tsquare

MsRamsey, To quote myself. Maybe there's another way - no link, since it was on this thread. Perhaps we could start a 25 for $25 March 2003 thread to differentiate this round?

I posted on Waterfront in November's 25.

The only bulk chocolate I've seen at Joe's was Ghirardelli. Maybe they carry a different brand at the one you go to? They have house brand Pound Plus bars - in Milk, Semi, Bitter and 70% (?), plus some with almonds and stuff. Generally around $3-4 a bar. Pretty good for baking - cookies and brownies at least - and munching. (Yeah, here is Seattle...over the freezer case in the U-district, last I looked.)

He will be in the ride-free area, so jumping buses on the street or in the tunnel are options until 7:00, then it's a buck or so (exact change please.) But Belltown to Pioneer Square is all walkable, if you aren't pressed for time. Matt's and Le Pichet, of course. Cafe Campagne in the Pike Place Market is close enough to the Westin, pretty moderately priced. The Frontier Room is also close - bbq with a hip bar. Hopefully the food is good. Zoe is close, heading towards a bit spendy. Brasa's bar menu, or selective ordering from the full menu. Also, Palace Kitchen is a block away, and directly across the street, under the monorail, is Gee Whiz, an independent coffee shop (using Zoka roasted beans) that makes a decent bagel and egg breakfast (or a big bowl of cereal) without hotel prices. The Courthouse is definitely walking distance to Salumi. It is quite inexpensive and a must as a special adventure. Lulu's might be of interest, fairly close to Salumi, just started opening for lunch again. Haven't been to Lulu's, but it sounds good. If I am not mistaken, Dine Out, 25 for $25 starts Sunday - $25 for a three course dinner, $12.50 (?) for lunch at 25 restaurants. Check the news in Sunday's paper.

Happy Birthday Pastry Boy! I loved that El Diablo too.

Not to sound like a broken record, but have you tried ChefShop? For instant gratification, you can visit the warehouse, or mail order. Not exhaustive, but some interesting options: http://shop.store.yahoo.com/chefshop/choco...colatebars.html Not sure that they have varietals though...

Such as "Mastering the Art of French Cooking?" or Larousse?

I've been told by reliable sources - Yabbies.

No coupons, no specials, no cards. But a fun(ny) newsletter. Some days they have what you want, some days they don't. Changes regularly.

Some other thoughts, but nothing that makes you run out on a Sunday morning: Gilbert's Deli on Main Street in Bellevue The Other Coast Cafe on Ballard Avenue (Boar's Head) Leah's Deli on 65th? I think there are two - one with meat, one without - keeping it kosher. Buffalo Deli on First (in the base of some big building - only open for lunch?) - again, using Boar's Head I think. Roxy's on First advertises it is serving Indonesian food as well. I find that very strange. I liked Roxy's when they had just a counter and three stools - their move to a larger space turned it into something dull. Maybe the food was the same, but it didn't seem like it. Haven't tried the original on 80th.

A few weeks ago, I had a few slices of Salumi's pancetta sitting in the fridge - drapped it over a (non-brined) chicken that went into the oven for roasting. Better than crisp chicken skin. Easier than frying.

My experience was very much like girl chow's. I enjoyed it immensely - even being part of the show and dancing with the beau. I heard recently that the menu has changed - not for the better in their opinion - some narly flank steak dish.

oops, again, It was in the Times: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/rest...531_deal07.html

Since mamster caught me en route - mmm, meatball sandwich with fresh mozt, sauced with tomato and onions plus the sandwich spreads - garlic and basil (?). Comes on a section of baguette style roll, split. A little easier to eat and a good sponge for the sauces. And some darling "unscottini" bites dipped in dark chocolate and wrapped in cello with a pink ribbon and red heart tag for dessert.

Yup, as anticipated, the a.m. format left little time for the program. But TD did mention two sources for locally made chocolates, gave away 3 truffle prizes, and fumbled a bit through the Q&A'a. Lots of talk about brussel sprouts, no controversy - except the guy who claimed the bread in the area is awful - but I think he was only referring to sliced sandwich bread used in cheap delis and such. Really made KUOW's show sound great on Sunday.

Pray tell, what fan did you install? and what do you mean by "we don't use it"? Did you install 400 cfm and only turn it on low? In the State of Washington, we are instructed to "build it tight, ventilate it right". Indoor Air Quality code dictates a minimum of 100 cfm for range hoods, 50 cfm minimum for bathrooms, laundries and other sources of water vapor, and whole house fans to match the amount of square feet and number of bedrooms (all those annoying sleepers breathing out moisture all night long.) In addition, there is supposed to be a source of fresh air - ports in window frames or through wall in each habitable room. Alternately, a whole house filtered ventilation system can be substituted.

Yes, and it is good. Even with espresso. Today. Minutes ago.

Oops, Heavenly (http://heavenly-chocolates.com/) has truffles and toffees and chocolate bark, as well as cakes. Fran's (http://www.franschocolates.com/)

Stay local - Fran's and Heavenly both mail order as well. Tom Douglas mentioned these as his favorites for Seattle. Heavenly has truffles and caramels. Fran's has many specialties.

Made the Braised Short Ribs along with some basic polenta last night. The short ribs took about 20 minutes of attention, then 2 hours in the oven. Perfect for a cold winter night. Also made the cocoa/chocolate/hazelnut cookies (crisp, yet meltingly tender) and the fig/walnut biscotti (adult fig newtons?). About 13 happy recipients!

and XXX got written up in today's PI! Hmm, coincidence?

Ode to Waring: Mine is 53 years old, inherited from my parents wedding! Chrome base still shines, original ribbon glass jar and black lid, two speed is all she needs, and dinged up blades still do the job. I was able to find replacement sleeves for the pronges on the base last year, so it sits nice and tight.

Definitely will be planting, but may not start seeds before mid-April, which means buying tomato and pepper starts this year. Seattle Tilth Sale is a good place to buy interesting organic and heirloom starts...probably late April or early May. A fun place to buy seeds is at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show - Territorial Seeds brings a much wider selection than I've found in town. Somehow, I never manage to mail-order. Other seeds too, but I lose control at TS.

I'll second that.

A balmy Saturday night brought in the first dinner in February. Walking into Belltown, I passed beneath a young man playing guitar and singing softly from the balcony of one of the new apartment buildings along 2nd Avenue. Even the slightly unsavory characters hanging out in darkened doorways were in good moods, calling out “Good evening” to passerbys. Zoe had seated my dining companions. We selected a glass of wine and a split of French champagne to sip as we decided on our menu. After some descriptive assistance from the enthusiastic server, we ordered a house signature item of Grilled romaine salad with bacon and apples, and a ravioli appetizer stuffed with winter squash and marscapone, topped with hazelnuts, crumbled amaretti, and a balsamic reduction. The romaine was smoky and warm (and delicious), the bacon and apple didn’t seem to quite meld into the dish. The ravioli (one very large one) was tender and creamy – as good a case for pasta as any I’ve tasted in a long while. Entrees selected were seared sea scallops with parsnip flan, grilled yellowfin tuna (served rare) with couscous, eggplant, and chutney, and veal cheeks served with spatzele and pea vines. The sides were tremendous, flavors bright, quality top notch. The mains were excellent as well. Portions were ample without being indulgent, plating was attractive though not fussy. For dessert, we split a rustic pear tart with vanilla ice cream, a special that evening substituting for a winter bread pudding. The tart was picture perfect in a homey way, the crust buttery and tender. Pacing for our dinner was well handled (we mentioned an 8:oo engagement). The room was comfortable in temperature and sound level, with music functioning well as white noise. The room is quite pleasant, though somehow, there isn’t a great table that I could identify, none seemed particularly bad either. The window tables are nice – out of any traffic – but look out onto a still rough stretch of Belltown. We thought the dinner was quite good and look forward to returning to try other menu items.