Apple Parsnip Soup -- I did it!

I did it!  Based on the soup I ate here, I came up with an original recipe for Apple Parsnip Soup and it is really really delicious!

First step was to peel and chop 4 parsnips and one apple into about one or two inch chunks.  I brushed 1 T melted butter on them and sprinkled with sea salt and white pepper.  Then I roasted them in a 425 degree oven for 30 min.  They looked delicious at that point and it was a bit of a challenge not to eat them all off the jelly roll pan.

Next up, I heated 3 cups chicken stock in a pan.  I added the roasted parsnips and apple to that.That's also the first time I thought to take a picture of the process.  Oops.

Then, using my immersion blender on the lowest speed, I mixed until all the ingredients until they were as smooth as I could get them without turning the soup into thick glop.  I also added 2 T apple cider vinegar at this point, to brighten the taste.

 

Finally, I mixed in 1/4 cup half and half just to get it warm and seasoned with salt.  If I had only done 1 T of apple cider vinegar I might have been able to eliminate this completely, but I like a tiny amount of cream in my soups, so I was happy with it.  Then I diced a bit of apple on the top.  At first that was just to show off a bit since presentation is really not my forte.  But when I ate it, it was delicious with the bright crunchy contrast, so this is a must for next time and can't be missed!

 

That's it!  Took just about 45 min. and it is totally delicious.  Excuse me... need to eat another cup of soup!

Return to Cucina Cucina -- Now with pictures!

Last night we took The Guys to the ski area for some night skiing in the pouring down rain.  Amazingly more fun than I thought it would be.  This little adventure left us pretty hungry so I suggested we all go to Cucina Cucina (admittedly I was the most excited about this idea).  Previously blogged here, I once again enjoyed the linguine con pollo. The FIT also thought this dish was pretty stellar... good to know.  I can bring him for lunch sometime and we can split it!  The rest of the meal wasn't such a big hit.  The Big Guy wasn't impressed that his meatballs had sauce on them (he eventually tasted them and realized they were okay, but still wasn't impressed).  The FIT's favorite part of the meal was the raw pizza dough they give the kids to play with like playdough... he found it delicious (guess we still have to work on that palate of his!).  The Critic ordered the chicken saltimboca and made the following comment.  "You know what this dish needs?"  Insert bunch of random suggestions from me and an eventual smirky glare from The Critic. "It needs to become your grilled stuffed chicken breast recipe".  So here is the recipe for that dish.  So easy, so good.  You should make it tonight!

Grilled stuffed chicken breasts

One chicken breast per person (rinsed and patted dry)
Then, for each serving, one slice roasted red pepper (I just get them jarred as long as they are packed in water), approximately one ounce of REAL mozzarella cheese (one slice of a ball or about 3 of the little balls is fun too).  Some pesto (probably about 2 T per serving -- I have found best results with the premade pesto from the grocery store, believe it or not), kosher salt and ground pepper.

Ingredients

Slice each breast horizontally to make a pocket.  Salt and pepper each breast.  Make sure each of your items for stuffing is separated because you will be shoving all this stuff into raw chicken and you won't be able to reuse your leftovers if you contaminate them.  So, start with the pesto and shove it in the pocket, kind of spread it around, and spread some on the outside of the breast as well (top and bottom).  Add a slice of red pepper and the mozzarella slice.  Close up with toothpicks.

Cut slit in the chicken and salt/pepper the outside

Stuff Red Pepper

Stuff Mozzarella

Smear pesto in and around the chicken breasts

Closet up with tooth picks -- Ready to grill!

The Critic then grills them, since that's his thing.  So I don't know times, temps, etc.  Just grill them until they are cooked through but not dry as a bone.  And yes, that's it.  These are delicious and beautiful -- and really easy to make quickly.  Enjoy!

Return to Canyons

Fast becoming a home from Bellingham tradition, The Big Guy requested we go to Canyons.  On the specials menu was a pear Gorgonzola salad I thought I'd try.  The server raved about it... said each one is poached to order.  Pretty good.  The pears are SUPER sweet, cloyingly I guess you would say, but the champagne vinagrette balances it out and if you do some work to chop up everything and mix it together it is quite tasty, if slightly over dressed.  I actually found it very good and would totally order it again... as long as they have it.

Of course, a meal at Canyons is simply not complete without the corn fritters and honey butter!  This is The Critic's main reason for going.  Quite tasty little numbers!  3 out of 4 in our family give it a thumbs up.

The Red House

Enjoyed a nice night out with a friend for a birthday party.  Got a chance to back to The Red House in Renton, a nice tapas bar that has some pretty good food and always has some pretty good wine.  Today I was intrigued by the rabbit leg which was braised with red wine, carrots, mushrooms, and onions over polenta.  I was more intrigued when the server informed me that it is braised to order so if you have an aversion to any of those things (like, oh, say, mushrooms) you can get it without... Yay!  Except that they were out.  Boo!  So instead I ordered the pumpkin ravioli with brown butter and sage sauce with a side salad of pear and Gorgonzola.  No problem... except that they didn't have the pumpkin ravioli.  But never fear!  It was replaced with a pear gorgonzola ravioli!  So I decided on that, strike the salad.  

The result was a yummy dish that I would definitely order again.  So happy birthday, dear friend!  Thanks for the invite to a yummy place and a chance to get some good food with good company.

   

My Roasted Cauliflower recipe

I had a request to publish some of the recipes I've made as a result of going out to restaurants and finding inspiration.  So here is the recipe I created after going to Poppy on Capitol Hill and trying their roasted cauliflower.  Let's not make this a copyright issue people... this is what my palate detected when I had it.  These recipes are my own unless I link to something that is published on the web and if any chef is ever kind enough to give me his or her real recipe, I will be happy to note it correctly.  Also I cook by adding a bit of this and a pinch of that, so sorry that I don't have official amounts.  Don't you hate that?  Yeah, me too.  Sorry.

Roasted Cauliflower

One head of cauliflower
Drizzled seasame oil (not too much, not too little... vague enough?)
One large shallot, chopped
One bunch of dill, fronds only, chopped
Grated parmesan, a small handful
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste... and you can add more at the end if necessary

Chop the cauliflower super small so it cooks up quickly and evenly.  You can use the stalks as long as its chopped up.  Don't use the green leaves though.  Blech.  Everything should be about the same size.  Mix it all together and dump it onto a rimmed cookie sheet, jelly roll pan, or some other type of roasting pan.  Cook it in a 425 degree oven for at least 30 min., stirring occasionally.  Brown is good, dark brown is fine.  Black is bad.  Eh, black is okay, but not as good as brown?  It's hard to overcook this dish, in my opinion.

And yes, that's it.  I'll post a picture after I make it on Christmas at the request of The Critic.  If you are good, I might even post a picture of different stages of the cooking process!!!  Merry Christmas!

PS.  If you post a comment on here of recipes you'd like me to publish, I probably will.  And if you have a recipe you'd like me to try, that could be fun too.  Comment away people!  Sometimes I forget anyone is there waiting for me to publish something.  :-)

Sport Restaurant & Bar

What a fun day!  We took the kids into Seattle again, this time to see their favorite rock band play a concert with the Teatro Zinzani circus, pared right down to their size with a storyline that didn't involve any drag queens or inappropriate inuendo.  And we spent the whole time excitedly planning our lunch at The Rock.  Who knew there was a Rock RIGHT next to Seattle Center???   Not us!  Well, ummm... there's not.  Yet.  There will be in 8 days.

So we walked across the street to McMennemins.  Where every single family from that circus/rock concert with their children were already eating.  And we waited until we realized exactly how ridiculous that wait would be.  With ravenously hungry children... I mean it had been what, 20 min. since their popcorn and cotton candy?  It's like we never feed them.

Reuben

So we trekked across Seattle Center to return to Sport Bar and Grill.  The Guys were ridiculously happy because they got to eat their food next to Phineas and Ferb.  I, not being the biggest fan of bar and grill food out there, was okay.  But then I saw their soup of the day and was SO happy.  Apple parsnip soup.  After looking over the menu I saw that I had an option to have that with half a reuben, which is a sandwich I love and hardly ever eat.  The reuben was fine... nothing earth shattering to write home about.  It had more of a pickle taste and less of a briny sauerkraut taste than some.  I think they make their own "sauce" which didn't really taste like Russian dressing or thousand island.  But like I said... it was fine, not great... just fine.  The soup was really good... different than I expected. 

Apple parsnip soup

I took one bite and immediately started planning how I could make it.  I have made more soups in the past two months than the past 20 years combined.  And after realizing exactly how easy a hand blender is to operate, it quickly occurred to me that I can get a smoother consistency to this soup than Sport had.  So, guess who just ordered parsnips and apples in the CSA box for next Tuesday?  Stay tuned for the recipe to come, if its any good.  I'm guessing it will involve roasting the parsnips and apples, adding to warm chicken stock, and then adding a splash of apple cider vinegar before finishing with some half and half.  Like I said, I will let you know.

Kenyan food!

I ended up with 3 hours alone time while the Guys checked out a Chinese immersion school.  They came out knowing not a single word of Chinese... I was able to grab a lunch to myself.

Always the dilemma for me... where to go.  I have a billion places I'd love to try in Seattle, but no time to get there.  At first I decided to hit up BBQ Pete's in Kent.  Why?  It's Wednesday!  Wednesday is the only day of the week they do their burnt ends.  Burnt ends sound horrible.  Burnt ends are DELICIOUS!  So I walked in.  Honestly, if I ever ever ever question if BBQ Pete's will survive I should just go... wall to wall to wall packed.  It was like a convention in there!  At 12:50 I waltz up to the counter.  "Hi!  Do you have any burnt ends left?"  "Nope... sorry.  We already sold out."  At 12:50????  We used to be able to show up at 5:30 for those and get 4 plates worth!  One of two things is happening... either it's just one big rouse to get you in or they need to burn more ends in that place!  Anyway, I decided the crowds weren't worth my time and while BBQ Pete's is definitely good BBQ, I really only wanted those burnt ends.  Soooo....

Where to go?  I ran down a laundry list of places I could go.  They tend to fall into three categories:  Places I'd go with both Guys.  Places I'd go with just the Little Guy, Mr. FIT.  And places I want to try with The Critic.  I nearly settled on Chinese when I remembered that a good Thai place near my house was no more as it had been over taken by a Keyan restaurant.  The critic cannot stand Ethiopian food.  So I figured the idea of getting him to try Kenyan was not going to be successful unless I gave it a shot first.  So, without further adieu, I give you Uhuru (Gesundheit!, says The Critic).

Only one other table occupied when I went in.  They had a big plate of something that looked like Dorowot, but I never saw it or anything like it listed on the menu.  Enter this adorable Keyan woman who clearly runs the place close to single-handedly.  She helped talk me through the menu.  What started with a "What's good?" quickly became a "What do you like?" followed by a "I have no idea... I've never had Kenyan food before."  Her first recommendation was clearly too safe for me.  I didn't arrive for nourishment alone... I wanted a new experience.  So "chicken and rice with onions and peppers" seemed like something I could make on my stovetop pretty easily.

Sausage

She recommended I start with a sausage... price was right at $2.50, so I agreed.  It was.... um, sausage.  Yep.  That's it.  Nice crispy outside, but otherwise just a normal breakfast sausage.  No exotic flavors or anything.  I did note that if we all came back together, The Big Guy could probably polish off about 18 of these as his meal. 

Around this time I noticed exactly how cold it was in the restaurant!  Note to self... if I return, bring a jacket!!!

Returning to the menu I come across two things that intrigue me.  One is a chicken curry which looks pretty much like any curry I get in a Thai restaurant, so I assume it would be delicious with some new spices that I am unaccustomed to.  But the other intriguing dish is this chicken stew.  So I ask my Kenyan friend which one she recommends and she says "You can get curry anywhere, any time.  This stew you can only get here."  And that's that!  We have a winner.  Kuku Mchuzi it will be.  I don't even know how to pronounce it!  She asks if I want it with "just white rice" and I ask if there are other options.  One is something that resembles polenta but she informs me it's basically corn meal mixed with water only.  She offers a sample of it and let me tell you... skip on by that option!  The other more intriguing choice was Chapati.  It ended up tasting like a homemade wheat flavored tortilla and was really good as long as it was warm.  Once it cooled off, forget about it... too hard and dry!

Kuku Mchuzi

The stew had definite good points and definite disappointments.  The broth is super rich and flavorful, yet light all at the same time.  Potatoes are cooked perfectly.  And just look at those huge chunks of chicken!  Well, that's what I did... until I tried a piece.  I would say that 90% of those chicken chunks are bone.  And what is fall-off-the-bone meat actually falls off with little bone fragments, and I had no where to put them.  So the side of my bowl was literally flaked around the entire dish with tiny bone pieces.  Anyone who knows me knows I do NOT like meat on a bone.  While I'm better about it than I used to be, bone bits completely ruin a dish for me.  Sadly, this was no exception.  Also, I am not a fan of chicken skin that has been stewed.  Chicken skin, while delicious when its crispy, gets very rubbery when its been boiled and stewed and, again, this was no exception.  So while the small amounts of meat that I did get were super flavorful and extremely tender, it wasn't the dish I wanted it to be.  Oh how I wish it had been what I wanted it to be!

Chapati

So I resigned myself to dip the warm Chapati in the broth and sop it up.  And eat the potatoes, which would normally be my least favorite part of a dish like this. If I had just removed the chicken it was a really good dish.  However, the price was sky high.  The plate shown here cost around $13!  Use that can of diet coke for a size reference... it was really small (oh and that one can of diet coke cost me over $2.25... I thought I was getting it free by checking in on Yelp but apparently she doesn't actually use that promo anymore... hmmmmmm...). 

Overall... I'm really glad I tried it.  I love a new experience and Kenyan food definitely fit that bill.  However, aside from the inexpensive sausage, it was too pricey with too many bones to warrant a return anytime soon.  If The Critic wants to give it a go, maybe I'll be braver and try something like the goat tripe.  But probably not.

Il Fornaio Risotteria

A day in Seattle led us to a lunch with the kiddos.  Looking for the perfect blend of kid friendly and foodie friendly, we decided on a favorite... Il Fornaio.  But not the fancy schmancy upstairs IF.  The one downstairs, which has 4 main selling points.  More kid friendly.  Cheaper prices.  Risotto.  Gnocchi.  Win!

Gnocchi Rustica

I ordered the Gnocchi Rustica.  The Critic loves how I say Gnocchi.  Too bad you can't hear it, huh?  It sort of has a Ny-oh-key sound to it.  I don't know why it sounds better than when I say it, but to him, it does.  The Guys got pasta with meat sauce on the side (Big Guy) and Ravioli (Little Guy).  But unfortunately, the BG didn't have enough food (not that he eats more than a teaspoon of sauce) and the LG really did NOT like his ravioli, which was much more al dente than he wanted... while he's a FIT he's still 4!  The Critic ordered Risotto Dante which has a bit of a kick to it and Italian sausage, peppers and onions.  It was good, but I think I must prefer overcooked risotto.  Always has too much of a bite to it for me.  But OH the gnocchi.  Mmmmm.... I love gnocchi.  The rustica sauce was yummy... creamy tomato with basil and garlic and a whole lot of yum.  Extra bonus is that we can watch them cook.  I am SUCH a sucker for that!  Too much fun.

Risotto Dante

Grand sum up?  Fabulous for the grown-ups as always.  The kids left hungry but filled up with cinnamon and sugar hot donuts near the carousel.  Merry Christmas in Seattle!

The Rock Buffet

Shout out to The Rock AYCE buffet.  I am a "Backstage Pass" member which somehow accrues points and what-not.  Long story short, FIT and I ate a TON of food (mostly him... trying to eat healthy during the holidays) and it cost us just over $6... with tip!  Yay for free, good food!

Chutneys

How cool is this?  The Critic set up a date night which included a return to Chutneys in Bellevue.  When we were looking at the menu we were trying to remember which food we had and what was memorable about it.  Suddenly, I remembered I had blogged about Chutneys before:  here in fact!  We pulled up the post and used it to order.  So for the record, we got the lamb and the chicken again, but decided to do the halibut next time.  We also ordered basic Naan which is SOOOO good to use to sop up that delicious curry sauce!  For a bit of fun after our dinner, we got to talk with the owner for a while.  He brought us back in the kitchen to show us how they cooked the Naan.  That Tandoori oven is much smaller than I thought it would be and he said that ALL their food is cooked in that one.  Pretty amazing!  He was a genuine host and it was easy to see why his business is so successful.  We still love Chutneys!

Mama's Night Out

Went to Mama Stortini's last night with the gals for an ornament exchange.  No pictures taken, but since we ate in the dining room, rather than the bar as per our usual, I opted for the lobster mac and cheese.  I asked the server how it was and he said it was the first night on the menu.  That intrigued me more, so I went for that.  It was okay... for MAC and cheese.  The lobster was definitely an after thought, perhaps three pieces total in the dish.  Panko on the top was a nice touch and there wasn't anything inherently wrong with it (aside from needing salt).  It was a perfectly fine homemade mac and cheese.  But for me, it's not worth my splurge on calories and whatnot.  I'll stick with my standard gnocchi with marinara sauce in the future. 

Thank you!

I admit that we've eaten out some (such as Thai 65 with the FIT today again) since my last post.  But life has hit with a crazy abandon and I haven't found time to blog very much.  I'll try and stay on top of it though.  My little blogger info sheet told me that I had more views yesterday than the entire month combined.  Wow!  I didn't know anyone was still reading!  So thank you.  <sheepish smile>

Fairwood Thai

Just another lunch with the FIT

The ever important Chicken Pad See Ew.  FIT now eats nearly all of this himself.

Complimentary soup.  Meh, it's okay.

Tried their fried shrimp appetizer, which is actually coconut fried shrimp.  Pretty good, but probably won't get it again.  Too expensive and too much of it.

I have a cold

When I get sick, I don't want to cook.  I don't want to eat either, but then I get grouchy.  So when I started grumbling at the FIT as he was whiny about his Hot Dog on a Stick and lemonade at the Supermall, I decided I needed something too.  I opted for the "lite plate" at some random Chinese place next to HDoaS.  Big. Mistake.

I love it (and by love it I mean I find it the most ridiculous thing ever) when someone says something is "lite".  First off, if you make up how to spell it, it's not.  Not low-cal, not leaves you feeling with that I-could-run-a-marathon feeling.  Nope.  If it's "lite" it means "this is the least amount of food you can get here but it will still leave you feeling like you consumed a small truckload of bricks drenched in oil and deep fried."  Enter my lunch... general tso's and chow mein noodles.  It was greasy.  It was gross.  It left me feeling hungry and full all at the same time.  I hate that.  Yuck.  Big mistake and I wish I would learn!  I knew better...

Tutta Bella in Seattle

The family stopped in for some Neapolitan pizza at Tutta Bella in Wallingford while getting a part to fix the car.  We all enjoyed the flat bread with fresh tomato sauce to dip.  The boys shared a delicious meatball pizza and The Critic and I had one with red peppers and sausage.  Wish we'd had something with salami though, as it looked amazing!  Overall, no pics, but a good lunch.  I think I like Pulcinella's better though.

Food trucks take 3!!!

Okay this was just AWESOME!  I went to the Women of Faith conference in Seattle and was THRILLED to discover that The Seattle Center Mobile Feast was scheduled for the SAME DAY!  So I ditched their provided box lunch, grabbed Nala and Tanner's Mommy, and headed over to the BEST LUNCH EVER!

Here's the cool part.  I actually know these trucks now!  Names, food types, etc.  So I first headed with NaTM to Big Food.  This is the truck that at the Food Truck Rodeo that had those delicious grilled flat breads with stuff on them.  Picture here is from September, but still good stuff.  I had the beef and made NaTM get the chicken.  I absolutely love this truck and it is my hands down favorite at events like this.

This was the sampler plate from the Food Truck Rodeo.  Today I just had the beef, which is at the top

Next up... Kaosamai.  I haven't eaten at this truck because they've always had "normal" Thai food (like Pad Thai) that just doesn't interest me.  Today they had both Pad See Ew and Chicken Red Curry.  I was talked into the Red Curry.  It was good, but a bit too spicy for me and simply not special enough to warrant returning to at my next food truck festival.  Still glad I got the chance to try.  

Stop 3 was for NaTM.  Still not sure what the name of that truck was.  I only had a few bites of it... some type of breaded meat on a sandwich.  By this time, well, I was more than full.

 

That is, until, I read the menu of the Blue Truck Special.  This truck was NOT speedy.  But the food they produce is outstanding and worth the wait.  I had a hard time choosing between the pork belly sliders and the grilled "bologna" sandwich.  Remember I'm so full at this point I don't even want to think about food!  I asked the gal and her answer conflicted me.  "The pork belly sliders are totally the best.  But if you're even asking about it, that grilled "bologna" sandwich is mindblowing."  I told her that "mindblowing" is an adjective I can't pass up and ordered that.  And... it was.  The mortadella is so soft it just melts.  And there was this jam/chutney on it.  It was, sublime.  Oh if only I had been hungry!

And with that, I headed back to the conference.  Very full... over full.  Still happy.  I smuggled in half of the bologna sandwich for later (but left it on the floor... oh sad day).  

Fast forward to a few hours later and the conference was over.  But the mobile fest was NOT!  I was on my way back to see The Critic and The Guys and ultimately decided I could be a hero in The Critic's eyes and bring him a Cuban from Snout.  Oh Happy Day!  So that's just what I did.  I had made friends with these guys earlier when I informed them that The Critic LOVES their Cuban and had been known to be disappointed when he drove to where they were supposed to be but couldn't find them.  Their reaction?  "Really?"  I loved the humility.  Their food is really good.  I decided to get the Punkin Picadillo for me (still not hungry after lunch but they could box it to go for me).  This turned out to be my smartest move of the day.  My weekend would leave me with car trouble that stranded me in the middle of Seattle sitting in my car for about 2 1/2 hours.  And I had this delicious Punkin Picadillo when hunger finally hit.  I was surprised by the ground beef, for some reason I figured it would have been shredded, but it was a really yummy dish that had a lot of flavor.  If anyone in my family besides me would eat it, I would figure out a similar recipe. 

The Seattle Center Mobile Food Fest was wonderful, even though I certainly consumed WAY too much this time. 

Toulouse Petit

Enjoying a dinner with Nala and Tanner's Mommy post Women of Faith conference. She's teaching me how to use the blogger app... I'm introducing her to dining Coach Foodie style!

We headed to  Toulouse Petit for the best happy hour menu around Seattle.  The Critic introduced me to this place and it is yummy.  They refer to themselves as sort of cajun/soulfoodish.  I call them yummy and cheap!  Here is the line up, from awesomest to not-so-much.

 

Corn grits.  These are DIVINE!  And the cheapest thing on the menu we ordered at $3.50.  They have creole seasoning which makes it taste super yummy.  They are so good... lots more food than it looks like here.

 

A close second.  Braised mustard greens.  NaTM wanted to order these since they "remind me of my Mama's cooking!" They did not disappoint.

Fried bacon with a maple glaze.  Mmmmm... this stuff was good.  There were good bites and there were HEAVENLY bites.  Mmm.... must order again!

The buttermilk chicken bites are good.  They are the right amount of "crispy" and definitely are salted correctly.  But we both felt they missed out on a "zip" we were expecting.  Still tasty... just not as explosive in flavor as the grits and greens.

No sugar coating this.  These were nasty.  We both tried a few times.  They tasted almost raw and way too briny.  Too soft.  Not my favorite at all.  They made it right, listened to our feedback, and removed them from the bill.  They were the most expensive item at $7.

In what is becoming an increasing trend, I forgot to take pictures before diving in to the scrumptious desserts.  The favorite was a warm chocolate lava cake, which didn't ooze like they typically do and had a nice balance of peanut flavor, including some DELICIOUS crunchy glazed peanuts.  Mmmm!  And the other we got were the beignets.  I think they have a chicory sauce on the side, but it might be coffee.  Good... not stellar in my book.  But definitely thinking of going again.  You know, I just might have those corn grits for dessert!  Who cares if they're savory???

Jimmy Mac's Roadhouse

A while back we tried to go to The Original Roadhouse in Federal Way only to hear they were closed.  A devastated Big Guy has been wanting to go to "the peanut place" ever since.  My folks were in town and this afforded us the perfect opportunity to go to Jimmy Mac's Roadhouse in Renton.  Really good food here!

 

 I started with this salad... can't remember it's official name but it is YUM-MY!  I mean, really.  I get tired of the run of the mill greens, carrots, cucumbers, ranch... this one has a bunch of stuff including toasted pecans and blue cheese and a tasty vinaigrette.  Love it!

Main course -- once again the photo is taken much much much later than it should have been.  That's why you only see about two grilled shrimp left (and one tail up on the side).  There were a lot more shrimp but they were consumed by the FIT and The Critic.  And me.  The vegetables?  Meh.  Take 'em or leave 'em... next time I'll likely leave 'em.  The start of this plate is the salmon!  Yes, I said that.  It seems so weird to come to this place which seems like steak would be the star and get salmon.  Plus those who know me as me and not just as The Coach Foodie know The Critic grills the best salmon around.  So good that I *never* order it out.  This is really that good.  It is as good as The Critic's.  High praise, considering I've tried salmon in some fantastic seafood restaurants and can't say that very often.

So a fun place to eat!  We'll be back... and we'll order the salmon again!

Mama Stortini's (the other one)

Another night out with my girls.  Another happy hour at Mama Stortini's.  Only this, time we went to "the other" one.  May have been the original... not sure.  It was amazing!  Celebrated C's birthday in style (complete with light up tiara, balloons, feather boa...).  The ambiance was much more "grown-up" than the Kent one.  Soft jazz playing in the background, tall tables to sit at, fancier glasses.  Here's the problem.  Around 9:45 one of my friends asked for a dessert menu and the server sort of sighed a bit, but brought it to her.  We then noticed we were alone in the bar.  Hmmmm.... we clued in when he came back.  Were they closed?  Yep, he said.  Closed at 9:30.  WHAT?!?!?  The Kent one is open until midnight!  So guess what... the happy "hour" is just that... one hour.  8:30 to 9:30.  Luckily we were able to find a place to continue the birthday party just down the road.  Which had karaoke with a LIVE BAND!  Chalk that up to a new experience everyone should have.  Too. Much. Fun.  By the way, if you don't have friends like my 3 girls... well, YOU NEED TO FIND SOME!!!!

Gnocchi with marinara sauce.  My girls do not appreciate this dish.  I do.  And so does Weight Watchers!!!

Shari's

The Big Guy had half days this week, and the FIT's school is at the other time of the day.  This gave me the chance to be Super Mom and take them to "Yucky's"... I mean Shari's.  Don't get me wrong, it's not that it's such a bad place, it's just that it never seems to be something I crave.  And truthfully, it's not that inexpensive so it's hard to rationalize.  But it is The Guys favorite spot to have a lunch (or breakfast).  Well, I can honestly say that the entire experience was pleasant!  Even when I got the bill... pleasantly surprised!  They must have had some sort of menu change because our entire bill, including tax and tip, was less than $25 and we went home with boxes.  My treat for the day was that I got their lunch combo, which included a soup or salad, a panini, AND a piece of pie!  So here is mine... grilled reuben panini with this delicious little salad which had an Asian dressing, candied pecans, and bleu cheese.  Happiness.  Now if they'd just start serving Diet Coke!

 Yes, I noticed I took the picture after a couple bites.  I was HUNGRY!  Proof that I'm less about presentation and more about flavor, I suppose.

For those interested in kids' options, Shari's has a lot.  They now include hot chocolate with their kids' meals (or they did with ours) plus they get one side.  This took a little negotiating... I think it's a new plan.  But with options like a veggie plate, different fruit options, or soup... well, it's worth bartering.  Big Guy got a steak with french fries (and ate all but four bites) which was one of the pricier options.  FIT got scrambled eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, toast with jelly, and mixed fruit.

Overall, yes I'll return... maybe next time The Big Guy has a week of half days?

Old Spaghetti Factory

Love a chance to go to the Old Spaghetti Factory when it isn't a regular trip.  The Critic wanted to go to get a panini (which they only have for lunch).  I love that The Guys get lots of healthy options for their lunch, and The Guys love their "rainbow" ice cream at the end.  We're all fans of the spumoni.  I ordered the mizithra cheese and brown butter spaghetti... no surprise there.  Each time I go I think I might branch out and try something new, but really, that's all I want and it's a TREAT to eat it!  I also get their salad with the blue cheese dressing, which is nothing special but still what I get.  And I enjoy the bread.  Don't love it, but I do enjoy it.  This time around it was pretty comical to listen to the server try and take all those free (all-inclusive) items and try and get us to spend more money.  "Welcome to the Old Spaghetti Factory.  Would you like to start out with something to drink like an Italian Soda for the kids?"  No, the included apple juice will do just fine.  "Can I bring you some garlic cheese bread to start?"  No, the bread you give every table will do JUST FINE!  I was surprised she didn't ask if we needed a chocolate mousse cake at the end.  I did notice another lady sitting with her granddaughter who had both an Italian soda and the garlic cheese toast, so I guess it never hurts to ask!

Return to the Salish Lodge

I have never been treated with VIP status until now.  Let me tell you... it is definitely all that and a bag of chips! 

So this is our return to Salish Lodge... the one that they comped us after our not-so-great experience last time.  Let me be abundantly clear.  We had no complaints with the food... while there wasn't just a ton of flavor in what we ate, we recognize that summer flavors are light.  And that's one of the reasons we opted to take our get-away weekend in the fall... season of comfort food!  So we returned for a night sans Guys and enjoyed an exquisite meal.  And this time, it was made clear to the staff that they all had to be nice to us!  Really!  The waitress fessed up toward the end.  I think she figured we couldn't possibly be that bad.  Well... we aren't!  (when the experience is so much better).  We ate two meals here, but really only have pictures of dinner.  And even then you'll notice, er, they are less than, um, magazine worthy.  Usually it's about like this.  "Oh wow!  That's so good.  Here, you have to try this!  I know, right?  What's that flavor in the... oh shoot!  Forgot the picture! Darn it!"  You can tell that even now, when we eat, our first priority is filling our stomachs and satisfying hunger!

 

My scallops appetizer.  Two were carmelized (on top) two were not (on bottom).  Not sure why that was... definitely better with the sear but everything on this plate is delicious.

The Critic's crab bisque.  Poured around table side with fresh cracked pepper.  And it was delish!

 

Most humble and sincere apologies for the blob of fat and the steak bleeding out.  Funny story though.  A couple next to our table ordered this beautiful steak and BOTH of them asked for well done.  And both The Critic and I did a face palm and shook our heads.  Honestly people, do not eat steak if it doesn't have some pink.  That's just not right... and I would think the poor chef dies a little when you do that!

My bravery for the night paid off in the BEST way.  This is oxtail with sweet potato gnocchi.  It was about twice this size when I started eating it... still tiny.  Has a tiny poached quail egg on the top which creates an amazingly rich sauce when you break it.  That's fried sage and toasted tiny pumpkin seeds as well.   This is one of the richest foods I have ever eaten and I would go back and eat it again tomorrow if I could.  Hmmmm... there's a thought!

In addition we had a wonderful dessert of chocolate chestnut bread pudding, which wasn't nearly as "bread pudding" as I expected... more like chocolate cake.  Very good, but with their delicious truffles, dessert is not necessary in my opinion.

Oh!  And we went to The Attic (their casual bar) upstairs afterward and I enjoyed a caramel apple martini!  Okay... maybe it was three?  So yummy.  And the stir stick is one of those caramel apple lollipops, which is just fun.  I don't recommend trying to bite it though... not if you like your teeth.

  

My only pick of breakfast... my pour-over coffee service.  So fun to get to add in my own shaved chocolate and whipped cream.  Truth be told, my refill of regular drip had more flavor.  But still, isn't it pretty?  Forgot to take pictures of the vanilla and spice infused waffles and the croissant french toast that were our main course.  If we were to return I wouldn't get the waffles without The Guys... they had my leftovers the next day and LOVED adding all the extras to them.  But then I'm kind of a coffee only gal for breakfast anyway.

Well played, Salish Lodge.  Your royal treatment paid off.  We will definitely return for dinner.  We'll just make sure to do so in the fall or winter.  Thanks for the star treatment.  We were in awe.