Our grandchildren are growing up much too fast for my wife and me to be sitting on our bewtocks, so in a few days we are off to New Zealand again, this time at a more favorable time of year. It will be late summer when we arrive, a far cry from the chilly, wintry... Continue Reading →
Ramen at Fu Lin (Seattle, WA)
This was interesting. A Chinese restaurant that serves ramen and large signs in Japanese clearly in view behind the expansive storefront windows. A good friend of ours recommended this place for ramen. Located in the International District, Fu Lin has a special ramen menu, among which are included variations of shoyu, miso and tonkotsu ramen. Marketing ploy?... Continue Reading →
Mussel Bowl at Bayleaf (Coupeville, WA)
Among the many purveyors of mussel dishes for sale at the Penn Cove Musselfest was Bayleaf, a deli that ordinarily sells wine, cheese and other food items. In front of the store, a chef was preparing a large pan of mussels in a broth of chopped tomatoes, basil, garlic, ginger and other ingredients, a bowl... Continue Reading →
Penn Cove Boat Tour (Coupeville, WA)
I tend to take for granted the natural bounty we have here in the Pacific Northwest. I'm not alone either. This could be because the Seattle area is a highly developed, urban area where we have become physically and spiritually disconnected from our natural surroundings, here where mountain and sea are close at hand. Unless... Continue Reading →
Dinner at Din Tai Fung (Bellevue, WA)
All the times before that we've dined at Din Tai Fung, we were never able to get seated at a table right away. Always there was a wait. It is that popular. Tonight was an exception. We waltzed right in after seeing Amour at Lincoln Square Cinemas (a remarkable, unsettling, superbly acted movie, by the way).... Continue Reading →
Who’s Got Seattle’s Best Banh Mi, Seattle Deli or Saigon Deli?
We're fortunate here in the Seattle area to have several delis and bakeries that serve good bánh mì sandwiches, Vietnamese inventions that transform a version of the French baguette into a savory fusion of bread, meat (or tofu) and vegetables. Seattle is one of those lucky cities in America to have a thriving bánh mì culture,... Continue Reading →
Moonstruck Chocolate’s Critters
Here, in the Pacific Northwest, there is a vibrant chocolate culture that, while not as well known as the city's contribution to coffee drinking, is no less enthusiastic with a list of chocolatiers worthy of any important regional producer. By way of endorsement, Fran's salted caramels are reportedly President Obama's favorite chocolate. Of the local... Continue Reading →
Taquitos at La Cocina del Puerco (Bellevue, WA)—CLOSED
In the sea of cookie-cutter Mexican restaurants in the Seattle area, one on the Eastside stands out for its great food and interior decor kitschiness. When you walk through La Cocina del Puerco's doors, it's refreshing to be surrounded by piñatas hanging from the ceiling, the turquoise- and pink-painted walls, rickety metal card tables doubling... Continue Reading →
Noodle Soups at Pestle Rock (Seattle, WA)
I've eaten at Pestle Rock twice before, having come away impressed both times. The occasion of having lunch with my daughter marked my third visit. What caught my eye was a noodle soup dish called Guay Tiow Lao, which I presumed from its name was Laotian in style. How it's Laotian in influence I have no... Continue Reading →
zoomeboshi 