Alderwood Bound? Try These Eateries

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Alderwood Mall eateries, open extended hours during the holiday shopping season, 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Saturday; and 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. No smoking in the mall. -----------------------------------------------------------------

The Alderwood Mall is more than clothing boutiques, music shops, department stores and electronics outlets. It's also home to 10 snacking shops and restaurants that attract most of their business during the holiday shopping season.

With the temporary closure of the mall's food court during a remodel, these eateries are expected to cash in on shoppers who want a quick bite on the run while gift-buying. Here are some to consider:

-- Bean Pod: One of a handful of places in the mall where you can sit down at a table or booth, the Bean Pod offers burgers (about $4.50 to $5), soup ($1.60 for a cup; $2.40 for a bowl), hot sandwiches ($5.25 with choice of French fries, green or potato salads), cold sandwiches ($4.15 to $4.45) and a small selection of green or Caesar salads ($2.15 to $5.50).

If you're only after dessert, the Bean Pod heats up a single-serving miniature apple or marionberry pie ($2.25).

-- Sweet Factory: Tall bins of candies in assorted flavors, shades and textures lure those with a sweet tooth. Goodies here run about $1.79 per quarter-pound.

-- Original Cookie Co.: For munchies by the cookie or by the pound, this place is popular. The younger set is drawn to the dinosaur-shape cookies in the glass case while adults drool over praline pecan, double-chocolate chip and other indulgent treats. Prices run about $1.19 per cookie or about $7 for a pound of bite-size cookies.

-- Fountain Court Deli: This temporary kiosk near the mall's west fountain combines the Bamboo Hut and Tina's Cantina. It's also a few steps away from several dozen tables, chairs and toddler highchairs. From hot dogs to nachos to salads, this place specializes in mainstream fast food. Spend $1 to $4 on a quick meal here.

-- Le Chatel: Croissant-style hot sandwiches are hearty meals here. The turkey and Monterey jack version runs about $3. For something smaller, try the foccacia or Cajun breadsticks for about 75 cents each; Parmesan breadsticks are 45 cents each. Those with a sweet tooth may prefer the sugar cookies (80 cents each). A few seats are available.

-- Cafe Nordstrom: Ride the escalator up to the third floor at Nordstrom and find the largest dining selection in the mall. Choose from nine salads - from Thai noodle with chicken to turkey and cranberry - ranging from about $3 to $6.25. If cold winter weather makes a hot soup sound enticing, select from the clam chowder ($2.25 for a cup; $2.95 for a bowl), the three-bean basil chicken chili ($2.95 for a cup; $4.95 for a bowl) or the soup of the day ($2.25 for a cup; $2.95 for a bowl).

Any of the menu's 10 sandwiches can be served hot or cold on sourdough, whole wheat, rye, white or pita breads. The French dip with cheddar cheese on a French roll and au jus ($5.75) is a winter favorite. So is the oven-roasted pork roast served with a dollop of chutney ($5.25) on herb bun. All sandwiches come with a deli salad or potato chips.

Kids may prefer the hot dog, peanut butter and jelly sandwich or small pepperoni pizza and fruit cup (about $2.50 to $3). And for shoppers who start their day early, quick breakfast items are available - and served anytime of the day ($1.50 to $3.75).

-- Mrs. Fields' Cookies: The clever California businesswoman who turned her cookie recipes into a mint sells many of these treats for shoppers on the go. Decadent chilled double-fudge brownies and the Peanut Butter Dream bar are two of the most popular. Cookies run $8.63 per pound - or about 95 cents a piece; buy three cookies and the fourth is free.

-- Baskin Robbins Ice Cream: There are more than two dozen ice-cream flavors to consider, with low-fat varieties and frozen yogurts. Consider an ice-cream shake or a sundae topped with syrups, cookie crumbs, candy chunks or other indulgent treats. Prices range from about $1.25 to $4.

-- Monterey Pasta Co.: This fast-food pasta bar offers diners more than a choice between a single red or white sauce on top of spaghetti. For pasta starters, consider the standard fettuccine, linguine, ravioli or tortellini or the pesto with sun-dried tomatoes, the snow crab ravioli or the spinach basic pastas. One favorite is the gorgonzola and mushroom sauce over fettuccine.

The menu typically features five pastas and 15 sauces which rotate for variety. Daily specials include a pasta with sauce, a Caesar salad and a slice of foccacia bread. Prices range from $3 to $4 for half salads and $3.50 to $5.50 for full salads. Pasta selections are $2.50 to $3.50 for half-size orders and $4 to $5 for full orders.

-- Starbucks: During the holidays, espresso machines churn out eggnog lattes. Starbucks' own Christmas blend is often the straight coffee drink of choice. Espresso drinks range from $1.45 to $2.60. Lots of shoppers nibble on a biscotti-style cookie dunked in a hot drink. There's no seating, so grab a spot next to one of the fountains to relax with a drink.