Volterra Restaurant – Kirkland

Volterra Restaurant is a fairly new gem of a restaurant in Kirkland.  The original Volterra is located in Ballard and is still a major draw for foodies in the Puget Sound area.

Volterra in Kirkland is located on Kirkland Ave and parking can be found in the parking garage close to/behind the restaurant as well as on the street and neighboring lots nearby.  The feel of the restaurant was almost European like with the exterior restaurant walls being windows, letting the natural light in. Our server was quite knowledgeable (has been to Italy before) and provided excellent service.  The bar has a nice variety of seating options and is located on the other side of the restaurant from the dining room.  We were fortunate to visit at brunch/lunchtime and found that the menu to be varied and enticing.  To get an idea of the menu options, check this out:  Wild Boar Sausage Benedict, Chestnut Pancakes, Duck and Yukon Gold Potato Hash, Dungeness Crab Ravioli, Roasted Eggplant Pouches, Gorgonzola Burger, Open Face Porchetta, Roasted Beet and Arugula Salad… and more.  Our party ordered a Bellisimo Bloody Mary and White Peach Thyme Bellini’s to drink.  The brunch items chosen were:

  • Wild Mushroom and Truffle Scramble – topped with Fontina, arugula and white truffle oil.  Served with Volterra hash browns.
  • Pear and Gorgonzola Frittata – White wine poached pear, Prosciutto and Gorgonzola Dolce.  Served with Volterra hash browns. (see photo below)
  • Milano! Milano! – Savory herb bread pudding topped with 2 eggs any style, asparagus tips and smoked Gouda cream  (can add Ham or Bacon).

Although all entrees were enjoyed thoroughly, the hit was probably the Milano! Milano!  It’s unique and flavorful.  They are also known for their Fennel Salt.

http://volterrakirkland.com/

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Le Grand Bistro Americain

This gem of a restaurant at Carillon Point in Kirkland, WA is sure to please.  The visit took place nearly six months ago, yet I thought it worthy to mention.  Le Grand Bistro Americain serves up great views of Lake Washington, parking, service, and French/American style steaks, raw bar, and more.

Le Grand Bistro just happened to be the restaurant of choice during last October’s Seattle Restaurant Week. http://seattletimes.com/seattlerestaurantweek/ It also has participated in http://www.dinearoundseattle.org/ The evening started out with a Bordeaux ~ ch. le graves barrau ’06, Cabernet – Proletariat and a bubbly – Dom. Carneros Brut ’06  and then we moved on to the 3 courses for $28 options.  We were very impressed with how the manager stepped in to assist with service when everything was happening at once (it got busy!)

All choices made were enjoyed completely:

Wine – Cabernet Proletariat

Appetizers –

  • Oysters on the Half Shell four, with mignonette
  • Chef’s Soup
  • Charcuterie (Choice of 2) rillauds, country pate, jambon cru, rillettes

Entrées –

  • Moules Frites mussels steamed with white wine, bacon, parsley, touch of cream, served with french fries  A suggestion:  wear a bib 🙂
  • Boeuf Bourguignon stew of beef with bacon, red wine, pearl onions and mushrooms

Desserts –

  • Glaces
  • Creme Brulee
  • Fromages (Choice of 2) comte, delice de bourgogne, bleu de basque, ossau iraty, cirrus

Check out the menu options for happy hour, lunch, dinner, and how about brunch? It looks delicious!  http://www.bistrolegrand.com/menus/

Among the Pines…

One kind word can warm three winter months. ~Japanese Proverb

I frequently tramped eight or ten miles through the deepest snow to keep an appointment with a beech-tree, or a yellow birch, or an old acquaintance among the pines.  ~Henry David Thoreau

 

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February Adventure Awaits

February is a month that allows you to get out and experience a host of different avenues… whether it be to catch the Superbowl at a local establishment, go snowshoeing, or take in a wine and chocolate festival.  A number of options are:

  • Just missed the Enumclaw Wine & Chocolate Festival, Feb 1-2…I attended… but if you didn’t, maybe next year?
  • Seattle Wine and Food Experience, Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, Jan 24
  • See Cirque du Soleil’s Amaluna at Marymoor Park
  • Start thinking about registering for your favorite marathon, walk or dash
  • 2013 Northwest Flower & Garden Show, Washington State Convention Center, Seattle, Feb 20-24
  • Have you checked out an Everett Silvertips game yet this Winter?
  • Visit a museum or art gallery – try the Bellevue Art Museum’s (BAM) Biennial 2012: High Fiber Diet which continues through Feb 24
  • Seattle RV & Outdoor Recreation Show, CenturyLink Field and Event Center, Feb 7-10
  • 2013 Seattle Home Show, CenturyLink Link Field and Event Center, Feb 16-24
  • Take in a restaurant this month or have someone in for a nice dinner.  Did you hear that Rover’s is set to close in April?
  • Check out a Wine & Chocolate Festival this month.  Decide where you want to go… Yakima, Lake Chelan, Olympic Peninsula and more… Feb 9-10 or 16-17
  • It’s a great month for a snowshoe hike or cross-country skiing – visit the Washington Trails Association site for ideas
  • In the mood for a movie?  Plenty to choose from this month – action or maybe a love story?
  • Enjoy!