ON THE PLATE
Lampreia Back from a gallic summer break, Scott Carsberg offers his devoted fans such tantalizing dishes as an appetizer of sliced Mediterranean tuna in avocado mousseline ($10.50) or asparagus parfait with morels and a Parmesan crisp ($9.50); first courses include hand-rolled gnocchi with chanterelles ($14.50) and warm Gulf prawns with a side of gazpacho ($13.50). Among the main courses are chicken breast poached with truffles ($28) and five-spice duck breast with fruit mustards ($28.50). The five-course tasting menu ($70) features variations on summer glory, the tomato. 2400 First, 443-3301.
Pagliacci All the flavors of an Italian summer on a pizza: local Roma tomatoes roasted in olive oil and herbs strewn over mozzarella and topped with fresh basil leaves. Through Labor Day. Seattle delivery: 726-1717; Eastside delivery: 425-453-1717.
Sunflour Caf鼯B> Banquet on a budget with a menu equally friendly to carnivores and grazers. The super burger and garden burger are featured at both lunch and dinner ($6.50 and up, depending on optional toppings), as are corresponding lasagnas ($8.50 lunch, $10.95 dinner). The daily fresh sheet always offers a seafood special, a main-dish pasta, and some bargain-priced wines-by-the-glass. 3118 N.E. 65th, 525-1034.
IN THE GLASS
Buty Winery’s first releases Say hi to the newest kids on Washington wine’s block. Caleb and Nina Buty Foster of Walla Walla offer their first customers a barrel-fermented chardonnay (in specialty wine shops at around $25) and a semillon-sauvignon blanc blend (about $18).
AT THE MARKET
At Pike Place, first-of-the-season pears (from Macias Farm) and last-of-the-season strawberries (from Broadleaf Farm). Stone fruits continue to wow: more varieties of peaches, nectarines, apricots, and plums (try grower Katsumi Taki’s Shiro plums, Wednesdays only.). For veggie lovers, August is cucumber month: Check out the lemon cukes, round and yellow.
COMING UP
8/25-8/26 Put on your bibs and head on out to the Rainier Valley for the NW Barbecue Association Tournament of Champions, part of the community Heritage Festival. The fine aromas rise outside the Lions’ Club, 37th and S. Ferdinand (off Rainier S.).
9/9 Exotic quaffs from Belgium, Ground Zero of artisanal breweries, in Slow Food’s Beer Taste Education session at Bottleworks. Half the $20 tariff goes to support Seattle Tilth’s campaign to keep local agriculture and agricultural products thriving. 1710 N. 45th (off Wallingford), 633-2437.
10/20 Start planning now for the 11th annual PONCHO Wine Auction. Tickets for the intimate black-tie event, including drinks, dinner, and entertainment, start at $300, but leave plenty of slack on your credit card to bid on the many lots contributed by Northwest winemakers and connoisseurs to benefit Seattle’s oldest arts-support group. Four Seasons Olympic Hotel, 411 University, 623-6233.
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