Hangover Prevention 101

Getting ready for NYE festivities? Well, here's what we're doing.  Blitzing up some "Good-For-You" green veggie juice, then crossing our fingers!

We put raw tomatoes, broccoli, celery, and baby spinach in the juicer, then finish with a squeeze of lime.  John put salt, ground black pepper and a dash of Frank's Red Hot in his...hm mm...sounds more like the makings of a delicious Bloody Mary, right?

Make sure to drink water, they (whoever "they" are) always say your body is fighting dehydration due to the alcohol, thus the big fat headache, however, alcohol consumption in mass quantities is what it is.

Cheers to everyone.  Be safe tonight and see you in 2012!

RELAX...have a STEAK at Jak's Grill




The best part of Jak's Grill is leftovers the next day!!!

 

OK, there is so much going on in December, sometimes I just want to bury my head and disappear.  Best place to do this is Jak's Grill.  Not stuffy, not pretentious, just fun, Fun, FUN!!!  I love the dark atmosphere, even in the Summer, and I welcome all the noise.  Seating is mostly booths, so if you don't mind waiting a few minutes with one of their beers on draft or hand shaken cocktails, it's all worth it!

My husband and son always get the dry aged center cup New York with the garlic mashed potatoes.

As for me, I like the skewers served with the BAKER with THE WORKS.  The Skewers are a bargain at Jak's Grill, but don't be fooled. This brochette of New York & Filet pieces is seasoned with Moroccan spices and topped with Gorgonzola sauce, delicious!  If it sounds weird, ask for the sauce on the side.

I don't have a favorite dessert at Jak's Grill, but like most steak houses, a chocolate dessert and creme brulee are always available, so save some room and enjoy!

The Best Tortilla EVER!

BREAKFAST IS SERVED!
Lucky me, my husband is the BEST Tortilla maker EVER!!!   OK, traditionally, tortilla is topped with meat or fish (here's a tortilla recipe I've used before), so this version is a little different with the meat added in.
A few eggs, caramelized onions, leftover roasted potatoes, last night's steamed broccoli and Basque-style chorizo...YUMMY.

Macrina

It's too cold and I am too lazy to leave the house this morning, but I still woke up to a perfectly toasted slice of Macrina bread with little pools of butter and my homemade jam and a cup of coffee from the French press.  Lucky for me, while I was at work yesterday, John picked up Sunday provisions at Whole Foods.  OK, so he didn't go to Macrina Bakery, but aren't you glad you can get Macrina products from the store?!? 

He also picked up Basque-style chorizo, which is now hanging with the pots and pans near the window, but that's a different story.

If you plan to venture out on this cold and foggy morning, take a trip to Macrina Bakery.  My favorite spot is probably still the one in Belltown, but the tiny space is always packed.  Good for Macrina, bad for me on a cold morning.  The location in SODO doesn't have as many seats, but it's less busy, Good Thing!  The coffee is always perfect and there are a few delicious choices for breakfast, brunch, or lunch, depending on when you get out of bed.

Grab the paper or your kindle and head down to Macrina, oh, there's also pleanty of parking.  Enjoy!!

I've shared many lunches and dinners with my son at La Cocina.

So I'm over in VERY COLD Pullman this weekend visiting my son.  It's actually Dad's Weekend at Washington State University, but I only have one child, so try to stop me.  Don't worry WSU dads, I have no intention on ruining your fun! 

On to the food crisis...Not to be disrespectful, but there are very few places to get good food in Pullman.  So far we've found one Mexican place we like, a cute cafe, and the other eating is done in Moscow, ID.

Maybe by the time my son graduates, we'll find a "go-to" place for a quick bite in Pullman...doubtful.  For now, I want to share the "go-to" place I use to go to with my son.  La Cocina, located on the north end of Broadway.  Casual, nothing fancy, friendly, inxpensive, and the servers there have always been so nice and kind, even when my son was younger and a little messier.

OK, I have to be honest...for all the years I have been going ot La Cocina, I've never ordered off the menu.  There is a buffet there every day, is it there all day?  I have no idea, but there is always a buffet when I go there.  Alright, this place ain't nothin' special.  The chips are always warm and I think the salsas are all housemade.  Seriously, not going to be featured on any food shows soon, but I always go back AND I drag my son and husband everytime I can.  Ha, ha. 

Here's the deal.  There's always a table, the food is fine, cheap, and on a sunny day, GREAT PLACE TO PEOPLE WATCH!

TGIF, ALL DAY: Palomino

I was first introduced to Palomino years ago in their "then" swanky digs in downtown Seattle.  What did I have?  A Manhattan and those damn fatty, dripping with cheese and other stuff, fries!  I don't know if the "loaded" fries are still on the menu.

I don't go to Palomino often, unless I want breakfast.  Not bad.  Nothing special, but very Northwest.  Not too expensive, but not cheap either.  OK, their "Happy Hour" all day is a good idea and the Pomegranate Margarita goes well with everything on the menu.

Pomegranate Margarita



Late Afternoon Sweet Treat...Cake Pops - Starbucks

I always hear about the migration of office workers leaving their desks around 3 pm to get a little caffeine pick-me-up.  I never got it.  However, I was passing a Starbucks, in Bellevue Square, the other day and saw ADULTS walking out with their coffee and CAKE POPS!!!      

Duh...of course I went in to get one for myself.  Fortunately, the line wasn't too long, otherwise I would've skipped it.  OK, there were 3 flavors, but I didn't want to HAVE TO eat all three.

The vanilla cake was ok. Moist.

The S'More cake pop is ok too.  Moist and a little more flavor.  To be honest, this little treat is more cute than delicious, but let's face it, it's just a treat to go with your "made-to-order" coffee.

I've bought these again since my first try.  Makes a good last minute gift or treat for your officemates.

Lot No. 3

I'm a Lot No. 3 fan!  I've had lunch and dinner there.  It's not just a bar, they do have healthier stuff...good stuff.  However, I am only going to share the YUMMY stuff that goes best with either

a made-to-order Manhattan or iced cold BEER.  Enjoy!

Now's the time for 7UP Punch!

OK, so the 7UP booklet is one of my favorites.  I have tasted every PUNCH recipe in this book AND with every recipe there are some great memories.

The recipe featured on the cover is the 7UP Mint Reception Punch; sugar, water, mint, pineapple juice, orange juice, lemon juice, 7UP and ice.  Sound familiar?  Big punch bowl and the punch cups.  Thinking back, how was it that every party I attended that had a punch bowl, there were enough cups for everyone?  I have a big silver punch bowl, but I've never used it for punch, rather I use it as a fancy cooler filled with ice, champagne bottles and bottled water.

I am definitely making the 7UP Fall Punch for Thanksgiving.   Apple juice, cinnamon and clove...YUMMY.  I think I'll even pull the silver punch bowl out of storage!!!

Of course there is a Summer Punch and a Winter Punch.  I'll need to make those at another time.

So, this was published in 1962.  I wasn't even born yet.  What did party planners around the world do without 7UP punch?

"where there is no wine there is no love" Euripides

The Wine in Your Life, 6 pages from cover to cover.

 I am not sure when this booklet was published, but after reading it, I think California wines must have been quite new to the American palate.  From what I read, it looks like the California winemakers made a big push with sherry and saying, "California Sherry has become the country's favorite cocktail and refreshment wine".  Funny, these days, I usually find sherry in dressing.  Vermouth was also mentioned, "Vermouth, both Dry and Sweet, are the backbone of America's cocktail hour".  Still true, however, the booklet suggested to enjoy vermouth on the rocks.  I don't know if I'd like that.  Hmmm.

OK, an interesting and quick read AND there were recipes included!!!  I had Craig, the bartender at work, make the Champagne Cocktail.

Place a cube of sugar in a champagne glass.  Add 2 drops of bitters.

Fill with California champagne.

Yum.  OK, this hasn't changed much.

Here are the other 2 recipes

Port or Sherry Flip. Combine 1 egg, 1 tsp.

sugar, 1/2 cup Port or Sherry with plenty of

cracked ice in electric mixer or shaker.  Mix

well.  Serve in 5 or 6 oz. glass with a dash of

nutmeg.

Sherry Old-Fashioned. Put 1/2 tsp. sugar, 3

dashes bitters and 2 jiggers of California

Sherry in old-fashioned glass.  Muddle until

sugar is dissolved.  Add ice cubes, orange

slice and cherry, if desired.

Enjoy!

It's Pumpkin Bomb Season!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Last year when I was visiting my son, cousin Melissa and Toby, in Arizona, I found a great drink recipe for a Fun Fall drink...Pumpkin Bomb. 

So easy and delicious!

Here's what you need to do:

Rim a COLD pint glass with a mix of sugar, cinnamon and ground clove

Pour Pumpkin Beer in glass

Add 1 shot of Goldschlager

Sip, Slurp & Enjoy!

Skillet Diner, Seattle, WA

OK, not the place to go if you're on a diet.  I'm always on a diet, but not today.  I ordered the Fried Chicken Sandwich ($12.00) with salad or fries, but I substitued Poutine, that's fries with gravy, cheddar and herbs and costs a little more ($3.00).  BTW...worth every penny!!!

On a sunny day, the Alison Road was a perfect cocktail choice.  However, they also have hard cider on draft, very few places have CIDER ON DRAFT. 

Sip, slurp...delicious.  I have to say, you might have to wait to get a seat here.  Big groups, not a good idea.  A spot for 2, no problem.  Place to bring kids, not really.  I'm a parent, but I wouldn't bring anyone under the age of 16 here.  Seriously, what would they eat.  Get a sitter and enjoy the experience.  Not sure why parents think all "casual" places are "Kid Appropriate".  Just sayin'.

OK, if you want a healthier choice than my fried chicken with poutine, there are several items on the menu.  Caesar with Kale, fried chicken is optional.  Ha, ha.
Dessert is a MUST.  My choice, Fried Waffle & Bacon Caramel Sundae.  I know EVERYONE is putting bacon on everything, trust me, you will be sorry if you skip on this BACON dessert.

Remo Boracchini's Bakery

October is very busy, Busy, BUSY, but I always have time for my little treats.  One of my Fall favorites are CANNOLIs and ECLAIRs from Borracchini's Bakery. 

If you haven't been to Borrachini's Bakery, or it's been awhile since your last visit, check them out.  By the way, you will need their services during the upcoming holidays.  Pies, Cookies, Celebration Cakes...YUMMY.

Brasserie Montmartre, Portland, OR

I know the Portland Food Carts are the big rage, however, if you have time to sit, drink, and eat, go to Brasserie Montmartre. It's been a few years since I have been to Portland and the last time I spent all my time in the Pearl District, which I still love.  Well, I had passed by Brasserie Montmartre on my last visit, wanted to go in, but I had spent the whole day going in-and-out of so many food places, I couldn't put one more crumb in my mouth.

So, the last time I was in Portland, it was November, drizzly and cold.  I spent the days in-and-out of cafes and shops, in between walking in the rain.  On this past visit, the weather was GORGEOUS. 80 degrees in the summer!  To be honest, I had intended to go check out the food carts, but my 5-inch heels got in the way of all the walking.  Well, what a wonderful surprise to see Brasserie Montmartre off on a side street and outdoor seating...aaaah!  Another plus on this particular HOT day, Le Boissons include many COLD beers on draught, a full bar, many French wines by the glass and several very interesting cocktails.

Sandwich: Jamon Beurre with salad

Brasserie Montmartre is casual, funky, and attracts many different people.  I've been to Montmartre in Paris, and Brasserie Montmartre didn't quite bring me back, but it is a nice mix of French and American.  I mean, I was in Portland, n'est pas?


The offering for lunch, Le Dejeuner, is FANTASTIQUE.  So many options I took forever to choose.  As husband sipped his cold glass of rose, he quickly decided on the Jamon Beurre, sandwich, with a house salad, he could have had frites with his sandwich, but knew I'd probably order frites and he could steal a few from me.  OK, the Jamon Beurre ($8.00), ham, brie, mustard, arugula on a baguette...delicieux!

The Jamon Beurre, a little Paris and a little Portland

OK, moving on to Les Frites!!!  All the frites are served with garlic aioli.  I chose the pork belly & tarragon frites...yum.  I was sipping a Deschutes Twilight, blond ale.  Perfect pairing with the hot, crisp, salty frites.

I also ordered the French Onion Soup. Brioche crouton, Gruyere cheese, oozing over caramelized onions and rich broth...tres bien.