girl chow

OTB, if you can't make it into Seattle for your bread fix, as I posted before, there are several places to find good bread, cheeses and meats that are much closer to you in Gig Harbor. I just wanted to reiterate that the Metropolitan Market in Tacoma's Proctor District (located at about 26th and Proctor) carries bread from Essential Bakery, Grand Central and a few other great regional bakeries. They also have a terrific selection of cheeses and meats. A good place to go in a pinch if you can't make the drive to Seattle. Also, Harbor Bakery in Tacoma (2810 Sixth Ave., 253-274-1008), as I posted before, is a quick jaunt for a good bread fix. I can't say enough good things about the rustic loaf.. and the ciabata, when you can get it (go early). Also, there's a new cheese shop in Gig Harbor that has a terrific (if not small) selection of really excellent quality gourmet cheese. It's called Isa Mira, 3313 Harborview Drive, 253-857-7511. It's tucked down below Harborview, you have to walk down the parking lot and through a hallway to find it. They have a great deck with a view of the harbor for lunching. Very nice. Just down the street, Susane's Bakery in Gig Harbor also has very nice quality bread, but you usually have to call and order it the day before. They carry a pesto loaf, herb loaf, cracked whole wheat and a French caraway. They're at 3411 Harborview Drive, 253-853-6220. Also a deck with a great view. Hope these help. I'm a Pierce County resident, and although I love searching Seattle for food finds, sometimes its easier to stay in my own territory for great food (thankfully there is no shortage of fantastic food in Tacoma).

It seems Rover's is trying something new.. yet again. This one sounds like it will be on the winning side for diners. I'd love to try the 3-course $35 lunch on a Friday sometime, maybe Friday May 28 if they have openings? Anyone else care to join me? Post here if you are and I'll call and see if reservations are available. PRESS RELEASE: Seattle, Washington---Rover’s inimitable James Beard award winning chef, Thierry Rautureau (otherwise known as the Chef in the Hat!!!) is encouraging Seattle-ites to expand their tasting experiences by adding two new ways to dine at his Madison Valley restaurant. Beginning Friday, May 21st, the Chef in the Hat!!! invites guests to celebrate the end of their week with “Friday Lunch” at Rover’s. Seatings will be available between noon and 2 p.m. Rover’s will feature an A la Carte menu of signature dishes as well as a 3-course lunch for $35.00. A la Carte dishes are priced from $8 - $19. Rover’s full Wine Spectator award winning wine list will be available, including Champagne and wine by the glass, and over 100 choices by the half-bottle. Thierry suggests that this is the perfect way for guests to start the weekend on a high note – whether over a business “power” lunch, dining with friends, or celebrating the end of the work-week, by coming out for an exceptional mid-day dining experience. Reservations are encouraged for “Friday Lunch” at Rover’s; walk-ins are welcome. For reservations or information call (206) 325-7442. In addition, after a great deal of research and many customer requests, Rover’s will present an “A la Carte” dinner menu along with its traditional three pre-set menus, beginning Tuesday, May 25th. “People worldwide are dining out more often and asking for more choices,” says Thierry. “They still want a Grand Dinner for special occasions, but for more frequent dining, they want to try as many ‘taste experiences’ as possible (and keep it fun!). Our new A la Carte menu is something we would like to make available to our loyal customers so they have several dining options at Rover’s.” Rover’s A la Carte dinner menu items will range from $14 to $20, encouraging guests to select from a full range of the award winning restaurant’s dishes in order to create their own incredible dining experience. For reservations call (206) 325-7442. # # # #

I think you meant Wild Wheat Bakery. I posted a few times about this place a few years back. It's in downtown Kent on First Avenue, right next to the railroad tracks (the restaurant shakes when the trains roll by). The bread is luscious, but I still think Bittersweet, across the street and down a few restaurants, makes better sandwich bread. They don't sell their breads outside the restaurant, though. Wild Wheat is also a restaurant, serving an eclectic lunch menu. They don't serve dinner, except the occasional special occasion and sometimes on Friday nights when the owners feel like it.

Here is another thread that mentions other threads about Redmond/Eastside restaurants. I love to post threads about other threads about other threads.

I recently picked up a house loaf and a kalamata olive ciabbata from Dahlia that was phenomenal. One problem with Dahlia is they sell out of bread early in the day, or at least that's been my experience. The selection dwindles in the afternoon. OnlyTheBest, I am a HUGE fan of Acme bread. When hubby and I were in SF last fall, we bought probably 3 or 4 loaves of sourdough and we chowed them down over a few days with a few wheels of red hawk cheese from the Cowgirl Creamery. Yum yum yum. I think Essential Bakery makes great bread, as does GC. I get my loaves at the Metropolitan Market in Tacoma, not in Seattle though (plug for southenders who don't know where to get good bread). Also good bread in Tacoma can be found at the Harbor Bakery on Sixth Avenue. Get the rustic loaf. edited: typo queen.

There are dozens of great restaurants on the Eastside that have been discussed in other threads. Here is a thread where we talk extensively about a whole mess of restaurants. In my post, I have a lot of links and other stuff about my top Eastide restaurants, yada yada. To recap the thread, some recommendations I and others had for another poster asking about Eastside dinners: on the cheap: I Love Sushi Udupi La Cocina del Puerco Jones BBQ Crossroads moderate/affordable: Pogacha Firenze Hector's upscale/higher prices: Cafe Juanita Sans Souci Third Floor Fish Cafe Szmania's Daniel's Broiler Go look at the thread. I know there are other threads that have a lot of info. I'll try and find them.

Excellent. Thanks for the postings. I've scored a purple calabash and a few other heirloom starts from a friend... and my early girl starts are looking very perky. I'm curious, though, what other heirloom starts they'll sell at these plant shows. Any idea?

YES! Somehow I skipped the White Center market on my list. White Center opens June 25 and runs Saturdays 10-2. Located at 98th Street, between 15th and 16th S.W. 206-694-1082 I also see on a list I found that Vashon Island has a market: opened earlier this month, runs Saturdays and Wednesdays 9-1, located near Bank Road and Vashon Highway S.W. 206-567-4548.

Yikes. R.I.P. Fandango

The markets are opening. WOOHOO! I've updated my massive list. No need to thank me, just send me a check Please note some changes from my list above that's a few years old: The Enumclaw and Covington Markets have CLOSED (bummer). Also, the Kent Market has moved and some of the Tacoma markets also have new addresses. New markets this year are Federal Way, Carnation and one soon will be opening in Bellevue (in the permit process). Here's my list (always call first and check info, things change frequently at farmers markets) SOUTH END Kent: downtown Kent at the municipal lot at Smith Street, from Fourth Avenue to Second Avenue. Open June 5, Saturdays, 9-3 Maple Valley: fruit/veggie stand, Maple Valley Highway and 214th Street. Open now. Daily 9-7. Renton: Renton Piazza at S. 3rd & Burnett. Opens June 15, runs Tuesdays 3-7, 425-226-4560 NEW THIS YEAR!!: Federal Way: In the Sears parking lot of the SeaTac Mall (err, Federal Way Commons, whatever) at 320th and Pacific Highway South. Opoens June 19, runs Saturdays 9-2. 253-261-8157 Burien: Fourth Ave around 152nd, downtown Burien. Opens May 13, runs Thursdays, 11-6. EAST Bellevue: Pace Fruit Stand, 2380 Bellevue Way S.E.. Open now, daily 9-7. Redmond: 7730 Leary Way, Redmond. Opens May 1, runs Saturdays, 9-3, 425-556-0636. www.redmondsaturdaymarket.homestead.com. Woodinville: 13205 N.E. 175th St., Woodinville Opened April 17, runs Saturdays, 425-485-1042. SOON TO OPEN?? SUBJECT TO PERMITS: Bellevue, Presbyterian Church at 1717 Bellevue Way N.E., supposed to open June 17 and run Thursdays, 11-3. 425-454-8474 Bothell: Country Village, 23730 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell. Opens May 21, runs Fridays, 10-3, 425-483-2250. www.countryvillagebothell.com. Kirkland: Park Lane East in downtown Kirkland. Opens April 28, runs Wednesdays, 11-6, 425-485-1042, www.kirklanddowntown.org. Issaquah: Pickering Barn, 1730 10th Ave. N.W., opened April 17, runs Saturdays, 9-2, 425-837-3311, www.ci.issaquah.wa.us. NEW THIS YEAR!! Carnation: Tolt Avenue and Bird Street. Opens June 15, runs Tuesdays, 3-7, 425-788-3089, www.ci.carnation.wa.us/farmersmarket. North Bend: North Bend Senior Center, 411 Main Ave. S., (exit 31 off of I-90). opens June 12, runs Saturdays, 9-1, 425-888-3434 SEATTLE Ballard: Ballard Avenue. yearround, Sundays, 10-4, 206-781-6776, www.fremontmarket.com. Fremont: located at North 34th near the Aurora Bridge. yearround, Sundays, 10-5, 206-781-6776, www.fremontmarket.com. (go to www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org. for info on W. Seattle, Columbia City, Magnolia, Lake City and U-Dist markets, they're managed by the same place): West Seattle: located at the corner of Alaska and 44th Street Southwest at the Alaska Junction. Opens May 15, runs Sundays, 10-2. Columbia City: Columbia Plaza, 4801 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle. Opens May 19, runs Wednesdays, 3-7 Magnolia: Magnolia Community Center, 2550 34th Ave. W., Seattle. Opens June 12, runs Saturdays, 10-2 Lake City: Northeast 127th and 30th Northeast, Seattle. Opens May 27, runs Thursdays, 3-7. U-Dist: Northeast 50th Street at “The Ave.” Opens May 22, runs Saturdays, 9-2. TACOMA/PIERCE/WAY THE HECK SOUTH Puyallup: , Pioneer Park Pavillion, 330 S. Meridian St. Opens May 1, runs Saturdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (and Thursdays later summer) www.puyallupmainstreet.com/farmersmarket.html. T.H.E. Farmers Market, University Place: 3501 Bridgeport Way, OPens May 1, runs Saturdays, 9-2, www.thefarmersmarket.us. Tacoma Proctor: North 27th Street at Proctor, Opens May 1, runs Saturdays, 9-2, www.proctorfarmersmarket.com. Downtown Tacoma: located between Ninth and 11th Streets on Broadway, Tacoma. Opens June 5, runs Thursdays, 9-2, www.tacomafarmersmarket.com. Know of any others? Do I have any info wrong? Please post here

Here is an old thread where we discuss Jak's (the Issaquah location), The Met, Fleming's (now defunct) and Spencer's Steakhouse in SeaTac... and then a meandering conversation about bbq. This topic and the recent Met thread reminded me of this thread, which has some useful information on it. I head to Jak's whenever an affordable steak is in order. My only "beef" (harharhar) with them is they take no reservations... but the prices are right and the steaks are a great value.

MsRamsey, LEdlund and I had a FABULOUS time at Taste Washington last night. I'm still recovering (one more cup of coffee and I'll be up to speed). Per MsRamsey's "never post while buzzed" rule, I've waited until this afternoon to reflect on the event. It was a dizzy spectacle -- with more food and wine than any human could or should ever consume over the course of a few hours. But we did our best to graze through the place. Some of the highlights for me (can't wait to hear what MsRamsey and LEdlund have to say): FOOD: Lowell-Hunt Catering (Seattle/Woodinville): a braised venison ravioli that was fantastic with a shallot jus with crispy parsnips and wild mushrooms. Delicious. One of the highlights for me. A really stellar combo of textures and flavors. Racha Noodles (Queen Anne): Wonton wrapped steamed prawn with grapes, bell peppers, sweet basil and a really wonderful green curry sauce. Really really deeply flavored curry and the dish worked really well with the wine it was paired with... a Working Girl White table wine (mix of chardonnay and riesling). Seastar Restaurant and Raw Bar (Bellevue): Scallop ceviche that was really well executed (with a fruity mango relish). Paired with a Columbia Valley 2002 Serience. Ray's Boathouse (Shilshole): A phenomenal assortment of chillled seafood. The oysters were fresh, fresh, fresh and I thought the smoked scallops were the best I've ever had. I really liked the flavor of the smoked salmon, but LEdlund and MsRamsey and I agreed that the fish was a touch too dry. Tulio (Downtown): Chestnut Gnocchi ...creamy, dreamy, rich and what every gnocchi should aspire to be. It was served with wild boar, which was great, but the gnocchi left such an impression. Lark (Capitol Hill): I was not expecting the texture that the Lark dish delivered. It was a gelatinous concoction (very "aspic like" as MsRamsey noted) and I really didn't know if I was going to like it after the first bite (not such a fan of gelatin), but it was a really complex and savory combination of meats and vegetables, called a "cassoulet terrine." By the last bite, I wound up wanting a second plate. A really interesting construction of flavors and textures. Must try Lark. DESSERT Lisa Dupar Catering (Redmond). Her dessert selection was a pretty little mix of petit fours... a layered tiramisu, a pistachio, white chocolate... plus little candies they called "jellies" and Mexican wedding cookies. Delicious assortment. Rainier club. They had a unique twist on PB&J... a peanut butter mousse with smoked (!!) bittersweet chocolate paired with a jelly lollipop of wild blackberry fennel. A really fun presentation and really delicious. 727 Pine. They had a really excellent idea -- a chocolate mojito popsicle. It was really refreshing and one of the last things I ate at the event. Paired with dessert, we sampled some really fantastic late harvest and ice wines. The Yakima Cellars late harvest viognier was probably my favorite. I had it one time before at a wine dinner and it left a really wonderful impression.. this is a great dessert wine. I also thought the Tefft cellars late harvest black ice was exceptional. And Gold Digger Cellars offered a really interesting 2002 Gewurztraminer. Did anyone else go? What did you think? What were your favorite dishes/wines?

YUM! I love fries. I really really love fries. Thanks for the tip and please let us know which sauces you like best. It'll be just a few more months before Iris can eat her own cone of fries. Where else can good fries be found in the city? I know that we've talked about good fries in other threads, but I don't recall there being a consensus on any single place that has truly great fries (or maybe I've just forgotten?? Maybe I should go do a search....)

My two favorite exclusive vegetarian restaurant, and ones your girlfriend would appreciate (plus taking her to these would look like you really made an effort on her behalf!): Cafe Flora Carmelita Click here for thread about Carmelita and Cafe Flora.

It's all about Sunfish for me, although you have given me someplace to add to my list.

Here! Let me try to help. Others might also have insight. 1. I don't drink wine - is it worth it for a non drinking foodie? I think so! There are more than 70 restaurants -- all of the city's good ones included -- offering nibbles. I think this is worth it just for the introduction to the restaurants... another cool thing, most of the servers at the restaurant booths are the actual chefs. Kerry Sear, Holly Smith, Jerry Traunfeld, Kevin Davis, Sue McCowan et al were all there last year. It's worth it to just go and grill the chefs. 2. Does the ticket price cover all 3 days or just one? Tickets are separate for each event, which makes it less of a good value. 3. Which day is the best day to go? I can only speak from my experience, but I would choose Sunday, that's the restaurant/winery showcase day. 4. Are there only samples of food or are the portions good? The portions widely vary. Some places served small nibbles. Harvest Vine served small pieces of meat with shaved parmesan. Cafe Juanita served substantial plates of octopus salad. Even if everyone serves tiny bites this year, there still is an overwhelming amount of food. More than 70 restaurants participate/offer food. 5. Are the lines for food long and is it just a big crowded mess? Yes and yes. Lines after 5 (general entry) can get very long and crowded. I went during VIP entrance last year and didn't have to fight much with crowds until after general entry started. VIP entry begins at 3:30 p.m.

Just checking in... is anyone here going this year? I am, and if others here will be attending, I'd love to organize a meeting place for eGulleters to connect before/during/after or whatever. PM or post here if you're going and want to meet up!

Thanks for the recipe link. I was going to use ale yeast for the next batch of ginger ale, but maybe I'll give bread yeast a try? Something to think about. I used champagne yeast for my sarsaparilla and I'm sure with the eight days of sitting and carbonating that a small amount of alcohol probably resulted from the yeast, but I didn't get a noticeable buzz from two back-to-back bottles and nobody mentioned to me that they caught a buzz from my first batch. As a precaution, I didn't give any to any children I'm sure there always is a bit of alcohol in home-brewed and yeasted soda pop. I consider it a fun little bonus.

Update: My attempt at ginger ale was a total bust, but I'm determined to try again this month. My combination of fresh lemon and lime juice, ginger root and cane sugar just did not turn out the way I thought it would. It was somehow bitter and overly sweet at the same time, so I didn't even bother bottling it. I think I need a lot more work on the ratio of ingredients, but I'm determined to give it a second try later this month. I'm ordering the Zataran's bottled root beer extract today. I think I need one more batch of experimenting with carbonation.

Try this link. This site lists a lot of wineries in the designated wine regions. If you click on the region you're interested in visiting, a map with winery locations will pop up. On the right side of the screen is an option to add a list of restaurants to the search. Click on the "update map" option and it will list restaurants in conjunction with the wineries. You can also search for vineyard locations. It's a pretty cool site.

Hahaha. You realize now that at every eGullet event we attend together, I will expect that you will hijack a menu for me too.

In retrospect, I should have said something equally as snotty. I always think of the perfect snotty thing to say, but like 10 minutes (or 3 years) too late. I *always* get a copy of the menu at every place I go that has them. Seriously, I carry them around with me like kids who collect baseball cards. I also share them with friends all the time. You would think restaurant owners would recognize that it's a fabulous marketing tool, that one menu in the right person's hands could bring in potentially dozens of customers. If I owned a restaurant, I would be handing out menus to like everybody, whether they wanted them or not. I'd staple them to the Visa receipt and tape them on their take-home boxes. At Union, I asked for a copy of the menu and got kind of a funny response. They said a few times, "Well, the menu changes every day" and shuffled around about how the menu wouldn't reflect future dinners, blah blah blah. I wasn't taking no for an answer. I finally said, "I realize you have a daily changing menu, but I'd like a copy so that I can show some co-workers the type of food you serve. They're curious about what your restaurant is like." That seemed to do the trick. They made photocopies for me and handed them over. They weren't really snotty about it, but you'd think they'd been asked for a copy of a menu before. So am I the only one who asks for menus?

I've had great experiences in the Brasa bar, like MsRamsey's, but I've had a really terrible time in the dining room. On our last visit, our server, a young woman, could barely answer the most basic questions. We eventually asked her to go ask the kitchen a question about a risotto dish. I swear she pouted about it. When we left, we asked for a copy of the menu. I don't know about any of you, but when I am conducting restaurant surveillance/research, I *always* get a copy of the menu to share with fellow restaurant geeks (hell, I keep a file folder in my bag to hold menus and restaurant biz cards). I swear, the host, who I'm 99.9 percent sure was co-owner Bryan Hill, sort of rolled his eyes and asked us in a really flat, snotty tone, "How many souvenir menus do you want." As if we were a gaggle of country bumpkins who were out for a night in the BIG CITY and wanted to forever remember our BIG night in Seattle Warsh-ington with a treasured copy of Brasa's beautiful menu -- printed on, gee-whiz, REAL CARD STOCK!!!!! Puhleeze. I couldn't believe the attitude. I haven't been back to the dining room since. The crew in the bar are another story. Fabulous, witty, quick and worthy of big tips.

linky to troiani Chef/owner Walter Pisano used to cook at Tulio.

I can't tell you how many hours I wasted away drinking at The Black Cat, which was a really cool atmo place with wood tables and floors and some cool jazz track always playing, and there was always somebody with extra cigs to bum. On Fridays, we would get out of class and head straight to TBC in Fairhaven. By 7 or 8, we were ready to catch a bus and head up to State Street to see some bands. Was Speedy O'Tubbs still around when you were there? That also was a great place to see bands, but the food was absolutely nasty, like they purposely made it bad so you would spend more on the liquor? B'ham was a great music place back then (probably still is). Of course, those were the days when you could see Hammerbox AND Screaming Trees at the Up & Up for $3 or Nirvana AND Mudhoney for $4 at the student union (sorry, getting completely off topic and dangerously close to the "Remember when things only cost a nickel" speech). Another food memory: THE BAGELRY! That place made the greatest bagels..chewy and loaded with your choice of spreads/fillings. They always made them fresh throughout the day. I can't even look at grocery store bagels w/out thinking of The Bagelry. I was shocked to find that Aaron still owns the 3B (and that the bar was actually called Doublewide at one point?). I remember that guy and his buddy Dave Morissette. They were in a band called The Mono Men. They rocked.