tighe

Great review, very consistent with my experiences there, although the one think I've had that I remember not liking was the penne, so maybe they've improved it. I just don't "get" softshell crab myself... You've gotta be alright since you ordered red wine with seafood!....

I've had some really good meals there, a seared ahi steak stands out in my memory. I've also had a couple dishes that were just OK. Overall, I like Ponti. I believe that LEdlund, however, may have a different opinion on the subject....

Looks tasty. It's interesting that they're specifying a Greek influence because the menu looks to me like it includes more of a broad Eastern Med flavor palate. [WARNING: statement coming where I try to sound more authoritative than I am] For example, I don't think harissa or tajines are typical of Greek cuisine and some of thei dishes seem very Turkish (granted there are many similiarites between Greek and Turkish food). Appears that they're applying flavors and techniques from there to local ingredients, rather than going for strictly authentic. Done well it could produce some really excellent results.

tsquare, do you get the sense that Lola is going for authentic Greek or more of an American spin on Greek classics? If you've ever been to Porta, is the food comparable style-wise?

A couple possibilities, both on Eastlake.... Porta (Greek) and Pomodoro (Italian/Spanish). Two great value restaurants that will offer you a decent selection of affordable wines. You could consider Crave also, I enjoyed dinner there very much.

That is sad, though not surprising. I loved the place when I first started going, but on my last visit it seemed to be in a death spiral, and I hadn't been back. The menu was a little bit of a minefield, but their best items were exceptional. Now I'm really going to have to figure out how to make manti for myself. I'm still waiting/praying for someone to open a truly great Turkish restaurant in Seattle....

With all this talk of pork, I had to swing by Madison Market on the way home and get some of Sara Joe's meat. Two chops, about $7/lb, expensive for pork, but still reasonable. I also made a stop at the Columbia City Farmer's Market for veggies, and noticed that a farm from Skagit County was there selling organic meats, including pork. In any case, although I wouldn't say the Sara Joe's chops were necessarily a pork epiphany, they are markedly better than standard supermarket chops. There is more flavor and the flavor is cleaner somehow. I only wish that I'd cooked them a little less, next time....

We've bought good pates and mousses from Larry's, DeLaurenti's and Whole Food. It's too bad that Cassis is no longer around, that was one of their specialties. You probably have plenty of recipes, but just in case, I've had good success with the pate de compagne recipe from the Jacques & Julia book.

Sounds like this producer's meat would be worth trying and is available in a number of retail outlets in the area: Sara Joe's Pork Products

Yeah, the ol' story about how they used to reverse-flush when the tide came in is great dinner-time banter....

It would appear that this is correct. Sablefish is also referred to as black cod and I'm sure somewhere along my travels it was also called ling cod. Comparing the following sites it seems that sablefish and lingcod are quite different, although might possibly be a related species, see what you think: sablefish Lingcod If you tasted them side-by-side, you would note a significant difference. I love both, but the texture of sablefish/black cod makes me weak in the knees. I had the same preparation at West a few months ago and was almost reduced to tears.

I'd second Maximilien and also suggest Union. I'm a broken record aren't I?

Glad he liked it. I stocked up, so hopefully there was enough left. I'm an unabashed drinker of cheap wines, and am always happy to share my thoughts on which of them are actually good. Believe me, I've waded through enough swill to have some idea!

Gift certificates purchased after July 1st cannot expire due to Washington's new gift certificate law. Too slow!

Dave, I look forward to hearing about your experience at the JPH. Many people have raved about it, but on my one visit a few years ago I thought it fell well short of the hype.

Are there restrictions on how long they'll (i.e. the restaurant) honor the certificate after purchase? I believe the new state law that prohibits expiration dates on gift certificates applies in this case....

Nice pics but would it kill them to post a sample menu? I've still never been, maybe the next suitable blow-out dining occaision.... As much as I love Brasserie Margaux, I don't think I'd recommend it for a visitor looking for the best of fine-dining in Seattle because it lacks innovation. Still my #1 choice for quality, non-challenging, relaxed dining though... (Maybe I'm just being gun-shy because BM is currently getting beaten about the head and neck over on the web site whose name shall not be spoken. ) My rec's would echo many already posted with Union as my #1.

Since going to school in Boston, I've felt spoiled for ice cream. The seriousness around and pervasiveness of good ice cream there rivals the coffee culture here. Nothing I've had in Seattle really compares to the best of what Boston offers. That said, I've gone to Cold Stone Creamery (yes, it's a chain) twice recently and think it's as good as anything I've had in town. They do the whole mix-in thing and use used good quality ingredients. I don't believe there are any in Seattle-proper; the ones I've been to are in Issaquah and Southcenter respectively.

I had lunch at one of the cafes that is in the gardens of Versailles. Not anything remarkable, but it served its purpose and avoided spending time hunting around outside the grounds. Their menu was simple and I'm fairly certain included one or two salad choices. Edited to add: one place near the palace that was recommended to us was the Potager du Roy.

I like the Frye Museum cafe as well, but too often forget about it... I just tried CC's Burgers at 26th & Union for the first time last week and I will be adding it to the regular lunch rotation. The burgers aren't mind-blowing, but it's a funky place and you can get pepper-jack cheese on your burger. Philadelphia Fevre is probably my favorite "fat-attack" lunch place. Cheesesteaks are great and their onion rings taste like they use donut batter....

At least it saves me from feeling like I should try Troiani... "El Gouge-o does Italian" is significantly less compelling than "former Tulio chef does up-scale"

There's a second Red Mill South of the Ship Canal - in Magnolia. (Now that might as well be Siberia.) Too true, too true.....

Never been actually. Anything north of the ship canal might as well be in Bellingham....

Damnit malarkey! You're NOT supposed to be giving away the secret of the Roanoke Inn I already have a hard time finding parking when I want to go there after work....

My guilty pleasure meal is two Deluxes and a vanilla shake. Can't stand the fries though....