Resolution #130: Get To Know My Community Of Greenwood, WA...

Date: 5-10-2014

Due Date: 5-10-2015

Resolution: I moved to the Greenwood area of Seattle, WA about three or four years ago. Even though I barely leave my apartment I love the concept of this neighborhood. It has a small-town vibe within the big city, there's a bit of a nightlife, but it's not a trendy area so the bars don't get too over-crowded with a-holes. Most importantly, everything I need is within walking distance.

Unfortunately, I'm a bit of an agoraphobe so I've managed to avoid all the mom and pop establishments that make the neighborhood interesting to me. I don't go shopping unless I know exactly what I want. I prefer to go to the bigger stores so I can run in, grab what I want and rush home where it's nice and safe.

I want to change this aspect of my life.

Since I started doing my walking alphabet game I've spotted many local stores that I've been meaning to check out. I'm finally caught up with my finances to where I can potentially afford to buy merchandise from said local stores and will start doing so.

From this point on I will spend money at a local non-chain establishment at least once a paycheck in order to support the community. Whether I venture into a restaurant, visit the crazy squirrel thrift store, or get a tattoo from the new tattoo parlor I will be sure to share my findings here at TheWickerBreaker.com.

Result #130: I Wish I Could Blame My Relocation… But I Failed To Get Out More… Way Before The Move…

Update #1: The Red Wine Bar…

Date: 6-3-2014

Tonight I ventured out to my first meeting with the Toastmasters. I was happy to see that the meeting was being held at The Red Wine Bar, a local bar that I've never been to before. It's getting close to payday and I still owed a trip to a local establishment, so this worked out great.

Though I did really like the place, it was expensive. Either that or it's been a lot longer than I remember since I went to a bar and ordered a Manny's. I also get that it's a wine bar so I should have ordered some box wine.

I'll be there again soon for another meeting. I think I'm going to have to try the food because it looked good.

I'll let you know.

Update #2: Hecho…

Date: 6-7-2014

Last night I met up with some friends that I hadn't seen in way too long.  The plan was to enjoy some social drinking in a local Greenwood establishment that serves Mexican food (a cuisine I lost in my foreign food exploration reset.) 

I love Mexican food, but being from Southern California I'm very particular when it comes to what I like. That said I've grown used to adjusting my expectation since living in the Pacific Northwest for close to 18 years now. I given up on trying to find comparable carne asada burritos that you at find at any given hole in the wall "Something"-bertos on every other corner in San Diego.

I was warned in advance that Hecho had more of a restaurant-style Mexican cuisine than Taco Shop quality dishes. When I say warned I in no way mean it to have a negative connotation. The two styles are neither better nor worse, just different.

We showed up at happy hour and for ten bucks I was able to get two orders of tacos that would usually cause twenty-one dollars. I asked the waitress if one order would be enough and she was leaning toward yes one order would be fine. Being a big guy I was able to talk her into agreeing that two orders might be more suitable.

I got the Tacos Arabes; sliced pork loin, chipotle, onions, cilantro, cucumber crema
(flour tortilla.)

And the Lengua Tacos; braised beef tongue, pickled vegetables, onion, cilantro

Both of these dishes were pretty amazing and both were plenty of food to be a stand-alone meal. I could have easily gotten away with ordering one or the other, but for the happy hour price, I was happy for more than an hour to get to experience both.

I'm definitely willing to head back to Hecho to try more of their dishes, especially now that I've revisited their menu to see that they have Tuna Ceviche!!!

Update #3: Georgia's Greek Restaurant and Deli…

Date: 9-14-2014

Yesterday, I met up with an old friend, who I haven't really talked to in over a decade. We both live in the same area so I suggested that we go to Georgia's Greek Restaurant and Deli. Not only have I wanted to try this place for a while but the meal would qualify for this resolution and my resolution to try as many different ethnic foods as I can in one you.

I didn't read that the place was a deli so I was a little caught off guard walking into a cute little deli. Then I got to where I could see the entire establishment and there was a cozy dining area.

I had a real good time getting caught up with my old friend and a real good falafel with Greek fries and a Mythos beer. 

The only complaint was the cook was putting on a show by creating a giant fireball with his pan. There was no warning and the fire hit the ceiling. Meanwhile, there was a woman who I thought was a fellow patron that seemed to be stuck in the middle of this chaos as the flame died down.

Actually, that was a pretty good show.

Georgia's Restaurant has good food at reasonable prices and I'm sure I will return sometime soon.

Update #4: The Conclusion…

Date: 5-10-2015

I wish I could blame my relocation but I failed this resolution to explore Greenwood far before the move. It's too bad because Greenwood really ended up being my favorite of all the neighborhoods that I lived in.

Granted I did have more fun living in different houses with different people, but my apartment in Greenwood was the best since everything I needed was within walking distance. Though I did venture out to explore the area more than than the three posts here, looking back, I really wish I would have ventured out more.

I especially miss the neighborhood now that I'm back in Southern California where it is impossible to live without a car. Where in Greenwood it took me four minutes to get to the store, I now have to walk fifteen minutes just to get out of the neighborhood to get to a crappy strip mall with no charm whatsoever.

Maybe my next move will land me in another explorable neighborhood that I can report on.