Food & Drink

August in Washington

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August is typically the warmest month of the year in Washington State.  What to do?  Check out these suggestions:

  • Watch the 2012 Summer Olympics!
  • Sandcastle Championships, Aug 16th – Sept. 6th, Federal Way
  • Tomato Battle, Aug 11th, Pyramid Alehouse in Seattle
  • Watch the sunset from Queen Anne Hill
  • Anacortes Arts Festival, Aug 3-5
  • Walk Golden Gardens
  • Poverty Bay Blues and Brews Fest, Aug 25, Des Moines
  • See June and July for other “generic” ideas
  • Whidbey Island road trip
  • See “Rent” at the 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle
  • Olympic Music Festival, Quilcene
  • Camlann Medieval Village Summer Festival, thru Aug 26, Carnation
  • Port Townsend Blues & Heritage Fest, running thru Aug 5th
  • Evergreen State Fair, Aug 23 – Sept 3, Monroe
  • Art in the Garden, Aug 25-26, Bellevue Botanical Garden
  • Omak Stampede, Aug 9-12, Omak
  • Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival, Aug 11-12
  • Taste of Edmonds, Aug 10-12
  • Lake Chelan Fine Arts Festival, Aug 17-19
  • Tacoma Maritime Fest, Aug 25-26
  • Doe Bay Fest, Aug 9-12, Orcas Island
  • Seafair Fleet Week, Aug 1-5, Seattle
  • Seafair Air Show & Hydroplane Races, Aug 3-5, Seattle
  • Concerts at the Mural, Aug 3-24, Seattle Center
  • Pierce County Fair, Aug 9-12, Graham
  • Snoqualmie Railroad Days, Aug 17-19
  • Go Camping!
  • and so many more…

Summer Concerts at Chateau Ste. Michelle

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If you’re like many of us, summer isn’t complete without an outdoor concert.  It might be a free concert in the park or a concert at a casino, the fair, an amphitheater, or in this case, at a winery.  From June through September, Chateau Ste. Michelle has a jam-packed schedule.  2012 is bringing us a variety of acts, such as Chris Isaak, Earth Wind & Fire, Blondie and Devo,  Steve Miller Band, Chicago, and more.  Check out the full line-up at http://www.ste-michelle.com/ and click on Events, Summer Concert Calendar, Concert Calendar.  Also, see the Concert FAQ’s.

High back chairs are allowed in the high back chair area (which is open to everyone and yes, there are signs).  It didn’t seem to matter too much as people are standing, dancing, or you are situated so far back that you may not see much detail of the stage anyway.  Parking is available on site for $5 or there is free parking down the street (shuttles are made available).  The concert will go on…rain or shine, so come prepared with the appropriate gear and clothing.

Get there early to get your spot!  The doors open two hours prior to the start of the show (around 5 pm for many of the shows).  On this evening, we went to see Earth Wind & Fire.  They had a comedian on around 7 pm and they did not come out until 8:15 or so.  Even if you bring a picnic and chat with friends, I found that it was a really long wait, especially if you get there early.  Speaking of food…going to Chateau Ste. Michelle for a show allows you the opportunity to go all out!  Many bring a short table or blanket, picnic items, and even full-course meals!  I think it adds to the experience to bring a smorgasbord of options – a sandwich, salad, cheese, crackers, bread, chocolate or whatever suits your fancy.  If that doesn’t work for you, there are a number of options for purchase (fish & chips, pizza, sausages, salad, kabobs, ice cream, and more).  To drink?  water, juices, coffee and of course, Chateau Ste. Michelle wines.  Wine can be purchased in the wine tent as well as the gift/wine shop (open prior to the concert).  They will provide plastic glasses if you didn’t bring your own wine glass.  Someone sitting nearby mentioned that they sell approximately one bottle per person (which means many purchase more than that), which figures out to around 4000 bottles for each concert (depending on the show).  Now that is a profit!  I’m not giving a thumbs up on much of their portfolio, but I can say that I have enjoyed some of their specialty and low production wines  from time to time.  You will also find your own entertainment by watching those around you (some after a bottle or two)… cutting a rug!

If you are interested in more information about Chateau Ste. Michelle, their special events, and more… visit their website or visit Chateau St.e Michelle in Woodinville, WA.  If you visit, you will find that the winery grounds are beautiful, there is a nice gift shop, take a tour for some history and wine making info…you’ll discover more about Chateau Ste. Michelle.   If you have never been to a concert here, it will be hard not to enjoy it!

Seattle International Beerfest (and La Conner)

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The Seattle International Beerfest was held July 6 – 8th at the Seattle Center. Over 200 beers from 16 countries were served, including some from right here in the Pacific Northwest.  Do you have a favorite style of beer?  I typically like an Amber, Red or ESB….which was hard to find at the SIB.  I did find that I liked Hopworks DOA, Chimay Red, and a few others.  If you like a Belgian style or IPA beer… then you are in luck!!!  Check out the Beers list (and an interesting Glossary) at  http://www.seattlebeerfest.com/   Did you miss it this year?  If so, how about a road trip?  The Portland International Beerfest is July 20-22, 2012.

The SIB was located at the Fisher Pavilion and lawn area (and yeh, there were indoor restrooms!).  Bottles were inside and drafts were outside (in tents) on the lawn.  This turned out to be a good spot for the festival.   Also, there were a number of “beer gardens” that served $3 pints of Pilsner Urquell.  I put quotes around the beer garden because they were open and you could take the pint anywhere within the festival.  Additional tickets were $1 each.  Bring your own lawn chair (or blanket) if  you are interested in sitting OR get there early so that a table is found.  It seemed that those that got the seating early, typically stayed there for long periods.  Food/snacks were aplenty… Skillet, Pagliacci Pizza, Dante’s Inferno Dogs, Pretzelwagen, Rancho Bravo Tacos & BBQ, and more.  Mt. Townsend Creamery was serving a pickle on a stick and cheese on a stick (olives, salami too).  Music played.  There was also jerky, kettle corn, and nuts to buy.

Would I go again?  More than likely.  Although, I must admit I am partial to the Western U.S. craft beers.

La Conner – see July 2010 and 2011 postings for info!  I think they are accurate and will not expand this time on the always all-around fabulous Hellams Vineyard and La Conner Channel Lodge.  This visit… happy with my purchases – a necklace at Cottons http://cottonslaconner.com/  and the moose and bear ornaments at Red Door Gifts.  Not so excited about the mussels from a “pub” in town. I found a few new stores, visited the tried and true, and am sorry to see that some are no longer there.   Always enjoyed is a stop at Snow Goose Produce for bread, jam, and whatever else strikes my fancy.

Jammin’ July

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There is so much to do in July that this is only a mere selection…

  • Bellevue Family Fourth, Seattle Family Fourth…and more, check your local events calendar and enjoy!  
  • Seattle International Beerfest, July 6-8, Seattle Center
  • Take a whirl on the new Seattle Great Wheel, Seattle waterfront
  • Kirkland Uncorked, July 20-22, Marina Park in Kirkland
  • Kirkland Classic Car Show Cruise In and Dance, July 28-29, Downtown Kirkland
  • Red Rooster Route Days, July 21-22, Arlington
  • Bellevue Arts Museum Arts Fair, Bellevue Festival of the Arts, Sixth Street Fair, July 27-29
  • Seafair, July 7 – Aug 5, Seattle
  • Seafair Indian Days Pow Wow, July 20-22, Discovery Park, Seattle  (SORRY – Cancelled for 2012 due to not enough financial resources – too bad!)
  • Kent Cornucopia, July 12-15, Kent
  • Mill Creek Festival and Street Fair, July 14-15, Mill Creek
  • Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival, July 14-15, Walla Walla
  • Renton River Days, July 27-29, Renton
  • Comcast Bite of Seattle, July 20-22, Seattle Center
  • Sequim Lavender Festival, July 20-22, Sequim (and the Sequim Arts Studio Tour)
  • Torchlight Parade, Downtown Seattle, July 28th
  • Chinatown-International District Summer Festival, July 14-15th, Seattle
  • Seattle Wine Awards, July 22, The Rainier Club
  • Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival, July 20-22, Winthrop
  • Could the weekend of July 20-22 get any busier?
  • Whale Watching… Mystic Sea Charters is a fine choice
  • Concerts abound at Chateau Ste Michele
  • Loganberry Festival, July 21st, Greenbank Farm, Whidbey Island
  • and SO MUCH MORE…

Lunchbox Laboratory – Bellevue

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Lunchbox Laboratory – delicious, comforting, juicy, eclectic, gourmet.  I know I will definitely be heading back to Lunchbox Laboratory, with an empty stomach… and will try the Dogsticks and the skinny fries.  There is a happy hour menu as well as a separate kids menu.  The main menu offers a number of appetizers, salads, a slew of burgers (Lunchbox Original Burgers and Build Your Own Burger), Hand-Dipped Shakes (some with booze), a nice selection of innovative cocktails, dessert, and a bit more.  A suggestion?  Maybe more game day type snacks.  There are weekly experiments…food and drink (like The Upstate New Yorker or The Miami Heater).  What did we try for our first visit?  On this night, we started with cocktails and crispy tots and then we built our own burgers…  I chose the Super-beef  patty and my husband (the Dork, he said), as he chose the Dork patty (Duck,Pork combo). 🙂  See pics below.  The burgers come with lettuce, tomato, pickle, and onion…and then you have choices of numerous sauces, toppings, patties, bacon, and cheeses (extra charge for some).  Also, you get a choice of a side… like skinny fries, sweet potato fries, mac & cheese, crispy tots, potato salad, and chips.  And yes, you will use lots of napkins.  All this deliciousness will cost you approximately $13-20 per burger – and well worth it!

Vegetarian?  Or looking for an other alternative?  Well, they got that too!  Choose a bean patty or maybe a pan-roasted turkey?

So remember to come hungry…because you’re going to need it.  Located in the Elements building in Bellevue off 112th – Open 11-11 daily.  Deck seating.  To follow the restaurant name, there are a variety of lunch boxes adorning a wall or two (a wish of mine would be to find a Welcome Back Kotter lunchbox).  Check out the About Us page on their website for more interesting info and facts.  And how about seeing what these delicious concoctions look like? View the Photos page.  Mmm Mmm!   Hard not to love! http://lunchboxlaboratory.com/bellevue/

How To Cook A Wolf

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How To Cook A Wolf is one of four of Ethan Stowell’s Seattle area restaurants.  It exemplifies fresh ingredients…whether it be Scallops, Proscuitto di Parma, Pork Belly or those ingredients that decorate the plate, like peas, sultans, mushrooms, and more.  The pasta is handmade daily.  Located atop of Queen Anne hill, it offers a small outdoor dining and a window/door that opens to let the light in for the rest of us.  Choose a table or sit at the bar.  The decor is northwest, rustic, simple.  I appreciated the cork, slate entry, stone, wood walls/ceiling, and metal.

The plates are meant to be shared, so order a variety and share, share, share.  Our party enjoyed the following plates on this visit:

  • Bruschetta – Eggplant Caponata, Smoked Branzino
  • Beets – Arugula, Panzanella, Ricotta
  • Baby Greens – Toasted Pistachio, Roasted Shallot, Sultans  (favorite dish #1)
  • Spring Legumes – Soft Boiled Egg, Bacon, Pecorino-Toscano
  • Striped Bass – Sea Beans, Mussels, Radish
  • Scallops – English Peas, Bacon, Beech Mushroom (favorite dish #2)
  • Tagliarini – Spring Onion Pesto, Hazelnuts, Pangrattato
  • Gnocchi – Peas, Morels, Parmigiano
  • OK to skip the dessert, instead try (see below):
  • Limoncello.  Wine.  Prosecco.

A bit of a gem I would say.  Open daily 5 – 11 pm.  Reservations recommended.  And what else is on the menu?   “Ethan Stowell’s New Italian Kitchen” cookbook.  http://ethanstowellrestaurants.com/howtocookawolf/

Next @ESRseattle stop?  Tavolata.

Flat Iron Grill – Issaquah

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Flat Iron Grill is located at Gilman Village in Issaquah, WA.  This treasure serves up a mix of fresh dishes with a team that does it up right.  It is great for an evening out (maybe a weeknight if you’re taking your time) or a Friday or Saturday if you’re heading to a show (like we were… The Producers at the Village Theatre).  The patrons are a mix of regulars and first-timers.  I could tell you about the decor and vibrancy of the restaurant, but I couldn’t say it any better than the About Us page at http://www.theflatirongrill.com/

The menu has a nice variety of fresh, northwest, creative dishes.  It consists of a great selection of starters, entrees, and yes, dessert.  What really stood out for me was the freshness of the dish… halibut with spring onions, pickled rhubarb, pea shoots & green garlic butter sauce.  The black cod with a maple marinade, red wine beluga lentils & arugula was a hit as well.  A side of fingerling potatoes with sea salt was enjoyed.  Every dessert that passed our table looked appetizing.  And how about the whiskey library?  Quite the selection.

I would say those removing plates from the table were a bit eager; but overall, an excellent choice.  Be sure to ask what the specials are, as they will have some tempting options to choose from!  Lunch, Dinner, and Happy Hour.  I’m looking forward to the next time.  Reservations are recommended.

Wine Tasting in Red Mountain and the Tri-Cities

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Is the cooler, rainy June of the west side of the getting you down?  Well, check the weather and think about heading east of the Cascades?   An escape to Richland, WA and/or Red Mountain just might be the ticket.  Wine tasting and summer activities near the Columbia River… a mix of Spring Break and a weekend in wine country.  Set up a tour of a winery, and/or the vineyards, go on your own or with a group.  This is a true within four hours reach trip as it is approximately 3-1/2 hours from the Seattle area via I-90, I-82 and I-182.

Richland, WA is part of the area known as Tri-Cities, which includes Kennewick and Pasco and the Red Mountain AVA in Benton City is just a few exits away.  There is a variety of lodging options and activities for friends or for the whole family.  Are you making it a two or three-day weekend?  If you are making a three-day weekend, there are plenty of stops along the way, including Suncadia http://www.suncadiaresort.com/ and/or Prosser.   Prosser Vintner’s Village is recommended, especially if you have not been before.  http://prosservintnersvillage.com/

Looking for a bite to eat?  Anthony’s at Columbia Point is an always popular option.  How about a cheese plate at one of the wineries?  The Fromage plate at Col Solare is a real pleaser.  Figs and dried apricots accompany a nice selection of fine cheeses.  JBistro is located at J. Bookwalter Winery and is a great stop for an afternoon bite with some nice vino.  JBistro has a great full-service outdoor patio as well as indoor seating and a tasting bar.  They were most accommodating as we were there for only a short time.  Buy a bottle and I can recommend the flatbread (Prosciutto & Capicollo) and the Wagyu Wonton.  Check out the other savory options at the JBistro link at http://www.bookwalterwines.com/.

A must stop is at Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery.  It has a beautiful tasting room, landscaping and here’s your chance to play bocce ball too.  http://gooseridge.com/  There is history built on this land as the 1400 acres (3800 total) were established under the direction of  Dr. Walter Clore and was part of the largest single planting of true vinifera grapes in the state of Washington.

Fidelitas http://www.fidelitaswines.com/  An inviting tasting room with an industrial feel.  A worthy display of wine, info, and Fidelitas history, with winemaker/owner Charlie Hoppes making some of the best wines in the State.  Take a seat on the outdoor patio or inside on the barrel wood chairs (and don’t forget to check out the beautiful wood/glass table).

Col Solare http://www.colsolare.com/  is a destination.  We were fortunate enough to get a tour and what an afternoon, the things you’ll see.  The architecture is a mix of Tuscan villa and Northwest.  Try a cicchetti (small plate) on the deck overlooking the vineyard.  See above for a suggestion.  Taste. See. Enjoy, but make sure to call ahead to see if they are open to the public that day or to make a reservation for a tour of the facility.

Road Trips Rule!

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.

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