Puget Sound Area

A La Bonne Franquette

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A La Bonne Franquette opened this last month in the Mount Baker neighborhood of Seattle.  In fact, it is on 31st Avenue South… just up the hill from Leschi.  Chef Hamed brings experience and influence from around the world to this intimate French bistro.  Not only is the food and ambiance a hit, you will have to check out the divine views of the Seattle skyline and Olympic Mountains.

The menu here is simple yet varied, comforting, with a bit of gourmet thrown in.  The food really reflects the name as A la bonne franquette means that food is homey and prepared without fuss.  Check out http://alabonnefranquetteseattle.com/  for an example of their menu.  I have personally sampled the majority of the menu.  Try the Assiette de Fromages, Pate, or others to start.  As a side (or make it your main course), the Gratin de Pommes de Terre…Gruyere cheese potato gratin (so good!).  And save room for dessert… I am not a creme brulee fan typically, but this is indeed the best I have had.  Also, try the Pot de Creme de Chocolat (a rich chocolate mousse).  There are daily specials and they have a nice wine selection, a mix of French and Washington wines.

Bring your friends, drink a drink, taste the flavors! Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 5 pm – 10 pm.

Poverty Bay Blues and Brews Fest

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The Des Moines Rotary presented the second annual Poverty Bay Blues & Brews Festival, September 10th at the Des Moines Beach Park.  Also, on this day, the Des Moines Farmers Market and Poverty Bay Arts Festival took place.  Come rain or shine.   Blues?  they got it!  Brews?  they got that too!  This year’s line up was Little Bill and the Bluenotes (excellent!!!), Rod Cook and Toast, Fabulous Roofshakers, and Left Hand Smoke.

Breweries participating were Odin, Big Al, Hood Canal, Harmon, Elliott Bay, Airways, Stone, Scuttlebutt, Georgetown, Fish Brewing, and M.T. Head.  Masset Winery poured two varietals.  My favorites (based on what style was being served) were M.T. Head and Fish Brewing Company…especially Reel Ales Starfish Imperial Red Ale and Spire Mountain Apple Cider.  This was a nice event to try new styles and breweries.

B & E Meats, as a sponsor, was cooking up their tri tip beef at the Poverty Bay Blues and Brews Fest.  If you want a great selection of fresh products, stop by (or go out of your way) for Steak, Roast, Spareribs, Ground Beef, Ham Shanks, Pork Sausage, Wieners, Fryers, Whole Turkey, Crab Cakes…and more!  http://www.bnemeats.com/  While you are making a day of it in Des Moines, be sure to stop by B & E Meats and Corky Cellars!  Both located on Marine View Drive.  Corky Cellars has an inviting decor and a varied selection of wine, beer, and gifts.  Tastings occur every Saturday 11 am – 5 pm.  Ric and Dianne are the best!  Stop by, say Hi!, enjoy a taste, and bring some home with you!  http://www.corkycellars.com/

Check out http://www.dmrotary.org/events.php  for a list of sponsors and more event info. No pets.  Age 21 and over.  Free Parking. Bring your chair and/or blanket. Located near the beautiful scenery of the Puget Sound.  Proceeds benefit Highline Music 4 Life. http://www.highlinemusic4life.org/.

Bumbershoot 2011

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Do you know what a Bumbershoot is?  it is an umbrella.  Seattle hosts (and One Reel organizes) this an annual three-day music festival on Labor Day weekend called Bumbershoot…which lists both local and international acts.  It is located at the Seattle Center, which has the grounds and venues to carry it off.   The format changes a bit each year.  2011 was more indie focused with less well-known (but high quality) acts.  The headliner for Monday, Labor Day was Daryl Hall and John Oates.  This year, for the first time, Bumbershoot hosted Youngershoot…activites and music for the family.  There is also art, film, and of course, food.  The type of music often depends on which stage they are performing on…whether it be the Starbucks Stage , the Fountain Lawn Stage, the Fisher Green Stage, the EMP Level 3 Stage, the Exhibition Hall, the Intiman Theatre (comedy), or the Bagley Wright Theatre (dance, theater)… and others.  Most stages has its own sponsor.  The Key Arena hosted the mainstage acts.

I was able see a variety this year… the Trey McIntyre Project, Legendary Oaks, Quadron, Wayne Federman and The Gregory Brothers, Dennis Coffey, Charles Bradley, Fitz  and the Tantrums, and part Daryl Hall and John Oates and The Reverend Horton Heat.  All were great choices and I’d have to say my faves were Dennis Coffey (funkn’ it out), Charles Bradley (the Screaming Eagle of Soul), and Fitz and the Tantrums.  That is what is interesting (and fun) about Bumbershoot, there are so many genres and options.  There are so many choices, that you undoubtedly miss those you wish you could have seen too, especially if you only go one day.  You could certainly enjoy something each day of the festival. 

You can bring your own chair and food in, which is helpful if you’re there for all day, which you should be!  Park across the street and you’ll have access to your vehicle without much trouble.  This year mind you we had 80 degree weather… but whether rain (Bumbershoot needed) or shine, you’ll have a good time and see a band, comedy act, dance troupe, or other that you haven’t seen before.

If you didn’t get to it this year – maybe try it next year!  Cool!

A Day of SEA

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A day spent visiting places or seeing things beginning with SEA.  The Seattle Art Museum, Seatown, and the Seattle Seahawks!

The current exhibition at the Seattle Art Museum  http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/   is Beauty & Bounty:  American Art in an Age of Exploration runs June 30 – September 11, 2011.  Yes, you have only one week left to see it.  This exhibit was mainly made up of oil on canvas with some photography and sculpture thrown in.  It also contained the exhibit Reclaimed: Nature & Place Through Contemporary Eyes.  Not my favorite exhibit but I did enjoy the following works of art:

  • Northwest Field Recording (2010) – ink on paper, Victoria Haven  http://www.vichaven.com/  Side A and Side B.  I would love this for my home, office or other…
  • Estes Park (1869) – oil on board, Albert Bierstadt
  • Afternoon along the Shore (1878) – oil on panel, Herman Herzog
  • Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (1878) – oil on canvas, Thomas Moran

Seatown – this restaurant is located on the busy corner of Western and Virginia in Downtown Seattle.  Just a hop skip and a jump to Pike Place Market or across the street to the park where the waters of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains can be seen.  Seatown is a Tom Douglas creation and offers prime viewing of the hustle and bustle of a summer’s day (perfect for the tourist in all of us).  Based on the menu selection and the competition around every corner, I can recommend it for lunch or a late afternoon bite.  The not so pleasant part of the escape – our server had a nonchalant attitude and she took her time with getting us our bill.  What we did enjoy however, besides the location, was the Dungeness Crab Cocktail, Oyster combo, and the Dahlia Bakery bread (with butter and rosemary lardo).  Check out the menu here:  http://tomdouglas.com/index.php/restaurants/seatown

Seattle Seahawks –  the Seattle Seahawks played their longtime West Coast rival, the Oakland Raiders.  I have a hard time not saying Raiders without ESPN’s Chris Berman’s take on it.  They played at CenturyLink Field in the last preseason game before starting the regular NFL season next Sunday.  The sunset this evening was a beauty.  Prior to the game, Safeco Field’s “The Pen” opens for happy hour where you can quench your thirst and snack on a slice of pepperoni pizza at APizza (or other).  Good stuff!  Seahawks won 20-3.  Next up – Emerald Downs (see May 2010 post)

Art in the Garden

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Bellevue Botanical Garden’s second annual Art in the Garden was August 26-28th.  It was a nice location for such an event as there is plenty of space for the showing of mosaics, ceramic luminaries, cast iron and steel sculptures, cement leaves, and copper water features, among others.  The price range for most of the outdoor art was $50 – 1000’s (with a few less than).  I especially liked Aiko Vail/Poul Erickson’s fused glass as well as Alison Hoagland’s blown glass garden ornaments.  Another favorite was John Daoura’s wine barrel furniture (Dakota Craftworks) – the quality is apparent in these pieces, whether it be the chair, table, or other.  The chair has a space for a wine glass too. 

The Bellevue Botanical Garden boasts 53 acres of display gardens, woodlands, meadows, and wetlands.  The Art in the Garden gave us an opportunity to view what was in season, which was mainly the dahlias.  The land that makes up the Bellevue Botanical Garden also hosts those looking for outdoor recreation, with trails such as the Lake to Lake trail, Lost Meadow Trail and the Loop Trail.  Stop in to visit The Trillium Gift Shop or in December, the festive Garden D’Lights.   http://www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/botanical_garden.htm  http://www.bellevuebotanical.org/fmvisitor.htm

Crabbing near Anacortes, WA

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An essential Northwest experience IS crabbing (and boating) in the Puget Sound.  It will be a day that you will remember.  It is fun and can be a learning experience too.  I know I learned about buoys, what makes up the food/bait, traps, and that if the crab is female or if it is under the size limit, then the crab should be returned to the waters.  I also found that others take crab that are not their own…very bad!  There is a limit on the number of crabs that can be taken per day during the season and on this day, it was five.  The season for area 8-1 (Deception Pass) currently is open Thursday through Monday and runs through September 5th.  Check out the following site for more interesting facts (and rules) on crabbing in the Puget Sound area:  http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/crab/. 

Go crabbing with a few friends and bring along some good food and wine (for those not driving anyway).  And if you don’t own a boat, there are services that will allow you to partake in this pleasure.  They will take you out in a boat, you’ll catch the crab (no experience necessary), bring you back to the shore and then it’s off to cooking the crab.  An example of this is U-Catch Crab Feast from Camano Culinary Creations http://camano-culinary-creations.com/UCatchCrabFeast.aspx.  In one word, feasting on the Dungeness Crab right after it has been caught – YUM!  If you are curious on how to crack crab, take a look at this – http://www.oregondungeness.org/cracking.shtml  I know I will be studying this prior to my next adventure with crab.

If you desire FRESH..LOCAL oysters or other shellfish to go with your Dungeness Crab feast, visit a Taylor Shellfish Farms retail store in Shelton, Bow or Seattle.  See their website for more information.  http://www.taylorshellfishfarms.com/

Happy Crabbing!

Seahawks Training Camp

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Since the new VMAC (Virginia Mason Athletic Center) was built on the shores of Lake Washington in Renton, WA, the Seattle Seahawks have opened up practice/training camp to the public.  This year there are 15 practices between July 29th and August 15th.  It is a nice opportunity to see the new recruits and veterans get ready for their upcoming NFL season.  You will see a scrimmage and drills.  The practice lasts about two hours and possibly a bit longer with the signing of autographs.  You must register at trainingcampregistration.seahawks.com and only those who register will be allowed at camp.  At registration, you will be charged a $5 transportation fee.  Chairs and snacks may be brought in, with restrictions of course.  There is merchandise and also food and beverages available.  Sports Authority offered a $10 coupon for anything purchased over $25 there at the complex.  We indeed made use of this. Park at The Landing in Renton (3rd and 4th level of the parking garage) and take the shuttle buses to and from the event.  They have the process down well…you will check in at the Landing prior to boarding.  This is a nice afternoon for the kids, family, and friends!

Whether it be prior to or after training camp, check out The Landing.  The Landing is still expanding but you will find a nice variety of retail options – Regal Cinemas (entertainment), services, shopping, dining, and more.  http://www.thelandinginrenton.com/.  Today’s stop was at Vino at the Landing…always recommended.  http://www.vinoatthelanding.com/home

Gig Harbor Wine and Food Festival

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The second annual Gig Harbor Wine and Food Festival, held on the grounds of the Harbor History Museum, took place on Saturday, August 6, 2011.  The festival included 35+ wine (and a few beer) participants, cooking demonstrations, classes, a celebrity chef cook-off, as well as the opportunity to bid on some very nice luxury items and dining packages.  Proceeds benefit the Harbor History Museum and the Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association.  http://www.harborwineandfoodfest.com/

This year, the visiting Celebrity Chef was Chef Kevin Gillespie, a 2-time semi-finalist for the James Beard Foundation ‘Rising Star Chef of the Year’ award, a fan favorite of Bravo’s “Top Chef” season 6 and executive chef and co-owner of the Woodfire Grill in Atlanta.  He took part in a cooking demonstration, the chef cook-off, and also signed books during his time here.   Celebrity Chef Thad Lyman of Brix 25 was a big part of the day along with Chefs Jasmine Biernacki (Piece of the Earth Farm), Chef Jeremy Barber (Horseshoe Lake Golf Course) and Chef Tin (Clearwater Casino).   My favorite restaurant sampling served was the Wild Boar Bourguignon from JW (Jason Winniford) and humble cook Justin Goodfellow…delicious!   http://www.jwgigharbor.com/  There were wine and beer classes along with other interesting seminars… like “What’s in your Basket?’  And the wine?  it was good to try a few of those that I had not yet heard of, although there were many more that I did not get to. 

Not that an overnight is needed, but I want to give the Inn at Gig Harbor a mention.  It is a full service hotel and event center.  The bedding is really comfortable, the service all-around is good, and breakfast at The Heritage Restaurant was enjoyed.  If you are familiar with Gig Harbor, it is located closer to the freeway than to the waterfront.   http://innatgigharbor.com/  Also, when walking around town, visit The Harbor Peddler.  It has a nice variety of gifts, personal items, home decor, etc…  The Harbor History Museum is a recommended stop http://www.harborhistorymuseum.org/ and while walking the waterfront, check out the various signage providing historical info.  www.gigharborguide.com

Mercer Slough Nature Park

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Mercer Slough Nature Park is settled between I-90, Bellevue Way, 118th Ave. SE and 112th… a nature park within a mile of the hustle and bustle of downtown Bellevue.  It is approx. 320 acres of wetlands, wildlife and agriculture.  I wish I brought my camera on this day to have captured the beauty.  I will go back.

I saw dragonflies, baby dragonflies, bumblebees, a hummingbird, slugs, a stream, a waterway/slough with a few kayakers, joggers on the 7+ miles of trails, a mother and son picnicking, blackberries to pick, blueberries and fresh produce at the Blueberry Farm, and Winters House (a historical site).  There are trails that go through the open wetlands and one that goes through a wooded forest (Bellefields Trail).  I did not walk towards the boat launch this particular trip.  These easy trails can be walked in an hour or so, as the sections are .3, .6 miles and the like.  They are boardwalk style as well as gravel, bark, and dirt paths.  New to the area, located on 118th Ave. SE is the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center.  Check out http://www.myparksandrecreation.com/ParksTrails/Details.aspx?pid=91 for more fun and interesting info – great site!  This site has a bit more detail than http://www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/mercer_slough.htm.

Speaking of dragonflies, they have been plentiful at my home the past few weeks this summer.  There are babies in blue and red.  If you are curious about dragonflies, see  http://www.21facts.com/animals/dragonflies.php

Bellevue Arts Fair

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The Bellevue Arts Fair celebrates its 65th year!  It takes place during the last weekend of July typically and this weekend is it!  July 29-31, 2011.  So, there are two days left!  It is ranked among the top 100 fairs in the United States and currently known as the Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM) Arts Fair.  This event brings artists from all over the country, offering a variety of high quality goods.  The BAM offers free admission during this three-day event.  The fair is made of three separate sections – the BAM Arts Fair section at Bellevue Square, Bellevue’s 6th Street Fair, and Bellevue’s Festival of the Arts.  There is live entertainment, a demonstration stage and check out the Chalk Mural and/or show off your own artistic side by “chalking” it on NE 6th Street.  Concessions are here too…support your local rotary or kiwanis or try the renowned burger from Skillet…it won’t disappoint! (although mine was a bit undercooked for my liking).

Some of my favorites this year are:

Note to those wanting to bring pets…I love them but crowds of this magnitude make it unsafe for our pooches.  We are concentrating at looking at the art and not what is directly beneath us.  I happened to hear a poor little guy yelping away as his paw was most likely broken.

http://www.bellevuefest.org/; http://www.bellevuearts.org

 http://www.bellevuedowntown.org/events/sixth_street/index.htm

Enjoy the art, enjoy the sun, enjoy your friends or family!  A great event for a get-together!