Atlas Never heed those gray skies: Truck on into Atlas for some culinary sunshine New Orleans style, like oysters Rockefeller ($8.75), crawfish jambalaya ($11.50), duck and andouille sausage gumbo ($12.75), or pan-fried catfish with hushpuppies ($13.50). 2820 N.E. University Village Place, 522-6025.
Paramount Caf鼯B> A sprig grafted off the nearby Rosebud Restaurant & Bar, Thomas Humphrey’s new lunch spot offers hot soups and sandwiches, cool salads and beverages, an espresso stand, and soft drinks, plus before-show snacks for Paramount Theatre patrons. 911 Pine, 621-8376.
Kismet Wine and food are equal partners at Greenwood’s seasonal neighborhood kitchen. Start with an order of bruschetta with bleu cheese and fig pur饠($7) or the vegetarian pot stickers ($6). Entr饳 range from skewered tiger prawns in red curry and coconut sauce ($14) to grilled sesame tofu ($8). Nearly 30 rare and hard-to-find wines to complement your selection are available by the glass. 7311 Greenwood N., 986-1157.
IN THE GLASS
Canoe Ridge ’99 reserve merlot 99 (lot 10) A sumptuous wine, perfectly centered and round, tasting as mature as wines three times its age. $45 in specialty wineshops (very limited supply).
BridgePort Pintail Ale Portland’s fearless craft brewery puts a new twist on traditional ale recipes with an ale featuring a dash of malted wheat for crispness. About $7.25 for a six-pack in serious beverage cases.
REAL DEALS
Cassis Here’s a deal where everyone wins. You introduce a new couple to Charles Durham’s haute-bistro cuisine; they sign up to receive the restaurant’s monthly newsletter; Durham treats you all to a “lovely” bottle of Rh�wine to go with your dinner. 2359 10th E., 329-0580.
ON THE HORIZON
Feb. 23 Capitol Hill’s Elysian Brewery & Pub hosts the sixth annual Winter Beer Festival, featuring over 16 brews including Big Time’s Lift Ticket and Hale’s Wee Heavy. No cover, sampler trays available, live music. 3 p.m.-midnight. 1221 E. Pike, 860-1920.
LOVE BITES (CONTINUED)
Still haven’t made plans for Valentine’s Day? Here are some late-breaking possibilities; for more, check the food page at www.seattleweekly.com, which will be constantly updated for your V.D. pleasure!
Canlis Can’t get a reservation for The Night itself? Not to worry: Greg Atkinson’s romantic five-course tasting menu runs straight through February. Passion-fruit prawns, beet-orange-watercress salad, a champagne sorbet, peppercorn steak, and warm chocolate cake: yum. $65 per person, $100 with five paired wines. 2576 Aurora N., 283-3313.
Bandoleone and Tango Danielle Phillipa’s two Latin-accented bistros each lay out an array of tasty tapas items priced from $7 to $13 guaranteed to stoke your furnace, and they’re available right through the weekend as well. 2341 Eastlake E., 329-7559; 1100 Pike, 583-0382.
McCormick’s Fish House Oysters, lobster, figs, fudge, and caviar: just a few of the ingredients in chef Kerry “We can at least satisfy your passion for food” White’s aphrodisiac dinner menu, available Feb. 14-17. $34.95 or $69 for two (what? Why are you looking at me like that?). 1902 Second, 682-3900.
