Cravin' That Mac and Cheese Action

My foodie friends from Indy came for a happy visit this weekend due to some work stuff so we hit the dining scene. They discovered some great spots we have yet to try on their own, but we did manage to take them to our neighborhood fave, Betty, which once again did not disappoint. And then Carrie and I bopped to lunch at Crave in Capitol Hill the day before she left. This is a spot about which I've read fab reviews, in the much beloved "gourmet comfort food" category. While I had been planning to dive into dinner there on my first visit, it was open and the menu looked amazing so we tried it out.

Nestled in a smal nook of a building that also houses an arts center and a pilates studio, Crave is like a mad chef's delighful playpen. It is grounded and earthy: no fluff, just yum. If you didn't know about the culinary delights tucked inside this itty bitty spot, you'd be tempted to write it off as a artsy Capitol Hill sandwich shop. But nooooooooo......trust me.

Aside from serving up brunches to die for (an omelette with duck confit and shitake mushrooms?!) Good Lord...), Crave delivers with the lunch crowd as well. We started with salads. Hers: the organic beet and arugula salad. Mine: the amazing spinach salad with red onions, pears, Cabrales bleu cheese and warm bacon vinaigrette. Heaven.

Speaking of bacon bliss, Carrie's main was a unique take on a grilled cheese sandwich; this one served with thick-cut bacon and Braeburn apples. Not your Mom's Wonder Bread and Kraft singles, that's for damn sure. I surrendered to the siren call of the Shiitake Mac & Cheese with New York sharp cheddar and fontina, parmesan, shiitakes, pasta shells & toppped with seasoned bread crumbs. The smaller of the two portions offered was just right with my glass of Sauvignon Blanc. I am really starting to wonder if my "last meal" will indeed be filet mignon cooked in butter and Roquefort or a mac and cheese like this. Maybe both. Why not.

Enough writing about this place. Get thee yonder hither with much haste. Or whatever. Just go!

A Night to Remember

I had a night on Saturday that changes your life. A night so charming, sophisticated and close to perfection as to make you just appreciate being alive, healthy and surrounded by friends and the one you love.

Saturday night, my husband and our friends had dinner at Canlis.

I must admit, I had never heard of the spot and when passing by it in recent weeks, saw the abstract stone signage and thought it was the entrance to a "lifestyle" condo complex. Shame on me. Canlis is well-known in bon vivant circles and has had no shortage of distinctions bestowed on it: Gourmet Magazine Top 50 Restaurants in America - #19; 2006 The Wine Spectator “Grand Award” 1997; 2007 James Beard Foundation “Nomination for Outstanding Service” 2003, 2007....the list goes on and can be found on their site. It's also a haven for celebrities and dignitaries as they breeze through town.

My favorite hotel chain is the Ritz Carlton because when I walk in, I feel equally at home and treated like royalty. And Canlis delivered a similar experience. No detail was spared - each and every staff member worked in concert in a glorious symphony to make your dining experience unforgettable. We were greeted upon entering with stunning views of Seattle at night, over the darkness of Lake Union. It felt a bit like a high-end, sophisticated mountain retreat- only the most urbanly sophisticated touches of wood, rustic decor, and artwork made the place feel like a Northwest hidden getaway of the highest caliber. I hear tale that they have a unique ticketless valet service headed by someone who has worked there for years. They just escort you in and take your car and it miraculously greets you on the way out. And they've never lost a vehicle. Talk about feeling like a regular.

There is way too much perfection on the menu to even attempt to do it justice. I had lamb chops served with Israeli couscous which was "wrapped" in Swiss chard, Oregon blue cheese and bathed in pancetta lamb jus that was done to perfection, the bold flavors coming together as one balanced piece; one of our party dove into the Muscovy Duck Breast served with butternut squash ragout, sage brown butter and aged balsamic and savored every bite, and even the Alaskan Halibut was exquisite. But the tenderloin.....ooooooh, the tenderloin......

Friends....the lot of us have eaten at our share of 5-star restaurants all over the world. One of our companions had just dined at Chicago's Tru a few days before. But this was different. We all concurred this was the BEST piece of meat ever to pass our lips...I mean, EVER....I mean, no, really, "Ever." When we saw it on the menu, I told my husband to go big and order this $70 ticket to paradise. We were out celebrating both my and my friend's birthdays so why not go big?

Here is the description from the menu: "Wagyu Tenderloin - Seattle's most exclusive steak, Kobe-style beef, naturally raised from Japanese sires and Angus cows, a higher quality than prime Tenderloin." It is often said that perfection is simply stated and true regality is carried forth effortlessly. This somewhat effortless description fits that bill. If you ever in your life get the chance to taste true (not imitation) Kobe-style Wagyu, don't ask questions - just do it.

We washed all of these morsels down with a Waters Syrah from Walla Walla, Washington. On a wine list full of delights, this was not only a featured recommendation but insanely reasonably priced. Reason? They had just started carrying it and were trying it out. Next year, we were warned, the prices would most likely increase since it was so good. Versatile and berrylicious, it went with all our different cuts of meat and the seafood entree.

The boys rounded out our gastronomic joy ride with a Whisky club tasting served by none other than Mark Canlis himself. This private club is members only and through some charm and moxie (and the fact that my husband is Scottish) we were allowed to look at the secret club Whisky menu. They chose the Highland Park Lunar Bottling 18 1/2 year old. Mark Canlis graciously chatted at length with us about their Scotches and how his brother is a minister in the Church of Scotland and has lived over there for years. To cap off the evening, we were invited to take a tour of the restaurant and saw their wonderful private party rooms, old photographs and other goodies. By the time we got back to the foyer, our coats were waiting as well as our taxi. Not much more I can say except nights like this are wonderful opportunities to savor all the blessing you have - and the fact that you have the means to enjoy such a wonderful meal, with such a dramatic view, with such laughter and good conversation. When can I go back?!