news+events
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July is Washington Blueberry Month! 07.01.20
July is Washington Blueberry Month! Summer is in full bloom and plump Washington blueberries are ready to be eaten and picked! Pick up Washington-grown blueberries at your local grocery store or plan an upcoming visit to local U-Pick Farms when they open mid-July to hand-pick your own fresh blueberries. Don’t forget to check your u-pick’s website to confirm their opening date. For recipes, inspiration and a list of u-pick farms near you visit wablueberries.com.
Did you know Washington is the number one producer of blueberries in the U.S.? Last year our state yielded approximately 160 million pounds! Washington has one of the longest harvest seasons in the world (five months) and blueberry plants in our state are also some of the world’s highest yielding, including our organic fields. Our local farmers are out there working hard all season!
To select fresh blueberries while shopping, choose berries with a sweet, fruity scent. Size isn’t an indicator of maturity, but color is – berries should look deep blue! Refrigerate fresh blueberries when you get them home, either in their original package or in a covered bowl or container. Be sure to wash your blueberries before you start snacking!
Fresh blueberries make a delicious and healthy snack! The phytochemicals found in blueberries are short-lived, so eat fresh blueberries within a few days of purchase or you can also freeze them. Be sure to look for signage citing Washington or locally-grown to support our local blueberry farmers!
Blueberries are also so versatile for baking and cooking and can be used in salads, pies, cobblers, and more or as a breakfast topper on yogurt, oatmeal, and granola! What are you making with your Washington blueberries? Share your photos on Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #wablueberries and tag @wablueberries!
TAGS: blueberry farms, blueberry patch, blueberry pie, blueberry recipes, Fruit, healthy, healthy snacks, July, local blueberries, recipes, summer, Summer activities, Summer activities kids, U-Pick Blueberries, U-Pick Farms, Washington blueberries, Washington Blueberry Month
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Late Summer Wine Deals at Local Restaurants! 08.28.18
Fall is just around the corner and local Seattle restaurants are embracing the last days of summer by celebrating with wine! Read on to learn more about late-summer al fresco wine specials and new ongoing wine events beginning September 1.
Agrodolce
The Seattle Times points the way to James Beard award-winning chef Maria Hines’ bit of Sicily at Agrodolce, a vibrant Fremont treasure where exceptional Southern Italian favorites pair with delicious wines. The expertly created hand-made pasta is not to be missed!
To celebrate the end of summer, Agrodolce is now offering $2 glasses of rose wine in the bar and on the sidewalk patio from 5-6:30 p.m. seven days a week (with the purchase of food). Peruse the rest of their wine list to pair with the restaurant’s organic, sustainable fare.
Agrodolce is open daily for dinner with happy hour every day from 5-6:30 p.m., as well as weekend brunch 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Find Agrodolce in Fremont at 709 N 35th St., Seattle, online at mariahinesrestaurants.com or call 206-547-9747.
RN74
RN74 features global interpretations of American and French cuisine with a wine list that highlights boutique wines from Washington and Oregon (in addition to its premium selections from Burgundy). Beginning September 1, RN74 is giving diners a better opportunity to sample all that its extensive, award-winning wine list has to offer through weekly and monthly wine events.
At the start of every work week RN74 will host Big Bottle Mondays. The RN74 team will select a magnum or larger bottle from the RN74 cellar to share with guests! Tour the globe and sample everything from a delicious sparkling, white, rosé, or red, never more $20 a glass. These are true treasures you can taste for a fraction of the price of the full bottle!
Every Tuesday brings Flight Night Tuesdays at RN74. The sommelier team will curate a flight of three wines from the extensive cellar and test diners’ knowledge in blind tasting format. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy and taste the wines while exploring the nuance of variety and place. Diners who guess all three wines correctly will be entered into a quarterly drawing to win dinner for two with wine pairings at RN74 – not a bad prize for drinking some of the best wines offered in the city!
Winemaker Wednesday, held the first Wednesday of each month in the lounge from 5-6:30 p.m., offers guests the chance to meet and taste with winemakers from around the world! The featured winemaker will pour selections and chat with guests about the industry. RN74 will also feature wines by the glass from the guest winemaker all month long! Wednesday tastings are $10 and includes three to four wines poured by the guest winemaker.
Winemaker Schedule:
September 5 – Chris Peterson of Avennia avennia.com
October 3 – Morgan Lee of Two Vintners twovintners.com
November 7 – Greg Harrington of Gramercy Cellars gramercycellars.comRN74 is located downtown at 1433 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101. For more info, visit their website at www.michaelmina.net/RN74, or call 206.456.7474.
TAGS: Dining, food, Food and Beverage, happy hour, local, Local Wine Events, Local Wines, Northwest, Restaurants, Seattle, Seattle Wine Events, summer, Wine, Wine Deals, Wine Events
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Hand-Pick Fresh Washington Blueberries at Your Local Blueberry Farms! 07.24.18
Washington fresh blueberries are now in season! Take a trip to your local U-Pick blueberry farm for some affordable outdoor summer fun! Blueberry picking can make a for a great date or family outing in the gorgeous Northwest summer!
After hand-picking your blueberries, add your harvest to homemade lemonade, smoothies, oatmeal or baked goods such as muffins, scones, pancakes and more! Add juicy flavorful blueberries to fresh summer salads, cocktails or even on top of ice cream!
Blueberries can also be used to create homemade beauty products like soaps, sugar scrubs and facemasks. Plus, farms offer more than just picking! Many farms carry a variety of homemade blueberry products including syrups, jams, and even blueberry juice! Check out the list below to find a U-Pick farm nearest you.
For recipes, ideas, and inspiration visit pinterest.com/wablueberries or visit wablueberries.com
King County
• Blue Dot Farm
• Bob’s Blueberry Patch
• Bybee Blueberry Farms
• Canter-Berry Farms
• The Country Store & Gardens
• Henna Blueberry Farm
• Larsen Lake U-Pick
• Mercer Slough & Kinley Farms
• Remlinger Farms
• Rusty Plow FarmClark County
• Bosch’s Blueberry Hills
• Bountiful Acres
• Conway Family Farm
• Kanooth’s Berry Farm
• Kaye’s Blueberries
• Libby Farms
• Majestic Farms Blueberries
• Meadowglenn Farms
• Valley View Blueberries
• Van Tol BlueberriesLewis, Pierce and Thurston County
• Aldrich Berry Farm
• Black River Blues
• Bluefarm Blueberries
• Blue Horizons Blueberries
• Gile Berry Farm
• Pan-American Berry Growers, LLC
• Scholz FarmSkagit and Snohomish County
• Aarstad’s Blueberry Farm
• Blueberry Acres
• Blue Heron Farm
• Bow Hill Blueberries, LLC
• Carpenter Creek Farm
• Donnellys Riverbank Blueberries
• Hazel Blue Acres
• Hunter’s Moon Farm
• Lenning Farms
• Mountainview Blueberry Farm
• Sakuma Bros. Farms & Market
• Whitehorse Meadows FarmWhatcom County
• Barbie’s Berries
• Bjornstad Farms
• Cleaarian Berry Farm
• Hopewell Farm LLC
• Koskela Blueberry FarmTAGS: Berries, blueberries, blueberry patch, Events, kid-friendly, Northwest, Northwest summer, Seattle, summer, Summer Berries, summer events, U-Pick Farms, Washington blueberries
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Patio Season Has Arrived in Seattle! 06.21.18
Summer is here and patio season is in full swing! Get some vitamin d while enjoying gorgeous Northwest views, ice cold rosé on tap, craft breweries with al fresco seating, and more. Drop by to soak in the sun or make reservations for your summer dining today!Mama’s Cantina
Seattle’s oldest and most beloved Mexican restaurant, Mama’s Cantina welcomes diners and drinkers alike to kick back and unwind on their 2nd Ave patio in Belltown. Indulge in old school Mexican favorites such as House-Made Chips and Guacamole, Al Pastor Tacos, Mama’s Burrito, house salsas and more.
Sip on frozen margaritas,tequilas and mezcals, west coast micro brews, and local Ciders, plus rock n’ roll inspired cocktails!
Mama’s Cantina offers happy hour twice daily 4 p.m.6- p.m. and again 10 p.m.-12 a.m. Open daily 11 a.m.-late. Mama’s Cantina is located at 2234 2nd Ave in Belltown. For more info and to reserve visit mamascantina.com or call 206.728.6262.
Tilth
Tilth offers a beautiful patio right in the heart of Wallingford! Chef and owner Maria Hines alongside executive chef Joel Panlilio sources as many ingredients as possible from local farms to create delicious, organic fare with the freshest ingredients available for nightly dinner, as well as weekend brunch.
Refresh your palette with their Summer Squash Salad or the Housemade Frascatelli. Check out their extensive wine list for ice cold rosé and chilled sauvignon blanc and sip a glass in the sun.
Tilth serves dinner nightly starting at 5 p.m. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tilth is located on 1411 N 45th St in Wallingford. For more info and to reserve visit mariahinesrestaurants.com or call 206.633.0801.
Agrodolce
Agrodolce, a certified organic gem from James Beard Award winning Chef Maria Hines alongside executive Chef Mark Licastro, focuses on the cuisine of Southern Italy and Sicily. Enjoy handmade pasta on the patio of this Fremont restaurant, located just off of Fremont Ave N.
Sip Mediterranean-inspired signature cocktails like the Venetian Spritz, prosecco and local draft beers on their urban patio. Peruse the happy hour menu for lighter options such as Bruschetta with Sheep Cheese and their Mini Lamb Burger.
Agrodolce is open daily for dinner with happy hour every day from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m., as well as weekend brunch. Agrodolce is located on 709 N 35th St in Fremont. For more info and to reserve visit mariahinesrestaurants.com or call 206.547.9707.
Ray’s Boathouse
What started out as a coffee house in 1945 is now one of Seattle’s most beloved iconic restaurants. Ray’s Boathouse works to highlight local seafood and seasonal flavors in the midst of the city’s greatest views. This summer, drink in all the Puget Sound has to offer from Ray’s deck.
Dine on House Smoked Sablefish, Applewood Grilled Wild King Salmon, Alaskan King Crab Legs and other fresh seafood favorites. With the help of their wine director, pair these dishes with the perfect chilled chardonnay or pinot grigio, or opt for a signature summer cocktail.
Stop by Ray’s Boathouse for dinner, served every night starting at 5 p.m. Ray’s Boathouse is located on 6049 Seaview Ave NW in Ballard. For more info and to reserve visit rays.com or call 206.789.3770.
Ray’s Café
Located above the Boathouse, Ray’s Café offers a more casual dining experience than its older sister. The seasonal waterfront deck is the perfect place to enjoy their selection of Ballard microbrews on tap. Stop by this summer for a memorable lunch or dinner with killer views!
Ray’s Café serves up Alaskan King Crab Legs as well as more casual fare like True Cod Fish & Chips, Pan Seared Sea Scallop Fettuccini, and a Blackened Salmon Sandwich.
Ray’s Café is open for lunch and dinner every day from 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Ray’s Café is located on 6049 Seaview Ave NW in Ballard. For more info and to reserve visit rays.com or call 206.782.0094.
Belltown Brewing
Belltown Brewing offers 33 beers on tap, including some of their own in-house brews, in a cozy, yet sleek setting. Compliment their delicious in-house beer with Burgers, Salads, or Pizzas fresh from the pizza oven and sip seasonal beers this summer on the large outdoor patio at 2nd and Bell Street!
Try the Prosciutto & Arugula Pizza or the Tri Tip Sliders any night of the week. On Saturday and Sunday pop in for the brunch menu, featuring Spiked Cold Brew and Bottomless Mimosas as well as savory eats like the Pretzel Sandwich or Croque Madame.
Belltown Brewing offers happy hour every day from 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. and again from 9 p.m.-close. Belltown Brewing is located at 200 Bell Street in Belltown. For more info and to reserve visit belltownbrewingseattle.com or call 206.485.7233.
Schooner Brewing
Schooner Brewing is the perfect place for large groups to gather. Make use of their outdoor seating on warm summer days and enjoy their 16 rotating taps of handcrafted delicious Schooner beers including the beloved Hopvine IPA or their new Summer Ale.
New at the brewery, guests can enjoy a selection of refreshing spiked seltzers brewed in-house at Schooner in partnership with San Juan Seltzer. Choose from a variety of flavors inspired by the Pacific Northwest including: Huckleberry, Fuji Apple, Raspberry-Cran and Pure. The spiked seltzers are super light, refreshing and perfect for a hot summer day on Schooner’s shaded patio.
Schooner’s menu offers a wide variety of dishes from Cuban Sliders, to Beer Braised Mussels, and even Street Tacos or Mac N’ Cheese. For a quick bite, check out the deli menu for made-to-order hot and cold sandwiches open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Schooner Brewing opens at 3 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends. Schooner Brewing is located at 3901 1st Ave S in SODO. For more info and to reserve visit schoonerbrewingseattle.com or call 206.432.9734.
Local 360 Café & Bar
Local 360 utilizes the best of the Northwest in their cooking with the majority of their ingredients coming from within 360 miles of Seattle. Sip local draft beers and spirits on their 1st Avenue deck this summer, just blocks from Pike Place Market!
Their menu offers large and small plates perfect for dining al fresco such as Oysters on the half shell, House-Cured Salmon, Asparagus Tartine with local goat cheese, and House-Grind Burgers. Peruse the drink menu for an extensive list of Washington spirits and regional wines.
Local 360 is open weekdays 11 a.m.-late and weekends 9 a.m.-late. Happy hour is served daily 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Local 360 is located at 2234 1st Ave in Belltown. For more info and to reserve visit local360.org or call 206.441.9360.
TAGS: beer, best outdoor dining seattle, cocktails, Craft Beer, dinner, happy hour, local restaurants, lunch, Northwest summer, outdoor dining, patio dining, Rosé, Rosé wine, Seattle, Seattle brewery, Seattle Events, Seattle Patios, Seattle Summer, Seattle Summer Events, summer,
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Chef Jason Wilson Opens The Lakehouse Restaurant and Civility & Unrest Lounge on June 15 05.12.17
Jason Wilson, the James Beard Award-winning chef-owner behind Miller’s Guild and the former, critically acclaimed Crush, announced details about his forthcoming restaurant, The Lakehouse, a vibrant, modern Northwest farmhouse, and Civility & Unrest, a craft cocktail bar with a contemporary speakeasy vibe. Both are slated to open June 15 on two separate floors of the new W Bellevue hotel in the Lincoln Square Expansion, part of The Bellevue Collection. Anticipation is already high as Eater Seattle wrote a piece on the two restaurants this week.
From The Lakehouse’s seasonal ingredients to its refined, personally inspired décor, the restaurant evokes a welcoming environment that is both familiar and elegant. The inspiration for The Lakehouse name and concept followed Wilson’s reflection on the area’s sense of place and evolution: early settlements, lake homes and small farms; a bedroom community once the first bridge was built; and today, a budding metropolis steeped in arts and technology.
Each season’s menu puts the spotlight on the produce sourced from Wilson’s ever-evolving grower and farmer relationships. Wilson’s concept of a “Modern Northwest Farmhouse,” reflects simple, clean, and fresh craft cooking. Illustrated through the produce-driven concept at the highest level of detail and imagination, the menu is accented with local seafoods and meats, handmade pasta and a housemade larder.
The menu displays a philosophy of total usage of the products and unique techniques employed by the kitchen that elevate an authentic approach of quality and flavor, rather than masking or creating something different. Embracing the Northwest through its ingredients, the menu is packed with small plates (“Forest & Garden” and “Sound Sea & Rivers”), large plates and shareable plates, all telling a story of inspiration and purpose:
Maple & Moroccan Spice Roasted Carrots, goats milk labne, chiles, almonds, mint are inspired by Wilson’s fondness for root vegetables and display an approach that is both simple, yet dynamic in flavor, texture and experience.
The Curry Roasted Cauliflower achieves depth in flavor and showcases the vegetable at its cleanest when prepared with green apple, herb hummus, preserved lemon, kale pesto and ver jus, the signature acid for the restaurant.
Drawing the diner into a family-style experience indicative of creating memories in a home, the shareable Grilled Wild Alaska Halibut T-bone, Mustard Green pesto, smoked clam remoulade, sautéed spinach with lemon, saffron potatoes instills a distinctive Northwest spin on a classic American steak preparation.
Located on the second floor of W Bellevue, The Lakehouse’s layout offers many visual areas of interest. Wilson was heavily involved in the design aspects of both The Lakehouse and Civility & Unrest. For the restaurant, he intended to elicit the feeling of walking into an entertainer’s lake home with vernacular ideas of a house seen through a refined and primitive interpretation. Below the massive trestles is a thoughtful division of rooms with a “living room” and “garden” entry with a communal table and lounge seating; the bar welcomes with inviting counter height marble while the “butler’s pantry” features visible work tops and shelving. Additional seating of banquettes and booths are seen throughout, as well as counter seating at the chefs counter fronting the exhibition grill and working kitchen.
The semi-private “wild primitive” room features porcelain antler sconces and another optional private dining space of “wild modern” features mirrors and screens for subtle transparency at two large tables flanked by a wall of thoughtfully procured wine bottles.
The area’s history is seen in the interior surface of vertical charred wood inspired by shou sugi ban, the wood used for preserving by Japanese migrant workers in the area. Pops of “Lakehouse Blue” are subtly viewed through the sophisticatedly rugged and wild space, accented by soft lighting, polished surfaces and a living column of fresh herbs utilized for food and drink.
Civility & Unrest, located on the street level below The Lakehouse, is a plush cocktail bar inspired by a modern, underground speakeasy, where adults of all ages can retreat for a quality craft cocktail without the nightclub chaos, day or night. Small bites offered on the menu complement the Northwest-inspired craft cocktails showcasing local distillers, and the flowing Champagne and sparkling selections, which run a close second.
Framed as a cocktail experience steeped in discovery, the modern speakeasy factor starts with a commissioned, hand-painted mural which guests must walk behind to access a heavily draped entrance. A long bar in the front prominently shows off craft spirits in a lively, communal space; toward the back awaits a provocative and sophisticated space that offers a mix of plush seating, including a large rounded banquette on one wall, tall tables, and bar seating with an opulent chandelier overhead. Although there is a spot for a DJ to play music, expect only ambient lounge music, leaving room for spirited conversation. Other entertainment will range from fashion shows, tattoo artists, unplugged sessions, and trunk shows, all showcasing regional artisans.
Both The Lakehouse and Civility & Unrest are owned by Wilson and are run independently by Wilson along with his El Gaucho Hospitality partners. Wilson will also provide room service for W Bellevue’s 220 rooms and 25 suites. In partnership with Kemper Development, Wilson will soon announce a suite of programming and amenities for Two Lincoln Tower, the luxury apartments atop W Bellevue and Lincoln Square South.
The Lakehouse and Civility & Unrest, opening June 15, are located at Lincoln Square Expansion’s new W Bellevue, off Bellevue Way at 10455 NE 5th Place, Bellevue; enter through the hotel or via the Lincoln Square South main retail corridor. The Lakehouse, open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night, is found on the second floor and Civility & Unrest is at the street level. W Bellevue is part of The Bellevue Collection, which includes Lincoln Square, Bellevue Square and Bellevue Place. Stay up to date on developments by visiting chefjasonwilson.com, thelakehousebellevue.com and civilityandunrest.com.
About Chef Jason Wilson
Chef Jason Wilson is a James Beard Award-winning chef and one of Food & Wine magazine’s Best New Chefs. Wilson is the chef-owner of the forthcoming Civility & Unrest and The Lakehouse opening in Bellevue on June 15, 2017, chef-owner of Miller’s Guild restaurant, executive chef of Coffee Flour, culinary director of El Gaucho Hospitality and runs his own culinary consultancy business. His first restaurant, critically acclaimed CRUSH, received local and national awards and positioned Wilson as a leader in Northwest cuisine and innovative techniques. Visit ChefJasonWilson.com and follow @ChefJasonWilson on Instagram.
TAGS: Bellevue, Breakfast, Chef Jason Wilson, Civility + Unrest, craft cooking, dinner, eater seattle, happy hour, lunch, modern northwest farmhouse, opening, produce driven, Restaurants, speakeasy, summer, The Lakehouse, W Bellevue
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Eden Hill Celebrates Summer with Monthly Dinner Series! 06.28.16
Chef Maximillian Petty of Eden Hill in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood is offering an exciting Summer Dinner Series to be enjoyed all summer long! Once a month through September, the restaurant is offering guests a broad range of specialty dinners on select nights, with themes ranging from vegetarian to textures and more!
Each dinner will present guests with newly-invented dishes specifically for that night, built on an avant garde interpretation of local, seasonal ingredients in imaginative combinations that Eden Hill is known for.
Wednesday, June 29– Vegetarian Tasting
Celebrating the bright seasonal bounty, Chef Maximillian has put together a special six-course vegetarian tasting menu showcasing the Pacific Northwest’s best seasonal, fresh vegetables. The dinner is $80 per person with an optional wine pairing. Seating begins at 5 p.m. and the full menu can be viewed at edenhillrestaurant.com.
Wednesday, July 27– Winemaker DinnerJoin Chef Maximillian and family-owned and operated local winery, Martedi Winery, for an elegant evening with a special multi-course dinner paired perfectly with regional wines. The dinner, which includes courses such as Butter Poached Lamb Rack paired with 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon and Sea Urchin Arancini paired with 2015 Pinot Grigio, is $135 per person with beverage pairings and is available for two seatings: 5:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m. The full menu can be viewed by visiting edenhillrestaurant.com.
Wednesday, August 17– TexturesA uniquely delicious 10-course tasting menu exploring and playing with different textures, a personal favorite of Chef Maximillian! His talent for flavor and beautiful plating is further distinguished by his ability to tease the palate with interesting textures. This dinner is available for $180 per person with an additional beverage pairing. Seating begins at 5 p.m.
Sunday, September 4– First Anniversary Role SwapTo celebrate the success of the first anniversary of Eden Hill and usher in many more years to come, Eden Hill is having a little fun and swapping roles! The kitchen will serve, and the servers will cook a limited a la carte menu. Proceeds will benefit Green Plate Special, whose mission is to inspire and empower youth to experience food through gardening, cooking, and eating together. Seating begins at 5 p.m.
Eden Hill is located at 2209 Queen Anne Ave in Seattle. To make a reservation, please visit edenhillrestaurant.com/reservations or call 206.708.6836. To check out more of Chef Maximillian’s intriguing and beautiful work, visit his Instagram.
TAGS: 1st anniversary, anniversary, Chef Maximillian Pettey, dinner, Dinner Series, Eden Hill, New American, Queen Anne, Seattle, summer, Summer Dinner Series, textures, Vegetarian, Wine, Wine Dinner
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