Things are settling down a bit for us cross-lake commuters, but it’s hard to say if next week will be better or worse. On the one hand, according to WSDOT, people are still deciding what their commute will be as tolling continues for the next 45 years. Some who tried to outwit the toll monsters…

We’re living in some peculiar culinary times: Geoduck has been upgraded from anonymous chowder clam to star of the raw bar, and the food illuminati eat beef tongue and sweetbreads, know the names of egg farmers and have gotten awfully snooty about their strawberries. And now we’re seeing burgers that cost more than a used…

Hamburger All the WayFive GuysRenton, Northgate and Redmond$4.99Sure, it’s a national chain, but at clean, bright and friendly Five Guys, you’ll find what is easily one of the best burgers around for $5. The best part: All the toppings—grilled onions and mushrooms, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers, jalapeños, relish and more—are free. Bacon CheeseburgerBroiler BayBellevue$4.69Charbroiled…

All-American BurgerButcher’s Grind House Burger at Local 360 Belltown$11 The rustic, casual Belltown spot’s outstanding burger is made of a secret blend of local beef cooked perfectly medium, as requested, and has a nice steak-like flavor, a loosely bound texture and a salty crust. Comes with a gorgeous slice of tomato, a pile of greens,…

If you missed the latest installment of The Off Hours reading series at Sole Repair last night, you missed several special moments: A man proposed to his girlfriend on top of the bar at intermission; reader Jose Bold found 100 dollars in the bathroom and bought drinks for everyone within earshot; and just before the…

Now that we are all back from the holidays (well, physically at least, my brain might still be on vacation) it’s time to welcome back our weekly round-up of all things related to shopping and style: – Mane Blow Dry Bar opens up shop today at 7th and Pine downtown and holy moly, have they…

Fremont beer temple Brouwer’s opened its sibling bar/restaurant, The Publican, in Greenlake’s Tangletown neighborhood last week, revamping the former Bandolero space into an upscale neighborhood pub. For Mario Campos, Brouwer’s former sous-chef, it’s his opportunity to finally run his own show.  “It’s a really interesting type of art,” says the 28-year-old longtime Seattle resident, who…

MUST TASTEPho at Pho BacEveryone already has their favorite pho spot. Our food editor Allison Austin Scheff’s heart belongs to the once purple but now red (and boat-shaped!) Pho Bac, on the corner of 14th and Jackson. It earns that distinction partly for sentimental reasons, partly because of the kitsch of the plastic flowers hanging…

If you’re an east-west driver, you’ve already grappled with this one: Is it worth the price of two lattes to breeze across the lake? With peak tolls running $3.50 each way ($5 if you don’t have a “Good to Go” pass; $200 a month, people!), that 520 bridge is now a serious budget item for…

When Tiffany Lowry, one of our favorite local beauty and makeup experts (see: her appearance in our Best of 2011 issue), got rained out of yet another photoshoot this fall, she decided it was high time to have a dedicated (non-drippy) place to create glorious hair and makeup styles.   Lowry (left) with frequent collaborator…

Still trying to come up with a New Year’s resolution? How about kickstarting that book idea you’ve been mulling over? Local authors Kerry Colburn and Jennifer Worick have a new Business of Books workshop: 30 Days to a Winning Book Proposal. Learn how to research, refine, pitch and pen a proposal—and get that book out…