Seattle Breakfast & Tasting Flight

A must read from Seattle Met for any of you who love the first meal of the day: The New Seattle Breakfast.


Like wine and the zoo?  Enjoy both at Tasting Flight at Woodland Park Zoo on both Thursday, June 28 and Thursday, August 9. Save $5 by purchasing tickets online.

News & Events

• Barrio is sponsoring "Heat Week," which is a jalapeno pepper eating contest from June 7-13. The first place winner will receive a tequila paired dinner for four people!  If you can stand the heat or know someone who can, sign up!

• Have a bike and like to eat? Consider participating in the third annual Spoke & Food event on June 26 from 4 to 6 pm. The concept is to ride your bicycle to a participating restaurant and enjoy dinner. Twenty percent of the proceeds will go to Family Works Resource Center & Food Bank.

While I couldn't be any less vegan, I think this is a cool opportunity for anyone who appreciates the vegan philosophy and is an animal rights activist. Sidecar for Pigs Peace is Washington's only 100% vegan store, and they rely on volunteers to make their operation run smoothly. The store is located in the U District on the corner of 55th and University Way.

Cilantro Chimichurri Chicken

This recipe is about more than just alliteration -- grilled chicken with an Argentinean twist. A traditional chimichurri sauce is made with parsley, so if you don't care for cilantro, simply replace it with parsley.  You can also blend half cilantro and parsley for a milder version.


I got the recipe from Eclectic Recipes, but as always, I added my own twists.

CILANTRO CHIMICHURRI

• a large bunch of cilantro, about 1 cup packed
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 teaspoons red or white wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano, or 1 tablespoon fresh
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flake, optional
• kosher salt
• pepper

1. Combine cilantro, garlic, vinegar, oregano, cumin, and optional red pepper flake in a food processor. Pulse until fine.
2. Turn food processor on and stream in olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Instead of red pepper flakes, I added Tabasco. I also added about a tablespoon of lime juice.  Before I added the olive oil, I divided the sauce in half and rubbed my chicken with vegetable oil and half of the chimichurri (so it won't stick to the grill.)


You actually don't need to add olive oil to the sauce if you prefer a coarse herb mixture (think gremolata.)


Grill the chicken until it's done, then serve with a dollop of chimichurri and whatever side you choose. For this evening, I grilled corn on the cob and asparagus.

News & Events

There are two events that will make me happy on JUNE 1:

• Grocery and retail stores with a minimum of 10,000 square feet of floor space will begin selling spirits as state liquor stores close.

• The Phinney Farmers Market opens!

Here are some other farmers markets opening in June:

Magnolia: June 9

Lake City: June 14

If you find yourself in Ballard and are in the mood for a cookie, muffin or gluten-free pies or cupcakes, head to the renamed Wild Prairie Bakery.  It is located in the heart of Ballard at 2019 NW Market Street. Wild Prairie also serves lunch and weekend brunch.

Chino's

Had a surprisingly good happy hour experience at Chino's on Capitol Hill. Our server was attentive and knowledgeable, which always adds to any dining experience.  I was shocked that we were the only people in the restaurant at 6 pm on a Tuesday, but it might have had to do with the sunshine and high temps on that particular day. They do not have air conditioning, so it was a bit stuffy, but that's nothing a few well-mixed cocktails can't fix.


My two friends and I ordered the Jamaica Buck and Vicious Virgin, which were $6 each during happy hour (4-7 pm.) Most of their cocktails feature rum, and these two were no exception. I preferred the Jamaica Buck for its tartness (ginger beer, rum, lime) but my buddy who prefers sweet drinks really liked the Vicious Virgin.  Make no mistake, this is an alcoholic drink, not a virgin mocktail! Chino's prides itself on its tiki drinks, and there are many to choose from in the laminated Pee Chee folder that serves as a menu cover.


We ordered the happy hour tacos for $2 each and were satisfied with the flavors of the beef as well as the chicken, but it was the Gua Bao platter that stole the show. The plate came with three perfect portions of pork belly nestled in a bun (think hum bao) with pickled mustard greens, cilantro and crushed peanuts. The meat melted in my mouth and the pickled mustard greens added a sweet & sour, unexpected texture. 


We also had the popcorn, which was popped in popped in pork fat and seasoned with Asian spices. It tasted like pumped up kettle corn, and I kept thinking how awesome it would be to have a bowl of that stuff at the movie theater.


Finally, our waitress sold us on the chicken wings, which were recently named some of the best in Seattle.  I can understand why -- the fish sauce/garlic glaze makes them pop in your mouth as you salivate for the next bite.


Besides the lack of air conditioning, the issue I have is with the branding.  Their tag line is "Urban Tiki House and Taiwanese Cantina," and their logo is a picture of an old car with the Space Needle in the background. None of it melds together, and when I originally read the tag line, I was confused about how tiki drinks go with Taiwanese.  Add the word 'cantina' and my mind goes to Mexican, so put that all together and you might have some befuddled customers who would rather go across the street to Quinn's or next door to Poquitos where they know what to expect -- a straightforward concept.

Lettuce Chicken Wraps Recipe

I'm traveling now, but I figured I'd post a recipe that I've tried three times that is worth copying for anyone looking for a quick, easy recipe.


1 lb of ground chicken (ground beef and even shrimp work just as well)
Hoisin sauce to taste (about 4 tablespoons)
2 cloves of garlic
1/4 onion
1/2 bell pepper
1 mango
Butter leaf lettuce
Rice noodles
Salt and pepper
Olive oil


Mince garlic and dice onion and bell pepper.  Sautee them in a pan with a little olive oil until the onions and pepper soften. Bring water to boil and cook rice noodles.  Add ground chicken and season with a small amount of salt and pepper (the Hoisin will add sodium so don't over salt!) After the meat browns, add the Hoisin and stir.


Julienne or dice the mango and arrange a Butter leaf lettuce on a plate. Place the noodles and chicken on the lettuce with a couple of slices of mango and you're ready to eat!


Note: I've tried this recipe with other types of lettuce, and none hold up to the weight of the chicken mixture and noodles like Butter lettuce.

Woodinville Wineries

I had no idea that the Woodinville Wineries had their own site for tasting events!  Check it out here.

A few highlights: 

• 3rd Thursdays wine walks - $20 will get you wine tastings at 15 different wineries.
• Scavenger hunt in the Warehouse District on May 17
• Warehouse Wineries Spring Food & Wine Festival on Saturday, May 26 from 12-5pm - festival is free, but tasting fees apply.  There will be food trucks for the drunk and hungry!

Hot Restaurants

Do you want to dine at the hippest restaurants in Seattle? Eater Seattle has come up with a map of "talk of the town" spots, complete with name, address and brief description of each place. They don't provide websites, so you'll have to do a little web surfing to see the menu or check out the operating hours. The map is scheduled to change monthly, so stay tuned for some new, highly regarded restaurants like The Sexton which should surely make the list in May.

News & Events

Many of you know that I'm a huge fan of FareStart, and I hope to go to their 20th Anniversary Bash on June 9 at Fremont Studios.

The FareStart community is celebrating 20 years of transforming lives! Your generous support has enabled the new beginnings that happen here every day.

 

Over the past 20 years, FareStart has provided opportunities for nearly 6,000 people to transform their lives, while also serving over 5 million meals to disadvantaged men, women, and children.

The 2011 Seattle Wine Awards were announced last month, and the list is impressive. If you're looking for a bottle or five to buy for a party, check out the list of double golds, many of which are under $20.


To that end, there will be a Gold Medal Experience Wine Tasting event on July 22 at The Rainier Club where you can sip on some of Washington's finest wines. You can choose the regular admission price for $65 or VIP, which includes a steak dinner for $89.


You'll have to wait a few months, but mark your calendar now for Northwest Tequila Fest on August 18 at The Phinney Neighborhood Center. Not sure what the cost will be, but who doesn't love tequila, food and music?

News & Events

Don’t forget to make your reservations for Restaurant Week which ends on April 19!

Passport to Woodinville will take place on April 21 & 22.  More than 30 wineries will be participating in this wine fest.  Tasting rooms will be open both days from 11 am to 4 pm, and tickets are $65 for Sundy or $75 for both days.
 
If you’re feeling particularly generous, want to support a good cause and want to enjoy a five-course meal, check out Children’s Trust Foundation’s A Place at the Table on Saturday, April 28.  There will also be hands on cooking lessons from local chefs, including Sheri LaVigne, Owner & Cheesemonger, The Calf & Kid.

New Orleans Comes to Seattle

When people find out that I was born and raised in New Orleans, they often want to know if I've had any good Cajun or Southern food in Seattle (or Los Angeles since I lived there for nine years.)  My answer is always a big, fat NO. Unless the chef is from New Orleans or spent several years working at a restaurant in the Crescent City, chances are, he or she will not know how to cook authentic Cajun cuisine.

Imagine my delight when I learned that Matt Lewis, who grew up in my fair city and owns Where Ya At Matt foodtruck, is opening a brick and mortar restaurant called Roux in Fremont.  When I'm feeling homesick or just want a bowl of red beans & rice or a shrimp po'boy, you better believe you'll find me at this spot! It will be in the old Buckaroo Tavern location just down the street from the Center of the Universe. They hope to open in August 2012.(Thanks for the tip, Huff.)

News & Events

Restaurant Week is here! April 8-12 and April 15-19 get your grub on.  Lots of great restaurants offering three course lunches for $15 and dinners for $28.

Seattle Met's Nosh Pit is always chock full of information about upcoming events.  Last week, they did a special on great places for Easter brunch.  Check it out. (ART Restaurant's riff on classic eggs benedict sounds scrumptious!)


Another Nosth Pit News item: Poquitos is putting on a fundraiser this coming Monday, April 2, for the families of three skiers, Jim Jack, Chris Rudolph. and John Brenan, who were lost in a recent avalanche. The event begins at 4, and chef Manny Arce will be roasting two whole pigs and offering $2 tacos on the patio—ski attire is suggested.


Purple in Kirkland is paying tribute to Washington Wines this month with a special Sunday Dinner offering:

Each month, our Chef and Wine Director create a three-course wine paired dinner featuring food and wines from different regions or with a different theme. The menu is priced at $50 with wine pairings, $30 without and is offered each Sunday evening of that month. The theme for April is "Washington Wine"

Sun Liquor & Cornuto Happy Hour

I recently went to two great happy hour spots -- one on Capitol Hill, one in Phinney Ridge.


Sun Liquor
607 Summit Ave E
It just so happened to be a sunny afternoon in Seattle, so my co-workers and I decided to sit on the patio at Sun Liquor Lounge for happy hour. (Not to be confused with Sun Liquor Bar & Distillery, which is on Pike just a few blocks away.) Our server was kind and knowledgeable, and he took the time to answer our questions about the menu and their own distilled spirits.

The happy hour special boasts $2 off signature cocktails (most regular priced drinks are $8) as well as $3 well drinks.  My first drink was the Bitter End, which tasted exactly like it sounds -- bitter -- and I loved it. My friends ordered a whiskey sour and a champagne cocktail that the bartender whipped up with lots of freshly squeezed juices. Our second set of drinks allowed me to try almost every cocktail on the menu, and each one was prettier than the next.

Cornuto

7404 Greenwood Ave N.

Nowhere on their website does it mention the killer happy hour from 5 to 6 pm where free pizza is served at Cornuto. And this pizza is good. My friend and I decided to check it out and were impressed with the servers, the pizza and the cocktails. I didn't think I liked a Negroni until I tasted their special grapefruit Negroni (pictured here.) Like the Bitter End at Sun Liquor, it was definitely savory and bitter, but that bite sits well on the palate.  My friend said that it tasted medicinal, and I suppose she's right, but if this is what medicine tastes like, sign me up for a bottle or two!

In addition to the free pizza (Margherita and Marinara pizzas,) we ordered the Cracked Nocellara olives, marinated in wild oregano, olive oil & garlic and a Caesar salad to share. The crust of the pizza was a little soggy, especially for a thin crust. The salad and olives were both tasty. I admit that I need to return to eat a few other items on their menu in order to give Cornuto a fair assessment, but overall, I was very happy with this visit. Leaving with a full stomach of free pizza is nice!

Vegfest

Although I am a voracious meat eater, I promised my friend, a vegetarian, to post more often about vegetarian events and dishes. Here is my first attempt: Vegfest will be in Seattle this coming weekend at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall.

Many people recognize the health and other benefits of vegetarian food choices, but they are not sure what to eat, what to buy and how to cook it. This festival provides all the support that people need, and it's fun too. With free health screenings, books and lots of food, there's something for everyone. There’s even a special kids section where kids can learn about healthy food while having fun, with clowns, face painting and more.

There will be more than 500,000 free food samples from over 200 companies. (Technically, it's not free--there is an $8 entry fee for adults and kids 12 and under are free.)

Moisture Festival

This is the ninth year that Moisture Festival has been around.  The dates are March 15 - April 8. There are several local food/beer sponsors including Hale's Ales, New Roots Organics, Georgetown Brewery, Kind Healthy Snacks, Poppy and Agua Verde.  Have fun!

The Golden Beetle

Forget about going grocery shopping tonight. Don't take out those old pork chops to defrost. Instead, head to Golden Beetle for an amazing happy hour with to-die-for small bites and creative cocktails.

property of Golden Beetle

I knew that Maria Hines was a genius in the kitchen, what with the 2009 James Beard Award for Best Chef Northwest and her triumph over Morimoto on Iron Chef America in 2010 in "Battle of Pacific Cod," but I hadn't tasted her food until last week.  The woman knows flavor, and she hires a staff who follows through with these flavors.


The only bad part about my dinner at Golden Beetle was that I had an hour to eat, drink and observe.  The atmosphere is comfortable Mediterranean. The lounge area is in the front of the restaurant and has several dark wooden tables and a semicircular bar with about ten stools.  There are floor to ceiling windows, allowing natural light to make the bottles of liquor on the shelves twinkle.  The dining area is in the back of the restaurant, and diners have a clear view of the pristine kitchen.  I don't think I've ever commented on a restaurant's bathroom, but I must say that the soap was divine.  It was a thick, gooey yellowish soap that looked like honey but smelled like mint.  It makes you want to wash your hands over and over again!

The happy hour food specials are $4 each, and there is always a specialty cocktail on the menu for $7, which is a couple of dollars off the regular menu price. I ordered the Spiced French Fries, which were fried in beef fat -- that's right, beef fat -- and spiced with sumac and salt.  They were very spicy, so I was glad to have the harissa aioli to dip the fries in and wash them down with a Fremont Pale Ale.  The highlight was two Skagit River Ranch Beef Sliders served with a tomato-garlic sauce and pickled onion.  The level of flavor in a patty that was about 4 inches round was astonishing.  My mouth watered between bites, and I wondered if my drool was visible to the woman next to me.  Speaking of the woman next to me, she let me taste the spiced pistachios, which had an unexpected brightness to them.


The drink specials at happy hour include $2 Rainier drafts and PBR tallboys, house red or white wine for $3 and well liquor for $4.  (The house wine is Kiona Lemberger, which is a great Washington red.)  The regular drink menu has all sorts of cocktails with an Eastern Mediterranean influence, but what I like best is the I'm in Your Hands drink that allows you to explain what you like to the bartender and allow him or her to mix something special for you. The only other place in Seattle that really touts this sort of thing is the Zig Zag Cafe. One final thing that I want to mention is the wild array of concentrated syrups on the shelf. I noticed cinnamon, cardamom and burdock root.  Aaron, the bartender, told me that they make their own syrups and use them to make interesting cocktails.  There was one syrup that looked like marinated jalapenos in mucky water, so I inquired about it. It's unfortunate name is Falernum, which is a sweet cordial made from almonds, ginger, lime and a few other spices.  Aaron let me taste a bit, and it was delicious!  I'll ask him to concoct a cocktail using Falernum next time.


I will definitely return to The Golden Beetle sooner rather than later.

Dine Around Seattle

Seattle Restaurant Week is one of my favorite dining events in the city, particularly for lunch.  It only happens twice a year -- in November and April, so here we are in early March with another option to consider: Dine Around Seattle, which runs the entire month of March.

Right off the bat, let me say that I'm not a big fan of Dine Around Seattle, mostly because the list of restaurants is half of the ones who participate during Restaurant Week. However, I'll list my picks for the restaurants that I've tried in the past year:

Betty, Queen Anne - I ate here several months ago and had a happy hour appetizer (salami, olives and marcona almonds.)  For dinner, I had the fish du jour, that if I remember correctly, was trout with Medditeranean vegetables. My friend had a luscious duck confit.  It was a very enjoyable meal.

Andaluca, Downtown - I've eaten lunch here twice during Seattle Restaurant Week and loved my meal both times.  I remember having the halibut last year that was juicy, tender and perfectly cooked.  They have a new executive chef, Sarah Lorenzen, who has been on the line at Andaluca since 1999.  I'm eager to show my support for Chef Lorenzen and applaud Andaluca for promoting from within!

Blueacre, Downtown - I went to lunch here with six co-workers in November during Restaurant Week and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food and service.  If you're looking for an intimate dining experience, this is not it, but the seafood was fresh and the restaurant was packed.

Lecosho, Downtown - I've been here for lunch during Restaurant Week and for dinner on a "normal" Wednesday night.  There was definitely a difference in service.  At night, the server was attentive and pleasant.  I'd brought a special bottle of wine to share with a friend during our meal, and the server didn't charge us for a corkage fee.  She explained the menu in depth, making me feel like the chef was cooking just for us.  However, during our lunch, the menu changed from the one posted online, and the portions were incredibly small.  A little cookie was the only thing they offered for dessert.

Eva, Greenlake - I had dinner with a friend here about a year ago and insisted upon returning.  I want to write a full review of this restaurant, so stay tuned.

There are a couple more restaurants that I've tried that aren't half bad, but their Dine Around Seattle menus look bland, so I'll stop here.

Wild Mountain Cafe

I've passed Wild Mountain Cafe hundreds of times as I made my way from Greenwood to Ballard on 85th, but I'd never eaten here until this past weekend.  What a treat!  It's an old house with several rooms arranged with dining tables, unique chairs and a small bar area.  The best word to describe the space is kitschy.


I knew that they were open for breakfast, but I learned that they're open for lunch and dinner as well and have a kick ass happy hour.


I enjoyed breakfast with three friends on a Saturday morning, and there was a 10 minute wait, which was probably less than the wait when we left around noon.  The servers are exceptionally friendly and the timing of the meal was ideal despite the rush. I had the tasty La Cabana:

This is a baked specialty item available Saturday & Sunday only - Our popular mexican breakfast casserole! Corn tortillas layered with chicken sausage, green chiles, tomatoes, jack cheese and cumin-seasoned eggs, topped with scallions, fresh cilantro, salsa, sour cream, & served with fresh fruit & toast.

My friends had the Florentia, the bagel with lox, and the B.A.T. Bennie, which was bacon, avocado and sauteed tomatoes served eggs Benedict style. Everyone was very satisfied with their meal The prices are reasonable and the portions are substantial enough to either leave stuffed or take some home.


Although we didn't order Mimosas or bloody mary's, next time that will be on my list.  A great treat hidden between Crown Hill and Ballard!

Washington Wine Month

It's Washington Wine Month!  It should be a national holiday, you know, for the whole month.

• The culmination of the month is Seattle's Wine & Food Weekend on March 31 and April 1, which I blogged about on February 10. You can buy tickets online using the link above or at many retailers in the city.  

• There are several great promotions going on around town this month, including 50% off bottles of Washington wines at Rover's. Another good one is Bin on the Lake: wine happy hour March 22.

Ilustration by Andrew Saeger, tHE ARTdept. SW

Seattle Weekly's blog has a cool article called Three Cheap Ways to Celebrate Washington Wine Month. I think I'll take a trip to Metropolitan Market for their free tastings!

Cheese Please

In honor of Beecher's announcement of their gluten free mac and cheese, this blog post is dedicated to one of my favorite food groups: CHEESE.

• You don't have to get fancy French cheese to make guests ooh and ahh at a party.  Check out these Washington State cheesemakers.
• PCC Market offers cheesemaking classes. Each class costs $40 for non-members.

For many, cheese making is shrouded in mystery, but you’ll discover how easy it is to make your own Mozzarella, Ricotta, Crème Fraîche and Queso Blanco (fresh Mexican-style cheese). These are the most simple of all the cheeses to produce because they do not require aging beyond a few days, and can be made in your kitchen.

• Although I haven't been to The Calf and Kid at Melrose Market, I've heard good things, including a blurb on Evening Magazine. They have all kinds of cheese related classes and outings in addition to a well stocked store of cheeses. 

• Curious about cheese pairings?  Check out Beecher's recommendations.

• There is a website with places to buy cheese in Seattle as well as a Q&A page and local events where cheese is the highlight of the meal. Click here: Seattle Cheese.

• This is far in advance, but since this post is all about cheese, mark your calendar for the 8th Annual Seattle Cheese Festival at Pike Place Market, May 19 & 20.

I'll end this post with two of my favorite cheeses for your consideration: Robiola, which is a luxurious, creamy white cheese with more flavor than Brie, and Burrata, a type of mozzarella served at room temperature with a very short shelf life. Both are great on their own or with a little olive oil, salt and pepper.  Yum!

The Blue Glass

My first visit to The Blue Glass in Ballard was in February 2011, and I liked it so much that I brought another friend there the following week. I had not returned for several months simply because it's not on my everyday path, but two recent visits reminded me why I liked it so much in the first place.

The menu includes bar bites, small plates and large plates priced from $4 to $20 (avg. entree was $15.)We ordered several small plates, including some of the best fried chicken and gravy that I've eaten in Seattle. Being from the South, I didn't expect much from the crab hush puppies, but they were the star of the evening. 

I've also been to The Blue Glass twice for brunch. The chicken fried pork cutlet was cooked just right. I expected it to be a thin, brown piece of pork, but it was a thick, white pork steak with the same batter they use on the fried chicken. The caramelized bacon was the biggest surprise. I knew the bacon would be good, but the surprise was the maple bourbon goat cheese that was actually a savory whipped cream. I dipped both the bacon and the thinly sliced apples in the frothy goodness and was more intrigued with every bite.

The Blue Glass has an excellent cocktail list, and my first drink was the Scottish Monk (one of three savory cocktails on the menu.) I thought it might be too much of a "spring/summer" flavor, but I was pleasantly surprised at the depth of the cocktail, making it the perfect before dinner drink. My friend ordered the Ginger Lemon Drop and was very satisfied as well. Because I can't stand horseradish, I asked the bartender to make a bloody mary from scratch, and both times I was there for brunch, he gladly accommodated my wish.  Despite the extra effort by making it from scratch, I was only charged the regular $7, which for a pint of a strong drink, seemed like a good deal.

The service each time was really good and lacked that pretentious air that new Ballard restaurants tend to have. There are two owners -- one who worked at Bicks for years and then managed Saltoro for several more, and one who owns The Tractor in Ballard. The place was packed by 7:30pm, but the food was served in a timely manner and I never felt rushed. 

This is a great place to go with friends or for a romantic evening. I'll be back!

News & Events

Ya'll know I'm from Southern Louisiana, so when anything relating to my heritage comes to Seattle, I'm all over it. This time, it's by way of yet another food truck. Jemil's Big Easy will start rolling through Seattle in April, and it will serve po boys, gumbo, jambalaya and muffalettas, as well as a host of other traditional New Orleans comfort food. What excites me even more is the fact that the chef, Jemil Aziz is from New Orleans and he went to the best school in the country: The Culinary Institute of America. (holla, Cully)

• If you're interested in Who's Who among Seattle chefs, check out the James Beard Award Semifinalists from Seattle.  I'm surprised not to see The Walrus & the Carpenter for Best New Restaurant, but I guess that's ok since Renee Erickson  is on the list for Best Chef Northwest. I'm also surprised to see Canlis up for so many categories.

• Do you have a bit of cash, burning a hole in your pocket?  Maybe you want to use that tax return for an unforgettable meal. Check out The Herbfarm's A Taste of Trees from Feb. 17 - March 4. It looks incredibly interesting, and it's sure to be a unique experience. If you're searching for prices, you won't find them on their website. I called The Herbfarm to enquire, and they said that all of their meals are themed, 9-course meals paired with Northwest wines that range from $179 to $205 plus tax and gratuity per person, depending on the theme. If anyone goes, please let me know your thoughts!

• Conitnuing with The Herbfarm, check this out!
  

  Free Room in the Lodge

  On Friday, February 24^th as well as Sunday, February 26^th, make a new reservation for two or more guests and The Herbfarm will put you up at the Willows Lodge FREE! Gratis! Yes, that's on us!
  Revel in The Herbfarm's 9-course dinner, fine matching wines and music from guitar virtuoso Patricio Contreras. Then stroll back through the gardens to your room at Willows Lodge, replete with beckoning fireplace and soaking tub big enough for two. Next morning, relax a while before heading home or to work, renewed and refreshed.

Blogger Note

If you subscribe to the e-mail updates through Feedburner, you might want to click on my blog name rather than read the post in the daily e-mail. I've noticed that the words are often jumbled together, making it difficult to read.  If you simply click on the blog name at the top of the e-mail, it will take you to my site where I can assure you, my spacing is (almost always) correct.

RN74

I'm not sure why I thought RN74 would be pretentious, but I quickly learned that it is anything but--at least for happy hour.

From the leather chairs and banquettes to the multitude of lanterns hanging by ropes as room dividers, this place manages to be simultaneously modern and cozy. The wrap around bar can seat about 15 people, and the lounge can seat another 25 without anyone feeling cramped.  The restaurant portion is in the far back of the large space, and it is equally stunning with a long line of red and golden bottles hollowed out as lights hanging from the ceiling.

Our server, Kristen, was attentive and charming despite the happy hour crowd. I had a glass of Cotes du Rhone, which was fine for the $5 price tag. My friend had the "Shot and a Beer," which was a can of Rainier with a shot of Fernet Branca (an astringent drink that tasted like Jagermeister and Listerine.) The best part about this combo was that the Rainier was served in a huggie that guests gets to keep!


The happy hour menu is diverse and extensive enough to make even a picky eater excited about a small bite.  And the bites ARE rather small, so sharing three or four plates will get your appetite all geared up for a more substantial entree. We had just about everything on the menu, but the two dishes worth highlighting were the grilled skirt steak skewers and the short rib ragout charred toast. There were five mini skewers, and the meat was marinated in a mild soy-cilantro glaze that had just a hint of Asian flavoring. The charred toast was about six inches long and cut into five bite-sized morsels. The depth of flavor was surprising even for such a small portion.


If parking didn't cost $16, I would make RN74 a regular happy hour spot. The ambiance, service and food all add up to an A in my book. (Happy hour is Mon - Sat from 3 to 6 pm; late night from 10:30 to close.)

News & Events

• Seattle Weekly’s Voracious Tasting & Food Awards will be on Thursday, April 5.  Here’s a blurb:

Voracious Tasting 2012 will host 1,000 attendees at the Paramount Theatre on Thursday, April 5, for a night of culinary celebration and recognition featuring 40 select restaurant samplings, a handful of food trucks, specialty food sampling, libation tasting from local mixologists, live demonstration, live music, and the fifth annual presentation of the Seattle Weekly Food Awards to this year's winners of the Sustainability, Innovation, and Pellegrini Awards.

A few restaurants worth mentioning are Barrio, Tavolata, Bastille and Marche. There are two types of tickets: for $40 you get an open bar & unlimited bites. For $80 you get the same treats, plus an exclusive, private bar and access to the Voracious Tasting an hour and a half early.

• Perhaps the best sandwich I have ever eaten in Seattle was the Cuban Roast at Paseo.  They also make a fantastic Sautéed Prawns sandwich with six big prawns soaked in garlic, spices and olive oil.  Both sandwiches are big enough to split, but you won’t want to hand one half over.  Never eat a Paseo sandwich with long sleeves—the juices will surely drip down your arm. My point: Paseo has been closed for winter and just reopened on February 10.  Get your Caribbean grub on.

• If you haven’t been to the Ballard Farmer’s Market, GO! It was awarded best large farmer’s market in Washington. Fresh produce, cool jewelry, tasty meat and celebrity sightings (after all, I met Dave Matthews here a few months ago.)  Open every Sunday, rain or shine from 10 am to 3 pm.

Channeling My Inner Norm Peterson

It wasn't until I was in my late 20s when I started appreciating beer, but when I had my first good beer, I was hooked.  Before my first Abita Amber, I drank whatever one cent could buy on Penny Pitchers night at Waldo's Bar in New Orleans.


Fast forward 15 years, and you'll find a passionate beer drinker. No, I don't love it as much as I love red wine, but there are occasions for both. You wouldn't catch me drinking wine with nachos or while watching football. I also don't love red wine in the summer months, and I don't like white wine at all. This leaves me with one logical choice: a cold beer.


That brings me to today's report that I found on one of my go-to sites, myballard.com: Ballard's Booming Beer Business. Since it was mentioned in the article, I figured I would post the review of Hilliard's Beer that I wrote for Yelp in November.

One visit to the Hilliard's Beer tasting room and you'll want to return to introduce this place to your friends. They're bringing sexy back in a can of Amber Ale, and they have three other amazing brews on tap including a Pilsner, Stout and Blonde. The pint glasses resemble a can, and they're made of thin glass that is pleasing to the eye as well as your mouth. Think Riedel wine glasses, but for beer.

The atmosphere of the tasting room is rustic and manly, but it's perfectly comfortable for everyone, including kids and dogs. I get the sense that the owner wanted the space to be trendy without shoving it your face, and it worked.

The guys behind the counter are knowledgeable and as friendly as it gets. I will definitely be back for a pint or two and maybe rent the space for a party.

Recipes

Red Wine Braised Short Ribs

Looking to impress someone with a delectable dinner? I use this recipe as my base for preparing the most succulent short ribs:

 

4 English cut beef short ribs, trimmed (roughly 8 ounces each)

Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

1 bottle full bodied red wine, such as Cabernet

2 cups low-sodium chicken stock (original recipe calls for 4 cups of veggie broth)

4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed

Notice that there are only five main ingredients, so it makes your shopping list as well as the cooking very easy.  Short ribs can be expensive, but in Seattle, Fred Meyer, QFC and Safeway all sell them for half the cost of a butcher or fancy grocery store; you just might need to budget for two ribs per person. (Five, 5 oz short ribs at Fred Meyer was $9; Five, 8oz short ribs at Central Market was $22.75.)

My spin on the recipe is that after one hour in the oven, I add chopped carrots (figure one carrot per person) and any leftover wine and give it all a big stir.  It’s also important to use good red wine in this recipe if you want the meat to develop full flavor.  I serve the ribs with mashed potatoes, polenta or rice. Add a green vegetable if you want more than carrots (asparagus, Swiss chard or broccoli are good choices.)

For the original recipe, click here.

Hoisin Glazed Shrimp

I bought a pound of fresh, medium shrimp and wanted to make a tasty, easy dish, so I turned to my trusted Real Simple magazine.

1 lb shrimp

1/4 cup hoisin sauce

2 teaspoons of toasted sesame seeds

Instead of threading the shrimp on skewers and broiling them, I simply put them in a pan for three minutes on one side, flipped them and then added the hoisin sauce to the pan for another four minutes of cooking.

My spin on this recipe is the hoisin glaze.  I added a tablespoon of orange marmalade and a splash of orange juice to the sauce, stirred it and then poured it on the shrimp. I served the shrimp over brown rice with a cucumber salad on the side. (See recipe for more details.)