I was the speaker at the Women for WineSense April meeting at Steelhead Diner in the heart of the Pike Place Market, and my slide-show presentation, reception, and dinner went swimmingly. Chef Kevin Davis pulled out ALL the stops, serving his famous Wild King Salmon with Macerated Cherries and Smoked Almond Beurre Noisette (a recipe from Pacific Northwest Wining & Dining), oysters on the half shell, Heirloom Beet Tartare, Sticky Chicken Skewers (another recipe from my book), House-Cured Bresaola with Hand-Stretched Mozzarella, among a long parade of incredibly tasty items.

Steelhead wine whiz Jessica Skye Bolt spared no expense by offering an array of 12 (count ‘em!) of the Northwest’s best and brightest wines, including Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling, Sleight of Hand “The Magician” Gewürztraminer, McCrea Sirocco Blanc, Syncline Rosé, Abacela Albariño and Port (!), Jigsaw Pinot Noir, and Sineann CJ (Zinfandel) Port. Here’s Chef Kevin talking up the crowd along with WWS Seattle Chapter President Terese Flaherty-Vaniman (standing, left) and Jessica Skye Bolt (center).

Speaking of Steelhead, we had a bang-up Fourth of July dinner there, which started with perfectly fried Crispy Little Eureka California Surf Smelt (with a yummy hot/sweet mustard vinaigrette) and half a dozen beautifully shucked Totten Inlet Virginica Oysters on the half shell with Frozen Mignonette (refreshing!). I opted for a half portion of the Red & Black Alaskan Troll-Caught Salmon with Roasted Corn, Sweet-Onion Salad, and Piquillo Pepper Salsa, while Spencer opted for the daily special of Spice-Rubbed Pork Ribs. 

Here’s our dessert: the perfect red, white and blue Buttermilk Pound Cake, a scrumptious composition of white chocolate pudding; real, old-fashioned (eggy, with perhaps a touch of cornmeal?!?!) pound cake, summer berries, all drizzled with Snoqualmie Farms Fireweed Honey. A bottle of Westrey 2006 “Oracle Vineyard” Pinot Noir, a berry-rich, lush, yet earthy Willamette Valley Pinot, paired perfectly with both entrées.

Speaking of wine (and you know I love to do that!), I get a kick the way the wine list (which is all Northwest) is printed on the back of the paper menu/placemats. But if you don’t see something you like there (hard to believe), ask for the “a” list (yes, it has a small “a” printed on the front). Among the choices? DeLille Cellars “Doyenne” Metier Blanc ($67), a vineyard-designate Beaux Freres Pinot Noir ($155), and àMaurice Cellars Malbec ($70).