Gastrolust

Pearl is what most any grungy or grunge-loving Seattleite would imagine an Eastside restaurant to be: a swanky, people-watching place that smacks of a nightclub. The bar scene can be boisterous, full of beautiful Bellevueites, but this happens to be a restaurant that puts out some pretty good food.
While there are [...]

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As if the Melrose Building didn’t already have enough quality eating options, Taylor Shellfish Farms is celebrating the grand opening of its Capitol Hill store today.

The store’s actually been open all month (daily 10 to 7), and it’s a fabulous place to shop for shellfish. Here you’ll find local geoduck, Manila clams, Mediterranean [...]

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Ask about a good deal on oysters, and you’ll likely get directed to Elliott’s Oyster House on the downtown waterfront. Each weekday, Elliott’s offers a progressive oyster happy hour from 3pm to 6pm. At 3pm, chef’s choice of oysters runs fifty cents apiece, with the price increasing twenty-five cents every half [...]

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South Lake Union is the scene of Chef Christine Keff’s relocated Flying Fish restaurant. I went in for a tasting menu experience, expecting a series of small bites, but was blown away by a big, welcoming platter of crabs. Keff explained that she loves to serve such platters (which can also be [...]

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Wednesday, I got a sneak peek at Blueacre Seafood, Kevin Davis’ new restaurant in the Oceanaire space where he once worked. My dining companion and I dug the chance to sit in one of the marlin skin-like booths close to the opened-up kitchen, taking in some of the sights, smells, and sounds of the action.
Despite [...]

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Here are five quick bites, culminating with news about a national champion.
Ivar’s is a Seattle institution. No doubt about that. And that institution was in the news this year, with stories about its underwater billboards. For me, the story is whether its food warrants a stop or not. This past year, I had chances to [...]

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Summer also marked the first Battle in Seattle, featuring Chef David Hahne of host restaurant Enotria against Chef Takashi Ogasawara of Rain Modern Infusion Cuisine. In this crudo versus sashimi competition, the secret ingredient was salmon, and both chefs plated up three courses for a panel of judges (including yours truly) and a rather raucous, [...]

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Two very different houses find themselves at war in this month’s Dish-Off. El Gaucho’s newest location in Bellevue is where chef Steve Cain stands behind the hot grill serving up prime cuts of quality beef and more. Meanwhile, chef Felix Penn and his wife, Sarah, preside over an oyster house named for Sarah’s grandfather, Frank, [...]

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This one was just for fun. After all, Salty’s on Alki is already a winner in my book, having taken top honors in last year’s “bivalves” Dish-Off for Sound magazine.
I was happy to simply enjoy the dinner they called “A Match Made in Heaven,” with Chef Jeremy McLachlan and Sommelier Tim O’Brien pairing wild salmon [...]

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Sunnier days are here, and salmon season will soon be upon us in Seattle. What better place to enjoy it all than Salty’s?
And one week from today, May 20, Salty’s on Alki Beach will be offering a “Match Made in Heaven”: their Wild Salmon & Pinot Noir Dinner. Sommelier Tim O’Brien has made some super [...]

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