Review - Toulouse Petit - Seattle, WA

Toulouse Petit

After doing a little shopping at Urban Craft Uprising my Mom, my friend and I decided to go to Toulouse Petit for lunch.  I just returned from a week long cruise to Alaska (which I will blog about soon) where the food was absolutely horrible, and I was craving something good, anything good.  A little spicy Cajun/Creole food on a sunny day in Seattle sounded great!

Review - Cascina Spinasse - Seattle, WA

Cascina Spinasse

Spinasse is a cute and intimate Italian restaurant on Capitol Hill.  The white lace curtains add to the charm, as do the mismatched chairs and bar stools. 

Recipe - Chawanmushi (Japanese Savory Egg Custard)

Japanese Savory Egg Custard (Chawanmushi)

Chawanmushi is a savory custard unlike any dessert custard, and one of my favorite traditional Japanese dishes.  It's typically served as an appetizer, and it uses special cups, designed just for making Chawanmushi.  This recipe uses ingredients that my family enjoys, but you can get creative and use so many different fillings.  Chicken, spinach, bok choy, asparagus and peas. are also great in this dish!

Review - Island Soul Caribbean Restaurant - Seattle, WA

Island Soul Restaurant

I headed south to meet a friend for dinner in Columbia City.  We didn't have a set place to dine, so we wandered through the neighborhood until we found something.  We decided on Island Soul.  I had been there once before, but it's been quite a while so I didn't remember what I previously ordered... I just remembered that the Habanero Hot Sauce was really good!

Review - Ting Momo - Seattle, WA

Ting Momo

The most recent opening of Tom Douglas's empire is Ting Momo, a Tibetan dumpling house.  I imagine this restaurant is a bit swankier than a traditional Tibetan dumpling house, although the ambiance is unique and warming.  

Review - Staple & Fancy Mercantile - Ballard - Seattle, WA

Staple & Fancy Mercantile

 Located in Ballard just minutes from my house is the newest addition to the family of Ethan Stowell Restaurants, Staple & Fancy Mercantile.  We love Tavolata, and How To Cook a Wolf, so I have been looking forward to Staple & Fancy.

Review - Wann Izakaya - Seattle, WA

Wann Izakaya

I just love Izakaya style dining.  It's like Japanese Tapas, small plates meant for sharing, and lots of drinks to go around.  We've been going to Wann for quite some time and the food is consistently good!  I love the ambiance of the restaurant, and almost every time we are there, Japanese hipsters are there, boisterously speaking in their native tongue and having what appears to be a great time!

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 - Firefly - Las Vegas, NV

Firefly

Located off The Strip is the popular Tapas Bar, Firefly.  The Paradise location is in a small strip mall just a few minutes from The Strip.  The restaurant is small, loud, and full of people - It's not really a place for a conversation, but it's a decent spot for decent eats and drinks.  The Westside location is much more chill, and more of a place for the locals.

Review - Tamarind Tree - Seattle, WA

Tamarind Tree

Hidden in the back of a sketchy strip mall on Jackson St in the International District is a small but swanky Vietnamese restaurant - Tamarind Tree.

The menu is vast and at first I wasn't sure what to order. So I decided to stick with one of my favorite Vietnamese dishes - Bánh xèo Cây Me, or Vietnamese Crepes. These crepes are nothing like a French style crepe. Rice flour and coconut milk are combined to form a shell of sorts around various fillings. The crepe is super crispy almost like a cracker. It sizzles and lightly pops while it's frying.

Review - Root Table - Ballard - Seattle, WA

Root Table

Entering into Root Table is how I imagine it feels to be transported to a treehouse in Thailand.  Everything is made from raw cuts of wood, some intricately carved into sculptures.  Each chair and table is unique.

Review - Revel - Fremont - Seattle, WA

Revel

I've been wanting to try Revel for a while now, so when some friends and I decided to get together for dinner I suggested we try Revel in Fremont.  It's located in the middle of the shopping and bar scene in Fremont and can easily be missed if you're not looking for it.  The restaurant is super small but attached to the swanky Quoin bar.  

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 - Brenda's French Soul Food - San Francisco, CA

Watermelon Sweet Tea

Brenda's French Soul Food

Who doesn't like to indulge in a little Soul Food from time to time?  Wait, what is French Soul Food? It turns out that Brenda's serves up New Orleans inspired cuisine.  It's a little Cajun, it's a little Creole.  It's French Soul Food.

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!

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

Review - Shiku Sushi

Shiku Menu

Shiku

It seems like Ballard has a sushi place on every corner lately.  Moshi Moshi (yuck, I got food poisoning there..), O'shan, the list goes on.  We finally decided to try Shiku.  

Review - Cuoco

Cuoco

My SO and I remember when Anthony Bourdain once said something like, "You just want to pay someone to not fuck up your pasta".  We loved that, because it's so true.  Pasta although an easy thing to cook, isn't always done correctly.  Of course, Tom Douglas' new Italian spot didn't disappoint!

Review - La Isla

La Isla

So, yes, La Isla isn't exactly "authentic" Puerto Rican food.  The flavors aren't quite what one would find in Puerto Rico, but regardless, the food is still awesome!  I live a few minutes away and I don't come here nearly as often as I should.

Review - Bouchon

Bouchon

Food: 

Ambiance: 

Service: 

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!