Where are my fave fat pants? My must-chew calendar is cram-packed with loads of tasty events the next few days and I want to be ready for the inevitable “Fall 5.” (As in lbs., followed by the Winter 10 and the get-ready-for-sleeveless spring season –15.) Here are some sweet and savory dates you might want to check out:
Danielle Custer, who old-timers like me remember from her chef jobs at 727 Pine and Fullers in the Sheraton, and who more recently worked at Taste SAM, is launching Monte Cristo, a gourmet grilled cheese truck on Monday, October 22nd at Starbucks in Sodo (for more current whereabouts, visit Monte's website or Twitter page).
Some kitchens have revolving doors. Chefs come and they go, sometimes shouting, screaming, laughing. But that's the restaurant business, ever-fluid, never a dull nanosecond.
Still, I was flat-out bummed to hear the news that Chester Gerl is leaving Matt's in the Market. Yes, of course, I understand. He's de-camping to NYC to be close to family. Plus, he's got a kick-ass job waiting for him thanks to Top Chef Masters judge Jonathan Waxman. (More about that in a jiff.)
Fall’s crisp air lends itself to many seasonal treats (including some previously-mentioned fall drinks), but no ingredient says “fall” as much as an apple.
Luckily, we don’t have to be like Herculus and travel to the Garden of the Hesperides to find fantastic apples, as they’re abundant at our local farmer’s markets.
He's growing... again!
Tom Douglas—the 2012 James Beard Foundation restaurateur of the year and one of Seattle Mag's most influential people of 2011—is going to open The Grange Hall next spring, a 10,000-square foot space on the ground floor of the apartment building going up on Sixth and Lenora downtown.
Walking through my neighborhood, I can't help but covet the fig trees weighed down with green figs on the verge of full ripeness, the Asian pear tree in my neighbor's yard which holds, I'd guess, 40lbs of fruit right now. But in a few weeks, these and the myriad apples that are ripe right now in trees on nearly every Seattle street will perish, rot, or fall and turn to brown muck on the sidewalks if they're not picked and eaten.
This year’s Incredible Feast lived up to its name, as more than 25 chefs paired up with superstar farmers, ranchers and cheese makers on Sunday at Swanson’s Nursery.
Chef Tamara Murphy dreamed this dealie-o up years ago as a way to showcase the incredible edibles that show up at the Seattle Neighborhood Farmers Markets. Man, we are lucky to live here!
While the last week or so saw its usual share of food news from relative newbies – Marination Ma Kai opening, Chino's closing and the answer to the is-it-or-isn't-it Fuji Bakery mystery – two grand-dames of the Seattle restaurant world were quietly kicking off new chapters in their very admirable histories.
Sure, it’s hard to exchange a very sunny summer for fall’s less-bright horizons. But think of all the fun fall highlights:pretty leaves fluttering in the breeze, soft and warm autumn sweaters and, of course, the following five drinks. Each of these is bound to make you enjoy fall a little more—even if they might not completely make you forget summer.
A bunch of amazingly talented chefs from around the country have convened in Seattle this week, and while there were plenty of meaty discussions and panels and tastings at the Chef’s Collaborative Sustainable Food Summit, the burning question many asked was, “Where are you going to eat?”
The universal answer seemed to be: There’s not nearly enough time to try everything on everybody’s must-try, can’t-miss list.
The Southern restaurant from Heather Earnhardt we've been anticipating since spring (read more here) is finally, finally open. And what a tasty-looking menu! We can't wait to get our hands on an Auntie Annie biscuit sandwich with fried chicken, bread & butter pickles, mustard and honey ($7.50).
Recently, I posted a piece about the expanding selection in big and little Washington State liquor stores. The selection is exciting, but sometimes it’s hard to know which bottle is worth buying. To help out a little, I've handpicked five spirits and liqueurs that are newly available (since the law changed) and that I think you'll want to try. If your local doesn’t currently carry them, make a request. Every liquor store owner I’ve talked to is up for ordering new items, and it’s the best way to make sure they carry what you like.
At any food festival, there's the big, daytime tasting event. Usually wineries and restaurants, serving up little sips and bites, very similar to our own Taste Washington.
"Ein prosit! Ein prosit! Der gemuetlichkeit!"
That’s right, ladies and gents, time to don your lederhosen and slip into that dirndl! It’s Oktoberfest!
Even if you don’t have plans to make it to the Motherland in Munich, or even travel to the Bavarian Village of Leavenworth, there are plenty of German-style watering holes to celebrate the suds-iest holiday of ‘em all. Here’s the top five:
My first meal at Lampreia, Scott Carsberg's epic, nationally praised fine dining restaurant which lived in the space that Carsberg's Bisato now calls home, well, it must've been in 1999 or 2000.
Back then--as now, though perhaps less-so--Carsberg's reputation for perfectionism--along with a firey temper--preceded him.
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