Dining al fresco
We love dining outside, maybe because it's such a limited season
in the Northwest. Sometimes just looking outside and seeing the sun and
a cloudless blue sky is enough... Here are some great season enhancers!
Olympic Cellars
Photo above: no! (really, no)
Photo above: yes! free tasting!
Join Olympic Cellars in kicking off the summer season
with a weekend-long celebration of National Flip Flop Day, June 19-21.
Wear your flip flops (we're talking true flip flops, not
Birkenstocks or sandals!) to the winery and receive complimentary wine
tasting Friday through Sunday. "Rosé the Riveter," a Lemberger Rosé wine
often described as sunshine in a glass, will be featured at 20% off.
"Dungeness Red" Lemberger wine will also be featured as part of Olympic
Cellars' ongoing 30th anniversary year of celebration. Anniversary price
is $11.20 (regularly $15.99). The Hood Canal Bridge will reopen in
plenty of time for the event. Come on over and see how volunteers
transformed downtown Port Angeles during the closure! And
remember...flip flops!
For more information, visit
www.olympiccellars.com or call 360-452-0160. Olympic Cellars is
located at 255410 Highway 101 in Port Angeles. Open daily from 11 a.m.-6
p.m.
Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar Seattle
 If
you're an urban soul, you love dining in the midst of buildings towering
over you. Seastar Seattle provides a wonderful outdoor space where you
can feel part of the energy of the downtown bustle while being far
enough away from street noise to enjoy conversation. Better yet, close
enough to the Raw Bar door that your oyster sampler, grilled and chilled
giant black tiger prawns or Hawaiian poke make it to your table quickly!
A few extra steps from the kitchen brings you tantalizing dishes like
porcini crusted halibut with Beluga lentils or spearfish with cucumber
macadamia nut relish. On top of great food and atmosphere, Seastar
offers valet parking at both lunch and dinner, plus garage parking with
validation.
Seattle's Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar is located at 2121 Terry
Avenue, Suite 108 (in the 2200 Westlake development above Whole Foods).
Lunch is served Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dinner is served
Monday-Saturday 5-10 p.m. and Sunday 5-9 p.m. The Raw Bar is open
Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m. to closing and Saturday-Sunday 5 p.m. to
closing. 206-462-4364.
www.seastarrestaurant.com
Renaissance Hotel
 It's
true you won't feel the wind in your hair or the sun on your face when
you're enjoying Executive Hour (happy hour) at Visions Lounge. You will,
however, have one of the best views in town as you'll be sitting on the
28th floor overlooking the city, Sound and mountains. Finish up your
work day and scurry through the hot city to an air-conditioned oasis
where appetizers are $2, including honey mustard and black forest ham
flatbreads, fig and prosciutto flatbreads, antipasto skewers, grilled
tomato bruschetta salads, grilled pork and chicken skewers and fried
asparagus. Stay for the sunset--no matter how many cocktails you have,
it's unforgettable.
The Renaissance Hotel is located at 515 Madison Street in downtown
Seattle. Executive Hour takes place Monday-Friday, 4-7 p.m. in Visions
Lounge on the 28th floor. Parking is complimentary for those dining in
the restaurant. 206-583-0300.
www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/seasm-renaissance-seattle-hotel/
O
Wines
 Being
outdoors really makes you feel good. A tasty and refreshing bottle of O
Chardonnay adds to that feeling. Knowing that you helped a
high-potential, low-income young Washington woman by buying that bottle
takes it right over the top. This well-priced wine is delicious but even
more so when you know that 5% of each bottle goes to a scholarship fund
managed by the College Success Foundation. Instead of funding one
scholarship in 2008, owners Kathy Johanson (right) and Stacy Lill (left)
were able to fund four. That's how good the wine is. Kathy and
Stacy have a goal of funding a million scholarships in their
lifetime--help them share the success by purchasing O Wines--you'll
enjoy a great wine and give the gift of education! Join them for these
fun events in June: "Beyond the Boa" bridal show, June 4, 6-9 p.m. at
the Alexis Hotel; VINE! benefiting Boys and Girls Clubs of King County,
June 6; SPLASH! benefiting Seattle Aquarium Society, June 12; First Tee,
providing learning opportunities for youth, June 15; GlassyBabies women
and wine event, June 24, 6-9 p.m. at the GlassyBabies studio, proceeds
going to Camp Korey.
Remember to "Eat, Drink O Wines and Give Charitably!" Stacy and Kathy
thank you for your continued support of O Wines. Please visit them at
www.owines.com.
Palisade
 With
a dining room as dramatic as Palisade's, people sometimes don't get as
far as the deck. Don't let this happen to you! Overlooking the marina,
its landscaping and the city view beyond, this intimate deck is a
wonderful spot for cocktails or dinner. Palisade offers both early (4-6
p.m.) and late (9 p.m. to closing) happy hours in the bar. For summer,
the late happy hour can also be enjoyed outdoors on the deck. the deck
is a delightful spot for a weekday lunch and Sunday brunch. From 10 a.m.
to 1 p.m. on Sundays, the sounds of live jazz waft out to the deck. Come
enjoy the Palisade experience outdoors!
Palisade is located at 2601 West Marina Place at the foot of Magnolia
in Seattle. Dinner is served Monday-Thursday 5-9 p.m. (bar 2 to 11),
Friday 5-10 p.m. (bar 2 to midnight), Saturday 4-10 p.m. (bar 3 to
midnight), Sunday 4-9 p.m. (bar 2 to 10). Lunch is served Monday-Friday
11:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. and brunch is served Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
206-285-1000.
www.palisaderestaurant.com
Maggie Bluffs
 Courtyard
seating in front of a yacht-filled marina with the Olympic mountains,
Mount Rainier and the city skyline beyond offer the true Seattle outdoor
dining experience. It just feels right. During the summer months,
breakfast is offered Friday-Monday starting at 9 a.m. Go classic with
French Toast and pancakes, go healthy with a yogurt granola parfait or
go south of the border with El Burrito breakfast. All day dining offers
some of the best burgers and chicken sandwiches around, buckets o'
shrimp, clam chowder, refreshing salads, fish and chips, a hot sweet red
crab and artichoke sandwich and legendary French Dip sandwich. Maggie's
is the place to really relax--wear your shorts and flip flops, kick back
with a beer or gin and tonic and prepare to enjoy.
Maggie Bluffs is located at the Elliott Bay Marina, 2601 West Marina
Place at the foot of Magnolia in Seattle. Breakfast is served
Saturday-Sunday, 9-11:30 a.m. All day hours: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9
p.m. and Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Happy hour is 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. 206-283-8322.
http://r-u-i.com/mag/
Olympic Peninsula
 Known
for
breathtaking scenery and a plethora of outdoor activity, the Olympic
Peninsula is the place to go for authentic Olympic Coastal Cuisine.
Chefs at the region's growing number of top-notch restaurants work with
local seafood suppliers and growers to obtain the freshest local
ingredients and strive, through meticulous preparation, to offer diners
a culinary experience that is quintessentially "Northwest." Get away for
a weekend in June and experience a taste of spring! Alder Wood
Bistro, Sequim is celebrating the change of seasons with new menu
items! Chef Gabriel Schuenemann's new lamb preparation includes
mint-almond pesto and Nash's risotto cake. "The Turk" lamb sausage pizza
with sumac is back, as is the Upside Down Cheesecake! Look for
freshly-foraged morel mushrooms, beautiful local salmon and Nash's sweet
spinach on the special sheet. Bella Italia, Port Angeles, is a
traditional Italian restaurant located right downtown, featuring fresh
seafood, locally grown organic vegetables, a wine bar and retail wine
sales. Twilight fans know Bella Italia as the place where Bella and
Edward had their first date over a dinner of mushroom ravioli.
For further information and reservations, visit
http://www.visitolympicpeninsula.com/food.htm
Campagne
 With
two outdoor dining options to match your mood, Campagne meets your every
need for al fresco dining. Patio dining outside Cafe Campagne has
recently expanded, creating more space for the best people watching in
Pike Place Market. For a more intimate meal, Campagne's secluded
courtyard offers an urbane oasis in the heart of Seattle. It's a perfect
setting for enjoying the evening sky. Join us in the courtyard on
Friday, June 12, for Drink Pink, our annual Rosé festival, from 4-7 p.m.
Provençal bites and a glass of Rosé await you for just $15. Taste test
more Rosé in half-glass pours for $4-$9.
Cafe Campagne is located at 1600 Post Alley. Brunch Saturday-Sunday 8
a.m.-4 p.m., lunch Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., dinner Sunday-Thursday
5-10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 5:30-11 p.m. Happy hour Monday-Friday 4-6
p.m. 206-728-2233.
www.cafecampagne.com.
Campagne is located at 86 Pine Street. Dinner is served
Tuesday-Sunday 5:30-10 p.m. The bar is open from 5 p.m. Happy hour
Tuesday-Friday 5-7 p.m. 206-728-2800.
www.campagnerestaurant.com.
The Fireside Restaurant
 Located
at The Resort at Port Ludlow, The Fireside restaurant is part of the
evolution of Northwest cuisine, always based on the use of fresh, local
products simply prepared to showcase natural flavors. This reverence
toward locality and sustainability continues even as a slightly modern
approach in technique is used. In addition to the delicious Pacific
Northwest menu, the Fireside offers special themed dinners such as the
French bistro Tuesday dinners, Italian family-style Thursday dinners and
monthly Dinners Around the World. Enjoy deck dining with the "TGI"--Thank
Goodness It's Happy Hour at The Fireside with its own special menu.
Sundays and Wednesdays offer 1/2 off wine bottles. Check website for
more Fireside specials. Dining while overlooking Ludlow Bay, mountains
and the marina is one of life's true pleasures--plan to visit soon.
The Fireside restaurant is located off the lobby at the Resort of
Port Ludlow at 1 Heron Road in Port Ludlow, Washington. Breakfast is
served Monday-Friday 8-11 a.m. Weekend brunch is served 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lunch is offered daily from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 5-8 p.m.
TGI Happy Hour menu is available daily from 2:30-5 p.m. 360-437-7000 or
1-800-732-1239.
www.portludlowresort.com
Trellis
 Making
the Trellis Front Porch the place for neighbors and guests to gather and
talk, relax with a cold beverage and enjoy meals outside-using it like a
front porch should be used-has been a successful project. It's even
better than your own home porch with its ceiling heaters, lights,
candles and music! Not to mention great Trellis dishes based on what's
fresh from Chef Scheehser's own farm being brought directly to your
table! It doesn't get too much better. But wait! Along with
Trellis' outside dining terrace enjoyed last year, there's a new
Front Porch that has its own entertainment, lush herbs growing alongside
the casual seating area and tables, plus its own small plates menu. Come
experience these two outdoor dining options at this highly-rated
restaurant and enjoy the great outdoors in Kirkland at Trellis!
Summer! Strawberry shortcake & strawberry rhubarb
margarita Trellis is located at the Heathman Hotel, 220
Kirkland Avenue in Kirkland. Breakfast is served Monday-Friday, 7-10:30
a.m. and Saturday-Sunday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch is served Monday-Friday
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner is served Monday-Thursday 5-9 p.m.,
Friday-Saturday 5-10 p.m. and Sunday 4-9 p.m. Complimentary valet
parking with any meal. 425-284-5900.
www.heathmankirkland.com/trellis
Cattleman's Smoked Spice
 Whether
you're grilling outside or cooking indoors, great smoked flavor is
provided by Cattleman's! From time immemorial, humans have cooked
outdoors over flames and loved the smoky flavor. We still love cooking
outside but are often thwarted by weather or lack of space--a yard,
patio, deck. Fortunately, Cattleman's Smoked Spice brings the smoke to
you without the need to grill outdoors or invest in a smoker. Owner Alex
Gardega started his line of smoked products to recall flavors from his
former home in Texas where "everything was smoked." A shake here and
there of smoked black pepper, black peppercorns, chili powder,
horseradish powder, kosher salt, paprika or roasted garlic can take a
dish from ordinary to unforgettable. Smoked long grain rice can
completely alter the tone of your favorite meal. Add smoked sundried
tomatoes to a recipe and watch the addiction begin! And the BBQ dried
rub? You'll wish you'd known about it years ago. Let Cattleman's give
you the flavor of the great outdoors all year long.
Call, email or order online now to get started on your summer fun!
Cattleman's Smoked Spice, 631-418-8576,
agardega@gmail.com. Order online
at
www.cattlemansmokedspice.com.
KCTS 9 Cooks
Northwest Favorites is everyone's favorite! Recipes from Northwest folks
who love to cook and share with friends and family. This time they're
sharing on camera and showing how to make their dishes. This particular
show is dedicated to Eileen Mintz, a local PR professional and KCTS 9
supporter and recipe sharer (and BFF of Seattle DINING!).
KCTS 9 Cooks: Northwest Favorites airs at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June
20.
June 2009 |
