Dine around part II - Dahlia Lounge!

Dine around on the last day for lunch at Dahlia Lounge! This restaurant owned by Tom Douglas is a favorite for a few of my friends and I.  It's located right in downtown and is a wonderful restaurant with great food, ambiance, and service.

Dahlia

Selection for lunch

Cup of Tom’s Tasty Tomato Soup 

Brown Butter Croutons 

 Albacore Poke 

Sesame, Soy, Scallion 

Pan Seared Chilled Albacore Tuna 

Buckwheat Soba, Pickled Beets and Daikon, Green Garlic 

Lychee Sorbet, Ginger 

The food was delicious as usual and for $15, we got a wonderful lunch complete with appetizer, entree, and dessert!  Everything was so simple yet elegant.  I really enjoyed all 3 of my dishes.  The flavor of the poke was fantastic.  I only wished the pieces were larger and surprisingly though I never add anything to poke, a squeeze of the lime on the side brought out the flavors even more.  My entree, the seared tuna with soba was refreshing with its pickled beets and daikon and although the soba noodles were a tad dry, they complemented the tuna. With all the yumminess, today's winner was dessert! The lychee sorbet with ginger syrup was light and so perfect with its meld of sweetness from the lychee and spiciness from the ginger.  I love it!

Altogether, an enjoyable lunch with friends once again!  Dahlia Lounge never fails, everyone needs a visit!

Dahlia Lounge

2001 4th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98121

Dine around Seattle at Palisade!

I love $15 lunches at nice restaurants.  For the entire month of March, Seattle has a wonderful $15 lunch or $30 dinner deal at very nice, fancy restaurants that I normally would not go to.  A few of my friends and I had the day off and decided to enjoy time together as well as food! Without further ado, Palisades....

Delicious menu

Butter Lettuce with Rogue River Blue Cheese 

Baby Bibb Lettuce with Rogue River Blue Cheese, Smoked Hazelnuts, Crisp Julienned Pear with Guava Wood Smoked Butter Poached Colossal Prawns

 Seafood Sliders 

Maine Lobster "BLT" with Crisp Pancetta, House Smoked Salmon with Caper Cream Cheese, and Alaskan King Crab Salad with Avocado, Roasted Pepper Aioli and Crisp Watercress. All Served on Brioche Buns

 Seared Diver Scallops 

Beluga Lentils, Celery Root and Parsnip Purée, and Pancetta-Pear Vinaigrette

WagYu Sirloin 

Char-grilled WagYu Sirloin from “Snake River Farm” in Our Specialized Over-Under Broiler, Brushed with House Made Steak Butter. Served on Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Seasonal Vegetables

 Spiced Banana Ice Cream 

Palisade’s Exclusive Banana Ice Cream with Housemade 

Candied Almond Brittle and Caramelized Baby Bananas

Chocolate “Lovers” Cake 

Our Own Rich Decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake with Fresh Raspberries, Chocolate Hazelnut Ice Cream, and Mini Chocolate Truffles with Shaved White Chocolate.

 Random piano above the bar!

Beautiful day for a lunch with friends

Gray weather is normal in Seattle, but it turned into a beautiful day as we had lunch overlooking Elliot Bay. I really enjoyed having lunch at Palisades.   From the starter salad to the main entree to dessert, everything was well done.  The steak was the winner of the day.  It was cooked medium rare and was so tender and flavorful with perfect unburnt charred edges! Dessert was rich, but satisfied my chocolate craving.  Although the service was a bit slow, it gave us time to chat and enjoy each others company.  We strolled out along the water after lunch, what a wonderful day!

Palisade Restaurant
Elliott Bay Marina
2601 West Marina Place
Seattle, WA 98199

Here and there...

Just some pictures I haven't had a chance to blog on, enjoy!

Trophy cupcakes

Yummy birthday cake

Homemade Dessert Night!

(Bottom to top: Coconut biscotti, blueberry muffin, sponge cake, 

lemon crepes, cookies, fruit tart, red bean manju, brownies)

Ramen

Beautiful evening

Fruit Tart

My first attempt at a fruit tart with my brand new tart pan! I'm also trying out a new recipe that I found off of allrecipes.  It had fantastic ratings and I'm hoping those ratings ring true when the taste test comes tonight.

White Chocolate Fruit Tart
Crust
- 3/4 c butter softened
-1/2 c powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 c of flour
Filling
- 1 10 oz pack of white chocolate chips melted
- 1/4 c whipping cream
- 1 8 oz pack of cream cheese
- fresh berries (raspberries,  blackberries)
- 1 sliced kiwi
- canned mandarin oranges with juice
Glaze
- 3 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice 

In a small mixing bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add flour; mix well. Press into an ungreased 11-in. tart pan with removable bottom or 12-in. pizza pan with sides. Bake at 300 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack

For filling, in a small mixing bowl, beat melted chips and cream. Add cream cheese and beat until smooth. Spread over crust. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Drain mandarin oranges, reserving 1/2 cup juice; set juice aside. Arrange the berries, oranges, and kiwi over filling.

For glaze, in a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in lemon juice and reserved mandarin juice until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Cool; brush over fruit. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.  

Ingredients for the filling 

Glaze in progress

Glazed fruit tart!

The entire tart making process was not difficult, just time consuming.  The crust came out beautifully with a minor crack that I fixed by putting a thin layer of melted white chocolate.  As for the filling, it was the first time I've ever heard of using white chocolate as part of a base.  I melted the chips in my own makeshift double boiler which I then transferred into a bowl with my cream cheese and whipping cream.  I would suggest definitely using a mixer to get the creamy consistency.  The rest of the process was the fun fruit arranging and glazing of the tart.  I didn't have a brush for my glazing, so it was hard to get a consistent layer across the entire top, but regardless glazing got done.  

Tart making is not as hard as I thought it would be.  I definitely want to try more with different fillings and fruits as they start coming into season.  I think to prevent cracks from happening, I will fill a pie pan with dried beans or rice and place over the crust as it is cooking and I will be picking up a brush for glazing.  Perfection will come, but for now I am content with my first ever fruit tart! 

Buca di Beppo

TGIF! The day's seem to be flying by.  To celebrate the end of the work week, some friends and I decided to gather together for a family style dinner at Buca di Beppo.  Since I hadn't been there in a very long time, I was ready for some good Italian food.  I arrived to a very crowded restaurant and walked into the lively decorated restaurant.

Dinner time!

Crazy decorations

The menu was extensive and orders came in small which fed up to 3 people and large feeding up to 6.  Needless to say we ordered larges of everything.  We started off the evening with appetizers of mozzarella garlic bread, mussels, and chopped antipasto salad.  The bread was crispy and cheesy while the mussels were soaked in a sweet tomato based sauce which we soaked our bread in for a delicious finish.

Mussels 

Margherita

Fresh mozzarella cheese, aromatic basil and our authentic pizza sauce top this simple, yet classic favorite.

We had several selections for dinner: a large margherita pizza, spaghetti with meatball, and linguine fruitti di mare. The large portions were enough for our table and the flavors of the pasta and pizza were pretty good.  I really enjoyed the linguine as it had tons of seafood and the tomato sauce was delicious! The meatballs were gigantic in the simple spaghetti and meatball dish and tasty as well! 

Linguine fruitti di Mare

Shrimp, baby clams, mussels and calamari tossed with our spicy red clam sauce and imported Italian linguine

 Spaghetti with Meatballs

Famous half-pound, mouth-watering meatballs smothered in homemade marinara sauce on a bed of imported Italian spaghetti.

Although dinner came out to be much more than I thought it would even with a split bill, the time spent with my friends was priceless.  We had a great waitress at our table who took good care of us and the food was fine  for our large group setting.  Everyone in the restaurant also seemed to be having a great time as there was a table next to us celebrating a birthday and several other tables with groups of friends and families having dinner.  I enjoyed my evening, but now its time to burn off those carbs!

Bucca di Beppo

4301 Alderwood Mall Blvd

Lynnwood, WA 98036

Seoul Hot Pot

Girl's night out for dinner at Seoul Hot Pot in Redmond! None of us had been there before, but had heard their tofu soup or soon dubu was pretty good.  It was relatively easy to find and parking was plentiful.  We came in right before the dinner rush and was able to seat our table of 7 as soon as we got into the restaurant.  Looking at the menu, all of us decided to try their soon dubu and one order of bibimbop. While waiting for our food to get served, boricha or hot barley tea was served along with little side dishes called ban-chan.

 

Ban-chan (side dishes)

From top left: bean sprouts, kimchee radish, kimchee, broccoli, little fish, fishcake

Bibimbop

(mixed rice with vegetables and egg (the rice is in the metal bowl))

Haemul Soondubu

(seafood tofu soup with prawns, clams, oysters in spicy seafood broth)

The soondubu's came out steaming hot with a cracked raw egg and dried seaweed over the top.  A bowl of rice was also given with the soup and was perfect for cooling off some of the spiciness of the soup.  I liked that there was a lot of tofu and seafood in the soondubu, but the broth did not have much flavor and was not that spicy.  Rather there was a lot of MSG added for flavor, and as I came out of the restaurant, the feeling of lethargy set in.  Although I didn't enjoy the soondubu as much, I did like the ban-chan, especially the fishcake.

The atmosphere of the restaurant was very family oriented and everyone there was Korean implying authenticity.  Although I enjoyed Seoul Hot Pot, I don't think I would miss it, if I did not going there again. Happy eating!

Seoul Hot Pot

2560 152nd Ave NE
Redmond, WA 98502

Ray's Boathouse

Delicious dinner tonight at Ray's Boathouse thanks to an informational drug meeting on Prasugrel by Daiichi Sankyo and Lilly. Free dinner along the waterfront, a beautiful view, and also a good learning opportunity... who can beat that! I wasn't able to get much pictures as the food was served while the presentation was going on, but I did manage to grab a few.

Ray's Boathouse

Beautiful sunset along the water outside the restaurant

Dinner to be served

Oh the choices...

Panseared Alaskan Coho Salmon

cucumber hollandaise sauce, cucumber-scallion relish, creamed washington russets, & local farm vegetables

Orange zested cheesecake with graham cracker crust

Ray's is excellent in their seafood.  I enjoyed my salmon so much! It was perfectly cooked with just the right amount of saltiness and the portion size was more than enough.  I've never had a hollandaise sauce over salmon, but it wasn't too rich like most sauces and added a different flavor to the dish.  The vegetables and the mashed potatoes along with the cucumber relish also made the dish unique and refreshing.  Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of the starting salad, but I really liked that as well.  It had local grown greens in it with orange slices, candied pine nuts, a ginger-dijon vinegrette, and chevre (soft white cheese), delicious! We ended dinner with an orange zested cheesecake with a nice gingery crust and a smooth cheesecake layer.

It was a well done dinner. I definitely would return here anytime!

Ray's Boathouse

6049 Seaview Avenue NW
Seattle, WA 98107-2690
(206) 789-3770

Simple pleasures

Today has been a day of simple pleasures! I saw the cherry blossoms in bloom as I walked from my bus stop to work, I laughed at a feisty squirrel running up a tree, I had spam, eggs, and rice for dinner, and expresso chocolate for a late night snack..... happiness :)

Pretty flowers, spunky squirrel

Cherry Blossoms in full bloom!

Always a favorite- spam, eggs, & rice!

Love dark chocolate and coffee!

Some of life's simple pleasures are enough to make you smile and be content. Thank you God for the beauty of nature and comfort foods!

Baking Time!

Spring is in the air and temperatures were up in the 60's today! Exciting!  The cherry blossoms and the sun are out and I think winter is finally coming to an end.  To celebrate that I decided to make some yummy cookies!

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture until just blended. Mix in the quick oats, walnuts, and chocolate chips. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets.

Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Bowl of yumminess

Not skimping on the chocolate!

Ready to go in the oven!

 Nom nom nom!

This recipe has never failed me yet.  I substituted half of the flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier and crispier cookie! In addition to a happy tummy, I also have a wonderful smelling kitchen!

Red Robin time!

Time for some burgers at Red Robin! There is a limited time special right now for a prime chophouse burger with bottomless fries for $5.99.  Who could ask for more?? The original Red Robin, first to open in Seattle in the 40's is closing next week and we wanted to visit one last time as well as take a friend who had never been there before.  It was a rainy night and when we got to the restaurant around 7pm, we found a line that stretched out the door and a wait time of about 45 minutes to an hour.  Disappointed, but not discouraged, we headed up north 10 minutes to another Red Robin location to enjoy our evening.

 

Time for some quality burger time!

We were seated after only about a 10 minute wait despite a busy evening in the house.  All seven of us ordered the special and a couple glasses of their bottomless lemonade.

Prime Chophouse Burger

Horseradish sauteed mushroom, gourmet steak sauce, melted provolone, and crispy onion straws served on an onion bun with dijon spread

Another shot of the burger

 Parmesan fries and giant fry we found

Delicious burger for the price we paid.  Lots of onions and a large patty made each bite satisfying.  I didn't taste much of a horseradish sauce in the mushrooms, but there also were not too many in my burger.  I was content with it though and  it was definitely more than enough to eat along with the bottomless steak fries.  We got to the end of our burgers and felt full to the max.  It seems like every time I go here, even though I enjoy the initial eating frenzy, I come out feeling like I just had 5 meals.  It must be the fries! Both crispy and seasoned, they make the meal complete and are good for taking home as well to eat the next day.  We found a giant one in one of our containers! Despite the full feeling, Red Robin is still a place I like to go to once in a while for a good burger!

Red Robin

401 NE Northgate Way
Seattle, WA 98125
(206) 365-0933