anchovies need not apply.

you know what food hardly EVER has fish on it??? pizza. pizza is a safe food for us fish haters, i would say. i can't remember the last time i asked someone what they wanted on their pizza and listened to them proclaim "scallops!" "shrimp!" or the most probable possibility: "anchovies!"

seattle isn't known for its pizza like chicago or new york. but my recent experience at veraci pizza makes me think it should be. the small eatery, located on market street in ballard is cozy, quick, simple, and churns out some of the tastiest pizza i have ever tasted. the pizza powerhouse started out as a travelling wood-fired pizza oven and has permanent locations in portland, spokane, bend, and couer d'alene.

if you're like me when it comes to my pizza--it's all about the crust and the cheese. i'm definitely a thin crust type of gal and veraci seriously delivers a seriously thin crust. it's crispy yet chewy and has just the right amount of large slice fold-ability. and the cheese, my friends, is to die for. there is just the right amount of meltiness, but without the pesky slippery factor that some thin crust pizzas have.

the menu is pretty standard, but there is specials that pop up different every day. whether pepperoni, veggie, or margherita is your thing--you'll find it ready for you at veraci. on my visit i had the special, called the salumi mole. a delicious spicy salami, green onion, and an herbed beecher's flagship cheese rounded out the cast on quite a delicious pie. i suggest you get your fishless self over there sometime soon or visit the woodfire grill itself at the ballard sunday farmer's market!

oh, yeah, and you can also get salad. but, come on, with that pizza slice staring at you it might be a little hard to finish it.

a musical meal.

photo is of me and my main squeeze enjoying some tunes and foods at the triple door.
have any of you ever ventured to see a concert at the triple door? well, if you haven't it's a one-of-a-kind viewing/dining/drinking/social experience. i never feel like i wasted my money after visiting the triple door as i sometimes do as i walk into the cold arms of the hotdog vendor's cart outside the showbox. why do i love thee, triple door??? let me count the ways.

1. reserved seating.
now, i know that a lot of the amazingness in the seattle music is spontaneity. which is why i enjoy a good old fashioned sardine packed crocodile cafe show just as much as the next guy in a flannel. but doesn't it get tiring trying not to bump into the sweaty guy next to you during every concert??? the triple door gives me the opportunity to relax, take a seat, and not have to worry about squirming my way back up to it if i (gasp!) must use the ladies room. and, for those of you who cringe at the idea of advanced purchase...you can always attend a non-sold-out show and enjoy the standing room. but, methinks if there's a table/seat available, you'll sit in it.

2. drink service.
the most annoying part about seeing a show at a bar is having to push your way to said bar in order to order. at the triple door, a nice chap or gal will swing by your table in an extremely timely fashion (i'd say once every 1/2-3/4 of a drink, depending on your swilling technique) to check and see if you'd like some more. then, this same delightful human will bring you your tab during the encore...before the lights come up. what, you ask??? you mean i don't have to stand in the ridiculous line of folks waiting to close their tab before i leave? no, my friend, it's taken care of. and guess what? you've spent about the same amount on your ticket as you would have at the moore, the showbox, and less than the paramount. kudos to you.

3. food while you wait.
this is where this whole 'food blog reviewing a venue' part comes in. if you're like me you are generally early for a concert. you want to have a decent place to view from, you love the hit/miss/jewel in the rough aspect of a supporting act, and you sometimes get a little bored waiting for the music to finally start. fear no more, because the triple door gives you the option to come in up to 2 hours before the show and eat a delicious meal prepared by nextdoor neighbor wild ginger. if you're not familiar with wild ginger, it's a pretty popular seattle asian-fusion place that seems to always have a tremendous wait for a table. vegetarian and fishless options are readily available on the menu and delivered directly to your spot in the triple door lounge while you and your companion(s) await some sweet sweet music.
the menu is definitely carnivore driven, but there are a few veg options (good luck to you if eggplant isn't your thing. but, then again, if your a vegetarian...being picky about your vegetables probably isn't a good plan). a personal favorite is the thai passion tofu, a tofu and eggplant mixture with a ton of kafir lime and basil leaves in a sweet/tangy soy sauce. i will admit, though, that this dish isn't one you'd like to make an entire meal of. so, hopefully you and your partners in concert dining can do like me and mine did and share a little bit of everything around the table. so, do like i do, and consult what everyone is getting. if you're lucky, it won't be that darn 'princess prawns' and seem to pass by on just about every waiter's tray. seafood is gross enough, thank you, i certainly don't need to look it in the eye.


special tip: a big, comfy, high backed booth can be reserved (for the same price as any other ticket in the house) when you have a group of four, along with the option to pre-pay for food when you purchase your ticket. so, think about getting a group together, going on a double date, or taking your parents and sibling out for a night of great music, comfy seating, drinks delivered to your table, and delicious asian fusion cuisine. even if a few notes fall flat, you'll still be happy you went.