Today was a busy day. If you are looking for a good wine selection, may I make a suggestion? Esquin Wine Merchants on 4th Avenue South in Seattle. http://esquin.com/ Lunch was had at Matt’s in the Market – just above the Pike Place Market. I made note of this in a May post, but wanted to make mention once again…I really like the hustle and bustle of the lunch crowd. We enjoyed a half bottle of 2008 Cadence along with the Lamb Burger and Roasted Lamb Sirloin. For the Lamb Burger, I especially like the brioche roll used. The bacon was cooked just right…and who could resist goat cheese? And…the spread of onion jam was a really nice touch. The dish came with a bowl of garbanzo bean-sultana salad. http://www.mattsinthemarket.com/ A nice walk through Pike Place Market was had. To complete the outing, a visit was made to the Picasso exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum (SAM). I have to admit I am not much of a museum goer but did enjoy the experience today. I especially liked that I could get more information during the tour using my smartphone and Microsoft Tag http://tag.microsoft.com/consumer/index.aspx. My favorite pieces (in English) were Head of Fernande in Profile, Three Figures Under a Tree, Reclining Nude, and The Studio at La Californie. Also, it was nice to see the photographs of Picasso with his family and friends. The exhibit ends on January 17th, 2011. The best part of seeing special exhibitions at the SAM, is that this entitles you to browse through the thousands of other pieces of art that are part of the museum’s regular rotating exhibits for no extra charge. I especially like the robe-like form which is made up of 40,000 dog tags (Floor 3, see picture herein) http://seattleartmuseum.org/. Note: Not an inexpensive day out.
Matt’s in the Market
Pizzeria Pulcinella…and other dining experiences in May
May (as it is my birthday month) caters to going out more often. And yes, I had others to share in the variety of selections noted below. The #1 choice this month was Pizzeria Pulcinella in Seattle, WA (southend of Rainier Ave). Great for a date night! It has an ambiance and a feeling as if you are in a local pizzeria in Italy. The centerpiece of the pizzeria is the Valoriani wood fire oven from Italy. The oven design allows the pizza to be baked in about 90 seconds at a temperature of 800 -900 degrees, which is a key element of authentic Neapolitan pizza. We enjoyed a caesar salad, the Vesuvio pizza, and cream puffs for dessert. Bridgette J. has been our server on different occasions…and is wonderful! Rated best wood-fired pizza in Seattle in Seattle Magazine’s 2009 Best Restaurants issue. http://www.pulcinellapizza.com/index.htm
An overview of some of the others:
The Pumphouse – http://www.pumphousebellevue.com/ Bellevue, WA. A Bellevue landmark since 1978. A great selection of brews, some of the best hamburgers around (in my opinion), and a great place to gather to watch your favorite sporting event.
Brix Wine Cafe – http://www.brixwinecafe.com/ Kirkland (Juanita area) WA. Happy Hour is served daily throughout the entire cafe 4-6 pm and the last hour. Good to meet up with friends or co-workers. Sangria. Parking is limited. A variety was sampled: Truffle Fries, Chipolte Hummus & Grilled Flatbread, Brix Mac & Cheese, Prosciutto & Arugula Flatbread Pizza, Pesto Chicken Flatbread Pizza.
Chandler’s Crabhouse – http://www.schwartzbros.com/chandlers.cfm Located in Seattle on Lake Union. Deck with views. Generous Happy Hour 3:30 – 6:30 pm and 9-11 pm nightly…selections tried were the Brie Wedge, Tempura Prawns & Asparagus, Colorado Lamb Riblettes, Crab & Artichoke Dip, and the Sliced Sirloin Slider. Good size bar area. Ira the manager on duty and the staff are top notch.
Matt’s in the Market – http://www.mattsinthemarket.com/ Pike Place Market, Seattle. A charming, intimate setting with views of Elliott Bay and the hustle and bustle of Pike Place Market below. Although we were able to be seated upon arrival, reservations are recommended as this hotspot fills up quickly. Lunch included Seared halibut fishwich with a cup of Seafood chowder, simple green salad (which includes bleu cheese, pumpkin seeds, roasted garlic dressing), chips & dip, and a custard style chocolate dessert. This was my first time at Matt’s (after all these years in the Seattle area), and will definitely return.
The Red House – http://www.redhousebeerandwine.com/default.asp Renton, WA. Tapas are the specialty of this local establishment with an extensive selection of wine and beer for both in-house and retail purchase. Wednesdays offer wine tasting and food from 6-8 pm for $20 per person with a different selection of wineries each week.
The Met Coffee & Wine Bar – http://www.themetwinebar.com/ Renton, WA. Located in the heart of downtown Renton, WA, the Met Coffee and Wine Bar specializes in Northwest wines (plus a number of others thrown in) by the glass or bottle. Constantly rotating specialty draft beer selections…so, stop in to see what is on tap this week! The coffee is top notch in this Wi-Fi hotspot. Relax in the large armchairs and sofa in front of the cozy fireplace or gather with friends at a number of tables (that promote gathering). Sample some light fare and on Tuesdays during the summer/Renton Farmers Market, join Mike, the owner for a barbeque out on the patio. Join the wine club! Every Thursday, join the loyal following for wine tasting from 5-7 pm. Cheers!
Within 4 hours reach... 