A View from my Office

April 29, 2010

A View From My Office

The painter’s plastic is down; the floors are sanded and refinished; the beams in the ceiling are boxed in, drywalled, and painted; the new low-voltage lighting is in; and the walls are freshly painted.

Here’s the view from my office (still sans new desk, so still not quite technically my office) but we’re makin’ great progress.

New desk will be delivered tomorrow or Monday; new sofa on Monday or Tuesday. We are slowly but surely unpacking boxes, finding “new” treasures and glad to see old familiar items again.

And, as of Tuesday, we started sleeping and cooking here again, and it feels so good to be back.

Cheers to our wonderful contractors, MODELREMODEL (especially Rick and Ronnie) for all their hard and expert work, and putting up with us throughout these past six weeks.

Cactus Deserves a Dish of the Day

April 25, 2010

Cactus Chicken Caesar Salad

If one picture is worth 1,000 words, then this photo of Cactus’s excellent Spiced Caesar with Grilled Chicken Salad with cojita croutons, black beans, roasted corn, and lots of beautifully grilled chicken takes the cake.

We snapped it one Saturday at lunch at the glorious West Seattle branch of the Cactus trio of restos, overlooking Alki Beach. Margaritas were strong and refreshing, just what we needed that cool spring day.

Chukar Cherries Gets a Facelift

April 22, 2010

Chukar Cherry Company has been a popular fixture in the Pike Place Market’s Main Arcade for many years. Happy to report that the good folks at Chukar (including the company’s founder and fellow Seattle Dame Pamela Montgomery, a.k.a., “Ma Chukar,” and husband J.T.)  have just completed an upgrade that makes the venerable permanent stand feel even more warm and cozy than before.

Chukar Cherry Company Remodel

Here’s a photo snapped late afternoon on a busy Saturday as the lovely ladies behind the counter are working hard, giving out loads of free samples to tourists and locals alike, as always.

Note the new signage and warm cherry cabinets behind the sales clerks. Very nice!

Chukar Cherry Company, 4/10

And here’s a more straight-on shot provided by Pam and J.T. Congrats and “cherry cheers,” dear friends!

A View From My Office

April 19, 2010

With the expected finish date of our remodel just about 1 1/2 weeks out, I wanted to snap a few photos to show you how much progress has been made, but how our belongings are still in boxes and behind painter’s plastic.

A View From My Office 1

Here is an actual view from my office. Note the beautiful expanse of maple floors, which have been undergoing sanding and three coats of finish over the past week or so.

A View From My Office 2

And here’s’ a shot looking back towards my office and all my bookcases (behind plastic).

A View From My Office 3

Here’s the kitchen. . .more plastic and an indeterminate amount of construction dust lurking everywhere. We have scheduled two deep cleanings before we move back in!

A View From My Office 4

Finally, here’s a shot looking out from the “kitchen,” over the big granite counter, and towards the Four Seasons Hotel (our neighbor just across the courtyard). We will both be so very happy when the remodel is complete, the workers have moved on, and we can get back to “normal” life!

Pike Place Market Barbecue on View!

April 16, 2010

A recent press release from my beloved Pike Place Market alerted me to the upcoming Barbecue Competition. So I wanted to share it with you. . .

It’s a Smokin’ Good Time at the 8th Annual BBQ Competition at Pike Place Market on April 18

Winners get awards and bragging rights when 30+ teams cook all Saturday night for the judges

WHEN: Sunday, April 18, 2010, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Awards ceremony starts at 4:30 p.m. Load-in and set-up begin Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Along Pike Place from Pike Street to Virginia Street. Pike Place will be closed to vehicles Saturday night and all day Sunday.

WHAT: Big rigs and trailer pits move in as 30+ teams camp out for the night to slow-cook their meats. Cooks turn in their best BBQ items to judges, with the winners being named in each category at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Categories include pork butt, ribs, chicken and brisket.

This 2010 Washington State BBQ Championship at Pike Place Market is produced by the Pacific Northwest BBQ Association and is a qualifier for national BBQ championships such as Great American BBQ, American Royal and Jack Daniels World Championship Draw. Over $2,500 in cash and prizes will be awarded to the winners.

Pike Place Market shoppers can stop and chat with chefs and their crews to get some great BBQ tips. BBQ sandwiches will be sold starting at 11:00 a.m. to benefit the human service agencies at the Market.

For more information, visit http://pnwba.com/.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 13, 2010
CONTACT: Anthony James, 206-910-4084

It’s a Smokin’ Good Time at the 8th Annual BBQ Competition at Pike Place Market on April 18
Winners get awards and bragging rights when 30+ teams cook all Saturday night for the judges

WHEN: Sunday, April 18, 2010, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Awards ceremony starts at 4:30 p.m. Load-in and set-up begin Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Along Pike Place from Pike Street to Virginia Street. Pike Place will be closed to vehicles Saturday night and all day Sunday.

WHAT: Big rigs and trailer pits move in as 30+ teams camp out for the night to slow-cook their meats. Cooks turn in their best BBQ items to judges, with the winners being named in each category at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Categories include pork butt, ribs, chicken and brisket.

This 2010 Washington State BBQ Championship at Pike Place Market is produced by the Pacific Northwest BBQ Association and is a qualifier for national BBQ championships such as Great American BBQ, American Royal and Jack Daniels World Championship Draw. Over $2,500 in cash and prizes will be awarded to the winners.

Pike Place Market shoppers can stop and chat with chefs and their crews to get some great BBQ tips. BBQ sandwiches will be sold starting at 11:00 a.m. to benefit the human service agencies at the Market.

For more information, visit http://pnwba.com/.

Soft Tail Spirits’ Crafty Vodka

April 15, 2010

Back in November, I wrote a story about a little grappa maker striking it big just across the lake from Seattle in Woodinville, Washington.

Happy to report that last month, Soft Tail Spirits launched another enticing craft liquor–Vodka.

According to Soft Tail’s co-owner and distiller, Dennis Roberts, “It’s taken us almost a year but I can finally say that Western Washington has its first locally produced Vodka since Prohibition. We opened our doors with Grappa in April of 2009 and Grappa will always be our signature spirit. Now we are proud to announce the release of our Soft Tail Vodka.

“Our Vodka has been given the most scrutiny thus far; we attempted the pot-still method and weren’t pleased with the results. That led to purchasing a new Vodka still designed specifically for our needs.”

Robertson says he attempted a number of wheat-based Vodkas and didn’t care for the results. That led to the question, “What other resource from Washington State can we make vodka from?”

He claims the most obvious source was also the most recognizable–the apple.

“We have found that the Washington apple offers unique and higher-quality sugars for the distillation of Vodka than the more traditional potato or grain bases do,” Robertson says. “Through the multiple-distillation process, the apple flavors are gone and what’s left is a crisp, clean, and fresh premium Vodka that’s dangerously smooth.”

So go taste for yourself. Soft Tail Spirits’ tasting room is open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5:00 pm. Soft Tail Spirits 80-proof Vodka sells for $28.00 for a 750-ml bottle.

A View From My Office

April 8, 2010

I’ve been remiss in posting photos of the remodel currently engulfing our condominium and my home office, but suffice to say, there’s been A LOT of progress in the last week or so.

A View From My Office

Here is the actual view from the place where my computer used to sit and should (we hope) return by month’s end.

A View From My Office

And here’s the view looking inward. Note the floor sander in the foreground, which was used to sand down our wood floors prior to refinishing them.

You may remember that the floors were severely damaged on July 4, 2007, when our elderly neighbor left the plug in his kitchen sink while doing his dishes, forgot about the water, and went to bed.

Several hours later, water had intruded into five units here in the building, with our unit one of the most severely hit.

So we are so happy to finally have the floor situation resolved.

A View From My Office

In addition to the floors; new ceiling beams; a new, low-voltage lighting system; and overall painting, here is our new pride and joy: a floor-to-ceiling Sub-Zero wine cooler.

The remodel is supposed to end in another two weeks, god willin’ and the creeks don’t rise. Keeping fingers crossed. . .

Olivar’s “Taxpayer Special” Dinners Debut in April

April 7, 2010

Olivar Mussels with Salsa Verde

A couple of weeks ago, before a movie at the Harvard Exit on Capitol Hill, we stopped in for dinner at Olivar, the popular Spanish-French bistro located in the historic Loveless Building right across the street from the theater.

Every dish from the Baby Lettuces with Butternut Squash and Roasted Pumpkin Seeds to the Sea Scallops with Roasted Cauliflower, Pine Nuts, Currants, and Fresno Chile Oil was outstanding, but it was one of the ever-changing daily specials–the Mussels with Salsa Verde–that really won my heart. Tarragon was the herb du jour/del día featured in a light broth that might have been thickened with tangy crème fraîche rather than weighted down with heavy cream.

Coincidentally, a few days later, a press release showed up in my in box, touting three-course, $25 “Taxpayer Special” dinners offered at Olivar three nights a week.

“Everyone can use a little help these days,” says chef/owner, Philippe Thomelin.

Amen.

The prix-fixe menu will run through April on Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights. (As of April 1, Olivar will be closed on Mondays.) The $25 “Taxpayer Special” will also be available during Sunday brunch hours.

Here’s a sample menu:

Baby Lettuce with Roasted Butternut Squash, Sage Vinaigrette & Pumpkin Seeds

or

Nettle Soup with Wild Rice, Hazelnut & Cranberry

or

Serrano Ham Tarte Fine with Caramelized Onion & Aged Mahon

Pimiento Relleno a lo Pobre (Stuffed Anaheim pepper with braised pork, potato & fried egg)

or

Grilled Squid with Housemade Harissa & Crusted Vegetable Galette

or

Roasted Quail Stuffed with Mushroom, Sage & Polenta

Chocolate & Almond Pithiviers

or

Rhubarb & Apple Crumble with Vanilla English Custard

Blunching at Cafe Campagne

April 4, 2010

Spencer wants breakfast. I want lunch. Or vice versa.

Unfortunately, not a lot of places serve both. . .

Cafe Campagne Quiche

But a good alternative for “blunch” is Cafe Campagne in the Pike Place Market. On a recent Saturday morning, I opted for the fluffy, light Vegetarian Quiche. When I asked our server how they got it so light, she said all they use in the filling is egg yolks. Sacre bleu!

Cafe Campagne Steak Frites

Meanwhile, Steak Frites was Spencer’s lunch of choice that particular day. It’s a manly-man sort of dish and he even lets me steal the occasional French fry. 🙂

Cafe Campagne means a lot to us and we go there often, for dinner as well. It’s where we went the evening my mother died and we needed some nourishment before we got on the American Airlines red-eye flight to Dallas.

And. . .ta-da. . .it’s the place where we had the idea for “Five More Minutes With,” our new Web site that launched on March 26. You can read more in “Our Story,” and I certainly hope you will enjoy the site and check in often.

A View From My Office

April 1, 2010

A View From My Office

This is no April’s Fool prank!

One nice thing about undergoing a remodel of our condo has been that it has forced me to clean out my office. Here’s the actual top of my desk, something I literally hadn’t seen totally naked in years and years.

A View From My Office

Of course, all that stuff had to go somewhere. So here is the pile of boxes (full of files and papers) right behind my desk. Note the painter’s plastic and pogo-stick-like poles that formed the “bubble” (for lack of a better word) that has surrounded my office for the past several weeks.

A View From My Office

And here is yours truly, a.k.a., Bubble Girl, looking a bit doubtful that this will ever be over and life will return to normal in my office and the rest of our condo.