The San Francisco Treat!

After a long day of travelling and meetings, this yummy cocktail was a well deserved treat! OK, there's more to this story. On a recent trip to San Francisco for 2 days of meetings, my executive chef & I decided to walk from dinner in North Beach back to Van Ness, via California. No big deal, right? Besides, the cable car runs on California. If we got tired, we'd just take the cable car.

Off we go...Hello BIG ASS hills!

I forgot the SF hills, do they EVER END???

I lived in SF for many years (many years ago), obviously, I blocked out the memories of walking up and down hills.

Thank God for the Fairmont Hotel. Great place for a beverage to quench my thirst. Guess what cocktail I ordered...the San Francisco Cable Car.

Just in time and just what I needed!!!!!

Cheers...St Germain Gimlet

My husband is a total bourbon guy, but I like to mix it up some times!

I asked if he could make a cocktail for me that was a little lighter and refreshing...
My husband made this for me.

2 shots gin
1.25 shot St. Germain
.5 shot freshly squeezed lime juice.


Shake. Strain in glass.


Enjoy.

Having a Cocktail: The Sunset

Brr... The cold nights are back. Not quite in the Holiday mood yet and missing Summer. Perfect cocktail for today, The Sunset. A taste of Summer with the warm taste of dark rum. CHEERS!

Sunset

1 part Meyers Rum

1 part Orange Juice

1 part Pineapple Juice

1 splash Grenadine

Garnish: Orange & Cherry

John's Flatbread...and he cooks!

Yet another reason I stay married. My Husband cooks!!! I don't mess around with yeast, but my "stick to the recipe" husband doesn't think it's a big deal. While I was prepping my roast chicken he said, "I'm going to make flatbread!" Hmmm, I thought, right!

Focaccia al Formaggio

He's cute and makes a mean Manhattan!
Here's the dough, fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese

Focaccia al Formaggio
(Flatbread with Cheese)

Pizza Dough (recipe follows)
1 egg beaten with 1 T water
5 oz each grated Parmesan & Mozzarella
or 10 oz Gorgonzola, crumbled
fresh oregano leaves
chopped fresh basil
chopped fresh parsley
5 green onions, chopped
extra virgin olive oil

Here's what you do.
Preheat oven to 500 degrees F
Roll dough as thin as possible and put on a pizza stone or greased pizza pan. Brush with egg wash. Crumble cheese on top, then sprinkle with fresh herbs, green onions, and a little olive oil. Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden brown, about 5 minutes. Cut into small pieces and Enjoy!

Pizza Dough:
1/2 package active dry yeast
1/2 cup lukewarm water
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 T olive oil
1/2 tsp kosher salt

Dissolve yeast in water. Add other ingredients and knead until elastic. Let rest a few minutes before rolling out, VERY IMPORTANT. (No rising is required.)

This was so good I took a bite before taking a picture!

Tyler's Ultimate Roast Chicken with herbed mushrooms

I am still trying out all the Tyler Florence recipes. I snapped a pic right before my husband and son demolished the chicken. I got the recipe for the Roast Chicken right off the Food Network website. The only change was that I put 6 full ribs of celery under the chicken before roasting and I also put 1 whole quartered onion in the roasting pan. The celery, onions and mushrooms pair well with the chicken and flatbread. Great dinner, I'll make this again. Actually, it's so easy to put this meal together, John & Tyler can make this meal next time!

Whet My Whistle: Pearl Bar & Dining, Bellevue

It's Wednesday, the New Friday!

Although I would be missing the US Open, Happy Hour has started all over the Northwest. Today's watering hole of choice was Pearl in Bellevue. Happy hour starts at 3pm. Despite what you all think of the Eastside, Pearl is definitely worth checking out. Half price on Small Plates, Signature Cocktails, and select wine and beers. I met my cousin, who is in town from Arizona and my husband, who works in walking distance to Pearl. We arrived a little past 4pm and no tables were available. No big deal, the bar is always funner anyway.
I had the Silver Tequila Sour and it was delicious. Refreshing and a perfect combination of sweet, sour and a touch of lavender salt. Don't believe me? Try it for yourself. I should mention, our bartender, Jason (at least that's what our bill says) was very knowledgeable about drinks. I happened to see a bottle of Lucid, absynth available in the US, on the shelf and he was able to give us a few absynth facts. Whatever he was saying sounded good. Nothing worse than a bartender who doesn't know what's sitting in his bar and can't sell his product.

Kimchee Beef with house made sweet pickles

Fried Beecher's cheddar curds with romescu sauce

Smoked Salmon, Potato cakes, creme fraiche, and fennel Salad

We also had the Crispy Calamari with spicy sambol cream (I'm thinking they meant to say sambal. It tasted like sambal...I'll have to check on this.) The cheese curds tasted better with the calamari sauce. Just a thought if you ever order both items. The food is great!!!

I know it's Happy Hour, but Dessert is Dessert. Chocolate is chocolate, but this thing is a dream.

You just can't leave Pearl without the White Chocolate Banana Cream. Lightly whipped pastry cream with a white chocolate dipped shortbread cookie, bananas and house made butterscotch sauce.

Pearl Bar & Dining: 700 Bellevue Way NE, Suite 50, Bellevue, WA 98004