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Miss CC (the Cosmopolitan Connoisseur) makes her debut appearance for www.seattlefoodster.com with her thoughts on Crave in Capitol Hill. 

Go there once, and you won’t be able to stop yourself from saying in the near future… “I’m craving some Crave.”  In my case, I spoke those words less than 24 hours after visiting Crave, in Capitol Hill, for the first time.   Specifically, I was craving from Crave more delicious Apple Dutch Babies.  My brunch companion couldn’t help but order herself a plate too….

There are many things to crave about Crave.  (I can’t help it!  Last time though, promise.)  The restaurant is tiny and cozy, with only about a dozen diner style tables and chairs.   Their tagline is “contemporary comfort food,” which is true, but don’t gloss over the word contemporary.    While mac and cheese, grilled cheese, and pork chops are on the menu, none of the dishes are your traditional fare.  The grilled cheese, which my dining companion on the first trip to Crave ordered, comes out on thick sourdough with sharp cheddar cheese, bacon, and apple slices.  The mac and cheese is a blend of three cheeses and shitake mushrooms.  The molasses glazed pork chop comes with jalapeno cheddar grits and collard greens. 

My favorite detail about Crave is that they serve brunch on weekdays and weekends until mid-afternoon.  Which means, at Crave, all of us Capitol Hill hipsters who roll out of bed past noon can still grab some brunch and café Umbria coffee.  In my case it is thin pancakes layered with crisp apple slices, drizzled with maple syrup.  Now that’s something to crave.

American, Bar, Breakfast

Rumor has it that Duke’s is known for making seriously delicious chowder. They also have a fantastic happy hour, which is the basis of this review. Duke’s has several locations, Greenlake, South Lake Union, and Alki, each of them with scenic views. Normally, I’d be tentative to write a review based on a restaurant’s happy hour. It wouldn’t seem fair to judge the premier food at a restaurant with its simple happy hour snacks. However, when eating at Duke’s you can rest assured that their happy hour fare will stand up against their full menu.

I have to be honest about something. I kind of find the fisherman/beach theme a little tacky. But that’s just me; I just wanted to throw it out there. I’ve never even been fishing. Perhaps it’s some really cool fishing stuff. Regardless, it helps give the restaurant an overall comfortable feel. I found the staff to be really helpful. They were attentive to the needs of my girlfriend and me and made sure that we were comfortable at our table without being overly present.

Duke’s happy hour includes specials on cocktails and food, so when you go feel free to have a couple of “Duketails.” We drank the Strawberry Lemon Drop and Kamakazi. I know I should have been sampling a beer but it was such a nice day at the time I had to partake in the sugary cocktails.

It’s best to order and share several of the appetizers. Between the two of us, we shared the Dungeness Crab Dip and the Steamers. We also each ordered a cup of “Duke’s Award Winning Clam Chowder.” I have to admit at first I thought that we, or rather I, would have to eat again as soon as I got home. Turns out I was wrong. Although small, several little plates add up.

The Dungeness Crab Dip is served in a hallowed out sourdough bread bowl. The idea is to scoop out the dip and smear it on the sourdough bread slices and enjoy. The dip was nice and warm and you could definitely taste the fresh crab mixed in.

The Steamers, which are Washington Manila clams, are steamed in Mac ‘n Jacks Amber, garlic butter and dill. Granted, clams by themselves are not very filling, however this plate is huge and I definitely recommend taking some of your bread and dipping it in the broth.

Now for the clam chowder — it’s not exactly what you think of when you think of chowder. It’s creamy like the New England style but it’s not white. It’s also not red like the Manhattan version. Actually, it’s kind of brown or tan. Tan, blue or green it’s really good. It’s thick and flavorful and you can taste the bits of fresh clams.

So, this was Duke’s happy hour. As I said previously, I generally don’t like to recommend a restaurant based on its happy hour, simply because it’s one of the times where some tend to let their food slip. They focus more on drinks than food, so it’s really special when you find a place like Duke’s that does happy hour food right. And if their “snacking” food is this good I know we’ll be returning to try out their regular menu soon.

American, Bar, Northwest, Seafood

Formerly Sam’s Steakhouse, Eastlake Bar and Grill is one of three lakeside restaurants owned by brothers John and James Schmidt.  Although each of their three bar and grill restaurants serve similar food and offer up amazing views I believe that it is their Eastlake location that might be the most popular.  Although it wasn’t their original (opened in 2004) the Eastlake location offers panoramic views of South Lake Union.

I recently went to Eastlake on one of the first nice Seattle sunny days of the year.  Knowing how fickle Seattle weather can be, my girlfriend and I took full advantage of the restaurant’s large outdoor deck facing the water.  The deck was packed and although our server graced us with her presence ten minutes later than what would be normal for most restaurants after you’ve been seated, we decided to brush it off.

The Eastlake Bar and Grill offers the Sunset Dinner which is comprised of a soup or salad, one of twelve entrees and a dessert for $12.95.  Knowing that hot soup was the one thing I did not want I started with a Caesar Salad.  I know that Caesar’s aren’t that complicated to make but I’m starting to realize that I’m sort of a Caesar Salad connoisseur.  It was recently brought to my attention by a friend that I eat approximately five Caesars a week, never changing to a different salad choice.  Knowing this, you can understand why I was pleased that the Caesar at Eastlake was fresh and crisp and not drowning in dressing.

My girlfriend chose Alaskan Cod and Chips as her entrée.  Although we remarked about how cute the crinkle-cut fries were we both noticed that her fried fish tasted sort of soapy.  Yet another example of why I stay clear of fish and chips.  I decided to try the Blackened Fish Tacos.  Although the item title was “taco” and the description said that it was “two flour tortillas” I was still surprised when a Blackened Fish Burrito was served.  The fresh slaw and tilapia fish looked refreshing so I figured it would be a waste of time to talk about the dissimilarities between taco and burrito.  For as large and heavy as the fish tacos looked they were surprisingly light.  The tilapia had a good seasoning to it and the slaw and mango salsa had a cooling effect on this hot day.

For desert I kept it simple; ice cream sundae for me and my girlfriend went with key lime pie.  I don’t like key lime pie very much and I found their version too creamy for my taste.  My ice cream was served in what I can only describe as a melted state of being. I’m pretty sure this occurred because the weather was hot or perhaps because the ice cream bowl was served on top of a steaming hot plate.

I think the food at Eastlake Bar and Grill is more in the category of upscale bar food as opposed to high end grilled cuisine.  While the food was pretty solid there were definitely some aspects that could have easily been fixed.  Despite any of these negatives I know that come the next sunny Seattle day I’m going to consider sitting on the outside deck at this restaurant… I just won’t order the ice cream

Technorati Tags: American, Bar, bar and grill, eastlake, Northwest, Sandwich, Seafood, seattlefoodster

American, Bar, Northwest, Sandwich, Seafood American, Bar, bar and grill, eastlake, Northwest, Sandwich, Seafood, seattlefoodster

The Frontier Room is a bit of an oddity when it comes to BBQ restaurants.  Sure, it sells some tasty high-end BBQ fixings but it also functions as a hip Bell Town bar.  If the sight of seeing young Seattle yuppie hipsters at a BBQ joint disturbs you, I share your sentiment.  A few co-workers and myself decided to go down to the Frontier Room to see if this fancy BBQ favorite could stand up to the greasy napkin, rolled-up-sleeves style restaurants. 

Yours truly chose the Beef Brisket Sandwich, served with Snappy Coleslaw and a side of Hush Puppies.    The first thing I noticed about my Beef Brisket Sandwich was that it was not covered in a lot of BBQ sauce.  I’ve become a bit more educated in the world of BBQ and have learned that many times a pepper and vinegar sauce is used in lieu of the BBQ sauce most people are used to.  I took the liberty of dashing some of the pepper and vinegar sauce from the table on to my sandwich.

I was pleasantly surprised by the tart flavor of the sauce which complimented the brisket.  Also, the bread was nice and thick so there was no sauce dripping through.  This must be part of the reason you can dress so nicely at the Frontier Room and not leave with stains on your shirt.  My disappointment centered on the size of the sandwich. Perhaps due to the large plate it was served on, this thing looked kind of puny and was not filling enough for me.

The Hush Puppies, on the other hand, did fill me up.  You may know Hush Puppies as Corn Fitters or simply as deep fried corn bread.  They’re served along side a ranch-like sauce and a regular order should be shared with others.  The outside of the Hush Puppies were a golden brown with a crispy crust.  The inside was a soft corn filing with red and green peppers with little bits of corn.

I was very impressed that such a trendy bar could serve good BBQ.  When you enter the Frontier Room you get the sense that they might have been more concerned about making the restaurant trendy as opposed to concentrating on the flavor of the food.  However, the kitchen offers a well-rounded and diverse selection of BBQ.  Also worth mentioning is the Beef Brisket Specialty, Frontier Mac’n Cheese, Bacon-Wrapped Prawns and the Frontier Room Gumbo.

Technorati Tags: American, Bar, BBQ, downtown, Sandwich, seattle, seattle foodster, seattlefoodster.com, Southern

American, BBQ, Bar, Sandwich, Southern American, Bar, BBQ, downtown, Sandwich, seattle, seattle foodster, seattlefoodster.com, Southern

I recently switched computers and found a few old posts.  I thought that this one still warranted publishing since I had such a great time at Perche No.

Perche No Pasta and Vino, formerly located in Queen Anne is now situated in Greenlake and looking larger than life. After a long, disappointing day of searching for an apartment, the urge to surrender to our vices, a stiff drink or food, my fiance and I decided to challenge Perche No to lift our spirits.

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Bar, Italian

The first mainstream, non-bar restaurant to open up in Vulcanized Southlake is an establishment bearing its name. The Southlake Grill, under the Alley 24 apartment building, is sister to the Greenlake Bar and Grill and the Eastlake Bar and Grill. Although the food remains similar to the other two restaurants, the Southlake Grill takes you a step away from wooden tables and scenic views and moves you to a modern urban setting. Bright colored Seattle city art, flat screen TV’s, and fresh fixtures demand your attention.

The first thing you’ll notice when you enter the Southlake Grill is not the hostess but rather the size of the restaurant. It’s not big, but it’s also not small. Super high ceilings allow the restaurant to sport two levels of dining. Another thing you can’t help but notice is how friendly the staff is. Perhaps it’s because they only opened up a few weeks ago but it would also be hard not to have a positive attitude in this environment.

So how’s the food? I’ll level with you. It’s good but you’re not going to encounter anything groundbreaking. You won’t quit your job and devote your life to food because of their menu. However you’ll leave satisfied and pleased with your meal and thinking about when you’ll come back next. I’ve passed the Southlake Grill during their early and late happy hours and can honestly say they’re consistently crowded.

My girlfriend and I worked on two entrées and a dessert together. The first entrée was a bacon cheeseburger. We figured we’d try to keep it simple. As such we were delivered a typical burger you’d expect from a casual dining establishment. The meat was thick and the bun was firm. The only negative thing I noticed here was that the lettuce was wilting and discolored.

Our second entrée was the beef dip. I was a fan, however my girlfriend was not. Unfortunately for her I’m the Seattle Foodster, so I have the power to override her vote. Thin slices of beef were topped with horseradish and provolone cheese and sandwiched between toasted French bread. My girlfriend happens to hate horseradish so she obviously didn’t care for this sandwich. But assuming you’re not offended by the condiment you’ll find this meal quite pleasing. The tender beef goes well with the sharp melted provolone cheese. Also, it’s hard not to enjoy dipping your sandwich in au jus, softening the bread. As far as the fries go… you can’t have just one. They’re not exactly shoestring fries but they certainly aren’t overly starchy or stuffed with potatoes.

I do have a confession to make. Normally before I eat something I take a photo of it so you can see the item. Unfortunately, the Apple Pie alla Mode we ordered was so good that I can only provide pictures of the aftermath. That’s correct. There is nothing left on the plate because it was that good. Puff pasty, surrounding warm apple slices topped with cinnamon, caramel syrup and vanilla ice cream. Please don’t think that we pigged out. If you order this I’m sure you’ll behave the same way.

As you can see, the Southlake Grill proved to be a reliable restaurant. Its expansive menu can please different appetites and the food, although we played it somewhat safe, was dependable. It seems that Southlake Grill will become even more popular given its trendy, modern style in a new and hip Seattle neighborhood.

American, Bar, Northwest

According to the Trader Vic’s website there are thirty locations bearing its name around the world. I find this factoid pretty impressive. Unfortunately, I was unimpressed with the one bearing its name in downtown Bellevue. Tucked away in an odd spot that appears to be the back of Lincoln Tower, prior attempts to eat here have always been unsuccessful because of the crowds and super long waits. Perhaps these observations raised my expectations a bit too high.

Dinner started off well enough. I began with an exceptionally fruity cocktail, entitled Tonga Punch. Trust me, I do not drink pink drinks but if you get to Trader Vic’s then you should try one or three of their cocktails.

 For an appetizer I shared the Cosmo Tidbits for Two. This appetizer includes Pork Spareribs, Crab Rangoons, Crispy Prawns, and slices of BBQ Pork. The appetizer as a whole was kind of mediocre. The BBQ slices are similar to the ones you can get prepackaged at the grocery store. The Crispy Prawns were indeed crispy, too crispy and dry. The Crab Rangoons were forgetful, not that they were bad, but the fried wontons filled with cream cheese were too plain. The best part of the appetizer was the Pork Spareribs. The pork was tender and flavorful and it was easy to clean the rib down to the bone.

 The Chicken Chow Mein on a bed of crisp Pake noodles was good. It was not mind blowing but it was appetizing in comparison to the appetizers. The one thing about this dish that stood out was the large chunks of celery and lack of noodles.

 I also tried one of the more interesting sounding dishes on the menu. The Calcutta Lamb Curry actually tasted pretty good. The lamb was tender from being simmered in the green curry sauce. I didn’t care for some of the sides which accompanied the curry but I will attribute this solely to personal taste. What ruined this dish for me was the jasmine rice which was supposed to accompany the curry never came.

 I do hate giving a bad review but it looks like Trader Vic’s did not leave me any options. I can honestly say that I found the staff very polite and willing to help. Unfortunately this is a food critique and not a critique on server behavior.

I’d rather spend my money at Asian-based restaurants that really know how to serve their native cuisine. And if what you’re really interested in is the blue cocktails you probably don’t care much about the food, or my review, anyway.

Bar, Pan-Asian

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American, Bar, Northwest, Sandwich

If ever you find yourself hungry when in the Pike Place Market and can’t bear the crowds then allow me to suggest the Virginia Inn. Located on 1st Avenue and Virginia, odds are you’ve passed it a few times. The interior is consistent with a simple tavern-like atmosphere; long saloon style bar backed up by a row of small circle tables. The menu is just as simple, a daily quiche followed by a few sandwich and salad choices.

On this particular occasion, I sampled the daily quiche, walnuts with blue cheese served with a side house salad, the Jambon sandwich, and the Muffuletta sandwich. All sandwiches come with a side of chips, probably Tim’s Cascade I assume, unless you ask otherwise.

The size of the walnut and blue cheese quiche was surprisingly large. This daily quiche was fresh tasting although I wasn’t too pleased with the walnuts in there. I honestly wouldn’t order this quiche again because I’m just not a huge fan of walnuts and blue cheese, but if that’s your thing then go for it.

My two favorite sandwiches from the Virginia Inn happen to be the Jambon and the Muffuletta so I was really psyched that I got to try them both again. The Jambon consists of Italian Ham and Gruyere cheese served in between crusty French bread, its flavor enhanced by a buttery spread used on the bread.

My favorite of my favorites is the Muffuletta sandwich. Perhaps because it was created by a Sicilian I love it even more, or perhaps it’s the punch of flavor this sandwich gives you when you bite into the olive spread. The artistry in making this sandwich is to take crunchy French bread cut lengthways, spread on the Muffuletta, which is a flavorful olive mixture, and then layer on cured Italian meats. Top the sandwich off with some provolone and you’re ready for a delicious meal.

Besides the Muffuletta sandwich, the best characteristic of the Virginia Inn is the relaxed atmosphere of the place. Whether you’re going for dinner or just a couple of beers you’ll find that the servers aren’t rushing you out the door. As an added attraction, as the weather gets warmer you have the opportunity to sit outside and do some people watching.

Technorati Tags: Sandwich, French, Bar, American, Seattle Foodster

American, Bar, French, Sandwich