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Fandango space becomes Toreros...it will be interesting to see if that draws a crowd.

and you are awake to write this up! WOW! Guess I should have been hanging out more.

Except for miles of soft leather booths.

Did he ever complete the purchase of Cucina Cucina!? That is already in the past. They were more recently sold to a Canadian (?). On another note - I looked in on the other two new ventures on 45th. Wonderbar appears to be in the new trend of lux bars - like Viceroy. Chocolate brown couches, crystal chandeliers, room for a little dancing - or at least a band. Bella Cosa - the food place - nice looking cheesecase - no prices posted. Fancy pasta, sauces, sandwiches...a busted freezer posted as containing Ciao Bella Gelato. Good luck to them - not sure there is a market...

Perhaps they found they were throwing away a lot of food and are responding to that?

It's a couple doors south of Flying Fish on First (south of Bell). They say - new bistro. That's all I know.

Point taken. I suppose as how M&S originated in the NW, I should be a better supporter. I just don't think I'd suggest it to this couple. I rarely look for "outstanding cuisines presented impeccably" - nice to know you can get that in Cleveland though. I tend to prefer local food prepared with passion. That's why Matt's gets my rec over and over, as well as Lark.

I have to agree. That is the only restaurant I can get my mother to go to whenever we are travelling together to/from Sitka. We've gone there when we had to flag down our server for each and every request. However I have to admit that the last time we visited (September, 2003) the service ranked right up with some of the most outstanding dining experiences I've had to date. I actually got my stationary out and wrote a complimentary letter to his boss for his perfect and very considerate service. And now, you can be an Owner. IPO. But there are M&S all over the country, so let's not send visitors there if we can help it! I am mean and cruel. Welcome zoeezoom. In the same vein - we can also recommend Lark. But both are a drive away from the Market. Do let them know that Sunday and Monday some restaurants close. (And a few on Tuesdays - Kingfish Cafe. That would be a funny place to send them - Southern cooking in Seattle!)

Eating? I've seen him do that at Matt's too.

Yes, congratulations! There is a recipe of his for lamb burger in the current (August?) Food and Wine (?). I saw it a couple of weeks ago while at brunch and wondered if I had missed the announcement here.

Oh be still my fig loving heart. Thanks for the report - wish I had been available!

Gretchen's Cafe at Benaroya is gone. Coming soon - something from Wolfgang Puck! (He goes, he returns...) I understand they couldn't reach a contract agreement. That will hurt (Gretchen's, of course.)

and Matt's in the Market (if a flight and a half of stairs is okay.) Very small, a bit of 'tude, they do take reservations these days. No cocktails, but wines by the glass.

Restaurant Zoe.

The figs are by far the best I've harvested in the few years I've been growing them! Biggest, sweetest, and perfectly plump. Yes, the green ones. Only wish the second crop could actually mature. Green beans, cukes, and squash are coming on strong. Snow peas are fizzled. Corn is tassling. Potatoes have been dug (volunteer purple and gold.)

Oh, correction - Lola's was a goat milk pie, though it made me think of cheesecake. After the piece at Matt's, it clearly was a different (and equally delicious) creation.

I had a goat cheese cake at Matt's last Friday - assume it was made by Michelle (their special dessert maker), that was fabulous (crustless). First time for me (goat that is) and first in a long time (for cheesecake.)

I was insanely curious after these posts and went along 45th about 3:00 Sunday 25 July. I saw the renovation with all the doo-dads, but couldn't see anything around Bottleworks except Wells Fargo bank and Hollywood Video. Where is the new store, exactly? Also didn't see anything smouldering, as per Really Nice!'s post...(But I could easily have missed things. I was on a bike and missing one contact lens). Speaking of Bottleworks, has FWED tried the Dagoba chocolate they sell, and what is his opinion? I love the xocolatl with chilies, although the clerk warned me that some people have hated it. The renovation with all that metal work now rising into the sky - must be a Thai or Indian palace? The specialty food store is across the street (South side of 45th.) Wonderbar is on the corner where Tully's (?) used to be. Or was that an SBC? What burned?

I have and can't recall anything I didn't love. Fig pizza, mustard chicken, watermelon salad, tomato and cucumber salad, and desserts...typically easier than they look and always worth the effort. I was a little bummed that the dessert cookbook had a fair amount of redundancy with Figs, and Olives. Also, it is too involved for me most of the time, though a neat concept. Fancy desserts constructed from various parts that can also be served by themselves.

Haven't been to Porta. Haven't been to Greece. Can't answer with any authority - but I'd guess there is some adaptation going on - due to sourcing and such, but striving for "real".

I went opening night (?) The Greek salad was tasty, enough for two to share with a good 4-6 oz of feta, lots of cukes, tomatoes, olives, and onions. Also had the lamb skewers. I liked these, but was a bit put off by the "tomato" as mentioned on the menu. I pictured this as fresh tomato and it was canned (according to the server.) This had a ketchupy flavor to me. Then again, when I've cooked from Greek recipes, I think that is something I haven't liked - the sweetish tomato paste tone to many dishes. A nice enough glass of Greek red wine. Awesome goat cheese pie - a light yet dense cheesecake, with orange caramel and fresh strawberries. I wish I had been far more adventuresome in my choices.

I got a newsletter from ChefShop today - all about honey. Unopened jar of chesnut honey in the pantry - need to get some figs and blue cheese...

What's hapening down the block (West) across the street? There is a building with major renovation work happening and some elaborate steel railings and staircase. Across from the library...and have you walked into the specialty food store across from Bottleworks yet? What are they selling?

I saw that in Nancy's column and had high hopes for another quick option - sit down? Maybe not. Now what I really want to check out is Crow's - the new place on 5th near the Ruins - that she wrote about. That area is so lacking - though the Greek place (never can recall the name) isn't bad and I kind of like the bbq place, Steel Pig (?) She also mentioned Puck's Cafe becoming an all-you-can eat Brazilian place - roving meats.

Hmm, I keep hearing that Renee consulted to the Owner - is she actually working there (maybe temporarily?) Sounded like she (they) is still looking for a new home for Boat St Cafe. Weekend brunch, yes. Weekly review