Nosh Pit

Christmas Dinner, Part II

Another register of restaurants serving up holiday cheer.

Posted by: Emily Dhatt on Dec 14, 2011 at 03:30PM 0 Comments

Photo: Amos Morgan

Do Christmas at Trellis in Kirkland.

Barking Frog, 4–9
The Willows Lodge restaurant is prepping a special menu of buttermilk fried quail, steak tartare, oven roasted black cod, grilled Snake River Farms pork chop, Anderson Ranch rack of lamb, and more. Plates range from $8 to $48. Make your reservation online or by telephone at 425-424-2999.

BluWater Bistro, noon–9
The prix fixe bill comes with a squash soup or cranberry-walnut vinaigrette salad starter, two of three main dishes (turkey, prime rib, and ham) served with all the trimmings, and pumpkin pie. $30/adults; $13/children. To reserve a table at the Leschi location call 206-328-2233. For the Greenlake location call 206-524-3991.

Il Bistro, 5–10
The Pike Place Italian resto will be offering a four-course prix fixe menu in addition to their regular menu of gnocchi, lasagne with veal, butternut squash ravioli, veal scaloppini marsala, roasted chicken breast with crispy polenta, and more. Another toastworthy tidbit: the bar stays open until 2am Christmas Day. To reserve a table, go online or call 206-682-3049.

Palisade, noon–8
Palisade offers a straightforward three-course Christmas dinner. For starters, choose between a baby leaf lettuce salad and butternut squash soup garnished with roasted chestnuts; for entrees, order tenderloin with Dungeness crab and hollandaise or brined and smoked Cornish game hen. To reserve a table visit the Palisade website or call 206-285-1000.

Trellis, 6am–10am and noon–8
Trellis will open for breakfast and also a three-course supper. Dinner appetizers include frisee and citrus salad, Dungeness crab bisque, and winter squash soup. Among the entrees are filet mignon, house-made gnocchi with pesto and shaved goat cheese, roasted free-range pheasant, duck breast with watercress and branded cherries, and pan-seared salmon. Then for dessert, choose from a variety of holiday standards, including buche de Noel and rum raisin fruit cake. $59/adults; $24/children. To reserve a table call 425-284-4900 or book it online.

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Tags: Special Dinners, Christmas 2011, Christmas Dinner 2011

Seattle Met Taste Test: Holiday Cookies

In which we eat oodles of seasonal treats to name three winners.

Posted by: Seattle Met staff on Dec 13, 2011 at 02:15PM 0 Comments

Macrina: Swedish Overnights

The Verdict: Even with the liberal topping of sprinkles, several pined for the cookie itself to be sweeter. Given the scone-like texture the rounds would pair well with tea or coffee.

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Macrina: Swedish Overnights

The Verdict: Even with the liberal topping of sprinkles, several pined for the cookie itself to be sweeter. Given the scone-like texture the rounds would pair well with tea or coffee.

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Dahlia Bakery: Gingerbread People

The Verdict: Though we like our ginger folk brittle, these were tooth-cracking crunchy. A splash of color wouldn’t have hurt either.

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THIRD PLACE WINNER!

Belle Epicurean: Almond Sandies

The Verdict: Buttery and light wonders, exactly the way sandies should be. Delightful nutty flavor.

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Fresh Flours: Snowmen

The Verdict: Best presentation of the bunch. Simple and classic—“tastes like all my childhood Christmases,” commented one—but in need of more butter. A close runner-up.

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Belle Epicurean: Hazelnut Snowstorms

The Verdict: The rummy undertone was overwhelming for some, but a handful loved the amaretto aftertaste. Thumbs up for the squishy melty texture.

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Dahlia Bakery: Pumpkin Whoopies

The Verdict: The spice on top had us split: some relished the savoriness, others found it distracting. All agreed the mini pies were more of a Fall rather than yuletide treat, and tasty when bites weren’t sprinkled in spice.

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SECOND PLACE WINNER!

Parisian Star Desserts: Gingerbread Men

The Verdict: Nailed the texture: the crisp outside and soft chewy middle made for a satisfying snap without being too dry. Big points for the festive (and tasty) frost job.

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Nielsen’s Pastries: Gingerbread Stars

The Verdict: A taster aptly summed up these gingerbread bars with “not bad, not exciting.” Those who like treats less sweet gave their stamp of approval.

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FIRST PLACE WINNER!

DeLaurenti Specialty Food and Wine: Nutella Pizzelle

The Verdict: “What’s not to like?” cracked an eater smitten with the generous spread of Nutella. “Looks like a little Belgian waffle sandwich!” said another of the slightly crispy cakes dressed in sugar.

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Three Girls Bakery: Rum Balls

The Verdict: Lots of great ingredients—dark chocolate, orange zest, espresso—but the rum dominated. “It’s like spring break in a ball.”

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Nielsen’s Pastries: Finnish Shortbread

The Verdict: For shortbread cookies these guys sure were short on butter (and sandy as a result).

By Stephanie Rubesh and Christopher Werner

Holiday cookies come in all shapes and flavors, but only the best ooze cheer while tasting good too—buttery and indulgent but not absurdly sweet.

To find out which local treats fit that bill, we asked a bunch of bakeries to submit a Christmas cookie of their choice (some brought in a couple). The ones that chose to participate are represented here. A panel then sampled them blindly, taking notes along the way and voting for their favorites at the end.

While our team of 12 tasters would say few samples topped the treats they remember from their childhood (we set the bar high around here), and that some would have benefited from more butter, we did find several worthy of your cookie platter. Find out which bakeries are making those winners in the slideshow, and be sure to holler if we left out your favorite seasonal sweet.

All photos by Seattlemet.com photographer Lucas Anderson.

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Tags: Cookies, Nosh Pit Taste Tests, Food Taste Tests, Christmas 2011

Christmas Eve Dinners

A sampling of festive feasts at restaurants around Seattle.

Posted by: Emily Dhatt on Dec 13, 2011 at 10:12AM 1 Comments

Photo: Amos Morgan

Celebrate Christmas Eve at Johnathan Sundstrom’s Lark.

Anchovies and Olives, 4:30–9
Ethan Stowell’s Capitol Hill joint offers The Feast of the Seven Fishes, his take on the ostensibly southern Italian tradition of eating seafood on Christmas Eve. Entrees include tagliarini pasta with sea urchin and pangrattato and grilled branzino with roasted Yukon potatoes and salsa verde. To place reservations call 206-838-8080 or reserve online.

Art Restaurant and Lounge, 5–9
Art’s à la carte menu ranges in price from $10 to $42 a plate, and includes such holiday specials as beef short rib soup, shaved smoked duck breast, roasted tom turkey, and plum pudding. Call 206-749-7070 for reservations.

Barking Frog, 5–9
The seasonal menu celebrates holiday flavors with selections like buttermilk fried quail, steak tartare, oven roasted black cod, grilled pork chop, and rack of lamb. For dessert nibble on a pecan tartlet or Guinness gingerbread cake with oatmeal stout ice cream. Plates range from $8 to $48. Make your reservation online or by telephone at 425-424-2999.

Crush, 5–10
Mod bistro Crush will prepare an exotic take on Christmas comfort food: its menu includes hamachi crudo, lamb with coca syrah sauce and smoked olives, and seared sea scallops with black trumpet mushrooms and dates. Also: figgy pudding with toffee ice cream and port wine gel. $88/person. Reserve a table online or call 206-302-7874.

Lark, 5–8
Grab a table at Lark on Capitol Hill for a Nordic-inspired three-course supper. Entrees include bacon-wrapped cod with razor clams, apple vinegar-glazed pork belly, Wagyu shortribs, and farro with red wine salsify. $60/person; wine pairing available. To make a reservation call 206-323-5275.

Metropolitan Grill, 2–11
The Met opens early to serve standard steakhouse fare and seasonal accompaniments like Kurobata bacon with bourbon caramel glaze and four cheese macaroni. But if you’d rather bundle up fireside at home, you can order the Holiday Chateau Dinner Package, a mini-feast for two complete with pre-seasoned chateaubriand, roasted root veggies, mushroom caps, mashed potatoes, and cooking instructions. The dinner package is $95; add wine for an additional $54. Book a table online or call 206-624-3287. To order and arrange delivery of the dinner package call 206-957-3216.

Tilth, 5–10
Tilth is offering up an elegant four-course feast this Eve. Menu highlights include seared Alaskan sablefish garnished with sturgeon caviar, fennel-laden leg of lamb and polenta, and oven-roasted capon with sweet potato puree. End the meal on a sweet note with eggnog panna cotta or bourbon pecan pie. $85/person; wine pairing available for an additional $50. Call 206-633-0801 or reserve a table online.

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Tags: Special Dinners, Christmas 2011, Christmas Dinner 2011

Christmas Dinner, Part I

Eat, drink, and be merry at these restaurants preparing holiday spreads.

Posted by: Emily Dhatt on Dec 07, 2011 at 10:30AM 0 Comments

Andaluca, 3–7:30
The intimate Mediterranean restaurant stays open on the 25th for a four-course meal. Regular menu options, including saffron-infused paella and osso bucco lamb, are supplemented by the holiday special: braised turkey. Breakfast will also be served at the usual hours, from 7 to noon. Dinner is $40/person. Make a reservation online twenty-four hours in advance; otherwise call 206-382-6999.

Art Restaurant and Lounge, 11–8
Enjoy an elegant four-course meal alongside a wintry panorama of Elliott Bay. Entree highlights include organic roasted turkey, roasted dry aged rib eye, grilled king salmon, and a mushroom crepe with soy bacon for diners who eschew meat. $110/adults; $35/children between 6 and 12. Call 206-749-7070 for reservations.

Bin on the Lake, 1–7
Kirkland’s sleek bistro and wine bar prepares a three-course prix fixe menu with such fanciful plates as smoked duck confit, Kumamoto oysters with pickled cucumber, and cardamom donuts. $55/adults; $23/children 12 and under. Reserve at 425-803-5595.

Boka Kitchen and Bar, noon–8
Starters include a puree of sunchoke soup, pork belly adorned with salted caramel roasted chestnuts, and chicken liver mousse. The main course options are sea scallops and honey-glazed pork loin. The desserts are where it really gets festive: savor a chocolate Yule log or an ice cream trio of gingerbread, eggnog, and candy cane. Plates range from $8 to $29. Make reservations online or by telephone at 206-357-9000.

Copperleaf Restaurant at Cedarbrook Lounge, 5:30–9:30
Copperleaf is touting a quintessentially Northwest five-course tasting menu. Choose among hen garnished with elusive black trumpet mushrooms and Cascade huckleberries; venison with yams, preserved blackberries, and chestnuts; or beef short ribs with house-cured bacon. Finish the meal off with maple sugar ice cream concocted of chocolate, banana mousse, and hazelnut. $75/adults; wine pairings available for an additional $25; a la carte menu available for children. Reserve a table by calling 206-214-4282 or by booking online.

The Georgian, 8–7
The traditional evening feast runs 11–7 and features such standards as roasted turkey with all the trimmings, pork loin, and prime rib with Yorkshire pudding. From 8 to noon, the Garden Room will put on a buffet brunch of ginger bread waffles, eggs benedict, and other breakfast favorites. For dinner: $95/adults; $35/children 6–12. For brunch: $39/adults; $19/children 6–12; children under 6 eat free. For reservations: 206-287-4049.

The Hunt Club at the Sorrento, noon–8
The charmingly classic Hunt Club is plotting an equally classic three-course regale: among the specials are yam and sweet onion soup, butter poached whole prawns, seared pheasant with wild rice, and prime rib with Yukon gold mashed potatoes. Desserts include almond cherry pie and crème brulée. $69/person. Call 206-343-6156 for reservations or reserve online.

Salish Lodge, 2–8
Take in the roaring Snoqualmie Falls as you feast on four courses of hearty holiday fare. On the menu: lobster and Dungeness crab bisque, honey-glazed grilled salmon, herbed gnocchi, and Grand Marnier parfait. $95/adults; $25/children 6–12; free for children 5 and under. Call 1-800-2-SALISH to make reservations.

Urbane, 6:30am–10pm
Ultramodern Urbane will offer up three courses of American Christmas comforts alongside its regular menu from December 22 to the 25. Mains range from confit Cornish hen to field roast with whipped potatoes and mushroom gravy; among the merry desserts are apple cranberry crumble and eggnog ice cream. To book a table call 206-676-4600 or reserve online.

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Tags: Special Dinners, Christmas 2011, Christmas Dinner 2011