Seattle Restaurant Week

You just HAVE to get in on this shin-dig.

Seattle Restaurant Week on April 18th-29th is when you can go to a zillion awesome restaurants and get a 3 course meal for $25, and some serve a lunch 3 course meal for $15.

There are an amazing 100 participating restaurants in every area of Seattle, so start tempting those tastebuds!

We entered the contest to win a $100 gift certificate too-- Wish us luck! Or you luck. Or whatever.

Next Stop - Chowder and Humbow {Tour of Pike Place Market Part 5}

Right next to our meatball lover place is the famous Pike Place Chowder House. We like it because A) we get to use our entertainment guide coupon and B) it's just good. Nothing beats a sourdough bread bowl and chowder on a cool day. or a sunny day. or whenever. It is very similar to Ivar's which is super popular around here, but I have to admit that I like the bread bowl at this place better, not to mention this hot spot has won some SERIOUS awards. If I won the "Great Chowder Cook-off," you better be sure that you wouldn't here the end of it. I'd probably make you do my laundry for a year or something. And you would, wouldn't you? (mwa-ha-ha)

Our Top Picks off the Menu:

-Clam Chowder, obviously

-Seafood Bisque, pictured above

*We also like the variety of chowders. From Vegan to Southwestern, it just goes to show how party pleasing this place is.

Wait.. another review.. so soon? You asked for it!

It is MANDATORY that Rowdy stop at Mee Sum Pastry for a humbow (baked or steamed buns filled with meats and/or veggies) every stink'n time. He doesn't get them anywhere else but here....so I guess that means that you need to get yours here, too. After all.... he is the humbow expert. We're a huge fan of that sweet barbeque in a bun!

A Tast-y Meat-a Ball-a {Tour of Pike Place Market Part 4}

A few years ago we were doing some exploring in the inside of the market. It wasn't too far inside, but far enough away from the main walkway that I think it sometimes gets passed up. We hadn't eaten in 30 minutes, and it was lunch time, so you know... this looked like a cool place. Pike Place Pasta Bar cool-looking-place, to be exact. The owner said "try some meatballs." We did.

They tasted like Mom-Mom's-- Rowdy's full blood Italian Grandmother. I myself had never had the privilege of tasting her meatballs before she passed away, but my MIL, SIL, BIL's, and HIL...I meant husband, all swear by them.

As we were tasting of their delish-ish-ness, I asked the super cool owner "hey! what's in these?" Secret ingredient, of course. Just kidding. He told me worchestershire sauce. "Really?" I said.

It works. I put that in my homemade meatballs now, too.

One of my favorite things about this pasta joint? They drizzle pesto and parmesan on top of their marinera. Such a fantastic combo.

Their pasta is yummy, garlic bread delish, and the prices are super reasonable. Very casual environment where you can sit at the barstools and slurp up your deep red marinera and pasta without worries of bugging the neighbor next to you. They are doing the same thing, you know. Hot take-out Italian at its best.

Here's a map.

For the Love of Cheesecake {Tour of Pike Place Market Part 3}

I'd like to think that I know a good cheesecake when I taste one. Years ago I made a cheesecake for my office and it didn't turn out well AT ALL. I was beyond embarrassed, so from that moment on I made sure that I not only knew how to make it (I'll give you my recipe later), but that I knew how to taste it. There has to be a certain bounce upon touch, creaminess, richness, and flavor that unite in a way to make it a decadent dessert. If you get that right, it's bliss in a bite.

Our past trip to Pike Place led us to The Confectional. I never really noticed this place before because I was always stuffed to the brim with other carbs (as seen in previous posts), but my MIL ran right in and bought this small and simple dessert for us all to share. We were really really happy with her choice.

A Happy Day and Good Cheesecake go hand in hand.

I know this is not a very good picture of the cheescake itself-- but it's mainly because it was swallowed by five people in 1 minute.

Donut Heaven {Tour of Pike Place Market Part 2}

Let's talk about our favorite donut shop ever. Daily Dozen Donut Co. located at 93 Pike Place Seattle, Wa 98101 is the bomb.

Always our first stop on our market adventure, this bag 'o dozen makes my heart swoon. I am not a donut lover in general. For these, however, I will take off my "no greasy items" cape and relish in such goodness. They are hot, fresh, and scrumptious. My kids love them. We love them. How can somebody NOT love them? If you don't, well then, we can't be friends anymore. Unless you just lie to me and say you do. But then our friendship will be based on lies, and who wants that? How about you just love them for realz?

Sometimes the guy behind the counter does this cool "pop" to the paper bag when he opens it before he shoves your donuts in there. Oddly, I look forward to that:) There is no "restaurant" that you go into. Just a place behind the counter where the dough is made and served fresh off the conveyer belt fryer.

I really don't have much more to say. I believe these pics speak for themselves, don't you?

beautiful bite, my dear daughter.

Parisian Macaroons {Tour of Pike Place Market Part 1}

We'll be posting our little tour of Pike Place in a series because each place deserves their very own spot.

Let's start with carbs ooh la la.

There is a bakery in Pike Place that is probably the closest I will ever get to heavenly France until hubby decides to take me there. I'm just say'n. Hint. Hint.

Thankfully, for now, I can have my own France close by. Just walking by I can taste each pastry before it even enters my mouth. You are surrounded by goodness. Warmth. Bread. Sophistication. French.

Say it again.

FRENCH.

LA PANIER is truly wonderful.

(location on website)

Their bread is gorgeous and of course, tastes amazing. And don't even get me started on their amandine croissant. A lot of people just sit down and hang out. The line is usually long because of intense market traffic, but goes relatively fast regardless. We're more the hit and run type of family and it is very easy to still savor that pastry while walking around.

These Petit Macarons are a very recent fave. They come in chocolate, pistachio, lemon, orange-ganache, raspberry, coffee and vanilla. When you bite down the first thing you encounter is the consistency; a crunchy meringue with a sudden creamy softness. Then the flavor hits. I am a fan of the lemon and pistachio. They are light and airy. A real treat at $1.50 each, which I feel is a "splurging-steal" considering how fun they are to take wrapped up in a cute box and for your picnic at Kerry Park.

If you don't have access to France OR La Panier in the Seattle Area, here is a Recipe from good 'ol Martha to hopefully give you some of that same satisfaction... and make you all trendy-sophisticated for that baby shower you are throwing and want to show off at.

i know. i know.

we begin a blog and then don't post! slackers!

in our defense, we moved south-- so now that we are settled we've got a bunch of great posts coming up.

Chinatown
steak
yummy baked goodies
must haves in your pantry
to name a few

yay!