tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38498241058968042372024-03-12T17:40:37.655-07:00Thursday Night BitesTaking a bite out of Seattle... one Thursday at a time.~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-52944669605886803692011-01-23T18:29:00.000-08:002011-01-23T18:30:08.158-08:00{Announcement} Thursday Night Bites is Moving<div style="text-align: center;">I'm moving to Wordpress! I have not yet fully completed the migration process, so until everything is finished, please visit me at the link below. Thanks for reading!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thursdaynightbites.wordpress.com/">http://thursdaynightbites.wordpress.com/</a></div>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-22455556993950576602011-01-23T12:56:00.000-08:002011-01-25T10:55:07.282-08:00Special Occasion Meals and Video Games {Metropolitan Grill}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTvr5XBOJpI/AAAAAAAAGq4/06HGJ2zB9zY/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTvr5XBOJpI/AAAAAAAAGq4/06HGJ2zB9zY/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A couple months after I moved to Seattle, I decided to take B out for a nice dinner. I still worked retail then and had a midweek day off. Those were different days. We hardly ever had a day off together and both worked weird hours. We lacked predictability in life. On this particular day, I spent some time looking for a good restaurant online and stumbled upon the <a href="http://www.themetropolitangrill.com/">Metropolitan Grill</a>. That night, we had our first truly great dinner in Seattle.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Our favorite restaurant in Vancouver, B.C. is <a href="http://www.joefortes.ca/">Joe Fortes.</a> The next time we make a trip to Vancouver, you will surely hear about Joe Fortes. It's amazing. They write personal thank you notes that arrive in the mail a couple weeks after your meal. We first ate there on my last visit to the NW to see B before moving and had a truly outstanding dinner. That first meal at the Met was very similar.<br />
<br />
The Met feels much like Joe Fortes. It's a classic steakhouse in the most sincere sense of the description. Stepping into the Met is stepping into a different time. It's always busy, always lively. Their servers, in both demeanor and attire, are reminiscent of the days when dining out was always an experience. <br />
<br />
Of course, it hasn't always been roses and sunshine for us at the Met. We once had a terrible experience. The details aren't important now. What is important is how they handled it. They were apologetic and responsive. I only mention it now because they made it right. I don't complain often, but I know a lot of people do with the aim of receiving something free. They had no way of knowing how real my concerns were yet their response addressed them directly. Customer service is quickly becoming a thing of the past in far too many establishments. I was quite pleased to discover the Met isn't one of those places.<br />
<br />
Over the last four and a half years, the Met has become a part of many special occasions and celebrations. We've celebrated three of B's birthdays there along with a handful of other special occasions, particularly when they have to do with B since it's <em>really</em> one of his favorites. Two years ago (almost to the day), we had a great meal there before the <a href="http://www.videogameslive.com/index.php?s=home">Video Games Live</a> concert. Tonight we paid a visit for the very same reason.<br />
<br />
We were a little overbooked yesterday. There was a UK game on at 3:00pm and we needed to be at the restaurant by 5:30 to make it in time for the show at 7:30. Dinner at the Met isn't exactly an in-and-out dining experience. A quick bite isn't why people visit (at least not for dinner). Since we normally spend over two hours on dinner there, we decided to try the bar experience. The game ran late. We rushed out the door just in time to get a cab and to the restaurant by 5:40. <br />
<br />
The bar was already buzzing, but we were lucky to find two seats open. It's a good thing we arrived when we did. Any longer and we would have joined the ranks of people stalking back and forth waiting for something to open up. For me, the big challenge of sitting at the bar was choosing not to have a traditional steak dinner. The bar menu looked great, though, so I knew we wouldn't have much trouble choosing. <br />
<br />
We each had a cup of clam chowder (one of our agreed upon two favorite clam chowders in the city). We also shared the Calamari, Bacon Wrapped Tenderloin skewers and the Coconut Prawns. It was <em>way</em> too much food, but all very good. Had it been all up to me, I probably would have chosen the oysters, Prawn Martini and the Bacon Wrapped Tenderloin skewers, but shared bar meals are all about compromise, right? I had my much smaller camera in tow last night since The Paramount doesn't allow photography. I didn't want to run into issues at the concert. This combined with normal low restaurant lighting (and my continued, though waning, disdain for flashes in restaurants) made for pretty terrible photos. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTyO6_R5ICI/AAAAAAAAGq8/iwBlqA0KETM/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTyO6_R5ICI/AAAAAAAAGq8/iwBlqA0KETM/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTyO75vkYRI/AAAAAAAAGrA/CrklHsyiCSY/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTyO75vkYRI/AAAAAAAAGrA/CrklHsyiCSY/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Everything was fantastic. I'm sometimes not a fan of Coconut Prawns because I often taste a slight freezer burn flavor on them. I don't know if this is actually freezer burn or if it's just a side effect of the cooking method, but I'm usually pretty ambivalent on them at best. They're a favorite of B's, though, and I've tried more than my fair share. These were quite a pleasant surprise. There was no trace of the odd flavor I often associate with Coconut Prawns. They were definitely my favorite yet.<br />
<br />
We finished dinner with an Irish Coffee in lieu of dessert and had just enough time to grab a towncar in front of the restaurant and make it to the theater with a few minutes to spare. Video Games Live is an interesting experience. Remember what I said about no photographs in the theater? Yeah, well...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTyRNG2QBtI/AAAAAAAAGrE/ibvCTECeT8s/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTyRNG2QBtI/AAAAAAAAGrE/ibvCTECeT8s/s320/027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The touring show uses a local orchestra and plays a variety of music inspired by or directly from video games. Video games, and especially video game scores, are definitely much more B's interest than mine, but this is the second time we've seen the show and it's really good. You get an interesting diversity of people as well. After the show we waited in line for autographs at the meet and greet and enjoyed some very animated people watching. We arrived home tired and glad to have nothing on the schedule today. It was a memorable day on all counts.<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/3794/restaurant/Downtown/Metropolitan-Grill-Seattle"><img alt="Metropolitan Grill on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/3794/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-80496951268077004612011-01-22T13:48:00.000-08:002011-01-23T13:00:57.598-08:00A Night at the Market {Matt's in the Market and The Alibi Room}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTkZveUE0SI/AAAAAAAAGp4/7oH4rqDpcSM/s1600/10.19.07+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTkZveUE0SI/AAAAAAAAGp4/7oH4rqDpcSM/s320/10.19.07+077.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
In early December, we had an unusually large Thursday <a href="http://thursdaynightbites.blogspot.com/2010/12/thursday-night-dinner-table-for-9.html">dinner</a> with a group of old, current and new friends when two, B² and P, traveled to Seattle for work. B² has made 3 such trips so far, the most recent of which was this week. He already had plans for Thursday dinner, so we did a little shuffling and moved our weekly plans to Wednesday. We sort of have a routine. At least one night of B²'s trip, we have dinner followed by drinks someplace different.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
It's a little stressful once you're known as the "food person" (Yes, I am deliberately avoiding the word "foodie"). You're left choosing the restaurant more often than not. Of course, it's normal for our out of town guests to turn to us for help in choosing. Next time, though, it's up to another Seattlite to choose... or we'll go some place more familiar. It's just a lot of pressure. Of course, that might have a little something to do with the fact that my last two choices (with this group) have been a little disappointing. They've both been ok, but really nothing special. Yes, I realize how lucky I am that I consider this a pressure in my life. Nonetheless, this is the hazard of not only choosing the restaurant for a group, but also of remaining dedicated to trying someplace new and integrating our guests into the schedule.<br />
<br />
I've wanted to try <a href="http://www.mattsinthemarket.com/">Matt's in the Market</a> since shortly after we moved to Seattle... long before our food adventures began. A woman I worked with recommended it highly. It's taken over four years for us to get there, but last night was the night. The Matt in Matt's in the Market is Matt Janke. He's no longer associated with the restaurant and has moved onto his newest project, <a href="http://thursdaynightbites.blogspot.com/2010/10/do-you-need-to-know-why-it-makes-you.html">Lecosho</a> at the Harbor Steps.<br />
<br />
Wednesday night, B and I were plus four for dinner, including D of last week's <a href="http://thursdaynightbites.blogspot.com/2011/01/moules-frites-in-center-of-universe.html">Brouwer's Cafe</a> adventure. We arrived just a couple minutes early and I left the boys on the sidewalk and walked up to check us in for our reservation. The host let me know I would need to wait at the bar until the majority of our group arrived (even though I told him they were literally right behind me). I sat down at the bar and nearly immediately, the whole group walked in behind me. There was a little debate about how we all felt about the atmosphere. B and I liked it. At least one of our friends definitely didn't. I love the small bistro feel. The whole space felt warm and eclectic and their paned windows have a gorgeous view of the Pike Place Market clock and sign. Granted the view wasn't quite as spectacular given that the Market is going through some renovations, but it was still nice.<br />
<br />
From the beginning, the service was awkward and felt disingenuous. I have nothing to base this assumption on, but I imagine restaurants must not love big parties. I don't have any major complaints, but we didn't see a whole lot of our server throughout the meal and he seemed a little annoyed by our presence. Maybe they deal with a lot of tourists. Who knows? In any case, I just felt he didn't like us very much.<br />
<br />
The food was definitely better than the service. To start, our table shared the Matt's meats and a cheese board. D was freaked out by the idea of pork belly pate. It was all very good, though.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTs-NB4Yh0I/AAAAAAAAGp8/5ilaqLZiE58/s1600/IMG_5591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTs-NB4Yh0I/AAAAAAAAGp8/5ilaqLZiE58/s320/IMG_5591.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTs-OfLPlLI/AAAAAAAAGqA/PxZcyoo2-kM/s1600/IMG_5593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTs-OfLPlLI/AAAAAAAAGqA/PxZcyoo2-kM/s320/IMG_5593.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">B and I both had the Painted Hills Tenderloin with wild mushrooms, patatas bravas, braised greens, foie gras torchon and demi-glace. I normally don't photograph other people's food, but since D's Sumac braised Lamb shank with grilled sweet onions, eggplant za'atar (I have no bloody idea what za'atar is, incidentally), grilled lemons, lebne and and cucumber looked so good (and because he offered), I took a photo. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTs-PhotpKI/AAAAAAAAGqE/A-Vh2AQWxgE/s1600/IMG_5594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" s5="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTs-PhotpKI/AAAAAAAAGqE/A-Vh2AQWxgE/s320/IMG_5594.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="179" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTtB1gVWVpI/AAAAAAAAGqw/lLNB5NKJplg/s320/IMG_5595.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The food was good. Really good. It wasn't astonishingly good, though. It wasn't even our best meal this month. We had a great time, but when it comes down to it, the company was what made it a great time. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">From Matt's we made the <em>very</em> short walk in the Market to <a href="http://www.seattlealibi.com/welcome.htm">The Alibi Room</a>. I've only visited Alibi Room once before a few weeks before moving to Seattle. I've wanted to visit again, though, ever since my dad and I took the <a href="http://www.seattleghost.com/">Market Ghost Tour</a> last August. The Alibi Room is one of many supposedly haunted spots in the Market. They are said to have an elderly male ghost who introduces himself to people outside the bathroom as Frank. I didn't visit the bathrooms. I asked B if he met Frank. He said no (he doesn't like ghost stories). I haven't asked anyone else in the group yet, but I'm pretty sure my other ghost stories just made them think I'm a little crazy. It's okay. I don't mind. In any case, this isn't why I wanted to visit, though I was a bit curious. It's just the reason I had Alibi Room on my mind.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Our server was super sweet and everyone else seemed to enjoy their drinks. I made a poor choice in wine, but that's certainly not their fault. We stayed for quite a long while. Hopefully we weren't too loud and annoying. It's a great environment, especially perfect for it's location. It's dark, cozy and intimate and though there is a lounge downstairs, between the exposed brick and the low ceilings, even the upper level feels like you're in a basement... in a good way. While we weren't hungry, I was a little jealous of the wood fired pizzas I saw arriving at others tables. We'll have to come back for dinner soon. Maybe I'll see if I can meet Frank.</div><br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/3928/restaurant/Downtown/Alibi-Room-Seattle"><img alt="Alibi Room on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/3928/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-89279072151696148142011-01-15T17:51:00.000-08:002011-01-23T13:01:18.341-08:00Unwinding Close to Home {Sport Restaurant & Bar}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTJIfp10MMI/AAAAAAAAGpQ/b6sKMXwhanY/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTJIfp10MMI/AAAAAAAAGpQ/b6sKMXwhanY/s320/002.JPG" width="179" /></a></div><br />
Friday was a busy, <em>busy</em> day! My job is relatively sedentary, so it's rare for me to have a day when I'm literally moving from beginning to end. It's a nice change from my usual sitting at a desk or in a conference room, but it also reminds me just how far my physical endurance has fallen from my retail days of 10+ hours a day on my feet without blinking. Between my pathetic stamina and a fairly high stress level, I was downright exhausted by the end of the day. B had a bit of a rough day too thanks to some unexpected computer drama. Instead of turning into total vegetables on the sofa, we decided to walk a couple of blocks to <a href="http://www.sportrestaurant.com/">Sport Restaurant & Bar</a> just to hang out and unwind.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Sport is part of the John Howie family of restaurants and sits in a prime location practically underneath the Space Needle. Though we've lived less than 6 blocks away the entire time we've lived in Seattle, we never visited until we moved into our current condo a year ago. They're located in Fisher Plaza (home of KOMO 4 News). It always seemed like a bit of an odd location. The first time we walked in (when our kitchen was still in boxes), I couldn't understand how they were still in business. We were one of two occupied tables in the whole place and, aside from the news station and the Space Needle, there isn't a ton of action in the area in the evening. Still, the food was good and the space is nice. There's lots of sports memorabilia on the walls in cases. Many of the booths have invidividual TV sets. <br />
<br />
A few months later, we made a return trip to watch B's beloved UK Wildcats (and mine too, I may as well admit) play a men's basketball game we couldn't watch at home. It was already getting close to March Madness and nothing about the place was slow. This was just the beginning of many hours we spent at Sport throughout March Madness.<br />
<br />
Last night was our first visit in awhile. It was a Friday night, but there wasn't too much going on in the sports world, so we didn't have any trouble getting a seat in the bar. Most people were probably saving up their visit for sometime this weekend. I had a cup of clam chowder, B had a cup of their Texas Style Steak Chili and we split an order of Buffalo Bites and Garlic Fries.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTJIeULIZ6I/AAAAAAAAGpM/Ms7o7h9S0kM/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTJIeULIZ6I/AAAAAAAAGpM/Ms7o7h9S0kM/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTJIhBhfwxI/AAAAAAAAGpU/CFn3Zm04Re0/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTJIhBhfwxI/AAAAAAAAGpU/CFn3Zm04Re0/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTJIj9mGDiI/AAAAAAAAGpc/g1ONEy8H6Tc/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTJIj9mGDiI/AAAAAAAAGpc/g1ONEy8H6Tc/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTJIngJjVNI/AAAAAAAAGpg/DerSSHuN9ak/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTJIngJjVNI/AAAAAAAAGpg/DerSSHuN9ak/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We were both starving and figured we'd need to order more food, but it turned out to be the perfect amount. It was such a nice way to end the week. They have more than just bar food and it's good, but these are a few of our Sport favorites.<br />
<br />
Today we watched UK beat LSU 82-44. Basketball season is definitley back and Conference play is in full swing. I see many more trips to Sport in our near future. We thought about going back in the morning for the Seahawks game, but I'm not sure we can get up early enough to beat that crowd!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/2068/restaurant/Queen-Anne/Sport-Restaurant-Bar-Seattle"><img alt="Sport Restaurant & Bar on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/2068/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-27602805303046771342011-01-15T14:07:00.000-08:002011-01-23T13:01:47.870-08:00Moules Frites at the Center of the Universe {Brouwer's Cafe}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TS_eJolwzUI/AAAAAAAAGo4/6FJn4W_Khi0/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TS_eJolwzUI/AAAAAAAAGo4/6FJn4W_Khi0/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Wednesday night we detoured through Capitol Hill on our way home and found ourselves sitting at the bar at Marjorie having an absolutely lovely dinner. Amazing cuttlefish for me, pork belly and blood sausage (please no one tell him what's actually in blood sausage) for B and one monumental occasion. I. Ate. Bread. Pudding. If you've followed along for any length of time, you may already know about my texture issue with wet bread. Before Wednesday night, it was probably fifteen years since my last bread pudding. I was wooed by the promise of bourbon caramel, fresh cream and toffee and it was bread pudding for us! I wish I could say I had a life changing experience, totally erasing all memory of my texture phobia, but it would be a lie. While I was mildly bothered by the texture, the beautiful combinations of flavors throughout the dessert more than compensated for the texture.<br />
<br />
Anyway, this post isn't really about Marjorie. It's about a Thursday Night dinner quite different from Marjorie and from many other food adventures in fact. Thursday night we visited <a href="http://brouwerscafe.blogspot.com/">Brouwer's Cafe</a> in Fremont (self-proclaimed <a href="http://fremontseattle.com/">Center of the Known Universe</a>). This was our fourth or fifth visit to Brouwer's. We've always had a good time. With their 64 beers on tap and 300 bottles, it isn't difficult to find something one might enjoy. It's just nearly impossible to choose just one.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
One of the most challenging aspects of Brouwer's in finding someplace to sit. It's all open seating and it's always busy. B's friend, D, joined us last night, so we went looking for a seat while B looked for parking. We got lucky and found a spot in the back corner of the lower level.<br />
<br />
I really like the food at Brouwer's, but their frites are my favorite. A large order comes with a choice of two of their dipping sauces. I added all six of them (mayo, aioli, remoulade, Bourbon dragon sauce, chipotle mayo and curry ketchup) to our order. Next time, I'll probably skip the plain mayo and the remoulade, but they were all good. I could probably eat the whole plate on my own, but I do love potatoes more than just about any food.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTIIqvC6PKI/AAAAAAAAGpE/ZF-eA9EpOB0/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTIIqvC6PKI/AAAAAAAAGpE/ZF-eA9EpOB0/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
B and D both had the steak frites with Kobe Hanger steak. D added the Laphroaig whisky cream sauce. B added the Laphroaig sauce and blue cheese. He said next time he'll probably skip the blue cheese. I love that they let you choose your type of steak with the steak frites. You can choose from New York, Rib Eye or Kobe Hanger. Both B and D agreed their steak was amazing. D wasn't such a fan of the Laphoraig sauce. B loved it.<br />
<br />
I chose what I normally choose. The traditional mussels and frites. The first time I ordered them there, I was a little embarrassed when they came out. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but the giant pot with a plate full of frites balanced on top wasn't quite it. Now that I know what's coming, though, I sort of look forward to it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTINccConCI/AAAAAAAAGpI/UyAhtGkKmBs/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TTINccConCI/AAAAAAAAGpI/UyAhtGkKmBs/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I love mussels even though they're a bit of a pain to eat. These are always especially good. I'm left with sticky fingers and a pile of shells when all is said and done, but it's totally worth it.<br />
<br />
The real highlight of Brouwer's is the drink selection. B and I have always ordered the Lindeman's Pomme Lambic. It seriously tastes like a green apple Jolly Rancher. It wasn't on the draft list this time around, though. I <span style="background-color: white;">compromised </span>with the Lindeman's Framboise. B can't handle raspberry flavored anything, though. Instead, he had a Samichlaus World's Stongest Ale from Austria. It sort of tasted like a combination of Ale and Port wine. The flavor was a little jarring at first sip, but it was actually pretty good.<br />
<br />
The food wasn't front and center at this week's Thursday dinner, but that was just fine with us. It was really good. Though we didn't know it would be a perfect choice when I scheduled it, Brouwer's turned out to be just what we needed. The solid comfort food not requiring much focus or attention let us all just relax and enjoy Brouwer's laid back pub environment. I'm glad B and I have finally gotten over our aversion to venturing beyond walking distance often. Seattle is full of comfortable spots to unwind at the end of the week. There just aren't enough Thursdays in the year.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/352/restaurant/Fremont/Brouwers-Cafe-Seattle"><img alt="Brouwer's Café on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/352/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-48401875818544580442011-01-09T22:05:00.000-08:002011-01-23T13:02:02.947-08:00You Can't Be Sad Eating Ice Cream {Molly Moon's Homeade Ice Cream}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSqWab-YCKI/AAAAAAAAGn4/j9FiQGAXAHc/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSqWab-YCKI/AAAAAAAAGn4/j9FiQGAXAHc/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I've been on a quest for ice cream for weeks... literally weeks. Specifically, I've been on a quest for <a href="http://www.mollymoonicecream.com/ice-cream-shops">Molly Moon's Homeade Ice Cream.</a> It just hasn't worked out, though. B is sick of hearing me talk about wanting ice cream. He hasn't said it. I just know. Even I was a little sick of hearing me talk about ice cream, but once I'm fixated on my favorite food group (yes, it <em>is</em> a food group), there's no turning it off until the craving is satiated.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Today was a strange day. After the high of yesterday's football game (despite the hiccup at the end), today felt a little dull. I've also been itching to get some <em>super</em> early Spring cleaning and organizing done, but with being sick over the holidays, I didn't make as much progress as I'd hoped. Today I finally got busy cleaning out junk drawers and crusading on my quest to rid the condo of all non-essential or non-creative paper. It felt great to make some progress at home, but it wasn't a whole lot of fun.<br />
<br />
Just before dinner time, B came into the bedroom where I was sorting piles of paper into keep, throw or shred and asked if I wanted to go for ice cream after dinner. I thought about it and then said no. There was just too much work to be done before the week starts. Perhaps B was just <em>that</em> sick of hearing me talk about ice cream, but I think he just knew how badly I needed a break because he talked me into venturing onto Capitol Hill to Molly Moon's.<br />
<br />
The first thing I noticed as we drove by looking for parking was just how bright the shop was on the dark street and how busy they obviously were inside. As we walked up to the door, it became increasingly clear we weren't the only ones needing an ice cream break before the new week really starts. On a summer night, the line at Molly Moon's wraps around the street corner. This is one reason I've never been there before. On this frigid Sunday night, the line was contained, but a seat was still hard to come by. I couldn't choose just one flavor and couldn't have all eight I wanted to try, so I settled on Salted Caramel and Mint Fudge. B's a milkshake guy, so he went with the Vivace Coffee Milkshake. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSqdxphTYeI/AAAAAAAAGn8/HAcQwcv_71I/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSqdxphTYeI/AAAAAAAAGn8/HAcQwcv_71I/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSqd2fZ458I/AAAAAAAAGoA/u94EiYjX93E/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSqd2fZ458I/AAAAAAAAGoA/u94EiYjX93E/s320/006.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>While he was waiting for his milkshake, I found two hidden, but awesome seats right behind the waffle maker. After sitting with that smell for awhile, one thing is certain. Next time, I will have a waffle cone. I'm pretty sure we had the best seats in the house. Sitting there, eating our ice cream, listening to Elvis and watching the line grow, I felt fantastic. Maybe that's why people, or only women in the world of cinematic stereotypes, drown their sorrows in a pint of Ben and Jerry's (ice cream sacrilege compared to this stuff). I'm pretty sure it's psychologically impossible to feel bad eating ice cream... <em>especially</em> this ice cream. Combine Molly Moon's with the gorgeous new <a href="http://www.elliottbaybook.com/">Elliott Bay Book Co.</a> location and the corner of Pine and 10th might just be my new happy place.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/1442139/restaurant/Capitol-Hill/Molly-Moons-Homemade-Ice-Cream-Seattle"><img alt="Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1442139/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-58632112116763474992011-01-08T21:39:00.000-08:002011-01-23T14:16:15.133-08:00Underdogs and Underwhelmed {Fado Irish Pub}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSlBLqlL_YI/AAAAAAAAGng/si1T9bulZBg/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSlBLqlL_YI/AAAAAAAAGng/si1T9bulZBg/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A friend's misfortune was our gain. We were lucky enough to attend tonight's Seahawks game since a friend with season tickets couldn't get a sitter. To be honest, we're a bit of fairweather fans. We haven't really been in Seattle long enough to be really loyal, but we're always happy to see the Seahawks do well and anyone who's ever attended a football game at Qwest can tell you, the energy in that stadium is nothing less than electric. <br />
<br />
Seattle hasn't recently been known for super successful sports teams, but a loyalty exists amongst the fan base nonetheless. Since neither B nor I grew up in an area with professional sports teams, we don't really have strong ties. We make for easy adoptees by Seattle pro teams.<br />
<br />
One of the best parts of games in Seattle is the food. Yes, seriously. My <em>favorite</em> stadium food is garlic fries. Mariners or Seahawks, I can't do without my fries! Game calories don't count (obviously), so B had an Italian sausage and I had a Kidd Valley cheeseburger along with a bag of Kettlecorn at the game.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSlBUEQwNiI/AAAAAAAAGnk/UoD7LCxax10/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSlBUEQwNiI/AAAAAAAAGnk/UoD7LCxax10/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSlBVqV3iqI/AAAAAAAAGno/JlWvhuDv1Os/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSlBVqV3iqI/AAAAAAAAGno/JlWvhuDv1Os/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSlBW3Yrs6I/AAAAAAAAGns/W9PPjwyxJdI/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSlBW3Yrs6I/AAAAAAAAGns/W9PPjwyxJdI/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I didn't taste B's food, but mine was sinfully amazing. I devoured every bit of the super strong garlic fries and the giant burger. As for the game, well, Seattle shocked everyone (including their own fans) beating the Saints 36-41. The energy in the stadium was truly incredible. It was impossible not to get sucked into every aspect of the experience including the resounding "SEA - HAWKS" chant throughout the stadium as people made their way to the exit. I hope to get my hearing back sometime next week! Qwest field is known as the <a href="http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/01/crowd_noise_could_drown_out_ne.html">loudest</a> stadium in the NFL. The noise is deafening. <br />
<br />
We were ready to celebrate along with the thousands of other fans, so we made our way to FX McCrory's (self-proclaimed home of the world's largest bourbon collection). There wasn't a chance of us getting a seat, so we made a lap and headed back out. Next, we chose to try out <a href="http://www.fadoirishpub.com/">Fado Irish Pub</a> and that's when everything went pear shaped.<br />
<br />
I've been pretty clear all along about wanting Thursday Night Bites to be a place for positive words about our dining adventures, but after the way we were treated tonight, I just can't see staying quiet about it.<br />
<br />
They were as busy as any of the other bars and restaurants in Pioneer Square after the game. We walked through looking for a place to sit. Just as we were on our way out, B spotted a table putting on their coats, getting ready to leave and we snagged their table. Once our server came to the table, she didn't say hello, she didn't smile. She tossed the menus on the table and said she needed the table back by 6:30 (it was 5:40) for a reservation. B assured her that was plenty of time as she walked away. <br />
<br />
It was awhile before she returned and asked what we wanted. B ordered an Irish coffee, a Guinness for me and the appetizer sampler for us to share. Our drinks came out not long after. When our food arrived, the person who brought it set it down on the opposite side of the table from where we were sitting and told us again we needed to hurry. Shortly after, someone I assume to be the manager came around and slapped large sheets of paper on our table with the name Erica on them denoting a reservation for 12 at 6:30. Mind you, it's only 6:00 at this point. The tables next to us received the same curt treatment and sheets of paper... except one of their sheets said "25 ppl."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSlE7cKEhKI/AAAAAAAAGnw/F0A4WQOXyq0/s1600/104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSlE7cKEhKI/AAAAAAAAGnw/F0A4WQOXyq0/s320/104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSlE9d6y7AI/AAAAAAAAGn0/_kDBqKsGYlE/s1600/105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSlE9d6y7AI/AAAAAAAAGn0/_kDBqKsGYlE/s320/105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>About 6:10, the manager arrives (after we've been given our check... which was tossed at us about 2 minutes after our food arrived) and asks B if we can move to the table next to us (where two girls are sitting) due to the fact that the reservation arrived early. I told her that was fine as long as those girls didn't mind us sitting with them. The girls tell us they're waiting for their check. Once they stand up to leave, I move my drink to the next table and reach for the platter of food which is promptly taken away from me by the rude server. She piles the napkins off the table onto our food and carts it away. In the meantime, a couple people in the reservation party tell me I can't sit where the manager asked us to (and offered us a drink for our trouble) because they are sitting there and we "aren't there for Erica's birthday." Ultimately, my full platter of food and three quarters full drink are taken away from me and I am essentially shown the door. <br />
<br />
I don't honestly remember the last time I've felt this angry. I don't yell. It's just not in my nature, but I was practically screaming by the time we left Fado. I don't remember the last time I felt so belittled and frustrated. The staff at Fado clearly doesn't understand the basic tenants of human decency much less customer service. The customer should never be at fault for a restaurant's poor management of their reservations and the last time I checked, a patron who arrives twenty minutes early for a reservation gets to wait twenty minutes for their table. The people currently paying to be at the table don't get essentially thrown out of the restaurant for their sake.<br />
<br />
This is all a disappointment because I wanted to like Fado. They were on my list of places to visit soon. I even left my Seahawks beanie somewhere in the shuffle of being disgracefully shown the door. I thought about going back for it. Then I realized I will never set foot in that pathetic excuse for a dining establishment again. Never have I paid for food and drink and had it taken away from me before I could consume it. I would love to say that complaining or sharing this experience with their management would make a difference, but I imagine they're beyond help. Do yourself a favor. Avoid them. Save your money for someplace where you are actually allowed to consume what you've paid for.<br />
<br />
Thanks to Leslie and Ariel at Buckley's Belltown for talking me off a ledge (though they didn't know it) with their kindness and hospitality.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/301/restaurant/Downtown/Fado-Irish-Pub-and-Restaurant-Seattle"><img alt="Fado Irish Pub and Restaurant on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/301/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-64179159320511342982011-01-07T20:29:00.000-08:002011-01-23T13:02:37.165-08:00Salty Seattle {Re:Public}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSah1_voRpI/AAAAAAAAGnA/PICFk0suAgU/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSah1_voRpI/AAAAAAAAGnA/PICFk0suAgU/s320/014.JPG" width="179" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since completing NaBloPoMo, I've enjoyed the luxury of spending days on a particular post. And of course, as my beloved Ernest Hemingway said, "The first draft of anything is shit." Oh so true. In general, though, while I sometimes spend days upon days editing and fine tuning until I grow tired of the words, I don't often struggle putting that first draft on screen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My struggle writing this post doesn't reflect in any way on Re:Public. We certainly had a lovely time. It is more likely reflective of this week long endeavor at reacclamating to real life, to work, to a set schedule. I am quite grateful for the four day work week and, in many ways, I can hardly believe it's already over, but what a week it's been.</div><a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Every now and then, sitting across from B or other friends who've joined us for Thursday dinner, I am struck by the weight or ease of the week that's just passed. Sitting with my glass of prosecco (my most likely drink of choice) or some other cocktail, it often seems as if I can either feel the tension of the week draining from my body or I feel filled with the calm of an uplifting week. The sensations are almost identical. Tonight it was almost palpable. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yesterday started off on a bit of a wrong foot. Traffic both to and from work involved a major accident, tacking on almost an hour to our normal commute time (each way). We arrived at <a href="http://republicseattle.com/">Re:Public</a> a little later than we intended (though still early enough to dine with the 70-something set) and were very pleased to find close, easy street parking. We were also fortunate enough to walk past and peek inside Tom Douglas's newest endeavor, the second location of Serious Pie. They were closed for a Friends and Family event, but the space is gorgeous. I can't wait to try it out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Re:Public itself has a very understated entrance. There isn't a large sign above the door. Instead there is only the name etched in the glass on the door and the sandwich board sign on the sidewalk. How very Seattle. I first noticed the massive glass garage door just to the right of the main entrance a couple of months ago (during warmer days) when it was open and one could see the diners enjoying their meal open air. Amidst tonight's typical cold and rain, though, the door was closed tight. I dream of the next few month passing quickly, returning us contentedly to our long, late daylight patio happy hours of specialty cocktails and small bites.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The space is much larger than it appears from the street and, though the bar was full (my guess is full of Amazon employees who work nearby), we didn't have any trouble getting a table for dinner. The interior is gorgeous. It's all very dark and tavern like (though quite spacious), with glowing balls of light over the tables and throughout the restaurant. It's very warm and lively, and though it looks like it has the potential to get very loud, it didn't. They also have a lot of real estate. While you're certainly aware of how many people are around you, they aren't close.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSfaFGPf-XI/AAAAAAAAGnU/wWUc6UUzKpk/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSfaFGPf-XI/AAAAAAAAGnU/wWUc6UUzKpk/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The menu is broken up into slightly different sections than what you see traditionally. They have categories for Bouchees, Small Plates, House-Made Pasta, Principals and Dessert. B and I had both looked at the menu earlier, so we had a good idea what we wanted. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After waiting awhile, our server appeared, told us she would give us some time with the menus and left. I was a bit thrown off... especially given we'd been sitting there for quite a long time already. It was another long while before she returned. We ordered drinks and the cheese and charcuterie platter (though we really wanted the pork cheek). At first I felt a little put off by the service level. After having some time to think about the evening, though, I've decided it wasn't really a bad service experience. She was definitely very nice and polite. The whole process of ordering and asking for different items (another drink, our entrees, dessert) just felt awkward and forced. The rest of the staff was cheerful, knowledgeable, helpful and amicable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSfXzTu6EqI/AAAAAAAAGnE/e2FeHDNvUWk/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSfXzTu6EqI/AAAAAAAAGnE/e2FeHDNvUWk/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our cheese and charcuterie plate arrived while I went in search of the restroom. When I returned, B lamented that I'd missed the explanation of everything on the board. Just as he was stumbling through his own rendition, the very kind expediter returned to the table and asked if I'd like him to go over it again. I love B, but I was very thankful to have a run down other than his.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSfZ2wwD4SI/AAAAAAAAGnI/_52oFxD39TA/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSfZ2wwD4SI/AAAAAAAAGnI/_52oFxD39TA/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We eventually got our servers attention to ask if we could order entrees. I selected the half Mad Hatcher chicken with shaved local truffles and potato puree. B had the grilled pork chop with split pea and smoked pork shank soup with cipollinis.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSfZ87sb7WI/AAAAAAAAGnM/Tr-r2U1b6WY/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSfZ87sb7WI/AAAAAAAAGnM/Tr-r2U1b6WY/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSfZ_J5K-yI/AAAAAAAAGnQ/EVGbfwqoW1c/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSfZ_J5K-yI/AAAAAAAAGnQ/EVGbfwqoW1c/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">B loved his meal and mine. He wanted me to tell you that. I enjoyed it, but to be honest, both my chicken and B's pork shop were extremely heavy on the salt... and that's coming from someone who <em>really</em> loves salt. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSfc4SVuD5I/AAAAAAAAGnc/5lND8HzWwnQ/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSfc4SVuD5I/AAAAAAAAGnc/5lND8HzWwnQ/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After we finished dinner and again managed to get the attention of our server for B to order another drink, we seized the opportunity before she could escape again and ordered Coffee and Donuts (fritters dusted with powdered sugar with espresso creme anglaise and ricotta for dipping. These were, without a doubt, the highlight of the meal. They were incredible! B went so far as to say they were better than the beignets at Dahlia. I'm not sure I'm ready to go that far, but I could have eaten a whole order all on my own.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSfcVIiRWtI/AAAAAAAAGnY/z1g2WGqKf9Q/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSfcVIiRWtI/AAAAAAAAGnY/z1g2WGqKf9Q/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I shouldn't be at all critical of Re:Public. They do a very nice job. I can't very well expect each new place to be a new favorite. Frankly, I don't even want them all to be. There just aren't enough meals in the year to continue racking up new favorites on a regular basis while keeping up with all our new adventures. We'll return to Re:Public, though. Perhaps next time just for happy hour and we may wait until the weather encourages them to open that garage door, but one thing is for certain, as long as they're on the menu, the visit will certainly include coffee and donuts.</div><br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/1532290/restaurant/South-Lake-Union/Re-Public-Seattle"><img alt="Re:Public on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1532290/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-69035803270536189892011-01-03T19:11:00.000-08:002011-01-07T20:32:03.541-08:00Second Saturday {Seatown Seabar & Rotisserie and Tini Bigs}<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSafnNx4QUI/AAAAAAAAGm4/2CmMtUDvfSQ/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSafnNx4QUI/AAAAAAAAGm4/2CmMtUDvfSQ/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">B and I are both creatures of habit. Living in New Mexico, I definitely had my habits, but they weren’t driven by anything specific… except occasionally by trying to establish some normalcy within a totally erratic work schedule. Since we’ve been in Seattle, though, a lot of our habits are driven by seasonal and weather patterns. I suppose it’s all about taking advantage of what’s available. Summer is bike rides, spontaneous happy hours and lots of time on restaurant patios and in the Pike Place Market. Winter is cozy neighborhood bars, restaurants with comfort food and icy cold walks. We eat more brunch in winter when we’re more grateful for the daylight. We’ve had such beautiful weather (albeit freezing) these past few days. There’s a lot of daylight to be grateful for.</span></div><a name='more'></a><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomorrow, we return to the office. I’m <em>really</em>, really not looking forward to it. Since we’re lucky enough to have today off, though, we turned yesterday into second Saturday. We slept late and ventured into downtown for brunch and a trip through the Pike Place Market. We decided on </span><a href="http://tomdouglas.com/index.php/restaurants/seatown" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seatown Seabar & Rotisserie</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> for food. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today was our third visit. B commented that every time we visit, we decide to return soon for dinner, but we haven’t made it just yet. Honestly, it’s hard to turn down their amazing Eggs Benedict and breakfast sandwiches. As usual, we were more than perfectly happy to sit at the counter and enjoy the incredible food Seatown has to offer. I had the Eggs Benedict with ham and lemon Hollandaise. B had the chorizo and eggs breakfast sandwich. B didn’t disappoint and came through with his usual “I could eat two of these sandwiches” comment after finishing his. We each also enjoyed a Western Mimosa (grapefruit, Prosecco, Elderflower and gin).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSKNixB5fDI/AAAAAAAAGlg/081KmxTLISA/s1600-h/0013.jpg"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSKNuLV0zMI/AAAAAAAAGlo/GjYJQxlTE8s/s1600-h/0033.jpg"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="003" border="0" height="139" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSKNwzdBx4I/AAAAAAAAGls/Hyay3K-dqP0/003_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="003" width="244" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSKNzn5r0gI/AAAAAAAAGlw/C8XweZS_TrU/0043.jpg?imgmax=800"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="004" border="0" height="139" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSKOESfFmkI/AAAAAAAAGl0/U7A_aRctaIc/004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="004" width="244" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After brunch, we wandered through the Pike Place Market to all our usual stops. I have an irrational fear of cooking seafood. I’m convinced we’ll both get really sick, but I love looking at everything the seafood vendors have to offer. I was particularly enamored by the giant oysters for sale in bags of five dozen. I’ve been on an oyster kick for months, though. We perused the produce and made a trip to the lower arcade to visit B’s favorite Market comic book store.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSKOSbAg5YI/AAAAAAAAGl4/DT_29mYQYWs/s1600-h/0123.jpg"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="012" border="0" height="139" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSKOS50CF-I/AAAAAAAAGl8/QgalXvu99Xo/012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="012" width="244" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSKOYlbtn7I/AAAAAAAAGmA/eAUovnvy8Uw/s1600-h/0133.jpg"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="013" border="0" height="139" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSKOYwugk3I/AAAAAAAAGmE/rP0GsdsWIAo/013_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="013" width="244" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSKObzCZhqI/AAAAAAAAGmI/k7eFLwS2Kec/s1600-h/0143.jpg"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="014" border="0" height="139" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSKOenjF3XI/AAAAAAAAGmM/TWNYl6HBYm4/014_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="014" width="244" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also made a stop at Uli’s Sausage to pick up some brats for dinner. One of these days, we’ll stop at Uli’s Bierstube and actually eat there. They have the cutest little space and the sausage sandwiches sound amazing. For this visit, though, we took home a pound of brats to eat for dinner (which turned out to be two dinners) with some shrimp we picked up at Whole Foods on Saturday.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSKOsgy8R6I/AAAAAAAAGmQ/ZRkaQFIFOXs/s1600-h/0163.jpg"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="016" border="0" height="139" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSKOtINFgRI/AAAAAAAAGmU/249aYCshsls/016_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="016" width="244" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The brats came out surprisingly well. My first few attempts at making them left something to be desired, but I was pretty happy with the way these turned out. After dinner, we headed for IMAX. B really wanted to see Tron a second time since first seeing it on opening day. I finally relented and off to IMAX we went. From a visual standpoint, it was really was a beautiful movie, but I’m afraid I can’t say a whole lot for the story. By the time we were headed out of the theater, I was ready to be home. B, on the other hand, was ready for another stop. </span><a href="http://www.tinibigs.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tini Bigs</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> was next on deck.<br />
<br />
Upon arrival, we were the only patrons in the bar except for one woman who stood briefly at the bar. It quickly became obvious, though, that the bartender, </span><a href="http://www.seattlemet.com/blogs/sauced/five-questions-mike-mcsorley-041310/" target="_blank" title="http://www.seattlemet.com/blogs/sauced/five-questions-mike-mcsorley-041310/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mike McSorley</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, wouldn’t let us leave feeling as if we’d spent the evening in a dead bar. When all was said and done, our planned one drink was a two and a half hour visit.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSKO7HZ-wfI/AAAAAAAAGmY/4gOrG37IO-c/s1600-h/0047.jpg"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="004" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSKO7dCf1xI/AAAAAAAAGmc/ZkbNIzUxA-4/004_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="004" width="139" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We’ve been to Tini Bigs quite a few times in the past, but it had been awhile. On past visits, they’ve always been super busy. A few times we’ve set out to visit, but haven’t because it looked so packed inside. Tonight we sat at the bar and enjoyed cocktails expertly crafted by Mike. B had his first real Old Fashioned and I had a Burning Man (Mazama pepper infused vodka, chocolate liqueur, float of sweetened heavy cream, coco rim and a dried Thai chili pepper). I also had a prosecco based cocktail that Mike “threw together” for me. It was delicious.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSKO-K1_lpI/AAAAAAAAGmg/xrFfdYTfzoM/s1600-h/001%5B3%5D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="001" border="0" height="139" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSKPA8-8IxI/AAAAAAAAGmk/cIogbaQ9Lhk/001_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="001" width="244" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the time we were ready to head home, two more had joined us at the bar. Seattle isn’t a city known for sincere or friendly residents. There are always exceptions, of course, but the </span><a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/pacificnw/2005/0213/cover.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seattle Freeze</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is very, very real. That’s part of the reason it was such a pleasant surprise to find sincere and interesting conversation with our bar mates and with Mike. <br />
<br />
Second Saturday was a decided success. Here’s hoping second Monday is just as kind.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/1542599/restaurant/Downtown/Seatown-Seabar-Rotisserie-Seattle"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Seatown Seabar & Rotisserie on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1542599/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></span></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/555/restaurant/Queen-Anne/Tini-Bigs-Lounge-Seattle"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Tini Bigs Lounge on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/555/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></span></a> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-69387678175498963172011-01-02T12:43:00.000-08:002011-01-10T17:43:24.299-08:00Bad Habits and Lovely Experiences {Marjorie}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TR7URS9EefI/AAAAAAAAGlI/gGZ-Y082Mlc/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TR7URS9EefI/AAAAAAAAGlI/gGZ-Y082Mlc/s320/012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I have a terrible habit. I eaves drop. I don't do it on purpose and I try hard to tune out other people's conversations in public, but I just can't. I spent too many years in retail learning the art (read: curse) of carrying on one conversation while observing and listening to those around me. It drives B crazy. He <em>never</em> eaves drops. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We decided to have our New Years Eve dinner at <a href="http://www.marjorierestaurant.com/">Marjorie</a>. Now that Book Bindery is open, we have to split our repeat restaurant time between these two favorites. The two are so vastly different, but we love them both and always leave both places in a better mood than when we arrived. Even though both seat about the same number of patrons, the Book Bindery space is larger and each table feels more private. It's relatively easy to exist in your own space without intrusion from fellow diners. It's quiet, dark, comfortable and a bit reserved. The space and food alike are beautiful and calming. Marjorie is community. Regardless of whether you know the people sitting next to you when you arrive, you're bound to learn something about them just based on proximity. The colors are bright, there is a cheerful level of noise all around. The space, the people and the food radiate warmth. </div><a name='more'></a><br />
Sitting in a cozy corner, we were surrounded by people unfamiliar with Marjorie. They expressed curiosities about whether they change their menu often, wondering how long they'd been open. They spoke with the careful caution of unfamiliar dining companions. They discussed politics, art and an absent friend's poor choice in party clothes. So many conversations I couldn't tune out, but Marjorie isn't really a place you go to be alone. It's where you go to be a part of the experience.Though it's only been a few months at this location, I feel we've been visiting forever. The few familiar faces from the old location who we always look forward to seeing help, but it's still amazing how at home and comfortable we feel there. And though I loved the old location dearly, aside from missing it's close proximity to home for us, the new space has grown on me and I may love it even more.<br />
<br />
I love our constant new restaurant experiences. With the exception of a few other major US cities, if (and hopefully when, to be honest) we finally leave Seattle, we'll be hard pressed to find somewhere we can replicate the experience. Sometimes, though, what I really crave is comfort and familiarity where we know the best seat in the house and remember just what we loved last time. <br />
<br />
As for the food, from Plantain Chips to Chocolate Tart, everything was beyond amazing as usual.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSDjEFZ4XgI/AAAAAAAAGlM/2HlAQbVQd_Y/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSDjEFZ4XgI/AAAAAAAAGlM/2HlAQbVQd_Y/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSDjGbB4nHI/AAAAAAAAGlQ/2f3gs_pHbgs/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSDjGbB4nHI/AAAAAAAAGlQ/2f3gs_pHbgs/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSDjHttRyDI/AAAAAAAAGlU/aZWtQwWdCCU/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TSDjHttRyDI/AAAAAAAAGlU/aZWtQwWdCCU/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Oh, and a special thank you to Marjorie's <a href="http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/voracious/2010/12/an_embarrassment_of_riches_at.php">Ben Sherwood</a> for indulging B's vague and rambling request via Jarred for "the really good coffee drink" he crafted for him last time. Just like all Ben's drinks, it was amazing. B thought so too.~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-80457794250972782282010-12-27T21:35:00.000-08:002011-01-07T20:32:52.958-08:00Happy Christmas - Potatoes, Pudding and Cabin Fever {Urbane}<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">B and I have both been sick for over a week now. Today is probably the first day we've both felt mostly human. I have a knack for getting sick over the holidays, but usually it has something to do with air travel. This time, there was no real reason. We were both just plain struck down by some nasty germ. Aside from a couple short trips, we've hardly left the house since last Friday night. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TRly9Pa_eSI/AAAAAAAAGkw/PDxO72TAT18/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TRly9Pa_eSI/AAAAAAAAGkw/PDxO72TAT18/s320/025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A few weeks ago, after our Thursday night dinner at <a href="http://www.urbaneseattle.com/">Urbane,</a> I noticed they would be open on Christmas day, so we decided to make a reservation. When B and I stay in Seattle for the holidays (which hasn't been all that often), it always feels a little silly to cook an elaborate meal for just the two of us. It feels a little silly not to do something special, though. Our first Christmas together, I made a simple chicken dinner and we watched all (the extended versions) of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. We started the movies on Christmas Eve. It was a <em>looooooong</em> two days. The three Christmases after that one, we traveled. While we've eaten out three Thanksgivings, Saturday night marked my first ever Christmas dinner out... unless you count our Christmas in Maui which I don't because, well, because it's Maui.</div><a name='more'></a><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Christmas Day didn't start out looking the brightest. Neither of us has slept well in days. B got up a little after 5:00 AM because he couldn't sleep anymore. We both managed to get back to sleep about 7:30 and get in a couple extra hours of sleep. Once we finally got up, we even had trouble mustering the energy to open gifts. Dinner wasn't looking likely, but we decided to wait until later to make the call. About 4:00, we decided we were both feeling well enough to brave it.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our cab didn't take as long as expected, so we arrived a few minutes early. They weren't all that busy, though, and we were able to sit down right away. They had a special prix fixe menu for Christmas in addition to their regular menu. It looked really great, but I haven't had much of an appetite lately (shocking, I know) and it just sounded like too much food. To start, we split a charcuterie plate. I would love to have tasted it fully since it was very good even though I know my tastebuds are off. I can only imagine how good it would have been if I could have actually tasted it. For dinner, I had the beef tenderloin on top of a potato puree not listed on the menu. B had the steak frites. We also shared the whipped Yukon potatoes. A lot of potato, I know. My steak was amazing. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TRly_hjx_NI/AAAAAAAAGk0/YYr4zsC9ccE/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TRly_hjx_NI/AAAAAAAAGk0/YYr4zsC9ccE/s320/027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TRlzGO2WDII/AAAAAAAAGlA/Tnp4pOTFeT0/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TRlzGO2WDII/AAAAAAAAGlA/Tnp4pOTFeT0/s320/031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
For dessert we shared the Sticky Toffee Pudding. I'll try most foods at least once and I don't have a lot of food hangups, but I have one big one. Wet bread. Wet bread is anything that can be construed as or can become soggy bread... Pot pie, bread pudding, tortilla soup, a hamburger bun that's had sauce sitting on it a little too long... All of it. I just can't handle it. It's a texture thing. I guess I must have had a bit of medicine head, but I didn't think about it long enough when we looked at the dessert menu to realize the Sticky Toffee Pudding probably involved wet bread. As it turns out, only the top had a dicey (dicey for me, that is) texture and the Devonshire cream was amazing, so it helped a bit. The bottom was more of dry cake texture. I can't say I know what it was supposed to taste like, so for all I know it wasn't good, but the flavor was nice and it didn't totally set off my soggy bread panic. We didn't eat much of it, though, given that we'd already just consumed more food in one sitting than we had in a whole day during the week.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TRlzH6KN1PI/AAAAAAAAGlE/LyHwX6QdEqY/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TRlzH6KN1PI/AAAAAAAAGlE/LyHwX6QdEqY/s320/033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We were happy to easily catch a cab leaving the restaurant. Though we were both exhausted by the time we got home, it felt nice just to be away from home. B commented during dinner how it felt a little foreign and clumsy being out after staying home for so long. Yes, two weeks is a long time for us not to go out. I know that's a little sad, but it was definitely true. We both had a major case of cabin fever on top of the fevers we'd just overcome. Here's to a healthier new year!~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-14984307992127806032010-12-14T20:49:00.000-08:002011-01-07T20:33:14.773-08:00A Refuge From the Rain {Tilikum Place Cafe}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQhC4wU9iKI/AAAAAAAAGkQ/84TG1207w98/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQhC4wU9iKI/AAAAAAAAGkQ/84TG1207w98/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As has been known to happen, B and I went out to dinner on Monday night. This Monday dinner out was a bit unlike the others in that it was actually in place of our Thursday night dinner this week. Life is a little hectic this week between our individual work Christmas parties, jam packed work schedules and trying to get all our holiday chores done, so Monday was the night.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">About three months ago, on our last visit to <a href="http://www.zeekspizza.com/">Zeek's Pizza</a>, I noticed a restaurant I'd never seen before across the street. Right next door to <a href="http://www.the5pointcafe.com/About.php">The Five Point Cafe</a> is a little restaurant called <a href="http://www.tilikumplacecafe.com/">The Tilikum Place Cafe</a>. Since it's less than a five minute walk from home for us, I made a mental note to look it up when we got home. The reviews were decent. It sounded like a place we would enjoy, so I added it to our list. I wasn't super excited about visiting, though, so I kept pushing it further and further down the list. As I may have mentioned two or ten times before, it's been pouring rain here for days now. That combined with the fact that we needed to be home in time for our grocery delivery made it the perfect day to finally give Tilikum Place a shot.</div><a name='more'></a><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We all have strange quirks. If you think you don't, you probably have more than most. One of my quirks (if that's what you want to call it) is my sensitivity to scent. It drives B nuts. It can make or break a whole experience for me. What I noticed first about The Tilikum Place Cafe was the smell. It wasn't bad. It just sort of smelled like an old building. Strangely, it reminded me of the way my first dorm my Freshman year in college smelled. I got past it quickly enough. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We ducked in out of the torrential downpour, were invited to hang up our coats and hats, were seated promptly and greeted soon after by our very friendly server. Their website toutes a European style, but the environment was distinctly more French than anything. From the small bistro tables to the ornate light fixtures and the blackboard displaying the night's specials, it had a bit of Parisian flair. After ordering our drinks and the special baked mussels to start, we settled in with the small menu.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQhC2-LXgjI/AAAAAAAAGkM/5uZJvBTsXC0/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQhC2-LXgjI/AAAAAAAAGkM/5uZJvBTsXC0/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>I settled on the pan seared chicken while B had the pork tenderloin. The food certainly wasn't revolutionary or particularly inventive, but it was very solid, very good comfort food. The mussels were particularly delicious.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQhC989vCrI/AAAAAAAAGkY/51lrtyF9b7Q/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQhC989vCrI/AAAAAAAAGkY/51lrtyF9b7Q/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQhC7xVEtGI/AAAAAAAAGkU/jawes5IG4Nc/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQhC7xVEtGI/AAAAAAAAGkU/jawes5IG4Nc/s320/009.JPG" width="179" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQhC_s6uuCI/AAAAAAAAGkc/3e6sOopUTOc/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQhC_s6uuCI/AAAAAAAAGkc/3e6sOopUTOc/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQhDBq-AFPI/AAAAAAAAGkg/SptB76DoQgM/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQhDBq-AFPI/AAAAAAAAGkg/SptB76DoQgM/s320/012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
There were a couple of solid dessert choices as well, but we chose the chocolate tart without much trouble. It was, afterall, chocolate. It was very rich, but very delicious.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQhDDnGpKZI/AAAAAAAAGkk/is69f_N5JvA/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQhDDnGpKZI/AAAAAAAAGkk/is69f_N5JvA/s320/014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I definitely see return visits in our future. The environment is warm and inviting, the staff is friendly (dare I say <em>excited</em> about the menu) and it's close to home. What a winning combination! There was a table of eight sitting on the other side of the small restaurant enjoying a cozy meal of their own. Despite the small size of the restaurant, they handled the group well. I would love to bring a group on a return trip to indulge in good wine and more of those mussels and chocolate tart.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/772898/restaurant/Belltown/Tilikum-Place-Cafe-Seattle"><img alt="Tilikum Place Cafe on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/772898/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-46467350302292132422010-12-13T20:49:00.000-08:002011-01-05T14:52:00.645-08:00Sunbreaks<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQb2OAj_h4I/AAAAAAAAGkI/POeq7I7nU3o/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQb2OAj_h4I/AAAAAAAAGkI/POeq7I7nU3o/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQb2OAj_h4I/AAAAAAAAGkI/POeq7I7nU3o/s320/002.JPG" width="179" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Today hasn't been a great day. Work is especially busy right now, as it is this time every year. To add to the expected chaos, we're going through lots of change (good change, but change all the same) in the office as well. Add that on top of trying to keep up with personal holiday commitments and you get a few not-so-great days. It's also been raining (well, flooding, really) <em>hard</em> in the Puget Sound area over the last few days, so the weather hasn't contributed much to the spirit lifting efforts. This all sounds fine and despressing, but that's not the point. The point is, when life is a bit frustrating and the rain is really coming down, the bright spots (both literal and figurative) are all the more impactful.</div><a name='more'></a><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This afternoon, I was quite literally handed a bright spot. Let me back up a bit. A few weeks ago, I was reading food blogs on Urbanspoon. In the list of featured Seattle posts, I saw a post called "Mad About Kentucky Fried Chicken." Now, don't get me wrong, I've had my fair share of the Colonel's Secret Recipe in my day and enjoyed it. B even interned at the "White House" in Lousiville during college. KFC is not foreign at our house, but I admit, my first thought was "Really?!?! Fine, eat your chicken, but why write about it?" Still, I clicked on the <a href="http://www.foodiefootnotes.com/archives/5020">post</a> and read it. I was totally blown away. The author, CB of <a href="http://www.foodiefootnotes.com/">Foodie Footnotes</a>, completely captured what I love about food... the emotional and personal connection. Then I did something I rarely do. I left a comment. Now, I love it when others comment on my posts (which doesn't happen often), but I always feel a bit like an intruder when I comment on others' blogs. Even though they've made their thoughts public, it feels uncomfortable. This comment, though, led to mutual Twitter follows and to my keeping up with CB's food adventures.</div><br />
Not long after this, I clicked on a link CB posted on Twitter. That click led to a few more around her site, including the page with a few photos of her. She looked familiar. Familiar enough that I was pretty sure I'd seen her somewhere. Then it hit me. She works in my building! Armed with that little bit of knowledge, over several tweets, I tell CB that I'm pretty sure she works in my building, but I won't say which building since I like my little piece of anonymity too. Her response? "Except I know exactly who you are :-)" Long story a little shorter, she sends me a link to a <a href="http://www.foodiefootnotes.com/archives/5809">post</a> featuring an absolutely beautiful tart and promises to let me know when it's in the building. And then came Monday...<br />
<br />
In the middle of a particularly chaotic moment today, a girl I don't know (not CB) walked into my office, tells me she was asked to give this to me and hands me a plate. On the plate is... you guessed it... a beautiful slice of chocolate tart!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQb0Iyam0GI/AAAAAAAAGkE/org8PhokYXw/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQb0Iyam0GI/AAAAAAAAGkE/org8PhokYXw/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By now I've discovered CB's true identity so I was glad to be able to send her an actual email to thank her. At some point, I remembered we've actually worked together a bit through our former managers a few years ago and even spoken on the phone a couple of times. It can feel like a small company (even if it's not) and it's a small world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, thank you, <a href="http://www.foodiefootnotes.com/">Foodie Footnotes</a> for being a bright spot in an otherwise blurry gray day. Unexpected sunshine is the very best kind! And in case anyone is wondering, the tart was delicious! Check her out at:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.foodiefootnotes.com/">http://www.foodiefootnotes.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">B and I also shared a lovely Thursday night dinner on this rainy Monday night. We have a flurry of events this week that will keep us from a trip later in the week. I'll save that for tomorrow, though.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-32859594132167463202010-12-11T22:38:00.000-08:002011-01-07T20:33:50.479-08:00Breaking All the Rules... {Book Bindery}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQRrPuJBqvI/AAAAAAAAGjo/Psszn7Aa674/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQRrPuJBqvI/AAAAAAAAGjo/Psszn7Aa674/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It's my party and I'll... break the rules if I want to. They are, afterall, my rules. I promised myself I wouldn't blog about the same place over and again. I already broke this self-imposed rule once when it came to the Book Bindery. I've committed the same transgression in the name of Marjorie. Tonight, having just arrived home from my birthday dinner, I can't help myself from breaking it again.</div><br />
My justification (bear with me... the justifying is for my sake) is that we had a different experience at Book Bindery tonight than we've had on other visits. We always knew the the Tasting Room at the Almquist Family Vinters was there, we just never really had time or a ton of interest in visiting.<br />
<a name='more'></a>Tonight, we arrived almost 30 minutes early for our reservation in B's hope that we would be able to sit at the bar and he would have some bacon popcorn. Unfortunately, when we arrived, the bar was already packed. The host suggested we go next door to the Tasting Room while we waited for our table.<br />
<br />
I love space that pays its own rent. Restaurant bars, busy working kitchens, any place where there is serious action going on in a space that still manages warmth and hospitality. The kitchen at Book Bindery is one example of this I've mentioned before. The Tasting Room is another. You literally stand at a bar in the middle of this giant warehouse, fully operational winery and taste wine.<br />
<br />
I think wine might be my next interest. I know virtually nothing about it. I know basically what I like and not much more. We spent some time tonight, though, chatting with the wine maker and trying different wines. B only tried a couple since he's not a fan of the reds. I definitely enjoyed the conversation. It's such an interesting process. We actually made two trips to the Tasting Room... one before dinner and one after. We eventually walked away with three bottles.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQRrOPeRFBI/AAAAAAAAGjk/ktj6Au3cguk/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQRrOPeRFBI/AAAAAAAAGjk/ktj6Au3cguk/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQRrMENcNmI/AAAAAAAAGjg/pCrqeqpOi58/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></div>Dinner at Book Bindery was outstanding as always. I think B summed it up best when he said "They really don't do anything wrong here." It's all wonderful. Tonight we had the pork belly and apple salad, scallops, Fois Gras, Mishima "Flavor Curve," lamb shank, Pot de Creme and Beignets. That's a gross abbreviation of all the awesome details in the food. Check out their menu. You won't be disappointed, but you'll probably be hungry.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQRrRXMtkvI/AAAAAAAAGjs/vkxjqdraB-Q/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQRrRXMtkvI/AAAAAAAAGjs/vkxjqdraB-Q/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQRrUF9y2rI/AAAAAAAAGjw/vzJxJ8W2uZA/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQRrUF9y2rI/AAAAAAAAGjw/vzJxJ8W2uZA/s320/012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQRrVg5zCNI/AAAAAAAAGj0/18QnVnUXxMc/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQRrVg5zCNI/AAAAAAAAGj0/18QnVnUXxMc/s320/013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQRrXWgsU9I/AAAAAAAAGj4/1v52XRowrqs/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQRrXWgsU9I/AAAAAAAAGj4/1v52XRowrqs/s320/014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQRrY4PVB_I/AAAAAAAAGj8/ML0Xwf3AE7s/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQRrY4PVB_I/AAAAAAAAGj8/ML0Xwf3AE7s/s320/015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQRrn9QY8sI/AAAAAAAAGkA/nMfRYjg8yf0/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQRrn9QY8sI/AAAAAAAAGkA/nMfRYjg8yf0/s320/017.JPG" width="179" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We left Book Bindery content and happy as always. Despite the pouring rain, I had a really lovely birthday. Birthdays have always been a little tough for me. Perhaps it's a bit of the spoiled only child I refuse to admit exists within, but they're always a little bit of a let down. Today was decidedly the opposite. B and I had a wonderful day together visiting the Harry Potter Exhibition at the Pacific Science Center, watching a UK basketball win, tasting wine and eating great food. I had lots of amazing birthday wishes and even had the chance to Skype with my two younger cousins who I haven't seen since last Christmas. It was such a nice day. I wish every Saturday was like today... except sunny.</div>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-69229086016432361392010-12-10T19:12:00.000-08:002011-01-07T20:34:19.498-08:00Movin' on up... {Barking Frog}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQLhrlBatrI/AAAAAAAAGjA/CpoMMdYnK04/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQLhrlBatrI/AAAAAAAAGjA/CpoMMdYnK04/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The very best Thurdsay dinners are those with some unique quality setting them apart from all the rest. Last night, two special aspects made the night memorable and even more enjoyable than usual.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>First, we visited a restaurant on the Eastside. We're city people. We're Seattle people. We are decidedly <em>not</em> Eastsiders. While B and I cross the bridge together on a daily basis for work, we also drive back across to our own side as quickly as possible at the end of each day. When I first moved to the area, I was a little confused and amused at the passion people show, not only for their neighborhood, but for which side of the water they live on. I'm not as passionate about my neighborhood as many. I'd just as soon live in Queen Anne or Capitol Hill as Belltown. The more urban areas of the Westside, while each unique in their own way, are all pretty equivalent in my mind. Over the past four years, though, I've adopted a bit of that west-side-of-the-bridge loyalty. <br />
<a name='more'></a><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Since our friends, H and K (and their beautiful daughter M) made the drive into the city the last time we shared a meal, B and I ventured into the unfamiliar territory of Eastside dining at <a href="http://www.willowslodge.com/wine_dine/barking_frog.html">The Barking Frog</a> at Willows Lodge in Woodinville this time. Sharing this wonderful meal with some lovely friends was the second special aspect of this Thursday dinner.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Barking Frog was new to us, but a bit of the pressure was off since H and K had visited before. B and I left work almost an hour before our reservation since we're pretty clueless about the traffic between the office and Woodinville. Despite some fairly heavy side street congestion, we arrived just over twenty minutes early. We're almost always early. That's B's influence more than mine, but I've adjusted. It's actually nice to check in a bit early and just sit at the bar for a few minutes. One of the many wonderful qualities H and K posess as a couple is their timeliness (even as new parents). We make a great group! We sat down right on time.<br />
<br />
The first feature I noticed at Barking Frog was the beautiful round fireplace with seating all around. I would love to either visit with a huge group and take over the whole space, or share a quiet dinner with B fireside. He's a little bit of a closet pyro, though, so I fear I would spend the whole meal talking to myself while he sat mesmerized by the fire. Perhaps the large group is the way to go.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The menu was a bit small, but it was well rounded and we didn't have any trouble choosing the Popcorn Lobster and Prosciutto and Figs to start. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQLh4ZW9nzI/AAAAAAAAGjI/CFyOynE-g3E/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQLh4ZW9nzI/AAAAAAAAGjI/CFyOynE-g3E/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQLh2sMuRNI/AAAAAAAAGjE/UegNQkHDNnc/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQLh2sMuRNI/AAAAAAAAGjE/UegNQkHDNnc/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Service was a bit on the slow side, but I honestly didn't mind since we were having a nice time chatting and it's not exactly the type of meal you want to rush through (we try to avoid those types of meals). Our server was very friendly and just attentive enough. The pace also gave us some time to catch up with our little friend, M.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQLh6Zya7wI/AAAAAAAAGjM/RKautLe4HQ0/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQLh6Zya7wI/AAAAAAAAGjM/RKautLe4HQ0/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>At nearly five months old, she is quite the lady and lovely dinner company. Dressed to the nines in her adorable plaid Christmas dress, she added some polish to the whole table!<br />
<br />
For dinner, B and K went with the obvious manly choice of the pork shank. For those keeping track, this is two Thursday night pork shank dinners in a row for B. Pork shank may have ousted pork belly as B's favoirite part of the pig. I chose the Seared Sea Scallops & Sous Vide Pork Belly and H had Roasted Muscovy Duck Breast. Normally, I try not to invade our dinner companions space by photographing their food, but H and K get it, so I went for it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQLh9M0xzkI/AAAAAAAAGjQ/Y-zGQG9LPHI/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQLh9M0xzkI/AAAAAAAAGjQ/Y-zGQG9LPHI/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQLh-y9l3kI/AAAAAAAAGjU/QgYNjOaqXJE/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQLh-y9l3kI/AAAAAAAAGjU/QgYNjOaqXJE/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQLiA7BgZhI/AAAAAAAAGjY/9dHrZaCzjW8/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TQLiA7BgZhI/AAAAAAAAGjY/9dHrZaCzjW8/s320/012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Everything was wonderful. My favorite bite, though, was probably the polenta and corn with B's dish. I didn't taste a morsel I didn't love, though. The only disappointment was in Barking Frog's dessert menu. If you've read about most any of our Thursday dinners, you know I rarely skip dessert. I have a major sweet tooth. Nothing on their menu really stood out for me, though. Maybe next time. That's the beauty of local, seasonal restaurants. If you don't fall in love with something this time, as long as the quality of the food is high, just wait. Next time, I might find the dessert of my dreams!<br />
<br />
<br />
After dinner, we walked across the parking lot to Willows Lodge and took photos in front of the Christmas tree. Despite the continued torrential rain we've had this week, we succeeded in pulling off a great holiday night with even better company. Hopefully they will join us on many more Thursday adventures to come! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/6429/restaurant/Seattle/Barking-Frog-Woodinville"><img alt="Barking Frog on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/6429/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-41846733487245217352010-12-04T11:55:00.000-08:002011-01-23T15:02:29.709-08:00Thursday Night Dinner... Table for 9! {Urbane}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Last night's Thursday night dinner was the largest yet. With a table for nine at <a href="http://urbaneseattle.com/">Urbane</a>, we increased our largest Thursday dinner by about five. After a brief, but mildly panicked expression of concern from our friend, M, I've decided not to call anyone by their full name and continue in the vein of B. In case you've ever wondered, B is called B by his choice. What's funny about it is that I now find myself referring to him that way in conversations with people who actually know him.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
I've had a two instances of people this week being absolutely baffled by me taking photos of my food. The first was Wednesday when I attended the food tasting for my team Christmas party (which was amazing, by the way). One of my coworkers told me the next day she'd never seen anyone take pictures of food. Thursday night, M seemed at once shocked and confused by our other friend, B², taking photos of the food I couldn't reach from my side of the very long table. Apparently, he had never heard of people taking food photos either. I sort of felt like a novelty... or an oddity. <br />
<br />
Anyway, on to Urbane. It's a little tough for any restaurant to manage a group that large. We all arrived at different times, talked too much and took forever to decide... basically committed all the sins a large table can commit. The team at Urbane handled it very gracefully.<br />
<br />
Urbane's theme is farm to table with a goal of sourcing as much as possible from 30 miles or closer. The menu wasn't elaborate, but it was certainly interesting and there was plenty to choose from. Unusual for a Thursday night dinner, I didn't try everything I have a photo of, but they are worth sharing. If I had to choose something about the experience I didn't love, it seemed like they were out of a lot of items from liquor to food. This definitely put their staff in an awkward position. <br />
Since we arrived out of order, those of us who were a little early ordered drinks. B had a Kuratini and I had a Hemingway daiquiri. I almost don't want to post the Hemingway photo since it's so blurry, but I have to because it's also <em>so</em> wrong. There are just so many problems with a <em><span style="color: magenta;"><strong>pink</strong></span></em> cocktail named after the manliest of men.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPnr1LTrPlI/AAAAAAAAGgk/MjE5R51a2_g/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPnr1LTrPlI/AAAAAAAAGgk/MjE5R51a2_g/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPnr1njEOqI/AAAAAAAAGgo/TqBh9r9IjbM/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPnr1njEOqI/AAAAAAAAGgo/TqBh9r9IjbM/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>For appetizers, we ordered the beef carpaccio, charcuterie plate and oysters on the half shell. I was thrilled that P and his lovely wife, M² shared a dozen oysters with me because B never will.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPnr2Or4kzI/AAAAAAAAGgw/Y9G3jOQ2MKs/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPnr2Or4kzI/AAAAAAAAGgw/Y9G3jOQ2MKs/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPnr2iuh6lI/AAAAAAAAGg0/REg1TmUu21o/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPnr2iuh6lI/AAAAAAAAGg0/REg1TmUu21o/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPnr2xZZmXI/AAAAAAAAGg4/8wDrYpj1uoY/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></div>For entrees, a few folks at our table ordered the pork shank (including B). It tasted amazing, but the portion size was a bit absurd. Really, he didn't need the <em>whole</em> pork shank. I had the half Mad Hatcher chicken which was equally delicious. For sides, we had the skinny fries and the roasted potatoes. It's really hard to screw up a potato in my mind, so if you get it even almost right, I'm happy. These were both very good. For dessert we ordered their Theo chocolate cream pie. It wasn't really my taste.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPnr4HhIS2I/AAAAAAAAGhI/P71bRbgYa-Q/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPnr4HhIS2I/AAAAAAAAGhI/P71bRbgYa-Q/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPnr4j1fx5I/AAAAAAAAGhM/bpx415C1_-g/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPnr4j1fx5I/AAAAAAAAGhM/bpx415C1_-g/s320/012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPnr5MZMHwI/AAAAAAAAGhQ/xJkciG5gxVs/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPnr5MZMHwI/AAAAAAAAGhQ/xJkciG5gxVs/s320/013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>People often joke with me and B about Thursdays being date nights. The fact is, though, we love it when people join us for Thursday dinner. We were lucky this week to have such a large group with us. Next week, we'll be joined by two of our other friends and their daughter. It's so much fun for us to share these experiences with great company. Granted, it's a little nerve wrecking for me since I usually choose the restaurant and if we're true to Thursday Night Bites, it's somewhere we've never been before. If it goes badly and it's just me and B, it's a bummer. If we've brought others with us, I'll feel terrible! Fortunately, Urbane didn't let us down.<br />
<br />
After dinner, four of us continued on to <a href="http://mistral-kitchen.com/">Mistral Kitchen</a> for an after dinner drink. B and our friend, D were very enthusiastic to visit Mistral Kitchen out of love for their favorite drink, the Courting Rachel. The Courting Rachel is a bourbon based drink infused with hickory smoke inside a carafe before pouring it over a hand cut, huge round chunk of ice.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPqMuluA-LI/AAAAAAAAGhc/EF8sdHKoqZA/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPqMuluA-LI/AAAAAAAAGhc/EF8sdHKoqZA/s320/031.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPqMxJ5jn0I/AAAAAAAAGh0/KHHWUI5P3-M/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPqMxJ5jn0I/AAAAAAAAGh0/KHHWUI5P3-M/s320/037.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPqMxVJOgTI/AAAAAAAAGh4/lch_U-aqWYM/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPqMxVJOgTI/AAAAAAAAGh4/lch_U-aqWYM/s320/038.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>You'll notice there's a bit of sunlight in the background of the second photo and B's arm looks a little lightly dressed for winter in the last. That's because this photo is from late Spring. I couldn't take a photo of the Courting Rachel on Thursday night because their smoking machine broke and, rather than replacing or repairing it, they took the drink off the menu. I honestly thought B and D might cry. They both ordered something else suggested by our server and their bartender, but everyone at the table agreed. The new drinks just didn't compare to B's proclaimed "best drink ever." My Moscow Mule was very good, but then again, I love pretty much anything served in a copper mug.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPnr57Jx2_I/AAAAAAAAGhY/z_icWTHDdnE/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPnr57Jx2_I/AAAAAAAAGhY/z_icWTHDdnE/s320/017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPnr5ST6MxI/AAAAAAAAGhU/TLeg6Y9qV9Y/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPnr5ST6MxI/AAAAAAAAGhU/TLeg6Y9qV9Y/s320/016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Aside from B and D mourning the loss of their beloved Courting Rachel, we had a great night at Urbane and Mistral Kitchen with a great group of people. A bit of a rough early morning followed after the late night, but it was definitely worth it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/1425187/restaurant/Downtown/Urbane-Seattle"><img alt="Urbane on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1425187/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/1495089/restaurant/Downtown/Mistral-Kitchen-Seattle"><img alt="Mistral Kitchen on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1495089/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-9218398482438464532010-11-30T20:30:00.000-08:002011-01-05T14:54:02.046-08:00Milestones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nablopomo.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://api.ning.com/files/NJcWQUj3RkwN1p8iypsJ43E5l-tIc9L-n6LZDlME2DWSsSea74mi05DUaALUzMXF/nablo_typer_160px.jpg?width=162&height=162" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is the last day of NaBloPoMo. I am truly relieved. By some miracle, I managed to post all 30 days in November. While I considered (on multiple occasions) not following through on my commitment to myself to complete the whole month, I'm glad I did. As a matter of wrapping up the whole ordeal, here are a few thoughts on what I learned, what I enjoyed and what wasn't the best.</span></div><a name='more'></a><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I Learned:</span></strong><br />
<ol><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Committing to a daily writing habit means it doesn't matter how tired you are, how you feel, what else you'd rather be doing or whether you've been struck in the back of the head by inspiration. You just have to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and go.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Sometimes</em> you can force inspiration. Some of my favorite posts from the past 30 days are those I wrote on days when I swore I had nothing to write about.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You learn more from writing what doesn't work than from writing what does. I knew this already, but I'd forgotten. As I read back over a few of the posts from this past month, I cringe. As long as I can identify some of what caused the cringe factor and try to avoid it in the future, I learned something. I don't really learn much from reading something I wrote and thinking "Hey, that's not bad."</span></li>
</ol><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I Liked:</span></strong><br />
<ol><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The elimination of excuses for not writing. There's often something easier to do than write. Instances where there's something <em>better</em> to do are less frequent.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Writing more means reading more. I was pretty consistently worried I wouldn't have anything to write about the next day. I read more to help think about potential topics and have them in a mental queue. I clicked on more Twitter links, perused my bookshelf, picked up magazines. More reading = More writing</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The guaranteed break in the day. No matter how stressful a work day or chaotic the weather, I knew there would be at least a few minutes when I would stop and focus on something totally different.</span></li>
</ol><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I Didn't Like:</span></strong><br />
<ol><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> On those days when no means of forced inspiration succeeded, I still had to post something. While the forced habit of writing daily is wonderful, sharing it with anyone who happens upon your link when it's not really represenative of your writing is not. It also sometimes caused me to feel like I betrayed the spirit of my blog.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We ate out<em> far</em> too often. We eat out a lot. That's fair. Our higher than usual number of travel days contributed to this as well, but there were a few too many instances of justifying an extra meal out so I'd have something to write about. This wasn't good for our budget or our waistlines. It's time to get that under control again.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Needing subject matter lends itself to negativity. Well, that's not entirely accurate. It's more fair to say that when we had a negative experience, I still wrote about it because I needed the topic. Under regular circumstances, I probably would have just skipped it.</span></li>
</ol><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall, I'm glad I participated, but I'm unlikely to do it again. I'm happy to have proven that I could stick with it to the end and that's enough for me.</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Today marks another milestone in Thursday Night Bites. This is officially my fiftieth post. NaBloPoMo certainly accelerated my path to getting here, but I still can't believe it. To mark the occasion, did I have a four star meal or visit a favorite restaurant? Nope. I was supposed go to a food tasting for my work Christmas party at the Columbia Tower, but there were a couple scheduling complications and we rescheduled for tomorrow night. In some ways, making a food tasting the focus of my fiftieth post would have been a tiny bit ironic. A food tasting, by definition, requires me to evaluate and critique the food. This is the very thing I set out not to do with Thursday Night Bites. Thursday Night Bites is all about the good food experience rather than being a pretend food critic. So, a bit more relief that this is not the food experience I'm telling you about tonight.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Instead, tonight I broke out the stovetop grill again. I think the gray outside is getting to me, but I just have no energy at all. Add my chronic insomnia to the mix and I'm left pretty zapped. I'd planned to attempt shrimp Po' Boys tonight, but those will have to wait for another day when I'm feeling a little more up for it. I pretty much made a variation of the skewers from a couple weeks ago... minus the skewers.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPXKa-ooiRI/AAAAAAAAGfo/5-pB0cYaur0/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPXKa-ooiRI/AAAAAAAAGfo/5-pB0cYaur0/s320/011.JPG" width="179" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I kept it super simple. We just ate them over rice. It was a near effortless dinner on this exhausted night.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And now... you won't hear a word out of me until after <em>Thursday</em> night dinner!</span>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-2294063835637077562010-11-29T19:59:00.000-08:002011-01-07T20:34:56.927-08:00Easing into Monday... {Barrio}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPRuSdNLM-I/AAAAAAAAGfA/O0ynhsHWO8A/s1600/1251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPRuSdNLM-I/AAAAAAAAGfA/O0ynhsHWO8A/s320/1251.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, we've already used up our one dinner out cushion for the week. We have our Thursday dinner planned with friends this week, so between the two, we should be staying home otherwise. We'll see how that goes. We stopped on Capitol Hill on our way home and walked the familiar corridor of restaurants trying to decide what to eat. We had Tavern Law, The Local Vine, La Spiga and Barrio to choose from. I hate to say this about TLV because it was a place we held so close to our hearts in Belltown, but it's just not the same. I'm pretty sure we don't know anyone left working there. It's still very nice and the food is good. It just doesn't have that familiar Cheers feeling to it anymore. We settled on <a href="http://www.barriorestaurant.com/">Barrio.</a> Barrio is a member of the Heavy Restaurant group which also includes Purple (another of our Seattle favorites... Lobster baked Mac and Cheese, anyone?) in various locations around the Seattle area. I hesitate to call Barrio Mexican, though it's more Mexican than any other type of food. It's more modern than just regular Mexican food, though.</span></div><a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">We've been to Barrio only a handful of times in the past. They have an absolutely beautiful bar. I truly think the test of any restaurant is the experience you have sitting at the bar. This isn't a test we'd put Barrio through before, so tonight was the night. They run a fairly early happy hour from 3-6pm. We arrived just about 5, so we had plenty of time to take part. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">B has a usual drink he orders at Barrio, the Kentucky Cartel (Bulleit bourbon, Canela tequila, honey, old fashioned bitters, and Laphroaig). Bourbon, Tequilia and Scotch don't sound like they're meant to go together, but it's really quite good. I had my first Flip, a "There's an Egg in My Flip"(Johnnie Walker Red, Maple, Lustau East India Sherry Solera and a whole raw egg). I had no idea what a Flip was, but when the bartender explained it had a whole raw egg in it, I got a little nervous. He told me the texture was a little different. I asked if it was slimy. He said it was more like creamy. I didn't honestly believe him, but I tried it anyway. It was really, really good!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPRuSz7nqRI/AAAAAAAAGfE/MNV0W6onwEo/s1600/1252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPRuSz7nqRI/AAAAAAAAGfE/MNV0W6onwEo/s320/1252.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">We had a light meal (light as in quantity, not calories) of yucca fries, taquitos and churros. I asked the bartender (whose name I wish I'd gotten since he was awesome) if he knew what part of the yucca they used to make the fries. He didn't. We've encountered yucca fries in the past and I've always wondered. I imagine it's the root. This may not be a pressing concern for many people, but <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yucca">yucca</a> are pretty much everywhere in New Mexico (besides the fact that they are the state flower) and looking at one, it's pretty impossible to imagine which part yields a french fry-like food.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPRuTevPBZI/AAAAAAAAGfI/IeZKR9hTZZY/s1600/1253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPRuTevPBZI/AAAAAAAAGfI/IeZKR9hTZZY/s320/1253.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The taquitos were also great. The guac, cream and chile on the side really made the dish. The churros were super light and tasty.... and really, how could you go wrong with the little espresso cup of dipping chocolate?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPRuXhp5RKI/AAAAAAAAGfQ/lizN7cWTswg/s1600/1254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPRuXhp5RKI/AAAAAAAAGfQ/lizN7cWTswg/s320/1254.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPRuYrMpEGI/AAAAAAAAGfU/_IOCsTPu3ec/s1600/1255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPRuYrMpEGI/AAAAAAAAGfU/_IOCsTPu3ec/s320/1255.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">While we ate, I sat totally memerized by the bartender making drinks. Again, it's a shame I didn't get his name. He was truly artistic in his cocktail crafting, though. He was precise and cavalier all at the same time... plus he had a super cool tattoo of a Corpse Reviver (#1, I think) on his forearm.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Slowly but surely we're building up our repetoire of restaurants open on Mondays. It really does soften the blow to the start of the week. Next up, Urbane at Olive 8 on Thurday... Table for 8!!</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/1344885/restaurant/Capitol-Hill/Barrio-Capitol-Hill-Seattle"><img alt="Barrio Capitol Hill on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1344885/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-21548430091031495512010-11-28T20:26:00.000-08:002011-01-05T14:55:59.567-08:00Family Secrets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPMmMGLJM_I/AAAAAAAAGd8/IvXfxHWA1HA/s1600/IMG_5179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPMmMGLJM_I/AAAAAAAAGd8/IvXfxHWA1HA/s320/IMG_5179.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My mom makes great soups. Potato soup, beef stew, clam chowder, chicken and rice soup.... lots of great soups. Of all of them, though, the only one I've learned to make is her chicken and rice. It's cold outside and we've eaten too much lately, so this sounded like the perfect meal for dinner. I won't share the actual recipe since it's not mine to share. I'm not sure if that's in line with or a deviation from food blog etiquette, but nonetheless...</div><a name='more'></a>It's taken me a couple years to really get it right and for it to be consistent, but I'm finally happy with how it comes out. B loves it despite the onion, celery and carrots. Granted, I'm quite practiced at chopping them into the tiniest of pieces, but it's still impressive when he willingly consumes vegetables of any kind.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPMmMpIhZ4I/AAAAAAAAGeA/oLURjhizcz8/s1600/IMG_5180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPMmMpIhZ4I/AAAAAAAAGeA/oLURjhizcz8/s320/IMG_5180.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPMmRBGPhDI/AAAAAAAAGec/fd1Q-uOs96g/s1600/IMG_5187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPMmRBGPhDI/AAAAAAAAGec/fd1Q-uOs96g/s320/IMG_5187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPMmS6pMdsI/AAAAAAAAGeo/UqcDF4OkbvQ/s1600/IMG_5189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPMmS6pMdsI/AAAAAAAAGeo/UqcDF4OkbvQ/s320/IMG_5189.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>While waiting for the soup to cook, I got brave and decided to try another family recipe. My grandmother wasn't the biggest cook in the world (much like me), but she made the most amazing tortillas ever. Not long after we lost her a few years ago, my mom found a handwritten copy of her tortilla recipe. I remembered this a few weeks ago and asked my dad to send me a scanned copy.<br />
<br />
Tonight I decided not only to try making them for the first time, but to try making them gluten-free. I chose Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour. My dad had already warned me not to mess with the measurements. There's a reason I'd rather cook than bake. I'm not great with precision in recipes. I'm more apt to just toss it all in a pot and hope for the best. This doesn't lend itself well to successful baking. I was really rather pleased that I at least had something resembling real dough by the time all the ingredients were mixed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPMmPejzR9I/AAAAAAAAGeQ/6ayOplBp6D8/s1600/IMG_5184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPMmPejzR9I/AAAAAAAAGeQ/6ayOplBp6D8/s320/IMG_5184.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPMmP0YgD8I/AAAAAAAAGeU/14ffqm9hVcI/s1600/IMG_5185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPMmP0YgD8I/AAAAAAAAGeU/14ffqm9hVcI/s320/IMG_5185.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPMmQdlhKBI/AAAAAAAAGeY/fYfWa9dZxjY/s1600/IMG_5186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPMmQdlhKBI/AAAAAAAAGeY/fYfWa9dZxjY/s320/IMG_5186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>In the end, though I tred carefully with my measurements, they weren't very good. They were edible, but they were shaped funny and I had to make them really small to get them to stay together. I think I'll try out some different blends of flour before trying this one again. Truth be told, no matter how much better they get, they'll never be quite as nice of the memory of eating tortillas at my grandparents kitchen table early in the morning before anyone else got up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPMmSMdZYOI/AAAAAAAAGeg/MO4vOw96D1c/s1600/IMG_5188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPMmSMdZYOI/AAAAAAAAGeg/MO4vOw96D1c/s320/IMG_5188.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-78454734600598168632010-11-27T23:28:00.000-08:002011-01-07T20:55:04.712-08:00Reset {Barracuda Taqueria}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPICls-7AZI/AAAAAAAAGd4/iJjimNpSxC8/s1600/Barracuda.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPICls-7AZI/AAAAAAAAGd4/iJjimNpSxC8/s320/Barracuda.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We have a nearly empty refrigerator. That's a rarity for us, but between all the travel and the snow keeping Amazon Fresh away, it's just cleared out. So tomorrow we'll actually visit the grocery store and restock. Truly, it's good timing. In addition to picking up a few items to make some holiday favorites, B and I just plain need to reset. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Overindulgence has been a bit of an issue lately and we really need to reign it in. The best way I know of to do this is to create a menu that we can stick to predictably. This helps us to limit our meals out to once (and sometimes twice) a week. Tomorrow perhaps I'll share some of what we put on our menu. Tonight, though, as we shared our last Barracuda Street Nachos for awhile, I'm a little more focused on what we won't be eating much of any time soon.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a name='more'></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I got a new laptop this weekend, so I've been looking through my photos getting ready to move them from the old to the new. I came across a few photos from one place that's tough for us to avoid once the weather turns cold: Zeek's pizza. They are a very quick walk away or they deliver. We haven't been in a few weeks, but I know the idea will occur to one or both of us again before long. Between the gluten, the grease and the beer, it's best if we avoid it, but it is always a temptation. When we visit Zeek's, it's always the same order... We have a John Candy, I have the Mixed Greens salad and we share some beer or another. It's all so very good.</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPIBsD7XP7I/AAAAAAAAGdk/aZGZ7JLpfr4/s1600/IMG_4623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPIBsD7XP7I/AAAAAAAAGdk/aZGZ7JLpfr4/s320/IMG_4623.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPIBsl95W_I/AAAAAAAAGdo/R3Prg7WY074/s1600/IMG_4624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPIBsl95W_I/AAAAAAAAGdo/R3Prg7WY074/s320/IMG_4624.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPIBuceD7eI/AAAAAAAAGdw/_Dh2bdi3kKA/s1600/IMG_4626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPIBuceD7eI/AAAAAAAAGdw/_Dh2bdi3kKA/s320/IMG_4626.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPIBvCrZzMI/AAAAAAAAGd0/gxw9pbFTnjY/s1600/IMG_4627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPIBvCrZzMI/AAAAAAAAGd0/gxw9pbFTnjY/s320/IMG_4627.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's hoping tomorrow's grocery reset keeps tempation at bay for awhile and, once we've earned it, I can tell you about our next awesome visit to Zeek's!</div>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-20789780887427123192010-11-26T20:40:00.000-08:002011-01-07T20:35:29.247-08:00And in an Instant, Christmas Arrived {Ruth's Chris}<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPCCbf7yiMI/AAAAAAAAGc0/PIhp3j1CIxw/s1600/IMG_5177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPCCbf7yiMI/AAAAAAAAGc0/PIhp3j1CIxw/s320/IMG_5177.JPG" width="205" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We ventured out into the madness today and shopped in record speed. In just about 30 minutes, B bought a shirt, I bought two sweaters, a rolling pin, two dresses and we bought a Peanuts Christmas tree complete with Linus blanket. The crowds were a bit distressing... at least to me. I blame all the many years in retail, but when I get into situations with that many people anymore, I start to panic. I really can't imagine how I dealt with it for a decade and I'm incredibly grateful not to deal with it any longer... After our shopping adventure, we dropped into Hard Rock and then jumped in a cab and headed home to set up our tree.</div><a name='more'></a>I love the Peanuts. Though I'm not a huge fan of Christmas (again, retail survivor in remission), I love a Charlie Brown Christmas. I mean, really, who doesn't?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0G8XH4WDxP4?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0G8XH4WDxP4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's amazing how quickly we transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Just yesterday, I was sulking over the loss of a family Thanksgiving and last night B and I shared a very nice dinner at <a href="http://www.ruthschris.com/">Ruth's Chris</a>. In a blink of an eye, there are Christmas carols, lights and the Space Needle is glowing with it's sparkling tree topper..</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPCJMIe-E4I/AAAAAAAAGdc/sgVjB62GSiQ/s1600/IMG_5178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPCJMIe-E4I/AAAAAAAAGdc/sgVjB62GSiQ/s320/IMG_5178.JPG" width="179" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I hate to be one of those people who claims to hate chain restaurants. Truth be told, I don't hate chains, I just prefer to support local businesses. In Seattle, we're so fortunate that local businesses abound and, especially in the restaurant industry, it's just as easy (if not easier) to support a local owner than to visit a chain. I'd just rather give my money to people whose names I know than faceless corporations. That said, though, our options for Thanksgiving dinner were limited once we cancelled our reservations at Salish. Ruth's Chris had a spot open, so this is what we chose.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It was both my and B's first visit to a Ruth's Chris. We endured an incredibly scary walk from our place to the restaurant. Both Belltown and downtown were completely dead aside from some very aggressive panhandlers. I was quite relieved when we stepped out of the cold into the warmth of the restaurant. We were a bit early, so we sat at the bar while we waited for our table. B had his usual Woodford and soda. I was sucking down iced tea like they were going to run out. After the brisk and stressful walk, I felt very dehydrated.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Eventually, we were sat at our table toward the back of the restaurant. Though I was feeling a bit sorry for myself for having to eat in a restaurant on Thanksgiving, I felt far worse for those working the holiday. One thing I noticed throughout the meal that drove me absolutely crazy was how inconsiderate and plain rude a lot of the other patrons were. I don't understand how it's even possible to forget that the folks staffing the restaurant you're visiting are people, but apparently many do. No thank yous, no smiles, no general consideration. It's really sad and inexcusable.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Our meal was quite good. I was worried about the portion sizes when I ordered the Shoestring potatoes and received an order large enough to feed a table of six comfortably, but our entrees were much more reasonably sized. B had the filet and shrimp, I had the filet and lobster tail. B also ordered the garlic mashed (which I dipped into) and we shared the desert that came with his meal (cheesecake and chocolate bar). Again, the photos are quite dark, but the annoying people snapping hundreds of flash photos validated my disdain for flash photography in restaurants.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPCC1InGl_I/AAAAAAAAGdA/Aae0BYYTqFQ/s1600/IMG_5169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPCC1InGl_I/AAAAAAAAGdA/Aae0BYYTqFQ/s320/IMG_5169.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPCC2L-SwvI/AAAAAAAAGdM/khlmP-3v3Fs/s1600/IMG_5171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPCC2L-SwvI/AAAAAAAAGdM/khlmP-3v3Fs/s320/IMG_5171.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPCC2jwi21I/AAAAAAAAGdQ/wGdnXI-ze7k/s1600/IMG_5172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TPCC2jwi21I/AAAAAAAAGdQ/wGdnXI-ze7k/s320/IMG_5172.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">We enjoyed a nice meal and, just like that, the Christmas season is upon us. I've committed to trying to get into the holiday spirit this year. We'll see how that goes. I'm looking forward to trying out some holiday baking and enjoying a few holiday parties here and there. Here's to a stress-free holiday season for all!</div><br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/3872/restaurant/Downtown/Ruths-Chris-Steak-House-Seattle"><img alt="Ruth's Chris Steak House on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/3872/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-20890691263641439842010-11-25T18:10:00.000-08:002010-11-25T18:10:34.072-08:00New Traditions and Comforting MemoriesAs it turns out, cancelling our Thanksgiving was the right decision. While the weather has calmed considerably in the city, the roads to Salish are still a mess and the snow is still coming down at higher elevations. It would have been a beautiful dinner with the snow and the waterfall, but we can't be entirely certain we would have made it to that beautiful dinner. <br />
<br />
Since our plans changed, we spent the whole day at home. We'll go out to dinner in a couple hours, but it likely won't involve turkey or stuffing. Normally this combination is something I would really enjoy. Today, though, I admit the extra time at home left me susceptible to a little homesickness and nostalgia. I remember why I wanted to stay busy today.<br />
<br />
I'm thankful for a lot of things this Thanksgiving including the many big family Thanksgivings I've had over the years. I imagine they had the same lovely meal we've had so many years before. My Aunt Linda is always in charge of the turkey, my Aunt Julia, the stuffing. My mom contributes a lot of wonderful dishes, but it's her mashed potatoes and her rolls I miss most today. <br />
<br />
Happy Thanksgiving. May you be grateful for the joys of today and take time to enjoy favorite memories.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">"Forever on Thanksgiving Day, The heart will find the pathway home." </div><div style="text-align: center;">~Wilbur D. Nesbit</div>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-54957503418256795552010-11-24T21:41:00.000-08:002011-01-07T20:35:59.361-08:00Gratitude {Marjorie}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TO3YGwwNNaI/AAAAAAAAGcQ/Wy9nhAADYWM/s1600/IMG_5152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TO3YGwwNNaI/AAAAAAAAGcQ/Wy9nhAADYWM/s320/IMG_5152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It's no secret that I'm a <a href="http://www.marjorierestaurant.com/">Marjorie</a> fan girl. It isn't without reason, though. I was reminded enough of those reasons tonight to merit a second post for the day.</div><br />
We've had a few not-so-great dining experiences lately. We've also had some really, really good experiences. I don't mean to downplay those, but we just haven't been on a roll. One of the biggest challenges of Thursday Night Bites is the risk we take with our time and money choosing a new restaurant every week. I don't mind spending money on a great meal. It's frustrating to continually make a disappointing investment, though.<br />
<a name='more'></a>Our visit to Marjorie tonight erased all traces of our less than stellar experiences over the past few weeks. It sounds silly and a bit dramatic, especially since we don't visit Marjorie all that often (an issue we should correct), but it just feels like home. Perhaps I'm feeling a little nostalgic right now. Thanks to the awesome weather we've had this week, B and I made the decision to cancel our Thanksgiving at <a href="http://salishlodge.com/">Salish</a> and I've been feeling pretty bummed about that. <br />
<br />
B and I have a bit of a difference of opinion about the holidays. I favor Thanksgiving, but I don't really enjoy Christmas. B is quite the opposite. Maybe it's because my birthday is so close to Christmas, maybe it's because I spent too many ugly years in retail, maybe it's because it seems like Christmas stirs up drama, but I'm not a fan. <br />
<br />
B and I made a mutual decision not to travel for the holidays this year and I know it was the right decision, but as tomorrow grows closer, I can't help but feel a little sad watching the holiday season kick off without our families to celebrate with. I really miss my family. Though tonight's dinner wasn't a Thanksgiving dinner, our meal encompassed many of the aspects a great holiday meal should. It was warm, familiar, delicious and comforting. It made me feel better. It made me feel wonderful.<br />
<br />
Our meal was beyond incredible, as usual, but in the interest of honoring my commitment not to write too much about restaurants I've written about in the past, I'll just share a few photos of the beautiful Marjorie space. I'm in love with their beautiful new curtains made by their lovely owner, Donna. She also shared some great tips for making them. I'm looking forward to trying them out for our bedroom.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TO3YFN8_P6I/AAAAAAAAGcE/Uvqk0CbKO5U/s1600/IMG_5149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TO3YFN8_P6I/AAAAAAAAGcE/Uvqk0CbKO5U/s320/IMG_5149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We have so much to be grateful for in life. Truly.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/1524883/restaurant/Capitol-Hill/Marjorie-Seattle"><img alt="Marjorie on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1524883/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-34583078407691998492010-11-24T08:36:00.000-08:002011-01-07T20:36:22.065-08:00"First Thought, Best Thought" We Should Have Gone to Marjorie {Belltown Pub}I follow <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/AdviceToWriters">Advice to Writers</a> on Twitter. Last night wasn't a great night for dining in Belltown. I remembered a tweet from a couple days ago that simply quoted Allen Ginsberg. "First thought, best thought." <br />
<br />
We planned to visit Marjorie last night (I'd had it on the schedule for a couple weeks), but the temperatures in the area are between 7-17 degrees, so we still weren't feeling great about the road conditions given that there is at least one decent hill between us and Marjorie. We were also eating quite late tonight since there was a UK basketball game on tv. We changed our plans and decided instead to visit <a href="http://www.lavitaebella.us/">La Vita e Bella</a>. This is one of our favorite restaurants in the summer. They have a fanstastic patio. The service has always been a little hit or miss, but their food is wonderful.<br />
<a name='more'></a>The same very nice man is usually working. He seats customers and brings water and a bread basket. He also clears the tables, wraps up food to take home. It seems like he does a little of everything. He's always friendly, but last night he was the highlight of our very brief visit. We sat at the table for about 15 minutes completely ignored after he left us with our bread and water. A man behind the bar who I believe is one of the owners (based on the picture on the website) was on the phone for the majority of the time before disappearing. We waited another few minutes before it became obvious that no one was going to come to the table. It was almost 9:30 at this point and we were starving, so we just put our coats back on and left. <br />
<br />
On the way out, the nice man from earlier asked us if "he had helped us yet," gesturing to where the man behind the bar was previously standing. I told him he had not and we would go elsewhere. He seemed very nervous and flustered. I really hope he didn't get any trouble for the whole situation because he really was the only good part of the experience. We were the only table in the immediate area (though there were a couple larger parties around the corner). Especially given we normally love La Vita e Bella, it was quite disappointing to be completely ignored. <br />
<br />
This isn't the longest I've ever waited for ackowledgement at a restaurant. Last year on my birthday, we waited 45 minutes at <a href="http://www.springhillnorthwest.com/">Spring Hill</a> before anyone came to our table. The only reason we waited so long was because we we were out of our element in West Seattle and didn't know where else to go. We've lived in Belltown long enough not to put up with that in our own neighborhood.<br />
<br />
Bundled up again, we headed a couple blocks to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/belltownpub#!/belltownpub?v=info">Belltown Pub</a>. They don't appear to have a website (nor do they appear on Urban Spoon), so I've linked to their Facebook page. We visited Belltown Pub on one other occasion a couple months ago and had a really nice time. The food is definitely of the bar food variety, so we weren't expecting an amazing meal and pretty much got what we expected, but especially for the price, it was good.<br />
<br />
Last night, we were seated right away by a friendly guy who appeared to be the bartender. He let us know that our server, Lisa, would be right over. Apparently, last night was not the night for decent (or any) service in Belltown. Again, we waited and waited. No Lisa. We waited some more. No Lisa. We finally decided to just go home if we had to wait much longer. Our stomachs had basically just given up.<br />
<br />
Eventually, the nice man who seated us came over and asked if he could at least get some drinks started for us. I ordered a glass of wine and B a beer. Just as he was walking away, she walked over to the table. He told her he'd taken our drink order. He brought our drinks and again we waited... and waited. He came back and told us Lisa was a little bit busy and asked if we wanted to order food. He took our order and walked away. A few minutes later, Lisa made her first official appearance and asked if we were planning to order food. We told her our order had already been taken. She told us she'd go find out what she was waiting for. More time passed... a lot more time. Eventually the guy came back (I really wish I'd gotten his name) and brought us our food and B another beer. The only time Lisa actually helped us was when she cleared our plates and brought the check. I was disappointed to see her name on the check since she did nothing to help. She seemed friendly enough, just not particularly interested in us. On our way out, she thanked us as she smoked her cigarette next to the gate to their small patio.<br />
<br />
As for the food, B had Thee Ted Smith (a roast beef sandwich with cheese and two fried eggs on top) and I had the Steak Frites. B loves that sandwich (he had the same last time). My steak was good. The photos are pretty terrible. I think I was a little crabby and starving by then, so I just wanted to eat my food!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TO06r6HtAvI/AAAAAAAAGb0/q29y5c4AQto/s1600/IMG_5145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TO06r6HtAvI/AAAAAAAAGb0/q29y5c4AQto/s320/IMG_5145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TO06950eK5I/AAAAAAAAGb4/iEcyuLItJpc/s1600/IMG_5146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TO06950eK5I/AAAAAAAAGb4/iEcyuLItJpc/s320/IMG_5146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I totally understand that, at least at Belltown Pub, they were likely short handed due to the weather. Either they sent people home because they didn't expect to be busy or some of their staff couldn't make it in. It just would have been nice to hear a little bit of an explanation or an apology from our server. The friendly bartender/host/server saved the meal, though.<br />
<br />
The moral of the story is "First though, best thought." Marjorie was our instinct, the roads probably weren't that bad. We could have at least tested them out. I have a feeling we'll try to make up for it tonight.~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849824105896804237.post-61363946326096854622010-11-23T17:40:00.000-08:002011-01-07T20:36:56.588-08:00Boots in the Bathtub and Other Snow Day Traditions {Macrina Bakery & Cafe}B and I worked from home today. We're lucky enough to be able to do this and not take any chances if the roads are bad. Last Winter was very mild so we didn't have any snow days at all. Two years ago was quite the opposite story. Between snow days and the holidays, we were out of the office for 21 days. If you believe the meteorologists, we're in for a crazy season this year. When it comes to snow, many people in Seattle are extremely critical of everyone else in Seattle's driving, the city's response, Mother Nature, you name it. Then there are those folks who think the snow is no big deal since they grew up in <em>(insert Midwestern or East Coast city here).</em> They get on the roads with all the Seattle drivers and their lack of snow savviness. The results are rarely positive. Why take a chance when this might be what you get?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YmVh56_lz7w?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YmVh56_lz7w?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><br />
<a name='more'></a>I'm very grateful that my experience with last night's snow involved watching the traffic from a safe distance and one (potentially stupid) trip to the top of the Space Needle. Not everyone was so lucky, though. Many endured long, torturous commutes of twelve hours or longer. The stories are all over the news and internet (including one from my friend and fellow blogger, <a href="http://thatguykc.wordpress.com/2010/11/23/how-to-survive-10-hours-on-a-city-bus/">K.C.</a>) serving as reminders that, in Seattle, don't bother trying to tough it out. Get off the road. So off the road is where B and I will stay.<br />
<br />
In the Winter of 2008, B and I started the tradition of walking to lunch at <a href="http://www.macrinabakery.com/">Macrina Bakery & Cafe</a> on snow days. We discovered something today. It's a lot more fun when it's actually snowing. Today's walk was bone chilling and slippery, but minus the beauty of the falling snow. We also got a closer view of the danger on many of the roads.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TOwhmoePRvI/AAAAAAAAGa4/MAGCCH5CEIU/s1600/IMG_5138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TOwhmoePRvI/AAAAAAAAGa4/MAGCCH5CEIU/s320/IMG_5138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We arrived at Macrina early since they are normally totally packed by lunch time. This photo is from one of our visits in 2008, but it gives you an idea of the warmth and coziness Macrina offers as a refuge from the bitter cold.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TOwxrdPn6lI/AAAAAAAAGbY/4WP4w66W8yE/s1600/Macrina.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TOwxrdPn6lI/AAAAAAAAGbY/4WP4w66W8yE/s320/Macrina.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Today's visit was a little disappointing because they hadn't yet received their sandwiches. B had some trouble fnding something he liked on the menu. Their menu is fairly heavy on the vegetables and that's not exactly up his alley. He eventually decided on the pizzetta (Bacon, herb roasted tomatoes, roasted onions, mozzarella, spinach, fresh herbs and extra virgin olive oil) minus the onions and spinach. I had the Scalloped Potatoes (scalloped potatoes with pancetta, Delicata squash, roasted green onions and a trio of cheeses) and a green salad. I mentioned our love for Thomas Kemper Ginger Ale a few days ago. What I didn't mention before was that the love affair started at Macrina. Despite the fact that a warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate would probably be more seasonally sensible, we always have a ginger ale.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TOwhnOj8e-I/AAAAAAAAGa8/MHq2Oitrlvg/s1600/IMG_5139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TOwhnOj8e-I/AAAAAAAAGa8/MHq2Oitrlvg/s320/IMG_5139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TOwhnk-UsAI/AAAAAAAAGbA/L2qNfSecTXs/s1600/IMG_5140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TOwhnk-UsAI/AAAAAAAAGbA/L2qNfSecTXs/s320/IMG_5140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TOwhoRT8-kI/AAAAAAAAGbE/TrAXMpfc7Ls/s1600/IMG_5141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TOwhoRT8-kI/AAAAAAAAGbE/TrAXMpfc7Ls/s320/IMG_5141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Lumps of Sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TOwho90BitI/AAAAAAAAGbI/Rv_Hd_Jmg18/s1600/IMG_5142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TOwho90BitI/AAAAAAAAGbI/Rv_Hd_Jmg18/s320/IMG_5142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TOwhpggQeII/AAAAAAAAGbQ/IXmOhwOV24U/s1600/IMG_5143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TOwhpggQeII/AAAAAAAAGbQ/IXmOhwOV24U/s320/IMG_5143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TOwhqe4-LuI/AAAAAAAAGbU/9SkcupRMRh0/s1600/IMG_5144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rZNrAUtHVPM/TOwhqe4-LuI/AAAAAAAAGbU/9SkcupRMRh0/s320/IMG_5144.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>After lunch we hurried back home to our computers. Condo living has its limitations and lack of a place to deposit wet clothing and boots is certainly not the least of those when one lives in a climate like this. We arrived home, removed our wet boots at the door and prompty deposited them in the bathtub to dry. They will stay there until we retrieve them tonight to make the frigid walk to dinner.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/2396/restaurant/Belltown/Macrina-Bakery-Seattle"><img alt="Macrina Bakery on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/2396/minilogo.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>~N~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06094435651710881991noreply@blogger.com2