Jeanhea's Profile
Pandan Leaves?
I have a hankering to make coconut jam, but need to find pandan leaves. I can check the usual places (HT Market at Oaktree, that grocery by Spice Route in Bellevue), but does anyone know if this is sold somewhere in town?
Buy goat meat
You can buy goat meat at Bob's Quality Meats in Columbia City (sorry, don't know East Side)
Chi Town Hound look for good Asian/Japanese/Korean...
-For vietnamese, I would go to Green Leaf or Tamarind Tree in the Int'l District.
-Revel is pretty casual Korean/fusion mix--probably Joule (by same owner) is a better bet--LA has much better Korean than Seattle
-Japanese is great here--I would go to Nishino or Shiro's
-----
Tamarind Tree
1036 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104
Shiro's
2401 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA
Nishino
3130 E Madison St Ste 106, Seattle, WA 98112
Mother/Daughter long weekend food and fun
Since you are from SF I wouldn't recommend Chinese or Italian since you have very good options there. A good walking distance option(how much does your mom walk? you can always take a short cab ride) would be Sitka and Spruce in the new Melrose Market in Capitol Hill (they do take reservations, which I would recommend since it is a long wait sometimes). Capitol Hill is also fun to check out (Elliot Bay Bookstore is close and fun to poke around). Another great place to try would be Poppy for dinner (also in Capitol Hill), which is Jerry Traunfeld's restaurant (formerly of the Herbfarm)--Indian thalis (lots of small dishes on a plate--great variety to try). Capitol Hill also have terrific bars with cutting edge cocktails.
Fish and chips--hmm, a good place, also in Capitol Hill is Pike Place Fish Fry (or at the Pike's Market, I'd try Jack's Fish Spot)
Petit Toulouse is a good deal, but the food is just OK IMO(nice atmosphere for brunch).
A walk in the Sculpture Park is always nice, and from there, you can try Boat Street Cafe (or if it around breakfast or teatime, Macrina Bakery is also right there for coffee and a pastry) --Boat Street is owned by the same person who started Walrus and Carpenter)
Queen Anne neighborhood is nice, but I think that Ballard might be a little more interesting for shopping and also excellend food choices (it is a cab ride, not walking distance, but not far). There are so many food options in Ballard: incredible pastries at Cafe Besalu (see article on bakeries/sweets on http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/travel/16choice.html?pagewanted=2&sq=Cafe Besalu Seattle&st=cse&scp=1 , also another idea for a chocolate tour at Theo's Chocolates in Fremont, not far from Ballard), Staple and Fancy (newest Ethan Stowall restaurant as well as Walrus and Carpenter), Volterra (nice Italian restaurant in Ballard) and really nice shops to check out (Fremont is also fun to visit)
Breakfast (or brunch places) close to the Market to consider if you don't want to carb out: Cafe Campagne on the weekends, Lowells (in the market) is a classic Seattle diner-type food experience
Another excellent place for cocktails is Mistral Kitchen which is in South Lake Union area (take the South Lake Union Trolley from downtown, which is fun!).
-----
Cafe Campagne
1600 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101
Macrina Bakery & Cafe
2408 1st Ave, Seattle, WA
Jack's Fish Spot
1514 Pike Pl Ste 2, Seattle, WA 98101
Cafe Besalu
5909 24th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
Boat Street Cafe
909 NE Boat St, Seattle, WA
Queen Anne Cafe
2121 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Volterra
5411 Ballard Avenue NW, Seattle, WA 98107
Lake Union Cafe
3119 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102
Mistral Kitchen
2020 Westlake Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121
Green Garden Korean in Shoreline compared to other Korean restaurants?
Has anyone tried Green Garden in Shoreline and have an opinion on how it compares to other Korean restaurants in Shoreline/Lynnwood Area (just saw that it is rated 100% on Urban Spoon)? Our current favorite is Kaya--we used to like HaeNam Kalbi, but think that Kaya is much better. Also have tried Ka Won (used to be better, but not as good), Hoosoonyi (good hot pot but more limited menu)
-----
Green Garden
15740 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133
Emergency question about coconut milk
How old is the can? It's usual to have some congealed solids on top, but I've not had more than 1/3 of the can solid. Does it taste coconutty? Seems like a small thing to open your other can if this seems at all off.
Source for Iranian Dried Limes in Seattle?
Oh, excellent suggestion. I'll check tomorrow. Thank you!
Source for Iranian Dried Limes in Seattle?
I could send away for dried limes via Kalustyan's mail order, but was hoping to find some tomorrow. Has anyone seen dried limes (found in a good middle eastern food section) in Seattle? Neither ChefShop nor Market Spice seem to have them.
Best Chinese food in Seattle area (Chinatown/ID up to Everett)
Red Lantern is also my new favorite, with Chinese and Korean items. Great noodles (jajangmyn and jampong spicy noodle soup --best I've found in Seattle area). Good dumplings and other chinese dishes. The quality is extremely high with very reasonable prices for the quality of food/setting--not your usual ID restaurant (great desserts too)
Need to have food platter delivered to Berkeley for Wake/Sitting Shiva
Thanks with all the wonderful suggestions. I called Berkeley Bowl and they do not deliver. Rick and Ann's Catering looked great but a $250 minimum. I called the Whole Foods in Berkeley and they have a catering menu and charge $10 for delivery--a terrific idea Jasmine!
-----
Berkeley Bowl
2020 Oregon St, Berkeley, CA 94703
Need to have food platter delivered to Berkeley for Wake/Sitting Shiva
I live in Seattle but want to send a platter of food to be delivered in the Berkeley area. I'd love to send something appropriate for a family funeral gathering in a home (they aren't Irish and only half Jewish, but you get the picture). I'm pretty open on what to send, but want to send something delicious and easy to eat (no real dietary restrictions)--so it could be great deli sandwiches, middle eastern platter, smoked fish, great cheese/bread etc. I called Market Bowl and they don't deliver and I am not familiar with the area, so any suggestions on great delivered food options, would be greatly appreciated.
Source for Frozen Passion Fruit Puree?
Has anyone found a local Seattle source for frozen passion fruit puree? The supermarkets, Uwajimaya and Whole Foods search failed to turn this item up.
-----
Uwajimaya
600 5th Ave S, Seattle, WA
Knife sharpening in Seattle?
I've also used Bob Tate at Seattle Knife Sharpening: http://seattleknifesharpening.com
after using Bob Kramer for my knives. I've also gone to The Epicurian Edge in Kirkland but Bob Tate is cheaper (he does excellent work). The hitch is that you have to leave your knives at a couple different UPS stores in town and he picks it up and drops them off at that UPS. You also have to leave your knives at the Epicurian Edge. NO WAY would I ever leave my knives at QFC--they basically grind them down.
Fresh figs in Seattle - source?
I just saw them at Whole Foods today (probably from CA). They do grow in Seattle (we have them), but usually don't ripen until later in August--this was a really tough winter, that killed a lot of growth. You may find them in Farmer's Markets in later August but I don't see local options often.
Bluebird Ice Cream--New in Capitol Hill Seattle
We just tried a new ice cream shop (opened yesterday), the third one to open in Capitol Hill Pike/Pine Corridor: 1205 E. Pike by Elysian Brewery. The charming shop has ice cream, sandwiches, tea and coffee-- http://www.bluebirdseattle.blogspot.com/
We've tried Bluebird in addition to Molly Moon and Old School Frozen Custard. It features high quality ingredients (including humanely raised milk, though not organic since that would be prohibitively expensive) as well as a vegan sorbet option. The flavors on the menu today included Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate Pudding, Stumptown Coffee, Snickerdoodle (cinnamon and brown sugar), Maple Hickory, Peanut Butter, Elysian Stout and Oregon Blueberry Sorbet (out). Between myself and my two kids, we tasted everything (but the sorbet)--Josh was extremely patient in giving us tastes of everything. Our favorites were peanut butter (VERY peanut buttery), chocolate, coffee and snickerdoodle--we were limited by the fact that I didn't let anyone have more than two scoops each. It differs from Old School in that Old School is frozen custard and has 3 flavors (vanilla, chocolate and flavor of the day with a focus on sundae options rather than flavors) and Molly Moon's has more unusual flavors (bigger scoops, more expensive but probably similar cost/oz--some of Molly Moon's ice cream seems sweeter). Bluebird's ice cream texture is very well balanced with regard to sweetness and butterfat texture. Yay--more ice cream options in Seattle (if only we could do something about more parking in Capitol Hill!)
Visiting Seattle - Looking for Bakeries
My favorites: Best croissants: Bakery Noveau (West Seattle) and Cafe Besalu (Ballard?). Best bread is Columbia City Bakery (way south of Downtown) and Tall Grass Bakery (love their fougasse)--other breads are available at Whole Foods and nicer grocery stores. The bread at Macrina is good too, but I think their pastries have gone downhill. French pastries at LeFournil (Eastlake/near the University) and Le Pannier (but crowded at Pike's Market).
In Seattle for Three Days, need recs
Good suggestions so far--I'd second (or third) the recommendations for Poppy (for fusion Indian), Green Leaf, Cafe Campagne (for breakfast or lunch), Sitka and Spruce (very Northwest and you could probably stick to your budget for dinner for 2 at $100). Are you from Philly or New York? If so, I don't know if the pizza would compare to places (like Taconelli in Manayunk or many places in NYC) you may be used to. Though we have great fruit, I don't know that there is a wonderful pie place, though the coconut cream pie at any Tom Douglas restaurant (Ettas, Dahlia Lounge, Palace Kitchen) is my favorite pie in Seattle.
In Capitol Hill, fun places would be Spur or Quinns (for Gastropubs), as well as Pike Place Fish Fry or Bagette Box (fusion bahn mi's). Another incredible sandwich is the Cuban Sandwich at Paseo (in Fremont and I hear they just opened a takeout place on the beach at Golden Gardens which would be really fun). Fremont is also a fun place to explore with fun casual lunch places and breweries.
If you had a car and wanted to explore, you should head to West Seattle beaches if it is a beautiful day and hit Bakery Noveau for pastries/coffee. Similarly, you should head out to the outdoor Sculpture Park downtown and then hit Macrina for coffee/pastries. Another fun thing to do is check out the Locks in Ballard (either on Ballard Side or Seattle side) and hit Chinooks for lunch (more for the setting and variety of seafood, though food isn't incredible but good enough) or hit Ray's Cafe for a dinner and sunset.
Great sushi--Nishino in Madison Park (but pricey) or Shiro's in Belltown. I love Maneki in International District (very old school--oldest Japanese restaurant in the city). Another good place to try in the ID (other than Green Leaf which is our favorite) is Shanghai Garden for Chinese and Samarai Ramen for ramen noodles.
SF Italian/Bistro 50th BDay Dinner Suggestion
Thanks for all the suggestions and we had wonderful food with our family and larger groups in San Francisco. First, having a birthday dinner at Incanto for a group of 8 worked really well. We sat in the Dante Room which was very quiet and well suited for two people who were in our group that were elderly and hard of hearing. The menu was terrific--we started with salumi plates and then everyone had appetizers and either a meat/fish course or pasta. Desserts were delicious as well and the wine list had a nice range of Italian wines at all price points.
For dinner on Friday, a large group went to Kokkari--which was delicious and again, had something for everyone. We had a family style dinner and everything was delicious, but quite rich (lots of feta cheese on the choices that were selected).
Our group then went to La Mar (Peruvian food at Pier 1 1/2) and had a much lighter (but also delicious) dinner. My favorites were the mahi-mahi ceviche (but watch out for the habenero peppers) and the various seafood options. I was less fond of the stir fried beef but liked the mixed vegetables.
On lunch on Sunday, our family went to the Ferry Terminal to graze on lots of different things. We stopped at Boccalone because our daughter wanted the Prosciutto and we found out that they were owned by Incanto. We shared a Muffeletta, which was delicious. We were hoping to sample items from the Slanted Door Cafe but it was closed. At Mijita, we had a sampling of tacos (fish, carnitas, carne asada) and would have definitely stopped at the Cowgirl Cremery for cheese if we were hungrier. We also had gelato at Ciao Bella and then incredible tree ripened peaches and nectarines at Frog Hollow Farm.
Dinner that night was at Incanto.
Before we left for the airport on Monday afternoon, we had lunch at the Slanted Door, and as usual it was delicious. Tops for us were the green papaya salad, the ribs appetizer, the Shaking Beef, the Vermicelli noodles with crab and the stir fried chicken and vermicelli.
Next time we go to SF on our own, I'd like to try A16 (and/or SPQR).
Thanks for everyone's suggestions
Alphonso Mangoes?
Wow--is there a time of year they are available? Where can you get them (Indian store?)
Alphonso Mangoes?
I have just seen them canned and in Indian grocery stores. I have never seen them fresh (they are extremely perishable and probably wouldn't make it over to Seattle)
SF Italian/Bistro 50th BDay Dinner Suggestion
Kokkari is quite good, but I wouldn't put it in the same category as any "best of" lists for SF restaurants. Very good Greek food, huge menu, something for everyone, nice/huge dining area, very low risk for many people (would meet needs of kids/old people/picky people though I wouldn't bring small children because of the nice restaurant atmosphere). I also think the pricing is similar to almost top tier pricing (i.e. $25-30 for entree, have to pay for side dishes), and isn't particularly a food value bargain.
Would you buy a fish at Pike Place Market
If you only can go to Pike Place, the fish is fine there. I think the quality is much better at Uwajimaya (Int'l District) and Mutual Fish (Rainier Avenue South) and both will pack for you as well.
Where can I find a whole pig in Seattle?
Try Bob's Quality Meats in Columbia City. James (the owner) deals with family farms (no industrially raised meats). My Cuban friend bought pigs from him and swears that Bob's sells the best he's been able to find in Seattle. His prices are reasonable to boot.
Relatively new must-try SEA
Hmm--recent? Anchovies and Olives is OK (though I like How to Cook a Wolf, another Ethan Stowall restaurant in addition to Union and Tavolata better)--big cheffy scene at Anchovies and Olives. I liked Olivar (that place in Capitol Hill/Lovelace Building) and I would definitely try Poppy (Jerry Traunfield's new Indian restaurant in Capitol Hill--really liked it, but you don't have a lot of choice beyond meat/vegetarian plate). I've heard very good things about Corson Building (by Sitka and Spruce folks--also a very good restaurant). I don't know if Green Leaf is new since you've went away (our favorite Vietnamese restaurant in the ID), and you should try Samarai Noodle for pretty good ramen (I don't recommend Boom Noodle for ramen--though much like Wagamama in London) in ID. I've tried Spinaci early on, and found it overpriced though pasta very good. Loved Quinns, but not for vegetarians or people who don't love meat/fried foods/fat (I do!). I think the new restaurant at the Art Museum is OK but not great. IMO best pizza and salads at Tutta Bella (Columbia City)--I like it better than Veraci pizza and Serious Pie (Tom Douglas' pizza place). Overall, unfortunately, I don't think there have been that many great new restaurants in the past 2 years--perhaps Poppy would be at the top of the list). I don't know if Barolo is that new, but I like it for italian/atmosphere (good pastas).
Romantic Seattle/Eastside 25th Anniversary Dinner???
Hey--maybe too late for your anniversary, but if don't know if anything in Seattle can approach French Laundry. For a special, beautiful dinner, I think Cafe Juanita is intimate/delicious Italian, Rover's is more formal/expensive French but wonderfully done. Canlis is a bit more old fashioned/classic Seattle (a bit stuffy to me, but haven't been in years and I hear good things about the chef and great view/service). Corson Building is also wonderful but larger louder space with European seating and fixed menu. Tilth and Olivar are also great choices, but perhaps less fancy/special for your occasion. Sitka and Spruce (Corson Building folks) is too small and in a strip mall--but excellent food. Poppy is run by the person who made Herbfarm great so many years ago, but is a louder restaurant and fixed Indian/large plate menu.
SF Italian/Bistro 50th BDay Dinner Suggestion
I'd love some recommendations for a 50th Birthday dinner for my husband (party of 8 people for dinner). Italian or more casual French bistro would be ideal with great food and ambiance. We love food and are from Seattle, so we aren't fully familiar with SF restaurants. We've tried Zuni Cafe (good, but imo overated), Slanted Door (like it, but my mother in law hates cilantro and probably we are safer with Italian/French). I think Gary Danko, Coi, Quince, LaFolie may be a bit stuffy for our group (includes food loving teenagers that have loved Alinea and two seniors in their 80s). We're staying at the Omni Hotel and can take a cab within SF (others are coming from Hillsborough/San Carlos). I had thought Kokkari was a good option (I've been there and thought it was good and safe choice), but we are having a business dinner there the day before. Does anyone else had comments/suggestions about A16, Delfina, Incanto or any other restaurant that could fit the bill?
access to cider press & looking for grilled corn vendor
Cellar Homebrew in Greenwood rents cider presses and crusher (you'll need both, along with mesh bags, which you should buy). Call ahead and reserve because they only have two sets, and it gets busy in tthe fall.
Seattle Dim Sum
Other than O'Asian (expensive), I think the best dimsum is onthe Eastside. Try Jeem in Redmond Overlake area, Top Gun in Factoria (I think they also have a restaurant in the International District).
NY FOODIE IN SEATTLE FOR 2 MEALS
Nishino is my favorite sushi place in Seattle, with best atmosphere. The white salmon sashimi (isn't always listed on the menu) is amazing, as is toro sashimi (like butter). The omakase chef tasting meal is excellent, but should be requested when making reservations.
Wild Ginger is overrated--but they do good pan-Asian (service not good enough)
Rays is a Seattle institution--good for seafood.
Canlis--Seattle institution, excellent quality and service, not innovative
Union--excellent, small plates
Harvest Vine--tapas/spanish/wonderful
Seattle Recs for NYer
Try Sitka and Spruce in Eastlake area (located in a strip mall and tiny, but excellent NW food with small plates), Harvest Vine for tapas, Cafe Campagne (french bistro in Pike's Place Market), How to Eat a Wolf in Queen Anne (Mediterranean), Quinn's (Gastropub in Capitol Hill), Union (downtown), Nishino (sushi) These are all places we go regularly
Oh, don't forget Oyster Happy Hour (25 cents per oyster) at Flying Fish M-F from 5-6pm, Happy Hour at Cascadia ($3 sliders) and breakfast at Macrina Cafe (if you liked baked goods)
My favorite ethnic/less expensive places are Maneki (oldest Japanese restaurant in Seattle and a step into the past), Green Leaf for Vietnamese, Made In Kitchen (Vietnamese), Shanghai Garden (Chinese)
