Guiness? Yes, Please!

Nothing will warm you up on a cold winter night better than a pint of Guiness and a hearty bowl of Irish stew. And who has the best Guiness and Irish stew in Seattle? The Owl ‘N Thistle!

You’ll feel like you’ve stepped right into Ireland when you visit the Owl ‘N Thistle Irish Pub. It’s very cozy, with a fun and lively décor. There is a small bar area near the stage, with a dance floor (perfect for doing an Irish jig), a separate room for those who prefer the restaurant environment, and even a side room with additional seating and pool tables.

There are various bands (and occasionally comedians) that perform at the Owl ‘N Thistle—but you’ll really want to make sure you catch aptly-named Owl ‘N Thistle band, who tend to play on Fridays and Saturdays.

They’ll play all your favorite Irish tunes, and feature one of the best fiddle players in the country.

They’ve got a great Irish stew for only $6.95 and a host of other deliciously traditional Irish selections.

Visit http://www.owlnthistle.com/ for a calendar and more info. The Owl ‘N Thistle is located at 808 Post Avenue in Seattle.

Written by: Chris Akerman - SpeedSeattle Dating Resident Blogger

Have a Laugh - UK Style!

Looking for something to watch... something funny... not too long... Show her you have a sense of humor with an English twist. If you haven't heard of 'Fawlty Towers' do try to extricate yourself from the rock you have been under and get ready to laugh...hard. "Fawlty Towers" is a British sitcom made by BBC and first broadcast in 1975. Now before you cry "That's before my time!", this is timeless. The setting is in a fictional hotel called Fawlty Towers, located in the seaside town of Torquay, along the "English Riviera". Written, created and performed to perfection by the great John Cleese of 'Monty Python' fame, this is one sitcom not to be missed. Considered by many to be the greatest comedy of our time, the show blends sarcasm, biting humor and wit like no other has before and since (except maybe Seinfeld... but it's a close call).

The series focuses on the exploits and misadventures of short-fused hotelier Basil Fawlty, his wife Sybil and their employees; porter and waiter Manuel, maid Polly and chef Terry. The episodes typically revolve around Basil's efforts to succeed in 'raising the tone' of his hotel and his increasing frustration at the numerous complications and mistakes, both from his own and those of others, which prevent him doing so. Much of the humour comes from Basil's overly aggressive manner, engaging in angry but witty arguments with guests, staff and in particular his formidable wife, whom he addresses (in a faux-romantic way) with insults such as "my little piranha fish" and "my little next of vipers". At the end of some episodes, Basil succeeds in annoying (or at least bemusing) the guests and frequently gets his comeuppance.

Due to the show's popularity, DVD sets of the series are a snap to find. If you are out and about, pop into 'Best Buy' or check out 'Netflix' if you can't leave the sofa. Both are sure to have plenty of copies on hand. Episodes are a half hour each and provide that perfect opportunity to snuggle up and laugh with your date while not encroaching too much on the rest of the night. And whatever do, "Don't mention the war!"

Fawlty Towers - BBC - DVD Sets & Additional Information

Love & Romance

We’ve all seen it in the movies. The lovebird couple takes a drive up to the bluff that overlooks the whole city. They park right on the edge and admire the view (both of the city and of each other). Lights sparkle in the distant valley below. Stars twinkle in the clear sky above. If you’re like me, you always wondered—where on earth is that park? And where can I find a date to take there?

The answer to the first question: Kerry Park. It’s a strip of land on the south slope of Queen Anne Hill, at the corner of 2nd Avenue W. and Highland Drive. When you just don’t feel like ending the date quite yet, take the drive to Kerry Park. The view is absolutely breathtaking. You will see all of Seattle, including the Space Needle, Key Arena, and various other landmarks on your left. On your right you’ll see the vast expanse of Puget Sound, complete with ferries coming and going. And if you make it to the park before sunset, you can even catch a glimpse of majestic Mt. Rainier towering above the horizon. It’s the perfect quiet place tokick back and get to know each other a little better.

Don’t worry, there’s also plenty of fun to be had nearby if the park gets too quiet for you. My suggestion is Ozzie’s, just down the hill on Mercer—it’s got nightly karaoke and a 3:30-6:30 pm happy hour that provides a magnificent dive-bar atmosphere. It’s a great place to spend a casual weeknight, or to experience the weekend party life.

Click on over to http://www.ozziesseattle.com/ to see the menu and upcoming events.

Written by: Chris Akerman - SpeedSeattle Dating Resident Blogger