Washington Wine Month

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March is Washington Wine Month!  If you missed the first festival of the month, the Poverty Bay Wine Festival in Des Moines, WA (one of my favorites), you will have other opportunities to partake in the festivities.  Other events this month are:

  • Walla Walla Wine @ Sodo Park – Monday, March 12th at Herban Feast http://wallawallawine.com/
  • Stop by your local wine shop for a tasting event – they’ll be able to tell you what you need to know about wine
  • Try a new varietal at a favorite restaurant
  • Taste Washington – Saturday, March 31st and Sunday, April 1st at CenturyLink Field Event Center  http://tastewashington.org/

Some events during the month are listed on various blogs, newsletters, and websites… like  http://www.washingtonwine.org/events/

…of golden daffodils

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An anniversary is a time to celebrate the joys of today, the memories of yesterday, and the hopes of tomorrow.  – Author Unknown

“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.”
– Charles Dickens

“I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.”
– William Wordsworth

“Springtime is the land awakening.
The March winds are the morning yawn.”
– Lewis Grizzard and Kathy Sue Loudermilk, I Love You

Salty’s on Alki

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Salty’s on Alki Seafood Restaurant has been a Seattle go-to restaurant over the years…with awards aplenty.  I myself had not visited for 15-20 years, until recently.  The food was of high quality, service was exceptional, the decor was festive; and how about the view of the Seattle skyline across the water?

Salty’s on Alki is a fun place for happy hour.  The menu showcases “Be Happy Grub” and on this night, we ordered the Flatbread (Salmon) and Prime Rib Dip Slider – the Slider was liked but the Flatbread was a bit too “fishy”, although we were impressed by the size of the dish.   They also have a nice selection of signature cocktails and we really liked the Salty’s Salmon Amber draft beer – I’ll have to find out which brewery makes this for them. I need to give a shout-out to Scott, the manager helping out in the bar this evening.  Scott got us in and out of there in time for our event downstairs and made our short time there enjoyable. 

In the banquet room, as there was a large group of us, a variety was ordered.  An appetizer sampler was enjoyed – crab legs, calamari (good!), sushi, and coconut crusted white gulf prawns.  Our party ordered a bit of everything…Vancouver Island Clam Linguine (Uli’s Famous Andouille Sausage with Beecher’s Flagship Cheese – the Beecher’s cheese was delicious), Hearts of Romaine Caesar (nice flavor), B.L.T. Salad, Chef Trevor’s Cheesy Bacon Burger, Washington Dungeness Crab Mac & Cheese, Proscuitto-Wrapped Ling Cod, Salmon, and more.  Also, a game was played here this night – the staff was helpful and the needed equipment was provided.  All in all…a nice place for a special event, happy hour with friends, or to bring an out-of-town guest.

http://www.saltys.com/seattle/index.asp

February Eats

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Ciao!  Assaggio Ristorante is a breath of fresh air when it comes to hospitality and authentic Italian fare.  It is a great place for a table for two, a party of friends, or business associates.  A staple since 1993, Assaggio provides personal attention and a varied menu (from central and northern Italy).  A remembrance and a warm greeting was had by the executive chef, Mauro.  Check out the great blog at  http://www.assaggioseattle.com/  A shout out for Michelle at the bar is needed -she was welcoming and our server was knowledgable and more than accommodating.  Suggestions were made, substitutions were granted – I was able to choose half and half (two different pastas) on this evening.  A sampling of choices this evening were:

  • Gamberoni alla Griglia – Grilled prawns dipped in goat cheese
  • Bruschetta – the fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil – delicious!
  • Prosciutto con Arugula
  • Red wine from the award-winning wine list accompanied the meal
  • Cinghiale –  wild boar ragu
  • Vongole – Linguini with manila clams
  • Melanzane al Forno – Baked Eggplant
  • A special of the evening – Risotto with chantarelle mushrooms and duck
  • Osso Bucco
  • Pepperonata (made to order for the vegetarian of the bunch)

The bar is small so happy hour may not be on the agenda, depending on the evening.

Jazz Alley – Jazz Alley is a longtime Seattle favorite hosting quality food and entertainment.  Visits here have been many and no doubt, there will be more.  Come for dinner prior to the event or just show up for dessert and drinks.  Seating options are plenty.  On this night, celebrating a friend’s birthday, we saw Smooth Jazz Guitarist Peter White.  The drummer and the rest of the ensemble were fabulous!  Entertaining, a nice mix of styles, and worth the $28 ticket.  http://www.peterwhite.com/  Check out the calendar of events, parking info (complimentary), and sample menu at  http://www.jazzalley.com/  For reservations…online or make a phone call.  All in all, it always make for a nice evening out!

Munchbar – NOTE:  As of January 2012, Munchbar in Bellevue, WA is now closed. See June 2011 for an earlier mention.  Looking for the best veggie burger ever?  Munchbar has it.  The veggie burger is beautifully built using crispy onions, arugula, avocado, sundried tomato and black olive mayo.  Delicious!  Also tried this time around was the mini munch®* slider (melted cheddar, tomatoes, pickles, crispy onions, shredded romaine, “fancy sauce”).  I suggest ordering  it without the fancy sauce as it comes with personal sized ketchup (and mustard) bottles.  Again, loved the music played here.  And hey…there’s a Las Vegas location too.  http://www.munchgroup.com/bellevue/

Palomino –   Bellevue – Great lunch once again!  Check out my initial November 2010 post.  This time around, Dungeness Crab Sliders were on the menu – Yum!… and I can recommend the Turkey Panini as well.   http://palomino.com/

Exotic Wines Festival

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The 3rd annual Exotic Wines Festival took place at Teatro ZinZanni, Tuesday, February 21st, 2012.  As this evening was also Mardi Gras, there were attendees in costume and many of the wine reps were wearing masks, hats, beads…all which made it very festive!  And the location at Teatro ZinZanni was perfect! 25 Washington wineries poured some of their more unique wines using these exotic grapes.  These include Tempranillo, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Viognier, Mourvedre, and more.  I had the opportunity to try a number of these and my favorites came from Brian Carter Cellars, Five Star Cellars, Kerloo, and Pleasant Hill Cellars.  A special performance by the beautiful and fabulous Vita Radionova, with the use of hula hoops, was a special treat!  Also, the guests enjoyed getting their pictures taken with the sexy Manuela Horn.  So much fun!  Proceeds benefited the ZinZanni Institute for Circus Arts (ZICA).  http://dreams.zinzanni.org/

Sign up to get Seattle Uncorked’s newsletter for future events and information at http://www.seattleuncorked.com/

Rat City Rollergirls

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Have you been wanting to go to one of those “I have to try at least once in my lifetime” kind of events? Well, this is it!  Roller Derby at its finest… Seattle’s own Rat City Rollergirls!  http://ratcityrollergirls.com/  Check out their site to learn about the sport, the teams, the Rollergirls, view the schedule (once a month for the next six months)…and more.

The Rat City Rollergirls league is made up of the following four teams –  Throttle Rockets, Grave Danger, Sockit Wenches, and Derby Liberation Front (DLF).  One word:  Interesting.   On this night, all four teams were playing…Sockit Wenches vs. DLF and Throttle Rockets vs. Grave Danger.  Each game (considered a “bout”) consists of two 30 minute periods.  The event is held at Key Arena at the Seattle Center, and yes, the food and drinks are just as expensive as they are at any other sporting event, although the popcorn is “bottomless”.

Each player (and referee) has their own unique name – like Iron Megan, Hard Cora, Panda Beer, Loco Chanel, Sirius Smack, Know Mercy, and Re-AnimateHer…the Ace Frehley makeup and fur leg warmers are cool!  Those who score and keep track of the penalties wear white lab coats.  Check out What is Roller Derby? in “About us” on their website…you’ll find out about jammers and more.  Try to read up on it prior to going!  If you have been, then I’m sure you will want to go again.

Want to become part of a roller derby team?  Are you tough?  Can you roller skate well?  There are clinics for both players and referees as well as a junior roller derby program (I-5 Rollergirls).

Oh, and in case you were wondering, they do have a 50/50 raffle.  🙂

A Lingering Season…

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“Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart.” –  Martin Luther King, Jr.

 “Away in a meadow all covered with snow
The little old groundhog looks for his shadow
The clouds in the sky determine our fate
If winter will leave us all early or late.”
– Don Halley

 “Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour.”
– John Boswell

 “Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.” – Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933)

Snow Day? Wintertime Activities

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It is wintertime –  has the snow fallen yet?  If it has, it is, or it just might, what are you to do?  Below is a list of indoor and outdoor activities that just might make your day a little better:

  • Head for the hills!  The mountains of Washington beckon with skiing (downhill, skate, cross-country…and more), snowmobiling,  snowshoeing, ice skating, and more… Mount Rainier, Snoqualmie Pass, Mission Ridge, Teanaway, Stevens Pass, Crystal Mountain, Mount Baker, Mazama/Winthrop, Leavenworth, travel into Canada (Whistler among others)….
  • Take a guided snowshoe or nature hike tour
  • Seek out and watch the snow geese, bald eagles, or other natural habitat
  • Take a walk around the local wetlands, nature preserve or town park
  • Go to a nearby lodge or resort (like Suncadia, Semiahmoo, Salish)
  • Power out?  Play a board or card game indoors – like Yahtzee!
  • Power out?  Listen to the radio and “do a little dance” – got batteries?
  • See a movie
  • Visit a museum
  • Clean, go through “stuff”
  • Go to the beach
  • Drink hot chocolate with marshmallows or hot tea
  • Visit the library
  • Take in a concert and a local club (like Fitz and the Tantrums at the Showbox – great show!)
  • Patronize a local business nearby your home
  • Sled with the neighborhood kids
  • Be creative when building your snowman
  • Bundle up and take the pooch out
  • Catch up on a craft or hobby you have been putting off
  • Cuddle up by a fire
  • Take photographs of trees, bushes, and other snow-covered landscape
  • and more…

 

Bare branches…

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“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” – Oprah Winfrey

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” –Mark Twain

“January is here, with eyes that keenly glow,
A frost-mailed warrior
striding a shadowy steed of snow.”
– Edgar Fawcett

“Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.”
– Robert Frost, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evenin

“Bare branches of each tree
on this chilly January morn
look so cold so forlorn.
Gray skies dip ever so low
left from yesterday’s dusting of snow.
Yet in the heart of each tree
waiting for each who wait to see
new life as warm sun and breeze will blow,
like magic, unlock springs sap to flow,
buds, new leaves, then blooms will grow.”
– Nelda Hartmann, January Morn

Seattle Mist

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The Seattle Mist is Seattle’s answer to the LFL (Lingerie Football League).  http://www.lflus.com/seattlemist/  If you like football and want to see a bit more skin, then this is the game for you!   There are 12 teams in the LFL (6 in each conference) and play four games each (2 at home, 2 away).  The Seattle Mist finished the season 2-2.  They play two 17-minute (or so) halves at Showare Center in Kent, WA. http://www.showarecenter.com/   There is not a bad seat in the house (but that might depend on your neighbors).  Rock/dance music is played throughout the game… except for when action is in play (love it!).  At the final game, the Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder drum team was in attendance along with four Seattle Seahawks players to assist with the coin toss.   Seattle Mist gear is available for purchase and the gals had a meet & greet/sign autographs after the game.   It’s entertaining, action packed, and makes for a good night out!