Good things come to those who wait …

And after being so patient with us, you’ll be happy to see that our site is finally live!

Now, we invite you to explore with us and take advantage of the amazing deals we’ll be offering. Emerald City Eats is about helping you get to know your community through food and we’re going to do that by telling real stories and talking from actual experience at our featured businesses. We are committed to being local, building relationships and sharing great savings.

But to truly take in all that is edible around here, you must be ready to expand your food-loving horizons. Because the truth is, it won’t be all big-name places on Emerald City Eats. Along with businesses that are tried and true, you’ll see some that are fresh and new! That’s why we’re here – to add adventure to your eating and help you discover the places you’ll be revisiting for years to come.

So check back often, dare to discover and always stay hungry!

Your friends,
- Dan and Lisa

 
Helping in Haiti – Why America is Great

America is great.  The concept isn’t tested very often, but when emergencies happen, Americans respond.  The latest round is Haiti.  Within days of Haiti’s tragic earthquake, millions of dollars have been donated by everyday Americans in the midst of the worst economic climate since the Great Depression.  At first glance, you’d think that Americans must still have lots of free money.

The truth is Americans don’t have that much cash.  The years prior to our latest economic collapse, America as a whole had a negative savings rate.  That means we didn’t save any cash, we spent it all and more.  That was followed by years of massive losses when most Americans saw their net worth drop 20-50%.   To recap, Americans spent all their cash, accumulated debt and lost most of their assets.  And now we have a huge outpouring of support for one of the world’s smallest countries.  That is why America is great.

It’s not all benevolent giving and donating, as many companies look to find ways to profit off of the tragedy.  There are some creative tie-ins and even some blatant scams going right now. Fraud is a sad problem that follows events like this, which is why Doctors Without Borders advises:

Alert: Due to reports of fraudulent activity, we are asking all donors to please be wary of third-party solicitations for Haiti relief. To ensure that your donation goes directly to Doctors Without Borders, please use our secure website or toll-free phone number 1-888-392-0392.”

Today, we can all say America helped and America is great, but please don’t forget that this is just the beginning of the tragedy for Haiti.  It will take years for the rebuilding process to be complete, and Haiti will never be exactly the same.  Tens of thousands of lives have been lost and there is no way for our aid to help bring them back.  Keep the Haitian’s in your mind, hearts and prayers.  They need our support.

Donate Direct to Organizations Helping on the Ground in Haiti:

* Doctors Without Borders:  https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=197

* Oxfam America: https://secure.oxfamamerica.org/site/Donation2?df_id=3641&3641.donation=form1

* Yele Haiti : http://www.yele.org/donation/

- Dan

 
This Week in Seattle Food Events

One of the funnest things about starting Emerald City Eats has been being able to share tidbits and big-bits of information on the Seattle food scene.  We do this here, on our blog, on our Facebook Fan page, on our Twitter account, and on different neighborhood blogs via comments and link sharing.

And even more exciting is when our friends, fans and followers share in the conversation.  Earlier today, on our Facebook page, one of our fans posted the question: “Are there any good food events happening this week?  I’m new to Seattle!”

But new to Seattle or not, this is a question on a lot of people’s minds, so we decided to do something about it.  There, on our Facebook Discussions board, we posted the following response (including one late addition):

Dear Alex,
We here at Emerald City Eats are so glad you decided to move to/visit/bless our amazing city. As you get to know Seattle better, you’ll find there’s something for everybody, whether you’re looking for entertainment, food or dreamy beach time. The Emerald City is always alive with enough events to make your head spin, and this week is no different. Here is a quick run down of what’s happening this week:

Eatery Openings:
Full Tilt ice cream is growing again! Just six months after opening their second location in Columbia City, the White-Center-love’n ice cream parlor is staking a claim in the University District as well. Starting today, you can now find their amazing artisan ice cream from 10am to 10pm everyday but Mondays at 4759 NE 50th St., underneath Cedars Restaurant and facing Walgreens.
Also adding to its location log, Wink Cupcakes is moving on up – the hill that is – from its commercial kitchen location at the bottom of Queen Anne, up to 1817 Queen Anne Ave, between El Diablo Coffee and Cinderella Tailors. Resolutions are broken here.

Events that don’t involve food, but are at restaurants:
Ever wonder, “Where can I go to eat, drink, and talk about science?” Well, other than at your nerd friends’ apartments, you can also do this twice a month at Science On Tap! Tonight you can find these deep-thinkers over at T.S. McHugh’s Pub in Lower Queen Anne, starting at 7:30pm.

Events that don’t involve food, aren’t at restaurants, but are still really cool:
If you decide not to join your neighborhood science lovers over at Science on Tap tonight, you could instead score yourself some FREE tickets to Spotlight at the 5th Avenue Theatre! Sponsored by US Bank, this popular series takes you behind the scenes to learn more about their upcoming productions. For more information, visit http://www.5thavenue.org/show/SpotlightNightforSouthPacificandLegallyBlonde0910/

Eat! Drink! Watch Three Amigos!:
Tomorrow night, Jan. 6, at Freshy’s Coffee in West Seattle, hunker down in the cozy confines of this welcoming eatery and enjoy a movie that just never gets old (although, technically, it is 24 years old) – Three Amigos! This Chevy Chase, Martin Short and Steve Martin classic is just what the Epiphany ordered.
This gathering starts at 7pm and sombreros are encouraged. During the movie, enjoy tasty sandwhiches, fresh-made soup and beverages of all types (yes, they have beer). For more information and to rsvp, visit http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=236537372031&id=35324704678#/event.php?eid=235839447429&ref=nf

Events strictly for cheese lovers:
Not for the lactose intolerant, Ray’s Boathouse in Ballard is hosting a Washington Cheese Maker Dinner this Thursday, Jan. 7.
For $65, you’ll be gobbling up cheese from Gothberg Farms, Whiskey Hill Farm, Mt. Townsend Creamery, Blue Rose Dairy, Willapa Hills Farmstead Cheese, Black Sheep Creamery and Estrella Family Creamery. To see the menu and make a reservation, visit http://www.rays.com/events/specialevent or call 206-789-3770 x3.

Food Events that will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside:
Even if you’ve spent only one day in Seattle, you’ve probably already noticed our thriving homeless population (maybe “thriving” isn’t the best word). But seriously, Seattle is a city that cares and Farestart is a culinary school that cares in the form of helping these underprivileged folks transform their lives through training and job placement.
This Thursday night at Guest Chef Night, Chef Peter Levine of the Waterfront Seafood Grill will work with FareStart students to create a delicious three-course meal. On the menu are Roasted King Salmon, Roasted Butternut Squash and Pumpkin & Golden Raisin Bread Budding, and it can all be yours for just $24.95! But reservations are a must, so visit http://farestart.com/ for more info.

Farmers Markets go year-round ‘round here:
Just when you thought it was too cold and rainy to enjoy buying fresh local produce outdoors, the Seattle Farmers Markets keep proving you wrong! It’s never too cold or rainy for these die-hard farmers and purveyors of locally produced edibles. And nothing says ‘local love’ like buying from them!
Visit http://www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org/markets to find hours and direction to Seattle’s two year-round markets (University District and West Seattle, every Saturday and Sunday respectively).

Best for last?
As you get to know Seattle’s food scene, you’ll find that the name Tom Douglas gets mentioned quite often. He’s the owner of some little places you might have heard of. Do Lola, Palace Kitchen, Dahlia Lounge, Dahlia Bakery, Etta’s or Serious Pie sound familiar? They’re popular meccas of culinary cuisine that you definitely need to try at least once (at which point you may need a support group to help you from setting up camp in Belltown).
Anyhow, back to the event … next Tuesday, Jan. 12, at Douglas’ Palace Ballroom, foodie authors Jane & Michael Stern will be having a “Community Dinner” to benefit the Seattle Arts & Lectures organization. Enjoy Douglas’ award-winning cuisines, wonderful wines and get a chance to win a Weber Summit S-670 Gas Grill, donated by Sur La Table. Price of this edible experience is 75 big ones, but if you win the grill! … well … then dinner was still $75. <shrug>
For more information and to buy tickets, visit http://www.lectures.org/sternscommunitydinner.html where you’ll have the opportunity to purchase tickets to more of SAL’s lectures. Check ‘em out.

In closing, our dear Alex, thank you for asking the same question even longtime Seattle residents ask all the time: what’s happening this week? We at ECE will do what we can to keep everyone up to date on food event happenings, and we’ll even do you one better; Coming soon, we’ll be choosing local food events/openings/big deals, to go to for ECE Eat-Ups (Get it? Like meetups … eat-ups … oh, you get it). Yes, ECE Eat-Ups will be coming soon and I hope you’ll join us! Bring a friend, relative or co-conspirator, and together we’ll eat! We’ll explore! We’ll pay with separate checks! Oh yeah, good times.

Your friends in food,
- Dan and Lisa


 
Toulouse Petit – Fresh Breakfast, Amazing Atmosphere, Fast Food Pricing.
Toulouse Petit Queen Anne Seattle

Toulouse Petit - Breakfast Happy Hour

We caught word of $5 breakfasts in Lower Queen Anne, so Lisa and I went to go see for ourselves.  No, it wasn’t at Peso’s, but right next door in fact, at Toulouse Petit, the fairly-new, Creole-inspired restaurant owned by Brian Hutmacher, waiter turned restaurateur.

The rod ironwork, empty wall shelves and handcrafted tables make for a beautiful yet slightly mysterious atmosphere.  But the food doesn’t leave anything to wonder about.  It’s crisp, balanced and yes, for a limited time, cheap!

For only $5 you can get almost anything any their extensive breakfast menu (“USDA Prime Rib Eye Steak and Eggs” or eggs Benedict with “Louisiana Blue Crab with Fine Herbs,” are the only exceptions, but even those are only $10 and $9 respectively).  They have a number of other eggs Benedict combinations, as well as classics like pancakes, biscuits and gravy and egg sandwiches, all with a unique New Orleans twist to them.  This is definitely a great opportunity to try out their distinctive menu on the cheap.

Myself, I’m very particular about my breakfast potatoes.  Yes, almost everyone serves them, but not everyone takes the time to perfect them.  I want them to be crisp, but not deep-fried and oily, and seasoned, but not so much they’re challenging the main dish.  Toulouse Petit’s breakfast chef must think like me, because the potatoes were perfect.  Their eggs are similarly served, without any hint of heavy cooking oil, and are paired well with each of their Breakfast Plates.

Overall, Toulouse Petit, with their light, balanced flavors and unique offerings, is a great diversion from your typical greasy spoon fair.  But if you want to try them out at $5 a plate, you better hurry.  This ‘Breakfast Happy Hour’ special only goes on till the end of January, and is only Monday through Friday, from 9am to 11am.

Toulouse Petit is located at 601 Queen Anne Ave. N., in the green stucco building on the northwest corner of Queen Anne Ave. N. and Mercer.  Metered street parking is all around. For more information, reach them at (206) 432-9069.

- Dan

 
Celebrate with Carmelita
The woman herself

The woman herself

Carmelita in Greenwood is celebrating its 13th Anniversary, and all month long they’re giving Instant-Carma giveaways!  Just be one of the first 13 customers each day to say “Happy Anniversary Carmelita!” and here’s what you’ll get:

• Friday 12/18: Housemade foccacia with olivada
• Saturday 12/19: Sweet potato profiteroles, hazelnut ice cream, salted caramel sauce, hazelnut brittle
• Sunday 12/20: $25.00 gift certificate (valid beginning 1-2-2010)
• Tuesday 12/22: $1 – Glass of prosecco
• Wednesday 12/23: Carmelita t-shirt
• Thursday 12/24: Closed
• Friday 12/25: Closed
• Saturday 12/26: Housemade flatbread, trio of spreads
• Sunday 12/27: Housemade foccacia with olivada
• Tuesday 12/29: 1/2 off cocktail tab
• Wednesday 12/30: $1 – Sugar Plum cocktail (Prosecco, amaretto, cassis, Amaro Nonino, winter spices)
• Thursday 12/31: $25.00 gift certificate (valid beginning 1-2-2010)

Along with the above mentioned goodies, Carmelita’s is also celebrating the month with $13 entrees (when you order a starter and a dessert), and they’re giving every December diner the chance to win a Chef’s Choice Dinner for 13!

For more information, visit them at http://www.carmelita.net

 
Area restaurants make it a super Tuesday

This Tuesday, Seattleites will be given the chance to toast the longevity of one establishment, while supporting a community’s loss with some others. We hope you can visit the following businesses and show them that through the good times and bad, our strength of spirit – and need for noms – remain strong.

——————————————————————————

Join Five Points Café (415 Cedar St., in Bellown)as it marks its 80th Birthday!

Celebrate with new owners David Meinert and Mandy Park as they bring back prices your grandmother never even knew:

• 2 eggs, bacon, and toast for 25 cents

• A hamburger and fries for 20 cents

• Blue Plate special for 30 cents

and … drumroll please …

• 25-cent Pabst Blue Ribbon beers

Seriously.  Get over there from 9am to 10pm tomorrow to enjoy these unheard of prices.

__________________________________________________________________

Also tomorrow, Ivar’s Seafood Restaurants joins the community in remembering the four fallen Lakewood officers by donating 100% of its chowder profits to support the Lakewood Police Independent Guild.  Whichever way you take it, your chowder will help fund a trust for the families of Lakewood Police Officers Greg Richards, Tina Griswold, Ronald Owens and Sergeant Mark Renninger who were gunned down on November 29.  (for latest story, click here)

In addition, Ivar’s will be accepting monetary donations at all locations thru December, which will be forwarded to the trust (checks can be made out to LPIGCF).

Full details at Ivar’s site or to learn more about the nonprofit Lakewood Police Independent Guild, click here.

________________________________________________________________________

Also donating profits tomorrow (and Wednesday!) are all Papa John’s Pizza restaurants in Kitsap, Pierce and King Counties.  For these two days, 100% of their profits will go to the families of the four slain Lakewood police officers.

* Also, a word of caution about telemarketers or online solicitations seeking donations for the Lakewood officers.  See this story from KOMO News for more information.
 
‘Dine Out for Art’ @ Fana’s Cuisine Tuesday night

It’s not every day you can eat great AND do good, but here’s your chance!

Dine out at Fana’s Cuisine in Mt. Baker tonight between 4pm and 9pm, and 20% of the proceeds will benefit the SouthEast Effective Development’s art program – SEEDArt.

SEEDArt is dedicated to building communities through the power of art.  It offers visual, performing and public art programs that inspire and connect residents in Southeast Seattle.

And Fana’s Cuisine is dedicated to bringing Seattle the freshest, tastiest international dishes you can find.  Serving Ethiopian, East African, Mediterranean and Italian fare, Fana’s is a one-stop smorgasbord of eclectic offerings.

So grab your friends, head on down and enjoy a truly ‘feel good’ meal.

Fana’s Cuisine

3621 33rd Ave S
Suite C-5 and C-6
Seattle, WA 98144

* Driving note: Fana’s is located on the retail level of ‘Courtland Place at Rainier Court’ apartments.  The restaurant’s parking lot can also be accessed from entrances on Rainier Ave. S (approx. 3700 Rainier Ave. S.), as well as on 33rd Ave. S.
 
Go'n out with a bang: War Room's 'Last Stand' tonight

A Capitol Hill institution since 2005, The War Room is slated to close its doors for good this week, so get over there TONIGHT to say your good-byes at The War Room’s Last Stand.

Warroom

 
Mercy for Turkeys

* This blog entry is borrowed from our friends at VeganScore.  Visit them for more information and insight into Seattle’s vegan offerings. Thanks Anika!

Hey y’all. I’ve gotten this question three times in the last week: “Where are all the vegan and vegetarian Thanksgivings around Seattle, Anika?”This question is a little closer to my heart than most, because I had the opportunity to spend some time with group of female turkeys rescued by Farm Sanctuary in CA. These sweet girls were so gentle, but sickly from their ordeal, and fell asleep in our laps. I fell in love.I thought I’d collect what I know about Non-Turkey-Eating events on Turkey Day in one place. Please, please comment with any events or veg restaurants that I missed!!

Restaurants:
Plum Bistro is offering a vegan Thanksgiving prix-fixe. Reservations are likely required, but don’t have much more info. (206) 838-5333

Georgetown Liquor Co. will have a vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner. Starts at 4 pm, only costs $25, and includes dinner, desert AND wine! What. A. Deal. (206) 763-6764

Bamboo Garden will have their annual vegan Thanksgiving dinner. It’s just $17 and includes smoked vegetarian turkey, fresh baked yams with pineapple and orange sauce, stuffing mixed with nuts and vegetables and more. (206) 282-6616

Cafe Flora will be offering a prix-fixe four-course meatless menu and a smaller kids menu. Of course, vegan/gluten-free options will be available. The cost is $50. (206) 325-9100

Carmelita will have a four-course vegan and vegetarian Thanksgiving Day Feast from 3:00-8:00. Not sure about the cost, but for sure reservations will be needed. (206) 706-7703

Thrive is going all out and offering FREE food during their “Gala of Gratitude” to thank everyone who has supported them since they opened. Hours will be 10:30 to 3:00 and there will be prizes. (206) 525-0300

Squid and Ink will be offering a dinner including: pomegranate mixed greens salad, roasted root vegetable medley, apricot brandy cranberry sauce, garlic-sage mashed potato with country-style gravy, corn-bread stuffing, house made stuffed tofukey, and pumpkin cheezcake. Beer/wine/cider available. 206.763.2696 email: squidandink@yahoo.com. 4:00pm, reservations required. $25

Non-restaurant or Potlucks:

  • The Seattle Vegan Meetup Group will be having “Over the Highway and Through the Streets: Vegan Thanksgiving Potluck,” 4:30 PM at Wayward 901 NE 55th. St. Join the The Seattle Vegan Meetup Group to get more details.
  • Also on Meetup, the Seattle Veg Activity and Adventure Group is inviting vegan orphans or folks just just not into “Thankskilling” day to celebrate “Thanksliving” Day with a potluck. Again, log into Meetup to get the details.
  • Vegetarians of Washington have a monthly meal on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. I heard that they were having a Thanksgiving potluck this month, but I didn’t find anything online about it. Call their message line at (206) 706-2635 if this sounds appetizing.

Fortunately, (or unfortunately), I’ll be spending Thanksgiving with my very carnivorous family, so I won’t get to enjoy any of these wonderful sounding meals. Eat some for me!

And if you are thinking of dragging along a non-vegetarian friend, have them check out the Top 10 Reasons to Not Eat Turkey this Thanksgiving. or watch ‘Life and Death for Factory-Farmed Turkeys,’ narrated by Shirley Jones – this might make your meal seem a lot more appealing.

____________________________________

Posted by Anika at 1:01 PM 5 comments
 
Starbucks in disguise: Roy Street Coffee and Tea opens on Capitol Hill
According to the person who posted the photo, the man is removing the Inspired by Starbucks portion of the logo.

According to the person who posted the photo, the man is removing the 'Inspired by Starbucks' portion of the logo.

Capitol Hill’s second “Inspired by Starbucks” neighborhood coffee shop opened yesterday to much fan fare.

Wait, nix that. Let’s try to be more accurate.

Capitol Hill’s second “Inspired by Capitol Hill – owned by Starbucks” coffee shop opened yesterday with a full house of Starbucks execs and other people who love/need coffee enough to apparently not concern themselves with the controversy surrounding its opening.

Did I make it out there yesterday? No.  And not for boycott-type reasons either.  Honest.

I didn’t make it out there because, plain and simple, I was too busy to.  But luckily our good friends over at Capitol Hill Seattle Blog were there and shared details of its opening in “First Impressions: Notes from Roy Street’s opening.”

So back to this ‘controversy’ I spoke of.  Is it? You tell me:

Roy Street Coffee and Tea is essentially Starbucks’ attempt to put a local feel back into its coffee houses, something it lost when the Pike Place Market startup went national, then global, and revolutionized the when, where and why we drink coffee.

So how does a coffee company with 16,635 stores in 49 countries go “local”?  They start by rebranding all their products, to give them that independent coffee house look.  Then they strip any inkling of Starbucks out of the place. No green aprons or naked mermaid logos here.  Just something that looks authentic and sounds authentic – but underneath it all, is still owned by Starbucks.

Now, we won’t tell you how to feel about Starbucks.  Love them or hate them, that’s fine with us.  But as a truly local company ourselves, trying to spread the local love, we want people to be as informed as they are spendy.  In other words, if and when you spend your money there, don’t do it hoping your giving your money to Nice Guy Joe down the street who is realizing his boyhood dream of starting an independent coffee shop.  That’s just not the case.  Your money is really lining the pockets of Nice Guy Howard Schultz and friends in SoDo, who have realized a way to give people that “I’m shopping local” feel while keeping them from actually having to shop local.

And if you’re not concerned with who’s on the other end of your dollar and you like what they’re serving, my hats off to you.  Money doesn’t always talk.  Sometimes, I guess it’s just an innocent bystander.

- Lisa

 
Page 1 of 212»