Having just moved to the Seattle area in recent times we(mostly me) are out exploring the culinary world around us. Let me just start by saying the my favorite so far of places to go is the Purple Cafe in Kirkland. I love going on Wine Down Wednesdays when appetizers and certain wines by the glass are $5. If you go I suggest the coconut prawns served with a sweet ginger sauce, bucheron goat cheese warmed & topped with honey, fresh herbs & dried cherries, or the bacon wrapped scallops served in a blackberry demi glace. Unfortunately, the scallops are not part of Wine Down Wednesday but there are plenty of great choices to choose from. Special kuddos to them for carrying one of my faovrite wines by the glass…. Ato Z Pinot Gris from Oregon. The have a tantalizing menu but we always just end up getting appetizers and a lot of wine. One time I will try the lobster mac and cheese.
I am lucky to have a McMenamins(yes, I know they are a chain) about a mile down the street from me. This smoke free pub is a great place to go and relax on a Saturday afternoon. They make the best tater tots I have ever had. Yes, that is right, tater tots. When I taught elementary school they were called “potato gems” but they are tater tots to me. We often partake in the chicken and tot basket with their BBQ sauce which is punched up nicely with beer. Throw in some hand crafted beer(my favorite this month is the Ruby, with just a hint of raspberry) and you have yourself one heck of an afternoon.
The Olson Mansion. A place so obscure that even locals don’t seem to even know where it is….but they should. Way out in Maple Valley lies the Olson Mansion. A Bed and Breakfast place known mostly for it’s golf course. However, they do offer prefixed 6 course meals. It is absolutely wonderful. My husband and I both loved the Brie en Croute with Orange Marmalade, Kiwi Coulis and Wine Spiced Pears and the Chateaubriand Olson with Black Truffle Butter, Mashed Potatoes and Sauce Bordelaise. It all comes at an amazing price too. I can’t wait until the fall comes and I can try an new menu. They only seat 30 people a night and only do it on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. They also serve a brunch on Sunday that I will take my parents to the next time they are in town. Update(11/05) Sadly, the Olson Mansion no longer has a restaurant. They are strictly a Bed and Breakfast only. It is too bad because we had an excellent meal there and looked forward to many more.
I have been to many more places but for now that is all that will be reviewed.
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