Culinary Fool: Restaurants & Bars

Orcas Island: Cafe Olga

Tue, 06 May 2008 14:01:04 GMT

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

Osteria La Spiga

Thu, 01 May 2008 16:32:11 GMT

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

First Look: Quinn's

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:33:07 GMT

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

First Look: How to Cook a Wolf

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:33:58 GMT

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

First Look: Skillet

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:04:28 GMT

Well, it's my first look at Skillet anyway but not for many others. In fact Skillet is adding another stop to their traveling schedule next week and even opening a non-mobile location in May! But let's not get ahead of ourselves....

Skillet is a foodie's dream version of Meals on Wheels. An Airstream trailer has been retrofitted into a commercial kitchen. The folks who are running the show are trained chefs. Their idea is to "...provide seasonally relevant, locally sourced and impeccably executed bistro style food up and down the west coast…...out of our airstream trailers". And they seem to be doing a very good job at meeting that goal. I think every Seattle (and some national) publications have given them a big thumbs up. So I've been anxious to see what all the fuss is about.

You may remember that a couple weeks ago I had plans to try them out. But my plans were thwarted when their support vehicle was stolen. Well, it turns out it wasn't actually stolen it just wasn't in the place where it had been left the night before. Illegal parking will get you towed in this town... So that's a (mostly) happy ending to that story! But today was the day I finally had my chance.

I found them stationed in the alley behind the Old Pequilar in Ballard. I was there on the early side - about 11:30 - but already people were milling around waiting for their orders to be ready. Since I'd looked at this week's menu online, I already knew what I was going to order, Fish Tacos. But not just any old fish tacos. These were made with local halibut which, if you aren't aware, is at peak season at the moment. I placed my order with Josh, who was outside the trailer facilitating the order process. He asked if I was a blogger which was sort of apparent since I walked up with camera in hand. We chatted just a quick minute and then I wandered for a bit since nothing is cooked until an order is placed so they take just a few minutes to pull together.

Once my order was ready I meandered out to the sidewalk along Market Street to grab a seat on a bench. While walking I took a bite of the black beans accompanying my tacos - they were so good I almost forgot about the tacos! Well, not quite, but the beans were tender but not mushy, a little spicy and bursting with flavor. I am a big black bean fan and these exceeded my expectations.

Once I was at my bench it was time to try the main course. Each taco was assembled in a double layer of tortilla - the same way the little taco trucks do it if you've been to any of those. And it's a good thing there was a double layer. The tacos were filled with smoky, flaky (but not dry), thick-cut halibut, a roasted tomato salsa, sprigs of cilantro, a cilantro flavored sauce and topped with beautiful red cabbage slaw. Each element on it's own was delicious and the combination even better. The only change I would have made would have been a bit more of the cilantro sauce - that flavor of that sauce made me very happy.

A couple of things for you to know: the menu is limited to just five or so choices for each meal (Skillet is open for breakfast and lunch only). And, other than the burger which seems to remain fairly constant, the menu changes frequently so by the time you get there fish tacos may or may not be on the menu, for instance. But I'm betting they will have been replaced by something equally wonderful.

I really like the idea that they will be moving their location around - although I know that might bother some of you. But for me, I figure it's a chance to visit different neighborhoods now and then. I'm sure I'll be back soon - that burger was really calling my name but I told it to just hang on. When it's halibut season there's really no other choice for me!

Skillet

Various locations

Currently serving Ballard, South Lake Union and SODO once a week

Next week Capitol Hill is added

In May (or maybe June), a take-out window opens in the ID

Astoria: Bridgewater Bistro

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 16:04:39 GMT

This last week I took a quick trip down to Cannon Beach, Oregon and spent a little time in Astoria both coming and going. Astoria has really been changing over the last few years. They were always a quaint little fishing town and shipping plays a large part in their economy as they provide all the pilot boats that lead the big ships into the Portland harbor. So while it had been an interesting and colorful town, it was also one that was easy to pass through on your way to other places.

Several years ago the Columbia River Maritime Museum opened and with it's arresting architecture it suddenly seemed to call attention to this little hard-working city. Since then development has been happening slowly but surely and now it seems there are more reasons to stop and stay awhile. On my way to Cannon Beach I spent most of my Astoria time hanging out around the marinas and water-related areas. On the way home it was my destination for dinner before heading north to Seattle.

I wasn't sure where I would eat - I had no specific plan in mind - but after stopping to get a photo of the Astoria-Megler Bridge I saw a place that caught my eye, the Bridgewater Bistro.

Bridgewater Bistro occupies a good portion of a new building right on the water's edge. Windows run the length of the wall along the water and, for warm weather dining, there's a very large outdoor deck. I wasn't able to take advantage of the deck on this chilly, windy and off-and-on rainy day, however, instead I chose a seat at the bar that faces a bank of windows.

I really like the feel of this place. It's open yet somehow also feels cozy; maybe due to the wood, metal and natural surfaces throughout or perhaps due to the fireplace along one wall. Or maybe it was just due to the friendliness of the bartender on duty.

I selected a couple of items from their Small Bites menu, which has a good selection of seafood items as you might expect, but also features some interesting options such as Prosciutto-Wrapped Quail and Swedish Meatballs. The latter, I believe, as a nod to the area's heritage and history of Scandinavian immigrants.

I chose "Chef Red's Red Onion Rings" and "Five-spice Grilled Pork Tenderloin" and a glass of Zinfandel to enjoy along with them.

The basket of onion rings was very generous, the batter light and crispy and the rings sweet and tender. They were served along with a chipotle aioli. I could have made a meal just from that basket of rings. However, the tenderloin was also waiting to be enjoyed. And enjoy it I did! A generous portion of spicy-sweet tenderloin, fragrant with citrus zest, thinly sliced and cooked perfectly was presented along with a sauce that echoed the flavors. The pork was tender, a little juicy and really flavorful. Each bite was a delight!

Although I was really tempted to try dessert to see what they offered I was full and still had a long drive ahead of me so I finished my wine, paid by bill and got back on the road. But, next time I pass through Astoria the Bridgwater will be on my mind. Especially if it happens to be a nice day - I'd love to pass some time soaking up the sun on their deck.

Bridgewater Bistro

20 Basin Street

Astoria, Oregon

503.325.6777

Skillet

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:06:41 GMT

I had plans to go to Skillet for lunch today. It's been on my list forever (or at least since they opened for business) and I was really excited to head to Ballard for a few photos and a fine meal. I just checked the site to make sure I had the location correct and look what's there:

Thursday, march 20th

cancelled for the day…

Our apologies, but our support truck was stolen...it had our bank, pots, pans, equipment, and food…

Regardless..we will be at rat city this weekend and back at SODO on Tuesday

So frustrating on so many levels! I know there are lots of things that need to be improved in the world but for some reason it's often these little things (not little for them I'm sure!) that hit close to home are the ones that bother me the most. I hope they find the people who stole the truck and they are sentenced to eating frozen pizzas (and watching Rachel Ray reruns) for the rest of their lives!

Lola

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:16:40 GMT

I owe Tom Douglas a huge apology. Just like some relative or friend that has been part of your life for so long that you tend to forget how much they mean to you, his suite of restaurants is such a Seattle mainstay that I often take it for granted.

I have spent countless lunches at Dahlia Lounge tables; many evenings sipping cocktails at Palace Kitchen; been privy to fun events at Palace Ballroom; and been applauded for my recommendation of Serious Pie as the place to get pizza downtown. It's been awhile since I've spent serious time at Etta's - and I think that's a mistake. I'm so easily distracted by all the new and shiny pennies in our dining scene that I just assume you know about Tom's empire and that it will always be there.

While the second part of that is probably true, the first part may not be. And that was something that I was thinking about during a recent lunch at Lola.

I'd checked myself into a downtown hotel for the weekend. I needed some serious R&R and thought it would be fun just to be a tourist here in Seattle, something I like to do. I was able to check into my room just after noon and once settled in I took a short walk to Lola for lunch. I sat at the bar, as I do in most places.

I arrived past the main lunch rush and so overall the room was quiet. A couple of other people at the bar and while many of the tables were full most were finishing up. It didn't take me long to place my order - although it was a little tough as there is so much I love on this menu - the lamb kabobs were my choice for the day, and I'll take the Greek salad to go along with that. (The other option is Greek Potatoes.)

My order arrived in no time. In addition to the kebabs and Greek salad, freshly made (and still warm) pita and tzitiki graced the plate.

The lamb was slightly sweet, tender and succulent. Dipped in the tangy tzitiki it was heaven on a fork - the contrast of sweet/tangy, warm/cool, rich/fresh just made me close my eyes and concentrate on the wonderful contrasts. The salad was so good that when I arrived home I made a list and the next time at the grocery store I picked up all the ingredients so I could duplicate it at home. I don't really like making salads but this is one I am happy to assemble. It is so fresh and clean tasting.

The homemade pita was so soft and comforting I would have liked to take a really big one, cover myself with it and take a little nap. Okay, not really but it was good enough to do that! Instead, I dipped it in the tzitiki for another wonderful taste combination.

I ended my meal with a nice pot of tea. Refreshed and ready for an afternoon of adventure playing tourist in my hometown.

Lola

2000 4th Ave (At the corner of 4th and Virginia)

Seattle

206.441.1430

Happy Valentine's Day

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:33:46 GMT

I treated myself to a little V-day snack this morning. A festively adorned chocolate cake doughnut with chocolate frosting from Top Pot Doughnuts and a cup of tea.

Wishing you a day of sweet treats!

Top Pot Doughnuts

2125 Fifth Aveniue

Seattle

206.728.1966

Happy Hour at Cafe Campagne

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 04:45:37 GMT

About the same time that Cafe Campagne started offering take out cassoulet last fall, they also added Happy Hour. With the holidays I hadn't been able to try it out but finally got to it earlier this week. And boy, do I wish I'd tried it sooner! Then again, maybe it was good I didn't.

M and I met there at 5:00 on Tuesday. When I arrived, a couple of tables were occupied, one with a group of senior citizens enjoying a late afternoon glass of wine and sharing laughs, another with a retired couple and what can only be presumed to be their grandchild. But before M arrived promptly at 5:00 (I'd arrived a few minutes earlier) they had paid their checks and exited into the crisp winter air leaving the bar quiet except for the staff skittering around preparing for the evening guests.

When I sat down at the bar a tall, thin (truly) French server brought me menus and then took my order for a glass of Grenache-Syrah, an interesting, fruity-at-first, settling into rather lush wine. As the clock approached 5:00 another server turned down the lights, looking at me for approval - was that better? Certainly cozier, warmer feeling but at this time of year when I crave the light I couldn't quite say it was better - although it was a much more proper feel for a French bistro.

I perused the menu, sipped my wine, made notes of things I needed to do and listened to the pleasant banter of the staff as they enjoyed the quiet.

When M arrived and had ordered her wine - she chose the same thing I had - we decided on a couple of menu items and then relaxed and chatted while waiting for them to arrive. First out was a plate of gougere - a traditional French nibble which is basically a cheese puff. I make these at home quiet often and always try them when out and about to see if I can find an offering that matches what I make. I finally found it on this night. Perfectly light and hollow on the inside; moist and just a bit gooey from the Gruyere cheese. My only wish was that they had warmed them a bit. Still, they were very good and now I am inspired to make more!

Soon after a dish of duck and pork rillettes arived. The rillettes were very good however they were topped with coarse salt and that was a little overpowering. We ended up scraping most of it off so that we could actually taste the meat. Served with slices of baguette, cornichon and mustard it was one of those fun dishes that you can arrange to your own personal liking.

During Happy Hour wine is $6 per glass, and the petits plats are $5. A very good deal indeed!

By the time we left a couple other tables were filled with happily sipping, munching friends but still the tables were mostly empty. This may have been partially due to the snow we'd received overnight the previous night - it did seem as though downtown was much quieter than usual. I think, however, that people have not yet discovered that this tucked away Seattle gem is offering such a great after work deal.

You should get down there before it's widely known and finding a place to sit becomes impossible!

More Photos

Cafe Campagne

1600 Post Alley

Seattle

206.728.2233

Happy Hour 4:00-7:00, Monday - Friday

Panera Bread

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 03:33:49 GMT

Sunday morning I found myself out and about a little too early. A couple of stores I thought had early openings didn't. So I had about 20 minutes to burn while waiting for the doors to open. I decided to wander into the new Panera Bread at Northgate Mall. Panera is a chain but this was my first encounter with the bakery.

There was a pretty large array of breads and pastries. Two things caught my eye - one for then and one for later. The Pecan Rolls called my name - I love sticky buns and cinnamon rolls and this one was so nicely browned! The other thing I noticed was a loaf of Asiago Bread and they had a demi size which was perfect for a trial run. I also ordered a cup of tea to go with my Pecan roll.

My Pecan Roll was disappointing - not bad just nothing to write home about. The pecan topping was so crisp that it was hard to cut into bite-size pieces - or at least without sending part of it flying across the table. The inside was nice and tender but strangely tasteless. I only ate about half of it before deciding that it wasn't worth wasting the calories on. I did like that when I said that my order was "for here" that my tea was served in one of those great heavy old cafeteria style mugs - they stay hot and hold a lot!

The Asiago bread meets my approval though! Some cheese is mixed into the batter and then the top is sprinkled with more. So the cheese flavor runs through the bread but is not overwhelming. Good on it's own, toasted with a little butter or accompanying your meal, it's pretty versatile.

It also turns out that they have free WiFi - that's a nice benefit. I may stop in again to give them another try although, so far, it's not a place I'll be telling anyone, "you just have to go to Panera!". But it's certainly worth another try.

Zeke's Drive In

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 14:49:48 GMT

There was a time in my life where I stopped by Zeke's on Hwy 2 just outside of Goldbar a couple of times a year on my way back from Stevens Pass or Lake Chelan or other points east. But over the years as the population in the state has increased, and more people moved out to those seemingly distant little towns northeast of Seattle I've come to either avoid Hwy 2 and the associated traffic or, if forced to take it, once on the road we don't stop for fear of not being able to find a break in the traffic to make the left-hand turn required to get back on the highway after a stop at Zeke's.

But last weekend I awoke to what was to become a gorgeous day and decided to do a quick trip to Leavenworth - not so much for the town and Oktoberfest, which was in process, but for the drive over Stevens Pass and the fall color that would be in full display along the highway.

After spending the morning driving, taking photographs and walking around Leavenworth I headed back west, stopping often for more photos of the gorgeous fall color that was evident everywhere. But as I approached Goldbar I realized that I was in very light traffic - so light that a stop by Zeke's would be a snap! And, as I turned into the parking lot. I was surprised to see that I was there at an "off-hour" - too late for lunch, too early for dinner so there weren't even any lines at this institution.

I ordered a cheeseburger deluxe (lettuce, tomato and onion), onion rings and a root beer shake. The burger was the same old-fashioned drive-in burger that I remembered; the onion rings were made with sweet Walla Wallas, although they could have used another minute in the fryer; instead of a shake they made me a root beer float which I just took. So not exactly the experience I had hoped for but close enough that the next time I pass I'll be hoping to stop by again.

LA: Pizzeria Mozza

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:27:56 GMT

Over the weekend I took a quick trip to the Orange County/LA area. It was too hot and humid to do too much eating but I did manage to make a stop at one of Mario Batali's new LA places, Pizzeria Mozza. (His other place, Osteria Mozza is right next door.)

I arrived early - my plan was to get in before the crowds and then get done early and get back to the ocean for sunset photos. I was only partially successful with either of those ideas....

When I arrived there was a little line outside but I was able to snag a seat at the bar overlooking the pizzamakers and the wood-burning oven. The interior of the place is warm and welcoming, there is a constant din from the diners but yet it's not so loud that you couldn't carry on a conversation. In the pizza area the workers are busy running a smooth, organized assembly line and actually do more than just pizza as many of the dishes on the menu use the wood oven in some way.

Once seated I was presented with a folded paper containing crispy breadsticks. A nice little crunchy munch while looking at the menu. I wish I had been traveling with someone as there were so many things I wanted to try but one person can only eat so much! (I was envious of the couple sitting next to me. Throughout their meal they would each order something, eat 1/2 of it, then swap plates!)

I was craving something green so started with their Insalata Mista. It arrived looking like a giant haystack! It was a big salad and could easily have been split - even between three people. All of the greens were the fashionable micro-greens, tender and cute. There was a nice mix of lettuces including a hint of bitter greens. And it was perfectly dressed with a lemony vinaigrette. I ate part of it and put it aside in case I wanted more after my pizza.

I'd ordered the Coach farm goat cheese, leeks, scallions & bacon pizza and it arrived looking just beautiful. I liked the combination of leeks and scallions. That added a sort of two dimensional yet mild onion taste to the dish. I'm assuming that Coach Farm is a local cheesemaker and that's why it was called out, but I can't say for sure.

I ate about 1/2 my pizza but wanted to save room for a little dessert. I ordered a glass of Moscato, assorted Biscotti and tea. I was amazed at all the cookies on the biscotti plate (even if most of them were technically unscotti not biscotti... but who am I to split hairs?). There were eleven little delicious bites, ranging from actual biscotti to a roasted hazelnut and slivered almond cookie that was held together with honey - almost a candy, really. Yum!

I took my leftover pizza and cookies with me when I left. The pizza provided a snack at the airport later that night and the cookies became "breakfast" at home the next morning!

There are a few more photos here.

Pizzeria Mozza

641 N. Highland Avenue
Los Angeles

323.297.0101

Dinner at Crush

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 18:28:52 GMT

A couple of weeks ago I ran into my friends EE and BR at an afternoon Garden Party. We hadn't seen each other for awhile and had some catching up to do. While the food at the party was great (it always is!) we decided to go some where we could sit and chat for a bit. So we headed out to Crush.

I had been wanting go to Crush but had been avoiding it as I had it pegged as a pretty romantic little spot (it's located in a little house in Madison Valley) and hadn't had the right person to take along with me. So I jumped at the opportunity to go since EE and BR, while not romantic dates for me, are very good company and fun dining partners!

This always popular place was already packed when we arrived around 5:30 or 6:00. We snagged a couple of chairs at the counter overlooking the chefs in the open kitchen - probably my favorite place to sit - and started our dining experience. While we were perusing the menu a dish of marinated olives was brought out for us. As a recent convert to the olive world, I enjoyed nibbling on the different varieties.

BR and I ordered glasses of wine and EE tried one of their specialty cocktails, of which they have both alcohol and non-alcohol offerings. His cucumber-fresh drink was very good! Once I saw the menu I knew I was going to be at least semi-bad in my choices. Foie gras was on the menu and besides that fact that I love it, I live in sort of an ongoing realization that if some people have their way it will be pulled from all menus and no longer be available. So I pretty much order it every time I see it. Sort of a "make hay while the sun shines" attitude! This version of the seared delight was on a cornmeal waffle and topped with fresh blackberries in a port sauce. I love the tangy fruit with the richness of the foie gras!

BR and EE both ordered the Melon Soup with Oregon Shrimp Salad. Again, amazingly refreshing for a summer day. And a very beautiful presentation. And since I'm originally from Oregon I'm always a little partial to Oregon shrimp. Those little babies are so sweet and succulent!

We each ordered something different for an entrée. In trying to gain back a bit of ground after the foie gras, I ordered the Wagyu Flank Steak Salad & Black Truffle Vinaigrette: first it was also an appetizer so the portion would be smaller than a full entrée; second it was a salad; and although it was a meat salad, Wagyu flank steak is a fairly healthy version of meat! Right?

BR had an amazing piece of halibut on a fresh corn succotash, and EE ordered a maple-sausage stuffed chicken breast - I should have given him a bad time for ordering something healthy (chicken breast) and then undoing that with the sausage stuffing! ;-)

All of our entrées were really good - the presentations were beautiful, the ingredients amazingly fresh, the preparations creative and respectful of the intrinsic elements of the fish/meat/chicken.

BR still had room for dessert and ordered a beautiful trio of house-made ice cream sandwiches. Each with it's own type of cookie and ice cream. They were small - just two or three bites each - and a nice way to experience a variety of flavors.

Although the food was great, there were two other things that really made this a great dinner; sharing it with BR and EE (thanks for picking up the tab!!!); and the fact that I realized that Crush is great for dining with anyone who loves food - romantic interest or not...

Crush

2319 E. Madison Street

Seattle

206.302.7874

First Look: Kurrent Restaurant + Bar

Sat, 18 Aug 2007 18:45:26 GMT

Kurrent had barely been open a week when R and I stopped by to check it out. I had been anxious to see the place since receiving an invitation to an opening party that had to be delayed - until after the opening! These things happen in the restaurant world so it was really no surprise.

The space is L shaped with a long bar and lounge area on one side and the dining area on the other. The walls sport all the color in this place with their mix of deep purple, chartreuse and rose-red - a combination that works by the way - and the furniture is a very cool white and stainless.

The bar is pretty long, with a little bend that breaks it up a bit and has an icy, chill strip running the length of it to keep your cocktail chilled while you sip. The drink menu is creative yet appears to stick to classic balance even when adding interesting (and seasonal) ingredients to drinks.

R and I both started with the day's special, a blueberry Mojito. I always worry a bit when sweet fruit is added to certain cocktails but we both thought the blueberries added just a nice note without overpowering the basic Mojito taste.

My second cocktail was a Basil-Strawberry Mojito - a drink I first had in San Francisco last year. I know the combination sounds odd but I really like it. I liked this one better than that first one, although as the drink warmed it did get a bit sweet but that's a big challenge when strawberries are a major ingredient - you can only expect so much.

R ordered a True Cucumber Martini made with Hendricks, cucumber water and sporting a slice of cucumber. It was really refreshing.

The Mojitos were served in traditional pint glasses but drinks that require a cocktail glass get the stainless steel glasses. The idea is that stainless steel will stay chilled longer than glass. I can't say if that's true for sure but they make for a pretty cool looking drink and when kept on the chill strip do tend to keep the drinks chilled.

The one problem that I see with the chill strip is that it tends to create condensation on the glass so when/if you set it on the bar itself you end up with a lot of liquid, which may not be that great for your arms and sleeves.

While waiting for our appetizer we were served a big dish of Wasabi Peas - I love those things and had to move them away to keep from eating the whole dish of them.

We only ordered one appetizer that night and I have to give it mixed reviews at this point. It was a spicy shrimp dish, Pepper Cocktail Shrimp. The idea was good and the spice was a nice flavor. I thought the shrimp was just a tad mushy - maybe steamed too long or had been frozen and then thawed and not quite cooked right to compensate but I think it was the steaming in the banana leaf, which is a cool idea. R didn't notice that but didn't like that the spice seemed to have been sort of sprinkled on at the end instead of more incorporated with the shrimp, but that didn't bother me.

So I guess the jury is still out on the food - you can't really judge from one dish on any night, let alone a night when they've barely been open. I have high hopes for the kitchen though - if they come even close to the creativity I saw in the bar (I haven't even mentioned the house infusions and bitters) then they will be just fine. I hope to have another chance to check that out in the next week.

Kurrent

600 East Pine (at Belmont)

Seattle

206.323.1923

La Crêperie Voilà

Fri, 17 Aug 2007 00:04:59 GMT

Better late than never is a great saying when you are talking about trying out La Crêperie Voilà! Tucked into a little space in the downtown Convention Center they have been open for more than two years but last Monday was my first visit. Since I no longer work downtown, and haven't for many years, it's sometimes hard to get to these little places.

La Crêperie serves both savory and sweet crêpes as well as a few other items such as soups and ice cream. They also list sweet crêpes flambé on their menu.

When I arrived on Monday it was shortly before 1:00 pm and there was quite a crowd. Come to find out most people there were friends/relatives of the owner who had just gotten married over the weekend. I discovered this when a man in the crowd asked me if I was with the paper when he saw me taking photos. Once I finally admitted what I was doing he told me he was the owner and explained who the people were. I think he was worried as I did have to wait a few minutes for my crepe once I had ordered but I actually thought that for the number of people in front of me service was very quick!

I really liked the two woman working the counter and making the crêpes, too. Friendly, professional and very economical in their movements so that the line did move quickly.

I ordered a prosciutto, Emmental, and spinach crêpe. It also included an herbed butter spread over the crêpe before the other ingredients were added and a bit of bechemal sauce - but not too much which was nice.

The classic combination was great! And I really liked that they didn't overstuff the crêpe. Even so I thought it was filling and a great value at $5.25.

I like this little place and wish I worked closer so that I could make it a more frequent stop. However, they are open until at least 8:00 and sometimes later - it might be just the thing to grab before a movie some night.

La Crêperie Voilà

707 Pike St. Kiosk #1 (Convention Center)

Seattle

206.447.3747

Harborside Deck is Open!

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 13:20:08 GMT

I probably shouldn't tell you this - it gets crowded enough as it is.... but Harborside has finally opened their patio on the lake. You'll remember that last time R and I were disappointed to find it was still under construction. Well, this time M and I had better luck! So I leave you with just a few photos of Happy Hour on the Deck at Harborside...

First Look: Serious Pie

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 06:07:29 GMT

I've been falling down on the job lately... how long has Serious Pie been open now? And my first trip there was just a couple weeks ago! Hard to believe. I guess my pizza time has been spent at Via Tribunali mostly. But M and I finally made our way to Tom Douglas' latest place and we were glad we did!

We had heard the lines could be long so thought we get down there fairly early on a Sunday. I was there a bit before 6:00 and already there was a wait. Although it really wasn't surprising considering the size of the place. I knew it wasn't large but it was about 1/2 of what I thought it would be - only about three 2-person tables and then maybe ten that seat six. At those tables it's communal dining for most folks.

We took a look at the menu and decided to start with a Watermelon Salad. It was such a great combination of tastes! First, sweet, luscious watermelon was sliced into thin triangles, then it was layered with marinated onions that were tangy with vinegar and then it all was topped with ricotta salata which is a fresh young Italian cheese. And every now and then you'd also get a little bite of mint. The sweet, tangy, salty combination was refreshing and complex. I have a little watermelon sitting on my countertop and it will soon be in my interpretation of this salad!

Although our waiter tried to convince us that the pizzas were small and that we should each order our own (when we were trying to decide between two of them) we were glad that we opted to just order one. Yes this is thin crust pizza, but it's not cracker crust pizza - there is still a breadiness and body to it which adds to the "fill you up" factor.

I thought the crust was tasty but the toppings were amazing! We settled on the pizza with morels, arugula pesto, taula (a cheese) and were very happy with our choice! I guess you really can't go wrong with morels but the arugula pesto was wonderful with it - the whole pizza was very earthy and wholesome tasting.

I ordered an apricot crostada to take home. I thought I'd have it as a treat the next day. When I got home I took a little bite to see what it tastes like and before I knew it the entire dessert had disappeared! How did that happen anyway.

The only thing I didn't like about the place was something I happen to notice at the bottom of the menu. They add gratuity to the bill for parties of six or more - it seems the definition for large group is getting smaller all of the time. I don't remember if this is the same at Douglas other restaurants - now I"m going to need to look next time I'm in one.

Potential forced gratuity aside, our dinner was great. While it may not be the place to have an intimate first date, I can imagine going here for all kinds of other reasons!

Serious Pie

316 Virginia

Seattle

206.838.7388