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Yes - it was on the menu 2 weeks ago. A "friend" had it and didn't even offer a taste. (I've eaten it on at least 2 occassions myself.) Is there an advantage to taking the parts home and finishing it? Doesn't sound less expensive - though the serving might be larger, you can do the sides (and wine) for less $. But you have to do the dishes. Last year (or was the previous one?) was my tasting year - Brasa, Cafe Campagne, Stumbling Goat, Matt's in the Market. Makes you glad for cold weather. (Didn't make it to Cassis.)

I've been driving by it on my way in to work each morning. Steel Pig BBQ I think it is called. Of course it is not open on my way to work. Is 7:30 AM too early for BBQ? Took a long time to match driving by and dinner time - the place is pretty cool - with a firefighter / partner! Got some ribs (not baby backs) and chicken with a tangy vinegar type sauce - light viscosity, with a kick, sided with a dense corn muffin, greens (fully cooked and seasoned), and tasty rice and black-eyed peas. Maybe not the best Q in the world - or possibly even in Seattle, but the place is very appealing. Other entree is catfish. Other sides were an assortment of salads - coleslaw, macaroni, etc, as well as pinto beans - maybe mac & cheese? Dessert options include sweet potato pie - very tempting. Tea, lemonade, soda - beer? Don't think so, but I wasn't pay close attention. One block North of Mercer - would that be Roy?

Fran's has a shop in University Village and I think there's one downtown, too. Not downtown, but just north of Bel Square - kind of tucked into a parking lot with an Indian restaurant, across from a French import store - lovely linens, pricey specialty foods, etc. U-Village is easier to find. Great ganache stuffed figs too. (Dilletante is opening a chocolate cafe next to the Seattle Sheraton, soon.)

the earlier place, started with an "A" I recall?

Right.

This would be Ethan Stowell, I presume, owner of the place? I think I was surprised by how much the menu differed from the first one I saw - it could have been very disappointing to someone looking for offal, for instance. Also, I though the food and room were well executed, but the service wasn't quite so much - it created a disconnect for me. It was also very dull in there - not lively. I don't care for a lot of noise, but some sense of enjoyment around is appreciated. I'm curious about your take on the decor - I liked it, but didn't find it strikingly better than Brasa, 727 Pine, Waterfront, Zoe, Flying Fish, or even Fish Club. Different, and handsome, but in what ways was so it that much better? We've got carpet, dark wood, upholstered benches, nice lights, mirror, voltives, artwork...I did like the weight and height of the chairs - no dangling feet, no tipping over.

Very interesting - I couldn't decide what I though - wrote it out to help it gel. Was there enough sauce for you tighe? I thought of you when there wasn't any left in my bowl. Can you believe we both passed on the pork bellies (sorry mamster) and didn't sample the pastries (sorry nsm). Neither of us mentioned - the wine list also has a fairly large selection of half-bottles, as well as magnums.

Now serving Sunday brunch!

The first week this place at 1st and Union (Seattle) opened, I sauntered in for a look at the place and the menu. A modern room, with nice detailing, colorful carpets, fine art, and handsome furniture. The menu - composed of a choice of a tasting menu or ala carte starters, seconds, mains, and dessert. Heavy on some rather challenging ingredients including liver, tongue, sweetbreads, but also full of seasonal foods and lively descriptions. New staff appeared uneven in experience and training, but excited and ready to start. Stayed for a cocktail – selected something with Champagne. The bartended apologized when he presented the bill – they hadn’t stocked a mixer brand of bubbly and the price of the drink seemed awfully high to him. Actually, it wasn’t that out of line – I think it was $8? After giving them a month to settle in, stopped in for dinner. They haven’t done much to announce themselves. The room was very empty, though a dozen or so dinners were seated over the next hour. Offal was completely absent from the current menu (not that I would have selected any for myself.) I was told that the menu changes regularly and this was just coincidence. The tasting menu ($45) looked pretty interesting with smoked salmon, pork bellies, sturgeon, and, and a handful of other items including a cheese course and dessert. But not quite the night for that. I had a decent glass of wine ($8). Amuse bouche of a small cup of duck broth (stock?), rich and soothing, a little salty, but not overwhelmingly. A toothsome hedgehog mushroom risotto ($9) was accented with basil oil. Duck confit ($16), tender, salty, flavorful, was served atop braised chard with roasted figs and a port reduction (a heavier hand with the sauce would have been appreciated.) Bread appeared to be the ubiquitous rosemary bread. Overpowering for the delicacy of this cuisine. Remarkably, I didn’t have dessert – or even look at the menu. The service was fairly formal, yet not really. A lot of production in the offering of silverware and it’s removal. I ended up with only a sharp knife for buttering bread. I felt as though they were concerned I might walk off with any unused utensils. Also, when plates were being removed or water refilled, the buser would excuse himself – I think it would be better if he was silent or else actually engaged in conversation. This just seemed awkward. They do have something of a bar menu after 11 pm.

Excellent report. It sounds like you accepted their offer. Get them to send you to France, Italy, Spain and Portugal to study the local curds! Maybe that suggestion should wait awhile.

I didn't order it - but the restaurant I went to last night had it as soup with creamed crab. (Why is this is in the China thread - more a general cooking thread?)

Oddly enough, these Northwesterners went out for tartare and ended up heavily flambeed: flaming skewers and dessert

Marbled halvah cheesecake decorated with chocolate coins!

Oh, all new space courtesy of the Washington Trade and Convention Center. There was a low-income type apartment building that was demolished. Amazingly enough, 2 new buildings were constructed on First Hill to replace the units and the displaced tenants were given the opportunity to move in to the new places.

Hmm, what happens when the amount he owes for lunch exceeds the $20?(!)

Nordstrom took over the space formerly occupied by Frederick and Nelson.

Cafe Campagne - big bowl of cafe and over the top french toast? Portage Bay Cafe (U-district) for eggs scrambled up with a whole mess of stuff, decent fresh potatoes grilled and spiced, good coffee. Also a breakfast bar of fruit and toppings for the line up of pancakes and crepes and such. I like Jitterbug Cafe - on 45th in Wallingford - same people as Coastal Kitchen, eat at the tiny bar and watch the cooks.

but can't you do that locally at El Gaucho? Flaming kebabs and desserts. Maybe drinks? (or is it the word "flambeed" - that doesn't look right.)

you might enjoy this (or a number of other threads): lunch at Salumi

I just had a chance to scope out his new book (thanks to a friend). The intro is captivating and tells a very textured story about the big dinners he enjoyed as a kid growing up with a giganto family. It's a great guide for people who really like to entertain. I'm already trying to figure out who I can invite over to make the "Chinook Salmon Roast" dinner menu. No one bit - this sounds like an open invitation to me! Or a good set-up for the interest expressed in a bunch of people cooking together?

Stepped inside today. The cold case held some mixed green salads, quiche, pate sandwiches, and pork rilette (sp?) sandwiches. With the choice of pork or pork, I went on to Salumi. The overall menu looked tasty - Friday special is petit cassoulet. Tomorrow, they are supposed to start having desserts. Oh, it was around 1:30, and very quiet. Bon Appetit!

I went for you. A cold sandwich of Dario salami on a giant roll with onions and peppers. Dario is a non-garlic salami spiced with lots of pepper and mace. The second half will be dinner. Also picked up some pancetta for whatever strikes me this week - pasta, soup, breakfast... Mama Batali was very pleased with last night's show.

Look at this website for some package deals - the rates may not sound too low - but they include parking, which can really help. I stayed at 5th Ave Suites a few years ago and enjoyed it, and the location a lot. Portland deals

and not exactly a walk along the monorail route!

Nancy Leson's take on the subject: what she said