We wound up eating at Tendrils while staying at Cave B. My over all impression is good food, but overpriced. For example, I got a diver scallop starter for $16--got two scallops. Husband did the set price meal, which was mostly quite good, but not something I'd pay $70 for again. I ordered a good warm beet salad. The squash soup was excellent.

I also have to second Bistro San Martin. Opposite experience. GREAT value for quality/portion size. Truly great destination place; owners couldn't be nicer.

My husband and I have a rare kid-free weekend first weekend of May. We're looking for a sunny locale within 3-hour drive of Seattle. Many suggested Cave B winery and inn (with "luxury" yurts too.) They have an on-site restaurant, Tendrils. Anyone been? Worth it for dinner, lunch, brunch--any meal at all? Good value? Better places to dine in the area? We are adventurous eaters and like dives equally, if not better than, fine dining. Please advise.

I was in the area and stopped in (after lunch) to pick up a take-away menu. The manager said they are doing take-away only for lunch, but have started sit-down dinner menu. They hope to have sit-down lunch within a month or so. Anyone been for dinner or done the lunch take-away? Details? I've been to Vij's Rangoli in Vancouver and found it delish. Eagerly awaiting responses ...

Our family of 4 did go, upon recommendation from a Taiwanese acquaintance. Over all we thought it was good, not great. That said, we didn't try the hand-shaved noodles, which are supposed to be great.
We DID try bamboo appetizer (thumbs up), salt and pepper squid (also thumbs up, not greasy), lion's head meatballs (surprisingly light for their ginormous size), thousand layer pancake (waste of time IMHO). The bill for 4 came to about $60 including tip. It's a cozy restaurant that filled up with mostly Asian families as the night went on.
I'd say definitely worth trying. We're happy to know it's in our hood, but when we need a serious Asian fix we'll still be going to the ID for our fave Szechuan joint.

Any must-try dishes at Rocking Wok Taiwanese in Wallingford? Wanted to try it out tonight. Thanks!

We have a highly prolific Italian plum tree at our house. I've made fruit leather, plum crisp/cake etc. plus pitting and freezing some fruit. Any other great Italian plum recipes you swear by?

Thanks much!

In the vein of Jane and Michael Stern's Roadfood, any must-have's at the Puyallup state fair? Promised the kids a trip there and I don't want to miss anything Chow-worthy. Thanks!

Any replies on this one? I'd be interested in the same info!

Hi chowhounders;

Hubby and I finally have a night out without the kiddos tomorrow (Thurs) night. Alas, we were too late to get reservations at Fare Start for their Thursday night dinner: Wondering if there's any other great Thursday happening we should try. Anyone been to Art of the Table in Wallingford for their Thursday night small plates?

We're considering staying at Mazama Country Inn and including 3 meals/day in our stay. Can anyone else vouch for food quality at the restaurant there in winter, when meals are family-style? Thanks!

Hi fellow hounds;

I'm caving and taking the family for a one-night, two-day stay at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound. Anything chow-worthy within a 15 or 20-minute drive of there? Saw one Mexican place, Costa Nayarita, that looked potentially interesting. Any thoughts?

http://www.costanayarita.com/

Thanks for the tips.

Lynn in Seattle

We finally got to Art of the Table for supper club dinner recently--outstanding food and experience. Wondering if anyone's been to their thursday night a la carte small plates, no reservations ... wondering if you feel it was great too.

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Art of the Table
1054 N 39th St, Seattle, WA 98103

Correction? Could be Giannoni's in Westwood Village shopping center. Anyone been?

Giannoni’s Pizzeria
2600 S.W. Barton St., Seattle, WA 98126
(206) 935-1800

Anyone know if Giovanni's pizza in West Seattle still around? Still good? I heard this is the best thin-crust, most NYC style pizza in town. Thoughts? When I googled it, only found University district location and it says it's closed!

Hi fellow chowhounders;

My husband and I are taking a much-needed kid-free weekend over father's day weekend (June). We've got a reservation at Willows Inn for Saturday night, but will be staying along Chuckanut Drive or in Bellingham for Friday night. Looking for some great seafood--don't need a fancy place, as dinner Saturday night at Willows will be "high end." Anyone been to the Friday night feed at Chuckanut Manor? Better to scoop up our own at Taylor shellfish? Anywhere else we should head that night?

Thanks for your help!

Lynn

Have to second the Bistro San Martin. What a great place. I feel like so many Seattle restaurants are in the same price range but don't deliver NEARLY the quality and creativity and on=the=mark flavor combos this Arlington place does. A real find.

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Bistro San Martin
231 N Olympic Ave, Arlington, WA 98223

Ugh. What a completely disappointing experience. My friend had bought a Groupon to try this place and it was a total waste. Not only is this place completely overpriced (i.e. one of their specials, charred octopus salad, had about 4 minuscule shreds of overcooked octopus in it), it just isn't good. Of the 4 dishes we sampled, only one was something I'd want to eat again (their farro "fries" with sage yogurt dipping sauce.)

I too wonder how it is they've gotten high marks. When our server asked how our dinner was, I was truthful: over salted, overcooked halibut, overcooked octopus. She comped our two glasses of wine, which was a nice gesture. But I will not be back. Now I need to call Groupon to get a refund for the one I bought! Ugh.

I wonder how it is they get such raves for their brunch (biscuits and gravy in particular) when the dinner was such a disaster. I'm loathe to even give the brunch a try given our dreadful dinner. Any thoughts?

Hi fellow chowhounders;

I'm hitting Emmer & Rye tomorrow night and wondering if there are any must-try dishes (I already have on my list to try for weekend brunch one of these days for the biscuits and gravy, given the raves on this board.) Thanks!

Lynn

Anyone know if the XLB is always available there, lunch and dinner? Someone told me it's only weekends, but that seems absurd if that's their signature dish. Also, suggestions for less busy times to eat there with kids in tow?

Hi fellow chowhounders;

i'm headed to cantinetta tonight (wallingford) and wondering what must-try dishes we must try there. tried to search the board for fave dishes, but couldn't find any.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Lynn

any of the places above have real salad toppings on the falafel, besides drab lettuce and tomato? in search of israeli-style toppings, like pickled beets, sauteed cauliflower, marinated carrots etc etc.

Hi all;

My husband is in London until Thursday for work (we live in Seattle) and I wonder if there's something special foodie treat I can ask him to bring back (must be able to survive long flight and ridiculous U.S. customs, which unfortunately rules out many things I'd love to have.)

Any and all thoughts welcome!

Best,

Lynn

Just wondering if anyone's tried out the new Bamboo Village dim sum parlor in Wallingford (at that huge intersection of Stone Way/50th etc.) How's it compare with ID offerings? We're fans of Harbor City and Jade Garden in the ID for dim sum ...

Hi Chowhounders;

We'll be taking the kiddos this Sunday for a weeklong camping trip to Salt Creek, just west of Port Angeles. Can't pack enough chow from Seattle for the whole week. I know about the Wednesday PA farmers market , but wondering if there are any great local groceries or specialty food chops worth checking out around town. Any "must visit" vendor at the farmers' market in town?

I've searched the board fort restaurant tips in PA as well--sounds like Bella Italia and Joy's are good for more upscale. Any standout casual restaurants, especially for fish and chips/oysters? Or just good place to pick up local fish/seafood? Any standout bakeries/breakfast joints?

Many thanks for any and all suggestions.

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Bella Italia
118 E 1st St, Port Angeles, WA 98362

Hi Chowhounds:

Is Rain Sushi any good in Wallingford? There's a Groupon today for $50 worth of food for $25 ... we always go to Musashi, so never tried Rain.

Any thoughts?

Lynn

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Musashi's
1400 N 45th St, Seattle, WA 98103

Hi Chowhounds;

We're camping out in Winthrop this weekend with the kiddos and plan to return late Sunday, which means a dinner stop somewhere between Winthrop and Seattle. Any don't miss options along 20 or back down I-5? (I fondly remember Cascadian Farms berry ice cream and shortcake in Rockport, but that's not really dinner!)

Any other chow rec's for Mazama/Winthrop/Twisp also welcome. Many thanks! Stay cool.

Lynn

Hi Chowhounds;

We're camping out in Winthrop this weekend and plan to return late Sunday, which means a dinner stop somewhere between Winthrop and Seattle. Any don't miss options along 20 or back down I-5? (I fondly remember Cascadian Farms berry ice cream and shortcake in Rockport, but that's not really dinner!)

Any other chow rec's for Mazama/Winthrop/Twisp also welcome. Many thanks! Stay cool.

Lynn

Just wondering if anyone's tried Rocking Wok Taiwanese in Wallingford (right near the old Lincoln High School). Worth going? If so, what's worth ordering? If not, where's best Taiwanese joint?

Thanks for the help chowhounders.

hi all.

headed to jade garden tonight with a big group for dinner; i've only eaten dim sum there. any "don't miss" dishes we should be sure to try? many thanks.

Hi fellow chowhounders:

I'm trying to organize a large family dinner (10 adults, 4 kids under age 7) for next saturday night. Ideally I'd like to find a restaurant with a private room, or one that's big enough to allow for some roaming by little kids in the group. Don't think our regular faves (Sichuanese Cuisine, Green Leaf, Szech 99) will do space-wise. Open to Vietnamese, Thai or Chinese. Any thoughts?

Thanks much for your ideas!

Lynn