Wine Find: Angelo’s Ristorante

At Angelo’s, you’re more than a customer–you’re a friend

By Chris Nishiwaki

Angelo’s Ristorante

601 SW 153rd ST
Burien,WA 98166
(206) 244-3555
www.angelosofburien.com

Angelo’s Ristorante in Burien is the sort of Italian joint where the lady answering the phone relays a call to owner and wine director Frank Ricci with a hearty, “Hey Frankie! It’s for you,” for the entire dining room to hear.

It’s a family-owned, family joint. And Ricci treats his regulars, whom he refers to as friends, like family.

“They are good customers,” Ricci said. “I don’t know what else to call them.”

Ordering from the wine list is for the uninitiated at Angelo’s. Frank’s “friends” can pick the wines straight from the stable-temperature wine storage. The wine cellar features finds such as a verticals of Guado al Tasso (97 to 01), Ornellaia (97, 98, 00), 97 Sassicaia and 2000 Solaia. For the Washington wine drinker there are verticals of Leonetti Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon going back to 2000, verticals of Quilceda Creek (99 to 05), the entire portfolio from Long Shadows and boutique producer Soos Creek.

Corkage is $10 but waived if guests order a bottle from the list.

Tavern Law

The folks behind Spur Gastropub bring you a new craft cocktail experience

By Rocky Yeh

Tavern Law

1406 12th Ave
Seattle, WA 98122-3906
(206) 322-9734
www.tavernlaw.com

Tucked away in a condo building on Capitol Hill, Tavern Law is Seattle’s newest addition to the craft cocktail scene. Brought to you by the team behind Spur Gastropub, chefs/owners Brian McCracken and Dana Tough, along with bar manager David Nelson, further extend their vision of good food paired with exceptional drink.

Walking in the front door, you are immediately struck by the comfortable woods and long curving bar inviting you to relax and absorb the speakeasy vibe. The tall shelves of legal tomes set the scene to reinforce the name and image while wrapping you in its masculine embrace. An extensive menu heavy on concoctions from the golden age of cocktails makes for great reading as you settle in to decide on your libation of choice. Syrups and tinctures are made in-house, and juice is fresh squeezed for each drink.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name: Beveridge Place Pub

A West Seattle watering hole makes you feel right at home

By Julien Perry

Beveridge Place Pub

6413 California Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98136
(206) 932-9906
www.beveridgeplacepub.com

What else are you going to name a pub located on the corner of California Avenue and Beveridge Place? The West Seattle hangout has been a popular watering hole for locals since October 2003. I know this, because not only do I live in the neighborhood, but the number of dogs in the joint nearly outnumbers the people. If that’s not a sure sign of a home-away-from-home, I don’t know what is.

It’s not unusual to walk in and see a couple of friends sitting on the couch playing checkers, or members of a book club hanging out in the back room discussing their current read while playing a game of foosball or darts. And then there’s the bar: a 1907 cherry-stained tiger maple centerpiece that was rescued from auction at the Buzz Inn in Kent.

Beveridge Place’s philosophy is to offer an ever-changing variety of craft-brewed draft ales and lagers on tap, focusing on those made in Washington. But there’s wine, too—about a half-dozen reds and whites, nothing more than $8 a glass. I had a very comforting moment with a glass of Townshend Cellars white table wine after I wrecked my car last summer. That was the same night I discovered Beveridge Place Pub didn’t serve food; if you’re hungry you’ll be given a collection of local restaurants’ take-out menus. You’re even welcome to bring food from home.

I bet you can even get one of the pub dogs to fetch you your slippers afterwards.

Editor’s Pick: Cascina Spinasse

Chef Jason Stratton has given the Seattle restaurant an overhaul

By Julien Perry

Cascina Spinasse

Cascina Spinasse

1531 14th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122-4023
(206) 251-7673
www.spinasse.com

My inaugural visit to Cascina Spinasse can be summed up in one word: “meh.” But that was more than a year ago, when there was a different chef, a confusing set-course menu and an unexpectedly icy vibe. Fast-forward to August 2009. A new chef is announced who brings to the table a new menu, a new attitude and a staff who seems as if they are truly happy to be standing on their feet all night.

Chef Jason Stratton recently took over for Justin Niedermeyer, whom he helped launch Spinasse a year ago. The two also worked together during Jason’s five-year stint at Café Juanita. But all you really need to know is that pasta is still the focus at this neighborhood trattoria.

Dulces Latin Bistro

Redefining Authenticity

By Erin Thomas

Dulces Latin Bistro
1430 34th Ave
Seattle, WA 98122-3334
(206) 322-5453
www.dulceslatinbistro.com

Finding authentic Latin fare is a daunting task in Seattle. So much so that the choices are to chance the taco truck on the Shoreline border or squeeze into the 500-square-foot restaurant that is La Carta de Oaxaca
with the rest of the Ballard hipsters.

According to the most recent American Community Survey, gathering census from 2005-2007, the city’s population is only 6.2 percent Hispanic or Latino, of any race. That being said, Seattle is not the most “authentically” Latin city north of the border.

But darn that statement if it will keep a few good souls from offering the real McCoy of legitimate Latin flavor in the Seattle food scene.

Bastille Café & Bar

New Ballard restaurant is off to a good start

By Julien Perry

Bastille Café & Bar
5307 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
206.453.5014
www.bastilleseattle.com

I thought for sure I would hate Bastille. The months of buzz preceding its June 29th opening had hit fever pitch and I was convinced my expectations would be dashed. I even made my first trip to the Ballard café on Bastille Day to ensure I would be thoroughly disappointed. But, a funny thing happened—I had an enjoyable time.

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.

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