Stories

Belltown recently welcomed Ventana to the neighborhood. Personally, I was a bit under enthused and managed to walk by this restaurant for the last couple months. I couldn't put my finger on it, but there just wasn't really a compelling reason to venture inside. In fact, it always seemed like the place was near empty. Well, we decided to finally give it a shot last Friday night and were seriously blown away. We will be returning on a regular basis without doubt! Here's our top three reasons why you really ought to give Ventana in Belltown a shot;

1) It's pretty cheap. - swing by for a happy hour. It's probably the best food on 1st during happy hour, and the cocktails are amazing. My wife and I were surprised to see how affordable the happy hour menu was. Ventana is now on my top 3 after work happy hour joints.

2) Get 50% off - Check out tumblr. If you buy $25 worth, you'll get $55. Be quick, there's only 3 lett.

3) Dinner was awesome - I can vouch for the NY strip - it was cooked to perfection. Trina had the spare ribs and they were so good she refused to share. We were feeling pretty unadventurous and tried the cheese plate (hard to jack up) and the truffled popcorn (yay, fun.)

4) Service was impeccable and the view is amazing. Tip, get there right around dusk, grab your pick of the tables, and watch the sunset over an appetizer.

Boom. FOUR reasons you ought to take that special someone out on a date and surprise them with a beautiful dinner at Ventana. Let me know how you liked it. Maybe we ought to throw a belltownpeople happy hour there sometime soon!

If you are a Seattlite, I am sure you know at least one Michigan transplant. It is no secret that the State of Michigan, and Detroit in particular, has been one of the hardest hit by our recent economic crisis. Michiganders are moving out of the state in droves to find better employment opportunities and many find their way to the Seattle area.

I am one of these many Detroiters now located in Seattle and while I love it here so much, every now and then I need a reminder of home. I get so excited when the Tigers or Lions play here (miss those Pistons coming here!!) and love catching sports games, Detroit bands, amongst other Michigan things with my fellow Michigan transplants.

Well, I can add two more taste of home to my list… Coney Dogs & Vernors cocktails!

Now if you have yet to try a Detroit Coney (also, sometimes referred to as a Michigan Coney) you are in for a treat. You start with a Koegel Hot Dog, top it with Detroit style chili (bean free), diced white onions and top it off with yellow...

Bring your Seattle Cellars tasting glass and come join us this evening, Thursday, February 25, from 5 - 7pm, as we present Red Hot Deals from California! Our friends to the south have come up with some delicious value selections, including two of our current Fab Finds under $15, so tonight is the time to stop by and stock up!

• 2008 Souverain Chardonnay, Alexander Valley - This is a rich, voluptuous Chardonnay with notes of baked apples, butter, toasted almonds, oak and vanilla, Let the party begin!
• 2006 Guenoc "Culinary Reserve Select" Petite Sirah, Lake County - This is the perfect winter wine for when you want to hibernate and warm yourself from the inside out. It seduces with its smooth texture and notes of dark chocolate, rum raisin, and vanilla, then finishes with some zesty blackberry and a bit of spice.
• 2005 Aquinas Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 2005 Beringer "Alluvium" Bordeaux-style blend, Knights Valley

Other upcoming events:

• March 4 - Detour Imports from Argentina!
• March 18 - The Great Northwest

We look forward to seeing you!

Seattle Cellars, 2505 2nd Avenue at Wall St., Belltown, Seattle (206) 256-0850.

Ari Shapiro, one of only a dozen or so “Masters of Whisky” in the U.S., takes Ventana on a five-course taste tour of the world's best single malts paired with Chef Joseph Conrad’s New American cuisine, Thursday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m. Explore such renowned brands as Dalwhinnie, Singleton, Oban, Talisker, and Lagavulin.  

Ari will explain how “whisky” has become a catch-all term to encompass bourbons, ryes, Canadians, blended Scotch, as well as this evening’s focus: single malt Scotch.

In this tasting, discover how color can help determine the flavor intensity, the aroma, and finish of each whisky poured. In his selections you’ll experience the complexity of flavor and the long finish people seek out in a single malt Scotch.  

Menu includes:

1st course: Butternut squash gnocchi with braised endive, caramelized turnips, and a balsamic and lychee reduction; served with Singleton  

2nd course: House smoked Sockeye salmon with mocha Israeli cous cous, glazed apples, and walnuts; served with Talisker

3rd course: Seared artisan duck breast with black bean puree, cocoa duck jus, and roasted Meyer lemon; served with Dalwhinnie

4th course: Smoked pork belly with miso butterscotch, cherry, and frisee; served with Lagavulin

5th course:(dessert): Oban ice cream with burnt orange and star anise caramel, pecan; served with Oban

$50 per person, plus tax and gratuity. 21 & Over. Call (206) 441- 4789 to secure your reservation and for additional details. 2323 1st Avenue Seattle; http://ventanaseattle.com.

Kim's Homemade will begin a new late night "service" offering at Cafe Lieto lovingly called Biscuit Bitch. Kim promises to be serving "food your mom would want you to eat" until 2:30 am. Who knows if your mom would be alright with you hanging out with a biscuit lady past your bedtime though. Kim's biscuits look worth a nibble and at five whole dollars, it's not going to set you back too far to give them a try.

Thankfully, the ever astute folks at Mama's Mexican Kitchen on 2nd have understood Belltown's  dire situation. We're running out of bars! The great bar shortage is upon us! Oh the horror, there's no place to get a little sip of the Devil's nectar around here!

Running to the rescue is the opening of Papa's, a new bar in the back of Mama's. If you'd like to see some pictures of the cozy spot or get a glimpse of local artist Joey Nix's latest creation, swing over and "read all about it" from Lydia Heard - one of the PI's neighborhood bloggers.This new bar offers something different for Belltown. Instead of smelling like cheap cologne after a night of socializing, you can revel in the glorious aroma of re-fried beans. Mmm, lovely.

As early as November, I was tasked to list the menu for our annual family noche buena. I remember mother telling me that it is best that I finish all my research papers before December comes as she really wants the table be filled with delectable dishes. My moms worry that I will not enjoy the December season if I will still busy on my writing services. This is because a lot of relatives usually come over all spend the dinner with us. And so I plan to make 3 roasted chicken or turkey as the main course. I will have mushroom and chicken soups, and tuna and potato salads as starters. I made it clear eversince that I do not allow iced tea on my menu. It is either fresh juice or mineral water for everyone's well-being. Wheat bread with slight butter will also be present in the meal. For desserts, we will have puddings, chocolate mouse, and cheesecake. Fruits will be served for the elders and those who are diabetic. I had been receiving e-mails and calls about the family affair and I am quite pressured right now....

Spur Gastropub. Called Washington Chicken Confit. This is truth, not to be debated. I am the biggest connoisseur of wings that you will probably ever come across.  And nothing has ever been better than these. I remember tasting something like them at the Chicken Wing Contest held at Union Restaurant last year. It was the best night ever, all-you-can-eat hot wings made by all of Seattle's best chefs...a taste of heaven for me. I believe these wings were a little spicier and garnished with mint for the contest...but they are still prepared the same. End result: Drumsticks with meat that literally falls off of the bone when you pick them up. They are the best  that I've ever had, not just in Belltown, the best ever.  I had them again a few nights ago and they did not disappoint.

(In all humility, because i "think" i know that these are the best, yet have not tried every restaurant to determine this, please don't hesitate to comment below with your favorite..i wouldn't want to miss out on some...

Everyone has their opinions on restaurants. I try to avoid writing whole posts dedicated to one restaurant, because there are just so many wonderful choices in Belltown for dining that all do something well. But today I am writing about my experience at La Vita E Bella because it feels like it is a part of me, a part of the neighborhood of Belltown.

I am half mexican/half italian, just as an aside, and this restaurant exuded a sense of familiarity for me. I walked in and immediately felt  like I was in a 1990's mexican restaurant. Yes it's 1993 in theory..the aesthetic is  that eclectic, so much so that looking at the orange, blue and red walls coupled with plastic multicolored light fixtures over the bar, made me want to have a margarita. Literally, I had a craving for a margarita!  Yet Sinatra was playing in the background and the joint had the beautiful aroma of Italian food. It was laid back, but not in service or quality of food.  The Italian guy with the thick New York accent took our order, it was fun to just hear him speak, he sounded exactly like my dad.  Our busser was so attentive that  our water glass never got half empty.  My husband ordered the Rigatoni and I ordered the Halibut, we switched plates half way through the meal. The Rigatoni was Freakin Amazing! The Halibut was delicious as well, but i've never tasted a more rich and perfectly balanced sauce as to what the rigatoni was made with. It was amazing, i licked my plate...almost.  Great, Great  food.

When the meal was over, and the tiramisu and white chocolate covered sorbet were devoured, i thought to myself: So what if the ambiance is not hip and posh? There are far too many restaurants in Belltown with that vibe anyways. This joint is a Gem. Truly a Belltown Gem. It felt like i stepped back ten years to see a glimpse of the local Italian place  when Belltown was less seven condo buildings. Its annoying when all of the restaurants look the same anyways, super minimalist with nothing to distinguish it from any other place. This place is quality, the Rigatoni is where it is at, and I felt like it was my neighborhood Italian joint where i could go to get a little taste of home.

Your fears can be cast into the fire. CJ's, the much beloved restuarant on the corner of 1st & Cedar, is not being remodeled into yet another tapas joint. CJ's has long been one of my favorite Belltown breakfast spots. It's hard to beat their scrambles early in the morning. The only inconvenience about the place is usually the massive line of little piggies waiting for their turn at the trough! But, man is it worth it!

I just got off the phone with someone at the restaurant and they calmed me down. CJ's is reopening tomorrow after being closed for the last week. They cleaned up a bit and remodeled some too. The most important part, the food, remains the same.

October 30th, 5-8pm

Tom Douglas Restaurants' Palace Ballroom will be transformed into Oktoberfest heaven for the Beer and Brats event.  Warren Peterson, the newly appointed "beer czar" for Tom Douglas Restaurants will be showcasing some of his favorite West Coast microbrews and bratwurst from Seattle's top sausage purveyors at this event.

Meet brewers from: Pike Brewing Co, Big Al, Baron Brew, Maritime, Elysian, Sierra Nevada and Deschutes

A selection of bratwursts will be provided by Isernio's Sausage, Cascioppo Brothers Meats, Bavarian Meats, Uli's Famous Sausage and Da Pino.  There will also be handcrafted sausages by the aformentioned beer czar, Warren Peterson as well as Palace Kitchen's chef Brian Walcyzk and Dahlia Lounge's Brock Johnson.

Tickets are $34 (tax included) and  must be purchased in advance by contacting Christy at (206)448.2001 or via email at christinal@tomdouglas.com

Nancy Leson of the Seattle Times shares the details of  Belltown's favorite pixtos bar Txori. The short of the story is that owner Chef Joseba Jimenez de Jimenez and his wife and business partner Carolin Messier de Jimenez are filing for divorce. As part of the breakup, Chef Joseba will be transitioning out of the day to day operations of both restaurants over the next twelve months.

Little is likely to change in terms of the delightful food and service; especially concerning Txori.  Txori has always been a creation of Carolin's and so little is likely to change. Adding to the stability, Joey Serquinia remains at the helm and will now also oversee the kitchen of the much beloved Harvest Vine in Madison.

Well, at least according to the planners behind the weekly start-up/ drink-up "Hops and Chops"

We finally had it with Linda’s — we love the atmosphere, but the grisly bar wenches and wankers were too much to deal with now that the rainy season (and no more back patio) is upon us.

This led to a lengthy Hops and Chops debate about where our migration would lead us — @daryn ended it with “What about Jonathan Sposato’s Spitfire?” — perfect — owned by the co-founder of Picnik, willing to reserve us a table, and a nice central location.  The available back room lounge doesn’t hurt either.

So, change your calendars — Hops and Chops will now be convening weekly at Spitfire in Belltown

It's not every day that Belltown makes a win over the hill, even small insignificant unscientific wins based upon the alcoholic desires of start-up geeks. But, when they happen, we'll be sure to post them and revel in the triumph.

Cheers!

Yes, it looks gorgeous. No, it's not technically in Belltown. But, Fonté Coffee bar will surely be getting a visit from yours truly. This is the first retail store of Georgetown based Fonté Coffee.

From GourmetRetail

The coffee bar serves up the company's super-premium coffees. Fonté Coffee Roaster Café and Wine Bar also boasts a menu created by award-winning local chef and Crush restaurant owner Jason Wilson, and an internationally inspired wine list...

...Located in a bustling part of downtown Seattle across the street from the Seattle Art Museum and just blocks from Pike Place Market...The bar serves Fonté's premium, fresh, roast-to-order coffees, prepared by master roaster Steve Smith, an industry veteran with more than 30 years of roasting experience. In an effort to make the company's super-premium coffee available to customers, Fonté's "Cup of the Day" features an unusual, hard-to-source coffee, such as the Panama Esmerelda, which retails at $80 per pound, for just $1.50 per shot.

TheStranger took some time to interview Top Chef contestant Ashley Merriman. If you're a fan of the show, this is embarassingly old news. However, if you've tossed your TV in the dumpster a long time ago like me, you'll be delighted to know that Ashley is the executive chef of Belltown's very own Branzino. We'll be rooting for Ashley and rumor has it that she's in the final top four.

The interview also reveals some bittersweet news. It looks like the opportunity on the show has at least helped to open some new doors in New York. As such, Branzino will be looking for a new Executive Chef.

From TheStranger

What's it like to watch the shows for the first time?

It's pretty horrifying. I never really thought that I would do this; it's not really my style. It's a very invasive process... Initially, I was like, "No way am I doing that." Maria Hines [of Wallingford's Tilth], my mentor, encouraged me.

From our friends at Seattle Cellars

Buongiorno and hello! Come join us this Thursday evening, September 3, from 5 - 7pm for a really fun and interesting comparison of three different Italian varietals. We will have pairs of wines comparing Italian versions to Northwest versions of the same varietal - they can be very different - which ones will you prefer? The six selections include:

• Pinot Grigio: 2007 Pighin (Friuli) vs. 2008 Ponzi (Willamette Valley)
• Barbera: 2006 Michele Chiarlo "Le Orme" (Asti) vs. 2007 Desert Wind (Columbia Valley)
• Muscat: 2008 Michele Chiarlo "Nivole" (Asti) vs. 2007 Sylvan Ridge (Oregon)

Why not keep the mood going by having dinner at one of our neighborhood restaurants?

• Branzino. 2429 2nd Avenue at Wall. (206) 728-5181.
• La Vita e Bella. 2411 2nd Avenue, between Wall and Battery. (206) 441-5322.
• La Fontana Siciliana. 120 Blanchard, between 1st and 2nd. (206) 441-1045.

TheCookbookChronicles paid a visit to (stalked) Belltown's new Bang Bang Cafe that we profiled a couple weeks ago. The tiny cafe is already gaining quite a reputation (5/5 Yelp) for delicious treats. Don't take our word for it, swing by and pay them a visit!

 From CookBookChronicles

I went down there at 11am today and Miki said she had sold out of the ham scones already. So I bought an almond scone, and a sticky bun for good measure (yum). The scones are just as good as I remember–super crunchy on the outside, soft and buttery on the inside. They aren’t the almost under-baked, feather-light variety, but the type that’s got a bit more body, due to the few extra minutes in the oven that give them that glorious crust. In addition to baked goods, they also have a case full of prepared foods. When I looked up the address yesterday on Yelp, I’d read that a poster claimed Bang Bang served the “Best Vegan Mac n Cheese in the City”, and I told the sisters so. A small bowl soon appeared at my table…If you’re a regular reader on this blog, it should come as no shock that I’m a huge fan of meat. And yet, this mac n cheese was so flavorful…so, un-vegan in my (admittedly myopic) opinion.

...

So there you have it–my vote for the best scone in Seattle, and a thumbs up for a delicious vegan dish that you’ll enjoy, whether you’re vegan or not.

(P.S. Miki and Yuki are the sweetest sisters, and I wish them the best in their new endeavor!)

More

I just moved to belltown couple weeks ago, all i have to say that I love this neighberhood specially night life and restaurants.

In my opinion:

Must Visit Places:  For breakfast and fast lunch Deli Shez Cafe 

                                 Caffe D'arte for coffee

                                 Yellow Leaf Cupcakes for Desert

                                  Bar and Lounge and happy hour: SpitFire , Amber. 

                                 Night Club: Del rey  

  Places I didn't like: The local Vine cause it so expensive with nothing special to offer inside

This is my experience so far I will keep you updated 

Our neighborhood favorite cupcakery continues to rack up the accolades. This time Seattle Weekly's "Voracious" sings the praises of Yellow Leaf's Vanilla Toffee Cupcake. If you don't remember, Yellow Leaf was voted the winner of our very own Belltown Underground Cupcake Off. Congrats guys! Seriously, if you haven't tried Yellow Leaf yet, repent and make haste. Your mouth will thank you later.

From Seattle Weekly - Voracious

5. Vanilla toffee cupcake ($2.95), The Yellow Leaf Cupcake Co., 2209 Fourth Ave., theyellowleafcupcake.com. Yeah, there's vanilla in the cake batter and the scoop of frosting, but Yellow Leaf -- the bakery we'd name Most Likely to Take Chances -- tops this cake with crumbled toffee so it bakes into a crunchy caramel layer. The Belltown bakery uses an Italian buttercream frosting for its cupcakes, and the lighter, satiny frosting looks great but can sometimes feel too insubstantial to match the bottom. Not with this one. (Another favorite right now: white chocolate pretzel.)

Over 20 WA wineries, a seafood buffet, and live music to drown out your poor conversation skills. What's not to love?! The Waterfront Seafood Grill's Hootenany (c'mon serious, hootenanny?) event is THIS evening (6-9). Make your reservations online or by calling. 

more details after the jump...

It’s Hootenanny time! Our yearly celebration of wine, Waterfront Seafood Grill vittles and sunshine!

Executive Chef Peter Levine and staff and music from Seattle’s own Slimpickins!

Enjoy over 20 Washington State wineries, a delicious buffet prepared by Waterfront Seafood Grill

WATERFRONT SEAFOOD GRILL

$95 per person, plus tax and gratuity

Thursday, August 27, 2009 • 6:00pm – 9:00pm

To reserve your spot, please make reservations online,

email sspeer@waterfrontpier70.com or call 206.956.9171....

It's Wednesday night and the only date you've got lined up is streaming netflix. Probably not, but this looks wonderful and I wish I found out about it just a bit earlier. Sorry for the late notice folks. Good reason to follow us on twitter for all the last minute stuff.

From ART Restaurant Seattle

Stroll through Pike Place Market and experience it through the eyes of Chef Kerry Sear and his Sous Chef. How do they pick the best ingredients from the Market? Where do they shop? What recommendations do they have about how to navigate the various stalls? Return to the hotel for a half hour “back of the house” hotel and kitchen tour. At ART Restaurant and Lounge the Chef Date continues at the Counter where guests will enjoy a sampling of Counter dishes, complemented by a wine tasting.

$85 per person plus tax & grat |Maximum 12 people | Approximately 2.5 hours

Macrina Lady, you are Seattle's Mona Lisa. Instead of blank stares of infinite smiles, you give us empty palates of infinite confectionary delight. What are you thinking about Macrina Lady? Are you thinking about silky smooth Whisper Cakes and delectable treats yet discovered? Are you thinking about blonde brownies or why people stand outside your doors for hours just to feed their watering mouths with your brunch? Macrina Lady, tell us your secret. Happy birthday Strange Macrina Lady.

FREE COFFEE

Thursday, August 27, we turn Sweet 16. In celebration of our anniversary, we are indulging in one of Seattle's greatest vices aside from our pastry case... coffee. Drip coffee, Americanos and Lattes are our treat with your food purchase at any of our cafes on Thursday. It's our little way to say thank you for your continued patronage! Anniversary t-shirts also available for $15.

I know I keep posting this, but c'mon - free wine and a chance to meet your neighbors. Why would you miss the opportunity?

Seattle Cellars

Good morning! This Thursday's tasting will be a sampling from one of our local producers. Come join us August 27, from 5 - 7pm for a sampling of wines from Jones of Washington! Jones of Washington is a family-owned and operated winery that is committed to small-batch artisanal wines, crafted with all the love and attention that people who are closely tied to the land can make. From their lineup, we will be sampling four tasty selections:

• 2007 Estate Riesling, Wahluke Slope - Silver Medal, 2008 Tri-Cities Wine Festival
• 2007 Chardonnay, Wahluke Slope
• 2008 Viognier, Wahluke Slope

2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope - Best Cabernet Sauvignon under $20, 2009 Washington Wine Awards

Admit it, you're a foodie because you can't cook. You've been blowing your monthly allotted budget of dining out because the alternative of a night at home in front of an unnatural bowl of kraft mac n cheese just isn't cutting it anymore. Breakfast for dinner is cute, but it just plain hurts when it's a method of survival.

Well, there's hope! The Seattle Times has the scoop on a list of local restaurants offering cooking classes. Whats better than learning from a master? If you're like me and cookbooks seem harder to follow than IKEA instructions, this kinetic learning might be our only saving hope. Register early!

From Tan Vinh of Seattle Times. - hit the link for the complete list of SEA restaurants.

• Flying Fish, Belltown. Sept. 12 class on Mexican cuisine. $55. 206-728-8595 or www.flyingfishrestaurant.com

• Icon Grill, Belltown. Oct. 1 class featuring a fall harvest menu such as grilled pumpkin soup, autumn herb-roasted chicken and butternut squash ravioli. $75. 206-441-6330 or check www.icongrill.com

• Andaluca chef Wayne Johnson. Oct. 21 class featuring North African risotto, pan-seared black cod with leek mashed potatoes and spicy tomato sauce, pumpkin and ricotta cheesecake. $75. Note the class is not held at the downtown restaurant but at Dish it up!, a kitchen-accessories store in Magnolia. Call 206-281-7800 or see www.dish-it-up.com/calendar/classes.php. Many other chefs hold classes here.

The temperature has inched higher the last couple days and that means you have a good excuse to enjoy a pitcher of Sangria with some friends. Bethany Jean Clement of TheStranger has reccomended the Sangria at the Belltown border straddling Andaluca in the latest edition of "Bar Review".

Or, if you're in a more adventurous mood, you can make your own "ocean" of Sangria with the recipe included by Chef Wayne Johnson

recipe after the jump...

Andaluca's Sangria

[Eds. note: This recipe takes two days and it makes approximately an ocean of sangria, so plan ahead and scale down accordingly.]

10 apples cut in 4 slices

10 bottles of rioja wine (inexpensive is just fine)

25 strawberries cut in halves

4 limes split in halves

4 lemons split in halves

10 oranges split in halves

30 cardamoms

6 cinnamon sticks

10 star anise

20 bay leaves

40 whole cloves

<10 pears cut in 4 slices