New Spot: Mallow, on Madison

At Madison Street and Boren Avenue, in First Hill

Peeking in the windows, this retail spot looks as if it's got quite ways to go before they'll be ready to open their doors, but the name, for one, makes me curious.

Mallow puts me in mind of the most delicious marshmallow I've tasted, though I'm not usually such a mallow fan. Like most people, I was raised on what Kraft still calls "Jet-Puffed" marshmallows, with ingredients like Blue 1 and tetrasodium pyrophosphate, with narry a smidge of marsh mallow root in sight...

But getting back to the tastiest one: an oversize puff of rosemary mallow topped a soup (I forget what kind it was, the sweet flourish was that good) at Veil a while back. In the white lab-coat styled room, this tiny square of herbed sweetness nearly made the meal.

So the name conjures good things for me, but I have no idea what's coming to this new retail space, just two doors up Madison from Sugar. They didn't know either, though they were selling a peppermint mallow last time I stopped in.

Anyone care to fill me (us) in?

Topics: News

Permalink | Comments (0)

Edible Seattle Arrives on Newsstands

Image: http://edibleseattle.blogspot.com/

This new foodie mag is full of thoughtful, well-researched, and substantial articles, including one on the foodie equivalent of scanning a new friend's book shelf: a peek into to the refrigerators (the pair of them) belonging to Boat Street Cafe's Renee Erickson.

Our own Jess Thomson offers seasonal recipes, written with a narrative you'll want to follow into the kitchen. Her wilted arugula salad with scallops and hot bacon vinaigrette sounds both spring-like and meatily indulgent.

And you can read the low-down on that most famous of porcine immigrants, the pricey and delicious Mangalitsa.

Printed on heavy paper with some lovely photos, this quarterly can be found at Metropolitan Market (among other venues) for $4.99.

Topics: News

Permalink | Comments (0)

Pizza from a Prius

Pizza Fusion: A Seattleite, doing something about the city's paltry pizza scene, in a way only a Seattleite could? No. Pizza baked in an oven powered by cold fusion? Not quite.

Pizza Fusion is a Florida-based national pizza chain with a conscience, whose first Washington outpost will open this summer in Trace Lofts' north building, along with Barrio.

It will be Washington's first LEEDS-certified restaurant, which means that besides delivering in energy-efficient vehicles, Pizza Fusion will offset energy use with renewable energy certificates, recycle warmth from their pizza ovens to heat their stores, use reclaimed furniture (the Seattle store just snatched up a bunch of stuff from Sunset Bowl's auction) and biodegradable utensils, and [the list is long].

When I read the word "fusion," I got a little nervous about the food, but a spokesperson told me that "the ‘fusion’ side of the name represented the fusion of organic, eco-friendly, health conscious lifestyles into a socially conscious restaurant model." Well, I'll be damned.

So no worries about Indonesian-style pizza. Pizza Fusion will offer multiple crusts (like multi-grain and even a gluten-free option), and modern, healthy toppings, like organic steak, organic ricotta, and wild American shrimp. (There will also be sandwiches, wraps, salads, breads, and dips.)

Has anyone tasted Pizza Fusion elsewhere?

And be honest. Do you think of your delivery drivers' CO2 expenditure when you pick up a pizza?

Pizza Fusion, 1412 12th Ave., CAPITOL HILL. Opening summer 2008.

Topics: News

Permalink | Comments (0)

Green (and Fatter) Solutions

A University of Washington study found that some residents in north and south Seattle, Delridge, South Park, Sandpoint, Greenwood and Ballard are isolated from grocery stores. That is, they’re farther than � mile walk or a 30-minute bus ride. To illustrate the point, the P-I followed a Delridge woman who climbs ten flights of stairs and spends “hours”� on the bus to get to her grocery store, according to the story.

The distance alone would keep the pizza place on my speed dial, but in addition, farmers are shying away from traditional crops in favor of corn for ethanol. This, in turn, limits the supply of traditional grains, spurring the cost of those foods ever higher. Also, in 2003, a University of Washington researcher found that healthy food costs more per calorie than processed food. That’s no secret to anyone who’s been forced to live off of ramen noodles for weeks at a time. Those things cost like 10 cents a package if you buy in bulk.

Combine all these factors, and it’s no wonder people choose fast food over PCC. It’s closer and it costs less. What goes unnoticed is that ironically, green solutions — ethanol and a lack of cheap gas and cars — is, at least partially, making us less healthy.

Topics: News

Permalink | Comments (1)

SeaTac Launches Farmers Market

Image: www.all-creatures.org/recipes/i-asparagus.html

Located smack dab between Seattle and Tacoma, and most famous for its airport, this tiny city, measuring ten square miles, with a population of 25,230, is launching it's own farmers market.

The SeaTac Sunday Farmers Market will open mid-June, and will be held at Angle Lake Park, 19408 International Boulevard, SeaTac. The market will operate Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 15-September 14, 2008.

So if you've leave yourself a little extra time on the way to the airport, you might want to pick up the perfect local gift on the way to your flight. Perhaps some smoked salmon, a bag of locally-grown hazelnuts, some tulips, perhaps a delicious baked good? Yes, good snacking for the plane.

For a list of other local markets, and their open dates, check out Jess's recent post here.

And if you're a vendor, SeaTac is looking for you, and offering a sweat deal:

For the 2008 season we are waiving any registration fees and percentages of gross sales to our first season vendors. For the 2008 season stall fees will be at a flat rate of $15 per each market day, with vendors that sign up and prepay for the full 14 week season receiving two market days free.

Check out their site for the specifics.

Topics: News

Permalink | Comments (0)

Not So Grand Opening: Hebberoy and Fish Fry Are Here

Customers take a peek at their food as it's served for the first time at the Fish Fry.

It may not be famous Frites, but its fries and sauces are on par with the former favorite Capitol Hill drunken destination. Nestled between Nuemo’s and Moe Bar, Pike Street Fish Fry even shares the old Frites location.

But the comparisons stop there. The interior of the seriously tiny former Nuemo’s box office has been revamped with red lighting, new hard wood, shiny appliances, and standing tables.

The overall concept has changed considerably from the snack stop the space once held, thanks to the creativity of new Seattleite Michael Hebberoy. Fish Fry offers street food that constitutes a meal, for one. I left full after enjoying a grilled steak sandwich on a French roll ($8) and, of course, a large basket of fabulously fattening fries ($4).

Continue reading "Not So Grand Opening: Hebberoy and Fish Fry Are Here"

Topics: News and Restaurant Buzz

Permalink | Comments (0)

100 Favorite Restaurants: Too Many Places to Check Off

Yeah, I'm loathe to admit it, now I've got a super long list of places I've never been to. Restaurants that I simply must visit.

From a place you might not expect to occupy a "handsome, high-ceilinged, industrial-chic space" to an establishment where you'll know to "prepare for the hostess' you-should-know-better look" if you show up sans reservation.

Learn about the "two menu essentials" at a certain well-loved veggie spot.

Discover what "first bite brought on a swoon" and which "line out front of this gas-station taco truck most resembles the one outside a boxing ring."

Curious to find a sushi bar staff "wicked with knife and sake" and which young place "has already become the kind of neighborhood watering hole that's easy to make a habit of"? You know you are.

To get the lowdown on many (many) more dining spots that might just earn a coveted place on your to-do list, check out our fat restaurant issue. It's good eating.

Topics: News

Permalink | Comments (0)

Who's ditching Clover?

When I learned that Starbucks recently acquired Ballard-based Coffee Equipment Company, makers of the Clover, the $11,000 drip machine featured in The New York Times earlier this year, I was bummed. Does the mermaid have to buy everything?

Maybe there's a silver lining, I thought later. Maybe good, honest, hard-working folks all around the world will get (what is undoubtedly, in my mind) a better cup of coffee. And maybe they deserve it, even if they're setting foot in a store I (personally) avoid like the Plague.

Surfing around, I just learned that Stumptown, an early Clover distributor, is actually pulling the machines from the two stores that own them, to stick it to the man. In their position, I'd probably do the same.

Problem is, I happen to love my local Clover, and will be mighty pissed if the SBUX God complex effectively strips me of my new favorite cup.

Anyone know whether Aster (or others) will be ditching their Clovers?

Topics: News

Permalink | Comments (5)

24-Hour Dining Will Return to Denny & First

...and this time perhaps it will bear a closer relation to "dining" than at the late and unlamented Minnie's. A sign on the door of the corner building indicates a new 24-hour diner called WHYM is going to open. A call in to the Whym Diner in New York's Hell's Kitchen indicates there's no connection.

UPDATE: Whym is being opened by the owners of Hurricane Cafe, Neil and Bridget Scott. Ms. Scott tells me the plan is for food that's a little more upscale than at the Hurricane (chipotle aoli on the burgers, that kind of thing) but still basic comfort food. The Scotts are planning to move the restaurant entrance off the corner, and onto First Ave., so that the dining room isn't bisected by incoming traffic.They're planning to open in late May or early June, after a major cleanup—not surprisingly, for anyone who set foot in Minnie's, Ms. Scott says the place "is in really bad shape."

Topics: News

Permalink | Comments (0)

New Ballard Bar Opening Tonight: The Dray

Image: www.thedray.com

Callings itself "a very good cafe and bottle shop in Ballard", this new venue will celebrate its grand opening tonight. Next door to Tigertail, the Dray has been open since Saturday night. Tonight, they make it official.

Jamie Butler, who runs the place with Travis Eaton, told me about their new place.

We're modeling the place after a European cafe. We'll open at 9 a.m., and we'll be open to families all day. After 9 p.m. It'll be more of an adult place. It's a cozy space, with a woody interior.

It's coffee, sandwiches, and beer. Stumptown coffee. Really good coffee. We'll offer a simple fresh eats style menu: five sandwiches. Local, organic as much as we can.

I'm a huge soccer fan, so we'll be showing all the games. They play early. People can come in and watch anytime, and they don't have to feel like they have to booze it up.

I'm interested in craft beer. We'll have a really good beer: local beers, but also a good selection of international beers, hard to find stuff. We'll rotate the taps and the sandwiches. I want people to come in and find a new thing every time.

The opening is tonight (Friday, April 11) beginning at 8 p.m.
The Dray
708 NW 65th Street, in Ballard
(206) 453-4527

Open 9 a.m.-close, daily.

Topics: News

Permalink | Comments (0)