Drink Pink

When it comes to food & wine pairing, it’s time to think Pink!

By Marcus Pape & Melissa Peterman, EAT & DRINK In The Northwest

You may resist the idea of rosé for various conscious or subconscious reasons. Maybe your hesitation is due to the stigma created twenty years ago by a little wine called Beringer White Zin (which is actually considered “blush” not rosé), or maybe you just don’t like the idea of drinking something pink. Well you’re not alone, because there are many people out there that faithfully declare “I won’t drink pink.” Why, because it’s not “serious” wine?!

Well, if you enjoy pairing wine and food, then you’ll want to take another “serious” look at this jewel of the dining room table. Rosé by nature is one of the best, most food-friendly wine styles available in your arsenal. It carries flavor and structure characteristics of both white and red wines, with the refreshing acidity of a white and tannic backbone of a red (depending on skin contact).

So, the next time you’re struggling with what to pair, or if you just don’t feel like trying so hard, rosé is your go-to option for almost any food-pairing occasion. Best of all, rosé wines tend to be less expensive than either of their full-blooded counter parts.

Iris Grill

An American Steakhouse worth the drive to somewhere out in America

By Erin Thomas

The Iris Grill
317 NW Gilman BLVD STE 28A
Issaquah, WA 98027
(425) 557-7899
www.theirisgrill.com

If you use Mapquest directions from Seattle to the Iris Grill in Issaquah, the text reports a twenty three-minute drive, while the map looks as if you’re driving across the country. Covering three bodies of water and over two main highways, the question rises of whether another “American steakhouse” is worth the effort. Granted, Lake Washington is crossed twice, and you coast along the side of Lake Sammamish, but Mapquest is nonetheless deceptive and discouraging.

If you can get over this disturbing image of (shock!) leaving the “mainland” of the city and crossing the floating bridge, you’ll find out why all the retired Microsoft CFOs and Google engineers reside on the eastside of the water.

Massive and dreamlike homes gaze over hilltops at the quaint and snug businesses, restaurants and coffee shops that line the unobstructed roadways surrounded by beds of blooming flowers and hand-built babbling brooks. Jazz music plays almost tenderly throughout the open corridors of the Gilman Village, home to over forty shops and restaurants for the past thirty-five-plus years, including the Iris Grill. Comfort and hospitality ensues almost instantly as the soft breeze whispers: “Welcome, awkward Seattle transplant, to the Iris Grill.”

Tin Table

Chef Bo Maisano serves up a gourmet happy hour

By Julien Perry

Tin Table
915 E Pine ST, 2nd Floor
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 320-8458
www.thetintable.com

When I first saw The Tin Table sandwich board outside of Oddfellows on Capitol Hill, I thought it might be advertising a Caribbean band playing at Century Ballroom. But upon closer inspection, I noticed the words “happy hour,” which sent me running up the creaky wooden stairs to the second floor.

What awaited me was a new restaurant that would become a fast favorite. The Tin Table is a sexy little thing with old Southern charm. The hardwood floors and exposed brick walls make you feel as if you’ve stumbled upon a speakeasy set to music by one of those Pottery Barn Cocktail Lounge compilations. The plush décor is studded with sparkly modern nuances like the glassware that literally shines when the sun bounces off of the long, tin-plated bar. The tin plating comes from one of three huge fire doors that were found earlier this year when office space was demolished to make room for the restaurant. Another door can be found in the entryway, while the other is being used as the restaurant’s communal table (yes, the Tin Table).

Enotria

Amber Luton and David Hahn have created a Northwestern/Italian mongrel to be proud of

Enotria
3515 NE 45th St.
Seattle, WA 98105
206-527-5039
Email: enotriaseattle@gmail.com
Open Sun–Thurs 5pm–10pm and Fri & Sat 5pm–11pm

By Erin Thomas

Keep in mind, when entering Enotria in Laurelhurst that chances are high that you will see your college English prof out of his lecture hall costume. He will look like a normal person, as if he’s enjoying his company, wine and food at this Italian/Northwest crossbred restaurant. Thankfully, he might never recognize you in the low light, as you will also be in your date night attire, snuggled into someone of your liking.

Anchovies & Olives

Famed chef Ethan Stowell has reinvented the wheel…again

Anchovies & Olives
1550 15th AVE
Seattle, WA 98122
206.838.8080

By Julien Perry

I call it the Tavolàta effect.

When I first visited the Belltown baby of uber chef Ethan Stowell two years ago, I didn’t love it. In fact, I didn’t really like it at all. The space felt cold, the people unfamiliar, and the menu confusing. (What’s bottarga?) Fast forward to today. Tavolàta is one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle, hands down. The food never disappoints, the staff is like family (Facebook friends, at the very least) and the atmosphere is akin to an extended living room. It grew on me. Hard.

Romance, Wino Style

By Melissa Peterman

You hand-knitted your sweetheart a scarf for Christmas, and created love coupons for back rubs and long walks for their birthday, all in the effort to save money in this horrific economy. Now, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and you’re thinking “How do I pull this one off?”

Picnic

Picnic
6801 Greenwood AVE N
Seattle, WA 98103
206.453.5867
www.picnicseattle.com

By Julien Perry

This review almost didn’t happen.

The crazy December weather delayed my visit to Picnic, the Greenwood food and wine boutique that opened three months ago, until the very last minute. Thanks, snow.

‘Zaw

‘Zaw
Artisan Pizza in the Raw
1424 E Pine ST (at 15th)
Seattle, WA 98122
206-325-5528
www.zaw.com

By Erin Thomas

In this city of REI-endorsing-Lake Union-jogging-Whole Foods-shoppers, I was surprised to see negative online reviews over the concept of gourmet take-and-bake pizza requiring too much effort to endure.

To be perfectly honest, when I arrived at ‘Zaw, “artisan pizza in the raw,” at their Capitol Hill location, I was a little disheartened that I wouldn’t be dining out.

Bin Vivant

Bin Vivant
1200 Carillon Point
Kirland, WA 98033
425.803.5595

By Erin Thomas

I got schooled in my restaurant critiquing etiquette at Bin Vivant, the “vinocentric” restaurant and latest addition to the swanky caliber of the Woodmark Hotel in Kirkland.

I learned that one shouldn’t roll up to the bar-top moments before a Riedel seminar is released, and that stemware professionals, vineyard proprietors and winemakers with stained chops take service priority.

Eva

Eva Restaurant & Wine Bar
2227 N 56th
Seattle, WA 98103
206.633.3538

By Erin Thomas

The only change to the menu at Eva for the night was the rabbit to quail transfer. Devastated by this modification and after performing a Hail Mary for my deceased childhood pet, Cocoa the Bunny, I shamelessly wanted to try the rabbit.

The rare occasion should be taken up, as the wine bistro, in Tangletown on 56th and Kirkwood (Greenlake), has a frequently rotating menu to match the frequently rotating seasons of Seattle.

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