Happy Thursday Day Folks and welcome to another rendition of #ForkDeep where I write the same way I would talk so it’s not always grammatically correct! But who cares… In today’s edition we are going to go recap Seattle Magazine’s Eastside Restaurant Party from last week on Thursday and discuss all the places I’ve just discovered. So for arguments sake it will be a pretty long post.
Seattle Magazine is pretty major because not only do they write about fun and new exciting food places to try, have a place where true neighborhood folks and foodies can vote on their favorites but they also give people an opportunity to try these spots out in super cute events. Seattle Magazine hosted their Eastside Restaurant Party where they had a bunch of restaurants, wineries and breweries come together under the same roof of Bellevue Porsche and Mercedes Benz to offer people a taste of what the Eastside has to offer. I will go ahead and say when I dineout it tends to be in Seattle proper (Belltown, Fremont and Cap Hill). I hardly go to Bellevue or Redmond to eat because most of my friends live in Seattle. However now that I have tried some of the food from the places here I shall get on my pedestal and convince the ladies travel is necessary.
As soon as you walked into the event you were greeted by the smell of yummy food, smiling people and a little card with a list of all the things you needed to gorge yourself with. I say need because well you have to try everything at least once or you are committing an injustice to yourself and your friends that couldn’t be there. First things first was free drinks. The line was long but they had beverages from some of the best local wineries such as DeLille Cellars and J. Bookwalter, breweries and cute craft cocktails for each dealership.
After standing in line and sizing up the food options, because we don’t stand in line and talk like normal people we talk about what we’re going to eat, we went to work. First there was the timeless crowd pleasing Crab Cake from Duke’s Chowder! I’ve gone to many a food festivals and they serve their Crab Cake because when something is tried and true you don’t mess with it. I’m from Maryland where Crab Cakes are king and I’m a bit snooty about them so I would like to note the cakes at dukes are fried and not broiled so they are just different but, still great to eat. Marylanders broil Crab Cakes and honestly it’s really more of a pile of lump crab meat in a cake form but it’s freaking delightful.
Next up was El Gaucho in Bellevue (they also have locations in Seattle, Tacoma and Portland). They had a Beef Tenderloin Diablo which in terms of good to greatness was great. The beef was so tender I may have gone back for seconds (cough thirds) for a friend of course. I honestly don’t know what Diablo sauce is but what I do know is that it was good and again the beef melted in your mouth (did I say that already).
Bradley & Mikels Restaurant and Bar Pearl came through with Bering Sea Sablefish marinated in Honey Miso and served in Namya broth. First things first I have been to Pearl for drinks late night but had no idea they shut ish down in such a big way when it came to food. I had to stop and ask was this on the normal means because a chick might just have to hit them up for dinner. The Sablefish (Black Cod) was cooked perfectly, it legit was like butter. It’s really easy to over cook white fish in my opinion but, this bite of fish rivaled some of my best fish experiences so far. I was stumped and a little upset with myself that I have never been here for dinner service. So please don’t be mean to yourself go to Pearl.
Next Barking Frog came out the gate in a league of their own showcasing a Heirloom Tomato salad with Basil, Urfa Biber, Blueberries, Burrata and Noble XO. If you only know what 4 of the 6 things mentioned here are you are fine. If we are being honest I taste first and google later. Being one of the two Vegetarian dishes served you have to know that you are pretty epic because, at the end of the day you are here to get people talking. It worked. I talked. I love Heirloom tomatoes so if we can go ahead and have them yearlong I would be the first person to sign that petition. The flavors worked well together and overall created this fresh and light taste in my mouth.
Chef Erin Foster from Park Lane Public House in Kirkland pickled an Egg and filled it with Smoked Salmon Mousse, Shallots, Fennel and Capers. My friend Tina immediately asked if I would ever order a pickled egg in real life aka before we came here and tried it and I answered no not unless someone else ordered it. Mainly because I’m sure I would find something else appetizing on the menu not because I wouldn’t want to try it. Now after trying said egg My thoughts have changed. I like pickled veggies but I would have never considered pickling an egg and filling it with things would turn out so well. I am now forever grateful to Chef Foster because I won’t shy away from pickled eggs any longer.
Monsoon Bellevue created this Vietnamese Pork Taco thing on what seemed to be a puffed rice cake shell. I have no idea what it was because I forgot to take a picture of the description but I had two. The meat was some type of Porky shredded goodness, the shell was light and barely there and it was topped with a leaf of cilantro. It’s the simple things in life you know! My friend tried to get the recipe for the meat and they weren’t parting with it. I suppose we just have to go back to eat more of it #ohhno!
Vivo 53 known for their insane milkshakes and awesome brunch (I actually wrote about them before) came by with Bite Sized Rigatoni Bolognese. I love carbs and although they don’t love me back we still meet up a couple times a week. The meat sauce was simple but tasty and the noodles were cooked perfectly al dente.
Wildfin American Grill in Renton’s The Landing did Yellowfin Ahi Tuna Bites made with Ginger Soy Sauce and Sesame dressing. Give me fresh Tuna any day of the week (Salmon too). Since moving to Seattle I discovered Poke and have since become slightly addicted. It’s like deconstructed sushi except I can add loads of other things they normally wouldn’t be able to fit in one roll. So Yes please and three times on Sunday. Plus Chef Jacob Kell was so excited to take a picture I couldn’t help but like them that much more! I mean come on look at that smile (below).
Overall if given the opportunity to go to any Seattle Magazine event in the future I would definitely recommend going because boy do they know how to throw a party. From the food, the drinks, the cars and two photo booths they thought of everything. Thanks to them I have a list of new places to go to for the next couple of weeks so cheers to that and stay #ForkDeep!
