allison.scheff's blog

Ballard's in the midst of a barbecue boom: Recent newcomers Bitterroot, RoRo (which took over the old Zesto's location), and the Boar's Nest (which replaced the short-lived Seattle Burger Co.) join long timer Smokin' Pete's. Read more »

Hunger Games cupcakes!

Hunger Games cupcakes!

They're chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream (unless you special order them with your favorite flavor; minimum order of a dozen), and they'll be available at all Trophy Cupcakes locations through Sunday.

That is all.

[Ed's note: And may the odds be ever in your flavor...I mean favor.]

At long last, the empty corner space that once housed Tilden (403 15th Ave. E) is being reborn as a Southern-tinged breakfast and lunch spot, The Wandering Goose.

Owner Heather Earnhardt was co-owner (with Erika Burke) of the warm, inviting Volunteer Park Café from 2007 until last year; fans know how down-home yummy the food is there; I've got a special weakness for the figgy maple scones. Read more »

The James Beard Award nominees were announced on Monday. Read more »

You could've knocked me over with a feather this morning when I opened my inbox and there was the news: Murray's Cheese opening seven mini Murray's stores inside local QFC stores. I had to check to make sure it wasn't an Onion headline. Read more »

After months of delays due to challenges with construction, I'm thrilled to announce that chef Greg Atkinson's Restaurant Marché Bainbridge is opening Saturday night. (Not to be confused with Marché at Pike Place market, which I reviewed this month.) Read more »

Great news, Cuban sandwich fans! Paladar Cubano, the truck that once lived at 89th and Aurora, doling out the best Cuban sandwiches (by far!) in town, is back in business as Cafe Con Leche in Sodo (2905 1st Avenue S).

Before Paladar Cubano closed in the summer of 2010, I became addicted to the sandwiches, grilled to order with a crisp crust, tender pork and ham, the smart bite of mustard, melting cheese. I think I know what I'm having for lunch today. Read more »

The contest for the People’s Best New Chef in Food & Wine magazine was such a hit (remember Canlis’s all-out campaign to get Jason Franey the win last year? Alas, Jason Bissonnette of Boston's Coppa took the prize) that they’re doing it again this year. Read more »

Last year's polls were such a hit--remember the all-out campaign Canlis put on to get Jason Franey his win?--that again this year, Food & Wine Magazine has come up with a list of nominees and is asking "the people" to vote for their favorite chef.

This year's nominees from the Pacific Northwest include several from Portland, one from Idaho, one from Hawaii, but who are kidding? You want to know which Seattle chefs made the cut.

Blaine Wetzel of Willows Inn

McCracken-Tough of Coterie Room, Spur and Tavern Law

Shaun McCrain of Book Bindery Read more »

Earth & Ocean, the W Seattle Hotel’s restaurant, was for many years a sort of culinary finishing school; John Sundstrom left E&O to open Lark; Maria Hines cooked there previous to opening Tilth. More recently, though, the restaurant has struggled to find a local audience.

So this month, the W reopens its restaurant with a new name, TRACE, and a new chef at the helm, former Luc chef Steven Ariel. J Read more »