Time to do your research on the two men running for Mayor of Seattle. On October 16th, we hosted both candidates at the Palace Ballroom in conjunction with the Belltown Business Association and enjoyed meeting them in an informal setting. Mike McGinn is on the left in the photo; Joe Mallahan is in the middle, and the moderator, Tim Gaydos, is on the right. I was inspired by their remarks on their hopes for Seattle and was reminded that one person can make a difference in the political process by raising their voice. Make sure you vote!!
October 21st, 2009 | No Comments »
Set aside a sunny afternoon to drive up to the Skagit Valley. There is a wonderful mercantile named Slough Food in Edison that will provide a delicious snack at journey’s end. Proprietor R. John DeGloria opened this wonderful spot a few years ago and has curated a beautiful selection of wines and cheeses. He built a little garden area out back where you can have a pretty picnic. Customers are encouraged to walk next door to the Breadfarm, a bonteous bakery, to pick out a fresh baked loaf to accompany their picnic fare. We bought the Allium loaf which was stuffed full of leeks and caramelized onion, and happily munched away a sunny autumn afternoon.
October 21st, 2009 | No Comments »
Dahlia has been named one of the best places in America for seafood, according to this article on the homepage of msn.com, which says: “The Dahlia opened in 1989, but continues to set the standard for Pacific Northwest cuisine….(in) one of the loveliest dining rooms in Seattle.” Thanks, msn.com! This review makes a pretty nice 20th Anniversary present for Dahlia!
October 21st, 2009 | No Comments »
Finally had a chance to check out the muscat grape sorbet on Lola’s new dessert menu- made from the muscat grapes from the big old grapevine in my backyard (organic! hand picked!). It’s a lovely dessert- delightfully aromatic sorbet served with vanilla roasted grapes in a small pool of lemon-mint syrup (bottom left photo). Garrett just put 3 more desserts on Lola’s menu, so it was my duty to sample all of them. The rich chocolate truffle torte set atop fig puree is served with a drizzle of red wine caramel sauce and topped with a spiced milk chocolate mousse (in the upper right corner of the top photo). There’s also a warm pistachio cake- very sweet and moist- reminiscent of Middle Eastern desserts- that’s served with honey poached Bartlett pears- really delicious, maybe my favorite (top photo). The final new dessert is coffee ice cream served in a cute ceramic pot, topped with a sticky homemade marshmallow that’s been browned with a brulee torch, and served with little sesame coated chocolate chip cookies- a very sophiticated Lola-esque take on ice cream and cookies (photo bottom right). Next time you come to Lola, save room for dessert!
October 20th, 2009 | No Comments »
Check out Vessel’s bustling little bar- lined with suited up bartenders pouring and muddling and shaking all types of special elixers for their 3rd anniversary celebration! Congrats and thanks for the delicious cocktail!
October 20th, 2009 | No Comments »
Check out this enormous pumpkin we have on display at Serious Pie!!!
General Manager, Scott Whited (on the left) needed a little extra muscle power to lift this baby up on the counter! We have these mighty gems on display at all our restaurants, so the next time you are strolling by one of our joints, pop your head inside and check them out! (Wouldn’t Charlie Brown be proud?)
October 20th, 2009 | No Comments »
What’s a wedding feast without a Pig? I always try to sell wedding parties a whole roasted pig at the Palace Ballroom. How could I not have it for my own wedding? Danica, my new wife, found, through the Utah chapter of Slow Food, a happy pig from Christian Christanson. There is something about a whole beast that makes a party! It was also a treat to have Tommy D and Jackie there to help tend the pig, as I was just a little busy.
Editor’s note: check out ET’s tuxedo t-shirt. After all, he is the bridegroom!
October 20th, 2009 | No Comments »
Who doesn’t have a happy childhood memory involving Oscar Meyer? I had to have a picture with my first meat producer. I’m not actually sure that my kids have had the pleasure of an Oscar Meyer product but, I do need to show them the Tanaka family bologna fried rice.
October 20th, 2009 | 16 Comments »
Have you checked out the list of blogs you’ll see as “Blog Buddies” when you scroll down on the right? Here are a few of the fascinating articles I found today by clicking on these favorite blog sites:
Al Dente’s Brad Thomas Parsons writes about an interview with Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs concerning their new blog, food52. After reading Al Dente blog, I went directly to food52 (which is also a “Blog Buddy”) to read more about The Piglet Tournament of Cookbooks. The deal is this: top food writers and chefs act as judge to decide which of 2 cookbooks is the best. (The judge reads each book and tests some of the recipes.)
Round One, Decision One: Judge Daniel Patterson (chef/owner of SF’s Coi) chooses between two New Orleans books, John Besh’s My New Orleans and Donald Link’s Real Cajun. Patterson explains why Real Cajun wins the contest for him. (But I still want to buy both of these books.)
Speaking of New Orleans cookbooks, Nancy Leson has two new posts on her blog, All You Can Eat, about her recent trip to New Orleans (one of my favorite food cities in the world; I’m jealous, Nancy!), one on rice calas, the other on gumbo.
Grist was chockablock with good things today. A few that caught my eye: Tom Philpott’s take on “What Gourmet’s Critics Missed” is the hands-down best thing I’ve read on the demise of Gourmet magazine. “Is Michelle Obama about to take on Big Food” and “Can Jamie Oliver’s Cooking Lessons Cure our Obesity,” both by Tom Laskawy, are two more I plan to read later today. Read the rest of this entry »
October 14th, 2009 | No Comments »
You may not be ready for fall, but Dahlia Bakery is! Here’s a photo of the window (with a little too much reflection on it). Look at the cornstalks, gourds, and the little haunted house!! The caramel corn cupcakes you see on the cake stand are my top favorite. Pastry Chef Garrett says they’re made like a financier cake, but he substitutes ground popcorn for the almond flour. Isn’t that amazing? Plus, the new Dahlia Bakery Holiday Menus will be out soon…. time is flying!
October 14th, 2009 | No Comments »
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