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The wonderful thing about vacation is the opportunity it affords to try new local–and the not so local–food. Sometimes you find a few gems; sometimes they're total duds. The gems amongst a recent wet and rainy trip to the Pacific Northwest (Seattle/Puget Sound) included fish & chips in Friday Harbor, an awesome artichoke appetizer in Pioneer Square in the heart of downtown Seattle, and my first ever authentic Brazilian barbecue or churrasco (pronounced shoo-RAS-koo) as it's called in Brazil.
If you should ever find yourself in Friday Harbor, either to explore this charming island, in between whale watching tours or trips to Victoria, British Columbia, a stop at the Blue Water Bar & Grill is in order. Just a few steps away from Friday Harbor’s port, the restaurant offers a charming view of the harbor, a comfortable atmosphere and a good selection of pub food. Be sure to try the Prawn Basket (5 beer-battered prawns served with french fries, coleslaw and freshly made tarter sauce, $14.95) and the Fish Basket (3 pieces of beer battered Alaskan cod also served with the coleslaw, fries and tarter sauce, $15.95).
I was so busy enjoying my fish & chips that I forgot to photograph it before I got too far into my meal.Just before polishing off the last bit of fish and the last shrimp, I quickly snapped a photo to document, yes, I did, indeed, devour fish.
It's too bad the Fish Basket doesn't come in baskets of five. It is that good. The fresh cod is light, fresh, crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, not at all greasy. The fish on this day didn't even need any lemon to brighten the flavor--it was already superb. The fries were just as tasty; soft inside with a good crunch sound when bit into. If you're dining with a friend who doesn't mind sharing, trade them a fish nugget for some of their shrimp. It is just as delicious and sure to make a shrimp lover out of anyone.
The cover of the menu at J&M.
After a few hours of exploring Pioneer Square, you're sure to find respite at J&M Cafe which claims to be the oldest bar in Seattle having been established in 1889. Located at Washington and 1st Avenue in the heart of Pioneer Square, the staff here is friendly and the service quick. Sure hits here include the spinach & artichoke dip appetizer and the deluxe bacon cheeseburger.
I have had artichoke dip and I have had spinach dip before but this is the first time I've had the two together in the same hot dip. I'm going to recreate this for my next party.
It's the Spinach & Artichoke Dip (fresh spinach, artichoke hearts, parmesan and cream cheese served with freshly made pita chips, $6) however, that was the star during a recent visit.
This dish comes piping hot so resist the urge to cobble or you'll most certainly burn your tongue. Filled with chunks of artichoke hearts and lots of spinach, this truly is heaven in a dish. The freshly made, er, fried, and lightly salted crunchy pita chips with their soft middle compliment the dip well. Taking the portion size into consideration and paired with a cold one from the bar, this could easily be enough to get you through the afternoon and see you in to dinner if you should to indulge and eat this all by yourself.
The view from our table at Ipanema Brazilian Grill. The atmosphere – decor, colors, music – was upbeat and just elegant enough without being snooty.
Speaking of dinner, don't miss Ipanema Brazilian Grill. Brazilian churrascos are becoming the rage in several major cities and they are not to be missed. Make sure to bring an appetite because they aren't inexpensive but well worth the experience and opportunity to try a varied menu of meats.
The sweetest of the five passadors (meat waiters) coming around with skewers of meat was more than happy to pose for me. This time around it was sausages. I couldn't eat it because it was so fiery! Anyone who knows me knows I'm a wimp when it comes to spicy.
Churrasco's are well known not just for their assortment of rotating meats, but also for their all-you-can-eat cold bars made up of fresh salads, lightly blanched vegetables, selection of cheeses and cold cuts and a variety of cold desserts. The star of the night is, of course, the meat. A color-coded dual sided card – one side red, the other green – that the passador (meat waiter) is used as a signal indicating whether or not you want him to stop. If the card is green side up, he will stop at your table and inform you of the kind of meat he has on his skewer. If you're game, use special tongs to grab the meat once he makes the first cut, holding the meat as he finishes slicing it off the skewer. If you are in meat overload and in need of a break, simply turn the card red side up and the passador will bypass you on his way to the next table.
Lots of bright, fresh vegetables, cured meats, fresh fruit and my favorite, mini bocconcini (buffalo mozzarella) where some of the choices on the "cold buffet" tables.
The red side of the dual-sided color coded card instructing the passadors to pass us this round. The other side was green.
The secret to success once the passadors start coming around a few times: if the meat on the skewer is fairly intact with little to no slices cut from it, the meat is rare. The smaller the hunk o’meat, the more done it will be because as the waiters return from a trip around the restaurant, the skewers are returned to the end of the line up on the rotisserie. If you prefer meat medium-rare, wait for the meat you want to try to make it's second trip around the restaurant. A restaurant such as this affords you the chance to try ox, venison and buffalo as well as various preparations and cuts of beef, pork, chicken and seafood.
Clockwise from 9 p.m.: ox, bacon wrapped ribeye, cheese stuffed ribeye, pepper crusted steak, spicy lamb sausage, buffalo. The buffalo and ox were amazingly tender.
The tab for two, wine included, can easily reach just over $125. Considering the amount and variety of meats, not to mention the opportunity for a new and different dining experience, it is money well spent and, if you try it on your last night in Seattle, a good way to say goodbye to this lovely Emerald City.
All photographs, © Anita L. Arambula | afotogirl.com
I'm sold! I'll be in Seattle for a long weekend this summer, and I do believe I'll center my explorations around these three restaurants. My old man will also probably appreciate that "I've" done the legwork already. (wink) Thanks!
Yay! So glad, Elizabeth. Also add to your list Pike's Place Market, which besides all the awesome stalls of gourmet foods, the area is also home to Beecher's Handmade Cheese. Yum. I wrote a post about it on my blog last week. It has some real gems too!