Schielke

I saw a couple of bottles of old monk at a liquor store here in Kirkland, Wa. I dont know if that helps at all. Ben

My Grandfather used to sell Henkels knives in his store way back in the day. I do believe they are completely different products today. The ones my parents still have from his shop are very well made pieces. I have used some of the new ones and, while better than most knives people use, the craftsmanship is just not there anymore. Ben

The Gin and Tonics I thought were a bit high, but not completely unreasonable. The beer, however, is where I felt ripped off...but the cheap food evened it out so it was not all that bad... Pan fried fish seems to be the dish of choice at Brasa's Bar, has anyone tried the steak with cabrales butter? I think it is next on my list...with water. Spirited Away- Been on my list, I really need to go. Hmmm, perhaps a dinner at brasa and then a viewing is in my future. Ben

Hehehe, sorry about the pun. What are your favorite pieces of cutlery in your kitchen. The following categories should work well enough. Large Knife: 10" MAC Mighty Small Knife: I still really need a good paring knife Specialty Knife: Also taking reccommendations for a really good bread knife. So those of you with some favorite knives, do tell. Ben

The drink prices were for sure 7.50 when we were there. Perhaps the white label chimay is a different price, but that seems a bit much...esp when the price in stores is exactly the same. Only the Grand Resereve blue label chimay is more expensive (.50 more on the large bottle size). It would make more sense if the chimay was a full pint, but since it is a trappist beer, they serve it in the belgian style glass, which is somewhere around 8-10 oz. This usually makes up for the cost difference and they bill it as a regular beer. At least that is what happens at the Elysian when they had Chimay White on tap. Perhaps Ill try to order a regular old beer there and see how much they charge. Avatar note: Not my kitty, but perhaps one of them will show up as an avatar in the future. The kitty is from a picture that has nightscotsman's avatar in it. hehehehe.

I was both delighted and disapointed with my first trip to Brasa to sample their super cheap bar menu. Food=Delight The three of us ordered the following dishes: Pan-fried sea bass with bacon shallot vinagrette; Spicy Short Ribs; Mashed Potatoes; Green olive, tomato, and chorizo pizza; and Calamari (cant remember the name they used). All the dishes were very nice, esp the fish dish I had. The sauce on the short ribs was a bit underwhelming but still fairly tasty. The mashed potatoes were pretty average. The pizza had a really wonderful crust that I loved. The squid had the perfect texture of being not too chewy and just chewy enough. Overall I was overjoyed at the kind of food I was having for the price. Go Brasa! Drinks=Dissapointment One companion and I each had a glass of Chimay white label beer (about 8 oz or so) and my other companion had two Gin and Tonics. Our total drink bill was $30 before tax and tip. Each drink was $7.50!!!!! for 8 oz of beer! Good golly miss molly that is price gouging! Boo Brasa! So right now I am torn with the whole experience. I think I will just return for food and omit the happy hour drink. Or perhaps I could share one with three other people. Ill just ask for extra bendy straws. Ben

Ill be back to doraemon in a bit, for now I am the kitty!!!! Ben

Yeah! Not really about hotel restaurants, but as big as a hotel! Ben

And "killing some kittens" too, eh?? Only if you are naughty...hehe. Ben

Now About burgers, I have never had a jump for joy gol' dang good burger. I have had good burgers. Good burgers in the area have been at Six Arms and Red Mill. I am interested in trying the lamb burger at Brasa. Klink, how well does a smoked burger do? Ben

oops, I forgot marble pocky and almond pocky. My friend was convinced that chicks loved the pudding flavor the best. He would attract them from the woodwork when he opened a box. Ben

I am a huge pocky fan. My old roomate was insane with pocky lust. He used the old boxes to cover his door with them as a kind of wall paper. He had enough for more than two doors worth. Last I heard, he was thinking about laquering them and making a suit of traditional japanese armour with them. I have had: Chocolate Strawberry Men's (dark chocolate) Cocoa Pudding Burnt Cream Giant Chocolate Giant Strawberry Almond Crush White Almond Crush A few other Crush types Rainbow Special Edition Green Tea Chocolate Mousse White Chocolate Mousse Various other Mousse types And then other kinds such as Fran. Pocky is da bomb. Ben p.s. they are called pocky because that is the sound they make when you eat them. Pocky! Pocky!

I am a fan of their Pecan Prailines (It is a serious problem if I get any in my home). I also pick up Mochi Ice cream there when they have it. Yum! Ben

I went to a Benihanna down in LA recently for the first time. We got a chef that had a blue hat (I think there is some kind of ranking system) and he was not very good. He didnt talk much at all and he missed some tricks. The food was pretty disapointing too. I would be interested in trying out other styles of communal dining such as shabu shabu or the like. I really need to eat at the big table at Salumi sometime. Ben

I have a bottle in the freezer right now. I have enjoyed it so far! It has a very nice mouthfeel. My only complaint is that the paint/coating on the bottle is flaking off and it gets all over my hand. Ben

Where in Kirkland is Hoffmans? I am new to the eastside and would love to know where to get some decent pastries. Thanks a bunch. Ben

I broke in my first cast iron pan by cooking up a lovely Rib Eye steak. I had the steak with a pat of my shallot and bleu cheese butter with some homeade fries. I drank a nice cold Full Sail Amber beer with it. I had a grand old time with myself. Ben

My parents have stopped in Roslyn where there is a really great butcher. I am sorry to say that I dont have any more details about it, but I bought a really nice hand cut steak there. In Yakima, Miners is a fast food institution. We would always stop there after Tennis matches when we were in the area. Many a school bus has pulled up there after sporting events. Ben

From what I understand (I have not eaten there yet and it is next on my list) he does not tolerate picky eaters and the like. I guess he does not take kindly to anything sent back. Think Bourdain if he were to come out a give somebody a tounge lashing if they ordered their steak well done. I can respect his viewpoint, but the cliche "You can attract more flies with honey than vinegar" would be a better position for him. Ben

awesome, I have been meaning to drop by there for a long time. Is the happy hour all week (monday-friday) or just some days? Ben

Is there a reason that the fda does not require nutritional or ingredient information on alcohol? I have always wondered about this, especially when people make claims at bars that Guinness beer has like 1000 calories in 16 oz, which is a horrible lie. I did recently see some info on a bottle of "turtle" beer, a mexican beer with a sea turtle on the front. The name means turtle beer in spanish so all you linguists can translate. Thoughts? Ben

Yeah, I have heard that they are kind of hit and miss. The one in Hawaii is supposed to be good, so yours must be in that vein. I heard tonight that our Seattle one recently got a health violation. Ill have to look into it. I am not suprised...the sushi I had there was warm. Doh! Ben

If by "High Quality" you mean "Absolute lowest quality on earth". Sorry, the todai we have up here is really really bad. I felt violated after I left. Ben

That is super duper weak. poor show herbfarm, poor show. Their ingredients must instantly go bad and be thrown out as soon as the cancellation is made. amazing!!!! Lets have a big fat BOO for the Herbfarm. BOO! Ben

Its not a competition, folks. In the larger scheme of things, keeping in mind modern sensibilities, wouldn't you rather eat something because it tastes great than because you'll live longer? I know I would. I eat pretty healthily -- my cholestorol count is 120 and my blood pressure is 110/70 at age 31, among other things. Wheat grass juice might be good for my long-term well being, but wild horses couldn't make me drink it on a regular basis. Ditto with brown rice. I'll eat it every so often, but I wouldn't recommend making a risotto with it. eeek! brown rice shrimp risotto...sort of on par with pad thai -- Roxanne style. SA I think that both rices have their virtues. Brown rice has a really great nutty flavor, but it can have a texture that is incompatibale with many dishes. White rice has a lovely texture, but not too much flavor. I would, however much rather use it in virtually all rice dishes.