Nosh Pit

In Honor of National S’mores Day: An Ode to the Sticky-Sweet Treat

Plus: where to celebrate.

Posted by: Jessica Voelker on Aug 10, 2011 at 09:00AM 0 Comments

Behold the s’more.

Photo: hotelchatter.com

For a certain camping-averse segment of the population, it’s the promise of s’mores that redeems the entire cold, wet, ankle blister-conjuring experience. The light at the end of the tunnel, if you will.

And I know you will. Because what sort of anhedonic someone could resist melted chocolate and marshmallow squished between two graham crackers?

The genius of the s’more lies not just in the flavor combination—and it’s a doozy—but in the fact that as with so many great American foods (hamburgers, fried chicken, barbequed ribs), eating it requires relinquishing all inhibitions. There is simply no way to eat a s’more neatly because each ingredient is messy in its own way. Upon contact with your teeth, the crackers crumble onto your lap or get stuck in the melted chocolate that has smeared across your lips, not to mention the strands of sticky marshmallow that now decorate you cheek. It’s a total disaster, the s’more. And watching a child eat one is more entertaining than anything you’re likely to stumble across at the zoo.

On Wednesday, August 10 we celebrate National S’more Day. Here’s how and where to do so in Seattle, no tent or sleeping bag required.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Desserts, National Something Days

It’s National Sandwich Day

Let’s eat sandwiches.

Posted by: Jessica Voelker on Nov 03, 2010 at 09:12AM 0 Comments

It’s National Sandwich Day, obey your instincts.

Is your nervous system hungover from all those election day frizzle frazzles? Everyone knows that the cure for hangover is sandwich. And since it’s National Sandwich Day well…let’s eat sandwiches.

We’ve told you before about our favorite Seattle ’wiches. If you haven’t tried them all, today seems like the right day to do it.

Also for vegetarians, healthy eaters, and/or people like me that have an undying love for good, garlicky hummus, may I suggest the hungry artist roll-up at Paloma? I had one yesterday and found it quite delectable. It’s feta, hummus, (creamy Lebanese style, not the pasty stuff), and vinegary tomato salad wrapped up in a fresh, pillowy pita and served with a spinach salad.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Sandwiches, National Something Days

Cheap Date: Picnic Edition

It’s National Picnic Day. Here are five parks for picnicking plus nearby spots for grabbing grub.

Posted by: Jessica Voelker on Jun 18, 2010 at 08:02AM 1 Comments

June 18 is National Picnic Day, didyaknow? Seeing as I am near-blind from the sun streaming into the window behind my screen, I’m guessing it’s going to be an outdoor eating sort of a day. Let’s make some plans.

Conveniently for Phinney Ridgers, there is a wine and prepared food shop that eliminates any guess-work by calling itself Picnic. Picnic is not far at all from the well-manicured Woodland Park, and it sells chicken salad with pink lady apples and pine nuts, salami grinders, and all kinds of foods for eating on a blanket. Don’t forget the wine.

If you’re looking to just park on the grass with a big ole messy sandwich, you can line up at Paseo then head to Gas Works to eat your pigwich beside the rusty towers. Nearby Homegrown in Fremont also offers well-crafted sandwiches with the proper bread-to-ingredient-to-condiment ratios, plus perfect homemade chips. It must be said though that Homegrown is not the most expedient of stops. I’ve spent lifetimes waiting for food at Homegrown.

There is a Baguette Box in Fremont too.

Near Cal Anderson you can do down-and-dirty Chinese takeout from Chungees, or stop by the Melrose and pick up some Italian cheese at Calf and Kid to eat alongside Rain Shadow Meats’ charcuterie. (You can buy Columbia City pretzel bread at Rain Shadow too.)

Volunteer Park picnickers purchase sandwiches and salads (not to mention cookies you might kill for) from Volunteer Park Cafe, or go Greek at Vios Cafe and Marketplace, which sells takeout containers of hummus, baba ghanoush, pita, Greek salad, and all the like.

Near the Bermuda Triangle where Belltown meets Queen Anne, snack in the shadow of the very large art at the Sculpture Garden. If you’re doing a lunch date, stop by Boat Street Kitchen for sandwiches and salad to go, or order mahi mahi tacos and Frenchy fries at Anthony’s Pier 66 on Alaskan.

Later in the evening, Pike Place Market is your place—grab a decent rose wine from Pike and Western, a tasty tomme and some camembert from the Cheese Cellar, and a stick of bread from Le Panier. Now you’re in business.

[ Photo Source ]

Add a Comment »

Tags: Cheap Date, Sandwiches, Summer Plans, Outdoor Eating, National Something Days