Seattle Bon Vivant

More On Fage Total Greek Yogurt And Seattle Area Trader Joe's

Just the other day, the fabulous Sam from Becks & Posh commented on this site that, at least in the San Francisco area, Trader Joe's was carrying Fage Total Greek Yoghurt. Although I was of course glad at least someone else had access to my beloved yogurt, I became very curious as to how and why Californians would have it and the rest of the country--including Seattle-- could not when it was supposed to have been banned in the US altogether.

So I called Fage's New York office early this morning and spoke to a Fage representative, who explained it all to me. Apparently the reason California Trader Joe's have Fage in stock but we still can't get it here in Seattle is because the Trader Joe's distribution center that supplies Seattle stores is in MA, which is one of the states that banned Fage--New Jersey, Nevada and Georgia being the other three states that followed suit.

The same person hinted in no uncertain terms that it was all political legalese and a bad move from our dear government and that these import hurdles were also affecting other products coming in from countries such as France.

She confirmed that the yogurt will be back in the USA in March--me thinks I need to go to Los Angeles or San Francisco soon and go on a yogurt gorging extravaganza-- just as the good people from Trader Joe's Capitol Hill told me last week.

Later on, while playing around with Google I found this  very interesting Fage tidbit from the Press Office of the Embassy of Greece in Washington D.C.:

A Very Nifty and Stylish Find: Salter Aquatronic Digital Scale

I've been searching high and low for a really good scale for quite a long time.  My vintage one is in pounds and ounces and as with most lovely vintage things, it is more good looks--robin's egg blue and very Martha Stewart-- than accuracy.

Besides, in the words of that famous philosopher of my generation, Madonna, we are living in a metric world where just about every country, except ours has been using the metric system for a gazillion years-- so I must become, finally, a metric girl.

But if you, like me, were born in the US, you already know we never quite hit it off with the metric system and now us foodies are paying for it. Just pick up any European culinary magazine or cookery book that asks for a ml of this or a gram of that and you wish you had learned those metric units in grade school.

Keeping an equivalency chart nearby (mine is one of those magnetized ones that stick to the fridge), scribbling my books to death with the exchanges and having to use an assortment of metric measuring bowls and cups every time with so much cleanup afterwards had become too tiresome.

Add to that an ever expanding library of European cooking books by some of my favorite French and British chefs/celebrities (Hermé, Ducasse, Slater, Ferber and Lawson) and I just  had to simplify the preparation as best I could.

Not to mention the fact that with all the foodie blog events happening lately, especially the baking ones, less is more and precision is of essence (at least when it comes to baking and jam making).

A Stunning Nutcraker, Café Impromptu, Coffee And Tiramisu

It was such a formidable evening! An amazing Nutcracker, a packed room. Children everywhere. Little girls all dressed up in beautiful dresses and tights and shoes with big smiles and lots of anticipation. Everyone seemed so joyful and the lobby was bustling with families, PNB staff and various characters from the Nutcracker. There were even carolers singing.

With a great front row seat and excited with the prospect of witnessing the last Nutcracker production that retiring Artistic Directors Kent Stowell and Francia Russell will produce for PNB I was ready to take it all in. And just like a five year old--all over again--I felt utterly and instantly mesmerized by the Sendak sets and costumes.

The Chairelli lighting, especially during scene two of Act One when the Stahlbaum family goes to bed and the magic starts to happen was just otherworldly. And that Waltz Of The Flowers! It was so beautiful!

Italy Padilla and Kaori Nakamura as little and big Clara respectively were perfection and Jeffrey Stanton as the Prince was just dreamy. The orchestra was marvelous and their rendition of the nutcracker Suite so impeccable it felt as if I was listening to the Berlin Philharmonic with Rostropovich conducting.

The solo singers Susan Erickson and Kathryn Vinson were spectacular. I loved Kara Zimmerman as the Ballerina Doll and Stacy Lowenberg as the Peacock was a sight to behold. And her makeup! Wow!

Seattle's Top Pot Doughnuts

Top Pot Doughnuts is a neat doughnut and coffee shop here in Seattle. They have two locations. One in Capitol Hill and another one a couple blocks away from us, here in the downtown core. Although the doughnuts, coffee (Zeitgeist), soups and sandwiches are very nice it is the ambience that makes it so special. The place is pure Americana, a throw back to the fifties and sixties.

The walls are lined with shelves full of books of all kinds and the glass window front lets plenty of light in and a full view of the street. Great for people watching. They also have an ATM on site and free Wi-Fi access. This is a great space to hang out after a movie at the Cinerama, a quick lunch, to meet a friend for a coffee, read, catch up on emails, go to when Torrefazione Italia is closed or when you just want an alternative to Starbucks.

These are for sure some of the best donuts in Seattle--their Pink Feather Boas are not only very good but ultra girly-- although to me, the Krispy Kreme Glazed Donut remains the standard by which all others are measured--even when I only eat it a couple times per year.

Mr. C's Dulce De Leche Flapjacks

My two doors down neighbor R, a transplanted Argentinian in Seattle, told me a couple weeks ago --when I asked her about her favorite Dulce De Leche brand-- that even when she knows how to make it from scratch (milk, sugar, vanilla and baking soda) her preferred method for cooking it was "boiling the can of condensed milk for a few hours".

The other day, to make use of some of the "homemade" (ha ha!) Dulce De Leche I whipped up last Thursday,  Mr. C cooked us a little breakfast using the Flappin' Jack Pancake Mix he likes so well. After the flapjacks were ready he topped his with  dulce while I rolled mine. They were both quite delicious.

Mr. Wonderful's New Bed

When your cat is the fur and paws version of Jeffrey Steingarten  (whom I think is--no pun intended--the cat's pajamas and my main reason--other than the film reviews and show reports-- to read Vogue) not every bed will do. Other than eating, watching us cook and playing on top of our paperwork and reading material he sleeps all day. We got him a Woolrich Oval Cuddler Bed  from Target, which is very plush and large enough to comfortably secure him in all his feline amplitude.

We had planned to sprinkle a little catnip on the pillow insert so kitty would get interested but that was not necessary. And even when his bed is really intended for dogs (shh!) it was love at first sight. He has been enjoying it thoroughly and looks like an absolute angel sleeping on it, dreaming of his next meal, I'm sure. Next thing on his wish list is this.

Angela Bern, Salon Divas And The New Red Urban Salon, Spa & Lounge

Saturdays are the days designated for relaxing at home with movies, good tea, music and books. Not a lot of shopping happens on Saturday. These are days for little me to spend quality time with inner and outer self.

A facial here, a manicure or pedicure there and definitely the day to take care of my brows. Since the eyes are the windows to the soul I am very fickle as to who can groom them. Angela Bern is the only artist who does.

Many moons ago I used to go to Paule Attar, Gene Juarez and Robert Leonard Spa for my brows, until  I discovered Angela a few years back. You see, I read a brilliant write-up about her on Seattle Magazine, where she was named the best in the city. I picked up the phone then and there and scheduled my first appointment.

A month waiting list? Who cared!  The rest is history.  Later on I also found out that not only was Ms. Bern a skilled waxer and facialist but also great conversationalist, a foodie, a poet and artist with a magnificent eye for portraiture (she creates portraits on commission too). Most recently, Angela was included in that little pink wonder that all Seattle ladies should own: Crave Seattle: An Urban Girl's Manifesto

To keep my appointments with Angela I used to have to drive to Fremont as she used to work for many years at the Cristy Carner Salon. And I was happy to do it. And one thing I was sure of was that if she was to move from that location I would follow her there too. I just wished she worked closer to the city. And wouldn’t it be nice if she was downtown?

As they say, all good things come to those who wait. And, for the past two months, Angela has been working her magic (wax and facials) at Salon Divas, a friendly and welcoming salon with great artists that is just walking distance from my building, right in the center of Belltown.

The best part about this move is the fact that her work at Salon Divas is only a transitional period while her very own first salon is finished. It will be opening early next year not far from there actually, on 3rd & Virginia.

It will be called Red, an Urban Salon, Spa & Lounge. It promises to be something completely different than any of the full service salons already in our fair city. And what about that 60 minute RED Spotlight ? I can't wait for it to open!!!

I’ve you’ve yet to meet Angela for a Brow Design consultation, wax service or a facial or if somebody else is doing your brows at the moment, you need to call Erin, her assistant at 206 256-0155 and schedule an appointment pronto. And do not be discouraged if you have to wait a while for your first service. She is soooo worth it and you’ll be thanking your lucky stars for discovering her too.

The Joys Of Shopping At Trader Joe's And Good News About Fage Total Greek Yogurt

While shopping at Trader Joe's (Capitol Hill)  the other day a very funny and happy accident ocurred. I had stopped by the demo booth while shopping for the week, to try their refrigerated cranberry sauces--plain and orange cranberry--which by the way are very good and fresh and natural and will be in stock through the end of the year.  But I digress...

We got into a conversation about home vs ready made cranberry and  we shared cranberry making tips. I volunteered how easy it was to get creative with fresh cranberries at home during the fall--when they are in season-- and even shared my Pomegranate-Cranberry recipe with them. They also hinted at me bringing some by for them to try which I plan to do soon. ;-)

Then, one of the staff members I was chatting with said, out of the blue: "Hey, we got back your favorite yogurt". I'm thinking, huh, err...what the...how does she know...? But you see, these nice people do pay attention to their customers.

Frankly, I did not remember ever sharing with this particular shipmate about my passion for Fage Greek Yogurt but perhaps she had overheard me talking to the manager once or twice? Or maybe she just noticed the fact that my shopping cart had six packages of Spega ? Who knows! The thing is that she knew I loved yogurt. Nice!

I said: Yep, I saw that the Spegas are back--while pointing at my cart contents with a smile-- but what about my Fages? Then, wonder of wonders, the news I've been waiting for since that fateful  September day: Ohh yes! Fage finally straightened up the licensing paperwork and they told us we should have them back in our shelves by March of next year. Insert my surprised look, geeky squeals and goofy grin.

PS: L, just like you said, the Apricot Spegas are delish! :-D

PNB's Nutcracker

Pacific Northwest Ballet's yearly production of Nutcracker starts today. If you have not purchased your tickets  yet, do not delay. Nutcracker sells out every year but there are still plenty of great seats available.  And if you are a subscriber, remember that Nutcracker is not part of the 2004–2005 subscription package.

And not only is it a Seattle tradition (each year, over 90,000 people - many of them children - attend the ballet's annual holiday performances of Nutracker) and a gorgeous ballet for the whole family but an especially sumptuous visual feast, especially dazzling for adults. If you are new to the city, have yet to attend a PNB performance or have been thinking about subscribing to PNB or have been waiting for just the right production to introduce your wee ones to the joys of ballet, this is it.

Ben & Jerry's Pistachio Pistachio

There was Pumpkin Spice Cake, Apple Pie, homemade Dulce De Leche and Pumpkin Pie but after today's dinner,  this was dessert for me. It is straightforward pistachio ice cream with whole pistachios in it--and plenty of them too--without any of that funky pistachio green artificial coloring. It is sooooo good!