Critics Rate Japanese Restaurant Koi, The Local Vine

IN THE NEWS: Seattle Times’s Providence Cicero gives two and a half stars to Japanese restaurant Koi (14603 N.E. 20th St., Bellevue, 425-644-5388, www.koijr.com) and also reviews #1 Donuts & Deli (20710 Bothell Everett Highway, Bothell; 425-486-5358). … Karen Gaudette notes the openings of Venik Lounge (227 Ninth Ave. N., 206-223-3734, veniklounge.com) and Ballard’s Austin [...]

‘Gourmet’ Lauds Herbfarm, Steelhead Diner

Gourmet magazine’s October 2007 issue features a guide to “America’s Best Farm-to-Table Restaurants.” gourmet.com:
RESTAURANTS WITH FARM CONNECTIONS: 2nd Street Bistro, Livingston, MT; Amherst Chinese Food, Amherst, MA; Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN; Crook’s Corner, Chapel Hill, NC; Eve, Alexandria, VA; La Provence, Lacombe, LA; Lantern, Chapel Hill, NC; Pacific’O and I’o, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii; Tree House [...]

El Gaucho Steakhouse Set for Bellevue

IN THE NEWS: After years of effort, father and son restaurateurs Paul and Chad Mackay have finally secured a spot for an El Gaucho steakhouse in downtown Bellevue, The Puget Sound Business Journal reports. The Mackays secured space at the City Center Plaza building late last month. The office tower is now under construction on [...]

Longtime Russian Restaurant Owner Dies

IN THE NEWS: The PI’s Rebekah Denn gives three stars in reviewing Restaurant Zoe (206-256-2060, 2137 Second Ave., restaurantzoe.com), while Leslie Kelly visits Blue Dog Kitchen (5247 University Way N.E., 206-632-5132), hits mom-and-pop burger stands, including By’s (east of Starbucks central on Fourth Avenue South), Ranch Drive-In (18218 Bothell Way N.E.), and Zesto’s in Ballard [...]

Openings Include How to Cook a Wolf

IN THE NEWS: The PI’s Leslie Kelly awards three and a half stars in reviewing Lark (206-323-5275, 926 12th Ave., larkseattle.com), while Kristin Dizon’s Cheap Eats considers Elliott Bay Pizza Co. (2115 Queen Anne Ave. N., 206-285-0500). … Kelly reports the expected October opening of How to Cook a Wolf (at the top of Queen [...]

Peet’s Coffee Founder Alfred Peet Dies

IN THE NEWS: The Oregonian reports that Alfred Peet, founder of Peet’s Coffee & Tea — the predecessor and inspiration for Seattle-based Starbucks — died Aug. 29 at his Ashland, Ore. home at age 87. Peet opened the original Peet’s store on the corner of Walnut and Vine in Berkeley, Calif. in 1966, and [...]

Pike Street’s 1200 Bistro Shutters Doors

IN THE NEWS: The Seattle Times‘ Ellen Banner reports on the Aug. 2 closing — for an ownership and management change, and for at least a month — of 1200 Bistro (1200 E. Pike St.) while Leson gives two and a half stars in reviewing Marcello Ristorante (7115 Roosevelt Way N.E., Seattle. 206-527-4778 www.marcelloseattle.com), and [...]

Reviewers Rate Opal, Matt’s in the Market

IN THE NEWS: Seattle Weekly’s Jonathan Kauffman reviews Opal (2 Boston St., www.opalseattle.com), while Maggie Dutton considers Silver City Restaurant & Brewery (2799 N.W. Myhre Rd., www.silvercitybrewery.com), Chris Kornelis blogs about a visit to Frontier Room (2203 First Ave., Belltown, www.frontierroom.com) and John Metcalfe blogs about a visit to Saito Japanese Cafe & Bar (2120 [...]

‘Bon Appetit’ Features Seattle’s Cremant

Bon Appetit magazine’s September 2007 Restaurant issue features three finalists in a list of quintessential versions of six American classics: pizza, steak, tacos, hamburgers, fried chicken, and ribs. Winner will be announced on the Food Network on Aug. 18 (Good Eats with Alton Brown, 6 and 10 pm CDT). The finalists:
PIZZA: Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix; DiFara [...]

Critics Weigh In On Spazzo, Marjorie

IN THE NEWS: The Seattle Times‘ Providence Cicero gives two and a half stars to Spazzo Italian Grill & Wine Bar (16499 N.E. 74th St., Redmond Town Center; www.spazzo.com), while Nicole Tsong considers Hiroki Desserts (2224 N. 56th St., Seattle). seattletimes.com … The PI’s Leslie Kelly gives two and a half stars to Marjorie (2331 [...]