The Bite Cooks!

(Sy Bean / Seattle Refined)

Take a look inside a professional chef’s kitchen at The Bite Cooks! from Friday through Sunday, July 19th-21st, 2019, at Seattle Center, in Seattle Washington.

The Bite Cooks! will feature high-energy mystery ingredient cook-offs and culinary demonstrations by some of the Seattle area’s best and entertaining chefs. The Bite Cooks! lineup changes each day, with chefs eager to share their delicious handpicked recipes, and showcase their quick-thinking in the mystery ingredient cook-offs.

The Bite Cooks! features ‘more mystery cook-off’s this year. The competing chefs will be given 30 minutes to create a masterpiece from three mystery ingredients, a basic pantry, and a large selection of produce, kindly donated by Charlie’s Produce.

Three lucky audience members will be selected to critique each chef on their dish and performance. The criteria: creative use of ingredients, presentation, tastiness and overall entertainment. The winning chef will be announced live, and will receive a $100 donation in their name towards the charity of their choice. 2018 winners donated to charities including FareStart, Food Lifeline, and Mary’s Place.

Notable chefs participating on The Bite Cooks! stage include return crowd favorites, Wayne Johnson (FareStart), Saffron Hodgson “The Aussie’ (bushcooking.com), Brittany Bardeleben (Dahlia Bakery), and Warnessa Victorian (Lizzie Lou’s), and new to The Bite Cooks!, Aaron Willis (The Generous Chef), Emme Collins (Alcove Dining Room), Young Cho (Phorale) and, for the first time in The Bite Cooks! history, junior chef-in-the-making, 9-year old, Hana Kuma (Junior Sous) will perform a cooking demonstration with instructor Sara Adams.

The Bite Cooks! is also thrilled to welcome Thai Select featured chefs, who will bring the flavors and aromas of Thai cuisine into their cooking demonstration dish, and, also infuse them into mystery ingredient cook-off challenges. Thai Select chefs featured include Jutamas Kanjanamai (Bai Tong), Aratana Nualkhar and Jindanat Nualkhair (Araya’s Place), plus Kasem Saengsawang (Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine).

Chef Thierry Rautureau aka ‘The Chef in The Hat’ will return for his 12th year as emcee of The Bite Cooks!, and will bring his unique level of excitement, and extensive culinary experience to the stage.

The Bite of Seattle® is a free-to-attend community festival, and in an effort for attendees to experience the best of the Bite of Seattle®, we are excited to offer discounted food and drink packages including the Experience Bite Package which includes Craft Beer & Cider Tasting + The Alley, and, the Craft Beer & Cider Tasting Only Package.

Bite of Seattle®

Friday-Sunday, July 19-21, 2019

Seattle Center, 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109

For more info: https://biteofseattle.com

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, Cuisine Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

960 Degrees of Cool

Cocktails are making their mark in the South Sound. The craft cocktail scene is enjoying quick-pour growth, both in quantity and quality. Matriarch, En Rama and Devil’s Reef are just a few of the first-class, cocktail-first bars that have opened in the past year-plus. The latest addition to this superior party pack is Bar 960.

Inside Hotel Murano, this newest highlight opened in March. Bar 960 is a glowing, glass-art-themed bar to complement the Murano’s unique, colorful hotel experience. The newly designed bar was inspired by the tones and inflections of Murano glass. (The Venetian island of Murano has been an expert artisan glassmaking center for more than 700 years.) The bar is aptly named for the temperature of glass-cooling ovens.

Bar 960 opens to the hotel lobby’s expansive windows, giving guests a view of the radiant space as it shimmers and reflects onto the sidewalk outside. Inside, custom wall sconces and warm tones are complemented by a cozy fireplace. A leathered granite-top bar is the heart of the space. It is surrounded by upholstered leather sectionals to sink into with your favorite (or new favorite) cocktail and good conversation. Custom geometric wool rugs soften underfoot.

The menu features light-fare, must-try shareable plates. These include freshly shucked oysters and the 960 Burger made with wagyu beef. Top these off with a refreshing selection of microbrews and creative cocktails. The chai-infused Spiced Sidecar, for one, is a perfect partner for a craft cocktail adventure.

Hotel Murano is Tacoma’s most artistic lodging. It pairs comfortable guest rooms with a collection of glass art from around the world worthy of exhibition. The vibrant downtown location is close to museums, fine and family dining, and the waterfront. Relax after a long day of meetings or kick off a big night on the town with a stop at Bar 960.

EMILY HAPPY

For Additional Information

Hotel Murano
hotelmuranotacoma.com
253.238.8000

Filed Under: Cuisine, Slider, Summer 2019 Tagged With: , , ,

Cooking it Up with Carla Hall

Carla Hall is best known as co-host of ABC’s popular, Emmy Award–winning lifestyle series The Chew. And on Nov. 2 she will bring her love for cooking to the Saint Martin’s Gala in the university’s Marcus Pavilion.

Hall won over audiences when she competed on Bravo’s Top Chef and Top Chef: All Stars and shared her philosophy of always cooking with love. She believes food connects us all. She strives to communicate this through her work, her cooking, and in her daily interactions with others.

Born in Nashville, Tenn., Hall grew up surrounded by soul food. When the time came for her to select her career path, she first opted for a business route. She graduated from Howard University and worked as an accountant for two years. Then she switched gears to work as a runway model. It was during that time, as she traveled (and ate) her way through Europe for a few years, she realized that her deep-rooted passion for food could be her career path. Today she is a trained chef who has worked in restaurant kitchens in and around Washington, D.C.

On the literary front, Hall has combined her love of food, people and culture to write several cookbooks. Her latest cookbook, Carla Hall’s Soul Food: Everyday and Celebration, will be published on Oct. 23. Her two other cookbooks are Carla’s Comfort Food: Favorite Dishes from Around the World and Cooking with Love: Comfort Food That Hugs You.

The author says that one of the most positive aspects of her cookbooks has been having a voice for African American cooking and discovering the South. “It’s been an inspiration to check out your past and explore what culture looks like on a plate,” she says. Hall is active with a number of charitable organizations that reflect her passion for causes close to her heart. These include Helen Keller International, an organization that works to improve the lives of those with blindness and to prevent the causes and consequences of blindness. She is also the culinary ambassador for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

“Giving back has always been important,” says Hall. The TV shows and notoriety have offered a platform for me to be intentional and authentic about giving back and setting an example for others.” Carla will be doing that at the Saint Martin University’s Gala in November. The black-tie gourmet evening includes an exquisite five course dinner, cooking demos and a live auction benefiting Saint Martin’s student scholarships.

LEAH GROUT

For Additional Information

stmartin.edu/gala

Filed Under: Cuisine, Slider, Summer 2019 Tagged With: , , , ,

“The Taste Cooks!” Celebrates Local Chefs with Taste of Tacoma

Take a look inside a professional chef’s kitchen at The Taste Cooks!, presented by Albert Lee Appliance, on the weekend of June 21 through 23, 2019, at the Point Defiance Park!

Some of Tacoma’s best and most entertaining chefs are in the lineup to compete in high-energy mystery ingredient cook-offs and culinary demonstrations The Taste Cooks! showcases new chefs each day, with participants eager to show their delicious handpicked recipes and their quick-thinking in the cook-offs.

The Taste Cooks! features even more mystery cook-offs this year. Competing chefs will be given only half an hour to create a masterpiece from three mystery ingredients, a basic pantry, and a large selection of produce, kindly donated by Charlie’s Produce.

Members of the audience get a chance to participate also: three lucky guests will judge the chefs’ dishes on a criteria including their creative use of ingredients, presentation, tastiness, and overall entertainment. The winning chef will be announced live and will receive a $100 donation in their name towards the charity of their choice. Several charities benefited from last year’s winners, including the Ronald McDonald House, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the Emergency Food Network.

Return crowd favorites Jon Maley (ChūcH), Saffron Hodgson “The Aussie” (bushcooking.com), Hudson Slater (Asado Cucina), and Shawn Tibbitts (Tibbitts@FernHill) will be competing on The Taste Cooks! this year. New to the show are welcomed Jan Parker (Jan Parker Cookery), Brittany Erwin (Cooks Tavern), Kris Blondin (Devour), and more!

Another level of excitement and culinary expertise is brought to The Taste Cooks! through second-year emcee Chef Thierry Rautureau, a.k.a. “The Chef in The Hat.”

This event is free to attend, and guests are offered early-bird discounted food and beverage options to experience the best of the Taste of Tacoma®. Some options offered are the Experience Taste Package, which includes Craft Beer & Wine Tasting + Taste It! Food Tickets, and the new Taste It! Food Only Package. The weekend of June 21-23 is sure to be an exciting showcase of local chefs and fantastic food with the Taste of Tacoma®!

For the full line up of The Taste Cooks! demonstrations and cook-offs, or for other Taste of Tacoma® event details, head to www.tasteoftacoma.com.

MARTINA PRESTON

Filed Under: Cuisine Tagged With: , , , , , ,

A Taste of Mediterranean Sunshine

Experience the fresh flavors of the Mediterranean at Gertie and the Giant Octopus. Drawing on the cuisines of Italy, France and Spain, this intimate restaurant in Gig Harbor enables you to experience a wide range of seasonal small plates.

The origin of this endeavor was one of happenstance and good fortune. After working as a chef consultant, Robert DeLaura came upon a notice of a cupcake business that was closing. He made a proposal to the owners to transform the space into a bistro and bar. Now Gertie and the Giant Octopus is celebrating its third year of success.

For people unfamiliar with the restaurant’s offerings, Chef Robert, as DeLaura is known, is full of suggestions that sound delicious. “We do a brown butter chicken that is first dipped in Parmesan cheese and egg, then pan-fried and roasted in the oven completely submerged in butter. It’s served with browned butter and lemon sauce.

Our most popular small plate,” DeLaura continues, “is our champignon di Paris.” He explains that this is mushrooms sautéed in extra virgin olive oil. Then leeks, garlic, Spanish sherry wine and cream are added. Finally, the dish is finished with a pecorino al tartufo. This is an Italian sheep’s milk cheese with black truffles in it “to further enhance the mushroom earthiness,” says DeLaura.

Spring brings a wide variety of fresh produce, such as asparagus and morel mushrooms that will be featured in many dishes. Mache, the first tender spring greens, will be dressed with a simple blend of white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard and hazelnut oil for a lovely spring salad.

The new season will bring other new offerings at Gertie and the Giant Octopus. Well-known for its unique wine menu, the restaurant and its sommelier, Inez Staley, will be putting together a curriculum for wine lovers to gain more knowledge and appreciation.

HILLARY RYAN

For Additional Information

chefrobertdelaura.weebly.com

Filed Under: Cuisine, Spring 2019 Tagged With: , , , ,

Best Places to Brunch in South Sound

We all love brunch, right? You get to sleep in and then enjoy tasty food prepared by someone else. And cocktails are practically a requirement! Add hanging out with friends or family and you simply can’t beat it.

From laid-back greasy spoons and quaint cafés to upscale restaurants serving tantalizing brunch buffets, here are a few of our favorite breakfast and brunch places around the South Sound.

Tacoma

The Lobster Shop

This legendary Sunday brunch serves up a delicious and impressive buffet with a seafood slant that is sure to please. Reservations are a good idea.

C.I. Shenanigans

Often themed, Shenanigans’ Sunday buffets feature an array of seafood and meats at carving stations, an oyster bar, as well as freshly made desserts. Reservations are a good idea.

Art House Café

Located in the historic Stadium District, the Art House Cafe exemplifies the essence of scratch-made American cuisine, exploring the bounty of the Pacific Northwest with an ingredient driven menu.

Pacific Grill

Relatively new to brunch, Pacific Grill offers some of the most mouth watering menu items in town, as well as some of the best brunch drinks.

Olympia

Hart’s Mesa

Fresh, thoughtfully created and prepared Southwest-inspired dishesare on offer, along with mimosas made with fresh squeezed juice. Tables come equipped with Trivial Pursuit so you can challenge your guests to a friendly game while awaiting your food!

The Mouse Trap

At this hidden gem, pop-up brunch is served on Sundays with seatings at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Every week is an all new chef’s prix fixe menu and it just might be the best brunch you’ve ever eaten. Reservations are required.

Sumner

The Windmill Bistro

This casual restaurant adjacent to Windmill Gardens Nursery in Sumner offers a relaxed dining experience, and the menu focuses on Pacific Northwest cuisine.

Puyallup

Crockett ’s Public House

Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, the hearty breakfast here is made from fresh, high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Everything is prepared in house and cooked to order from original recipes.

Be sure to check out the Puyallup-focused Mad Libs on the kids menu—pure fun!

Gig Harbor

Netshed No. 9

You can’t beat this waterfront patio—the hanging baskets of flowers and pet-friendly seating are lovely. The menu, with unique twists that are really good, makes it not your average breakfast spot.

Devoted Kiss Cafe

Breakfasts here are nicely presented, service is friendly, prices are reasonable, and the view is fantastic.

Filed Under: Cuisine, Spring 2019 Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

The Meridian Café has Re-Opened

More than a year after a roof fire forced its closure, Meridian Café is open for business. A perennial breakfast-and-lunch spot in downtown Puyallup, the surrounding communities are thrilled their beloved cafe is back open for breakfast and lunch.

Owner Shaun Brobak said there was never a doubt he would reopen – thanks in great part to the people of his community. Opening day saw a steady stream of old and new customers walking through the doors.

As is often the case with old buildings, reconstruction proved challenging. Brobak took this opportunity from the fire to reassess the restaurant’s needs and make improvements.  “Reconstruction after the fire gave us the opportunity to bring back the Café in a BIG WAY. New modern kitchen, a larger dining room, a new private banquet space and larger bathrooms, says Brobak.”

“The dining room has been updated, too,” said Brobak. He added new floors and the walls showcase old photos of historic Puyallup. Plastered walls artfully surround the brickwork preserved from the original building.  You will experience the charm of this historical building the moment you walk through the doors.

He also focused on comfortable and additional seating. Custom, hand crafted booths, similar to those at Brobak’s other business, Crockett’s Public House in downtown Puyallup, were added. The redesigned dining room ended up making room for an additional 20 patrons.   

As for the menu, with the new larger and more modern kitchen and grill, they will offer additional menu selections. “We’ve reopened with the classic menu we’ve always had and will let our guests tell us what they’d like to see on the menu. We have the capacity to introduce more items, with the same attention to quality we’re known for,” Brobak said.

Cafés have been a part of American life for more than 140 years and we know why. Few foods are comforting in quite the same way as scratch made cafe food. If you haven’t dined at Meridian Cafe lately, stop in and  to enjoy a wholesome, made-from-scratch breakfast or lunch. Bring your appetite, portions are generous, food is fresh and delicious.
Kelly Lenihan

Meridian Café – open every day 6am – 3pm for breakfast and lunch
213 N Meridian, Puyallup WA 98371
t: (253) 435-8833
crockettspublichouse.com/meridian-cafe.  
facebook.com/meridiancafepuyallup/  

Filed Under: Cuisine, Spring 2019 Tagged With: , , , ,

Mama Stortini’s to Open New Location


An old local favorite restaurant is getting a fourth brand-new location this May. Veteran restaurateur Roger Stilson is bringing his popular Mama Stortini’s Restaurant and Bar to Federal Way. This well-loved restaurant offers an extensive full-service food and beverage selection in all of their locations.

“We are excited to bring Mama’s Italian favorites to Federal Way,” Stilson says. “The area near the Commons is brimming with dining, shopping and entertainment choices, and we think our menu of authentic Italian and Northwest flavors will be popular. Mama’s is owned and operated here in the Puget Sound – and bringing Western Washington guests a wonderful local restaurant is important to us.” Stilson goes on to say, “Whether someone wants to drop in for happy hour on their way home, or enjoy date or family night out, our staff works hard to create an exceptional food and service experience.”

Specialty Restaurant Group opened the first Mama Stortini’s in Puyallup in 2004, followed by a Kent location in 2009, and more recently Seattle, at the Northgate Mall, in 2014. “Federal Way along 320th has become the area’s favorite retail and entertainment destination,” says Stilson. He describes Mama Stortini’s as “a go-anytime, order-anything restaurant featuring Italian favorites made with local ingredients.” The casual and comfortable ambiance with rich Northwest design accents and the large bar is perfect for “drop-in snack dining, lively socializing, and watching sporting events.”

Food and Beverage Director Derek Stewart describes Mama’s menu as “featuring familiar Italian classics with a creative Northwest influence.” The restaurant/bar duo has proven to be very popular by offering a wide range of choices at affordable prices.

Federal Way’s own Mayor Jim Ferrell also anticipates the new restaurant. “We’re excited to welcome Mama Stortini’s to Federal Way,” Ferrell says. “We look forward to enjoying an Italian and Northwest favorite restaurant in our community and giving our residents one more outstanding choice for their dining needs.”

Mama Stortini’s is opening a fourth location in Federal Way this coming May, and we are likewise excited to enjoy the timeless options and great prices they have to offer!

Filed Under: Cuisine, Spring 2019 Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Texas de Brazil

When you walk into Texas Brazil’s brand new Tacoma location you notice the swanky, striking ambiance. Texas Brazil offer a rodizio-style dining experience, and unique blend of Brazilian culture with generous Texas hospitality.

The vibrantly decorated 5,500 square foot restaurant offers 105 seats and a unique dining experience. Featuring an open-grill kitchen, an expansive salad area, an intimate lounge, and an award-winning wine cellar, Texas de Brazil is a unique dining destination for large and small parties alike.

“We are pleased to introduce our distinct dining experience to local area and we look forward to celebrating with our guest in Tacoma,” says Carlos Restrepo, Corporate Training Manager of Texas de Brazil.  “We want to make it an uplifting experience where guests feel the beauty of the Brazilian fare and genuine service,” he adds.

At Texas de Brazil, the rodizio-style meal begins with a visit to the expansive fresh salad area that also includes hot and cold side specialty dishes. The variety includes artisan breads, imported cheeses, fresh buffalo mozzarella, steamed asparagus with marmalade sauce, Brazilian hearts of palm, spicy shrimp salad, sushi, sautéed mushrooms, feijoada (black beans), jasmine rice, Moqueca (Brazilian Coconut Fish Stew), lobster bisque and much more. Even vegetarians love this steakhouse.

For the main course, carvers expertly prepare mouthwatering cuts of meat grilled to perfection over natural wood charcoal – a gaucho tradition passed down through generations. When guests flip a two-sided disc located at each seat from red to green, gauchos parade by and carve tableside slow-roasted meats including Brazilian picanha (sirloin), lamb chops, filet mignon, leg of lamb, Parmesan-crusted pork loin, bacon wrapped chicken breast and more. When a break is needed from the unending flow of mouthwatering meats, guests simply turn discs back to red. This unique style of dining helps pace the experience to fit any timeframe. 

The expertly curated wine collection complements the varied menu with varietals from acclaimed California and South America vineyards to Texas de Brazil’s exclusive private label selection bottled in Chile. The lounge offers craft cocktails including the traditional Brazilian Caipirinha in a variety of flavors and a full selection of specialty cocktails, beer and soft drinks including the Brazilian Guarana.

Classic desserts served a la carte include Brazilian flan, deliciously rich Brazilian papaya cream and Brazilian Cheesecake plus sweet specialties such as pecan pie, carrot cake, and key lime pie.

Texas Brazil knows how to take care of guest and offers  a high level of hospitality. If you are hosting a party or special occasion they should be at the top of your list.

Texas de Brazil Churracaria

is located at the Tacoma Mall,

4502 S. Steele Street, Tacoma

253-465-3230 or visit www.texasdebrazil.com

Filed Under: Cuisine, Winter 2018 Tagged With: , , ,

10 Favorite Washington Wines

Some of the best Washington state wines have been described as having the structure and finesse of the Old World while displaying the flashy and ripe fruit of the New World. We’re pleased to present our third annual list of favorite Washington wines—perfect for sharing with friends and family this holiday season.

DeLille Cellars
delillecellars.com
Malbec, Red Willow Vineyard, 2015
Nearly opaque in color, redolent of blueberry, licorice and eucalyptus, with plenty of energetic acidity and fresh fruit flavors to complement its complex tannic framework.

Alexandria Nicole Cellars
alexandrianicolecellars.com
Affinity Albariño, Columbia Valley, 2017
Laden with gorgeous notes of Meyer lemon and lime zest, it leaves just enough room for the nuances of fresh-cut nectarine and orange blossom to shine through.

Col Solare
colsolare.com
Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, 2015
Aromas of black cherry, berry and dark chocolate fuse with smooth notes of vanilla and spice, finished with the long lingering flavors of cocoa, black fruits and anise.

Gramercy Cellars
gramercycellars.com
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, 2014
Red flowers with a combination of red and black fruit, gravel and tobacco—a perfect balance of Old World finesse, liveliness and earth with New World fruit and power.

Gamache Vintners
gamachevintners.com
Estate Boulder Red, Columbia Valley, 2015
Tasty, toasty and tart, this table-ready blend is entirely estate-grown. Dark cherries on the nose with delicious flavors of raspberries and spices to complement this unique blend of varietals.

Brian Carter Cellars
briancartercellars.com
Corrida (Spanish for “bullfight”), Columbia Valley, 2014
Tobacco, licorice and black cherry dominate in this exotic Spanish blend, followed by elegant, streamlined fruit flavors.

Garrison Creek Cellars
garrisoncreekcellars.com
Malbec, Les Collines Vineyard,
Walla Walla Valley, 2013
A brilliant bouquet of dark fruits dance on the palate with subtle hints of vanilla and spices on the finish.

Kiona Vineyards
kionawine.com
Estate-Bottled Riesling, Red Mountain, 2014
This bottling uses fruit from the winery’s original 1975 plantings. Aromas of jasmine, flowers and lime lead to off-dry, lightly spritzy, stonefruit flavors that linger.

Lauren Ashton Cellars
laurenashtoncellars.com
Proprietor’s Cuvée, Columbia Valley AVA, 2011
A dark and luxurious blend whose depth and complexity echoes aromatics of black currants, black cherries, plum and cocoa, with a hint of spiciness and a touch of minerality.

Matthews Winery
matthewswinery.com
Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, 2017
Rich but bracing, ripe and chewy, with plenty of bright acidity on the finish. Lots of tropical notes—pineapple, guava, mango, grapefruit—with a touch of lime or creamy lemon.

Filed Under: Cuisine, Winter 2018
Next Page»
MENU