Pono Ranch's Patio; Joule's Family Meal

PATIO WIRE— The patio at Pono Ranch, the newish Ballard spot that opened with no "subway tile, no house-cured meat program, and nary an ampersand to its name," is featured on Nosh Pit. Outdoor seats are just off the Burke-Gilman and there's a fire pit and an unfussy food and drink list that includes Rainier beer and jalapeno poppers. Check out the slide show. [Nosh Pit]

FREMONT— Joule's family dinner for staff is usually a one-pot affair: Seattle Mag's Julien Perry tucks into short rib stew and calls the meal, "as satisfying as just about anything I've enjoyed off their menu." Read more about how Rachel Yang and crew eat before the dinner rush. [Seattle Mag]

BALLARD— Hot Cakes gets a shout out in a new Wine Enthusiast post on "the boozy dessert boom." The Autumn Martin-designed sweets are of the liquid variety, including an espresso and Old Overholt Rye milkshake "amplified by extra dark caramel." [Wine Enthusiast]
[Photo: Hot Cakes/Facebook]