Tigertail Adds An Asian Twist to Ballard’s Growing Nightlife
Since its opening in November, Tigertail on Ballard's burgeoning 65th Street strip, has become
By Shannon Borg December 31, 1969
Category: Eat + Drink Articles
The Vibe: Toned-down tiki, with soft golden lighting and a sorghum-topped bar, draws a diverse crowd: hipster overflow from local watering hole The Tin Hat, local bungalow dwellers, Ballard fishermen and artisans who frequent a happy hour (Mon.–Sun., 3–6 p.m.) that offers $1 Pabst Blue Ribbons, $3 well drinks, a buck off all wine or draft beers and $6 pot stickers.
The Drinks: More than a dozen warm and cold sakes by decanter or bottle, including the organic Sho Chiku Bai ($12 for a small bottle), are the backbone of a small but interesting drink list (including the tangy-sweet Ginger Lemondrop, $7, with house-made lemongrass syrup).
The Food: Bite-sized crispy pot stickers ($9) filled with seasonal veggies are worth seconds; order the notoriously overcooked chicken satay ($9) for the delicious green-tea- and coconut-scented sticky rice that comes as an accompaniment—it’s aromatic and addictive. Other good bets on the pan-Asian menu: the spicy Vietnamese pork sandwiches ($7) and sake-steamed clams spiked with blood orange ($9).
The Bathroom: Admire the shiny aluminum sink and feminine cherry blossoms that decorate the walls of the women’s room, while a colorful countertop koi mural is the centerpiece of the impressively spotless men’s room.