Month: May 2012

Cicchetti kitchen and bar

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Cicchetti kitchen & bar, located on E. Boston St. in Seattle,  is a great spot for small plates with an authentic Mediterranean flare.  Cicchetti, pronounced (chi-KET-tee), means a small snack or plate of food.  Think Venice, Italy.  It is located behind Serafina, its big sister.  The restaurant/bar layout, air flow, a wood-fired oven, rustic/artistic decor, and a little outdoor seating gives this space a great neighborhood feel.  The service (Tyler) was great and I especially liked the open kitchen to view the hustle and bustle.

Happy hour is served 5 pm to 6:30 Tuesday through Friday.  The kitchen and bar are open late. Cicchetti also has DJ’s that spin a variety of genres on “Vinyl Night”.  Cooking classes are held here as well.  You might want to keep this location in mind for a private event, rehearsal dinner, and more.  Check out their website at http://serafinaseattle.com/cicchetti/ for more info.

We enjoyed a sampling and can recommend the following:

  • Fried Pecorino
  • Pizza Margherita (liked the olive oil drizzled on top)
  • Charred octopus with chickpeas, salsa verde, taggiasca olives & caramelized cauliflower
  • Arancini (Risotto fritters)
  • Spanish style chocolate mousse with Partanna extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and crostini
  • Prosecco

Make an evening of it or stop in prior to a show!  We are glad we stopped. stayed. enjoyed.

The flow’rs are bursting…

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“How fair doth Nature
Appear again!
How bright the sunbeams!
How smiles the plain!
The flow’rs are bursting
From ev’ry bough,
And thousand voices
Each bush yields now.
And joy and gladness
Fill ev’ry breast!
Oh earth!–oh sunlight!
Oh rapture blest!
Oh love! oh loved one!”
– Goethe, May Song

Russell’s and Woodinville Wine Tasting

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Looking for a way to spend your Saturday?  No need to look further.  Located in Woodinville, WA there is a plethora of wineries for your tasting pleasure.  And looking for a delicious meal to cap off the day (or to enjoy another)?  Russell’s is a tucked away gem in Bothell.  Russell Lowell is known for creating fine fare, providing a great selection of Northwest wines, catering, and more.  http://www.russelllowell.com/

Not only does Russell’s cater, they have a cafe at Molbak’s, a beautiful loft “The Loft” for weddings and events, and it hosts a Winemaker Dinner Series every month.  View the website for the schedule.  My definition of the decor is Pacific Northwest, classic, rustic elegance – love it!  Russell’s serves breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday and dinner every night of the week, except Monday.  Russell’s menu is varied and speaks Pacific Northwest.  On this night, our party’s mouth-watering choices included the Classic Chopped Caesar Salad (satisfying), New Bedford Sea Scallops (fabulous), Gorgonzola and Walnut Ravioli (rich and delectable), Grilled Salmon, Double Cut Pork Chop, Pan Seared Chicken Breast, and more (a little bit of everything, eh?)  The bread served with the balsamic dipping oil was especially flavorful.  The corkage fee of $10 was appreciated.  The recommended dessert of the evening was the Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp (seasonal).  I will definitely be back!

And while you are in the area, why not take in some wine tasting at the numerous wineries and tasting rooms in Woodinville?  Picnic. Enjoy the outdoor seating. Cool off in the cellar. Learn something new.  Take a bottle (or a case) home with you.  http://www.gotastewine.com/woodinville-wineries.php

Fiesta 5k Ole! and Taco Truck Challenge

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Cinco De Mayo on May 5th brought food and fit together!  A great way to start May off, right?  This is the first year for the Fiesta 5k Ole and the second annual 107.7 The End Taco Truck Challenge. http://www.fiesta5kole.com/   Both took place at Volunteer Park in Seattle.  The run/walk started and ended at the park and wound through the historic neighborhoods nearby.  Watch your footing here as the pavement/roads are not the best, but it was nice first year for this event.  The event benefited the HopeHeart Institute http://www.hopeheart.org/.  A margarita garden opened right after the race and the taco trucks opened for business shortly thereafter.  The top three finishers (men’s and women’s categories) received awards and the best costumes also won a prize.  Costumes consisted of ponchos, moustaches, sombreros, an inflatable Corona bottle, lime/pepper fiesta beads, maracas, and someone carried a pinata too.  Live music started around 1:30 pm with the event ending at 9 pm.  Those participating in the event received a white Fiesta 5k Ole t-shirt. Snacks and water were available after the run.  Sponsors were on hand with samples and information.

The 107.7 The End Taco Truck Challenge had a good selection of vendors/mobile trucks to satisfy your taste buds.  These included El Camion (the Challenge favorite), Contigo Modern Mexican, Here and There, Taquiera La Fondita, Lumpia World, Skillet, Charlie’s Buns ‘n Stuff, Snout & Co., Athena’s, Fusion on the Run, Streetzeria, and more.  As the lines were quite long for El Camion, we enjoyed samplings from Lumpia, fish tacos from Here and There, and Tres Quesos Gordita along with Carnitas Rojas and Short Rib tacos at Contigo.  I overheard that the Cuban Sandwich at Snout & Co. was quite good.

Some walking/running events have already come and gone, including the MS Walk (www.walk4ms.org),  but others are right around the corner.  Check out http://www.runningintheusa.com/race/List.aspx?Rank=Month&Month=5&State=WA&Page=1 for a list of events in Washington State.  This site will allow you to sort by type of race, month, etc…

Month of May

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The month of May is the start of the festival season, the summer concert calendars have just been released, it’s a month of planning and one with so much to do.

There is a plethora of things to do this month – here is a sampling of ideas:

  • Apple Blossom Festival through May 6th in Wenatchee
  • Opening Day of boating season – May 5th
  • Watch the Kentucky Derby or take in a race at Emerald Downs
  • Gig Harbor Beer Festival – May 12
  • Spring Barrel Tasting, Lake Chelan – May 19-20th
  • The Mobile Food Truck Rodeo – May 6th – Fremont Studios
  • ’49er Days – May 11-13th in Winthrop
  • May 18th – Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980 – plan a trip
  • Penn Cove Water Festival, Coupeville – May 19th
  • 41st Annual Methow Valley Rodeo – May 26-27th
  • Rhododendron Festival, Port Townsend May 14-19th
  • Columbia River Wine and Pear Festival – May 19-20th, Hood River, OR
  • Market Flower Festival begins at Pike Place Market
  • 43rd annual University District Street Fair – May 19-20th
  • Viking Fest – May 18,19,20th, Poulbso and Kitsap County
  • Camano Island Studio Tour – always on Mother’s Day weekend – this year May 11-13 with an encore weekend on the May 19-20.  This is a nice event…drive around to various studios/homes –  a wonderful variety of art
  • Nordstrom Beat the Bridge to Beat Diabetes walk/run – May 20th
  • Celebrate Cinco de Mayo on May 5th – http://seattle.cbslocal.com/2012/04/18/best-cinco-de-mayo-activities-in-puget-sound/
  • Pike Place Market – Seattle Cheese Festival, May 19-20th
  • Market Flower Festival begins at Pike Place Market
  • Summerfest May 26-28th in Long Beach
  • Northwest Folklife Festival at Seattle Center – Memorial Day weekend

Enjoy!