The Other Coast

In the last posting I reported on our trip to the East Coast, now it's time to review the trip to Seattle for our Granddaughters Law School Graduation.
In between we had a dinner at "Otto's" with the usual Fried green tomato's, a bottle of Gamay( half priced wine night), Brazed, bone in short ribs, Pasta, and Apricot Bread Pudding. All well prepared and served perfectly. It's hard for us to try "Bouquet" next door, but we'll have to some time, if for no other reason than to stay abreast of the Covington food scene.


Hopped the plane to Seattle June 6 at 9:15 AM, arriving in time to check in our hotel and walk two blocks, down the street, to "Portage Bay", 4130 Roosevelt Way, Seattle -206-547-8230. This large, excellent, well run restaurant is open both for breakfast and lunch, 6 or 7 days/week. Not in the evening. The food is uniformly good and plentifully and we so enjoyed the experience, we ate our next two Breakfasts there. Some of the items that came to our table, and that we especially enjoyed were: Heirloom Tomato's Benedict, Swedish Pancakes with Lingonberrys, Spanish Skillet with 3 eggs, turkey sausage, ham and croutons all on top of Italian tomato's and with a slightly spicy sauce, served in an iron skillet right from the oven, "Migas" a mixture similar but without the bread, ham or whole Roma tomato's. The "Migas" can be ordered with Chicken, instead of sausage. Another hit was the crab cake Benedict. There is a large "breakfast bar" with toppings for pancakes, waffles and Oatmeal. Plenty for a variety of tastes and multiple meals.

The first evening 7 of us went to "Blind Pig Bistro", 2238 Eastlake Ave. Seattle - 206-329-2744, reservations highly recommended. It is a small restaurant seating no more that 40 and helpings are of the small plate fashion, encouraging people to have several, for sharing. We split 3 orders of Arctic Char, 4 orders of Gnocchi, two small loafs of french bread, one each of Octopus, Scallops, and 3 desserts. Several glasses of wine for those who imbibe. Food was excellent and the service was even better, with our server guiding us through all the offerings.

Next night was a South American picnic for 11 of us at "Gas Work Park", overlooking the water. Sunday was Graduation, in the afternoon, followed by a reception for the Law School. Then on to "Anchovies and Olives" where 12 of us we're greeted with a "price fixed", multi-course dinner selected by the chef. Too many items and courses to try to remember.

Monday Breakfast was at "Voula's Offshore Cafe, 658 NE Northlake Way Seattle - 206-634-0183. It's on the ship channel and a must try place if your in that neighborhood and like "old  fashion Diner food". Bacon( thick), eggs, outstanding hash browns, pancakes, omelets and anything else you desire from a diner menu.
That night, before the "red eye" a reduced and stuffed group had one final meal at "Etta's Seafood", 2020 Western Ave near the Pike St. Market. "Etta's specialty is fresh grilled or broiled Salmon with the "house" rub. It lived up to it's billing, with mine coming "rare, as ordered, and others fixed perfectly to their specifications. They know their business. Those who had no interest in the salmon had Crab Cakes, and would you believe it, Cheeseburgers.

Done with Graduations till this winter and back in Cincinnati, for several months.