news+events
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Plan the perfect Mother’s Day! 05.03.12
Every year when Mother’s Day rolls around, restaurants and businesses offer special menus and events to help us celebrate the women we love and appreciate the most: our mothers.
Why are we beaming with excitement? Because we have ideas that will leave mom with memories she won’t forget, while undoubtedly blowing the typical knick-knack gift out of the water. Read on to learn more!
Pure Barre
Get mom onboard the “tucking” train and treat her to a special mother-daughter class! Toning is much more fun when done in pairs, and she will appreciate the endorphin boost and a start to swim suit season.
If Sunday isn’t the best day for your schedule, a gift card for her is a perfect alternative to take a class together on a later date. Check out the Bellevue and Seattle locations for scheduling information.
Light Spring Wines
Make reservations with Washington wineries offering special tastings, or visit local restaurants and treat mom to any of these superb lighter favorites.
Treveri Sparking Wines – Syrah Brut, Blanc de Noir, and Viogner are all sparking varieties great for brunch or dinner with mom.
Gilbert Cellars – Romance her with the 2011 Mourvedre Rosé featuring delicate rose petal aromatics.
Kiona Vineyard – Crisp, dry First Crush Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc will pair magically with a variety of foods.
Two Mountain Winery – With strawberry aromas and a hint of kiwi, their 2011 Rosé is great for moms who love their wine both fruity and dry.
Dining
Tilth – Nothing sounds more enticing than Grand Marnier French Toast as a sweet delight for mom. Pair it with a mimosa on the Tilth patio during weekend brunch to let mom know she’s special.
Golden Beetle – Jazz up brunch with the powerful flavors of a Mediterranean breakfast. From the Eggplant Scramble bursting with flavors of paprika and cumin to the more traditional Herbed Falafel with fava beans, award winning chef Maria Hines will not disappoint.
Pecado Bueno – This California-style taqueria in Fremont is inviting mom to lounge by the fire or water fall on one of three outdoor patios. Treat her to a $3 Mommy Margarita made with 100 percent agave tequila and pair it with the fresh veggies and irresistible chorizo in the Chorizo Veggie Scramble. Bueno!
Vios – Give her a taste of Greece with Vios’ weekend brunch. Mom can get a sample of their pita bread trio with three different Greek dipping sauces, or go for a heartier two-skewer Lamb Souvlaki with roasted tomatoes and creamy tatziki sauce. The genuine hospitality felt at Vios will leave the whole family happy.
Cafe Flora – Celebrate their 20th annual Mother’s Day Brunch offering dishes for the whole family to enjoy. Their special set menu features an array of options from sweet to savory.
Dine in for fresh spring dishes like their Asparagus Benedict served with morel mushroom on an herbed polenta cake, or for a sweet treat, try their Banana Brule French Toast with house made mascarpone and caramel-rum sauce.
Their brunch menu is $30 per person and $12.50 for kids, listed in full on their website. Reservations available for parties of all sizes. Call 206-325-9100.
Mother’s Day is the one day we get to truly celebrate this very special lady. Take our advice and make sure to do it in style with some fabulous eats and sparkling wines around the city.TAGS: Bellevue, Blanc de Noir, Cafe Flora, celebrate, dine, First Crush Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, Gilbert Cellars, Golden Beetle, holiday, Kiona Vineyard, May 13, Mommy Margarita, Mother’s Day, Mourvedre Rosé, Pecado Bueno, Pure Barre, Rosé, Seattle, Syrah Brut, Tilth,
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“Sin Well” at Pecado Bueno’s Cinco de Mayo Party 05.03.12
Live Rock Bands, Whole Roast Pig & $3 Margaritas
Pecado Bueno, the California-style taqueria located in upper Fremont, is celebrating the heritage and pride of its south of the border neighbor with a Cinco de Mayo party on, you got it, May 5!. Signifying the start of summer, Pecado Bueno will also launch its new patio seating for you and 120 of your closest friends!
This coming Saturday guests will be greeted by three sprawling patios, one with a fire pit surrounded with bar seats, another with a waterfall and outdoor bar, and the third with two rock bands. The patios will be christened on Saturday for what we hope to be a long, warm summer in Seattle.
For the party, the first 250 people to purchase a Cinco de Mayo ticket will get a free t-shirt specially designed by Seattle-based artist Jeff Tangney. Party-goers can purchase their $10 tickets to receive their free t-shirts at Pecado Bueno beginning TODAY! The t-shirt will grant them immediate access into Pecado Bueno’s party on May 5, forgoing any lines that form. For those not quick enough to snatch up the limited quantity t-shirt, a $10 cover will get them into the festivities.
The menu will feature $3 margaritas made with 100% agave tequila and a whole roast pig. Also sharing the spotlight, Build Your Own Tacos with roast pork, chicken or butternut squash with rice and beans along with the always available and complimentary fresh salsa bar. Other items include signature ceviche, nachos, housemade chips with guacamole and draught and bottled beer, including Tecate, Negra Modelo and Pacifico, will also be available. All food is $6.95-$9.95; beer is $3.25-$4.75.
Food and drink specials will run throughout the day beginning at 11 a.m. The bands will hit the patio at 4 p.m. Families are welcome until 8 p.m. when the festivities turn to 21 and over.
We look forward to raising a margarita with you on Saturday – and only paying $3 for it!TAGS: $3 margarita, Cinco de Mayo, May 5, patio, Pecado Bueno
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One week away! Spring Barrel Tasting is April 27-29. 04.20.12
For our “spur of the moment” planners who have yet to purchase tickets (yes, that’s you), there’s still time to plan for Spring Barrel Tasting featuring the best wines in Yakima Valley.
From April 27-29, grab your special someone or your favorite group of friends to experience an unforgettable three-day weekend event. More than forty wineries will open their tasting rooms offering wine-friendly food and dessert pairings, exclusive sneak peak wines from the barrel, and private tastings to experience the local wine culture in an entertaining new light.
Weekend photos can be entered into the Sip and Click contest for a chance to win prizes!
1. Tweet or Facebook a photo of your Yakima Valley wine tasting experience
2. Mention your location (winery, restaurant, tasting room, etc.)
3. Use the hashtag: #Yakimawine
If you have an iPhone or Android, don’t miss out on Wine Yakima Valley’s new mobile wine tour app. This stress free planning tool offers easy turn-by-turn directions, winery hours and other varietals to assist in your planning.
Now’s your chance to create memories in the largest, oldest, and most diverse wine region in Washington! Purchase a Premier Pass to waive tasting fees and get instant access to wine, food and fun.
TAGS: #Yakimawine, APril 27-29, contest, event, Facebook, getaway, Mobile Wine Tour, Sip and Click, smartphone, Spring Barrel Tasting, tasting room, Twitter, Washington Wine, weekend, Wine, wine country, wine tasting, Wine Yakima Valley, Yakima Valley
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Q13 Fox News gets a taste of Cafe Flora’s edible nettles 04.17.12
What happens when you combine nettles, pasta, cashew cream sauce, and an organic tulip garnish? Cafe Flora’s Spring Nettle Ravioli of course. Hold the butter, cream, and eggs?! Yes and it’s incredibly delicious!
Take a peak at this short video of Cafe Flora owner, Nat Stratton-Clarke on Q13 Fox News demonstrating how to prepare this deliciously exotic, vegan-friendly dish. Cafe Flora is gearing up to celebrate their 20th Anniversary on June 2nd and they want to show all of us meat-lovers how vegetarian dishes are healthy, satisfying, and full of new flavors we often miss out on.
If you have yet to taste what Cafe Flora is all about, take our advice and pay a visit to this cozy Madison Valley restaurant where fresh produce and a rainbow of flavors marry into every dish. Stay tuned to see what’s in store for their 20th Anniversary celebration soon!
This recipe can easily be made at home by following the directions listed on the Q13 Fox News link.
TAGS: 20th Anniversary, Cafe Flora, celebration, cooking, dinner, edible nettles, fresh produce, healthy, local, Nat Stratton-Clarke, new flavors, owner, Q13 Fox News, satisfying, Spring Nettle Ravioli, vegan-friendly, Vegetarian, video
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Less than one week left to savor the flavors of SRW. 04.16.12
Time really does fly when you’re having fun, doesn’t it!?
Seattle Restaurant Week’s spring celebration is coming to an end this Thursday, April 19. With SRW combining spicy, zesty, incredible flavors, odds are your unforgettable meal has you time warped in a food lover’s heaven. Don’t worry; we’re here to wake you back up! Before making your final reservations, take a quick peek at how to source out the best-suited restaurants to fit your style. You only have four days left so get out and dine for a deal!
Dine Local or Broad
With over 150 restaurants, we guarantee there is a local restaurant just miles from your home. Having hopeful sun in the days to come, think of taking this opportunity to discover a new neighborhood gem. Or, why not spice up your life and make reservations at a new exotic location? To the true Downtowners, try venturing over to the Eastside. If you’re caught in the Ballard bubble, try Capitol Hill or Lake Union. SRW makes it easy, mapping out each restaurant by neighborhood. Click here to check it out!
Don’t Forget Lunch
Life gets busy, but with the option of lunch OR dinner, there is definitely time to set aside the pots and pans and dine out (especially when it’s only $15 for three courses!) Scroll through this list to see who’s offering lunch as well as dinner.
Kid-Friendly
The ultimate perk: no babysitter needed. Nothing beats a delicious kids menu with fun coloring activities, except when it’s combined with a complete family dining experience at a perfectly reasonable price. This is also a great opportunity to let your kids join in the contest and hunt for the hidden QR code at participating restaurants; they’ll love it! View kid-friendly restaurants here.
Specialize in Vegetarian Cooking
You don’t have to consider yourself a vegan or vegetarian, just adventurous and daring to try something new. These restaurants will leave you feeling full and energized, minus the food coma! View vegetarian-friendly restaurants here.
SRW didn’t add restaurants to the spring promotion for no reason. Whether you choose to discover the taste of new cuisine or stick with the oldies-but-goodies, delve in now because it’ll be over before you know it!TAGS: $15 lunch, April 19, Ballard, broad, Capitol Hill, contest, diner deals, downtown, downtowners, kid-friendly, Lake Union, local, neighborhood, new cuisine, one week left, QR code, Restaurants, Seattle Restaurant Week, SRW, Vegetarian,
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Explore How Far $28 Will Get You During SRW! 04.13.12
Now that Seattle Restaurant Week has officially begun, you may be finding yourself overwhelmed with choosing between 150+ restaurants each serving outstanding dishes.
If you’re seeking guidance about which reservation to book next, take our advice and see what’s cooking at Cafe Flora (featured above), Crush, Golden Beetle, and Tilth. We’ve listed their specialized SRW menus below to show how these local restaurants are using elegant dishes and rich flavor to heighten the celebration. Trust us, when we read the menus, we couldn’t believe a three-course dinner this good could be $28 either!
*Remember: For each three-course menu, select one dish for each course.
1. Crush – serving 3 course dinner
Appetizers
Stinging Nettle Veloute
Spring Greens & Pickled Garden Vegetables
Crisp Berkshire Pork Belly
Entrée
Roasted Pacific Ling Cod
48 Hour Beef Short Rib Crepinette
Strozapretti Pasta
Dessert
Artisan Cheese Selections
Lemon Merignue Tart
Chocolate Olive Oil Cream Sundae
2. Golden Beetle – serving 3 course dinner
Appetizers
Red Bean and Pepper Soup -oregano, crushed red pepper, yogurt
Iceberg Wedge – pomegranate, feta, walnut
Potato and Kasseri Cheese Pastry – dry cured olive, phyllo, paprika
Entrée
Steamed Taylor Shellfish Clams – lemon-tahini broth, cilantro, serrano
Wood Fired Chicken Kebab – carrot, cous cous, almond
Beluga Lentil-Rice Stew – tomato sauce, spinach, crispy onion
Dessert
Sour Cherry Pudding Cake – white chocolate, sour cherry, fresh breeze milk
Baklava – black walnut, crème fraîche, rose water
Chocolate Truffle Torte – Chantilly, pistachio cream
3. Tilth – serving 3 course dinner
Appetizers
Savory Apple Soup gruyere, caramelized onion, crouton
Baby Iceberg Lettuce radish, pecorino, mustard vinaigrette
Roasted Garlic Flan cauliflower, fresh breeze cream, green garlic
Entrée
St. Jude Albacore Tuna cardoon, cannellini bean, crème fraiche
Carnaroli Risotto bloomsdale spinach, wild mushroom, pine nut
Skagit River Ranch Pork choucroute, purple sweet potato, cabbage slaw
Dessert
Maple Crème Brulee maple blossom, candied bacon, cornmeal cookie
Carrot Cake golden raisin, walnut, cream cheese
Theo Chocolate Pudding rhubarb, candied pistachio, shaved chocolate
4. Cafe Flora – serving 3 course lunch and dinner
LUNCH (3 courses for $15)
Appetizers
Vegan Cinnamon Roll – sticky caramelized sugar, toasted pecans, vanilla icing (vegan)
Pate Platter – lentil pecan paté, seasonal fruit, marinated olives, red onion confit, rosemary croccantini (vegan, available gluten free)
Strawberry Butter Lettuce Salad – strawberries, peas, grilled spring onions, basil black pepper dressing (vegan, gluten free)
Entrée
Potato-Crusted Quiche – spring onions, fresh herbs, goat cheese with fresh grilled asparagus and wild morel ragout (gluten free)
Spring Caprese Scramble – fresh mozzarella, green garlicky grape tomatoes scrambled with eggs or tofu, topped with fresh basil pesto, with roasted potatoes or grits (available vegan, gluten free)
French Dip Sandwich – thin sliced, grilled portobello mushrooms, caramelized onions, melted Swiss cheese, seeded baguette; roasted garlic-mushroom jus with yam fries or house salad (available vegan)
Dessert
Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp – vanilla ice cream, elderflower caramel sauce (vegan, gluten free)
Huckleberry Ice Cream – honey caramel, Russian tea cake (gluten free)
Lemon Pot De Crème – lemon curd, Russian tea cake (gluten free)
DINNER
Appetizers
Cardoon and Green Garlic bisque – mushroom ragout on crostini
Strawberry Butter Lettuce Salad – strawberries, peas, and grilled spring onions, basil black pepper dressing (vegan, gluten free)
Spring Wontons – baby bock choy, goat cheese crema, rhubarb chutney, black bean garlic sauce (available vegan)
Entrée
Oaxaca Tacos – roasted corn tortillas, cheddar and smoky Mozzarella mashed potatoes, lime crème fraîche, cotija cheese, fire roasted salsa; with black bean stew, fresh corn and pepper relish and braised greens (gluten free)
Spring Morell Risotto – haricovert, snap peas in an herbed pistou, Parmigiano Reggiano, roasted cherry tomatoes (gluten free)
Tuscan Asparagus and Fava Bean Polenta – chive blossom polenta, grilled asparagus, fava bean mousse in an artichoke heart with sweet onion and nicoise olive tapenade, toasted almond gremolata. (gluten free and vegan)
Dessert
Strawberry Rhubarb Galette – hibiscus crème chantilly, honey caramel (gluten free)
Chocolate Brownie Coupe – salted peanut butter balsamic ice cream, hot fudge, chocolate crumble (vegan and gluten free)
Lemon Pot de Crème – lemon curd, Russian tea cake
Make your reservations today! You only have 5 days left to indulge in Seattle Restaurant Week.TAGS: $15 lunch, $28 dinner, Cafe Flora, Chef Jason Wilson, Crush, diner deals, dinner, event, Golden Beetle, Maria Hines, menu, Seattle Restaurant Week, SRW, three-courses for $28, Tilth, Vegan
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Greek Easter at Vios on Sunday 04.09.12
Our traditional Easter Sunday might be over, but now’s your chance to celebrate Easter like they do in Greece! That’s right, Greek Easter is coming up on Sunday, April 15 and you can take part in the festivities at Vios Cafe & Marketplace from 1-3 p.m.
As told by the Capitol Hill Blog and Seattle Weekly, Vios has a long tradition on Capitol Hill and in years past, chef-owner Thomas Soukakos (pictured above) has invited friends, family and neighbors to the restaurant for a private Greek Easter celebration. Now he is opening his doors for the first time for others to experience the Greek holiday and we can’t wait! The nine-course Easter lunch will include many Greek Easter traditions including a whole spit roasted lamb and mayiritsa, a traditional soup eaten at midnight on Easter morning after attending church.
Below is a sneak peak of the tasty, traditional Greek Easter menu. Read on, lick those lips and make your reservations for Sunday by calling (206) 329-3236 or online.
Mezze Plates
Lamb Loukaniko with cumin and orange
Stuffed Grape Leaves and Tzatziki
Spinach and Feta Pie
Fava with red onion and fried capers
Entree
Orzo with tomato sauce and mythithra
Kretan Dako Salata with tomato and feta
Roasted Potatoes with Oregano and lemon
Spit Roasted Lamb
Desserts
Apricot –Pistachio Baklava with orange and cardamom
Koulourakia –Greek Cookies
Just $35 per person, $12 for kids over 10 years of age (under 10 can order from the regular kids menu). Only offered at the Capitol Hill location.TAGS: Capitol Hill, Easter, Greek Easter, spit roasted lamb, Thomas Soukakos, Vios
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Lucky 8s China House offers tax breaks 04.06.12
Lucky 8s China House is helping drown those tax payment sorrows and alleviate the stressful deadlines all while saving taxpayers a few bucks. Instead of worrying about Uncle Sam, taxpayers can drink up for a deal!
From Sunday, April 8 through Sunday, April 22 Lucky 8s will be taking its popular weekday happy hour menu and extending the early run (usually 4-6 p.m.) until 7 p.m. and through the weekend. In addition, they will also be serving up their signature cocktails for just $4 (50% off the regular $8) from 4-7 p.m. as well. The signature cocktails include unique preparations and top shelf liquor, such as the Dragon’s Breath with Oola Pepper Vodka, Wolfberry syrup, Aperol, and grapefruit; the Gin And Juice with gin, muddled with fresh cucumbers, lychee and lime, and soda; and the Broken Spoke with Bulleit Bourbon, Maraschino and Chartreuse.
For happy hour, fill up on items for as little as $1, including the Marbled Tea Egg (tea soaked with Chinese spices), Szechuan Rib ($2), Pork Bao ($2.50) and Chinese Long Beans ($2.50).
You’ll have 14 days to drink those tax sorrows away – or celebrate if you’re lucky enough to get a tax return! In that case, drinks are on you!TAGS: happy hour, Lucky 8s China House, tax breaks
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SRW “Eat and Seek” QR Contest! How savvy are your dining skills? 04.06.12
As if a $28 three-course meal isn’t enticing enough, The Seattle Restaurant Cooperative and The Seattle Times is spicing up Seattle Restaurant Week with a QR code contest to win some hard to beat prizes. Don’t count yourself out for this one. All you need is an appetite, a smartphone, and some savvy seeking skills.
Here’s how it will work – Starting April 8, participating restaurants will be hiding a QR code somewhere in their restaurant. When you arrive, the seeking begins and it’s your job to craftily seek out where the QR may be. Once you find it, scan the barcode with either an iPhone or Android smartphone. This will automatically enter you to win a variety of prizes including:
Grand Prize:
A hotel stay for two at Mayflower Park Hotel with parking and breakfast for two at Andaluca.
A progressive dinner at Nell’s Restaurant, Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar, and Dahlia Lounge.
First Prize:
A $75 gift card to Flying Fish
Second Prize:
A $50 gift card to Tilth restaurant
Each diner can only scan the code once within a 24-hour period. If we’re doing our math correctly, this will give you 10 days to dash around different restaurants and find their QR code. We hear you… what’s a contest without a few clues along the way, right? Leave it to SRW to make this contest even easier, with some added “umph” to your savvy competitive side. Facebook will keep you up to speed as well as following #EatnSeek, @SeattleRW and any of the participating restaurants on Twitter. Together, these platforms will be providing clues to help guide you in the right direction.
Don’t be fooled, you don’t have to be tech savvy to win this one. After all, this may be the one and only time it becomes politically correct to whip out your cell phone during dinner…don’t miss the opportunity!
TAGS: #EatnSeek, Andaluca, android, contest, Dining, dining deals, Eat and Seek, Flying Fish, gift certificate, hotel, hotel stay for two, iphone, local celebrity chefs, Mayflower Park Hotel, prizes, progressive dinner, QR, QR code, Seastar Restaurant and Raw Bar, Seattle,
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Foodie-lovers, Seattle Restaurant Week is back! 04.04.12
March brought us the anticipated arrival of top chart movie the Hunger Games and captured the attention of many here in the Pacific Northwest. Now April has arrived and is ready to give last month a run for its money in rolling out a more exciting and satisfying way to enchant diners’ hunger and get those taste buds dancing. That’s right, it’s time for food and wine fanatics to kick off the start of spring with Seattle Restaurant Week here in the Puget Sound.
From April 8-12 and 15-19 (excluding each Friday and Saturday), over 150 of Seattle’s most talked about restaurants will offer a specially prepared three-course dinner for $28 per person, with specific restaurants offering an additional three-course lunch for $15. Each prix-fixe menu will feature an appetizer, entrée and dessert, with at least three options under each course. And yes, to all of you dessert ditchers out there, this leaves you no excuse to pass up the delectable desserts that you’ve secretly been waiting to dive into post dinner!
With over 150 restaurants participating this season, odds are you won’t have to get lucky to discover a new favorite place to dine in Seattle’s sea of culinary expertise. We highly recommend trying a few of our favorites including Cafe Flora (pictured above), Tilth, Golden Beetle, and Crush. Seattle Restaurant Cooperative and the media partner, The Seattle Times, have given this season’s one-of-a-kind celebration a special touch by adding 25 NEW restaurants to partake in the list. Restaurants will now cover more of King County, making it easier to find a restaurant near you.
Invite all your foodie-loving friends, call and make a reservation (not required but highly encouraged) and learn to become your own food critic from an array of delectable dishes in store for you. We’d love to read comments from our readers about the hottest spots you’re finding this year and the best dishes that are making this week a memorable dining celebration!
Be sure to keep up with the action through Facebook and Twitter for upcoming news and some seriously unbeatable giveaways.TAGS: $15 lunches, $28 dinners, 150 restaurants, Cafe Flora, celebration, Crush, dining deals, food, Golden Beetle, prix-fixe meal, Seattle Restaurant Cooperative, Seattle Restaurant Week, SRW, The Seattle Times, three-course meal, Tilth
