Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Puerto Vallarta Vacation May 2011 – A Day in Town

What a wonderful week we had in Puerto Vallarta. The weather was perfect, everywhere we went we were treated well and the food… ‘Wow’!
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Strolling along the Malecon…
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – River Cafe
The River Café is a great place for lunch. I’m sure it would also be fantastic for diner…
 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - River Cafe
  Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - River Cafe
  Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - River Cafe
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - River Cafe
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - River Cafe
Gambas al Ajillo salteado en Aceite de Olivo, Ajo y Chile Triturado****
(Sizzling spicy Garlic Shrimp sautéed with Chile and Garlic)
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - River Cafe
Enchiladas Verdes o Rojas con Pollo, gratinadas con Queso y servidas con Frijoles Fritos y Guacamole***
(Chicken Enchiladas in a Red or Green Sauce Au Gratin served with refried Beans and Guacamole)
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - River Cafe
Crapese: Tomate Fresco con Queso de Mozzarella, Albahaca y Aceite de Olivo***
(Caprese Salad: Fresh Tomato and Mozzarella Cheese with Basil and Olive Oil)
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - River Cafe
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Pipis
We always have diner at Pipis…
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Pipis
  Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Pipis
  Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Pipis - Larry, Clair, Janet and Jerry
  Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Pipis
  Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Pipis
  Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Pipis
Combination Plate**** Chile Relleno, Tamale, Burrito and a Taco
  Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Pipis -  Steak Fajitas
Steak Fajitas****
  Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Pipis
  Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Pipis - Jerry and Janet
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Cheese Burger Paradise
  Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Cheese Burger Paradise
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Punto V
  Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Punto V - Larry and Clair
  Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Punto V
  Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Punto

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Lombardi’s Neighborhood Italian Everett “Uniquely Washington” Wine Event and Spanish Wine Tasting at Wicked Cellars


Lombardi’s Neighborhood Italian Everett and Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine Estate "Uniquely Washington" Wine Event (What a View!)

Lombardi’s Neighborhood Italian Everett and Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine Estate "Uniquely Washington" Wine Event
This was another wonderful wine and food pairing event hosted by Lombardi’s. Lombardi’s have hosted several events over the year from small bites to larger tastings. Craig Katz of Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine Estate was on hand to talk about the wine, while Christopher Viner Head chef of Lombardi’s Everett described the food pairing.
Christopher Viner Head Chef of Lombardi’s Everett


Chef hand made bread sticks with wrapped in honey butter, smocked parmesan with arugula and prosciutto- Lombardi’s Neighborhood Italian Everett  
Chef hand made bread sticks*** wrapped in honey butter, smocked parmesan with arugula and prosciutto

2004 Luxe Sparkling Wine, Domaine Ste. Michelle*** citrus, apples

Baby romaine salad with house smoked Alaska salmon, parmesan cracker - Lombardi’s Neighborhood Italian Everett

Baby romaine salad*** house smoked Alaska salmon, parmesan cracker

2007 Cold Creek Chardonnay, Chateau Ste. Michelle*** apples, toast

Campanelle Mac and Cheese with rosemary scented lamb meatball - Lombardi’s Neighborhood Italian Everett

Campanelle Mac and Cheese***+ rosemary scented lamb meatball

2007 Austral, Chateau Ste. Michelle*** blackberry, Vanilla

Peppercorn encrusted beef tenderloin with goat cheese quenelle - Lombardi’s Neighborhood Italian Everett

Peppercorn encrusted beef tenderloin***+ goat cheese quenelle

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Snoqualmie Vineyards***+ sage, red current oak, soft tannins

Mocha Panna Cotta with caramel Chantilly cream - Lombardi’s Neighborhood Italian Everett
Mocha Panna Cotta*** with caramel Chantilly cream

2006 Zinfandel Reserve Stonetree Vineyard, Columbia Crest*** ripe berries, violets, rich raspberries

Wicked Cellars with Artist Merrilee Moore Photo: Wicked Cellars website
At Wicked Cellars - A Tasting and Tour of Spanish Wine Regions
2009 Rueda, Vega Murillo Verdejo**+ golden apple, pears

2009 Rias Baixas, Burgans Albarino**+ peach pits, minerals

2009 Ribera del Duero, Frontaura Nexus Cosecha Tempranillo*** dark berries, lavender

2009 La Mancha, Ercavio Tempranillo***:-) black fruit, dark chocolate

2006 Toro, Frontaura Valdelacasa Tempranillo*** dark Berry, black plums, graphite

2005 Frontaura Crianza***+ blackberries, leather

Around the area:

Cheddar Cheese and Cilantro
Try this appetizer. Cubed cheddar cheese and Cilantro, who would've known?
Chateau Ste. Michelle

Eating at Home

Monday, May 2, 2011

Fred’s Rivertown Alehouse, Scuttlebutt Brewery, Bethany’s 6th Annual 'Taste of the Northwest’, Brooklyn Bros Pizzeria, Sojen Cellars Kim's going away paella dinner and Wicked Cellars Double Winery Event



Fred’s Rivertown Alehouse
Fred’s Rivertown Alehouse
Fred’s Rivertown Alehouse - Happy Birthday Bebe
Fred’s Rivertown Alehouse
1114 1st St
Snohomish, WA 98290
360.568.5820
www.fredsrivertownalehouse.com

“Fred’s Rivertown Alehouse was established in July of 1994 by Jay & Vicki Meacham, Bill Astley, and Kurt Meacham. The Alehouse, the former Fred’s Tavern, is located @ 1114 First Street in historic downtown Snohomish, WA. It is approximately 30 miles northeast of Seattle and 9 miles east of Everett.

Fred’s has transformed from a pool table, jukebox, yellow beer tavern into one of the Northwest’s Premier Alehouses & Restaurants. Fred’s has one of the most diverse food menus anywhere, 32 craft and European beers on draught, an excellent wine list, and one of the largest single malt scotch selections in the country.

Fred’s Rivertown Alehouse is well known throughout the beer community. Often times we are the first choice for breweries to introduce new beers, limited or specialty beers, and beers you just won’t find anyplace else. Tuesday nights are Cask Beer Nights. Sample some of the freshest beer around in its natural, unaltered state. We have monthly Brewery Nights, featuring breweries from all over the country.” - Fred’s Rivertown Alehouse Web Site



Fred’s Rivertown Alehouse - Mick Jagger Fries
Mick Jagger Fries***+ sweet potato fries tossed with butter and brown sugar

Fred’s Rivertown Alehouse - Chicken BLT Salad 
Chicken BLT Salad** tender grilled chicken breast, crumbled bacon, tomato and seasoned croutons over fresh romaine lettuce

Fred’s Rivertown Alehouse - Garden Burger
Gardenburger*** brand vegetarian patty grilled and served with guacamole, lettuce, cucumber, tomato and onion on a multi-grain bun

Fred’s Rivertown Alehouse - Philly Cheese Steak
Philly Cheese Steak*** thinly sliced marinated flank steak with sautéed onions and peppers. Served on a French sourdough roll and topped with Swiss-American

Fred’s Rivertown Alehouse - Italian Salad
Italian Salad** chopped salami, jack cheese, olives, peppers

Scuttlebutt Brewery Everett Marina – New Location
Scuttlebutt Brewery Everett Marina – New Location
Scuttlebutt Brewery
425.257.9316
www.scuttlebuttbrewing.com

Scuttlebutt Brewery Everett Marina – New Location
Scuttlebutt Brewery Everett Marina – New Location
Great new location - Scuttlebutt has moved a few blocks north to the ground floor of the Port of Everett's new administration building.


Scuttlebutt Brewery Everett Marina - Brewhouse Hot Wings
Brewhouse Hot Wings*** love the new hot wings, beer battered and served with crisp celery and smooth ranch dressing

Bethany's 6th Annual 'Taste of the Northwest' at Comcast Arena
http://www.bethanyofthenorthwestfoundation.org/The_Bethany_of_the_Northwest_Foundation/Welcome.html
Bethany's 6th Annual 'Taste of the Northwest' at Comcast Arena
Bethany's 6th Annual 'Taste of the Northwest' at Comcast Arena
Bethany's 6th Annual 'Taste of the Northwest' at Comcast Arena - Max Jensen of Sojen Cellars with John Bell of Willis Hall
Bethany's 6th Annual 'Taste of the Northwest' at Comcast Arena - Max Jensen of Sojen Cellars and May Palmer
Bethany's 6th Annual 'Taste of the Northwest' at Comcast Arena with MC May Palmer
Bethany’s 6th Annual Taste of the Northwest was held Friday, April 29th from 5 pm to 8 pm at the Edward D. Hanson Conference Center at the Comcast Arena in Everett. It featured a tasting of 44 Washington Wines and 15 Craft Beers along with a large Silent Auction, Hors d’oeuvres, and a Hawaiian Trip Raffle drawn that evening. Great event!

Brooklyn Bros Pizzeria


Brooklyn Bros Pizzeria
Brooklyn Bros Pizzeria
1919 Hewitt Ave
Everett, WA 98201
425.258.6900
www.bbpmenu.com

Brooklyn Bros Pizzeria
Brooklyn Bros Pizzeria
Our first time here, we will be back. Best darn pizza I have had in years!


Brooklyn Bros Pizzeria - The Bowery
The Bowery**** pepperoni, sausage, roasted garlic

Sojen Cellars
Sojen Cellars
Sojen Cellars Kim's going away paella dinner with Woodrush

Sojen Cellars Everett Kim's going away paella dinner Catered by El Olivo Catering
Sojen Cellars Everett Kim's going away paella dinner and Woodrush was playing
Great meeting Dana Dibble of RiverRock Vineyards. Dana provided the fruit for Sojen Cellars new 2010 Grenache Rose’.


Sojen Cellars Everett - Dana Dibble of RiverRock Vineyards
RiverRock Vineyard lies about eight miles south of downtown Walla Walla, and roughly between Pepper Bridge vineyard and Seven Hills vineyards.The location is unique in the sense that it is an ancient river bed which at one time layed beneath hundreds of feet of water. The rich deposits left there by the flooding and volcanic debris are essential to the terrior of this great vineyard and it's grapes. The valley enjoys the highest heat units desperately needed for the ripening of these grapes, which in essence transpires into wines of fabulous color and depth.” – RiverRock Vineyard Website
Wicked Cellars Double Winery Event


Wicked Cellars
Charlie Auclair of Auclair Winery and Jim Petty of Aspenwood Cellars were featured Saturday…

Auclair Winery


Wicked Cellars Everett - Charlie Auclair of Auclair Winery
First bitten by the wine bug in Napa in 1988, Charlie Auclair later moved to Washington State, settling down in western Washington just a few hours from one of the best grape growing and wine making regions of the world.

Charlie spent years traveling and tasting wine in the Barossa and Yarra Valleys in Australia, the Paarl, Franschhoek, Stellenbasch and Constantia regions in South Africa, as well as France, Spain and of course closer to home in Oregon's Willamette Valley and at many of Washington's own star wineries.

His first wine was a 2000 Merlot that he shared with a few friends who all praised the effort, so after a few years and a few more trials, the Auclair Winery was born in 2008.

2009 Auclair Sauvignon Blanc**+ honeysuckle, grapefruit, lemons

2008 "96 Cedars" Merlot*** cedar box, cherries, spices

Aspenwood Cellars


Wicked Cellars - Jim Petty of Aspenwood Cellars with Wicked Cellars very own Tim Knopf
Aspenwood Cellars is a privately owned and operated winery located in Woodinville's Wine Country. Owner Jim Petty carried his passion for tasting wine over into production, first privately and now commercially.

Aspenwood Cellars believes that great wine is the result of the partnership of the vineyard owner and winemaker and are pleased to do business with the best vineyards in Washington State. They feel that the true partnership of vineyard owner and winemaker is expressed in their trademark, "Where great grapes become fine wines".

2008 Proprietor's Choice Merlot**+ red fruit, soft

2008 "Bubba's Best" Cabernet Sauvignon**+ Jim calls this his weekday cab, laidback and soft

2008 Proprietor's Choice Cabernet Sauvignon*** called the weekend cab, slight spices, licorice, smooth tannins

2008 Proprietor's Choice Syrah*** black fruit, light vanilla

More Fun From Around the Area:


Lombardi’s Neighborhood Italian Restaurant Everett Marina - Bar Menu Spaghetti and Meatballs
Lombardi’s Neighborhood Italian Restaurant Everett Marina - Bar Menu
Port of Everett's new administration building
Port of Everett's new administration building
Port of Everett's new administration building