NEW OUT OF TOWN
Gianfranco In the east-county restaurant desert, a new oasis: Gianfranco and Rhonda Bafaro, formerly of Seattle’s Il Paesano, have just opened a full-spectrum Italian restaurant in Snoqualmie‘s historic downtown, featuring pizzas, pastas such as penne in Gorgonzola cream ($9.95), and classic secondos like beef with wild mushroom in a Barolo demi-glace ($22.95) and a white wine-sauced pork loin rolled round a bacon-parsley stuffing ($16.95). 8150 Railroad Ave., Snoqualmie, 425-999-6621.
ON THE PLATE
Dulce’s Latin Bistro New items join old favorites on Julie Guerrero’s spring menu: Saut饤 crab, cilantro, and chopped tomato nestle on creamy garlic custard in a phyllo cup ($9.25); paella valenciana blends a harvest of fresh seafood with chorizo and chicken chunks in fragrant saffron rice ($19.50); and rack of veal is bathed in a red wine-brandy sauce ($21.95). Julie’s coconut-cream strawberry tart in hazelnut crust ($5) needs no introduction. 1430 34th, 322-5453.
Deux Tamales Now open for weekday lunch and Sunday brunch, with Franco-Latin items like mango salsa-snapper tacos with cilantro aﯬi ($7.95), huevos Benedict (with blue-corn fritters, ancho hollandaise, and jalape�ome fries, $9), and an ultimate fusion dessert: orange custard over sliced brioche with pecan butter and prickly pear syrup ($8). 4868 Rainier S., 725-1418.
IN THE GLASS
Pyramid on draft Exclusively in the mothership brewery on First South, on-tap porter, Nitro Stout, and a Belgian-style white beer. 91 S. Royal Brougham, 682-8322.
AT THE MARKET
Il Fornaio Bakery Kind of redundant, since “fornaio” means “bakery” in Italian, but never mind: Next time you drop by Tiffany’s for some little bauble, pick up one of the dozen fresh-baked variety loaves available daily: ciabatta, filone, pagnotta, panini—each one a jewel of its kind. Pacific Place, 600 Pine, 264-0994.
THIS WEEK
April 20 Those amazing Walla Walla wineries show their latest stuff. The free tasting includes sips from Reininger, Dunham, Tamarack, Canoe Ridge, and others. 1-4 p.m. at Esquin Wine Merchants, 2700 Fourth S., 682-7374.
April 21 Two-dollar beer! Three-dollar wine! The Rose Club wishes itself a happy first birthday with surf music by the Del Lagunas and DJ Greg Vandy of KEXP’s Roadhouse—fun! 7-9 p.m. 3601 McClellan S., 725-3654.
April 24 Belgian beer buffs, what a terrible choice awaits you! Tonight Elysian Brewery offers its latest sampling of potent quaffs from the Low Countries, including brews from Achouffe, Cantillon, Fant� and the doughty De Dolle. Hearty Belgian drinkin’ grub will be served. 6 p.m. at Elysian Brewpub, 1221 E. Pike, 860-1920.
April 24 Meanwhile, downtown, Brasa cellarmaster Bryan Hill hosts a sumptuous five-course banquet to complement the great Trappist Ales of Chimay: White Cinq Cents with duck prosciutto and devilled eggs, Red premiere with wood-roasted cohogue clams, chorizo-bean stew with Bleu Grande Riserve . . . $60, tip inclusive. 6:30 p.m. at Brasa, 2107 Third, 728-4220.
Food and/or beverage news? E-mail the Hot Sheet at food@seattleweekly.com.
