Eastside Eats: Via Vita Cafe and Wine Bar

I met the owner of Via Vita at a business meeting some time back and she was so charming and excited about her cafe.  I love that!!! 

Not a celebrity chef, not a graduate of the CIA, but Janice Lawrence, a real person who loves good food, is the owner/operator of Via Vita Cafe and Wine Bar.  I had to go check her place out.

I was not surprised that on a Saturday morning, she was right there greeting guests at the door.  A breath of fresh air, REALLY!!!

The big windows at Via Vita keep things bright, so even a NW rainy day won't get you down.  I started with a cafe au lait, then went over the menu...hmmm...what shall I have?  I had just come from the gym, so I felt I must have burned enough calories to enjoy the DUCK FAT POTATOES, so I ordered the Basque Style Omelette - $12.
The basque style omelette comes with chorizo, piquillo pepper, parsley, and goat cheese inside and a side of DUCK FAT POTATOES!!!

I was quite happy with my selection, but I looked across the table and saw John's plate and couldn't stop staring at the mini brioche...must have bite...please?  John ordered the Saucisson Hash; duck fat potatoes, French sausage, 2 eggs, and mini brioche - $12.

Well, he offered, but I thought, I'll have to come back for my own brioche another time.

I had a great experience at Via Vita.  On my way out, I noticed so many YUMMY baked goods, I really have to go back soon!!!

3 reasons to go to Munchbar

crispy mac n' cheese bites with black truffle mayo...10

tabletop s'mores: melted chocolate, marshmallows, graham crackers and rocky road ice cream...8

warm pb&j bread pudding: brioche, grape jelly and peanuts...8

So I have gone to Munchbar a few times.  I'm not going to judge the "club" side, just the food.  Sometimes I wish I was not in the food industry, so I get the "real" experience.  Needless to say, my first time there was off the charts EVERYTHING AWESOME, the next time...service sucked!  Experience ruined.  I vowed to stay away, but I couldn't say anything negative, because I am a huge fan of the Executive Chef Seis Kamimura.  I think he is so talented and creative, everyone should experience his food.  OK, so I went again, ran into the GM (super nice), hence, GREAT EXPERIENCE.  Ok, regardless of what I have to say, tons of people flock to Munchbar at night, so business is good.  Conclusion, I will go back to Munchbar when the mac n' cheese bites, s'mores, or pb&j bread pudding call my name.

RN74 comes to Seattle!!!

Seattle Fans of Michael Minna, your wait has finally ended.  RN74 is here!!!

On a rescent visit to San Francisco, we did not go to any Michael Minna eateries, because we were waiting to visit RN74 in Seattle.  We love StripSteak at Mandalay Bay and I recommend it to everyone going to Las Vegas.  Another new favorite is SeaBlue, also in Las Vegas, but focussing more on seafood.  Oysters, oysters, oysters...yummy, I should have had a fish entree, but the Porterhouse was calling my name.  Next time.

RN74 is a cool space located on the busy corner of 4th and Union.  I actually caught a glimpse of Michael Minna leaving RN74, then going outside the restaurant to catch a cab with, I think, his kids.

So, besides a celebrity chef sighting, beautiful and fashionable Seattleites can be seen here.  Despite the rescent showing on the "Worst Dressed in the Nation list", well 34th place, unlike our 1st plce neighbor Portland Oregon (ha, ha) , there are SOME chic and food savvy, in Seattle and I think they are hanging out at RN74.

So, we didn't intend to stay for dinner, just get a quick cocktail and a snack.  Hmmm...nice space, good seating, a few booths, I like it here!  We ordered our first cocktail and a few little bites to share.  Enjoying the last sip of my delicious cocktail, the Suedehead, the server described it as a refreshing "concentrated" mojito with a hint of fresh basil, perfect paring with my Shiitake Mushrom Tempura and aioli, $10.00 ($5.00 at Happy Hour).  This cocktail was so good, a blast of summer in Paris.  One nice thing and big deal to me, about the cocktails at RN74 is they are not served in a "super size" martini glass, but in a proper cocktail glass.  I don't know what has happend to some bars, but it's a cocktail, not a big gulp. 

Thank You RN74!!!



Small Plate: Grilled Lamb with white bean ragout, $10.00. 
Worth every drop!!!



Second little bite arrives and we decide to stay a little longer...

So, RN74 is suppose to be an urban wine bar featuring a combination of refined American and French cuisine with wine highlighting the burgandy region.  I love the interpretation that RN74 offers.  After I finished my fancy cocktail, I switched to a red burgandy...of course.  Despite the fact that my husband works in the wine industry, I usually depend on servers to recommend wines for me.  I know that servers will either recommend their favorite or something a little on the high end.  Well, the wine was delicious and went perfect with the lamb sausage, white bean ragout and roasted garlic.  The lemon zest and fresh arugula were a nice surprise to the dish and the lamb sausage...the best I've ever had!!!  I only wish I had a baguette to sop up the broth the beans were soaking in...YUM.



Hudson Valley Foie Gras Sliders with caramelized onion jus, sylvetta (wild arugula), and apple mustard, $16.00. 
I'd order this again, for sure!!!



I didn't want to do it, but I couldn't resist...Foie Gras Sliders with caramelized onion jus.  Are you serious????  So what if I was on a big foie gras boycott a little while back, it was everywhere, garnishing everything, STOP ALREADY.  Sliders, give me a break, they are on every menu, just get big girl burger and get over it.  OK, hold everything...FOIE GRAS SLIDERS.  Now that totally makes sence!!!  These little babies are better than I expected.  The bun is toasted and buttered (or something) and everthing between that bun is crack for foodie-food addicts.

We ordered the Pomme Frites, Trio of French Fries and Dipping sauces.  A little disappointing.  I know I'm talking about fried potatoes, but still.  When I went to Michael Minna's StripSteak in Las Vegas, my view of French Fries completely changed...FANTASTIC.  I thought who is this clever chef who has changed the face of French Fries forever.  Well, I did see the server pass us and circle the restaurant twice, before finally bringing the cold Pomme Frites to our table.  I thought the potatoes were different types, if they were, I couldn't tell.  The sauces were nothing special, the pesto was the best out of the three, which included an apple-yogurt dip and a tomato ketchup, at $8.00, I have to say, not worth it for potatoes.  I might order the frites again and blame this experience on the

"getting the kinks out of a new restaurant...whatever".



Chicken Liver Mousse with country bread crostini, a bargain at $8.00.

 Well, we couldn't leave now.  We were still enjoyoing our wine and decided to order the Chicken Liver Mousse with country bread crostini.  Not sure what was in the aspic, but I liked the sweet, tart, taste, it went well with the smooth and very rich mousse.  I really liked the crostini, which I found out was made with brad grom Grand Central Bakery, kudos to Chef Michael Minna, for including locally made bread.  We also ordered the Selection of Artisan Cheeses, $17.00.  Let's face it every restaurant does a great job with their cheeses, it's all in the presentation, n'est pas?  The cheese was served with some kind of gelee, but I don't think we got bread, wierd, but maybe the crostini that came with the chicken liver mousse was meant to go with the cheese too. Anyway, it didn't matter.  Who needs all that bread?



Hand Cut Beignets with salted caramel, MacCallan 12 Butterscotch

 OK, I DID NOT WANT DESSERT.  I know this is a first, but I really wanted to pick up a sweet treat from the Street Donuts food cart that we parked near.  I guess that will have to wait for another time.  My husband had heard that the Beignets at RN74 were very good.  There went my donut idea for later. 
I am convinced my husband ordered the beignets because he wanted to try an Oregon Scotch that was on the drink menu, which he did order.  The beignets are brilliant.  They arrived hot and crusty on the outside with light fluffy dough inside.  I thought the cup it was served with had a sauce in it, but as soon as I plunged my spoon in it, I found a lovely caramel pot de cream...YUMMY!!!

Eastside Eats: Milagro Cantina

Looking for a little South of the border sunshine on a drizzly Northwest day...go to Milagro Cantina.  Start with the House Margarita: Tradicional 100% agave reposado, Patron Citronge, lime juice, lemon juice, agave.  Not bad.  Of course, you can get anything from the bar, see martini to the left.

In good ole "American" Mexican tradition, Chips and Salsa make an appearance upon arrival, but splurge and get the Tres Guacamoles.

The Guacamole de la Casa is avocado, roasted poblano peppers, garlic and cotija cheese.  The guacamole de mango is exactly as decribed with a few pine nuts.  Finally, the guecamole de granada is avocado with pomegranate and almonds.  To be honest, I couldn't pick just one, however, next time I'll stick to the more traditional guacamole de la casa.  I wasn't too hungry, so I chose to order another appetizer, Queso Fundido with chorizo and skip the entree, but there was plenty for me to share.


Cheesy, spicy, YUMMY!!!

Combinaciones: Mexicana.   So this is what my son ordered and will order it everytime.  Big plate for a big eater.  If you want a sampling of the great flavors Milagro Cantina hasto offer, this is a perfect choice.

Cheese Relleno, Rotisserie Chicken Enchilada, and Choice of Taco

Mariscos Enchilada.  OK, my husband alwaus picks the seafood entree at Mexican places.  I think it's funny.  However, one of our firsts dates was in Mexico at a great place overlooking the ocean and we had lobster tacos...I guess it makes sence.  Here'e the thing, Mexican places always seem to drown the seafood with a cream sauce.  What are they hiding?  Bad Seafood?  Well, I took a bite and it was delicious.  I wouldn't choose it unless I was splitting it, very rich.  My husband managed to eat every bite.

Churros.  Not impressed.  granted, they churros ARE FRESH, but the dipping sauce, "not my favorite".  I think the churros are SO GOOD at Barrio, with their chocolate sauce.  Any other churro would really have to blow me away!

Capirotada.  This dessert was a crumble of sorts.  It was ok.  I should have just had the ice cream with the sauce alone...DELICIOUS.

Frozen yogurt...FAST!

I just need to say for the millionth time...I love my ice cream maker!!!!  It took years, seriously, to finally buy an ice cream maker.  Fear of "one more appliance", the horror of having my own ice cream maker, "I'll gain so much weight!!"  Who cares.  If you like ice cream and kinda like frozen yogurt, get an ice cream maker.

I usually have the stuff I need to make a frozen treat, milk, heavy whipping cream, yogurt, fresh fruit, sugar, nuts, chocolate chips, maybe not everything, but enough.  Today I found fresh cherries, almonds, and amaretto.  I had lowfat organic plain yogurt, so off I went to frozen yogurt land

Don't waste your money on a cherry pitter, I used a straw...easy.  You waste a little cherry, but at least you don't need to buy another gadget that will sit until who-knows-when?

I always put the ice cream container in the freezer after I clean it, so I don't have to wait for hours to use it.  So, assemble the ice cream maker, mix all the ingredients, pour in the ice cream maker, turn ON, wait 20 minutes...DONE.  Frozen treat ready.

Twenty minutes and yummy Cherry-Almond-Amaretto Frozen Yogurt.  So easy, so good!!!

Pancakes for Dinner

Breakfast at Gilbert's On Main

Last night I made pancakes for dinner.  Why?  A few months back, John and I had a late breakfast at Gilbert's On Main, before heading out to Washington State University to pick up our son from school.  I have been craving the Marion berry and brandied walnut pancakes for the last few days.  OK, I didn't make the fluffy buttermilk pancakes like Gilbert's, I wanted to be a little healthier.  I made Whole Wheat & Honey pancakes some with blackberries and some with mini chocolate chips.

So, my son and his friends joined us for pancake dinner with butter, maple syrup, a side of thick cut bacon and scrambled eggs...satisfied my craving!!! 

I have to admit, my healthy version of Gilbert's pancakes were not bad, but not the same.  I should've made old fashion white flour, buttermilk pancakes.  Now I think I will need to go back to Gilbert's.  For $9.95, you get 2 big fat fluffy pancakes with a huge scoop of whipped butter and syrup...YUMMY.

There are other good menu items at Gilbert's like their breakfast bagels and omelette's. I would highly recommend the Nova Scotia Lox, Red Onion, Caper and Roma Tomato Omelette served with potatoes and a bagel, $13.95.  OK, huge portions, but just go with another person and midway through your selection, switch, then you can have  little of both before getting sick of what you picked.  Good Idea!

blackberry blogging

so I just figured out how to blog from my blackberry...don't judge!

On a very recent trip to San Francisco, first stop, check-in at Hotel Vitale, then straight over to the Farmer's Market!!!  Oysters and a cold glass of bubbly...mmmm!