stabbing last Sunday that sent two people to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Eusebio Hernandez-Espinoza, 41, is the man police believe attacked his estranged wife and another man in the 100 block of Eighth Avenue in Seattle’s Central District.

Hernandez-Espinoza and his wife had befriended the man at a Burien bar before the 4:20 a.m. stabbing (NOTE: we do not know which bar but the fact that it was Burien indicates that he may hang out here).

Officers say the three returned to a Central District apartment, where Hernandez-Espinoza stabbed them numerous times. The man collapsed at the intersection of Yesler and Broadway; police found the female collapsed in the apartment doorway.

Police say Hernandez-Espinoza, who is also known as Nelson Hernandez, may be driving a white pickup truck with a brown or black canopy and Idaho license plates. He has black hair, brown eyes is 5-foot-7 with a medium build.

Police believe Hernandez-Espinoza may be armed.

“That’s why we’re asking people not to approach him,” spokesman Jeff Kappel said. “We want people to watch him from a safe distance and call us to come get him.”

SOURCE:

• Seattle P-I

This Saturday night, the B-Town Blog is forecasting a major Jazz Advisory, as Josephine Howell & Paul Richardson bring their amazing musicianship to the 909 Wine & Coffee Bar, which, coincidentally, is located at 909 SW 152nd in Olde Burien (that is soooo weird…).

Music starts ’round 8:30pm, and what better way to mock the alleged “real” Weather Advisory then to go out and have a great time in a great wine/coffee bar, all whilst damning those teeny little flakes and specks of hail falling from the foreboding, darkened skies of doom.

That’s right – let’s all show the Steve Pools, Handy Wapplers and Doppler Radars of the world that we control our lives, not some alleged “Weather Advisory.”

Just remain in control, or better yet – walk thru the sleet and snow like a rugged Postal Worker (oh heck, just assign a Designated Driver).

So get out and have fun, after of course doing good for our planet on Earth Day (or at least the working person’s weekend version of it), then quaffing some spirits and grooving to the sounds of some talented humans.

For more info, call the 909 at (206) 243-7909.

Welcome to the first “Found In B-Town,” a new ongoing collection of photos taken in and around Burien.

Today’s shot is of a photo of the old Hi-Line Tin Shop’s tool collection, and was taken Friday night around 11:30pm inside The Tin Room Bar in Olde Burien:

Have an interesting photo you’d like posted?

Please email it to B-Town Editor Scott Schaefer.

Thanks!