The Saint - (206) 792-5571

• Over 80 Tequilas! Full Bar
• Authentic Mexican Restaurant
• Dinner Daily, Weekend Brunch

Smart move, Saint: Food prices are better than decent at this cozy Capitol Hill bar/cafe. It's the cocktails that'll set you back. Which makes for a balanced dining experience overall. Odd-shaped and candle-lit, with portraits of toreadors lining the walls, the Saint is a great date place and works well for small groups. Cocktails are strictly tequila-based--some simple (the Togo is just grapefruit soda, silver tequila, and lime, served in the soda bottle), others more elaborate (involving egg whites, elderflower liquor, etc)--and consistently delicious. The tequila selection here is rivaled only by Barrio a few blocks away; otherwise it's the best in the city. You pay for it--upper-middle to top shelf stuff like Coralejo and Milagro will set you back about $10 for a small snifter. Food-wise, the menu is limited and everything on it good. Fresh homemade chips and salsa are a must. Ceviche is good but small. Nachos are huge and nacho-y. Entree-wise, the puerco pibil is the most delicious thing on the menu--rich, densely spiced pork served with fresh-made tortillas, rice, and beans. The mole is real-deal, bested only by Carta de Oaxaca in Ballard. Service here is always friendly but often slow, even when the restaurant isn't crowded. The Saint's happy hour is great, with a $5 menu (ceviche, tacos, nachos) and cheap cocktails.

Is it just me, or for some reason it seems The Saint sort of falls off people's radar ... Maybe it's the remnant vibe from being home to Wing Dome in Capitol Hill. But how could you miss the powder blue, triangular oasis off Olive? Drop in for a nosh and drink and you won't pass it by again. Normally, I'm all about the superb happy hour that lasts daily until 7 pm -- but dinner and drinks before the drag show last night was amazing. Tequilla is the star at The Saint, but the simple dinner menu does not disappoint. Started with the crispy light Yuka fries and a strong house Margarita, then moved to an amazing Al Pastor Taco entree course complete with arroz con frijoles. Small down side -- no basket of free tortilla chips here -- but for the top notch eats, I'm good. Loved how the tacos Al Pastor came with pineapple like how they do in Mexico, seems like not many places in town do it right -- yum! Drink-wise, you cannot go wrong with The Saint's long list of concoctions... try the fresh Chihuahua or fun El Diablo. To satifsy your sweet tooth, Churros Rellenos is a must-try... the chef serves up the simple cinnamon sugary delights drizzled with agave, fresh whipped cream, as well as almonds and dried fruits sprinkled on top. Arriving before the 10 pm witching hour on the weekends will easily earn you a table... As the cozy, triangular space and tables quickly fill, The Saint really transforms into a communal environment. While waiitng on some tardy friends, my companion and I become besties with a group of really sweet hipsters (they exist!) and our fantastic server, Jennessa. Beatify yourself with multiple stops at The Saint, you'll be glad you did.

The saint is cozy, cool, and unpretentious. The food, for the most part is delicious. The beans could use more seasoning, and the fish in the ceviche is a bit fishy (although the sopes on which they're served are awesome), but other than that, so yummy. I wish you didn't have to pay for chips and salsa, but I highly approve of the happy hour. I really like this place. A lot.