Archive

Northwest

Recipe – Baked Fish

August 2, 2012
American, Northwest, Recipe, Seafood
3 Comments

Baked Fish

This is by far the easiest and most delicious fish recipe out there I swear!  I found it about 5 or 6 years ago and have loved it ever since.  It’s ideal to use Ling Cod (one of my favorites) but other Cod will do just fine.  I don’t recommend using Halibut because it’s too “steaky” and won’t take on the basting ingredients like Cod will.

Serves 2

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. fish (Northern, cod, Pollock or similar kind)
  • 1/4 c. melted butter
  • 2 tsp. soy sauce
  • 2 tsp. lemon juice
  • 1 tsp. lime juice
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/8 tsp. pepper
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
Put fish in 6″x10″ baking dish. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over fish.
Bake at 400 degrees for approximately 1/2 hour. Baste fish once or twice while baking.

Terra Plata – Seattle, WA

May 21, 2012
American, Northwest, Seattle, Spanish
3 Comments

Terra Plata – Seattle, WA

Since going to Melrose Market for the first time I’ve had a serious urge to go back so my husband and I tried Terra Plata for dinner the other night.  It was a gorgeous night as we were going home from the airport and since they were still open we went for it!

The decor combines exposed wood beam ceilings with steel…it’s beautiful and what I often refer to as contemporary Northwest architecture.  Philip Christofides of Arellano Christofides is responsible for this gorgeous space (in collaboration with owners Tamara Murphy and Linda Morton).

The food was outstanding as well!  So flavorful that midway through the meal we ordered some bread just so we could sop up what was left on our plates:)  We started with the Shisito peppers.  Anytime I see those on a menu I always order them.  We were lucky this time and didn’t get a hot one…nice!  For my entrée I chose the Sea Bream with chorizo, clams, preserved lemon and tomatoes…awesome!  I would order this again in a heartbeat.  And for dessert…who can say no to homemade churros?  Not us!  Great choice and I can’t wait to go back.  Maybe next time for brunch!

Blistered Shisito Peppers – aioli, sea salt

Crispy Brussels Sprouts – serrano ham, maple, rosemary

Steak & Potatoes – hanger steak, remoulade potatoes, cabrales butter, crispy onions

Whole Fish – sea bream, clams, chorizo, tomato, preserved lemon

Churros with dipping chocolate

Sitka & Spruce : Monday Taco Night – Seattle, WA

April 6, 2012
Mexican, Northwest, Seattle
Leave a comment

Sitka & Spruce : Monday Taco Night – Seattle, WA

I’m embarrassed that it’s taken me this long to go to Sitka & Spruce let alone the Melrose Market, but I finally did and I can’t wait to go back.  What an incredible space!  I had no idea Monday nights at Sitka & Spruce are taco night but it sounded great and oh was it:)  On Monday nights, one of the S & S employees, Alvaro Candela-Najera, takes over the kitchen and makes the most amazing traditional Mexican food inspired by his hometown and travels through Mexico.

We started with the Avocado with Totopos – smashed in a mortar with serranos, onion, lime and cilantro.  The chips are made fresh in house and couldn’t have been more tasty.  It’s also served with four healthy servings of fresh Mexican cheese…holy cow…I could eat a lot of that and it was the perfect compliment to the guacamole.  For my entrée I chose the Suadero Tacos – 3 corn tortillas filled with long-cooked milk-braised beef brisket.  Whoa…those were good!  Topped with some pickled radishes, cilantro and onions, these tacos were perfect in everyday and I would definitely order them again.

Now I’m dying to go back for brunch, lunch and dinner!  Do yourself a favor and go to Monday night taco night at Sitka & Spruce.

The Coterie Room – Seattle, WA

February 24, 2012
American, Northwest, Seattle
2 Comments

The Coterie Room – Seattle, WA

In the former Restaurant Zoe space, The Coterie Room is a breath of fresh air.  I love everything about it.  From the white subway tiled open kitchen to the distressed wood floors and lone yet stunning chandelier, everything is perfectly balanced here including the food.  Chef Brian McCracken (a fellow Seattle Prep alum alongside my husband) has outdone himself yet again!  A nominee by Food & Wine for ‘People’s Best New Chef’ he’s proving that he’s deserving of the attention.

Our meal was outstanding from start to finish.  I would order everything I had again in a heartbeat.  My fish was a special of the night so chances are it won’t be on the menu next time but it was outstanding.  I am now a huge fan of Turbot…a fish I didn’t know much about before this dinner.  And my husband’s duck leg confit was seriously the best duck confit I’ve ever had…absolutely amazing!!!

The only thing I wish I had done differently is order the “six pack of beer for the kitchen crew” for a mere $10…totally worth it.  Having worked in a kitchen myself I can tell you the first thing you do once your shift is done and the kitchen is clean is crack open a cold one by the walk in and dish about the night’s events.  It’s the perfect cap to the evening…and then you wake up the next morning and it’s a brand new day.  Next time!

Endive Salad dressed in a tarragon mustard vinaigrette with candied walnuts and aged gouda (I held the gouda although I’m sure it’s great)

Poutine – braised pork shoulder gravy, fried Beecher’s cheese curds and tender herbs

Market Fish of the Day – Turbot over a parsnip puree and roasted brussels sprouts

Duck Leg Confit – crispy pan seared duck leg with buttered farro, arugula and a mission fig conserve

Chocolate Caramel Tort – covered in an orange ganache with candied hazelnuts

Brilliant!

Boat Street Cafe – Seattle, WA

January 11, 2012
Northwest, Seattle
Leave a comment

Boat Street Cafe – Seattle, WA

Another Renee Erickson favorite of mine, Boat Street Cafe is one of my go to places for lunch.  They also offer brunch and dinner (on most days/nights).  The ingredients are such great quality and the food isn’t fussy which is so refreshing sometimes.

One of my favorite lunch items is the chicken sandwich with fresh basil and lemon pepper mayonnaise.  I’ve attempted to recreate it at home and have to say, I’m not that far off.  But the original is always better:)  Their baguettes are from Columbia City Bakery and are some of the best in the city!

Magali Tomato SoupPotato and Salmon Cakes with Remoulade, Fresh Beets, Salad and Baguette…another favorite of mine!

the Walrus and the Carpenter – Seattle, WA

December 14, 2011
Northwest, Seafood, Seattle
Leave a comment

the Walrus and the Carpenter – Seattle, WA

There’s a reason this restaurant has been named one of Bon Appétit’s Best New Restaurants in America in 2011.  The food is so well executed and different and the atmosphere couldn’t be more charming.  They offer a number of small plates broken down into a few categories: oysters, pantry, garden, fish & shellfish, meat, cheese, and sweets.  The menu constantly changes giving you another reason to continually go back.  The only drawback is that reservations aren’t taken and considering how small the space is you’re usually waiting an hour to get in…however…there IS Staple and Fancy next door and Dutch Bikes which both are excellent places to grab a drink beforehand.

Oysters: sammish sweets (my favorite!!!), barron point and blue pool)fried brussels sprouts, chives, sea saltsmoked trout, pickled onion, lentils, walnuts, créme fraichesalmon tartare, sauerkraut, celery leaf, carawaymaple bread pudding, espresso butter sauce, whipped cream

I can honestly say it’s one of the BEST desserts I’ve ever had in my entire life!

Granville Island Public Market – Vancouver, BC

December 5, 2011
Canada, Northwest, Seafood, Vancouver
Leave a comment

Granville Island Public Market – Vancouver, BC

On an eating tour of Vancouver this summer (you think I’m kidding?) we stumbled upon the Granville Island Public Market for the first time.  Having now discovered it I’m so excited to go back and spend more quality time there taking my time up and down each aisle really exploring the different stalls and vendors.  Everything looked so perfect and fresh…you can tell there’s and excellent standard of quality there.

Think Pike Place Market meets The Ferry Building in SF…that’s what this food lovers heaven is like and I love it!  Do yourself a favor and visit it on an empty stomach because there’s plenty to try and a ton of variety so you won’t want just one thing.

Madison Park Conservatory – Seattle, WA

November 18, 2011
American, Northwest, Seattle
1 Comment

Madison Park Conservatory – Seattle, WA

I’m not sure why it took me a year to find this place but I’m glad I finally found it.  Owners Bryan Jarr and Cormac Mahoney, once a chef at Sitka & Spruce, have nailed it with this spot!  You might recognize Chef Zoi Antonitsas (yes she’s Greek…we’ve been friends from first sight:)) from Season 4 of Top Chef or from her expansive resume including working for Tom Douglas at the young age of 16 yrs old to Zazu in the CA wine country and Marjorie in Seattle.  What’s even more impressive is that she’s self-taught (with the help of Tom of course).

Do yourself a favor and check it out.  The upstairs bar serves the whole menu as well as drinks that are unlike any you’ve had before.  I can’t remember the name offhand but there’s a Bitter Stormy – their take on a Dark & Stormy that is SO tasty!  For food, I highly recommend the beef tongue, yes tongue…it’s divine and will forever change your preconceived notions about it.  It transformed me:)  The whole trout is amazing…so flavorful and delicate.  For dessert the olive oil ice cream with sea salt on top is delicious.  Might sound a little weird but I swear, it’s great!  Enjoy!

A peak inside the kitchen right behind the hostess’ desk

smoked trout Croquettes, romesco sauce, aioli

Risotto bolognese, red wine poached farm egg

whole Idaho Trout, pine nuts, capers, currants, brown butter *(My favorite dish hands down!!!)

herb roasted Ribeye steak, fingerling potatoes, blue cheese butter

Ummm…yes please!

lemon and créme fraiche bread pudding, huckleberry

Anchovies & Olives – Seattle, WA

October 8, 2011
Northwest, Seafood, Seattle, Uncategorized
Leave a comment

Anchovies & Olives – Seattle

This has got to be one of my favorite seafood restaurants in Seattle.  I used to frequent Oceanaire when it was downtown but now that it’s gone I’ve had to find my seafood fix and Anchovies & Olives definitely does that and more.  It’s one of Ethan Stowell’s amazing restaurants.  Each is pretty different in flavor and style but this one stands out the most being that it’s only seafood on the menu.

The menu has just been expanded to offer more of each course – Chicceti, Crudo, Primi and Secondi.  It’s not uncommon for my husband and me to order some of our favorites off the menu every time (the Bigoli is always amazing!) but on our last visit we tried a few new dishes.   Some were hits, a couple were misses…below are the highlights…

*Ethan (the server not Stowell) is great…if you can sit in his section do!

Ahi tuna, avocado, hot coppa, pickled radish – this dish is normally served with Escolar but the Ahi was great!

Grilled octopus, potato, orange, Fresno chili

Sea scallop, red pepper, tomato, mint, lime

Potato gnocchi, octopus & prosciutto bolognese, mint, oregano

Bearfoot Bistro – Whistler, BC Canada

February 20, 2011
Canada, Northwest, Whistler
Leave a comment

Bearfoot Bistro – Whistler, BC Canada

I just returned from spending 6 weeks in Whistler working at Bearfoot Bistro to complete my Le Cordon Bleu culinary education.  I chose to do my externship there with Executive Chef Melissa Craig because I’ve been fortunate enough to experience dinner there a handful of times and have said that it was one of my top 5 meals of all time.  That’s saying a lot!  There’s something about the way Chef Craig composes her menus using as much local ingredients as possible bringing together the unexpected.  Absolutely delicious and worth the trip and money.  Go for a special event if you need to justify the price:)

There are two menu options – the prefix 3 course menu where you choose a starter, entree and dessert.  The other is the chef’s menu which is a 5 course tasting menu.  If you’re adventuresome try the chef’s menu.  You can let your server know if there are things you don’t care for or have allergies to.

Price: $$$$

Cuisine: Modern Canadian

Noteworthy for: their state of the art wine/champagne cellar where you can saber a bottle of champagne and their oh-so-chilly negative 18 degrees celsius Belvedere vodka room.  Pictures in this room turn out great by the way!