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Where Bad Means Good
By Unknown Writer #4
Nov 30, 2000 -- Five p.m. Dark already. Drove up 20th Avenue, turned onto 59th Street and picked up Red. Chilly November night with my good pal, what could be better? Wound over to Market Street and there, there--OHHHHH, there were the SNOWFLAKES! I'd heard about them but hadn't imagined the impact--more than 60 glittering snowflakes, 5 feet wide, on poles all down Market Street and Ballard Avenue. It was magic. It was fairyland. Red loved it too.We parked way down Ballard Avenue and strolled into Bad Albert's. Brick walls painted white, black wainscoting, photos, chrome. Sort of an updated retro diner look with high stools around tall tables. Not too busy: three televisions on, a Sonics game, the sports banter not too intrusive, and thankfully, no blaring music. It felt like a holiday. Red cheeks and heavy coats.
| Payne's picks: |
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Saturday, December 2 - Henry Cooper - Bad Albert's Tap and Grill 5100 Ballard Avenue NW, (206) 782-9623. Saturday, December 2 - Pete Droge, Jerry Joseph The Base Board Heaters -The Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. NW, (206) 784-4880. Tuesday, December 5 - Michael Shuler, S. Hardison - The Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. NW, (206) 784-4880. Thursday, December 7 - Tom Rush (early show) and Tony Furtado (late show) - The Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. NW, (206) 789-3599. Friday, December 8 - Marshall Crenshaw - The Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. NW, (206) 789-3599. Call venues for times and prices. Clubs: Please e-mail schedules to cpollyc@aol.com or fax to: (206) 324-5336. |
"Did you see the snowflakes?" I asked.
"Really?" his eyes wide and incredulous. "No way."
"Yeah, go outside and look north!"
He zipped out the door and returned saying, "There's no snow out there!"
"Yes, there is, there is, I tell you. You just have to look for it."
The rest of the staff went out too, all coming back with we're-bummed-but-we're-smarter-than-you looks on their faces.
"There's no damn snow out there."
Well, fine.
Anyway, our lovely server, David, offered beverages. Red got a root beer.
I wanted a lager.
"How about a Yellow Snow?" David replied.
Aren't you the smart-ass, I thought. What I said was "Sure." (Yellow Snow really does exist--it's one of Rogue's winter brews. I had two.)
And that was the beginning of a very pleasant little dinner at Bad Albert's. Celebrating their sixth anniversary in mid-January, Bad Albert's serves up simply delicious diner food, pours a variety of micro-brews and offers a warm spot to hang. Six years ago owner Steve Katsandres bought and remodeled the seedy, dilapidated Trader Van's tavern, and named the place after his 20-pound cat, Bad Albert. (How can you not like that?) Seems Albert has been around forever, and at age 14 he's still healthy and still inspiring the staff. Photos and drawings of Albert are placed in subtle spots everywhere. A few years ago Katsandres even ran Albert as the restaurant's candidate in the Ballard Avenue mayoral election. He didn't win, but weighed in heavily in feline-populated precincts.
Either Albert or Steve must like the blues, 'cause every Thursday and Saturday they offer music, featuring some of the finest blues players in the Northwest. Thursdays are a no-cover-charge show with Louisiana boogie-woogie piano queen Annieville Blues (that's really her name). Annieville invites a different special guest every week, so although you're guaranteed her capricious piano, you never know exactly what else is brewing. Just know she has good taste. Two-dollar Saturdays change every week, with the December lineup including Henry Cooper, Eric Madis, the Blues Healers, Bailey's Blues and Cooke and Greene.
That's Bad Albert's. A little sports, a little music, tasty food, good beer and flowers on the tables. Best of all, they love their pets. PAWS would be pleased.
Bad Albert's is located at 5100 Ballard Avenue NW, phone (206) 782-9623.
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