NEWS
Bite is Back
The Bite of Seattle returns to the Seattle Center with endless opportunities to stuff your face with grub from all over the world. Over 50 restaurants will serve cuisine from 12 countries, with a focus this year on Amazing Thailand, a showcase of Thai foods and culture (even some performances and dancing are included). The 24th annual Bite also promises that all entrées and combination plates cost under $5, meaning that this year you can afford to try a few more dishes. Lola, Ascada Bistro, and Crepe Thyme are a few of the new restaurants in the lineup, and like last year, all proceeds made in Kathy Casey’s Alley will be donated to Food Lifeline (it raised $27,000 last year). You can learn a little something about the culinary arts during The Bite Cooks! which features Seattle-area chefs working their magic. Or bring the kids over to Shishkaberry’s Family Fun Zone, where they can make their own stuffed animals. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Sun. Call 425-283-5050 or visit www.biteofseattle.com for more information. SEATTLE CENTER
Food and/or beverage news? E-mail food@seattleweekly.com
Advance registration or reservations are recommended for most of the following events. Prices exclusive of tax and gratuity unless otherwise noted.
ON THE PLATE
Through the summer
Andaluca has brought out some new Mediterranean dishes for the warm summer months, with everything from berries to Dungeness crab making the menu. The fattoush salad comes with a variety of vegetables along with kalamata olives and feta, the green gazpacho is covered with pieces of crab, and this summer flans, tarts, custards, and crepes will be created from every berry under the sun (or at least from raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries). 407 Olive Way, 206-382-6999. DOWNTOWN
The various BluWater Bistros in Leschi, Green Lake, on Lake Union, and the newer Belltown Bistro are mixing things up a little for summer diners. Buckets of peel-and-eat shrimp replace sautéed prawns, and the big louie (fresh crab, bay shrimp, and mahi-mahi with olives, asparagus, and hard-boiled eggs) has kicked out wintertime’s Cobb salad. Dungeness crab mac & cheese is also a summer item that can be enjoyed on all of the patios and outdoor bars that are now open (weather permitting). Lake Union: 1001 Fairview Ave. N. Leschi: 102 Lakeside Ave. Green Lake: 7900 E. Greenlake Dr. N. Belltown Bistro: 2322 First Ave.
This month Chef Cameon Orel of Beach Cafe at the Point is tantalizing guests with a full, three-course barbecued rib dinner special. Soup or salad is followed by a full rack of baby back pork ribs with home-style smoked barbecue sauce, baked beans, corn, and a choice of any Cafe dessert. $24.99/person. 1270 Carillon Point, 425-889-0303. KIRKLAND
July 14
Bastille Day is approaching and Le Pichet plans to celebrate the occasion with a bash on Thursday, July 14. A special menu of Parisian street food favorites will be featured, as will a sophisticated wine list and some entertainment by the Djangomatics and DJ Danni. But don’t worry, despite this classiness, all food will be under $10 and all glasses of wine $5 or under. 6 p.m.–2 a.m. 1933 First Ave., 206-256-1499. DOWNTOWN
Cafe Campagne and Campagne Restaurant are also partaking in some of the Bastille action with everything from a street festival outside Cafe Campagne to a prix-fixe meal in the restaurant. The festival will feature $5 wine pours and $5–$10 treats like garlic sausage sandwiches and pommes frites (along with curried salt fritters). If you prefer Campagne restaurant, a five-course dinner will feature halibut dumpling and roasted lobster along with other savory items and, of course, cake (in compliance with Marie Antoinette’s orders for her countrymen)! The Atomic Bombshells will perform the cancan, and other performers will provide entertainment and laughs. $65 for prix-fixe menu/person. Cafe Campagne festival 5–10 p.m. Campagne Restaurant prix-fixe menu available from 5–10 p.m. Restaurant: 86 Pine St., 206-728-2800, Cafe & Wine Bar: 1600 Post Alley, 206-728-CAFE. DOWNTOWN
July 15-17
Kent once again brings back Cornucopia Days, when the Kent Farmers Market is open for two full days. Vendors sell handmade crafts, various fruits and vegetables, and flowers, among other things. Activities at the special location on Gowe Street include a daily carnival, soccer tournaments, in-line and skateboard competitions and an excess of food vendors to keep the energy and spirits high. 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sun. Located on Gowe Street between First and Second avenues. 253-486-9316. KENT
July 20
Assaggio Ristorante’s talented Chef Mauro Golmarvi will cook this summer at FareStart Guest Chef on the Waterfront. Various local wineries and breweries will participate in the event. $50/standard ticket, $75/VIP ticket. Dinner at 5 p.m. Bell Harbor’s Elliot Hall and Pier, 2201 Alaskan Wy., 206-267-6213. DOWNTOWN
July 27
Literature and lunch are a fine combination, which explains why Le Pichet will host a book signing for author Susan Herrmann Loomis’ new book, Cooking at Home on Rue Tatin. In honor of Hermann’s book, Le Pichet chef Jim Drohman will prepare a Breton countryside–inspired lunch. $85/person (including one book), $145/two people (including one book). Noon, 1933 First Ave., 206-256-1499 for reservations. DOWNTOWN
THE GRAPEVINE
July 16
Learn how to drink like a real Australian at Esquin Wine Merchants. Taste a variety of interesting Australian wines and find some good deals on some bottles to take home with you. Free. 1–4 p.m. 2700 Fourth Ave. S., 206-682-7374. DOWNTOWN
July 17
Come celebrate Bastille Day with the “Diva Chefs” as they playfully compete against each other and whip up petite entrées for guests (one from each chef). Holly Smith of Cafe Juanita, Maria Hines of Earth and Ocean, Danielle Custer of Seattle Art Museum, and Vicky McCaffree of Yarrow Bay Grill will participate, and guests will be served two glasses of 2004 Chaleur Estate Blanc, which isn’t coming out to the general public until November 2005. $45/person. Noon–3 p.m. De Lille Cellars 14208 Woodinville-Redmond Rd., 425-489-0544. REDMOND
July 19
Brasa welcomes Massimiliano Coppo, of Coppo wineries in the Piedmont region of Italy, for a five-course winemaker’s dinner which features a menu specially designed by Tamara Murphy to complement Coppo’s wines. Albacore tuna carpaccio, foie gras torchon, and chocolate brioche are only a few of the things on the menu, and they’re paired with everything from Coppo Chardonnay Costebianche to Coppo Barbera Pomorosso. $85. 6:30 p.m. 2107 Third Ave., 206-728-4220 for reservations. DOWNTOWN
July 25
Waterfront Seafood Grill will host Secret Wines of Woodinville featuring winemakers from DeLille Cellars, Mark Ryan Winery, Matthew Cellars, Stevens Winery, Woodhouse Family Cellars, and Woodinville Wine Cellars. As these winemakers pour some unusual and hard to find wines, tapas such as smoked-salmon cheesecake, citrus marinated olives and tortilla will be served on the Waterfront’s deck overlooking Elliott Bay. $60/person. Begins at 6:30 p.m. 2801 Alaskan Way on Pier 70, call 206-956-9171 for reservations. DOWNTOWN
July 30-31
At the Cedar River Wine Festival, Renton proves that it knows how to party. Twenty-four Washington wineries will be represented, along with five breweries, and vendors peddling everything from grill-roasted pig to alder-smoked salmon. Noon–6 p.m. Sat., noon–5 p.m. Sun. 201 Williams Ave. S. Call 425-687-7989 for ticket information. RENTON
BACK TO SCHOOL
Through Aug. 12
Put those youngsters to work! Blue Ribbon’s summer day camps for up-and-coming chefs will have your kid safely wielding a knife, preparing fresh pasta, setting an elegant table, decorating a cake, and more. The kids will even participate in an Iron Chef–style cook-off and work side-by-side with a local chef. Different sessions are held throughout the summer for ages 4–18. Tuition and times vary. For information, call 206-328-2442 or visit www.blueribboncooking.com EASTLAKE
July 13
Northwest seafood is the focus of the class that Executive Chef Maria Hines of Earth and Ocean restaurant will teach at Issaquah’s PCC. Watch and learn as she prepares a Washington apple salad with hazelnut, thyme, and crème fraiche vinaigrette. Learn to cook seared wild-caught salmon with sweet cherry tomatoes, and then how to assemble a cheese plate with Essential Bakery crackers and natural honeycomb. Members: $35/Nonmembers: $40. 6:30 p.m.–9 p.m. 1810 12th Ave. N.W., 425-369-1222. ISSAQUAH
July 14
Vegetarian author David Gabbe wants to show you how to transform your everyday tofu from bland and jiggly into various culinary masterpieces. $29. 6–9 p.m. North Seattle Community College, Sand Point Education Center, 6208 60th Ave. N.E., 206-527-3705. NORTH SEATTLE
July 20
There’s nothing quite like gathering friends and family together for a meal during one of those lazy summer evenings. A class called Celebrating Summer! at NuCulinary will show ways to make preparing for those events easier, from setting the table to planning the perfect summer meal. $50/person. 6:30 p.m. West Seattle Thriftway, corner of Fauntleroy Street and California Avenue, call 206-932-3855 or go to www.NuCulinary.com for more information. WEST SEATTLE
