tsquare

I tried posting this on an old thread, but it wouldn't take. So here is a new spot for good news. Congratulations to Sugar (in Seattle) Looks like Stephanie and her shop caught the eye of Bon Appetit - Best of the Bakeshops - September 2008. By the way - filling your cupcakes with creamy goodness really sets yours apart from the more widely known cc's in town. Martha picked the wrong cupcake queen IMHO.

Be careful with your appliance locations - pain in the a to have to scoot around an island to go from the refrigerator to the sink and cooktop/stove. Depends on the layout and overall length of the U and island.

We used to have a bottle of coke syrup in the house. Came from a pharmacy. Not sure what it was meant to treat, but I sure liked sneaking a gulp when I could.

And another kudo - Bon Appetit's Best of the Bakeshops - September 2008. news! Congrats Stephanie. And by the way - filling your cupcakes with creamy goodness really sets yours apart from the higher profiled cc's around town.

Sugar will be in Bon Appetit's Best of the Bakeshops - September 2008! great news! Congrats Stephanie! And by the way, filling your cupcakes with creamy goodness really does make them above and beyond the higher profile cc's in town.

trying to launch a premium line during a US economic slump. ← Luxury - the economic class that is recession proof - haven't you heard? M&M's, err, maybe not.

Okay, I am counting - did you drink or swish and spit those cocktails? 11 x .75 = 8.25 ounces of whiskey (and a little more rum.) Even over two days I wouldn't be able to function. Slight exageration - less than 4 standard mixed drinks. I suppose that is doable, maybe even one long evening if you are well trained. In Guatemala, the Ron Zacapa was served at the Coppola Eco Resort neat Tikal as an after dinner drink - neat. They would not mix it, even at a customer's request. Hat's off to you.

Or something like that. No previous thread here - seems like an oversight. It's a beautiful little Italianish spot with family style suppers like no one's mama ever cooked, of my acquaintance. A wedding would be great here, though the I do's could be drowned out by the plane overhead, or the train that runs close enough to rattle the glasses. Still, got to wonder about the affordable apartments across the tracks and what they make of the weekend gatherings of strangers forking over $80 a meal (plus $30 with wine.) Are they dining on burritos and PBR up there? There are chickens and doves in the yard, along with raised beds filled with vegetables and herbs, an elderly fig tree, currently loaded with unripe fruit, and even a peach tree bathing in the sunny Georgetown micro climate. Inside, the not so perfect walls are pierced with arched windows and protected with lovely iron grills. A fireplace awaits cooler days, and an upstairs suite waits for more attention and the possible visiting chef. While the lighting was a bit low for old eyes, and the quantity of food and length of the meal were both too much for my tastes, the food itself was very good and the overall event a hit. Read more about it, through another's eyes and mouth, here: munch

Trader Joe's (Seattle) looking at comparison items: King Arthur Flour: $3.99 for 5 lbs. Tom's toothpaste: $3.99 for 6 oz. Limes: $1.29 for 1 lb (6 in the bag) Egg pappardelle pasta by TJ: $1.99 for 8 oz. and just for fun: Volpi proscuitto: $3.49 for 3 oz. (domenstic, not bad) Peanut Butter: $2.99 for 16 oz. organic Pecan halves: $5.99 for 16 oz. Cannellini beans, canned: .89 for 15 oz. (I know, dried are a better deal) They also don't have a store serving my neighborhood, but I am in their area far more often than Whole Foods.

I would love to - but since they haven't deemed my neighborhood worthy, it is too far across town to make sense. Will you compare against standard grocery stores only, or does Trader Joe's get a chance? They have fewer options, but I know they beat that butter price! Interestingly, our local coop has an unfortunate (and sometimes appropriate) reputation for higher prices. Since it has been my most convenient store for 16 years (as in walkable) I have been pretty faithful. When I try to shop at a big name place for the same items, the prices are almost always higher. If I changed to more middle of the road stuff (most not available at the coop) the bill would drop. So, WF isn't subscribing to the luxury brand version of marketing - the class that is recession proof? Good for them. And for consumers.

I've been to a lot of these events. Best bites have loads of flavor and are easy to eat in a single bite. A little pastry cup filled with a delicious tidbit (goat cheese and sweet onion), a mini slider with seared fish, a clever combination of items that create something greater than the parts (cured salmon with peach and plum chutney), a refreshing small cup of salad (roasted lamb with green beans, onions, and citrus dressing.) Of course, there was the whole suckling pig. Worst thing ever was not completely hot fois gras on a stick, covered in freshly made cotton candy. Gag me. Not fond of cups of too rich soup either - way too many chilled potato leek soups. If you go traditional French - make them very pretty - no brown blobs of questionable origin!

Lunch slices? Sure, just when it won't be my neighborhood anymore (I quit!) ← What neighborhood will you be in now? ← Stay tuned.

Lunch slices? Sure, just when it won't be my neighborhood anymore (I quit!)

Been using our ceramic top for two years - heavy use - much coming from cast iron skillets and a dutch oven, as well as ancient (not smooth) steel pans. A little TLC and it always looks ready for an open house. The chef shakes and flips food, no gentle lift of the pans as they move on and off the burner. Worst thing - flipping a plastic lid onto the hot burner. Spatula got most of it off, a few cleanings later and there is no residue.

I think sweets from Siena (Panforte comes to mind) and Balsamico from Florence. And check Divina's Florence website.

I had some earlier in the year - small ones in a bag from Trader Joe's. You can google the history of them. I don't know if the ones I ate where from NZ or WA, probably WA. They were crisp and sweet, but not the best ever. Worth trying. Look at the site for info on when they are fresh - new crop rather than storage is the way to go. apples

Madoka on Bainbridge would be my choice, though I have not been. They are even open on Sunday evening! http://www.madokaonbainbridge.com/ Chinatown - Tamarind Tree for Vietnamese, or Green Leaf, Jade Garden for dim sum. You can also scroll through the 150MSG (MSG150?) blog for a comprehensive view of lunching in the ID (International District.) If Malay Satay Hut is reopened by then, it is unlike anything else. The Pike Place crawl for lunches on the Mouthfulsfood site is a great overview of what is in the market. Fine dining - you could also consider Canlis (with our favorite pastry chef) and some of the hotel restaurants. Really.

Noise level? ← Not too bad - the place was close to full, but the conversation level was low. There were two kids enjoying dinner with their parents - well behaved, all. We were able to talk across the table, and talk to the owners without shouting.

The spot at 51st and Dawson - near the Seward Park PCC is gutted and begining again. Taken over by the folks from Dulces Latin Bistro in Madrona. Look for breakfast 7 days a week (late start on weekdays) on thru to dinners, topping out in the low $20's. Modern American with a latin twist, a touch of french. With luck - two months out.

Go the 20 miles to Waitsburg and go to Whoopemup - or just snack at jimgermanbar. There is something special going on out there.

This place has polish, grace, and very good food. We had 2 starters, a shellfish course of clams with pork belly and lemon mayo, a pasta with favas and tons of morels, and a dessert (chocolate "cake" and ice cream,) as well as one house cocktail and the only quibble we had was the coffee bbq dip for the wonderful crispy sweetbreads was not to our liking. The fireweed honey mustard and the herbed creme fraiche, bottle 'em and sell them at the door! The other starter of raviolo with duck egg and duck ham with green sauce - well, can I order two for breakfast, please? Lots of hard surfaces, but fresh and well designed. Some of the best service I've had lately. Friendly too. The bacon cheese burgers, served with fries cooked in beef fat, were flying off the wood grill (I think it is wood) and at $15, they looked really good. I'd like to try the rib eye with twice baked potato pie too. House made ice cream and sorbet - think salted peanut ice cream or campari grapefruit sorbet.

The Vietnamese grocery/deli type places have lots of soft white rolls in mini sizes that might fit the bill. I also like those potato rolls from Essential - maybe just a little big.

I think you should call the health department. If you are the only one, they won't take action, but if there are a bunch of calls, they can pinpoint the factor in common and see if something is needed to prevent future outbreaks. Could be a one time problem or ongoing health department concern. If you are inclined, trying to talk to the panino place is nice - but be prepared for denial and lack of interest - or they may offer you a free meal and thanks (somehow, I doubt you would be interested in a sandwich.)

1/2 hour before it opens, at least.

Going to be something called the Olive Tree Bistro. ← Happily, they aren't using that name afterall - but it is their catering company. I think I read it will be called Olivar(?) Sounds good: http://www.seattleolivetree.com/index.html