Category Archives: Restaurant Review

Nosh the Truck: Seattle Fish and Chips

01 Tuesday Mar 2016

Posted by in Fish, Restaurant Review, Seattle, Uncategorized

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Seattle Nosh Fish and Chips

This might come as a surprise to my London friends, but I am serious when I say that Nosh the Truck in Seattle has better fish and chips. Fish and chips is one of those simple and basic food pairings like peanut butter and jelly, chocolate cookies and milk, and wine and cheese. They go perfectly well together and make up for a very pleasing and enjoyable experience.

I look for several things when it comes to fish and chips. The fish has to be flaky, piping hot, encased in a golden crispy coating. Although the fish is fried, it should still taste light and airy, not greasy. And it has to be perfectly seasoned, with salt, as soon as it comes out of the fryer.

And the chips? The potato fries must be crisp and tender on the inside. The double frying method works best to achieve this.

Both the fish and chips from Nosh lived up and exceeded my expectations. Honestly, I could do without the side of mashed peas, but when in London… (or Seattle).

The next time you see the food truck parked by your office, don’t be put off by the long line (as there’s bound to be one). Do wait and order this British delicacy.

Brunch at Pickle Cafe, Adrift Hotel ~ Long Beach, WA

07 Monday Oct 2013

Posted by in Breakfast, Brunch, Eggs, Restaurant Review, Uncategorized

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We spent the weekend in the beautiful Long Beach, Washington, just under four hours away from Seattle.  This was an especially sunny and warm weekend for our fall, and we appreciated and treasured every moment of it.

I booked a room at the Adrift Hotel & Spa (more on this later) and spent Sunday morning looking out at the beach from the windows of Pickled Fish – the hotel restaurant, located on the fourth floor.

ImageImageImage

I started with a beautiful Bloody Mary, spicy and thick, stirred with celery sticks and garnished with two olives.

Bloody Mary Brunchimg_2320

The food choices were quite obvious.  With the proximity to the ocean, we ordered Crab Cakes Benedict with roasted potatoes (they must have had truffle salt sprinkled on top).  Our second choice was the Daily Frittata with local albacore, chanterelle mushrooms and bell peppers.  The two arrived looking beautiful.  The crab cakes were filler-free, light and sweet tasting of crab.  And then we dug into the frittata, foraging for mushrooms.  Alas, there were none! Not a single bite.  I was quite disappointed, and informed our server.  She didn’t argue too much.

Crab Cake Benedict and Frittata

Instead, she returned with a heaping plate of butter sauteed chanterelle mushrooms.

Mushrooms

And just because we were on vacation, I thought dessert would be in order.  In came the plate with Brioche French Toast, garnished with berries, confectioners’ sugar, whipped butter and whiskey syrup.  The best French Toast I’ve had in a long time.  The bread was thoroughly soaked in the egg custard and soft in the middle, yet still crisp at the edges.  I could’ve gone for an extra shot of syrup.

French Toast Brunch img_2332

Needless to say, we were happy and full.  We spent the next few hours walking and horse back riding on the beach. Oh vacations!

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Dining Around Seattle – Bottlehouse, Bistro Turkuaz, Glassbaby

25 Wednesday Sep 2013

Posted by in Happy Hour, Restaurant Review, Seattle, Wine

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“Where should we eat tonight?” is the standard way Priya and I begin start planning our girlfriends’ date nights.  “How about I meet you at Madrona and we’ll explore the neighborhood,” I answered innocently enough.  And that’s what we did.

We started the tour of the neighborhood with a stop at Glassbaby.  This particular location had a glass blowing studio behind the shop.  We watched the “babies” being made.  Quite amazing!

Which colors would you choose?  I clearly would have gone for a combination of turquoise and orange.  Because each “baby” is made by hand, every one is slightly different.

We strolled up the street and came across The Bottlehouse.  We happened to be there in the middle of their happy hour, so we grabbed a seat outside and waited to order.

Before we had a chance to order, the Seattle windy evening kicked into gear and we swiftly moved inside the Bottlehouse.

For snacks, we ordered a bowl of castelvetrano olives and a selection of cheese with crackers.

I was intent to photograph the food, as per usual.  Photo courtesy of Priya.  I do hope you notice that I’m wearing my favorite Allrecipes color – orange!  In fact, this top was what I wore for my job interview.

Back to the wine, I sipped a glass of rose and Priya cheered to our date with a glass of non-oaked Chardonnay.  Salute!

We left Bottlehouse and headed to Bistro Turkuaz for authentic Turkish food.  I only wish we were more hungry or had more people with us so that we could try a few more dishes on the menu.

For the appetizer, we shared Acuka – a spread made with roasted red peppers, walnuts, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil.  It came with triangles of warm pita bread and one olive.  Oh the spread!  It must have been pureed until perfectly smooth first and then folded pieces of toasted walnuts.  Interestingly enough, Priya and I made a similar spread months ago – check out our recipe.

I couldn’t stay away from lamb, so naturally, I ordered a grilled lamb kabob with a side of tabouli and a green salad.  The tabouli was definitely the star of the plate.  Earthy, chewy to the tooth and flavor-packed with parsley and lemon.  The side salad was dressed (slightly heavily) with pomegranate molasses and olive oil. I should have saved half for lunch.

We resisted a slice of baklava and headed out.  What a fantastic night, filled with the glow of candles illuminated by Glassybaby.  We noticed that many of the stores and restaurants in the neighborhoods were decorated with these, supporting one another and promoting the business.

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Spanish Tapas in Seattle ~ Chico Madrid Restaurant

11 Wednesday Sep 2013

Posted by in Restaurant Review, Seattle, Spanish

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Welcome to the taste of Spain right here, in Seattle, Washington at Chico Madrid Restaurant.  I’ve been lucky to visit Spain twice – once in Madrid and once in Barcelona.  I still remember the crowded, lively restaurants, where you are seated close enough to your neighbors to hear their conversations (and understand them if you are fluent in Spanish).  The hustle and bustle of the servers, small plates coming and going, pitchers of sangria getting empty and refilled…delicious memories!

I have been looking to relive these memories of Spain here at home, in Seattle and came close to it today. My friend Lera and I headed to Chico Madrid for our girls’ night and discovered quite a few tasty bites.
Welcome!  The happy hour offered $1 discount on sangria (red and wine), a mixed drink of red wine and coke or soda, and Spanish beer.  Our server was kind enough to bring out a taste of both red and white sangria, as well as two varieties of red we were considering.  We decided on the $18 bottle of Don Ramón 2012 Grenache/Tempranillo from Spain.
To start, we ordered a plate of olives and Serrano ham.  Interestingly enough, the olives were actually from Italy.  Nevertheless, they were delicious, slightly smoky with a hint of chocolate.  The ham, thinly sliced and drizzled with olive oil melted in the mouth.  The ham came with slices of toasted bread that I believe were lightly rubbed with garlic.

Next, we tried Spanish meatballs and roasted vegetables with Romesco sauce.  Unfortunately, the meatballs were a miss ~ tough and bland.  The vegetables, however, were well seasoned and reminded me of a popular Russian “caviar” dish – a combination of eggplant, pepper and tomatoes. 

We couldn’t pass on the order of Tortilla Española: Spanish omelette with potatoes, onion and aioli.  My preference is to have the tortilla served slightly cold.  This version came sliced into four pieces, garnished with piquillo peppers and anchovies, served cold.  The aioli could definitely use a bit more garlic and salt.

This was one delicious sandwich!  Crusty baguette from Columbia City Bakery was rubbed with tomatoes and layered with thinly sliced chorizo and generous slices of  garrotxa cheese.  I’d love this some day for breakfast or for lunch with lightly dressed arugula salad.
And we didn’t stop there! (Perhaps I should mention that Lera’s friend joined us for dinner, so we were sharing this between three people).  We decided to order Piquillo Peppers Stuffed with Braised Beef Short Ribs.  This dish screamed autumn and winter.  Hearty, filling, rich and warm.  Forget having this as a tapas – served atop cheesy polenta, this would make an incredible meal.

And then it was time for dessert.  A coffee for me, a glass of Cava for Lera (some things never change).  We shared a chocolate-stuffed crepe and De Valdéon blue cheese with Ballard honey.  We should have skipped the crepe and ordered a double amount of the cheese.  The cheese was creamy, smooth and I’m sure went really well with honey (I skipped the honey and enjoyed the bread and cheese as they were).
We might be back one day.  I am hoping to see new items appear on the menu – perhaps more vegetables in simple preparation and a variety of olives along with a few seafood tapas.
To visit:
711 Bellevue Ave, Seattle, WA
206-453-3234
M-F: 7am-close
Sat: 8am-close
Sun: 8am-close

Tilth Restaurant – Dining out in Seattle

18 Thursday Jul 2013

Posted by in Dinner, Photography, Restaurant Review, Seattle

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If you are lucky enough to live or visit Seattle, I strongly recommend you make reservations at Tilth Restaurant (organic New American cuisine).  This is more than just dinner.  Think of it as a culinary experience.  If you can, go in the summer and sit outside, basking in the late evening summer sunshine.  And start your experience with a glass of rose.

There were three of us for dinner (Hi Melissa and Jessica!).  All three adventurous, “good eaters.”  We chose to forego the tasting menu (two+ versions offered by the restaurant) and ordered a la carte, to share.

 

While waiting for the first course to arrive, we sipped the wine, chatted, and enjoyed the amuse bouche.  Then, we buttered slices of bread with homemade butter.  A pretty terrific start to our meal.

Time to eat!  First to arrive: House made Ricotta Gnudi with lardon, fava beans and pequin chili. To follow: Carnaroli risotto with carrot, white truffle and Parmesan.

For the main protein, we shared sous vide Wild Loki Sockeye salmon served on a bed of white corn puree with roasted tomatoes and basil pesto.

Three Mini Duck Burgers with House Made Fingerling Potato Chips, House Made Ketchup and Hot Mustard were up next.

For our last course, we selected Skagit River Ranch Wagyu Short Rib with Corn Cake, Kolhrabi and Lardon.  Our server brought out a complimentary side of Cheddar Spaetzle with Bechamel, Parsley and Mustard Seeds (our server must have loved us as much as we loved her – thank you!)

Dessert came in later, thus the unfortunate photography.  Or perhaps you could explain it by the wine consumption during dinner.  Either way, the desserts were the sweet ending to this incredible adventure, enjoyed to the last lick.  Pictured: Cherry Frozen Yogurt with Graham Cracker, Compressed Cherry and Cacao Nib; Theo Chocolate Ganache Cake with Chocolate Cookie, Cocoa Cream and Sea Salt.

Vegan Fair at Plum Bistro in Seattle

01 Monday Jul 2013

Posted by in Restaurant Review, Seattle

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For this Meatless Monday, I am kicking it up a notch with photos from my recent trip to Plum Bistro in Seattle.  This beautiful restaurant located in the center of the Capitol Hill area serves creative vegan dishes that will please vegan and their non-vegan friends and family alike.  Stop by for happy hour or enjoy a full on dinner. 

Priya and I went to Plum for happy hour.  After we ordered the cocktails and captured a multitude of photos, we shared delicious (by far my favorite) mushroom cakes (similar to crabcakes), an order of sweet potato fries with several dipping sauces, and a trio of sliders.

 
I enjoyed our selection quite a bit, thought might have been still a bit hungry (good thing there was chocolate cake awaiting us back home).  The flavor combintations were creative and bright.  This was not an immitation of meat options, rather a creative way of presenting vegan ingredients.
 
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Do Good, Eat Well, Support FareStart ~ Seattle

06 Monday May 2013

Posted by in Lunch, Restaurant Review, Seattle

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There are plenty of restaurants in the vicinity of downtown Seattle where you can stop by for lunch.  I want to give you a few reasons why you should pick Farestart as your next lunch destination.

Farestart provides on the job training (culinary education) for homeless and disadvantaged individuals

Farestart feeds thousands of homeless and disadvantaged children, women and men

The menu offers weekly specials based on the availability of produce and the season

You can enjoy a special dinner with food and wine pairings prepared by Seattle’s Top Chefs on selected Thursday nights.

So there you go, do good, eat well and support FareStart.


I happened to arrive at the restaurant on a particularly sunny afternoon to appreciate the open space, high ceilings, and light.

The wall of fame displays the photographs of the chefs who cooked at FareStart and plates with the names of donors.

Here are just a few of the core values: sustainability, respect, openness, collaboration and acceptance.

After browsing the menu, I selected fish tacos with corn and bean salad (pictured above) and my lovely lunch friend went for the meat…with bacon…barely cooked.  She was a fan.  However, word of advice – if you are looking for a glass of wine to go along with your lunch, you will be greatly disappointed (just like my friend) – FareStart does not serve alcohol with lunch.

FareStart is located

7th & Virginia
Seattle, WA 98101

Pho Seattle ~ Long Provincial Restaurant

29 Monday Apr 2013

Posted by in Pho, Restaurant Review, Seattle, Soup

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I’m happy to share my latest pho spot in Seattle and it is conveniently located to Allrecipes.com and just a few minutes away from Pike Place Market.  Long Provincial Vietnamese Restaurant has a decor of an upscale place with prices of a hole-in-the-wall walk-up with fast and fuss-free service and bowls of steaming-hot pho.  The menu is lengthy with rice dishes, rice stir-frys and the house specials.  For now, I have been happily dining on pho with rare steak and spring rolls.  Come Spring, I might switch to a cooler side and order a  noodle bowl with lemongrass grilled pork and pickled daikon with carrots.

If you are in the area, be sure to stop by and discover the dishes of Long Provincial for yourself.

Location:
1901 Second Ave
Seattle, WA 98101

Phone:
206. 443. 6266

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Brunch at Stopsky’s Delicatessen ~ Mercer Island, WA

06 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by in Brunch, Restaurant Review, Seattle

≈ 1 Comment

Last Sunday I had the pleasure of brunching double-date style with one of my most food-ravenous friends.  Lera, I’m talking about you.  I picked Stopsky’s Delicatessen for the occasion and headed over the I-90 Bridge with the Artist.
 
 



A bright, casual decor with an enormous wall of family photographs in black and white greeted us at the door.  The service was prompt and friendly.  The waitress didn’t even blink once when the order for alcoholic beverages was placed within seconds of us entering.  Pomegranate mimosa for Lera and blood mary for me.

The Bloody Mary was a piece of art – garnished with a skewer of olive, pickled garlic and cauliflower, the drink was bloody red spicy.  I resisted ordering another one.  Lera’s mimosa came adorned with a booze-soaked apricot.  She refused to let me taste it, and I knew better than to fight her on this one.

The food was alright.  I wish it was better.  Lera and I ordered Latkes Benedict – two latkes patties, topped with sliced pastrami (the pastrami was seared first which was quite lovely, giving it a nice crisp texture), poached duck eggs (upgrade from the regular egg for extra $3) and Hollandaise sauce.

The latkes! Oh how I wanted a crisp potato pancake.  Alas, that did not happen.  The latkes were for the better word gummy. 

The eggs were perfect, buttery, creamy and soft.  I’ll be honest, I’m not sure I tasted the difference between the duck egg and a chicken egg, but it was fun trying.

The boys ordered sandwiches.  The Artist passed the pickle my way immediately.  How I love pickles! And I would have loved to have two or ten more. 

Will I return?  Unlikely.  The company and the bloody mary were clearly the winners at this brunch.  I wished more for the food.  We ended up driving the circular streets of Mercer Island after brunch, looking left and right at over-sized castles on the water.

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2013 James Beard Nominations are in ~ Seattle should be proud!

21 Thursday Feb 2013

Posted by in Restaurant Review

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Great news for Seattle and the state of Washington.  Many of our restaurants are nominated for the prestigious James Beard award this year.  I have been to some of the restaurants on the list, but have a long way to go!  What’s your favorite?  Good luck to local nominees.

Best New RestaurantShanik
The Whale Wins
Outstanding Bar ProgramCanon
Outstanding Chef
Maria Hines, Tilth/Golden Beetle/ Agrodolce
Outstanding Pastry Chef
William Leaman, Bakery Nouveau

Outstanding RestaurantCanlis
Outstanding Restaurateur
John Howie, John Howie Steak/Seastar
Rising Star Chef of the Year
Mark Bodinet, Copperleaf
Chris Weber, The Herbfarm
Blaine Wetzel, The Willows Inn
Best Chef Northwest
Chris Ainsworth, Saffron
Renee Erickson, The Whale Wins/The Walrus & the Carpenter
Jason Franey, Canlis
Nathan Lockwood, Altura
Ethan Stowell, Ethan Stowell Restaurants
Jason Stratton, Spinasse
Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi, Joule/Revel

Salmon Eggs Benedict at Lynn’s Bistro ~ Where to Brunch in Kirkland, WA

05 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by in Brunch, Restaurant Review

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How would you like to start your morning off with a complimentary basket of fresh French pastries?  Perhaps a mini croissant, pane e cioccolata, and a savory scone (French?) with a ramekin filled with apricot jam?  This was exactly how the Artist and I started our Sunday morning brunch at Lynn’s Bistro in Kirkland, Washington.  Ok, truthfully, the morning started with a cup of coffee at home, followed by an oil change, but the other way sounds so much more romantic, doesn’t it?
  
The bistro was empty when we came in, so the service was fast if somewhat absent-minded.  We were never offered beverages, but were promptly informed of daily specials and then left alone to decide.  That’s when the basket of pastries arrived and kept our hunger at bay.

I chose a Smoked Salmon Benedict served on an English muffin with lobster sauce and a side of roasted potatoes.  I snapped a photo of the plate, gave half of it to the Artist and slowly cut the poached egg in half.  The yolk was perfectly golden and liquid.  As it ran out of the white, it soaked into the English muffin and begged to be eaten.  I obliged.  This was the perfect bite.  I could have done without the potatoes, which were unfortunately al dente.  As much as you want your pasta to be al dente (to the tooth), the roasted potatoes should be perfectly tender inside and crisp on the outside.
The Artist ordered a Wild Mushroom Omelet with Gruyere cheese, onion and cream.  The mushroom resembled duxelles and were heavily seasoned with herbs.  The eggs were perfect – light, rich, creamy from both the cheese and the cream – the ultimate!  Sadly, the Artist’s potatoes must have come from the same batch as mine.  
Regardless, our plates were wiped cleaned, the bread basket was picked empty, and we finished brunch with complimentary plates of fresh fruit.
I look forward to coming back to try Lynn’s infamous crab cakes.
Happy day!
214 Central Way  Kirkland, WA 98033

(425) 889-2808


Dinner at Serafina – Friendship Celebration in Seattle

07 Wednesday Nov 2012

Posted by in Dinner, Lamb, Restaurant Review, Seattle

≈ 1 Comment

A dear friend from culinary school was in town visiting me from Washington DC.  She flew in just for a few days, to see me, and for me to meet her lovely 14-month-old daughter.  I was quite flattered, excited, and slightly worried.  What would we do?  Where would we go?  Would Seattle weather cooperate?  Of course, the weather did not cooperate – it was cold and raining.  On top of it all, the weather on the East Coast did not cooperate either, and my friend had to leave a day early to ensure a safe return home.

Meanwhile, I am happy to report that great time was had by all! For our first dinner out, my friend chose a local neighborhood restaurant – Serafina – that serves Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. 

The service was impeccable for both the grown ups and a lively toddler.

We started with a cocktail, a glass of wine, and a complimentary bread plate with delicious herbacious olive oil, spiced up with red pepper flakes.

And we got more bread for the appetizer.

Grilled calamari

Any guesses what this below might be?  It’s a piece of yarn/string that served as a perfect toy for a 14-month old.  There were also copious amounts of dried peas, fish crackers, and two metal restaurant-supply ramekins.

The star of the evening was the lamb shank! Fall-off-the-bone tender, perched on top of cheesy grits.  My friend and I shared, but I probably could have easily devoured the shank on my own.  There, I said it!

And then there was a plate of ravioli with toasted hazelnuts.  The hazelnuts were my favorite part of the dish.  Maybe I’m just not a pasta girl.

My dear friend, I miss you already!  Come back and visit, next time in the summer.
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Pike Place Chowder in Seattle – What’s for Lunch?

04 Thursday Oct 2012

Posted by in Lunch, Restaurant Review, Seattle, Soup

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The other day, lunch plans fell through, and I was left sitting at my desk without food.  Hungry. Sneezing and coughing. I was cold.  I just had pho a few days earlier and was craving a different kind of soup.  Why not chowder? 

I have heard about Pike Place Chowder many times with rave reviews – fresh, creamy, delicious and comforting.  I chose to skip the busy, original Pike Place location, and instead headed a few blocks up to the Pacific Place.


Before I saw the regular menu, I was greeted by a hand-written menu with two daily specials.  Chorizo and oysters?  How could I resist. 

I went for a medium size, sans the bread bowl, and received a complimentary slice of bread and crackers.  The chowder kept warm on my way back to work.  I added a sprinkle of black pepper and a few shots of Tabasco and lingered on the creamy, rich, health restorative chowder.

What’s your favorite lunch spot in Downtown Seattle?
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In the Mood for Vegetarian: In the Bowl Restaurant, Seattle

07 Friday Sep 2012

Posted by in Restaurant Review, Salad, Seattle, Vegetarian

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Oh how delightful vegetables can taste when prepared properly and mindful.  This Grilled Eggplant Salad from In The Bowl Vegetarian Noodle Bistro located in Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle was truly the most exciting, satisfying, and delicious plate of food I have enjoyed in a long time.

The combination of grilled Japanese eggplant with charred green bell pepper and red onions was a lovely, crunchy trio.  The salad dressing shined with slices of citrusy and pungent lemon grass,  sweet basil and cilantro.

 For extra crunch, crispy chow mein noodles were sprinkled over the top of the salad.

The salad also had wedges of tomato and spinach leaves, slightly wilted, intentionally, by the dressing.

I hope to be back!

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Where to Eat Lunch in Downtown Seattle: The Capital Grille

09 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by in Burger, Lunch, Restaurant Review, Seattle

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I was quite excited to be invited to taste the Summer Plates menu at The Capital Grille.  Located just a few minutes away from my work, The Capital Grille was my lunch destination last Friday.  Not wanting to dine out on my own, I brought along my friend Lera who shared this experience with me and offered her culinary expertise on the meal.

The Summer Plates menu allows you to sample “cool and refreshing flavors of the season” by pairing up a soup/salad with the main entree and a side.

Lera and I resisted a complimentary basket of bread and made our lunch selections.


We began with a Carrot Ginger Soup and a Green Salad.  The soup was a major improvement from the last time I have tasted it – punched with more ginger flavor and a beautiful carrot orange color.  Personally, I would’ve still loved more heat from the ginger and perhaps a texture contrast with croutons.

The salad was just that – a salad.  Lera and I agreed that mixed greens and possibly nuts would’ve dressed this salad up from business casual to business.

There was little surprise when it came to the choice for the main entree.  I selected the Seared Scallops with Sweet and Sour Tomatoes.  OMG.  The scallops were fantastic!  Nicely seared on the outside, they were still creamy, and almost milky on the inside.  They sat, proudly, on a bed of Israeli couscous.  A drizzle of juice from a charred lemon rounded up this dish and made me smile.  I would go back for seconds in no time.

My beef loving friend ordered the Wagyu Cheeseburger with Fried Egg and Crisp Onions.  When asked how she would like her burger prepared, she replied with the standard “As rare as possible.”  And that’s pretty much what she got!  I called it raw beef and she loved it! 

For our sides we enjoyed the crisp green beans with tomatoes and shallots and a salad of watermelon with cucumber and feta cheese.

Usually, we would’ve picked out a dessert, but we were so delighted with our main entrees that we decided to stop there.

Thanks again for hosting us for a lovely lunch.

If you would like to taste the Summer Plates at Capital Grille, please visit them at
1301 4th Ave Seattle or at
www.thecapitalgrille.com/locations/seattle
206-382-0900

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Brunch at the Fat Hen in Seattle – Will it Make You Fat?

15 Friday Jun 2012

Posted by in Breakfast, Brunch, Eggs, Restaurant Review, Seattle

≈ 1 Comment

One of the best things about the weekend is brunch!  Alcoholic beverages in the morning, hanging out with friends, crisp fried potatoes, and bright oozing egg yolks.  As much as I cook brunch at home, I love going out for brunch and have someone else wash the dishes.  Last week, my dear friend Lera took my sister and me to her local neighborhood brunch place – The Fat Hen.  Two words – charming and delicious!

We started with drinks – 1 grapefruit with sparkling wine, and 2 rhubarb fizz with a piece of candied rhubarb inside.  A few of us …. I’m not going to name any names, had a second round of drinks before the end of brunch.

While waiting for our main course to arrive, we nibbled on a bowl of delicious cured olives, bathed in olive oil and dressed with orange zest.

I snapped a photo of my Eggs Benedict served on a house-made English muffin with a thin slice of Canadian bacon, hollandaise and roasted new potatoes.  To make it just a bit healthier I requested an addition of spinach to the eggs. 

These tasted as good, or better, as they looked!  The hollandaise was light and creamy, with just enough acidity.  The potatoes were lovely and tender.  And the running yolk ran around the plate, bringing all the flavors together.

Thank you!

Next time you are in the mood for brunch, stop by at The Fat Hen.

1418 NW 70th st. Seattle, WA 98117
hours:W-F 7:30 – 2:30, F 5-9, S & S 8 – 3

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Good Morning, Gourmet.com – Road Trip: 10 Must-Try Seattle Eateries

31 Thursday May 2012

Posted by in Restaurant Review, Seattle, Writing/Publishing

≈ 3 Comments

Ever wonder where to eat in Seattle?  Wonder no more!  Gourmet.com just published a list of 10 Must-Try Eateries.  How cool is that?

What’s even cooler is the fact that I got to contribute to the list and write about one of my favorite Seattle bakeries:  (full link to the post)

What is the city’s best bakery? And what pastry or bread can’t be missed?

Do not be alarmed by the lines that are likely to greet you on weekdays and weekends at Bakery Noveau. Instead, make your way to the counter and order a double-baked chocolate croissant. This flaky, sweet, buttery pastry packed with dark-chocolate decadence is worth every second of waiting and every penny spent. And don’t miss the jewel-colored macarons. My favorite flavor is cassis, with beautiful black-currant mousse between two wispy almond wafers. Pack your sweets in a brown bag and enjoy them on a stroll along Alki Beach with an unbeatable view of Seattle, rain or shine.

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Ever Wondered what Two Dozen Oysters Look Like?

23 Wednesday May 2012

Posted by in Restaurant Review, Seattle

≈ 5 Comments

Happy hours are fantastic!  You save a dollar or two on a drink, perhaps order an appetizer, and hang out with your friends earlier in the evening.  But what happens when a happy hour is for oysters? 

Yesterday, I joined my friend Lera for the Oyster Happy Hour at Whole Foods.  I arrived to two platters holding four dozen oysters, and mistakenly assumed that Lera preordered oysters for the four of us.  Wrong!  As if I haven’t known this girl for years.  The oysters were just for Lera and her boyfriend, Travis.  So off I went to order my own two dozen and a glass of wine. 

The oysters arrived with wedges of lemon, cocktail sauce and a delicious habanero sauce with rice vinegar and mirin. Our group thought it would be great to have a grilled baguette to go along with the oysters. Whole Foods – are you listening? 🙂

I was going to share the oysters with the Artist.  However, once I started slurping these delicious morsels, I quickly figured out that the Artist would have to get his own two dozens, I wasn’t going to share.

I’m not sure if it was the wine or the oysters, but I was quite “happy”, and possibly tipsy, by the end of the happy hour.  Can’t wait till the next one!

Cost of dinner: $22.  Happy hour information:

Oyster Happy Hour from 5pm-7pm! Join us for .69 oysters on the half shell plus wine ($4.99/glass) and beer ($1.99/bottle)! Shuck yeah!

(206) 621-9700
2210 Westlake Ave, Seattle, WA
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