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Culinary FoolCulinary and cocktail adventures in the kitchen, out on the town and (sometimes) around the world!
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5/9/2008 Fooled Yesterday, while wandering through the grocery store picking up a few things for last night's dinner club dinner I noticed a big stack of corn. Now it's way too early for corn from our area but the gorgeous kernels were irresistible. This corn didn't just call my name it actually jumped into my cart all on its own!
I only bought one ear since dinner club is always a big meal and generally there are leftovers but I thought I could make this one ear for lunch. And I did. And I should have known better. The kernels were large but I was prepared to overlook that. However, it had been off the stalk for too long and the sugars were already well on their way to becoming starch which meant it had very little sweetness left at all. Now, I'm not a big fan of the super sweet corn that we see so much of today - the kind that tastes more of sugar than corn - but this tasted like farm animal food to me.
Oh well. For a minute I was full of anticipation and now I know to just wait for the "real" stuff. I think I actually knew that but still one can always hope! 5/7/2008 Belated Cinco de Mayo I ended up being busier than expected on Cinco de Mayo and so I didn't do anything special to celebrate. Yes, I know this is something we celebrate here and it's really not that big of a deal - at least celebration wise - in Mexico. But I still like to be a little festive. So tonight I pulled together a simple, belated Cinco de Mayo meal.
I had some leftover small steak pieces that I just quickly sauteed then drizzled with a little lime juice; warmed up a couple of corn tortilla shells; added the steak, some onion slices, avocado and drizzled a spicy sour cream (made with a little chipotle in adobo sauce mixed with the sour cream) over it all.
Add a bottle of chilled Mexican beer and you have a simple celebratory dinner.
5/6/2008 Orcas Island: Cafe Olga I just got back from a weekend on Orcas Island in the San Juans. It's a gorgeous place, although it rained a bit much even for me. Still, I managed to get out and about and enjoy much of the island.
On my first day there I had lunch at Cafe Olga a little place co-located with the Orcas Island Artworks, an artist co-op, in the little hamlet of Olga. Located in a historic strawberry packing building it's a charming place with great food. The regular menu is small but creative and the numerous daily specials add seasonal variety.
 For my lunch I had the special Crab Quesadilla. It was packed with amazingly fresh, sweet Dungeness crab, Monterey Jack cheese (a bit too much) and mild green chilies. Really quite wonderful.
 Cafe Olga
103 Olga Road
Eastsound
Orcas Island
360.376.5098 5/1/2008 Osteria La Spiga Grabbed a little dinner with M last night at Osteria La Spiga. This place has been consistently good - for years! A couple of years ago they moved to a new, larger location and managed to keep the charm of their old space and, if possible, even improve it.
 Last night we had a bit of everything. We started with Stuzzicchini, a chef's selection of small bites; and then moved on to Tortelli ai Carciofi, an artichoke filled pasta flavored with brown butter and sage; and Crostini del Poggio Rosso, crostini topped with a luscious pate, slices of grilled tenderloin and truffle oil - so decadently rich.
 Osteria La Spiga
1429 12th Ave
Seattle
206.323.8881
 4/30/2008 Rhubarb Reminds Me of SoCal I know that rhubarb and Southern California are really not generally associated with each other. In fact it seems a bit odd to think of them together since rhubarb is a cool weather vegetable and needs lots of water to stay "sweet", which is a relative term since rhubarb is actually quite tart all of the time. Because of those two factors I'm fairly certain rhubarb is not grown commercially in SoCal, although maybe for Farmers' Markets there is some production. But still rhubarb and SoCal for me are forever intertwined.
When I was in college three friends and I took a road trip from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon to Cal Poly Pomona in Pomona, California to attend a conference for the student chapter of the IIE. It was a memorable trip for a variety of reasons: the fact that one person, Jeff, drove the entire 14+ hour trip without ever sleeping and we drove overnight and it wasn't until later that I realized he was dropping speed the entire trip; the mudslide that closed I-5 at The Grapevine just north of Los Angeles allowing my friends and I to play Frisbee on the freeway for 2 hours; we stayed at Jeff's family's house in one of the ritzy neighborhoods near UCLA which was my first exposure to real wealth; the Silver Fizzes Jeff's dad served us for cocktail hour; and the rhubarb cake his mom made for dessert.
The Silver Fizzes had made all of us feel very grown-up and we were in a very festive mood throughout dinner. At that time in my life there was never even a thought of turning down dessert and so I eagerly accepted a piece of the cake, at the time not knowing it was rhubarb. Moist and tender, fragrant with cinnamon and topped with cream cheese frosting I thought it was amazingly good. I had grown up with rhubarb but we mostly had pies or sauce - I'd never had a rhubarb cake before! I was hooked.
I got the recipe that night and I still have the original plain, white, lined 3"x5" card that we all used to share recipes in those days.
I've made this recipe many times and it's always been great. A couple days ago I had the bright idea to use it to make cupcakes. Well the bright idea wasn't really all that smart. As mentioned the cake is super moist and it also doesn't raise much. While I was prepared for basically flat cupcakes I hadn't realized how unsuited the moistness makes the cake for cupcake liners - it's really just too soft to work well. I'd never want to serve these to anyone, although I don't mind eating them myself!
Here's the recipe for the cake - just don't try to get creative with the pan! And Grace was not Jeff's mom's name but who the recipe originally came from.
Grace's Rhubarb Cake
2 cups diced rhubarb
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1 well-beaten egg
2 cups sifted flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
Combine rhubarb with 1/2 cup sugar and set aside.
Cream remaining sugar with the shortening. Add the egg and beat until well mixed.
Sift the dry ingredients together. Add alternatively with the buttermilk.
Stir in the vanilla and the rhubarb.
Turn into greased 11"x7"x2" pan. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour.
Cool and top with Cream Cheese frosting, if desired. (It really can be left plain and used as a coffee-cake, too.)
4/29/2008 Things that make you go, hmmmmm.....I'm all for creativity and trying out new concepts when it comes to food and the dining experience. In fact there are many little gimmicks that catch my attention. For instance, Happy Hour is really a gimmick but one that has been around so long that we all just accept it as "natural". And, as you may have realized I happen to love Happy Hour! But every now and then some new promotion comes up and I really just wonder what the chef or PR person or whoever was thinking.
That's the case with this latest idea from Veil. I haven't been in for a little while so maybe they need to boost numbers or maybe they just thought this would be a fun thing to do but their latest idea is an upscale TV dinner.
Here's some info from the press release:
And there's a photo of the new compartmentalized plate. I don't know, call me a stick-in-the-mud, but for some reason this whole concept doesn't really resonate with me. Or with what I think of when I think of Veil. A Good Apple Year? Apples, like all fruits produce in cycles. A couple years ago I had a ton of apples. Last year none - which was unusual but this is a young tree. If the number of blossoms is any indicator it looks like this might be another very good year. Although if all these blossoms become apples I'm going to need to thin them - something I'm bad at. I just hate "killing" the little tiny guys. But if you don't then all the resulting apples are small. I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. 4/28/2008 Sometimes all you need is... ... a burger and a beer. Best burger deal in town? McCormick and Schmick's $1.95 Happy Hour burger. Find a location near you.
Blueberry Banana Pancakes I may have shared these with you before but if I have it's been awhile. And they are so good that it's worth sharing again! This recipe makes about 8 nice sized pancakes.
 Buttermilk Banana Blueberry Pancakes1¼ cups flour 1 tbsp. baking powder 1 beaten egg
¾ cup buttermilk ¼ cup milk (maybe a bit more) 1 Tbsp. cooking oil 1 very ripe mashed banana Blueberries
Mix together dry ingredients. Combine all remaining ingredients except blueberries. Mix wet ingredients into dry just until blended. The batter should be thick but spreadable. Add more milk if necessary to get the texture right.
Cook on griddle. Add blueberries to pancakes on griddle. 4/27/2008 Strawberry Banana Daiquiri Well, our warm weather continues. Not quite summer weather yet, but close enough for me! I had a few bananas that were getting a bit too ripe and so I decided to make something that I usually reserve for the truly warm days of summer - daiquiris! In this case strawberry-banana daiquiris.
And, in case you are not aware, you can freeze bananas. So if I have some that are too ripe but can't use them right away I pop them into a plastic bag and into the freezer. They can be used in baked goods or are great in this cocktail.
One of the things I really like about this drink (as foo-foo as it is!) is that it's easy (in fact best) to make a batch at a time. If you only need one, you just put the rest of the batch in a plastic container in the freezer. Since there is alcohol in the mixture it won't freeze solid. Then, when you want one, you just scoop some of it into a glass and let it sit for a few minutes to soften and you are ready to go!
It's especially nice if you, for instance, have some hot outdoor work to do. Scoop up a glass and leave it in the fridge until you are done with your work. Then it should be ready when you are. Or it's great for entertaining as you can make up a batch (or two) well before guests arrive and then just pull the pitchers out a few minutes before your party starts.
4/26/2008 Dreaming of Summer The weather finally seems to be making progress towards more spring-like temperatures. I took advantage of yesterday afternoon's sun, sat on the deck and had what I consider to be the epitome of a summer drink - a gin and tonic.
Like any mixed drink they are so super simple. Simply add a shot or two of gin to a glass filled with ice, then fill the glass with tonic water. Finish it off with a slice of lime. Easy to make for one or a crowd! 4/25/2008 French Toast Supreme I love French Toast. For breakfast, lunch or dinner. I was buying bread over the weekend and suddenly the loaf of Raisin Pecan from The Essential Baking Company jumped into my hand demanding to be used for French Toast. I decided to oblige it. So that's exactly what I did.
I used just a basic batter - one egg and a little milk- dipped the bread and let it soak just a little, then pan-fried it until nicely browned on both sides. Then I topped it with warm maple syrup, sliced pears, and a little brown sugar and cinnamon mixture. A pretty fine way to start the day! 4/24/2008 First Look: Quinn's Well, this post is about five or six months overdue. My "First Look" at Quinn's was one week after they opened last fall. My second, a week after that. And I've been back several times since. The circumstances, however, have always left me without decent photos - even the night I was there with a group of photographers! This current set still isn't great but it will give you a little idea of what to expect.
Quinn's is the little sibling of Zoe in Belltown, both literally and figuratively! Scott Staples chef/owner named Zoe after his little daughter. I love Zoe's but don't go that often as it is not really a place you can drop into. There is a bar but it's very small and more appropriate for those who have arrived a bit early for a reservation than for those who's only intention is to sit in the bar. It's crowded into the back corner and on some nights the bartender seems to drift back and forth between several duties including tending bar. The food there has always been great, though. But I tend to think of it more as an occasion place - somewhere you go when you actually make plans in advance.
 So I was happy to hear that Scott was going to add another location, a more casual place. Quinn's (named for the Staples' son) opened last fall on Capitol Hill. This location is dubbed a "gastro-pub". More bar like; louder; smaller plates; more focus on beer, wine and other alcoholic offerings, this location is the perfect drop-in spot. That is if you can get a seat. Every time I've gone there has actually been a crowd waiting outside the door when they open at 5:00. And the staff is not always great about actually opening exactly on time. Sometimes it's 5:05 or 5:10 - not a huge deal but bothersome when you are standing in the rain and the staff is just on the other side of the large windows taking their time finishing their staff meeting. Once the doors open the first floor generally fills within 30 minutes. I have yet to go upstairs and take a look at the second floor but it also seems to fill soon after.
 The menu changes often, although it seems to be just a little at a time with just one or two plates migrating to something new. I have yet to have anything I didn't like there and so far I've tried the Meatball sliders and rabbit pate (both pictured); braised oxtail; duck and duck rillette (that's one dish); wild boar sloppy joe; wagyu beef burger; sauteed spinach; gooey gougere; and more. I thought the spinach had a few too many currents which made it overly sweet and I decided I prefer "plain" gougere (Quinn's are stuffed with melted cheese) but those are both preferences not issues.
I guess probably the biggest compliment is the fact that I have been back so many times. In this town with so many great places to go - and more opening all the time - it sometimes takes me quite some time to get back to the places I like. The fact that I've now been to Quinn's half a dozen times speaks volumes.
 They have recently started opening for lunch as well as dinner.
When they first opened they did not take reservations. I'm not sure if they have changed that policy as their website doesn't address it. I think, however, if you have a large group they will work with you. At least it has seemed that way in the past.
Quinn's
1001 East Pike St
Seattle
206.325.7711
 4/23/2008 First Look: How to Cook a Wolf When some of you read that title you may have thought I'd be talking about a book, How to Cook a Wolf
 , the famous book by renowned food writer MFK Fisher. And in a way, I was but not directly. Ethan Stowell, chef/owner of Union and Tavolato opened a third location late last year and named it How to Cook a Wolf. For those in the culinary world this novel is one that defines and inspires but it still seems an odd name for a restaurant. I'm sure over time it will come to known just as "Wolf". Odd name or not, the tiny space is cozy and welcoming with big stone structures (the bar and the divider wall between bar and kitchen), undulating wood walls and large windows. There is only seating for about 35 people, including the ten seats at the bar, and this place has been packed since it opened. Since they do not take reservations it's a bit of a gamble when or if you'll be able to find a seat.
 M and I arrived at 6:00 - I was actually there at 5:45 - and were able to grab the two last chairs at the bar. We were seated near the hostess and after that the folks that came in, especially those hoping for a table, were told it would be a 90 minute wait. I actually thought that the hostess was a bit rough with people (trying to come in and spend their money!) and seemed frustrated when people asked any sort of clarifying question. I'm sure it's challenging seating people in the tiny and popular place but it really seemed she could have been a bit more pleasant in her dealings with the potential customers.
The good news is that they will take your name and cell phone number so that you can wander over to somewhere like The Paragon or one of the three nearby coffee shops to relax or stroll Queen Anne Avenue to make sure you are ready for the meal to come.
How to Cook a Wolf has an Italian influenced menu but it's different than Tavolata's. The bulk of the menu is devoted to appetizers (my kind of place!) and includes four pasta options. There are also half a dozen cheese and dessert options to finish your meal.
Sitting at the bar, watching the food come out of the kitchen we had a chance to see many of the menu itmes before ordering. We decided to start with Tombo Crudo which, we were told, was Hawaiian albacore, although that is not the translation I get when I look it up. No matter. While waiting for our Tombo we were served the Asparagus Salad, as the chef had made one extra and we were in the right place at the right time! The asparagus were cold, crispy and very lightly dressed. They sat on a layer of thinly sliced bressola and were sprinkled with large, lightly pickled wild capers. Such a fresh presentation! Although we hadn't ordered it we were really glad we had this dish.
 Our Tombo Crudo arrived soon after. So impeccably fresh! Beautiful squares of the albacore with a hint of hot chili and lime juice. It seemed more Mexican to me than Italian but I'm not going to argue that small point. It was a beautiful dish and I really loved the flavor combination.
 We finally made up our minds about what other items to try - the menu is challenging as it all looks so good - and next to arrive were the perfectly grilled scallops on a white bean and porcini puree. I love scallops and I'm very picky about their preparation. These were really lovely. Grilled until slightly caramelized on the outside yet tender and tasting of the sea on the inside. The puree had a slightly different texture, a feel of creaminess, and an earthiness from the mushrooms yet didn't take away from the essence of the scallop.
Next, and I know this sounds like a lot but portions are small and we were sharing, our bowl of spaghetti arrived. Flavored with garlic, chilies and anchovy and topped with olive oil and a mound of grated Parmesan it was simple and satisfying. When we'd first ordered we thought we might have to take some of it home with us but there wasn't a speck left when we were done.
M decided to order an espresso to finish and I asked for tea. This was my personal disappoint of the night. No tea. Not only no tea but our server was a bit callous about it, recommending I just go to one of the nearby coffee shops in a sort of condescending manner. I don't know what their reasoning is for not having tea - the espresso machine is certainly equipped to make hot water and a couple boxes of tea bags don't take up much room - perhaps it's not Italian enough, but it seems to be a silly decision or oversight. That being said, our server did make an adjustment to our check and I think it was to compensate for the lack of tea, which was nice.
We really loved this meal and the whole feel of How to Eat a Wolf. I wish the staff would be a bit more mindful of their attitude and treatment of customers in some ways but I'm willing to excuse it for the time being and to hope that corrects itself or that what we saw with the hostess and my tea request were just oddities. And I did appreciate the adjustment to the check, which makes up for a lot.
My recommendation for getting a seat at this already well-loved location is to get there as soon after 5:00 pm as possible; wait until about 7:00 to grab a seat as the first round vacates; or simply plan on stopping by, adding your name to the list and spend a pleasant hour wandering or having a pre-dinner cocktail.
You can see a few more photos here.
How to Cook a Wolf
2208 Queen Anne Ave N.
Seattle
206.838.8090 No Reservations Currently closed Tuesday & Wednesday
 4/22/2008 "Buyer" Beware: OpenTable.comSo right off the top I'm going to tell you that this is my own fault as the information is in their FAQs on the site but I still think the way it's handled stinks.
Occasionally I use OpenTable.com to make reservations mostly at local establishments but I had been thinking that I really should use it more often when traveling. However, I don't use it regularly for a number of reasons: I'm a pretty spontaneous diner; my friends and I generally prefer to sit at the bar instead of in the dining room; hardly anywhere in Seattle really requires a reservation unless you are really set at eating right at 7:00 on a Friday night; a lot of places that I like to go are not available through OpenTable; most places that are on OpenTable also take phone reservations.
If you're not familiar with the site it does offer a few nice features. For instance, you can put in a date and time and it will show you all restaurants in your area that have open tables which is a lot easier than searching for them one by one. And the primary reason I liked it was that for each reservation you get 100 points (sometimes more during promotions) and once you have 1000 you can redeem them for a $10 certificate - at least that's how it started. Now you can't redeem until you hit 2000 points and you'll get a $20 certificate.
Well, I hit 1000 quite some time ago but thought I'd hold out until I had 2000 since a $20 certificate just sounded better than a $10 one. But for several months I've been lingering in the no man's land of more than 1000 but not yet 2000 points. Apparently I've been lingering there for over a year. And apparently if your account hasn't been used in a year they take back all your points. Which I realized today when a newsletter was delivered to my mailbox and it said "Your balance is 0." And so I scurried to check my account and sure enough the balance was 0 because the last entry was a negative entry for the exact number of points I'd accrued.
As I said, when you read the FAQs it's right there plain as day so I'm totally at fault. But what I think is stinky is that they didn't even bother to send some sort of warning. And of course, they probably hope they don't have to pay out rewards so why would they? Well, maybe because part of their compensation comes from the restaurants and is based on how many reservations are made through the site so by reminding me it might have spurred some activity on my part because I wouldn't want to lose my points. And it would have kept me from writing this post which is now warning all of you to make sure you remain active on the site. (Although even bad publicity is good publicity, right?) Or maybe you should just skip the site altogether because, at least in the Seattle market, it really doesn't offer that much. That's probably what I'll do from now on. I'm sure the loss of my activity won't break the bank but I think, in general, it's always a bad idea to lose customers.
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