If you've spent anytime in Little Italy in New York, you'll know that it is slowly disappearing, being consumed by the surrounding Chinatown.  But there are still a few hold-out businesses anchoring the heart of Little Italy around Mulberry and Mott streets.  One of these businesses is Ferrara, a bakery and cafe.  I'm attracted to this place for many reasons, not the least being that my Grandmother's maiden name was Ferrara.  I have no idea if she was related to these Ferraras but I'm sure there is a very good chance.  When her family first emigrated to America they made their home in New York, and most still live in the area. Only my grandparents eventually moved to the west coast.  And Ferrara was established about the same time my Grandmother's family landed in New York.  So I like to believe there is a connection. 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to the idea that I'm possibly related to the proprietors are the attractions of the gelato and pastry cases.  There are two gelato cases - one inside and one out - filled with brightly colored creations.  I'm not sure I've ever had a scoop of these confections that capture the imagination of my tastebuds but I love looking at them.  I have, however, enjoyed the pastries numerous times.  Ferrara is always one of my first stops when I get to New York.  I purchase a selection of their little cookies, take the treasures back to my hotel room and then happily munch on them over the days of my visit. 

 

 

 

 

 

There are several varieties of the cookies:  some shaped like crescent moons; some flavored with hazelnut; some filled with raspberry or apricot; others dipped in chocolate; basically something for everyone.  In addition to the cookies, one or two of the mini cannoli seem to make it into my shopping bag, too.   Filled with creamy ricotta these rich little bites are the perfect size. 

 

 

 

 

 

Although Ferrara draws its share of tourists, I love that the locals still patronize it, too.  In the past I've been in line behind tiny Italian grandmas and fireman buying boxes of treats to take back to the station house. 

 

I can't speak to any of the other food here but, for me, no trip to New York is complete without a box of Ferrara cookies. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last time I was in New York I had dinner at craft.  The dinner was part of an event and there was a ton of food.  And while the dishes felt a little disconnected they were all good.  In addition, the space was warm and welcoming.  I liked it a lot and decided that the next time I was in New York I'd try it out under more normal circumstances. 

 

On this most recent trip I didn't have enough time to do all I would have liked and so I wasn't going to make it back to craft.  However, I did have an opportunity to visit craftbar for a quick cocktail one evening.  Craftbar is quite different than craft in the way it looks and feels.  Instead of warm, glowing wood and interesting lighting, craft has hard surfaces.  A cement bar, dark chairs and floor.  The bar was very dark and the dining area seemed to be lit by spotlights. The whole place felt incongruent to me.  The dining room didn't feel like it belonged with the bar; the bar seemed casual, the dining room more formal; I wasn't there long enough to really figure it out but it wasn't a place I wanted to hang out. 

 

 

 

 

 

I ordered a special fall drink they had on the menu, a spiced Manhattan.  The idea was great - Makers Mark infused with warm fall spices, garnished with an orange slice.  It sounded wonderful.  But the infusion was way too strong.  The spice was so overwhelming as to make the drink rather unbearable. I was very disappointed. 

 

I can't say the place wasn't good.  I wasn't there long enough and certainly didn't give the menu any sort of trial.  But there are so many great places in New York that I really don't have time to give any disappointing place a second chance.  Perhaps if I lived there I would try it again but I won't go back the next time I'm visiting. 

 

212.461.4300

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daniel Boulud's latest entry into the New York dining scene is DBGB Kitchen and Bar.  This new concept takes a common New York street food and elevates it to fine dining.  There are fourteen versions of sausage on the menu, which also includes a large selection of seafood, burgers and French-brasserie style dishes. 

 

While wandering the streets I happened upon DBGB and, although it was in between meal times, decided to pop in to check it out.  The front of the restaurant is comprised of huge plate glass windows which are covered in culinary quotes.  These huge windows flood the front rooms of the interior with gorgeous natural light.  The back rooms are cozier and my impression, although I didn't go check them out, was of wood and masculinity. 

 

 

 

 

 

I sat at the bar which is surrounded by large mirrors with menu items and more culinary quotes covering them, echoing the plate glass windows.  I ordered a nice glass of Zinfandel and Pâté Campagnard, a pork and chicken liver pâté .  The pâté was excellent!  Full of flavor yet light and delicate.  A little bit of the pâté on the crusty, rustic bread with onion or pickle was a great combination of textures and flavors.  The gentleman seated to my left ordered one of the sausages - I neglected to ask which one - and declared it to be wonderful. 

 

The place is large but yet was so busy that people were lined up waiting for tables.  Still, those waiting seemed to be seated fairly quickly.  I think the next time I return a proper meal in the dining room will be in order. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've just returned from a quick weekend trip to New York.  It's been two years since I was last there!  Hard to believe so much time has gone by.  Normally when I travel to New York I take a long list of new restaurants and bars I'd like to check out.  This time, however I went list-less.  As I've mentioned, the last several weeks at work had been super busy.  So I decided that I would spend my time in New York simply wandering and agenda-less, maybe returning to places I've enjoyed in the past and, if I felt the need, I could jump online to search for the latest and greatest. 

 

The weather wasn't very cooperative while I was there - a mild nor-easter was coming in - so I awoke Sunday morning to strong winds and pouring rain.  I decided I'd wander down to a coffee shop that was about a mile away so that I'd get a little exercise before settling in with a cup of tea and the paper.  I spent a good 90 minutes there watching the surrounding neighborhood wake-up, the locals coming in for their coffee and the continuing rain. 

 

 

 

 

 

On my return trip back to my hotel I noticed a bakery across the street.  The window was filled with an array of breads and thought I'd pop across and maybe grab a quick photo but as I got closer I realized that it was Boulay Bakery and Market,, a place that would have been on my list had I made one.  I eagerly made my way inside to see what I'd find.  As you enter there is a small space between the outer and inner doors.  That space was filled with the sweet-tart fragrance of apples.  I looked to my left and realized there was an entire wall of apples perfuming the space.  I absolutely love that idea! 

 

Once inside there is a dining room/seating area to the right but I turned to the left where the bakery and take-out area is located.  I really didn't spend much time looking at all that was offered but did notice a large soup/salad/prepared food bar; chilled cases filled with cheese and meats.  It seemed it would be easy to pop-in and pick up everything you needed for a meal at home. 

 

I focused on the bakery products, looking for something to take back to the hotel to have as part of my breakfast.  There was all manner of tarts and breads and pastries but my eye quickly noticed something rare.  Canelé!  I've talked about canelé before.  I knew one of those would be going home with me.  There were so many great looking options but I was trying to be mindful of the fact that my time in New York was limited and there really is only so much one person can eat.  So I restricted myself to one canelé and one fragrant orange muffin.  The gorgeous macarons called my name, too, but I manged to ignore them. 

 

 

 

 

 

When I returned to the hotel I made a little breakfast picnic in my room with the canelé, some hot soprasotta I'd picked up the day before and an apple from the big bowl of them in the hotel lobby.  I decided to save the orange muffin for Monday morning.  The canelé was amazing!  The outside was the perfect sweet, slightly-burned, crispy caramelized crust and the inside soft and custardy, sweet and rich.  So good, in fact, that Monday prior to leaving for the airport I returned to the bakery and purchased some to bring home. 

 

The orange muffin was also very good with just a hint of orange flavoring the vanilla batter. 

 

 

 

 

 

The one bad thing about "discovering" this bakery is that now it will probably go on my list of places to return to the next time I'm in New York.  That list is getting way too long - I'm going to need to visit for months at a time to allow time to go back to all my favorite places and yet have time to try out a few new! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm not exactly sure why, but carrot cake is a fall thing for me.  Which I think is rather odd, because I look forward to carrots in the spring and throughout the summer.  Maybe it's because carrot cake generally has walnuts and sometimes grapes and those items make it feel like autumn to me.  Or maybe it's because the richness of the cream cheese frosting is too much for warm summer days.  Or perhaps it's just one of my many idiosyncrasies.  That's probably the most likely explanation. 

 

I was at U-Village on Saturday and remembered that Trophy Cupcakes had recently opened a location there.  I popped in and picked up a carrot cupcake to go.  This new location does not have any sort seating inside, although on a nice day there is a lot of outdoor seating nearby. 

 

The cupcake was deliciously moist and tender.  The cream cheese frosting was a tad bit too sweet but by removing a little of it the cake and frosting came back into a nice balance.  It was just what I needed with an afternoon cup of tea. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have no real complaints about my life.  It's a very good life no matter how you slice it and dice it.  But sometimes in the midst of all that goodness I find that I've overlooked something I would have liked to do.  And that was the case on Sunday.  I made it to Rover's final Sunday brunch of the year - something they have not offered before and there is no guarantee it will ever be offered again.  I wish I'd indulged a couple of more times over the summer but at least I made it to this last one. 

 

 

 

 

 

J and I arrived for our noon reservation and were seated at a white linen covered table in our section of the dining area.  If you have not been to Rover's it's located in a house turned restaurant so the dining area is a charming set of small rooms each with just a few tables.  This lends an intimacy and feeling of coziness to the dining experience.  We ordered Mimosas, made with freshly squeezed orange juice and a rosé cremant.  The color of the wine intensified and altered the orange juice color making it reminiscent of a sunset.  Cremant is a softer sparkling wine than Champagne so the resulting drink was flavorful and smooth with a hint of celebration. 

 

Rover's is known for its prix fixe dinners and offered both a two and three course menu for brunch.  There was also an a la carte section of options. While sipping our Mimosas we perused and negotiated and strategized wanting to make the most of this one-time event.  We wanted to pick the best of the best (at least according to our palates) and to squeeze in as much as possible without stuffing ourselves silly.    It was a tough decision but we finally decided on three a la carte dishes that we would share.  Our waiter was great at helping us orchestrate the order of our courses. 

 

 

 

 

 

We started with Hudson Valley Foie Gras.  This is a favorite item on Rover's menu and is always offered, I believe.  However, what is served along side it changes regularly and always includes some luscious seasonal ingredient.  On Sunday the foie gras was perfectly seared so that each bite was a rich, melt-in-your-mouth experience. It exemplified the kind of food that makes you want to close your eyes so that nothing distracts from the flavors and textures you're experiencing.  On the plate was a roasted, thinly sliced, fresh peach along with a sprinkling of blueberries, the pan juices and stripes of harissa hollandaise.  Adding any of these items to the foie gras enhanced it.  Using bread from the basket provided, we didn't let the plate go until we'd completely cleaned it. 

 

 

 

 

 

In some ways I wanted to just end there and savor the flavor of that first dish for the rest of the day.  But soon it was followed by the next plate we'd ordered, Two Poached Eggs over Braised Pork Belly, Sauteed Spinach and Harissa Hollandaise.  I really need to learn how to poach eggs.  I can do it but when I experience one that is expertly done I know how much mine are lacking.  The eggs used at Rover's come fresh from a local farmer which is probably a big part of the secret to their success.  Silky on the outside and filled with a liquid gold that sauced the pork belly, spinach and toasted baguette it elevated this take on bacon and eggs to a new level.  It was time for another little pause to savor what we'd just enjoyed. 

 

 

 

 

 

We ended our meal with a continental finish, the day's cheese platter.  As I have mentioned before I love when I get to really participate in my food and something like a cheese platter is a lot of fun for me.  You have the cheese and other little treats to mix and match with it.  I can't really do justice describing this dish since I don't know all the names of the cheeses.  There were five varieties each with their own special quality.  Some were local, some imported.  Cows, sheep and goats were represented.  All provided a unique flavor or texture so that the plate was a little treasure chest of jewels.

 

So, sadly, the brunches are over - at least for the time being.  However, the Friday lunches continue and, of course, so do dinners.  I think it's time to remember to get out to Rover's more often! 

 

206.325.7442  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When summer comes to Seattle we all want to spend as much time outside as we can. Not only do we want to be outside but many of us also want to be on or near the water.  Luckily water is in abundance in our beautiful city.  Finding somewhere to eat outside near the water can sometimes be more challenging but we do have several great locations. 

 

One of these places is just a bit hidden unless you happen to live in Magnolia or, perhaps, spend time at Discovery Park.  Chinook's at Salmon Bay is located in Fisherman's terminal, has an outdoor deck and the benefit of easy parking in their large lot. 

 

On nice days they open their outdoor patio which is protected from the wind, dotted with umbrellas to provide dappled shade and overlooks the marina that houses the working fishing fleet as well as many leisure boats. 

 

A friend and I had a Friday off a couple weeks ago and after a good walk around Discovery Park we dropped into Chinook's for lunch. 

 

 

 

 

 

We are so lucky to have access to the freshest of fish and seafood here in Seattle.  Many of our restaurants serve beautiful dishes based on the local water's bounty but it seems to me that Chinook's has some of the freshest with their direct access to the fishing boats at their doorstep.  MO and I started with two cocktails slightly customized to take advantage of in-season berries.  She had a Berry Cosmopolitan and I had a Blueberry Drop.  I was a little disappointed in with my cocktail as the only fresh berries were those on the pick.  I'd thought that blueberries would be muddled in the drink but instead a blueberry-flavored vodka was used.  Her Cosmo made much better use of fresh raspberries. 

 

 

 

 

 

We both ordered Shrimp and Crab Caesar Salads, which not are generously topped with fresh seafood but are also wonderfully crispy and refreshing and made us feel like our walk wasn't totally in vain.  (Never mind the calorie count in the dressing, thank you!)  I love when seafood still has it's natural sweetness and both the crab and shrimp on our salads exhibited that quality.  I didn't want to let any little piece of crab or shrimp get lost in the romaine!   

 

 

 

 

 

I noticed that they had razor clams on the menu.  Razor clams are not on many menus and are generally seasonal so when I see them I have to order them.  These were deep-fried, which is the most common way to serve them.  The breading was just thick enough yet let the clams shine, crispy and a little chewy they were a great counterpoint to our salads. 

 

In addition to the full service restaurant you can find a little fish bar, Little Chinook's located in the same building.  Nearby you'll find outdoor picnic tables or you can take your order to one of the local parks like the one that overlooks the locks, just a short drive away. 

 

206.283.4665  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art is the restaurant and lounge in the new Four Seasons Hotel.  The building also houses private, luxury condominiums.  The restaurant name comes from the hotel and restaurant's proximity to the Seattle Art Museum.  Many of the dishes are served in ways evocative of painting or other creative endeavors.  Kerry Sears, the former chef/owner of Cascadia is now at Art after closing his own place.  We miss Cascadia but are happy that he continues to bring his creative combinations to to the table. 

 

Thursday before starting our stroll through galleries and studios open for Seattle's First Thursday Art Walk, M and I stopped by for sustenance to fuel our walk.  The lounge (and I believe the dining room, too) are on the West side of the building where there are views of Puget Sound broken by some industrial buildings along Western Avenue.  I liked the yin/yang of this arrangement, sitting in a plush lounge while looking at a nitty-gritty view, as I think it's a part of what makes Seattle, Seattle.  

 

 

 

 

 

We arrived for the start of happy hour in the lounge, which offers several small plates and drinks for $5.  Always a sucker for an interesting sounding cocktail, I ordered a Bellini Martini which combines elements from both drinks into one peachy libation.  Made from vodka, pureed peaches and Prosecco it was refreshing and tasted of summer.  M had a lemon drop (not on the happy hour menu) and said it was wonderful, too. 

 

 

 

 

 

For our first course we sampled the Blue Shrimp which is served with Horseradish and Bloody Mary Dressing.  The combination was outstanding.  The shrimp was so fresh it tasted as if it had been just brought in especially for our order.  Horseradish is finely grated over the shrimp (be careful if you are not a horseradish fan) and the dressing is served in a tiny little glass, complete with a sprig of celery.  I actually took a little swig of it and it would have made a perfect aperitif, too.  

 

 

 

 

 

It was hard deciding what else to choose but we opted to try the tuna roll and sliders, something Kerry was famous for at Cascadia. 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course everything here comes with it's own little twist.  The tuna roll was elevated with jalapeños, crisp garlic, daikon shoots and wasabi cream.  The presentation was beautiful as was the tuna and the overall taste combination.  We ended with a plate of sliders, which are available in either beef or in a vegetarian style.  The condiments for the sliders were served as if they were paint on a pallet, which was both beautiful and fun.  The only slightly disappointing note of the evening was that we'd ordered a side of mushrooms with our sliders and they were overlooked.  Not a big deal at all, but I call it out only because I think the servers here had a few too many tables to handle which showed in a couple of other small ways, too.  It's understandable that with the low prices for this quality food that Art is watching costs. 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Art.  The ambience of the lounge is plush without being fussy.  I think it will be a nice, cozy place to hang out when the darker days of winter set in, too.  Happy hour is an outstanding deal.  I'll need to get back to sample an actual dinner here some time soon. 

 

206.749.7000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you might notice I'm finally getting caught up on lots of things I've been wanting to post about.  And in case you were wondering I really have not been dining out non-stop for the last few days! 

 

It was a month or  more ago that I met M at Voula's Offshore Café for breakfast.  We'd first thought about going on the first weekend of May, then realized that with Opening Day of Boating Season being the same day and Voula's location on Northlake that probably wasn't the smartest idea.  So we delayed a few weeks.  Near the end of June we made our way to the north shore of Lake Union for a Saturday morning breakfast prior to shopping the University District Farmers' Market, which is just about a mile north. 

 

I'd heard good things about Voula's for some time but until I checked their website did not know they'd been featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.  Once I arrived I could see exactly why it was chosen.  Voula's is in an older but well-maintained building in a row of older buildings.  In the front room there's a big wrap around dining bar and several smaller wood-grained laminated tables.  The back room, complete with sloping floor, is filled with more tables that can be pulled together to seat larger groups.  In fact, that morning one corner was filled with eight or ten cronies who were most certainly regulars. 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the kind of place that still serves generic drip coffee with free refills and Lipton's tea.  There is nothing fussy or pretentious here. 

 

The servers were mostly older women and I suspect many of them had worked at Voula's for years.  They had that confidence and efficiency that comes from lots of practice dealing with all sorts of folks, sometimes under pressure, on a regular basis.  Our server was very friendly and helpful. 

 

The menus are laminated plastic and listed the basic breakfast offerings and sandwiches you expect at a diner but also included a couple of interesting options.  One was the Piñata Benedict with smoked pork and chipotle hollandaise sauce in place of the usual ingredients.  That's what I ordered.  M chose one of the omelets but asked for it to be prepared as a scramble instead and they happily obliged.  I was exhilarated to see that they actually served hash browns with breakfast!  So many places seem to have replaced hash browns with country-fried potatoes of some sort.  I like potatoes of all kinds but love hash browns and miss having them on a more regular basis. 

 

 

 

 

Our orders arrived and we were both happy campers.  The smoked pork was tender and, well, smoky.  The chipotle hollandaise had a nice kick to it.  And the hash browns were great!  Maybe the best I've ever had.  M's scramble was just what she asked for and she loved the hash browns, too!  Good solid fare.  Nothing super fancy and often that is exactly what I'm looking for when enjoying a breakfast out.  Breakfasts aren't cheap - most run $9 or $10 - but they are certainly not expensive. 

 

This is definitely a place to add to the regular repertoire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now that we are fully into the summer with good weather stretching out before us for at least the next couple of months, I have a weekend morning recommendation for you. 

 

Tilth, is one of two restaurants in the country to receive organic certification from Oregon Tilth.  It's located in Wallingford in an old, converted home and has a sun-dappled patio that is perfect for a relaxed brunch.  Brunch is served from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm with a small menu of delicious options.  My dining companion and I opted to split Tilth's Benedict offering, a Dungeness Crab Benedict and the plate of Mini-Duck Sliders served with fingerling chips. I thhink the eggs were cooked sous vide and were delicately soft and runny as they should be.  The crab was freshly pulled from the sea and the sauce had the perfect lemon tang.  I don't think there is really any way to go wrong with mini duck meatballs on perfectly sized buns.   I have heard, from a reliable source, that the small chips are cooked in duck fat. 

 

 

 

 

 

I also sampled their special version of a mimosa dressed up with Grand Marnier.  It was good but a little on the sweet side for my taste.  Still, I wouldn't kick it to the curb! 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm sure that eating brunch inside the home that houses Tilth would be just as enjoyable, still I suggest that you take advantage of the outdoor seating while the weather permits. 

 

206.633.0801

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although I've been handling the recent Seattle heat wave fairly well, last night I decided it was time for a little evening A/C to help me cool down.  To that end I changed my previous restaurant selection for the evening to one I felt certain would provide cooling relief, Barrio on Capitol Hill.  Unfortunately I was wrong about the A/C, although we never really figured out if they didn't have it or it wasn't working.  Either way, it was warm inside.  Too warm, really. 

 

 

 

 

Barrio's interior is filled with interesting lines and elements:  the massive wooden doors that great you at the entry; the curvy bar topped with a mosaic of various-sized and shaped pieces of slightly off-white tile; the tall wooden wrap around booths that reach for the sky; and the room divider made of open squares and filled with large column candles all make their impression.  I'm sure the wall is beautiful at night but at 7:00 pm with the sun still heating the uncooled interior the heat from the lit candles did not help with the comfort factor.  It seems it would have been a good decision to leave them unlit.  My friend who was sitting closest to the wall finally blew several of them out as the heat they produced was more than could be handled.  The interior is much larger than I had expected, yet I'm sure it will be packed on weekend nights. 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite the relative discomfort of the heat we decided to tough it out.  If we sat relatively still and kept a cool drink in hand it was bearable. 

  

 

 

 

 

To this end we both started with cocktails, a Margarita, declared by my friend the connoisseur, to be one of the best ever, and a gin concoction called Cucumber Cocktail #1 for me, which was beautifully refreshing and tasty.  Next we ordered the Ceviche Sampler with three small versions of this fresh fish dish:  halibut with shrimp, pineapple and cilantro; salmon with avocado, onion and chile; and sea scallop with mango, chile and onion.  I liked all three versions equally well but my friend thought the salmon was the best.  The ceviche was served along with yucca chips which were perfectly crispy and had a hint of sweetness, and a plate with limes, chili sauce and salt. 

 

 

 

 

 

Several items on the menu included pork of some sort and all of the items sounded delicious.  We settled on the Pork Cheek Tamale with Salsa Negra.  I'm not sure what the technical definition of Salsa Negra is but this one seemed to include mole which really made this dish. 

 

After the tamale we decided we were just too warm to eat another bite. 

 

 

 

 

 

Barrio is owned by the same group that has the Purple Wine Bar and Cafes.  They seem to have done a good job branching out into this new venue and cuisine, although I'll really need to come back again to see if that holds true.  This location has been open since December and another is slated to open in Bellevue later this fall.   It will be located in the Bellevue Towers along with a Purple Wine Bar. 

 

I look forward to going back and trying a few more menu items.  Although I'll make sure I do that on a much cooler day. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't really know as I have much to say here.  The photo might say it all.  But just in case...

 

I waited in line for 10 or 15 minutes and was happy to do it.  I had planned to order salted caramel but tried a taste of honey lavender and decided that was the winner today.  There was a speck of strawberry or maybe balsamic strawberry on my honey lavender and I nearly went back and got a second scoop once I'd tasted that. 

 

But really the honey lavender was perfect.  Not too sweet; creamy without being too rich; lightly flavored lavender that tasted of summer. 

 

It was warm in the shop, the lines were long, the servers were working hard.  They were amazingly patient and pleasant. 

 

Today I was at the Wallingford location but you'd find the same at the Capitol Hill spot. 

 

Perfect summer treat.  Perfect. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

206.547.5105  

 

 

  

206.708.7947  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bright pink building doesn't look like much.  It's a bit ramshackle with an untended parking strip.  There's a large tagged commercial freight container sitting behind it and it's surrounded by a parking lot that's partially paved but mostly gravel and dirt.  But the line stretching across the front of the building might make you look twice and think that there's more to the story than meets the eye.  And you'd be right. 

 

Paseo, the beloved Fremont institution serving Cuban sandwiches and meals opened a second location in Ballard or, more specifically, on Seaview Avenue along Shilshole Bay a few months ago.  This was my first trip to the new spot.  Since it was a holiday weekend I thought I'd time my lunch visit after core hours and I'm glad I did!  When I arrived about 2:00pm I joined the queue of more than a dozen people patiently waiting to place their order. 

 

The menu is the same here as in Fremont and there are two large menu boards posted on the side of the building so you can make your decision while you wait.  The line moved at a irregular pace.  Sometimes stopping for a few minutes but mostly moving forward in fits and jags.  When I got to the front of the line the reason for the pauses became apparent.  The guy taking orders was also bagging and handing out the completed orders, as well as running back and forth to the stock room to grab napkins or utensils or whatever they were running short of at the moment.  He actually did a good job of keeping all the balls in the air and keeping the line flowing. 

 

 

 

 

 

There are a few stools along the front counter and a picnic table off to the side of the building but, as with the Fremont location, taking your food to go is the best option.  After receiving my order I walked north and grabbed a bench in the marina.  Sitting in the sun with my Roast Cuban sandwich, watching boat owners loading their boats for the weekend and sipping a warm diet coke (apparently not enough time to chill properly at the pace they were handing them out) was a satisfying way to spend a holiday afternoon. 

 

My sandwich could hardly be eaten as a sandwich as stuffed as it was with chunks of slow-roasted, marinated pork, super-sweet caramelized onions, jalapenos, lettuce, cilantro and their special seasoned sauce.  This is definitely not a first date place! I think these sandwiches define the word messy.  But they are worth every napkin you'll use while eating them.  As with the Fremont location they occasionally run out of items.  While I was placing my order I heard them trying to decide if they were going to run out of rolls for the sandwiches.  In past visits to the Fremont location I've had that happen and had to "settle" for one of the really good meals they also serve.  Don't know if they made it through the day or not.  I was just happy that they had enough to fill my order. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'd lived in Seattle for years before I realized there was a little gem of a restaurant tucked in between the butcher and the tea shop in Pike Place Market.  I don't remember what finally prompted me to take a look - I think it was a benefit event - but once I found this little hidden spot it became a favorite. 

 

Maximilien is a French café staffed by mainly French expats, it seems.  I seem to spend most of my time there in the upstairs bar with the lovely view of the sound and on out to West Seattle.   I guess I shouldn't be surprised that I'd never realized that they also have a rooftop deck that is perfect for summer weather happy hours.  Between the time it took me to find them in the first place and our normal Seattle weather that keeps us indoors so many months of the year, I should have suspected there might be more to the story.  But now I've learned and I'm so glad I have. 

 

 

 

 

 

Seattle is lacking, I think, in places with outdoor seating that take advantage of the gorgeous west view.  In my head I know that an investment of that sort in a city that sees so few days suitable for outdoor dining is an extravagance, but my heart still hopes for them every time the skies are clear and the temperatures rise into the 60s.  So it was with great surprise and pleasure I realized I'd been missing an opportunity.

 

A friend and I arrived at Happy Hour on Friday night.  If you go, make sure you get there by 5:00 pm as the outdoor seating fills quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

Sunbrellas dot the deck in a jaunty asymmetrical pattern.  Every table has a view but those just along the outer wall or one row back definitely have the advantage.  The Happy Hour has eight items priced at $2.95 or you can get all eight for a flat $20 - now that's a nice deal.  Servings are small but still generous enough that a couple make a meal.  We ordered three items between the two of us and didn't finish everything.  There are also specials on drinks.  The best deals are the wine, I think.  I ordered a couple of the French Martinis which are tasty but during Happy Hour seem to be a little short on the vodka. 

 

In addition to Happy Hour the deck is open for lunch and dinner. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you live in Seattle you may shy away from the tourist spots as many of us do.  And that description includes many of the places around Pike Place Market.  But there are lots of gems in the area.  Some of the little hole-in-the-wall places have great ethnic foods and many of the larger places are true Seattle icons that attract tourists but for good reason. 

 

Etta's Seafood is one of the Tom Douglas restaurants and it's located at the site where Tom started coming into prominence as a chef, the old Café Sport.  Last Saturday M and I were looking for a breakfast spot and decided to go back to this market staple. Once settled into to a window table we ordered a couple pots of tea to start our breakfast.  Then,  I ordered Huevos Rancheros and she had the French Toast.  Both dishes were fresh, flavorful and filled with the little extras that Douglas' restaurants employ. 

 

My beans were so good I could have made a meal of them on their own!  But I also loved the cheese-filled tortilla, chipotle creme fraiche and perfectly cooked eggs that graced my plate.  Her French toast was elevated by slightly sweet vanilla-laced creme fraiche and crispy, smoky bacon. 

 

 

 

 

With our window seat we had the added pleasure of being entertained by passing tourists and locals.  The only way the experience could have been improved would have been the addition of a full-on sunny day.  But it was nice enough that after breakfast I took a little stroll through the market and made some great finds at the Cost Plus at the north end of the market.  Pretty nice way to roll into the weekend. 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Whenever I travel I do a little prior research to find places I might like to check out.  This goes for local restaurants and bars as well as sites.  Sometimes I get so caught by all the new and shiny places that I overlook more established locations.  Or sometimes it's just that they are not leading the news as much as they once were and I don't come across them in my adventures around the city.  That's mostly the case for Cowboy Ciao in Scottsdale, Arizona. 

 

Cowboy Ciao still gets a fair amount of coverage but it doesn't really jump out at you when you pass by.  In fact, I'm sure I've walked by in in early morning strolls around the city but didn't even realize it was a restaurant as it's situated in the gallery area of downtown Scottsdale.  But for my recent trip to the Phoenix area I put it on my "list" and made an effort to seek it out.  That was a good call! 

 

M and I arrived around 6:30 to find a packed house.  We secured the final two seats at the bar.  The bar is C-shaped and the seats were at the far end looking into the kitchen.  The kitchen view was actually interesting but we felt a little removed from the hustle and bustle of the restaurant.  That might have been nice if we'd been on a date but we felt a bit like we'd been placed in "time out".  So, when the bartender took our order we asked her to let us know if anything else at the bar opened up. 

 

 

 

 

 

In the meantime we settled into our spots with a fragrant Champagne cocktail and a house margarita made with the freshest of citrus juices.  We were off to a good start!  We'd barely taken a sip of our drinks when the bartender came rushing around the corner to alert us of two seats that had just opened.  We moved around to the main area and were back into the energy of the place. 

 

The menu is a nice combination of offerings with something for everyone.  Sticking to our normal course of action, M and I opted for several small plates that we'd share so that we could try several things.  We started with the Cowboy Chopped Salad which is a beautiful and tasty line-up of fresh vegetables with a little bacon and cheese thrown in for good measure.  It is served in pristine lines of ingredients and then is tossed at your table (or bar top, in our case).  The fresh corn was a special treat for Northwesterners craving a bit of spring or summer. 

 

Next we ordered the small version of their Mushroom Pan Fry. Here is their menu description: "mucho mushrooms (including cremini, button, oyster, cepe, lobster, black trumpet, Shiitake, morel, yellow foot) in ancho cream over double-cooked polenta, topped with grilled portabellini, avocado, tomato and cotija cheese".  Do I really need to say any more than that?  Earthy and richly flavored this dish fills your soul.  And we were glad we ordered a small as it's filling!

 

 

 

 

 

Next we tried the Pork Belly - something that's hard to resist when it shows up on a menu.  It was grilled to perfection and topped with an Asian-influenced cucumber salad which was the perfect foil to the decadent meat.  It was the perfect way to round out our meal. 

 

I loved this locally loved, funky and friendly place.  If I lived in Scottsdale I bet I'd be there often.  They have a great wine menu and some interesting flights in addition to the deeply satisfying food.  I'm sure we'll make it back next year.  Or perhaps we'll try one of the sibling restaurants: Kazimierz World Wine Bar; Sea Saw (Japenese); or Digestif ("Cal-Ital food for the soul").  Whatever we choose I'm betting we'll like it. 

 

480.946.3111 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I normally take early morning flights out of SeaTac, which means about the only thing I "eat" in the airport is a cup of tea.  But last month I had an evening flight to Phoenix and the timing was such that I decided that grabbing a bite before getting on the plane might be a good idea.  I thought about Vino Volo (which I could swear I've posted about but apparently not...) but was really in the mood for some sort of salad more than a delicious flight of wine. 

 

While wandering around the central terminal, Anthony's caught my eye. I took a place at the bar, decided on the Shrimp Caesar and ordered a glass of wine.  The bartender was very helpful in making my selection from the limited number of wines by the glass.  Interestingly, they don't list the airport location on their website so I can't check the menu to tell you exactly what I had but it was okay. 

 

My salad arrived a very short time later (great for those in a hurry to catch a flight) and I was really pleased at the quality and size of the salad for the price.  There was a little too much dressing for my taste but I normally ask for salad dressing to be "light" and didn't this night.  There was a pile of small shrimp gracing the plate, the romaine was fresh and crispy and there were plenty of croutons.  It was a really decent salad. 

 

Not a place you can just "pop" into of course, but if you are looking for a place to spend a bit of time before catching a flight, consider Anthony's.

 

SeaTac

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If all you really want is a good burger and a beer, and maybe a little trip out of the city to where the air is a little cooler, head to Greasewood Flat in northeast Scottsdale.  Situated at the site of an old stagecoach stop, Greasewood Flat is a pretty basic spot in some ways and amazingly complex in others. 

 

 

 

 

The menu is limited to burgers, chili and a hotdog.  Simple but good.  Seating is outdoors.  But there's room for you and a few hundred friends.  They say they can seat 1000.  As you walk around the expansive grounds there is an amazing collection of "old stuff".  Collections of wagons form the border and lots of rusty stuff fills every nick and corner.  And there are a few mules and chickens wandering around fenced in areas thrown in for good measure. 

 

Open for lunch and dinner, the party really starts on weekend nights when the bands get going. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've been trying to establish an on-going Friday night ritual - one that used to be a regular part of life but somehow got misplaced - of a Friday night Happy Hour.  In past times we'd sometimes have a "regular" spot, especially in the summer when a particular lakeside deck was our destination of choice, and sometimes mix it up a bit.  I'm taking the opportunity now to visit lots of places, some new, some old favorites. 

 

I'm not quite selecting a place every week - either due to schedule or a desire to have a night out on my own - but am probably inviting folks out two or three Fridays a month.  It's been fun and I plan to continue it for some time. 

 

 

 

 

 

This last Friday we visited a newcomer to the Seattle restaurant scene, Frank's Oyster house and Champagne Parlor.  Frank's is located in a neighborhood  northeast of downtown and sits on a block with a couple of interior decorating shops, one of which is more of an "antique" or at least an old-stuff shop. 

 

 

 

 

 

I arrived a few minutes prior to their opening time of 5:00 pm and was glad I did, as the line-up outside was already forming.  Just before the doors opened one of my friends joined me and we were able to secure a nice window spot large enough for the rest of the group. 

 

The interior is a do-it-yourselfer's dream.  Recycled wood panels the walls in an eclectic pattern; furniture seems to mostly be unique antique or flea market finds; the big chandelier in the bar is made of recycled pipe and reminds me of one I've seen somewhere else. 

 

Frank's  Happy Hour has specials on cocktails, beer, wine and food.  Since there were four of us we managed to make a good dent in the menu - both the food and the drinks.  The most popular drink at our table was the specialty cocktail of the night, the French 75, which is a lovely concoction of sparkling wine, gin, lemon juice and sugar.  The bartender did an especially nice job with the lemon twist garnishes!

 

 

 

 

 

We tried to eat our way though most of the discounted menu, but fell a little short.  Still we managed to sample the oysters on the half shell (three varieties); goat cheese deviled eggs; mini-lobster rolls; smoked fish chowder; cheddar cheese & ham biscuits; house-made potato chips; potato skins with truffle oil; and I think at least one other item which escapes me at the moment.  Yum.  I need to go back again.  Soon. 

 

Happy Hour was busy although later arriving groups were funneled into the dining room so that the lounge remained active but not jammed.  We had great service although I've heard from others that is not always the case.  I really like the idea of a great little neighborhood place like this - many of those arriving early seemed to be from the area and they were returning for  their own Friday night ritual.  Too bad it's not in MY neighborhood but I'm glad that this sort of place is finding a home outside of the downtown area. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite Happy Hours in town is at Barolo Ristorante.  All food on the bar menu is 1/2 off; pints of beer are $3; and glasses of featured wine are $3.50 or you can buy the bottle for $14. 

 

 

 

 

On the menu you'll find substantial choices like the risotto, gnocchi and a burger among other items; or plates that are good for sharing like the antipasto, fried calamari or mussels.  The specially priced wines are one of the best values in town.  I normally choose the red, although they also offer a white and a rosé.  Last night's red was a lovely southern Rhône, J. Vidal-fleury Côtes Du Ventoux. 

 

 

 

 

The only negative thing about Barolo's Happy Hour is that it is wildly popular.  Arriving between 4:00 pm and 4:30 pm is the only way to be assured of a seat.  And even then, on days when it seems all of Seattle has skipped out of work a couple hours early, finding a seat can be challenging. 

 

 

 

 

 

206.770.9000