Christmas 2015: Going home, coming back, and 'The Nutcraker'

Christmas is over! Still a bit hard to believe with the last couple of days being a whirlwind! I'm still coming down from my my ballet high. This year Michael got us tickets to 'The Nutcracker' for one of my Christmas gifts.

'The Nutcracker' was so much fun. The hall was decked out in Christmas decor and all the kids were so excited. The ballet itself was very festive and beautiful. It was my first time seeing 'The Nutcracker' and I loved every minute of it.

Before the ballet, Michael and I went to Petit Toulouse. They're rated top ten in best happy hours in the nation (according to their disclaimer on their menu)! The HH menu is pretty awesome though! Every single bite was delicious and none of the food went to waste.

Oh gosh. This white chocolate bread pudding was amazing. I am currently ranking it two in best desserts in Seattle, with the first being the maple bread pudding at Walrus & Carpenter.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we spent with Michael's family. As usual it was a blast with thoughtful gifts, great food, and great company.

Every year, I do miss my family. It's been three years since I spent a Christmas with them. Luckily, this year I flew down the weekend prior to Christmas to see them, also hoping to catch the birthing of my first little niece, Jasalyn. Of course, she was past due and didn't want to see me! But as I write this blog post, my sister is currently in labor, so I'm thinking good thoughts for her and her baby. By tomorrow morning Jasalyn will be sleeping in this little basinet Michael and I gifted to her.

I do have to admit, kids have grown on me! For awhile I thought I could do with or without them, but I am leaning toward them in the future now (like way wayyyyy in the future :P).

Now I can't wait to meet my niece next year!

How was your Christmas? Comment below :)

A Date Night: Walrus and the Carpenter

I can't believe it's the middle of October. Really guys, where did the time go? I cannot believe the agent round of Pitch Wars is three weeks away. Excuse me a moment while I hyperventilate.

Last week, I agonized over my pitch, query, synopsis, and first 250 words of my manuscript. Honestly, I think I'm overthinking it, but that didn't stop me from having a panic attack on Friday and texting my mentor about my insecurities. Brianna, as always, was encouraging and offered to help, which really calmed me down.

That night, I hung out with my writer friend Lisa over happy hour and dinner which also helped. It's nice to talk to someone who 'gets' it, someone who's on the same (though different) journey. It also made me see just how lucky I am to get the opportunity to work with someone already in the industry (thank you Brenda Drake for creating this fabulous contest). I ended the night by hanging out with Michael and his co-workers a little calmer than I felt all week.

On Saturday morning I woke up to the first 100 pages of line-edits from Brianna. Just glimpsing at the track changes overwhelmed me. I'm a REALLY anxious person so I took the day to absorb it. The day turned out pretty awesome despite the rainstorm. Michael took me out to Walrus and the Carpenter (one of our favorite restaurants) for a date night and it was amazing. I love eating sea creatures ;)

Oysters with a beautifully paired wine = heaven. I still can't get believe that I get to spend the rest of my life with this handsome fella! My stomach does flips just thinking about all the future date nights we'll get to have.

After oysters we moved on to octopus! Sliced so thin with a zesty marinade, it was absolutely divine on the taste buds. After having it this way, I rather have my octopus sliced thinly all the time thank you very much.

This was my fave dish of the night. A savory crawfish instead of the spicy creole style crawfish is normally served in, I gobbled this up and licked my fingers with no shame. Crawfish, like quail and crab, remind me of my childhood, so dishes like these always make me happy.

 

I've said this many times, but I'll say it again. This maple bread pudding is the best dessert in Seattle.

 

After this meal, you bet I woke up the next morning and worked all day on my line-edits. Delicious food is the cure for anxiety ;) Ha! At least that's what I tell myself!

 

How was your weekend?



Alinea Anniversary

September 3rd is my favorite day. In 2012 it was the day Michael and I met. Every year after on this day we usually go out for a nice dinner and celebrate. In 2013 and 2014 we explored some French restaurants in Seattle (Le Pichet and Café Campagne). But this year Michael got us tickets to Alinea. Let me repeat, because this is insane: Alinea. One of the most decorated restaurants in the world.

To quote Wikipedia:

"It currently holds the highest rating of three stars from the Michelin Guide. It has received the AAA Five Diamond Award, the highest level of recognition given by the AAA, in consecutive years from 2007 to 2014. It also ranked No. 9 on the S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants List, second only to Eleven Madison Park in the U.S. As of 2014, Alinea is one of two Michelin 3-star restaurants in Chicago."

Now, don't go thinking Michael and I eat this way often, because we don't. It's actually a once and a lifetime thing and it was the best meal of our lives.

That morning we flew into Chicago. After an hour of traffic we got to our hotel to freshen up, then headed for the restaurant. I would never guess it was a three-star restaurant looking at it from the outside. It was just a black door with an Alinea valet-sign on the sidewalk. But when the door opens, we were brought into this dimly lit hallway guided by lines of light along the floor leading us to an open foyer in front of stairs. To our right was the open kitchen basked in light and to the left a lounge area.

After giving the hostess our coats, we were led up the black stairs to the second floor where the restaurant was divided into three smaller spaces sectioned off by curtains. In each space the floor was carpeted, minimalizing any noise and the décor minimalistic, with great lighting that highlighted the dishes like a stage, and abstract art along the walls. The staff was all dressed in black suits with white shirts and were always attentive with a great sense of humor. The whole thing felt surreal.

In total we had 23 courses (bite size) with wine-pairings. I wish I could really give you a play by play, but no one else in the room seemed to be taking photos so I didn't think it'd be the appropriate place for that (though I did manage to sneak a few). What I will say is Alinea is worth saving up and flying out to because it wasn't just a meal. It was a whole sensory art performance. From presentation, to taste, to touch, to smell, to even sound, it delights in all the senses and something I've never experienced before. When it came to an end and we were led back the black hallway and through the double doors, I couldn't help but feel an immense sadness that it was over.

Graffiti

 

 

 

helium filled taffy balloon

 

tropical fruit and coconut ice cream

I know this night will be one I keep in my memory forever. I'll always remember our first night in Chicago like our evening in Paris: magical.

After dinner we went to 96th Floor Signature Lounge in the Hancock building for the drinks and awesome view.

view from the bathroom

 

 

the handsome fiancé

Afterwards, we were still a bit hungry since we had skipped lunch and only had a smoothie for breakfast before Alinea, so we ended the night with some pizza before heading back to the hotel.

Our first night in Chicago was so amazing, I wondered that night if the rest of our time here would be just as good.

Dinosaurs and Rosé

This past Saturday Michael and I went to the Cinerama to see 'Jurassic World.' Though not very believable with mostly one-liners as opposed to dialogue, it was still very funny and entertaining. And of course, those shoes. Ha!

What I really like about the Cinerama in Seattle is all the local concessions. Food from local businesses! Score! Michael and I always do half chocolate and half butter popcorn. Not the healthiest, but man, so good! And with a cup of coffee, it was such a great way to spend the afternoon.

Afterwards we went to our favorite wine bar, Bottlehouse. Any time there, is always a good time. It's so great seeing the attentive staff who are all so knowledgeable. We ended up making a day out of it, sitting in the sun, eating charcuterie boards, drinking a whole bottle of Bandol rosé, and demolishing dessert.

I like the fact that Michael and I can talk for hours about anything: the end of the world, dreams, hopes, the future. Really, anything.

It's times like these where I count my blessings. Life isn't perfect and it's always difficult living away from my family, but I know I am fortunate than most. Sometimes it's hard to remember that when you're going through the motions of life, lost in your own routine, but the moments of pause and reflection should not be ignored. And I guess this post is just a reminder of that.

Mkt.

It's been awhile since I've done a food/restaurant post. I hope you've already eaten, because I'm about to make you very hungry.

This past weekend Michael and I were invited to do a double date with our good friends at a new Ethan Stowell restaurant in Tangletown that recently opened called Mkt.

Mkt. is very small and intimate, serving Americana food. With an open kitchen with delicious smells wafting through the air and open windows for the summer breeze to come right in, giving out a casual vibe. You'd think the food would be just 'casual' too, but it was quite the opposite: classy and tasteful in a very good way.

We started the night with sparkling rose. Summer just equates to sparkling wine in my mind and it was delicious and went along with great conversation. We started off with Macrina Bakery baguette with olive tapenade and herb butter. For out first plate, we had the crispy fried quail with potato salad, and apple cider reduction.

Quail is always so yummy and delicate. It reminds me a lot of my childhood when my mom used to make quail. She doesn't make it too much now, and I for one wouldn't know where to get it, nor cook it! I will definitely put it on my try-to-cook list though. This quail, however, was one to remember, and certainly the best dish of the night.

Next we had the castelfranco salad with Spanish anchovy, smoked pecorini, and brioche breadcrumbs.

This salad had a ceaser-ish side to it, but with a hint of bitterness that lightened up the taste.

At our server's recommendation, we had stone-ground corn grits, with grilled porcini, bacon, crème fraiche, and sea beans.

Very decadent and savory tasting, but with a bright and acidic wine, it really hit the spot.

Then we had a grilled wagyu beef crusted with peppercorn, rosemary, fingerling potatoes, fried onions, and red wine sauce.

The red wine sauce added a depth to the steak and the fried onions were a nice touch texture-wise, making the dish very pleasurable to eat!

And what's a good meal without dessert? Chocolate terrine with salted caramel gelato. Need I say more? This was chocolatey, creamy, with a crunch of texture at the bottom. A version of heaven in dessert form!

If in the mood for Americana in Seattle, I'd happily recommend this place!

Memorial Day Weekend: Staycation

Michael and I had this running joke that we were doing a 'staycation' for Memorial Day Weekend. His family was out of town, and it seemed like all of our friends were out as well. Staycation's are kind of nice though, it allows you to relax in the comfort of your own home, and gives time to get those pesky chores, like laundry or grocery shopping for the week, out of the way.

Saturday night, after a chill day of writing (for me) and working (for him), we made it out to Ballard for our date night. Since we hadn't gone to Walrus and Carpenter since the end of last summer, we decided to revisit and then go out for drinks at Bastille.

Walrus and Carpenter has the best oysters in Seattle. If oysters are what you want, this is the place to go.

They also have really good garden, seafood, and meat plates too, but we decided to go all seafood buy getting friend oysters (not pictured), grilled octopus, and sardines. Sardines were definitely a standout and flavor packed.

They also have THE BEST DESSERT! If you know me well, you know I love desserts and the bread putting is to die for and the best dessert you'll fine in Seattle. It's hot, cool, sweet, salty, creamy, all wrapped in one.

After that we got sparkling rose at Bastille before heading home.

Sunday was low key as we made a home cooked meal together and spent the day drinking rose. I got a little bit tipsy while writing which was good and bad at the same time because it really sparked my creativity, but then reached a certain point, getting tired after a glass or two. Still no regrets. I'm making immense progress with the WIP. Cannot wait until it's done!

Today, I felt a bit under the weather. I think it's the grey getting to me. It's so cloudy here that I don't think I've seen the sun since Thursday. Internally, I'm also feeling a bit unbalanced and could use another day off, but maybe getting back into routine will help too.

By the way, we also saw 'Ex Machina' today. It was so trippy. If you're into light sci-fi films, I recommend it.

Hope you all had a good three day weekend!