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.

Let's talk Hawaiian

We love Hawaiian food.

One of the best things about living in Seattle is that there is a large Polynesian presence in the area. Aaron grew up with several Polynesian families that he loves very much and then served a mission in the Riverside, California mission. His first area was heavily Polynesian (mostly Samoan) and it strengthened his love of the culture and built many life long relationships. He loved the food so much, he went from a svelte 185 to 200 in three months. Polynesian food is where 6-packs (abs) go to die but at least you'll be in heaven!

Lucky for us, a few weeks after we relocated here 4 years ago, a Hawaiian restaurant that we have grown to love opened in Federal Way where we lived. It was the grand opening on our 5th anniversary, and we loved everything about it. It is family owned (like most are) with a great Hawaiian atmosphere. They cook authentic Hawaiian cuisine and the ambiance, which is always a perk but never a necessity, is great.

They are super friendly. So friendly in fact that they remembered us 6 months later after we'd moved farther away. Then they recognized us 6 months after that at the Taste of Tacoma. Who does that? I can't even remember my neighbor's name. Downside is that it's a little pricey and the portions can be on the smaller side. This is a good date night location.

*It's called Pac Island Grill located at 2012 S. 320th Street, Suite H Federal Way, WA 98003.

Here's what we love to order at Pac Island:

• Pu Pu platter - this gives you a great assortment of appetizers. We love us some coconut prawns and the lumpia is so so good. Spam Musubi is the best we have had in a restaurant!
• The Big Island Deluxe or Hawaiian BBQ special - This gives the most variety and is on the larger size.The Kalbi ribs are super yummy.
• Locco Moco - It is a hamburger pattie grilled with an egg on top served with medium grain rice and smothered in gravy. It is a staple in Hawaiian food and is awesome!
• Haupia Pie - It's fantastic. Some of the best I've had. The Macadamia Nut Cheesecake is also the bomb.

*Next on our list of absolute faves is Bobby's Hawaiian Restaurant located at 13014 Hwy 99 So. Everett, WA 98204.

So there we were, sitting on our couch in Florida watching the food channel. Diners, Drive-ins and Dives was on and the last restaurant showing was Bobby's. We were flabbergasted. Why did we not know about this when we lived here before? After it was over we sulked. We just sat there and sulked.

When we moved back, it was the first on our list of places to go. It's a bit of a trip to go to Everett, but I promise it's worth it. It was on the Food network after all. We're not huge fans of the show, but it is a great resource. Sadly, Guy did not give this place it's due because we sensed that he didn't like Hawaiian food in general. He obviously didn't know what he was missing!

Prices are great, portions are large and service is very friendly. We really love this place, and it's teetering on the top of being our favorite. We were super excited to see "Bobby" there after recognizing him from the show. We definitely felt a bit stalk-ish while we were talking all excited and hush-hushing when he went by. Unfortunately, we've only had a chance to get there one time, so we are anxious to go back to try more items! A little birdie also told us that there might be one in Lynnwood?

Here's what we love to order at Bobby's:

• Mochi Chicken - Holy freak'n cow this is amazing. We were sitting there about to order our usual when a family style plate came out for the next table over. The smell was incredible. We ordered it quick. Best decision ever.
• Spam Musibi - We actually make this in our home (we'll show you how in a later post). It's rice and spam (usually marinated in Aloha Shoyu/soy sauce or teriyaki) wrapped in seaweed often served with or furikake (a Japanese spice mixture). Don't knock it 'till you try it. You would never know that spam could actually taste good, but this is a staple in Hawaiian culture and my eight year old daughter loves it like nothing else. Begs for it even.
• Kalbi Ribs -The best we have ever tasted here.

*The other day we saw a coupon in the Entertainment guide (we love this book) for Aloha Hawaiian Grill located at 18016 71st Ave S., #102 Kent, WA 98032. It's really close to IKEA, so all the more reason to head over there. It really hit the spot. Cheap prices and good portions too!

Here's what we like to order at Aloha:

• Island BBQ combo -the ultimate meat platter
• Hola Chicken combo -this includes the Chx Katsu that Carrie adores. Super crispy and their sauce was the perfect mix of sweet and salty.
• Musubi - really really good here
• Lau Lau - we haven't tried it yet, but will soon. Everyone that walked in the door ordered it.

*Saimin Says (no website) located at 26218 pacific Highway South Kent, Wa 98032 is also a really cool place. They are inexpensive and the food is good. We enjoy their musubi, spam and eggs and saimin. It is very authentic and provides a no frills dining experience.

*If you want really fast Hawaiian food we would suggest L&L. We're really not big fans, but if you're looking for a quick fix, they are popping up all over the area. The portions are big and the prices are inexpensive. The BBQ plate, Chicken Katzu and the Spam Musubi are pretty OK. Interestingly enough The L&L in Hawaii (where it is based) is much better!


Here are some others that we have yet to try but have great reviews:
Kauai Family Restaurant - on the Food Network, too!
Kona Kitchen

Okay folks, that about wraps it up. If you love Hawaiian food like we do, these are amazing places to taste the flavors you know. If you are a new-comer, definitely break out of the ordinary to experience a little peak at this amazing culture and amazing food.

We're a good mix

Intro please....

Aaron: OK, so I love to eat and I love to cook. I really love hole-in-the-wall restaurants and take pride in researching and knowing the best places to eat. Places where the quality is good and where the food is original and not "pre-fab." It is always more satisfying to go somewhere that is not a chain, or where the "ambiance" is not more important than the taste.

My mission is to share a little piece of my culinary persona. I love to find new and exciting ingredients, try to re-create dishes I have eaten in restaurants and perfect recipes from cook books. I love the idea of perfecting a dish or at least working towards that.

I grew up in the South and we never called it "soul food", we just called it good food (although the food has become a part of my soul). I am a 1/4 Italian and remember the taste of my Grandma's(Mom-Mom's) meatballs and spaghetti when I was growing up and have spent a lifetime trying to recreate that taste. I love Asian, Polynesian, Mexican (because of my time in Southern CA) and most ethnic foods.

Carrie is the baker; I don't bake. Let me say though, Carrie can bake and that is just one of the many things I love about her. I think that while in PA, she secretly became Amish so she could learn their baking secrets. She inspires me and indulges me on our culinary journey.


Carrie: I'm a wife, mother, business woman and photographer. My life is full, which means there is nothing better than coming home after a hard days work to shrimp spring rolls and Japanese fried rice made by Rowdy.

I love my husband's food. I love that he can cook well. I love that he spends 3 hours in the meat aisle at the grocery store. I love that to him, the best DATE night is going to the grocery store; the Asian markets, the Indian store we drove by last week, the produce stands that bring fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms. These experiences, the searching for the best ingredients make us excited to cook, and we hope that everyone does or will feel the same way.

Weekends for us are a time to experiment. It's a time when we can look at our favorite cookbooks and make those recipes our own. We plan ahead. We grocery shop only 1x a week. We don't buy hamburger helper. We never limit ourselves to trying new things and new flavors. Our conversation is never "What should we have? Meatloaf or macaroni and cheese?" Instead it's, "Are we going for Thai or Italian?"

I'll be the first to admit that my husband is a bit more excited about food than I am sometimes. However, once I have savored that bite of perfectly marinated steak topped with sauteed chanterelle mushrooms, I am grateful for the God-given gift of taste buds, and for this inspiring food journey of ours.


What to expect: We'll have different kinds of posts on here. Just to name a few... restaurant reviews all around the Seattle area with meal recommendations, tips and tricks in our own kitchen, recipes, and must-have ingredients to keep in your pantry to make that gourmet (or just plain good) meal at home.