Dining Out: Skillet Diner, Seattle WA (Capitol Hill)

In the past, enjoying Skillet Diner was limited to their roving food truck.  This popular food truck has added brick and mortar for their fan base.  You can also find their food at The Armory at The Seattle Center, Skillet: Counter at the Armory.

Located on Capitol Hill, this place is a drive from the Eastside, but I've found myself enjoying Skillet Diner when I'm looking for a good breakfast place to eat.  My time here has been limited to early breakfast or lunch, as I don't have the patience to wait for a table to eat.

Tip:  Go early or off hours, if not you'll find yourself waiting.  My favorite time to go is 8:30am on a weekend, just before the "rush".

The restaurant offers plenty of natural lighting and reminds me of a "diner" atmosphere keeping with their name.  I am always in awe at their place setting which includes a mason jar (your water glass) stuffed with a kitchen towel (your napkin) and silverware.  Very unique.

I like to sit at the counter offering a front and center view of their kitchen.  The energy is always good.  Overall it is a good place to eat, offering a casual atmosphere and serving really good food.

Comments on what I've had at Skillet Diner:
Barb's Granola - A beautiful presentation.  I am able to take home granola as their serving size could feed two people easily!
Fried Chicken Sammy - One of the best seasoned fried chicken I've had.  Excellent sandwich.
Fried Chicken & Cornmeal Waffle - I'd take the chicken over the pork.
House-Made Biscuits and Sage Gravy - My husband insists he get extra gravy on the side.
The Burger - Of course, the bacon jam is what makes this burger.
The Veggie - It's a fork and knife burger as it will fall apart on you.  It's fantastic.
Cinnamon Roll - You have to share this, consider it an appetizer.

Bottom line:  Go!

Dining Out: Sitka & Spruce, Seattle WA (Capitol Hill)

In the culinary world, a James Beard award is equivalent to winning an Oscar.  Just recently, Chef Matt Dillon of Sitka & Spruce won the Best Chef Northwest category.

This restaurant was featured in Seattle Magazine as one of "The 7 Restaurants The Define Seattle Dining Now" with it's seasonal and local offerings.
Matt Dillon's Sitka & Spruce is located in the mixed-shops Melrose Market on Capitol Hill.  Parking is horrible, but not impossible especially with paid lots within a few blocks.

In the back corner of the market lies Sitka & Spruce, an "L" shaped, rustic and very open restaurant.  Humble in its decor, I couldn't help but feel my meal would be simple in it's preparation, complex in it's flavors and fresh in taste.  I was spot on!

The daily menu offered a small selection of delectable small plates that are suitable for sharing.  We noticed it artfully presented on quality linen paper, printed especially for the days culinary offerings.

The restaurant is open with large windows that let in much natural light.  Seating is limited, and for our visit sat on a very small table for two.  There is a large communal table that extends from the kitchen - probably the best seat in the house.

Service was acceptable.  However, our waiter seemed shy and didn't show much enthusiasm for the restaurant or food.  We were taken care of, but it would have been nice to get a smile, and maybe a little passion for the menu as he answered our questions.

We started with a glass of Riesling (2010 Weinhaus Donnhoff, Estate Riesling, Nahe, Germany) which was recommended by our waiter.  It was delicious and started our meal off on the right "fork".

We enjoyed the following from the menu:

sourdough with chive flower butter (this is an item on the menu e.g., not free)
salami from Olympic Provisions in Portland, OR
raw asparagus and artichoke salad with Yarmuth's Nonna Capra
roasted pork belly, flat bread and roasted turnips and baby carrots
assorted cookies (buckwheat cacao nib, chocolate chip, pistachio, rose meringue and almond spice)

Our meal was fantastic.  Delicious, fresh and very well executed.  We especially liked the raw asparagus salad - the cheese that topped it just oozed and melted offering a creamy dressing that went well with the asparagus and artichoke.

Tip: Make reservations because if you don't you may have to wait a while.   There is an excellent lunch menu which I think I'll try, rather than dinner.

Dining Out: Spinasse, Seattle WA (Capitol Hill)

There are a few restaurants in Seattle that really leave their mark on your culinary palate.  On Capitol Hill, Spinasse does just that!

Seattle Magazine declares Spinasse one of seven restaurants that define Seattle dining.  I agree.  Spinasse has also received several accolades, including a recent feature on Cooking Channel's Unique Eats.
Spinasse is perfect for a romantic meal.  It's where you'll hear the clinking of wine glasses, the chatter of Seattle-ites and the aroma of goodness that awaits to be served at your table.  I've been here several times, and my 12 year old son loves this restaurant.

Dinner reservations are a must - unless you're willing to take your chances and sit at the counter.  If you're looking for a show, sit at the counter as you'll have perfect sites of the kitchen - where the culinary magic takes place.  There is also outdoor seating, so on a beautiful summer evening opt for the patio.

A nice amuse bouche of toasted bread, buttered and topped with anchovy was fantastic.  I wish it was on the menu.

I was left in charge of ordering so by my doing, we ate:
Antipasto misto della casa - basically one of each of every antipasto.  We especially enjoyed the Sardine in carpione, Sardines fried and marinated with vinegar with mint and fresh chickpeas.
Tajarin al burro e salvia - fine egg pasta with butter and sage.  This is their signature dish and what has put Spinasse on the culinary map.  This is a must dish to order if you go.
Salmone con olive e panzanella - Pan seared salmon on a bed of bread salad.  Salmon prepared medium rare.  It was like butter and melted so easily.  I felt the leeks and, I believe fennel or celery really took over the dish.
Capunet di vitello e fegato grosso - Our most favorite dish of the evening, stuffed cabbage rolls.  These were fantastic and the caramelized honey sauce just put it over the top.

My family and I love Spinasse.  Of course we'll go again, and we hope to see you there!

Dining Out: La Bete, Seattle WA (Capitol Hill)

Ever make dinner reservations with no clue as to what to expect?  Enter La Bete (pronounced "bet" and I do not have the technical skills to add the ^ above the first "e") located in the trendy neighborhood of Capitol Hill in Seattle on Bellevue Avenue.

Seattle Met Magazine regarded this restaurant as one of the top 25 in Seattle 2011.

Street parking is not available (I really hate trying to park on Capitol Hill) so allow time to find space.  If you've ever been to the side streets of Capitol Hill, you'll find yourself on a residential street with a business establishment oddly placed.  La Bete isn't quite so recluse, but boarders the thought.

When you walk in you are immediately in the restaurant.  They wasted no space in this old world, meets new world meets eclectic.  A dark space with dark furniture and unrefined flooring, yet so refined with a beautiful ceiling above the kitchen and counter top at the bar.  A large wall of art that would entertain an acid-trip, decor of raw bones and fall gourds and food served on china perhaps taken from the Queen's afternoon tea party serves for an interesting first impression.

Their always changing menu is humble, and is meant to be served family style. The menu, top to bottom begins with small bites and ends with hearty entrees.  The lower on the menu you order, the more food you're going to get.  In today's economy bread service is not free, a meager $2 for five slices of french baguette and olive oil.  Ouch!

On a lovely spring evening, we enjoyed the following:

Spring Salad: Delicious and was more of a vegetable pot pourri than a salad.
Calamari: My son was quick to order this (assuming fried crispy goodness) but I cautioned him of their Mediterranean interpretation - grilled, presented in a bowl shared with a lemon/tomato sauce, muscles, chorizo sausage, potatoes and lots of other goodness.  This was fantastic.
Painted Hills Burger - A toasted sesame topped brioche bun and perfectly prepared beef patty that was delicious (my kid gobbled it up).  The accompanying fries were "heavily seasoned".
Mad Hatcher Chicken - I haven't had chicken prepared this well in a long time.  The peas, mushrooms, shallots, kohlrabi were an excellent addition to this dish.  The sauce was worthy of some nice crusty bread.

Coconut Doughnuts - made to order and I was excited!  Then not.  I felt the dough was gummy - but the vanilla sauce that accompanied with was fantastic.  My kid finished up the dish.
Salted Caramel Tart - This would be good to share with many people, as it included many items that left my culinary mind overstimulated.  There was too much on the dish and we left the table, most of it still in tact.

Final verdict:  Yes! Delicious! Fabulous Meal!  Skip the sweets.

Tip:  This restaurant (as of the blog post) does not take American Express (it happens to be the only card in my wallet).

Out and About: Crumble & Flake, Seattle WA

I decided to head to Capitol Hill to check out Crumble & Flake on opening day.  The location is on a corner with limited street parking, but if you can get yourself to this small tiny space I assure you it will be worth it.

When you walk into the bakery you are two steps away from the pastry case.  On a Sunday afternoon, the case was looking empty, apparently sold out from the morning crowd.  There were two people servicing the steady stream of people walking in.  In the back, Pastry Chef Neil Robertson doing his magic.  With a nice open kitchen you can see your baked goods being made - all fresh, of course.

I picked up the following:
Plain Croissant - Flaky, buttery and tender inside.  Worthy of being called one of the best croissants in the Seattle area.
Cream Puff - They offer a choice of fillings, and I happened to get one of each: vanilla, chocolate and apricot.  I had one bite and the family had the rest - which they profess were "delicious" and demanded more.  I was curious of the puff, which offered a slight crust that seem to compliment the rich cream filling inside.
Chocolate Chip Cookie - It was delicious and I'm almost certain the chocolate was at least 60% cocoa of some good quality chocolate.
Brownie - Interesting!  Two tone brownie consisting of a dark bottom with nuts and lighter on top.  The texture was lighter than a traditional brownie, but the chocolate flavor was very good.

There is no seating so everything is to-go.

Congratulations to Crumble & Flake.  Looking forward to visiting again in the future.