A producer from "that secret culinary show that may or may not be shooting in town" sent me an e-mail late last week, inviting me to be on the show. My part? "Superfan." Sounds pretty cool, right?
One of the many reasons summer goes by too darned quickly? There are just so many neat-o things to do. (Make time slow down, so we can do more!) Here are a few options to add to your already crammed culinary calendar:
Day after day of bright yellow rays and temperatures creeping almost into hot territory are leaving me and most Seattle folks dazed and blissful. Not only are these halcyon days charming to walk around in, sit around in, ride around in, and wear less around in, they’re also wonderful for drinking outside.
On Friday, the day after this year’s Tom Douglas Culinary Summer Camp ends, an aching hunger will set in, especially around 10 in the morning when campers realize nobody is feeding them an endless buffet of bites of the amazing food they’ve just seen prepared by a parade of uber-talented chefs starting last Sunday at The Palace Ballroom.
Day 1: crepes for breakfast.
The construction covers are off and the doors open this morning to Skillet's new concept at the Armory at the Center House. The crown jewel of the new kingdom of food offerings in the completely redesigned space, the Counter, as they're calling it, is predominantly just that: a large, open kitchen enclosed by a long curved counter, which is flanked by extra patio seating.
Seattle is on fire right now!
Not only is Top Chef filming in and around the city these days -- you saw definitive proof right here eariler this week -- and, yes, it looks as if Tony Bourdain is bringing his new Layover show to SEA soon.
Now, I just heard from a "you didn't hear it from me" source that a producer for the Food Network hit Chopped has been in town, scouting chefs for shows that will shoot in New York next year.
Now, I’m not saying one should be drinking all day. You have to know when to say when, as the saying goes, and I certainly don’t want to derail the trains of industry, artistry and family by having folks drink from morning until night. But, having a drink outside of the normal drinking hours (hours in which, I think, people tend to have too many drinks in a row) isn’t a bad idea. Heck, it’s a good idea, with the right cocktail, highball, or other imbibable, because certain drinks go perfectly with certain hours, as you'll see here.
Bottlehouse The thoughtful cheese plate is an especially good choice when you’ve got a tawny port in hand and a starry sky to gaze up at. >> Madrona, 1416 34th Ave.; 206.708.7164; bottlehouseseattle.com
Not exactly sure why, but Independence Day kicks my hot dog craving into overdrive. Maybe it’s that these tube steaks are just so doggone American. (Even though, they originally came from Germany, like most sausages worth eating.)
In anticipation of the Fourth, I took a quick survey on Facebook and Twitter, asking for input on Seattle’s best hog dog spots and guess what came out on top? Costco. Even Restaurant Marche's chef Greg Atkinson says so. It’s sure hard to beat the price, right?
Forgive me Padma! My editor made me do it.
Yes, Top Chef fever has got us whipped into quite a froth and when I showed up for my Monday morning pastry at Le Panier at the Pike Place Market, I hit the motherlode. Yes, it's true. Top Chef is filming here in Seattle.
Don't know about you, but we’re so ready to say bye bye to a rotten June! Bah humbug.
Here are a few ways to celebrate “summer” this weekend, no matter what the thermometer says:
1. This year’s first Salmon-Enchanted Evening dinner is Saturday in Victor Steinbrueck Park, just north of the Pike Place Market. It’s not just a screaming deal at $15 for a fish-centric din din, this outdoor feast is also a fundraiser for the Seattle Parks Department. And, yes, Tommy D will be there dishing it up. If you didn’t buy advance tickets, just bring cash or check.
Seattle is a drink-lover’s paradise. Not only is it in a state that has some of the best wine outside of Italy and France, but it’s also a guiding beacon in the modern cocktail revolution. If that wasn’t enough, the city was and is a major force in the craft beer brewing movement and not only produces great beer but also has an incredible amount of beer aficionados.
Enough already with the rumors! At this point, we do not give a fig if Top Chef films Season 10 in Seattle. (Oh, all right. We care. We care so much that we can barely drag ourselves away from Bravo's hit show's Twitter feed, hoping for THE official word.)
And when the news comes down -- not just the random sightings of the show's stars around town -- here's our suggested cast.
Not sure what was the most dramatically delish show-stopper at Saturday night's inaugural One Night Only (ONO): Chef Brandon Kirksey's scallop-size semolina gnocchi or the whisper-thin salmon carpaccio? Oh, but the English peas and guanciale app was like a burst of summer in my mouth. And I cannot stop thinking about the intense chocolate-y boudino either.
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