tsquare

Holy cow, when did you plant your favas that they have bloomed? Mine are just starting to come up. I've never grown them before and didn't realize before planting that they're huge plants. I planted mine last fall and they have some healthy sized pods on them right now. Unfortunately, the nasty golden chain tree nearby is gaining an unhealthy quantity of black aphids! Almost none last year - and this seems so early. I see what this weekend is about. My peas went in for President's Day and are healthy looking, but no flowers so far.

Steel Pig on Aurora at Roy (adjacent the Scientology place!) is pretty good - they are opening another place at 90th and Aurora later this spring. They've got a big ol' smoker parked in the garage, fry a mean catfish. Their sauce is a thinner vinegar style. Good collards and black eyed peas.

this did mention Tall Grass.

Nope, first occupants of the space. Ajay's was at 1st and Cedar. What's there now? So Fire and Ice is kaput, and Puck's Cafe (we must have already noted that.) Someone is working on the space on 2nd that held the short lived Falling Water. Lisa Dupar's name is on the space that was a catered dining space - Fairview Club? - at Denny and Boren. What's she up to there?

Not new. 2507 4th Avenue. Started by the French company "Biofournil" - perhaps the largest organic bakery in the world (?). I haven't been in quite awhile, but they were doing things very traditionally when they began - including bringing bakers over from France. They also have pastry, mostly of the breakfast sort.

PCC carries most of these as well - as well as Wildwood Breads from Kent (!). These are softer, but pretty tasty, as I recall. They haven't gotten much press here. There is also Le Pain du Four / Biofournil on 4th in Belltown, Le Painier in the Pike Place Market has very good bread and little press, La Brea Breads at some markets, such as they are. Sadly, we lost Sweet Lorraine's (good rye!) due to rent increases, but she may be selling at Farmer's Markets again. There are some other Farmer's Market only types. And some other neighborhood bakeries. For heavy duty stuff, there are a number of Great Harvest Bread Companies - Sandpoint and Ballard come to mind. Oh yeah, even Trader Joe's carries Essential.

okay

For those North of the Ship Canal, I'd say Lighthouse Roasters is the place. 400 North 43rd Street, Seattle, WA 98103 Tel: 206 633-4444 - Fax: 206 633-4775

NSM, Still the case? I'll be in town with family soon and wondering about your "best of" suggestions now that you've had some time there... Thanks!

Neelam's on Greenwood, North of 85th has Dosa. This place is cheap and pretty darn good. And empty, when I've been. Not Eastside. Eastside - Raga in Kirkland. Shamania in Kirkland near the PCC - a weird place to find.

I went too, since I'll be out of town for Tilth. Last year, Langley Fine Gardens tags were in all the tomato starts at Tilth. I don't know if the same arrangement is happening this year or not. The prices were $0.25 less at Tilth I think. But the crowds were larger and the check out can be maddening. Rent's Due has starts at PCC for quite a bit less ($1.49 versus $2.25?), but less variety in tomatoes. But the have lots of other starts such as peas, squash, greens, cauliflower and broccoli, etc.

Jon

To the south -away from the corner and Market Street. And the garden patio is south of that. I tried it last fall and thought it was sweet and stylish but too expensive. The tidbits I ate were okay, but didn't make me want to rush to the restaurant. I thought I posted about it at the time, but I guess I didn't.

Someone correct me if I have the wrong place in mind - but I believe they closed a few months back. Sorry to say.

Closing May 2 - Fandango.

I wanted to post that link to the thread that was discussing "Verace Pizza Napoletana (VPN) certificate" pizza recently - but can't find it. Happy pizza eating - some friends in the 'hood have been eating there since they opened - they told me they are glad it is there - but not a detination worthy place. I'm guessing you will think otherwise. I'm just guessing, since I haven't tried it!

Anyone like sweet potato fries? New place at Western and Broad called BaRoCho has them as well as sweet 'tater mashers to go with latin/cuban style bistro cuisine. Overlooks what will be the Seattle Art Museum Sculpture Park. Tasty chef's 5-spice salt to shake on - salt, pepper, cumin, coriander and ? The fries still tasted like sweet potatos - medium cut, some browned, some not, not too greasy.

I've used recipes from Hayday Cookbook (based in Westport, Conn.), Macrina Bakery and Cafe Cookbook (Seattle, WA), and Tom Douglas's Seattle Kitchen (also Seattle) for spiced nuts. All of these places sell them retail as well. The chocolate shortbread is from Tom Douglas as well. These are not too sweet and very addictive.

I also nominate Cafe Campagne - but they can be hit or miss. Mostly hit. Same for Brasa - they can be great, or not. Cascadia - not enough sampling to know if they are always that good. Tom Douglas's places are typically very good at fries too.

That depends on how you are about Indian novels; they really do have a whiff of fatalism about them and "A Fine Balance" is no different in that respect. I thought it was a stunning novel but, if you don't like that Indian mindset, then you probably won't like the ending. I did read the whole book. I didn't find it as grim as one led me to think. Glad to have read it, not sure if I'll get to his other books. On a lighter note, am reading "Untangling My Chopsticks, a Culinary Sojourn in Kyoto" by Victoria Abbott Riccardi. She may have gone a bit overboard in her descriptions of food - but I know I am now craving Japanese food, particularly "kaiseki".

I read back to your original post - you didn't ask for alternatives - just opinions on the Met. My error. I have nothing to add.

You know, El Gaucho and Waterfront are served by a complimentary van running between restaurants - including Troiani. Just a thought.

Welcome MW. We've given Matt's plenty of raves, just not on that thread. Music is Wednesday night. Reservations are now taken, in case anyone isn't up to speed on that!

What about Earth and Ocean, Sazerac, Union, or the Japanese place on Harbor Steps? I'd say Troiani, but you weren't completely sold last time. Nice that you can leave your car with their valet while at the symphony though. I've hoofed it from Brasa and Zoe without too much trouble. Matt's, Cafe Campagne, and Chez Shea (why?) too. Actually have never set foot in the Met. No good reason.

I've done this for out-of-town guests staying in local hotels, as a welcome. Water, spicy glazed nuts, chocolate shortbread cookies or gingersnaps, rustic crackers (I've bought them, but there are recipes for making crackers that look interesting), fruit, article clippings with special events or places to visit, a few flowers for the room. Snacks - nice to balance sweet, spicy and salt, and soft, chewy, and crispy.