Foodie Time with SoCal Visitors

2 sets of SoCal cousins migrated up here for visits. For the first timers we took them to Ivar's on the pier, because they wanted the standard for chowder and seafood out there. Of course, I encouraged them to visit World Spice Market on their way from the pier to Pike's.

The second set were seasoned visitors, so I brought them some pastries from my favorite bakery, Nielsen's in lower Queen Anne. They were brunching at Salty's at the time, so I got myself an espresso and a snitter. Look at the menu.

Espresso here is ALWAYS better than Starbuck's. They use Olympia Roasting Company's beans.

Pit stop for happy hour at Elliott's Oyster House on Pier 56. Fresh baked sourdough bread, and a huge selection of oysters. Their sauces include horseradish, cocktail sauce, lemon, and I think there was a vinegar. I like the sauce selection at Walrus and the Carpenter better.

The waitress new we liked creamier oysters, so when these huge creamy oysters came out after we had paid she made us try them for free! Just so we could appreciate the goodness.

You can't beat the freshness of these bad boys.

Next up - the standard visit to Le Pichet. We were all pretty stuffed from our earlier meals so we tried the Lyon-style French Onion Soup. It comes in a shallow bowl and a giant piece of crouton in the middle so every bite has some bread, soup, and gruyere in it.

Some one ordered a side of fries since they are simple and delicious there. This is what I did with it:

Look at how nicely browned that is!

Cousin got the hangar steak, and I told her to dip it in my soup:

I bet you never had aus jus as savory.

For dessert we ordered pratically all of them. Drinking chocolate with creme fraiche.

Chocolate mousse with I think a lemon creme?

And beignets with a berry sauce

Next up, and evening out in Ballard ending at The Sexton. The guests were actually out on capital hill I believe. Or at Lola. Cousin and I were out with our book club for some post book discussion roaming. Both sauces to our dishes had an extra kick to them, but I can't remember what it was that was in them.

Yam fries - there was something savory - maybe bell pepper or citrus? I can't remember. There was something distinct. It worked though.

More importantly, look at how big they are!

Our friend had never had hush puppies before (deep fried seasoned corn bread). This sauce definitely had something spicy added to it. I think spicy and garlicy. They over fried them though so it was overly crisp and just burnt tasting on the outside. I would try them again. It could have been a late night fluke.

Low key atmosphere, interesting drinks (and strong!). I would recommend a return visit to the Sexton to anyone. It should be interesting to see what their dinner menu tastes like.

Piccolo

Smash introduced me to a restaurant in our neighborhood that makes their pasta from scratch (except for the spaghetti - ironically). Very simple decor. Very good food. They also offer gluten free pasta options!

$8 for a glass of house wine, or $22 for half a carafe. I suggest going with somebody so you can share the food and the wine. Better deal all around. They have their standard menu, and specials.

That night we were celebrating Smash's birthday and she was thanking me for kitty-sitting. (For those of you who are interested, kitty sitting involves sitting on the couch until they decide they'll let you pet them. I only got attacked once and she didn't use her teeth and didn't bare her claws!)

Special: Sole with truffle risotto. The fish was tender and everything was just melt in your mouth-y.

Go ahead and meditate on this picture.

From their standard menu I got the braised lamb and gnocchi (hand made, remember?) I'm not much for tomato-based sauces with meat, but I had to try lamb and gnocchi. The gnocchi was huge the flavors complex, but the lamb was simple. Which I appreciate because then you can enjoy the full flavor and texture of the meat without it being obscured by fancy crap.

So puffy.

I love truffles, so let's look at that dish again:

I also took bread and soaked up the sauce from that one. After I made sure Smash was done with her meal.

They also have ALL GLUTEN FREE desserts. In true Seattle neighborhood restaurant tradition - Smash's panna cotta was on the house.

The candle messed with my phone-camera's focus. Or the phone was drooling over the food. You decide the cause.

Vday - Also known as B's Birthday

There should be a name for foodies who like to cook. There are foodies who like to recreate to experience the same flavor profile, and then you have the foodies that can't stop cooking and mixing flavors. We are going to discount "Coodies" for its homonym - which is not an appetizing concept. "Fooks" sound offensive... Chef-dies? Chefies?

Anyway, one of those made Dinner for us Feb 14~ and it was delicious! Aerial view of the spread:

Aww, pretty flowers.

There's been some feedback that my pictures aren't detailed enough. Screw the flowers, zoom in?

Just kidding, let's break it down:

Our salad was fruity and the pine nuts went well with the brussel sprouts.

Brussel sprouts, arugula, and pine nut salad tossed with lemon vinaigrette

Next up: Orzo salad. Nice and light and warm. It wasn't too hot that it wilted the arugula.

Orzo with ricotta salata, vegetables, and herbs

And the main course: stuffed beef! The marinara was home made too! Very yummy.

Braciole (roasted flank steak, stuffed with cheese, herbs, and veggies)

Put it all together and what do you get?

A plate to warm the heart. Or stuff the belly.

Some people brought their recent local winery purchases to share:

And for dessert, home made mochiko cake!

Get a good close up of that bad boy: coconuty and crip on top, nice and chewy on the bottom.

Really, we were celebrating B's birthday without her (she got a home cooked meal from her beau).

Restaurant Twists on the Familiar

Girl time has created many adventures followed by food... with a Seattle twist.

Night out clubbing? Wake yourself up the next day with a hearty meal from Tom Douglas's Dahlia Lounge. I believe this is the Scramble: hedgehog mushrooms, caramelized onions, gruyere, thyme with a smoked pork chop. Read again: Smoked Pork Chop.

There was something about the ketchup I can't remember. I thought the biscuit would be exciting since the restaurant's affiliate is the Dahlia baker. There was no honey, so you know how I feel about that. (Not impressed). I did love the mix of flavors of the egg and pork chop.

Afternoon of Wine Tasting? Flow into your evening with kushiyaki at Kushi Bar. Since my friends have been introducing me to the diversity of okonomiyaki, the fried rice omelette topped with okonomiyaki seasonings was the chosen adventure of the evening.

Oh bonito flakes, how you flutter in the wind so yummily.

Sunday afternoon study session? Give your brain a break with Cloud City Coffee pulled pork sandwhiches. They rotate between beef brisket and pork. There's an option for spicy or non spicy. They make it there as well as the buns.

And look! It comes with veggies!! Well rounded meal for well rounded minds.

Who doesn't love Seattle?

Awkward Paella Night

Some friends have been having extremely awkward moments in life. So I had them over for awkward paella. Also to have them out of their houses and into a new environment. Tried out the recipe from the Spanish Table. (see previous paella post).

Didn't have piquillo peppers and decided to add more seafood!

Seafood added: clams, shrimp, white fish.

I made another version later on with squid and fresh green onions.

See the little tentacle? He says hello.

After emotional purging at awkward paella night I challenged my guest to make use of the goats milk cajeta I had received as a present a while ago. She chose to make blueberry, coconut, chocolate chip scones:

It actually wasn't bad (the cajeta that is). A bit of tang from the goats milk. I think it would also be good with fruit.