Seattle Bon Vivant

Barolo: A very happy hour

It is 64 degrees outside, the sun is shining and there is a light cool breeze. Where are you right now? We find ourselves at Barolo, where happy hour is a fabulous bargain. Half price the regular bar menu, 7 days a week, 3:00 to 6:30.

We ordered the antipasto plate and the tuna carpaccio and two glasses each, first of the house white, later on the house red. To cap it off, their lovely Torta di Formaggio al Balsamico Invecchiato, a light cheesecake with aged balsamic; warm and creamy and not too sweet. Perfect!

Less than $40 and really, we do not want to go home yet. :)

Barolo Ristorante
1940 Westlake Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 770-9000

Holy Molly!: Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream opened today in Wallingford

It was not even three in the afternoon when the line outside Molly Moon Neitzel's eponymous ice cream shop, Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream ran a block and a half up the street.

Indeed, it seemed as if the whole of Wallingford had descended to join Miss Molly and her adorable dog <b>Parker Posey<b> in the ribbon cutting and opening day festivities.

Later, as the line moved inside and we were greeted by deejay Eric Johnson of the Fruit Bats (and lately of The Shins) scoop after delectable scoop of flavors such as Bubble Gum, Maple Walnut, Honey Lavender, Vivace Coffee, Thai Iced Tea, Mandarin Chocolate Sorbet and even Cardamom left the beautiful counter space. The smiles of the kids alone and the bevy of happy adults and dogs alike made for a very merry Saturday afternoon.

Molly Moon's ice cream is made with fresh, local, organic ingredients (such as Skagit Valley's strawberries to Sequim's and Vashon Island's lavender). Even the dairy products used to make every batch of her delicious ice cream are sourced from an organic dairy farm in Maltby, Washington. And did we mention Dana Cree (the fabulous pastry chef at Veil) has been thinking up delectable pairings to top the already scrumptious ice creams (balsamic reduction and seasonal fresh fruit compote anyone?)?

Add to this the fact that the storefront has been built incorporating many sustainable materials and that even the cute dishes are 100% compostable. 

And that, people, makes Molly's ice cream shop a sustainable Seattle fan and locavore ice cream lover's dream come true!

We had the Balsamic Strawberry that reminded us of one of Balsamico e Fragola, our favorite Fiori truffles and the Salted Caramel, redolent of  those lovely fleur de sel caramels that we've purchased in the Marais. We are still licking our chops and can't wait to go back. Thank you Molly!

Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream
1622½ North 45th Street (Wallingford)
Seattle, Washington
206.547.5105

Reader's Choice: Seattle Bon Vivant awarded Best Local Food Blog by Seattle Magazine

It's taken me a whole month to finally talk about it (tooting my own horn is not my bag)  but I could not let the year end without acknowledging the honor of having my blog Seattle Bon Vivant awarded Best Local Food Blog in Seattle Magazine's Best of 2007 (December) issue. 

This is not only an incredible surprise (to say that I haven't posted much this year would be an understatement) and great honor (Seattle Magazine, come on!) but what makes it most meaningful to me is that the selection was made not by a group of editors at the corporate office, but by the readers of the magazine. How incredibly sweet is that?

The funniest thing: I even got my own decal to display in my place of business. Ha! Where to put it, I wonder? :)

Anyway, heartfelt thanks to Seattle Magazine but especially to you dear readers, who have been along for the ride these past four years. It means more to me than you'll ever know and I'm so grateful.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Capitol Hill: Only a few more days to open

A few more days people and they'll be open. Maybe Saturday, maybe Monday the gal outside told me the other day. A couple more permits, a few touches to the fabulous space and come next week--if all goes as planned--we'll be happily sipping our lattes as this new joint (our all-time favorite coffee shop in Portland), right next door to one of my favorite new spots to work, eat, drink and  hang out any time of day or night, Café Presse.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters
1115 12th Avenue
(12th & Madison)
Seattle, WA
206.323.1544

*Edited to add: As of 7:54am Monday September 17th Stumptown hopes to open later this afternoon after the city gives them their final green light. 

Taste: Crazyberry in Capitol Hill

For those of you with Pinkberry envy (that über hip and colorful California-based frozen-yogurt chain) rejoicing in the fact that now we have Shnoo Yogurt (Kirkland and 4th & Pine, downtown) and Yoberry (3rd & Marion, downtown) here's some more delectable dairy data: there's yet another yogurt joint in the city. Crazyberry opened up two days ago on Broadway in Capitol Hill(corner of Olive Way, next to US Bank).

You had no idea you say? I know, me neither! But I literally bumped into it earlier today while in the area shopping for a Murakami novel at Twice Sold Tales. I had parked my car right across the street from the Pyroshki place and had at least 20 minutes left on the meter so of course I wanted to use up the time and perhaps look for some take-out or espresso in the area.

As I looked to my left, there it was. The sign made me very curious so I crossed the street and went in. After sampling their three flavors (strawberry, plain and green tea) I opted for a small cup ($2.50) of swirled green tea and strawberry yogurt topped with fresh blueberries ($1.00). It was delicious, not too sweet and a bit tangy, which is exactly how I like my yogurt. And with today's heat it was just the perfect pick me up.

The place struck me as really friendly and easier on the pocketbook than the LA version but with a much smaller array of toppings. Bear in mind, Crazyberry has not even announced a grand opening yet but if you find yourself in the area with cash in hand, do stop by and try it out. The owner is on-site, super nice and the yogurt is quite yummy. Ahh, and unlike Pinkberry, photography is not prohibited. Ha!

Crazyberry
131 Broadway Ave E.
Seattle, WA 98102
yumyum@crazy-berry.com

Taste: Queen Anne Thursdays Farmers Market

A reminder that the Queen Anne Thursday Farmers Market is going on today from 3:30 to 7pm. On my last visit I was able to take home pretty cupcakes from Wink, cherries and red raspberries and blueberries galore.

I was also absolutely thrilled to find that Cynthia Brock --of Sweet & Savory in Mount Baker-- and crew had brought up a table full of beautiful pastries, cookies and pies. There were Almond-Lemon Madeleines, Blueberry Hand Pies, savory tarts, croissants and pain au chocolat.

On my way to the car I spotted a crêpe stand and ordered--mostly to try it out-- their delectable ham, cheese and organic spinach version. It was so lovely and filling (she even added an egg) that I went home happy as a clam, with a belly full and no need to cook dinner for one.

Queen Anne Farmers Market
(parking lot of McClure Middle School)
1915 First Ave. W.
Seattle, WA 9811
3:30 pm to 7:00pm

Rainier Square Tuesdays Market

Did you know that in addition to the marvelous farmers markets happening every day of the week all over Puget Sound now downtown residents and workers can conveniently shop once a week at a little Tuesday Market right in the middle of downtown Seattle?

Every Tuesday afternoon from 4pm-7pm (through Aug 28) at the base of Rainier Square, we'll be able to shop for local produce, cheese, flowers, photography and crafts. Pretty nifty, huh?

So how about it? If you feel you are just too busy to make it out to Pike Place Market on a Tuesday evening or have yet to plan tonight's dinner give it a go. I plan to head out there this afternoon and do a little shopping after work.

With the gorgeous weather we've been having, perhaps a loaf of fresh bread, some fabulous cheese, fruit and a favorite beverage will be just the right thing to enjoy tonight's excellent forecast.

Rainier Square Tuesdays Market
Fifth & University
Downtown Seattle

Lunch @ Sitka & Spruce: No better day than today

If you have yet to make your mind up as to where to go for lunch today, have been planning to go to Sitka & Spruce for lunch or are a regular lunch crowd member at this Eastlake marvel here's a bit of information that is sure to help: today's lunch service at Sitka & spruce will be the last time we Sitka fans have a chance to eat our hearts out in the middle of the day.

Starting next week, Sitka & Spruce will be concentrating their efforts on dinner and weekend brunch. This is by no means a bottom line decision. Lunch is extremely popular, the restaurant is definitely in the black and the lunch service--which at most restaurants is a money losing proposition--here it is quite profitable.

Ever since opening the restaurant, Chef Mathew Dillon (who was just named one of the ten Best New Chefs by Food and Wine Magazine and featured in their annual July Chef Issue) and his fabulous staff have been burning the midnight oil, working all sorts of extravagant hours feeding the city with their amazing, locally sourced, carefully selected, deliciously prepared food.

Frankly they need a bit of a break.

So, how about dropping by today? I was there yesterday and the memory of the delicious grilled sardines and  onions, pine nuts and sultanas still lingers in my mind. And even though today will be a very hectic one for me, I will definitely stop by to enjoy one more delectable meal at one of my favorite places to eat anywhere.

I will certainly miss having all those delicious lunches at Sitka & Spruce. I'll just have to make it in more often for dinner and brunch. :)

Sitka & Spruce
2238 Eastlake Ave. E.
Seattle, WA 98112
206.324.0662

Sitka & Spruce on my Flickr

Cafe Amati: A coffee oasis inside Shijuku Station

AGFA Ultra 100 on Rollei Prego 90

We had our Japanese breakfast with the fishmongers at the market then took the JR back towards Shinjuku, to go back to our hotel and take a nap before heading back out to Roppongi.

But we had not had any coffee that morning and we were a little bit sleepy after such an early wake up call. While walking towards the station's west exit, we came across a tiny and beautiful coffee house that looked just like the place we need to rest our feet (the fish market is a few football fields too big) and get some much needed caffeine.

Café Amati offers table service, it is lovingly lighted, with pretty silverware and a collection of Wedgwood porcelain. Every place setting is different, all of them beautiful and the thimble-like silver creamers cute as a button and small enough for Thumbelina to take a bath in.

The coffee, was dark, creamy, strong and delicious and the toast, my gosh, the toast! Thick and eggy, brioche-like served hot and golden with a choice of jams and Hokkaido butter.

In such beautiful and warm surroundings and with coffee so delicious, we were no longer in a hurry for any nap. Who says you can't find Zen while having a cup of coffee?

Café Amati
Shinjuku Station
Shinjuku, Tokyo

*For more Tokyo photographs please visit my Tokyo Monogatari Flickr set. As always, new photos--from Seattle and everywhere else--are uploaded everyday. :)

Postcard from Tokyo

Wake up call at 330am. Auction. Breakfast. Sashimi with fish market workers. A fabulous time was had by all.

We are having a wonderful time. It has been non-stop food, wine, trips, walking, talking and metro and JR hopping and frankly when you are enjoying yourself so much sitting at the computer is the last thing you want to do.

But I wanted to check in and say hi. Many photos have been taken, many wonderful things to tell you. Soon, soon!