Ye-Ye Girl

Yep, mincemeat would probably be your culprit. Most - but not all - versions of mincemeat I've seen contain lots of raisins. Could be the aforementioned sour cream raisin pie. It's not as commonly found as mincemeat, though.

Shoo-fly pie doesn't have raisins in it. Or was that just a random "I hate shoo-fly pie" comment, regardless of raisinage?

Fashionable smashionable~ Is it GOOD? Then for cripe sake just DO it!~ I hear ya. And believe me, I eat it anyway. I like what I like, regardless of its trendiness.

White chocolate covered pretzels (I know) Fat, ripe strawberries dipped in good chocolate Godiva's Lion of Belgium Warm molten chocolate cake, with cold cream poured over the top (even though it's no longer fashionable) El Diablo - "a bittersweet cube of sinfully rich dark chocolate graced with cayenne pepper, burnt meringue, spiced almonds & cocoa nibs, finished w/a tequila-caramel sauce"

Can hardly wait... Klink's brisket and Salumi, all in the same day. It's all good.

I used to say definitively I couldn't stand cooked raisins. I can't even make broad generalizations like that anymore, though, since I've found a couple of dishes I enjoy that have the plump little guys in them. However, I still do not like the taste or texture of raisins in cinnamon rolls, cookies, bread pudding or sour cream raisin pie, and will not eat any of them. My mom makes that pie a lot at the holidays. The raisins were good for flicking at my cousins across from me at the kids' table, though. I do like raisins and sultanas in couscous (sorry JAZ!), plumped up in oatmeal, and in a dish containing greens, garlic and pine nuts that I've heard described by different sources as Italian, Catalan, or southern. No matter to me. It's amazing regardless. I don't like the little sugar-dusted excuses for raisins you see in most raisin brans. Eyew. And I generally don't eat raisins as stand alone treats. They're just not that appealing on their own, at least not to me. Love them (uncooked) in broccoli salad and waldorf salad. And no movie would be complete without Raisinettes eaten simultaneously with buttered popcorn.

Agree, halland, that the portions at Zoe were generous. I took home the hanger steak I couldn't finish. Wish I could've taken home some of their ice cream. It was fabu.

That was my first thought, F-G. Not terribly surprising.

OK, it's not 25 for $25, but... In addition to their regular 5-course Menu Degustation and 8-course Grand Menu Degustation, Rover's will soon be offering a 3-course "Discovery Menu." It will be available beginning March 25, Tuesday - Friday only. Price is $55/person. The selection will change (probably daily), but here's a sample of what you might find (according to the Rover's newsletter). Smoked Salmon Blini and Foie Gras Terrine with Micro Greens and a Sherry Vinaigrette ~ Atlantic John Dory with Braised Leeks and a Saffron Emulsion -or- Sonoma Squab Breast with Butternut Squash and a Laurel Sauce ~ Symphony of Desserts They are also apparently making some of their signature dishes available separately. I don't recall the a la carte offerings from my last visit, but then again, I haven't visited Rover's for a while. Perhaps this is old news.

That's funny, tighe - I thought of "our" Blue Heron, too, when I heard about the official bird designation. I'm sure both species of BH will be the talk of the Oyster Olympics (along with gc, of course).

Thanks, ck - you rock! Funny what one does and doesn't notice when driving. I must've driven past the 4th Ave C&C - oh I don't know, HUNDREDS of times? - and never really paid attention. But I'll be stopping there very soon to check on brisket.

col klink, do you get your non-corned beef briskets at Cash and Carry as well? And where exactly is Cash and Carry? I don't have a smoker , but I do bake a brisket once a month or so to eat with fried okra, baked beans, potato salad and cornbread. And, as you said - brisket isn't always easy to find in Seattle, so I'm always on the lookout for places to pick it up.

I use buttermilk in waffles, cornbread, and a favorite childhood cookie recipe. I haven't tried it in biscuits, but since I love biscuits, I'll have to give it a whirl. Mmmmm. Biscuits.

Ditto all the good stuff everyones else has already said. Like others here, I forwarded it to my girlfriends as well, and they have now forwarded it to their girlfriends. It was the topic of conversation at my girls' night out last week. The Dude was laughing hysterically when I read it to him yesterday. "Freaking hilarious" were his exact words, I believe. Kudos to you, Maggie, and thanks for writing it!

Yum, I had that sandwich a couple of weeks ago. It was bizarre (but not unpleasant) to taste vanilla in a meat product. The leftovers were good the next day, too!

Sounds like fun -- is this turning into a gathering? Of course, as long as I'm in Burien, might as well stop at Trader Joe's.

Thanks for the suggestions, MsRamsey & col klink. I'll have to give the Vamp and the Vesper a try. I'd stop tonight before my dinner at Zoe, but then I'd want to eat something off the bar menu. Besides, I hear Zoe makes good cocktails, too. Oh, the choices we must make.

I'm soooo glad to have found this thread! The Dude and I had decided to do a night of bar-hopping last Friday. Seeing that I'd been reading this thread all day and I'm the one who always gets to pick the food , Brasa it was. I had the pizza with grapes, goat cheese, cabrales and walnuts, and it was completely loaded. The flavors melded together very well, and the crust was perfect. It's been a while since I peeked at their kitchen, but I'm assuming they have a wood-fired oven, yes? The Dude was already delirious with happiness because the server didn't ask "gin or vodka?" when he ordered a martini. He was also pleased with his steak frites, but we both agreed that while the frites were flavored nicely, they were a little soggy. And though we didn't need the extra food I (of course) had to order a side of crispy onions after seeing the raves. I wasn't expecting the very large portion (not that I'm complaining!), and they were indeed extremely well done. I also had a Purple Haze (vodka, loganberry liqueur and fresh lime juice) from the bar. Don't know that I'd get another, but they sure don't stiff you on the drinks. I'm supposed to have drinks & noshes after fun girl stuff on Friday, and I'm thinking I'll have to go back and try something new...

Count me in for a taco crawl, too. I also love the idea of stopping at El Trapiche, BH. And the 99 Market Ranch at the Great Wall Mall is fabulous. Year-round okra at a reasonably affordable price - yippee!

I've always been partial to a very good (read: old) Madeira. The smooth, long, nutty finish of a Malvasia is bewitching, and a Bual is perfect for those who like sweet wines that aren't too sweet. Unfortunately, anything older than 15 years is hard to come by in the States, in retail shops anyway. Perhaps it's easier to find in Europe. I probably haven't looked hard enough, but I always end up ordering it directly from a dealer on Madeira via the Internet. Of course the biggest drawback is that nothing older than 50 years is inexpensive.

gc - no, I haven't been to the new taco truck on Meeker yet. Where roughly on Meeker is it? I told The Dude about it yesterday, and he said he drove up Meeker a couple of days ago and didn't notice any taco truck. But then, he wasn't looking for it. Any taco truck that has inside seating is OK with me. I ate inside the one at the top of East Hill and had a grand time. It's got a little space heater and everything. WooHoo! BH, the taco truck in White Center sounds darn good, too. I'll have to sidle on over to it next time I'm at Target. I should really quit reading/posting here when I haven't eaten lunch yet.

Thanks, tighe. I must come clean, though. I'm merely a south side poseur, since I actually live in West Seattle. The Dude lives in Kent, and I am generally down there on weekends. I can completely identify with you and girl chow, though - I'm always on the lookout for good eats in the south end.

Yippee! Would love to make it to: E&O (maybe more than once if they're going to have three new desserts every week! Kaspar's Zoe 727 Pine The Georgian Room The Hunt Club Doubt if I make it to all of 'em, but the fun is in the trying!

Love Rinconsito. I visit the one in Kent, and agree - the tacos are fab. Another place in Kent (yes, Kent!) that has good tacos (and sopitas) is the taco truck at the corner of 104th & SE 256th, at the top of the hill. Haven't tried the new taqueria in Rinconsito's old Kent location, but have to stop there soon. Anyone else tried it yet? Mmmmm...hungry now.