We’ve had an amazing first month of bringing you the best deals Seattle eateries have to offer. Who can forget …

• $8 for $28 worth of Pizza, Salad and more at Proletariat Pizza

• 2 Burgers+2 Fries+2 Drinks for $8 at Charlie’s Flame Broiled Burgers

• $5 for $20 worth of Custom Italian dining at Pasta Freska

• 70¢ for an Original French Dip at Rizzo’s Frech Dip

• 15¢ for a Single Scoop at Bluebird Homemade Ice Cream and Tea Room

Serious deals for serious eaters, right? And there’s definitely more to come, but ECE’s taking a little downtime to put plans into action and make this site even better. Cheers till then …

Dan & Lisa

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

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

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 alive with enough events to make your head spin. 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 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

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

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

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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.

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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.

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