SeaGal

I picked up a 2000 Quinta Hinojal Tempranillo, and a 2003 Montebuena Rioja--knowing nothing whatever about Spanish wines, I bowed to suggestions from shop personnel.....we'll see. I may also pick out a white wine when I go to the Spanish Table later this week. Jan

fruit pies and vanilla ice cream fruit cobblers and vanilla ice cream baked potatoes, butter, sour cream and chives bread and butter ice cream, chocolate sauce and salted peanuts artichokes and mayonnaise tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches BLT with avocado pork chops and applesauce fried chicken, mashed potatoes and cream gravy turkey and cranberry shellfish and drawn butter french fries and aioli deep-fried fish and tartar sauce dark chocolate and strawberries foie gras and sauternes oysters and chablis

Last night: Rib-eye steak rubbed with garlic, olive oil, pepper and salt; seared in cast iron and finished in the oven to juicy, red medium rare. Served with sour-cream horseradish sauce laced with Chinese hot mustard. Baked potatoes w/ butter, sour cream and chives Salad of frisee and red-leaf lettuce, thinly sliced red onion and crumbled Maytag blue cheese dressed with sherry vinagrette Wine: 2003 Waterbrook Columbia Valley Melange (mix of cab, syrah and something else) Tonight: (simple comfort food) Stewed chicken and homemade dumplings (the light, puffy, gravy absorbing kind) peas and pearl onions w/ butter Wine: Gruner veltiner

What a great evening! Thank you to Lauren and Paul for a great happy hour with good wine and really nice smoked salmon (I wanted to eat lots of it, but thank goodness I saved room for what was to follow.) Rocky, thanks for organizing such an amazing feast for us. My favorites were the cold plate (I adore jelly fish), the green onion pancake, the spareribs, the lobster, the braised pork and cabbage and top of it all--the crispy duck. Also, I usually don't care much for fried rice, but this version was really excellent--I've got leftovers in the fridge for tonight I think we have a new place to become regulars at. Thanks again everyone! Jan

Perhaps it's this new place, Crush, written up on seattledining.com? Crush Info Jan

One solution to the chair/table space issue is to not have this be a sit-down meal. The food lends itself to grazing since there is so much variety and if we're not making double batches etc., there may be only a bite or two of some dishes anyway.

OK, I'll bring the twice baked potatoes with tetilla and roasted fennel and the white bean and chorizo salad with olives. How cool that Ms Ramsey is joining us Jan *edited cause I left something out.

I'm drawn to several things, so maybe I'll let popular vote decide which 2 I make. They are the following: Sweet Pea Soup with Majorero cream and Roncal crisps Leeks Romesco with crumbled Garrotxa cheese Twice-baked potatoes with Tetilla and roasted fennel Tender Artichoke Heart stew with peas White bean and chorizo salad I'm leaning toward the pea soup and the leeks, but then again those others sound good too. Of course, the dishes with cheese may be dependent on finding the right cheese, but I'm hoping the Spanish Table will be able to help out. Also, I'm not sure what artichokes are looking like this time of year. The pea dishes call for frozen peas and I'm fine with that as it's hard to find really good fresh peas this time of year, but I'm not a fan of frozen artichoke hearts anytime of year. Let me know what you all think. It looks like I'll be able to attend, barring any complications. SeaGuy has said he'll be happy at home if I rent him DVD's and set out food/beverages for him. Jan

Thanks, great idea!

Yep, I concur with Anita on the carnitas at the Eastside El Rinconsito--the fat was blubbery, not crispy, crunchy like it should be. In general, I liked the Burien outpost way better than the Eastside, although I haven't been in several months. That said, the pork adobado was pretty good on the Eastside, but not enough to make me drive back across the bridge for. Jan

I'm trying to find the Feb issue of Food and Wine, but can only find the Jan issue. I looked a Barnes and Noble and Elliott Bay Books. Where can I find it? Also, my husband is having knee surgery the day before, so my attendance is contingent on how he's doing. Hope that's ok. Jan

We went late yesterday afternoon and had great food and our service was fine (however, they weren't very busy at 4:00 in the afternoon). The decor was quite nice, warm and modern and a real step up from the hole-in-the-wall places we usually frequent in the area (not that there's anything wrong with hole-in-the-walls. ) They also offer a selection of mixed drinks featuring tamarind, lemon grass and lime juices in interesting combinations that would be fun to try. We decided to have the 7-courses beef meal as I've always wanted to try this and SeaGuy was game. Our food came out in slightly different order than what was listed on the menu, but not in any problematic way. We started off with a cold beef salad that had cabbage, carrots, peanuts and variouse herbs in it and came with nuoc cham (the dipping sauce made with fish sauce, lemon or lime, shredded carrots, and sugar). Next came a vinegar based hot pot with slices of raw beef and onion, accompanied by a huge tray of herbs, lettuce, sprouts, rice noodles and pickled carrots along with rice paper for rolling. Swishing the raw beef briefly in the hot liquid and then making little rolls with the condiments made for a very tasty treat. This was accompanied by a dipping sauce that was similar to the peanut/bean sauce-type sauce that usually comes with salad rolls, but it was more piquant with what I think was anchovy sauce and maybe ginger. This was my favorite course and I wish there'd been a little more of it....not that there wasn't plenty of food. Following this, a tray different sausage-like grilled beef rolls. We didn't realize until near the end that there were at least 2 and maybe 3 types of these--hence, I think 3 of the courses came on one platter. They were all very good, but next time I will keep the menu with me and ask more questions about what is what. These were also eaten with the rice papers, herbs and condiments. Then came a little bowl with a large meatball surrounded by puffy rice crackers. It had numerous ingredients mixed in--I think some mushrooms and things. It was really good, but, again, I should have found out more about it. The last course was a soup made of hambuger and rice--sort of like a brothier congee, that tasted way better than it sounds. It was very savory and a nice ending to the meal. We followed this up with traditional vietnamese-style iced coffees with condensed milk. I felt the prices were very reasonable. The 7-course beef meal was 16.95 for two and with 2 beers and 2 coffees, the meal came to a total of just under 30.00 including tax. It was plenty of food, but we weren't over-stuffed. I've noticed that in Vietnamese restaurants, the check is often not brought to the table. My husband ended up going to the cash register and paying there, not sure if that was a service gaffe, or just the way they do things. I'd like to go back and try some other things on the menu. This might be a fun place for an eGullet group to go sometime. Jan

Are we talking January? If so, Jan 22nd or 29th would work well for me. I'm open to either Steve or Abra's. Thank you both for offering your homes for this. I'd do it, but my kitchen sucks!! Jan

What a great idea! I'm interested and will go pick up the magazine today. From my experience with eGullet cooking together functions, a weeknight wouldn't give us enough time to cook and eat without ending really late. We usually need part of an afternoon and then the evening for cooking and eating. However, if we're going to do more of a potluck format, a weeknight would probably work. My preference would be a Saturday or Sunday afternoon/evening, but I can be flexible depending on everyone else. Jan

Baked salmon with a mustard vinagrette Roasted fingerling potatoes with garlic and fresh thyme Broccoli sauteed with garlic and crushed red pepper Simple food after a busy day. Jan

Where have you been dining?

LOL--or Ground Round-Ups, or Hamburger Query's This sounds like a good idea, although, hopefully we wouldn't sample multiple burgers in one day....not sure if I could handle that much goodness How about a "Burger of the Month" Club? Jan *edited to fix silly club name goof.

Quite a spread there! In fact, you guys all make me want to celebrate with more people next year! (FYI: To link directly, SeaGal, click on the number of your post then copy that http that comes up in the box and post it with the http:// button in your new post.) After all was said and finally done on New Year's Eve we ended up having a simple but very tasty penne pasta with a sauce of garden tomato (frozen from this summer's crop), fresh picked garlic and herbs (basil/thyme/oregano) then tossed with mushrooms sauteed in butter/EVOO and red wine with fresh grated Parm Reg, garlic toast on homemade bread and a Romaine heart salad topped with jumbo shrimp. Sticking pretty close to the intended menus we had this for New Year's Day and today. ← Thanks so much for the link info...so easy The best thing about not cooking for more people on New Year's Eve is that you can actually cook a nice New Years day meal, instead of vegging on the couch all day like a limp noodle. BTW, that smoked picnic shank looks really good. Jan

I really don't like "you guys", but it seems to be the norm these days. I was raised to say "you folks" or just "you". Good luck in changing your servers' ways--ingrained habits die hard I also don't care for the "are you still working on that?" question, but have resigned myself to it. Amuse or decadent don't bother me, but I don't really like foodie. One term that really grates is the abbreviation "guac" for guacamole. It sounds so..., I don't know, guackish None of it really bothers me that much, though, if the food is good and the service is pleasant and efficient, the rest is all just little stuff. (unless I'm at a high end place, of course, then it matters more) Jan

Mmmmm, burgers Just reading about them makes me crave one. I absolutely agree with Anita on the burger categories. Red Mill is my favorite for the flat-type, but it must be the pepper bacon cheeseburger with extra mill sauce, onion, extra pickles, lettuce, tomato and ketchup. I've tried the plain cheeseburger and it just aint the same......Dick's is ok, but not growing up here, I'm not sure I totally get it and I hate not being able to customize (see, I obviously don't get it ) As far as the gourmet burger goes, I haven't had the Palace Burger myself (but SeaGuy has and loves it), but I had the similar burger for lunch in the bar at Dahlia one day and it was mighty tasty--medium rare and the fries were excellent. I want to try the Palace burger, but everytime I go there, I get seduced by other things on the menu, like the aforementioned pork cheeks or the recently amazing duck leg confit with venison sausage...yumm. Maple Leaf Grill used to do a great thick burger with blue cheese and they had really, really good real fries (with skins on), but I haven't been there in a while. Guess I'll have to get back over there. We've also had nothing but bad experiences at the Lower Queen Anne McMen's and we won't go back. Is there anyplace else in that area that does a good burger? Jan

I posted my New Years gathering on the the "Dinners" discussion. Hope I get this link right: Cooking Forum: Dinners Happy New Year!!! Jan

Had some friends in for a party. Here's the scoop: Cooking forum: Dinner (Not sure how to link directly to my post, but it's on this page ) Jan

Had a buffet New Year's eve party for 19 close friends. I only had 3 days to plan, shop, cook and clean (DH helped with cleaning, but was suffering from a cold, so had limited energy), so I decided to order out some things and do others from scratch. Here's what we had (I've indicated where I ordered out): Apps: Goat cheese spread with pistachios and chives Large tiger prawns, poached, spiced and served cold w/ remoulade and cocktail sauces Mixed mushroom dip/spread, flavored with cumin, corianer, thyme and savory BBQ pork (from Chinese BBQ place) served with hot! chinese mustard and sesame seeds Feta spinach dip w/ lemon zest giant green and black Italian olives smoked salmon spread (purchased locally) For dipping/spreading Platter of crudite homemade crostini bagel chips and rosemary potato chips (from Costco) Mains: Soy Sauce Chicken (purchased and hacked by Chinese BBQ place served with accompanying sauce) Swedish-type meatballs in brown sauce Asian-style noodle salad with peanut-sesame sauce Brocolli salad with pine nuts and meyer lemon vinagrette Winter salad of frisee, radicchio, fennel, pear, and spice pecans with balsamic vinagrette Seeded baguette with Plugra Desserts: Platter of cut up pineapple, cherries and grapes Brownies, with and without nuts (from Great Harvest bakery) Lemon tart Apricot tart (both tarts from Le Panier bakery in Pike Place market) Served with an assortment of wines, sparklers, beer and NA sparklers. Good time had by all. Lots of fun, but I'm not cooking much the next few days! Jan *edit to remove silly mistake

It was a seasonal/holiday tasting menu and looked very good. The things I remember were some type of salmon appetizer with caviar, foie gras with dried fruit, poached alaskan king crab with vanilla, sea scallops encrusted with porcini, a cheese course with warm pecorino and honey and a dessert with a cassata mousse involved. We were sorely tempted, but he wanted a chocolate dessert and I really wanted the lamb. Jan

My husband took me to Lampreia for my birthday last Saturday (Dec 18th). It was our first time there and we were extremely happy with our meal, the decor and the service. We were warmly greeted and found the service very professional, but not at all stiff. I really like the modern, but warm decor. We had reservations for 8:30 on a Saturday night and there were several other tables there, but not as many as I would have expected for a holiday Saturday night. We started off with seared foie gras with slices of pears poached 3-ways: saffron, pistachio and the third I'm not sure, but it was reddish and could have been port or wine. The foie gras was excellent and slices of pear were perfect. We each had a glass of a really wonderful Montbazillac which as perfect with the richness of the foie. Next up, my husband had quail baked in terra cotta (which they brought out to show him before cracking it open) over a bed of pureed beans (I can't remember if they were lentils or white beans) with truffled cheese on top. It made me think of really, really high-end refried beans and when the chef came to the table, he said he used foie gras fat in the puree. This dish was amazing, the flavor going way above and beyond the ingredients. I had crab salad encased in thinly sliced apples with an apple gelee. This dish was the essence of dungeness crab and was very rich. I had a glass of Gruner Veltliner with this. We had ordered a bottle of a 1997 Cote Rotie and my husband drank this with his second course and I joined him for the main. We both had lamb loin for our mains. Cooked perfectly medium rare with a mustardy breadcrumb crust, it was served with a whole line of artful dabs of purees and garnishes. There were cipollini onions, purees of zucchini, green bean, and eggplant, tappenade and some other things that I can't remember. The sauce with the lamb was a beautiful and flavorful reduction of some kind (can't remember that either ) This plate was beautiful and was sooo good. By this time, I was getting quite full, so decided to skip dessert and have the cheese plate which had the most wonderfully ripe gorgonzola dolce that I've ever had. Also had an aged pecorino, a washed rind cheese and a young cow's milk cheese. This was served with dabs of fruit purees, a toasted almond and some honey. My husband had the warm chocolate dumplings with chocolate sauce--they were sublime. I've decided that next time I'll only order two courses so I have room for dessert. BTW, I thought the portions were quite generous. At the end of the meal, they also brought out a little plate of tiny treats-lemon shortbread, coconut macaroon, peanut butter cookie and chocolate truffle. They wrapped them up for me, as I was so full. That chocolate truffle was sublime. They had a tasting menu and I'd love to try it next time. For there will be a next time. I loved this place. It wasn't cheap, by any means, but it was well worth the money for a special occasion. At the end of the evening, the chef(!) helped me into my coat and walked us out the door. I've never had that happen before