FISH YOU CAN DRINK

Thanks to Anthony’s at Shilshole, it’s now possible for those without a Norwegian granny to sample that Norse holiday comfort food, lutefisk. What is lutefisk, you ask? Why, it’s codfish, dried to the stiffness of a pine plank, softened again by long, gentle soaking in lye—yes, the same stuff Granny used to unclog her drains—then boiled to translucent, gelatinous tenderness and drizzled with melted butter. Made in Ballard (where else?) by Rudy Petersen from an old-country recipe, lutefisk will be on the menu at the Ballard Anthony’s through New Year’s for just $15.95 a serving (which includes a choice of chowder or salad). It’s also available in a child’s portion. It might be worth ordering just to see the look on the kids’ faces as it’s put before them.

HOLY LATTE

A nonprofit coffeehouse? That’s nothing new. The difference is that the new Q Cafe is purposely nonprofit. The proceeds will go to the cafe’s adjoining computer lab and tutoring center. It’s all part of Quest Ministries’ plan to teach, technologize, and caffeinate its little lambs. Yes, the Interbay cafe adjoins a church. And with time, it could prove to be the most profitable nonprofit cafe in town. It’s stylish like a warehouse-chic Starbucks, with exposed rafters, cement floors, and comfy, colorful furniture. The coffee, from Tony’s in Bellingham, is good. A purchase will get you 30 minutes of Internet time. And there’s a stage for live music—all Christian acts, of course, but like the music that plays over the Q speakers during the day, it’s that super-subtle alternaChristian stuff that sounds more like 107.7 the End than Spirit 105.3. 3223 15th Ave. W., 206-352-2525.

TV DINNERS FOR HEALTH NUTS

Just when we’d come to love our frozen entr饳 chock full of nice, tangy pesticides, Seeds of Change has taken the toxic out of TV dinners. The company’s organic frozen entr饳—which include such tempting choices as spicy peanut noodles, creamy spinach lasagna, and four-bean chili—might be just what the naturopathic doctor ordered. At the suggested retail price of $3.79 apiece, these pesticide-free meals won’t bruise your budget much more than their non-organic counterparts. Though the Seeds entr饳 are relative newcomers to the frozen-food aisle, having only been on the market for three months, they’re already threatening to take the pesticide-fearing demographic by storm. You and other health-conscious couch potatoes can find them at Whole Foods Market (1026 N.E. 64th St., 206-985-1500) and other fine purveyors of healthy comestibles.

STOCKINGS FOR STUDENTS

The homeless and at-risk students at FareStart are constantly striving to become the very best food- service workers they can be, and everyone deserves a little special treatment during the holiday season. Drop by the restaurant (1902 Second Ave., 206-443-1233) and donate gloves, hats, and socks to the Student Stockings program—now in its 10th year—which puts together gift packs for FareStart cooks-in-training. Other items on the program’s wish list are phone cards, travel alarm clocks, and toothpaste.

Food and/or beverage news? E-mail Hot Dish at food@seattleweekly.com.