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I finally went to Nell's. Last minute decision. Arrived not long after 5:00 and got the last available table for an early seating (though the room didn't fill until 6 or so.) The room really is odd - metal storefronts and wood wainscot just don't mix. But there were some nice touches including a basket of apples in the entry for a first pleasant scent. Chef was very present - perhaps a bit concerned with the 25 for 25 crowd? They have two appetizers, two entrees, and two desserts to choose from. For an extra $20, you can have matched wine/sherry with each course (I didn't.) I had an onion tarte with sunchoke chips and hazelnut butter. I could eat this everyday. It was smooth, creamy, crunchy, salty, and grainy. Other starter was kolarabi soup. Entree was duck confit with thyme scented cabbage and fingerling potatoes. Salty (not overly), tender, leg plus a disk of thigh (?) atop soft, braised cabbage, and earthy half potatoes. The sauce was a sweetended reduction - assume duck stock - not sure what else. Very good. Other choice was salmon. Dessert was gingerbread cake (or was it pumpkin?) with cinnamon ice cream. The cake was a little dry and not too flavorful. The ice cream was a beautiful golden color, the flavor took a second or two to develop on the tongue. There were thin strands of fresh, candied (preserved?) ginger - these perked up the combination nicely. They were almost transparent and gummy, but good. Wine by the glass ranged from $6-$9 as I recall. All in all - a very good meal - and I will be back to try the regular menu soon. Intrigued by the hand cut noodles with chantrelle mushrooms.

no comment - edited after reviewing earlier posts - happy kitchen!

Excellent subject - hopefully some of the pastry chefs will discuss further. I asked Fran Gage about beet versus cane sugar at her talk at Norhtwest Bookfest. There was some preference for cane, though she could only say that beet sugar does not carmelize - so it can't be used on creme brulee and the like. I've noticed that cane sugar does not lump as much.

Nancy Leson writes about this topic in today's Times - "highend hotspots drawing dinner crowds." Also a list of those restaurants participating in the 25 for $25. I noticed lines out the doors of places around 2 p.m. last Sunday - a lot of brunching going on too!

Baked noodles with fresh tomato/carrot/mushroom/onion/eggplant/pepper sauce layered with shredded zucchini, homegrown winter squash, fresh mozzarella, parmesan, and hazelnuts. Autumn in a bowl.

I hear the cook used to be at a place on Rainier - south end, near Othello? Not sure where else, but West Seattle - don't think so.

Recent acquistion - "handmade pasta from Italy - dry product by Toscania. $1.69-$1.99 for 500 g. This stuff seems really good to me, but what do I know? The packaging is nifty too.

Chocolate a la Taza is one brand of Spanish hot chocolate available from The Spanish Table - cooks up to a pudding like consistency. I believe there is some form of starch in these products.

Ben- The Spanish Table (store at the hillclimb and Western) has powdered chocolate drink mixes that cook up almost to pudding. I've tried one brand, in a white bag, that has good flavor, but could be richer - or I could be adding too little mix (instructions are in Spanish) or it would help if I used whole milk or cream! Excellent treat for the wintery days ahead.

Had a very good dinner at Stumbling Goat Bistro last night (located on Greenwood Avenue). They have a seasonal menu, but tend to serve the same thing year to year, with some new offerings. It had been awhile, and I was past due for a visit. Glass of Sagelands cab ($6) - not too special, but okay. Chopped salad - huge plate of iceberg and romaine in a creamy dressing, served with cubes of cooked, not mushy potatoes, tomatoes, crisp celery, cucumber, tartly vinegared roasted beets, perfectly cooked hard boiled eggs halves on the side, and the freshest walnuts I've tasted in a long while - buttery and light colored. ($8) Entree of lamb shank with polenta. Fat on the lamb shank wasn't completely rendered off, leaving lots of flavor, not falling off the bone, but fork tender. Cloaked in a tomato carrot concoction with a sweet, smokey undertone of chipolte pepper and brightened with fresh lemon zest and parsley. Could have used a marrow utensil! The polenta tasted like equal parts grain, cream, and butter. ($17) Solid bread with the good butter that makes you eat too much to consider dessert (though they sounded great - devil's food cake with ice cream, creme brulee with cookies, pecan pie, or apple/cranberry turnover with cinnamon ice cream, as I recall. Ice creams made in-house.) The room is very much a labor of love, red being the overriding impact, and definitely a romantic feeling, though they are a neighborhood restaurant. They have a full liquor license, street parking only.

From your registration, we can see you are in Long Island. My zone and yours are not the same (Seattle), but I have had success with: bay tree, various lavenders, thymes (basic, silver, and orange balsam), oregano, mint (they may die back but return), parsley - usually get two years as is their nature, loveage - dies back and returns each year, tarragon - same, cilantro self seeds, parsley too, lemon balm (lemon verbena only with rare luck - most people bring them inside), sage, and rosemary - upright seems more hardy than prone. Will find out about stevia this year, also a new planting of summer savory - died out the last time. Have seen fennel overwinter but not dill. Don't expect the lemon grass or epasote to overwinter either. That is a more general answer than what was originally asked! Somehow, I've never grown marjoram - I have heard it is more tender than oregano.

Called Thaiku. Next to the "park" on Ballard Avenue, south of Market. (Was Julia's Park Place some incarnation ago.) Pretty place, can have a long wait. Great flavors, though sometimes it seems like a lot of money for a bowl of noodles.

Lucky you! To Araxi or one of the Vancouver places? Kind of a long drive from Seattle, though I did do a round trip for Expo back in '86 (?). Funny post about the hamburger and fries at Ouest. I wasn't lucky enough to have been there - but Matt's in the Market once had this as a special that was talked about for days. They have only two propane burners and an oven to cook on, so you can imagine how difficult that would be!

Araxi was the highlight of my visit to the Whistler area a year and a half ago. I wish I could recall what I ate - i think there was an appetizer of salmon prepared 3 ways, main course, maybe something like local lamb with huckleberries, and dessert - amazingly, no recall - chocolate, no doubt. Had a cocktail and a glass of excellent wine. I think the tab was around $50 US! It was off season, quiet, a pretty room, excellent service and food preparation.

Lunch at the Mexican Grocery - north end of the Market, next to the original Starbucks - $3.83 tax included - buys you one tamale (pork, chicken or beef), rice, beans, chips and salsa (green and red.) Comes in a paper boat, but no place to sit in the store (or the boat.) Other stuff available as well. PS - we have the Market back - the crowds are gone.

What about "VQ"?

Yes, Au Bouchon used to be this awesome Spanish restaurant called La Bodega. Well . . . not awesome perhaps, but very good and authentic (copious amounts of olive oil, garlic etc.). Apparently Au Bouchon has the same owners (Basque husband, French wife), but the place went French. Sounded promising. I never quite got the drift here - as it followed a string of restaurant closing announcements - but as of today, they are open. Just in case anyone else was confused.

The list is growing so long, just in 2002. In some instances, transformations, in others, just bad news. Avenue One Ezo Noodle Cafe Fira Gypsy (now?) Il Gambero (now a Jai Thai) Kismet (now a German Pub) La Tienda Cadiz Les Tamales (soon to be Ovio) Lucy's Taqueria - downtown Lush Life (transforming to ?) Marcha - at 1st & Union (consolidated in the Fernado's space at 6th and Wall) 96 Union Painted Table (to be ?) Poor Italian Cafe (if I'm not mistaken) Ragin Cajun (now Cafe Mimosa) List isn't so long - I must be missing many. And fresh openings?

It looks like you can learn how to make the famous roasted chicken, for a $12 entry fee at the Washington State Trade and Convention Center event: "Seattle Cooks" November 8-10 (4th annual - never been, don't know anything about the event except what is on line.) Saturday, November 9th 10:30am Jim Drohman of Le Pichet "Roasted Chicken"

Now that's a happy meal! Sounds like a typical American Sushi place's pre-set assorted sushi plate, except for the toy. A "safe" choice.

Glad I didn't add s's! Forgot about the Salumi comment - so wrong! Guess they can't afford a fact checker - or just don't care.

Yeah, can't stand him, but had to watch the hometown piece. He went to the Market, which he later referred to as Pike's market. Mentioned his good friend Tom Douglas. Drank a latte at Vivace and commented about the notorious park near it, without futher embellishment. I don't think he caught the feeling of Seattle very well. He cooked salmon and Uli's sausages. Not together.

Here is the poop from The Seattle Times on the TV show: http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/...ouglas+%2B+Food Did everyone see Emeril talking about Seattle on Friday night?

Just finished "The Art of Travel". Excellent use of quotes and stories by travellers and philosophers from the past. Started, and thoroughly enjoying "A Thousand Days in Venice". Has a handful of interesting recipes at the end.

All the local reviews made a big deal about this - no one wanted to like it, but everyone did. (See the archives in the PI or Times.) And like them, I'm not inclined to want to go there, but if someone offered to buy me dinner, I wouldn't turn it down (except I didn't like the dessert!) I noticed Flemings has a pretty cheap happy hour as well, but I think it is 3-6 p.m.? And with Cascadia, Axis, Market St Grill, and others offering three course meals for $25, there is alot of eating opportunities out there. Let's get a new thread going, who's got the bargains, what's worth going to, who should we support? And one for RIP? Though that is already there with places we miss...