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Wednesday, Oct 15, 2008
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Three excellent restaurants for Valentine's or any special occasion |
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| Three excellent restaurants for Valentine's or any special occasion | |
| by Albert Rodriguez -
SGN A&E Writer Valentine's Day lands on a Thursday this year, an already popular night of the week for Seattleites. If you haven't made dinner reservations yet, get on it. But note that many couples, and groups of singles, are opting to celebrate the heart-shaped holiday over the course of the weekend and not on Thursday. Also, if a sit-down dinner appears too ritual, consider spa treatments (Gene Juarez, Salish Lodge, Red, Ummelina) or a drive to a nearby destination (see OUTBOUND) or a movie (Oscar nominees No Country for Old Men or Juno). For the budget-conscious, an order of pizza and a DVD does the trick just fine - it's really about sharing time with the one you love that makes Valentine's what it is. For those with full dinner in mind, consider these terrific local restaurants. Dulces 1430 34th Avenue When one third of a restaurant's clientele is Gay, noted by the owner himself, it begs for a stop-by. Dulces, a corner Latin bistro in the quiet Madrona neighborhood, is that charming and snuggly place that opens its doors to anyone and everyone, starting with a prompt and friendly greeting when you step inside. Pinkish-brown walls, intimate-yet-open atmosphere, dimly lit room, and a pianist trickling through pop and jazz songbooks is what returns loyal diners back to Dulces again and again, and again. In fact, so spoiled are regulars that they've been known to arrive with a ripe eggplant in hand and ask the restaurant to prepare it for them, with proper accompaniments and glasses of vino, of course. They crave the calm ambiance, the special attention from the staff, and the feeling of fitting right in. The other part of Dulce's experience is the food, a seasonally adjusted menu prepared by chef Julie Guerrero that accentuates hearty meat dishes and Euro-Latin influenced favorites. On the night I visited, a pollo a griglia - a chicken breast marinated in truffle oil, then grilled and topped with portobello mushrooms with a wild mushroom risotto - really hit the spot. A sampling of the boeuf bourguignonne - a savory stew with abundant chunks of sirloin steak and pearl onions and thick-sliced mushrooms - was a warm and satisfying way to ward off the winter freeze. Other entrees include braised rabbit, homemade ravioli stuffed with Spanish cheeses and peppers, and pan-seared pork shoulder accompanied by a butternut squash puree. For dessert, a cool bread pudding was superb, if not filling. An interesting note of interest is that Dulces owner Carlos Kainz takes pride in helping to prepare fresh-cooked meals for local homeless shelters once a month, indicating that those on the street are just as worthy of a healthy and delicious supper as those who can afford it. For Valentine's, prix fixe dinners at $60 per person include appetizer (oxtail tart), soup or salad (fresh greens, salmon plate), entrée (sea scallops, pork or beef tenderloin, roasted chicken, rack of lamb) and dessert (assortment). For reservations, call (206) 322-5453 or visit www.dulceslatinbistro.com. Morton's 1511 6th Avenue Steakhouse and Gay. Not exactly words you'd find in the same sentence, though Morton's is looking to change this. The downtown restaurant, part of an international steakhouse franchise, has made an applause-worthy effort to court the GLBT community in Seattle. Already, Morton's has played host to a GSBA dinner reception and has enlisted itself as a participant for this spring's inaugural Gay lifestyle expo. And who isn't flattered by a little flirtation? But the real reason to consider Morton's on Valentine's, or any day you happen to be in the mood, is because it meets the level of quality it stands for. As you might assume, Morton's is a carnivore's delight - the star attraction is beef. From juicy rib eyes to tender filet mignons, this semi-fancy establishment is right up a meat lover's alley. Sides are ordered separately, such as mashed potatoes, garlic and butter-sautéed mushrooms, in-season vegetables and pan-fried onions. I was surprisingly wowed by Morton's salads, particularly the center cut iceberg - a meal by itself, this chilled half-lettuce is topped with tomato bits, diced egg, bleu cheese crumbles and a flavorful dressing. Dessert widened my already broad smile. After minutes of debate, I went for Morton's legendary hot chocolate cake accompanied by vanilla ice cream. Servers, like the whimsical one who took care of our table, will introduce you to the restaurant's menu items (complete with live lobster) to help you arrive at a decision. The wine list is extensive with a variation of whites and reds. The basement-level steakhouse also features a small-and-cozy bar that offers free steak sandwiches during "Happy Hour" and a wall-mounted flatscreen TV for sports or election results coverage. For Valentine's, Morton's is offering a "Classic Combinations" pairing of filet mignon/crab legs or filet mignon/Australian lobster tail served with asparagus and choice of salad for $69 per person. Call (206) 223-0550 for reservations or visit www.mortons.com. Palace Kitchen 2030 5th Avenue Palace Kitchen is always busy. And I do mean always. Located on Fifth and Lenora, the restaurant is a magnet for the urban hipster set. High ceilings, rectangular bar, giant wall-mounted paintings, jeweled chandeliers, and the signature stamp of Seattle celebrity chef Tom Douglas creates an energy that attracts upscale foodies in droves, including Gay men who wander in after a successful day of shopping or en route to a live theater production, music concert, or movie at the Cinerama. Full meals are served late into the night, and everything is worth pondering over. Menus change occasionally, but you can never go wrong with the palace burger royale - undoubtedly one of the best burgers in the city. Many diners order off the appetizer menu at the bar because the portions are reasonably sized, and it makes for a light meal with a glass of wine or pint of draft beer. Starter plates include goat cheese and lavender fondue, wood-grilled chicken wings, fire-roasted manila clams, and a very popular choice - half a Dungeness crab. A personal favorite is the cheese plates, allowing you to select up to five varieties at $4 each and served with bread and fruit. The women seated next to me during a recent visit to Palace Kitchen raved about the butternut squash-stuffed ravioli with duck confit, raddicho and pine nuts. For Valentine's Day, Palace Kitchen has put together a "Latin Love Feast" - an evening of food and performance that includes three flights of Spanish tapas, a unique dessert by Dahlia Lounge pastry chef Garrett Melkonian, a cocktail, and a naughty-but-entertaining burlesque show starring Miss Indigo Blue, Babette la Fave, Vienna La Rouge, and Belle Cozette. Cost is $105 per person. For reservations, call (206) 448-2001 or visit www.tomdouglas.com/palace. |
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