Endings and Beginnings
It's that time of year—so many get-togethers and you're looking for a number of different experiences. Then comes the beginning of the year and you're looking for things to pull you out of the doldrums. We've got some ideas.
Start with food prepared thoughtfully with real ingredients grown and harvested locally. Throw in a passion for the season, and serve it up at a table where you feel right at home. That's Local 360. Celebrate the Northwest's bounty this Thanksgiving with three options:1. An autumnal three-course Chef's Tasting Menu of Sunchoke Veloute, Lan Roc Farms Pork Roast with Braised Greens and Cider Jus, and Sticky Toffee Pudding, 2. A traditional offering of Cider Brined Free Range Turkey with smoked mashers, red eye gravy, pole beans, house cranberries, cornbread and pumpkin pie (additional sides available) 3. Their regular locally-derived menu all day.
Local 360 is located at 2234 1st Avenue at Bell in Seattle. Thanksgiving hours are 11 a.m. until late. The Chef's Tasting Menu is $30 per person, the Thanksgiving Dinner is $28 per person, and additional sides are $5 each. Call for reservations: 206-441-9360. www.local360.org
Always open on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and New Year's, Tacos Guaymas is a festive place to slip into, out of the grey, and remind yourself that in Mexico, there are blue skies and sun! Flavors of homemade dishes like mole, pipian, pozole and tamales paired with a great margarita will have you viviendo la vida Mexicana! It doesn't hurt to celebrate some Mexican holidays while you're at it: Revolution Day November 19, Mexico's inauguration day December 1 (a national holiday—show your support!), Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe December 12, and Day of the Holy Innocents December 28. Make Tacos Guaymas holiday central!
Tacos Guaymas is located at 6808 E Green Lake Way and is open 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to midnight. Happy hour from 2-6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to midnight every day. 206-729-6563. www.tacosguaymas.com/cantinagreenlake
Parties that people talk about long after they're over are catered by Petra. An extensive variety of Mediterranean dishes are authentic, delicious, and reasonably priced. Owner Khal Beleh, born and raised in Ammam, Jordan, understands the importance of exceptional service. For a buffet-style event at work or in your home, prices start at $12.95 per person for lunch and $15.95 for dinner. Or simply give them your budget and number of guests and they will work their magic for your event. Their beautifully-presented and savory food will have your guests begging for your next party.
Petra Mediterranean Bistro is located at 2501 4th Avenue in Seattle. For catering requests, call owner Khal at either 206-271-6738 or 206-728-5389. www.petrabistro.com/catering
Throw a party, spread some cheer (and pâté), have a ball. Catch the holiday spirit at Safeco Field by planning a seasonal party that will be one for the record books. From intimate to super-sized, there are unique spaces perfect for your party, with customizable packages for every budget. Tour the ballpark, the kitchen, practice your batting or just hang with the Moose. Sumptuous catering options run from ballpark fare (it's not just kids who love it) to delectable five-course meals created by Executive Chef Dave Dekker and his team. Prime dates in December and January are available—book today!
Safeco Field is located at 1250 First Ave S in Seattle. For catering questions or to book your space, contact Carolyn Henning, Catering Sales Manager, at carolyn.henning@centerplate.com or 206-664-3172. www.mariners.com/events
Truffles: extravagance or necessity? We think both. To understand what truffles can do for a dish, it's time to head down to the Oregon Truffle Festival's Sunday Marketplace; the largest freshly-harvested native truffle marketplace on the West Coast. With three cooking demos and tastings, you'll either revel in familiar flavors or find out what you've been missing! There are still a few spots remaining in Sunday's intimate demo at Cook's Pots and Tabletops on how to cook with truffles, along with wine and beer tasting.
The Sunday Marketplace is January 26, 2014, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hilton Eugene. Tickets are sold day of event at the door only: $15 per person, or $20 if you'd like to do some wine tasting. The cooking class takes place from 2-4:30 p.m. and costs $120. Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.oregontrufflefestival.com/tickets.html. Call 503-296-5929 or email info@oregontrufflefestival.com for more information.
Blue Ribbon can help you celebrate the holidays in a new way! They provide companies, friends, groups and families unique and exciting holiday party experiences. Book an Iron Chef competition and compete in teams to create the best dishes, then sit down at a lakeside table to enjoy a meal together. Or try Cooking For A Cause where you prepare a meal for a local shelter; Blue Ribbon delivers the food while you sit down to dinner. They offer many fun formats; can cater any event big or small; and prepare custom, seasonal menus. Join Blue Ribbon at their waterfront venue on Lake Union or have them come to you!
Blue Ribbon is located at 2501 Fairview Ave. E. Seattle, WA 98102. They operate venues in Lake Union, Capitol Hill, Fremont, University District and Tacoma, as well as provide offsite catering at locations throughout the region. Contact director Vanessa Volkman with questions or to book your event at 206-328-2442. www.blueribboncooking.com
Your goal: enjoy the holidays. Your answer: Port Ludlow's Dine and Unwind holiday getaway package. You leave holiday madness behind and reconnect with an important person in your life (like you!). Enjoy one night's accommodations, a $100 credit in the Fireside restaurant to enjoy Chef Dan's local and scrumptious dishes, and a room amenity. Sounds good, but you need more? Add on the In-Room Holiday Happiness package: a stimulating Milk & Honey Body Polish exfoliation, followed by a comforting Cocoa-Comfort Massage Balm wrap. Added bonus: the price for Dine & Unwind is good until June 1, 2014, perfect for a holiday gift.
The Resort at Port Ludlow is located on the Olympic Peninsula, just a few minutes past the Hood Canal Bridge. Dine and Unwind starts at $229 and is good until June 1, 2014. Holiday Happiness is 60 minutes for $90. Add a 30 minute massage for a total of $120. If booking online, enter “DINEUNW” in the group code, or call 360-437-7000. www.portludlowresort.com
Jolly old England was jolly partly because people stopped to enjoy a cup of tea. Trellis Executive Chef Brian Scheehser and Pastry Chef Sandra Watson bring an English-inspired tea service to the eastside so people can stop and savor the moment as well as the tea and food. Choose from one of nine quality loose leaf teas, including Organic English Breakfast Tea, Organic Earl Grey, Jasmine Downy Pearls, and Green Tea Tropical. All Trellis food offerings showcase local ingredients and flavors; afternoon tea will be no different with a variety of sweet and savory items like fresh-baked Madeleines, Harissa Deviled Eggs, Trellis' signature scones, and much more. Start a new tradition this year!
The Heathman Hotel and Trellis Restaurant are located at 220 Kirkland Avenue in Kirkland. Afternoon tea is available now through February 16, 2014, in the hotel lobby and Cascade Room Thursday-Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Tea service is $29 per adult and $19 for children 12 and under. Reservations are required. Call 425-284-5900 or book through OpenTable. www.heathmankirkland.com
Your holiday needs are many: a special meal; an inexpensive get-together with friends; a quick lunch with co-workers; a take-out dinner; a place to eat on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve (closing at 4 p.m.), or Christmas Day. O'Asian takes care of it all. Their dinner menu includes items like rack of lamb and seafood from a live tank. Happy hour offers small plates, dim sum items, and drink specials. Dim sum is always fast for lunch as well as being fun. Call ahead for take-out--you can even buy a bottle of wine to pair. And they're open every day. Make O'Asian your holiday headquarters!
O'Asian Kitchen & Lounge is located at 800 5th Ave, Suite Plaza Level in downtown Seattle. Free parking in the Fifth Avenue Building evenings and weekends, with one hour free parking weekdays 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 206-264-1789. www.oasiankitchen.com
Haven't found the perfect place for your holiday party? It's time to visit Ponti: each of their rooms offers windows overlooking lovely views, and several are soundproofed. These unique rooms are perfect for family get-togethers, corporate events, weddings, birthdays and anniversaries. The Buena Vista Room looks over the ship canal, grapevines and trees. The Tapestry Room overlooks the canal and natural hillside plantings. The Grand Dining Room offers views of the Aurora Bridge, Fremont and the canal. The Swordfish Room is an intimate area overlooking the canal. The perfect room, amazing food from Chef Alvin, and warm, professional service: you've found your spot.
Ponti is located at 3014 Third Ave N between the Queen Anne and Fremont neighborhoods. Reserve your space now with Jessica Edwards at jessica@pontiseafoodgrill.com or call her at 206-284-3000. www.pontiseafoodgrill.com
Seattle is chock full of great restaurants. So how do you manage to try them all? With the help of Dine around Seattle. You get to experience three courses at any of 50 amazing restaurants from the freshest seafood to innovative and traditional Mexican, Korean, Vietnamese and Japanese to tapas to Mediterranean. There's no end to what this city has to offer. You'll check out new places and classics, find your new favorite foods and where you'll want to return. Plus you get a reminder—it's only for November 3-27. A sense of urgency never hurt any of us, right?
Three-course dinners are just $30. Certain restaurants also offer three-course lunches for $15. Dine Around is available Sunday-Thursday for dinner and Monday-Friday for lunch. Get more information at www.dinearoundseattle.org
November 2013
