Pupu For You You

Situated between the d-baggery of Belltown and LQA is a tropical paradise of good clean fun. Well, maybe not clean. But definitely good. Besides offering a fun Polynesian theme (without all that pesky sunshine), Hula Hula is currently the best option in town for weekend karaoke. The book is decent, the rules are fair (newbies get shuffled into the mix whenever possible) and you get to sing in style amongst lights and a disco ball. Like any good karaoke joint, it's best to get there early because it fills up fast. But that's OK because you’re gonna want extra time to drink those lethal tubs of tropical booze. Hungry? Their pupus may be a little westernized but they still help to soak up the hooch in a most delicious way. Plus, it's just fun to say pupus.

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Nightlife • Belltown

Airstream Boozin'

Ok, here's a challenge NFT readers. Can anyone else out there find another bar on the planet that has a retro Airstream trailer in the backyard where you can sip beer and play records? Throw in some cheap burgers, a ping pong table, and classic tunes like Dolly or Hank Williams, and you have what might be the best neighborhood bar in the city. The best part about Loretta's is that they keep it real. No attitude, just a down-home atmosphere that hipsters and old-timers can appreciate. Next time you think about heading out to Cappie Hill or Fremont, stop for a second. Call your buddy with a car (preferably a bio diesel Benz), and convince them to drive you out to Loretta's. After a few beers in the trailer, you might start thinking about finding a place in South Park so you can walk home next time.

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Nightlife • White Center / South Park / Beverly Park

New Home. Same Great Coffee.

Vivace has the best coffee in Seattle. No, make that North America. Maybe even beyond. Besides some kick ass Cuban coffee I had in Key West, Vivace Americanos are my standard. Sorry Paris, your Cafe Au Laits don't even come close. The creamy sweetness of the in house roasted espresso is delectable and makes me, a self proclaimed sugar addict, go without added sweetener. Although I still use about a cup of half and half. At their old location, I used to wait in a line that snaked around the corner in order to get my fix on a Saturday morning. I didn't give a damn if I had to wait twenty minutes, where else would I go, Starbucks? Like half of Broadway, the old building has become a pile of bricks in sacrifice to the new Metro Transit Station. Vivace took their espresso machines (and gorgeous mural) to go play in a shiny new space under a bunch of spanking new condos, where the vibe is slightly sunnier but the line is just as long. But hey, don't go changin' just to try and please me.

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Coffee • Capitol Hill (West)

Sounders: Gooooaaaaallllll!

Scarves up Seattle. We have a new game in town that draws sell out crowds, comes with its own marching band, and showers the supporters in confetti. No, it isn't drag queen softball. I'm talking about soccer and the Sounders, our new MLS team. The unbelievable atmosphere created by the fans and the fast paced nature of the game is what sets the Sounders apart from the snoozefest of Seattle's other pro sports teams. We've caught footie fever in a big way and you can't go anywhere without seeing Sounders flags, posters, t-shirts, or scarves. Many ladies of my acquaintance have caught Freddie fever. Freddie Ljungberg that is, the former Arsenal player and star of the team. With 22,000 season ticket holders and four months of sold out home games, you better plan way ahead if you want to get a piece of this action.

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Landmarks • Pioneer Square / SoDo

Croatian for Pizza

Is it a pizza? No, it's a pogacha--a soft Croatian bread pillow that cradles tasty toppings and cheese just like a pizza. Minus the saucy bit. You are allowed to add sauce for an extra fee but the wood-fired pogachas are so yummy you won't even miss it. I couldn't make a decision from the huge list of combinations, which also set my stomach growling, so I did a blind finger point and then threw on some additional kalamata olives. My leftover tomato, basil, feta, and kalamata creation tasted even better the next day paired with my morning coffee. Since you'll most likely be taking some pogacha home in a doggie bag, order an appetizer. More specifically, the Spicy Sauteed Prawns. If you dig on Creole seasoning or Old Bay you'll be sucking up the sauce with a straw. There just aren't enough pogachas on the planet to mop up all of that creamy spice goodness.

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Restaurants • Medina / Clyde Hill