Review - Petite Provence Boulangerie & Patisserie - Portland, OR

Petite Provence Boulangerie & Patisserie

After a 3 hour drive from Seattle to Portland our group was craving something sweet.  We had heard good things about a bakery in the Alberta Arts District, Garden Of Eden, or something like that.  So we decided to drive a little more to go there.  As we arrived at the bakery, we walked in, realized it was a Vegan bakery, and got terribly disappointed.  I'm not Vegan, so not down with the Vegan bakery - I've had bad experiences with Vegan Bakeries and their chickpea flour. ugh. It was pouring rain out, but we decided to walk down the street and see what we could find.  We were thinking that even a Starbucks would suffice.  

Review - Luc - Madison Park, Seattle, WA

Luc

Ugh.  I don't particularly enjoy writing bad reviews, there are some meals I just wish I could forget.  This Sunday my SO and I decided to head to Madison Park and check out Luc.  I wish we had just gone elsewhere. Anywhere else.

Review - Mr. Gyros - Seattle, WA

Mr. Gyros

I love this place!  This is our go to spot for Gyros!  There are two locations, one on Greenwood, and a newer location in Ballard.   The Ballard location is much bigger than the original Greenwood spot, and we live right in between the two.  I actually prefer the Greenwood location for takeout, Ballard is good if you plan to dine in since there is more seating. 

Review - Seatown Seabar and Rotisserie - Seattle, WA

Seatown Seabar and Rotisserie

Located next to Etta's in the Market is Seatown Seabar and Rotisserie, another Tom Douglas creation... The menu consists mostly of seafood for obvious reasons, and unfortunately there isn't much for my SO to eat here.

Review - Carnevino - Las Vegas, NV

Carnevino

We were promptly seated in the smaller dining area on the opposite side of the host station & bar.  After having dined in the main area before, I was a little disappointed, the side we were seated in is directly in the casino and really didn't give the fine dining ambiance we were hoping for. Not to mention the blaring music - Red Hot Chili Peppers, really? At what is described as fine dining? The music was too loud, and along with the noise from the casino, I might as well have chosen to dine at a cafe.  Our server even commented that he had to tune out the bad choice in music and blamed Mario Batali for the music selection.  Ugh.

Anyways, on to the food...

Review - Bouchon Bakery - Las Vegas, NV

Bouchon Bakery

I love that I don't have to go to Yountville to get a Bouchon Bakery fix...We visit Las Vegas frequently, and if we are at the Venetian, we stop at Bouchon Bakery.  Even if it's just for a giant Macaron or a Chocolate "Bouchon".  

Easter 2011 - Lunch and Cookie Decorating!

I wasn't raised in a religious family. And as much as I am aware that this will offend people, celebrating Easter really isn't much more than a commercial holiday to me - and I love to have an excuse to buy brightly colored decorations and get my family together!

Back to the Brave Horse Tavern - SLU - Seattle, WA

Back to Brave Horse Tavern

So I knew it wouldn't be long before we decided to go back to Brave Horse Tavern... And I know I JUST reviewed this place a week ago... But I didn't take pictures because the lighting was so dim. We went on a Sunday afternoon around 4pm, and it was so chill.  A totally different scene than what we experienced opening weekend.  The daytime vibe is great - the place is so well lit, and it seems like a place you can go with a group of friends, a deck of cards and ravenous appetites.  

Review - Barriga Llena - Seattle, WA

Barriga Llena

Nestled in a very brightly colored strip of shops is Barriga Llena.  The are self described as Mexico City Style Tortas.  A Mexican Torta is basically a sandwich, often filled with delicious marinated meats from Carne Asada to Carnitas.

Review - Farm:Table - San Francisco, CA

Farm:Table

My SO is a coffee snob.  Whenever we vacation he tries to scout out the best coffee he can find.  He hates Starbucks and will resort to the canned Double Shots if he's in a remote area and finding a shot of espresso  that has the proper amount of crema, is going to be impossible to find.  He has stated that diner coffee tastes like paper towels.  I would have never known before I met him.  Starbucks was a regular stop in my daily routine. Thank you SO for showing me the light, and teaching me how a proper cup of joe should be.  In return, I will teach you that Hershey's Chocolate is NOT good chocolate, and all Bacon is not created equal. :)

Review - Mesa Grill - Las Vegas, NV

Mesa Grill

Sometimes it's difficult to write a review for a restaurant that you have been so repeatedly, it's hard to remember your initial reaction to the decor, the lighting, the overall ambiance.  If the food is good the first time, you will likely return a second.  If it's good the second and third times, you will likely become a regular.  I'll admit, the first time we dined at Mesa Grill, it was solely because I was hooked on watching Bobby Flay on Boy Meets Grill.  I followed a few of his recipes, and thought we might as well try one of his restaurants.

Review - Brave Horse Tavern - South Lake Union, Seattle WA

Brave Horse Tavern

As we walked in to Brave Horse Tavern it was hard to miss the enormous menu on the wall. It looked almost like a magnetic wall with mangnet letters to form the menu? Not sure. Even people with really bad eyes will be able read this menu!

Restaurant Deals - Blackboard Bistro, West Seattle

Today Rue La La Seattle is featuring Blackboard Bistro in West Seattle for their deal of the day! For $20, you will receive a voucher for $40 towards food or drink during lunch or happy hour only.  The voucher is valid from April 9 through October 1, 2011.  There is also a blackout date: May 14, 2011.

Rue La La sells vouchers/coupons usually at 50% off.  If you've used Groupon, it's the same kind of thing.  Rue La La also has clothing, accessories and housewares sample sales daily, so I love to check out those sales as well!  There's zero obligation after you sign up, and you can opt out of emails if you want to.  Rue La La is a members only site, but you can click here to sign up and get this deal!

Review - Salumi

Armandino's Salumi

What do I say that hasn't already been said about Salumi? If you love the swine, Salumi is the motherland. Porchetta, pancetta, sopressata, Guanciale, you name it, they make it.   From what I understand, Mario Batali's Dad, Armandino Batali went to Italy specifically to learn how to make these the real Italian way.   I don't really like to wait in lines for food but this is one place in Seattle that I will stand outside in the rain without an umbrella for! Fortunately this time there wasn't a line, one of the pork goddesses looked up to take my order, and I said,"One Porchetta and one meatball and Gorgonzola please!"

Brave Horse Tavern Opens Today!

Finally, the much anticipated Brave Horse Tavern opens today at 4pm! I don't think I will make it today, but maybe this weekend!  If you get the chance to go, leave a comment, let us know how it was!

Brave Horse Tavern

South Lake Union

301 Terry Ave N

Seattle, WA 98109

Restaurant Deals - Blackboard Bistro, West Seattle

Cheesesteak Sliders?  Brussels Sprouts with Molasses Glazed Pork Belly?  I have had Blackboard Bistro on my list of places to try for a few months now, but we rarely visit West Seattle, so this may be my chance to do it, and with a discount!  

On Friday, April 8th, Rue La La Seattle is featuring Blackboard Bistro in West Seattle for their deal of the day.  They sell vouchers/coupons usually at 50% off.  If you've used Groupon, it's the same kind of thing.  Rue La La also has clothing, accessories and housewares sample sales daily, so I love to check out those sales as well!  There's zero obligation after you sign up, and you can opt out of emails if you want to.  Rue La La is a members only site, but you can click here to sign up and get this deal!

Blackboard Bistro
West Seattle
3247 California Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98116

Hours: Tuesday 5:00pm - 10:00pm
            Wednesday - Thursday & Sunday 11:30am - 10:00pm
            Friday - Saturday 11:30am - 11:00pm

Brave Horse Tavern - Opening Soon!

The much anticipated Brave Horse Tavern is opening this week - we are totally excited for this, and after reading through the menu, even more excited.  As I have stated many times, the Palace Kitchen serves up the best burger and fries in town, hands down. Well, I think that they will have some competition, being that Brave Horse Tavern looks like they will have a pretty awesome burger menu! I am wondering if they will be sliders, since they are only about $6-9.  Interesting....

Review - Cafe Campagne

Croque Madame $15

Cafe Campagne

There's something to be said about vacationing in your own city.  My SO and I love to go to places we have walked by or driven by a million times, and act like tourists.  Case in point, Pike Place Market.  Unlike the typical tourists spots with bad, chain restaurant foods, Pike Place has some really awesome foodie spots.

Review - Bouchon

Bouchon

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Being that I am another devoted Thomas Keller fan, I try to make my way to his restaurants whenever I am vacationing nearby.  I have dined at all three Bouchon locations and enjoyed each one!  The decor of each is very similar as is the ambiance.  All three spots have the wonderful French Bistro bustle during the day, I just love that! I love Bouchon for lunch or better, brunch.  Amazing.  The food is consistent amongst all three locations, which I find outstanding.  That's not an easy task to accomplish!

Review - The Other Coast Cafe

The Other Coast Cafe

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I should have read a few reviews before going to The Other Coast, these sandwiches are enormous! I ordered a 12" sandwich, thinking I would eat half and save half for later, but OMG, it was huge! I have to guess it was closer to 18", these sandwiches are probably three meals for me!