Tilikum Place Cafe

As you know, we've been out of town for a few months, but our friends A and G have kept up with the dining scene in Seattle and tonight we went to a new restaurant they discovered called Tilikum Place Cafe on Cedar and 4th.  Wow - it's good to have friends who know the food scene because this place is really tasty!  JC started with the mint julep, a southern staple that is rarely found on the menu in the Pacific NW.  It was well done and delicious!

I started with bitter greens with warm bacon vinaigrette, dates, and orange.  The greens were beautifully wilted with a smokey bacon vinaigrette - delightful!!
A's romaine with shaved parmesan (let's just call it a Caesar, shall we?) was a work of art.
JC's salad was light and had a lot of lovely blueberries.
G had the stuffed calamari - delicious!
JC ordered the pork chop with pureed sweet potatoes and grilled cabbage - tender and delicious.

The rest of us had the seared chicken with various accompaniments - really good!!
JC did the tasting menu which allowed him dessert - cream puffs, stuffed with ice cream and glazed with a caramel sauce - wow!!
We will definitely go back - can't wait to see what A and G  have discovered since we've been gone that will top this or Gambas!!

94 Stewart

We ate tonight at one of our very favorite restaurants in Seattle - 94 Stewart.  We first experienced this place a few years ago during the Feast at the Market, a fund raiser for the Pike Place Market health clinic.  The Chef/Owner Celinda is always in the kitchen (located in the front of the restaurant) and you can speak with her on the way in or out!  Tonight was the last night of the Urban Eats May special and we couldn't resist a visit.
I started with the "Greens",  a lovely salad with candied walnuts and a tangy, dressing.  JC had the Crab Risotto, a creamy, crabby, cheesy, parsley topped delight.I ordered the Hanger Steak, served rare and quite good, but JC's "chili creamed braised pork loin" was really tasty.  Smoky lardons were liberally distributed in the lovely, yet back-of-your-throat-hot sauce. It was delicious!!
For dessert, JC had the yummy cherry chocolate tart, and - much to JC's dismay - I ordered the cheese plate:  blue cheese, french goat cheese, and a sliced strawberry - perfect!!

Gambas

We've been out RV'n for 5 months and finally rolled in to the city a few days ago.  Tonight, we were able to have dinner out with our good friends A and G at a new place they have discovered called Gambas.  Japanese/French - hmmm - doesn't really compute.

Gambas is a minimalist little hole in the wall that serves up delicious fare, both Japanese and French.  JC doesn't do sushi, so he was excited to hear the "French" after sushi when I told him where we were going.
JC opted to start with the chicken sausage gumbo.  It was delicious.  Now, since we are from the south, I have to tell you it is not the southern cajun, clear your sinuses gumbo that you might expect, but a very light sausage and rice concoction with a definite asian influence.
My friend G had the madako baby octopus salad served with a pepper cilantro vinaigrette.  I forgot to take a picture (sue me - I'm new at this!!!).  She ate every bite so it must have been good.  She also had a tuna and avocado and an eel roll.  Both of which were delicious.

I had the avocado salad - lovely.  And a california roll and a shrimp tempura roll - also lovely. Our friend A is a frequent customer here and they are happy to make a special california roll substituting scallion for the cucumber. 
JC also had the halibut, pan seared and served with lobster fettucini and gargantuan asparagus - YUMMY.  We will definitely eat here again and - WAIT - Japanese/French does compute!!

The Beginning

Eats n Feats - well the first is obvious and I do love to eat.  And cook.  And read about food.  

"Feats" is more nebulous and will be a work in progress.  

This is a outlet for self-expression, experimentation, and discovery.  The written journey begins!!