October 2010
Restaurant Insider: October 2010
Scott Staples's latest project and a new bagel shop
Staples Center I’ve been waiting for someone to create a Seattle-style Shake Shack, the fanatically obsessed-over chain of New York City burger shacks opened by Danny Meyer. Now it looks as if Scott Staples, chef/owner of Quinn’s and Restaurant Zoë, is doing just that. Staples’ yet-unnamed venture will feature classic $6 burgers made with a…
Tasting Notes: Seattle’s New Pour Houses
An urban influx gives wine lovers a city rich in pour houses
The wine buzz around the Puget Sound area has been all about the explosive growth of wineries and tasting rooms in eastern Washington and Woodinville. But urban wineries are blossoming, too, bringing closer to home the opportunity to taste—and buy—an impressive array of Washington wines. “We thought about looking in Woodinville, but it’s pretty saturated,”…
Road Trip: Long Beach Peninsula
Everybody into the bog! It's cranberry time.
WHERE: Long Beach Peninsula, for the 89th annual Cranberrian Fair, October 9–10. WHY: It’s harvest season for the deliciously tart bog-dwelling berries, of which Washington is the nation’s fifth-largest producer (who knew!). At the Cranberry Museum in Long Beach (cranberrymuseum.com), revelers can check out a 10-acre demonstration bog, witness the harvesting process and browse the…
Reviews: Flying Fish, Marjorie & Fatty’s Corner
Allison Austin Scheff reviews what's new in Seattle dining scene
Flying Fish Owner/chef Christine Keff’s Flying Fish, which opened in Belltown way back in 1995, built a reputation on great seafood but, boy, did the interior need an update. Instead of spiffing up the old girl, Keff moved her to South Lake Union in May to start over in a neighborhood with new life (and…
Scoop: Theo Chocolates x Reese’s Peanut Butter
Theo continues to prove that everything goes better with chocolate
The Fremont-based organic chocolate purveyor Theo has gained a well-earned reputation for fair trade cacao bean sourcing as well as innovative collaborations—for example, creating chocolates in cahoots with perfumers, tea makers and local Fremont Brewing. This month, Theo continues to prove that everything goes better with chocolate by way of its “Chef Session,” a limited-edition…
Key Ingredient: Alum Powder
How-to get your fried foods even crispier
ALUM POWDER In the quest for a crisp finish to her Chinese doughnuts, Lorna Yee relies on an old culinary standby WHAT IT IS: Alum powder (crystallized potassium aluminum sulfate) is an astringent white substance commonly used in pickling recipes to retain crispness. You can find it in the spice aisle of grocery stores. It’s also…
October 2010: Must List
Our top to-do's for the month
Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso Unless you’ve been working at the International Space Station for the past six months, you’re probably aware there’s a Picasso exhibit in Seattle this fall. It’s a genuine big deal, featuring more than 150 works—representing all 80 years of Pablo Picasso’s career—pulled from his personal collection, by which he…
Food We Love: Double Chocolate Figs at Fran’s
Our latest chocolate obsession
FIG HEAVEN On a whim, I stopped into the Fran’s Chocolates Bellevue store (10036 Main St.; 425.453.1698; franschocolates.com), figuring I’d treat myself to a truffle and be on with my day. But there under a glass dome—beside neat rows of the single-malt-whiskey dark chocolate truffles, the milk chocolate caramel truffles and President Obama’s beloved smoked…
October 2010: Parental Guidance
Local news, tips and products for families
Ahead of the class In the latest revolution to hit Seattle, the insurgents are kids armed with knives—and a desire to learn to cook. Called Jamie Oliver Food Revolution Seattle (JOFRS), it’s the brainchild of Suzuki+Chou PR maven Hsiao-Ching Chou, former Seattle Post-Intelligencer food editor and a regular contributor to the Balancing Act blog at…
Urban Safari: Madrona
A peaceful hilltop neighborhood nestled between Lake Washington and the Central District
This peaceful hilltop neighborhood nestled between Lake Washington and the Central District is best known for local faves such as the Hi Spot (killer breakfasts), St. Clouds (delicious all day long) and the Madrona Ale House (as popular with kids as with grownups). But several new shops and restaurants along 34th Avenue between Pike and…
Cravings: Seattle pear dishes
Nothing tastes quite like a ripe, in-season pear on a crisp fall day.
PAIR The pancetta-wrapped pears at Pair (no pun intended) constitute a decadent pre-entrée bite. Served in a wine and ginger reduction and topped with a sprig of parsley, this savory/sweet combination celebrates the pear in all its glory. $6. Ravenna/Montlake, 5501 30th Ave. NE; 206.526.7655; pairseattle.comCITIZENThe melt-in-your-mouth caramel pear brûlée crêpe starts with a…
Hot Button: Will Rossi Resuscitate the state GOP?
While many wonder if Dino Rossi is the Grand Old Party pooper, state Republicans are counting on him
Category: seattlepi.com teaser headlines State Republicans to watch Rob McKenna: Washington’s attorney general, McKenna is very smart and very ambitious. He’s a plainspoken policy wonk, has a base of support in the Democrats’ stronghold of King County, and has already won statewide office. He is the early favorite to win the 2012 governor’s race. Reagan Dunn:…