Friday, June 3, 2011

Balefire, Wicked Cellars and The Everett Marina

Balefire Everett

Balefire Everett
Balefire Everett**
http://www.balefirebar.com/

Balefire Everett

Balefire Everett
About Balefire:
“We're not a beer bar, and we're not a wine bar. We're both. We like to say that we specialize in fine fermentables. For years we've had to go to one type of bar for one beverage and another type of bar for another. That simply doesn't make any sense, so we built a bar to treat both equally. We hand-select the best beverages in terms of value and quality to give you the best experience possible.” – Balefire website

We went to Balefire for a quick something to eat and drink before an event nearby. It seemed more of a tavern atmosphere than wine bar. The waitress was friendly. Balefire is more of a beer and wine bar than a restaurant. So if you are looking for a fun place to try different beers and wines this is a fine place to go.
Balefire Everett - Empanadas
Empanadas*** four savory lamb pastries topped with harissa (a red chili sauce)
Balefire Everett - Three cheeses
Three cheeses, crackers, grapes and salami**+ Romano, blue cheese, cheddar cheese

Wicked Cellars Everett
Wicked Cellars Everett
Wicked Cellars - Walla Walla Vintners Tasting with Todd Morgan

Wicked Cellars Everett - Walla Walla Vintners Tasting with Todd Morgan
Bonded in 1995, Walla Walla Vintners is a limited-production winery in Walla Walla dedicated to making handcrafted, premium red wines --Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cuvée, Malbec, Merlot, and Sangiovese from grapes grown in the Walla Walla AVA.

2009 Columbia Valley Sangiovese**+ red cherry, light spice

2009 Columbia Valley Cabernet franc*** currant, light chocolate, vanilla

2008 Walla Walla Valley, Pepperbridge vineyard Malbec*** spices, chives, berries

2008 Walla Walla Valley, Morrison Lane vineyard Syrah***+ fresh jam, Logan very

2008 Sagemore vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon**** black Cassis, toast, white pepper

Everett Marina...

Everett Marina

Woodfire grill
http://www.anthonys.com/restaurants/info/woodfire.html

Everett Marina - Woodfire Grill

Everett Marina - Woodfire Grill

Everett Marina - Woodfire Grill
Anthony's Woodfire Grill features specialties from its custom-built rotisserie, applewood-burning oven and an applewood grill. As a part of the Anthony's family, Anthony's Woodfire Grill serves signature fresh Northwest seafood selections such as margarita crab, as well as applewood roasted St. Louis style ribs and sirloin beef kabobs.” - Woodfire grill website

Around Everett…

Sojen Cellars Everett
http://www.sojencellars.com/

Sojen Cellars Everett
Terracotta Red
http://terracottaredbistro.com/

Terracotta Red

Terracotta Red - Crispy Drunken Chicken

Monday, May 30, 2011

Puerto Vallarta Vacation May 2011 – Part Two - Dining out and staying at Melia’ Hotel


Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Melia’ is an all-inclusive resort in Puerto Vallarta. We stayed for a week the first part of may- this is at the end of the Mexican national school holiday period, so the hotel was very full the first few days, then rather quiet after that, until the start of the next weekend. Even though this is a family resort, we were not bothered by the children and families. However, keep this in mind if you are looking for a quiet resort. There is music by the pool and the activities desk announces upcoming events very frequently.

We ate at three the four restaurants: The Palapa Grill, Vitrales and Quetzal Buffet. They all had beautiful presentation of the food was tasty

Our Hotel Room...

Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Our Hotel Room

  Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – View from our deck
Hotel Bars and Resturant…

  Melia Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Lobby Bar

Melia' Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Quetzal Buffet

Melia' Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Quetzal Buffet
Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - La Palapa Grill...
Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, MexicoLa Palapa


Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - La Palapa Grill - Shrimp bisque


Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - La Palapa Grill - hearts salad


Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - La Palapa Grill - ribeye steak

Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - View towards Puerto Vallarta from the La Palapa Grill...

Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - View towards Puerto Vallarta

Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Vitrales Restaurant…

Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Vitrales Restaurant


Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico- Vitrales Restaurant


Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico- Vitrales Restaurant - Claire, Janet, Jerry and Larry


Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico- Vitrales Restaurant - Asparagus soup


Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Vitrales Restaurant - Caesar salad and rosemary shrimp


Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Vitrales Restaurant - Salmon salad


Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Vitrales Restaurant - Caprese style salad


Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Vitrales Restaurant - Osso Buco (veal)


Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Vitrales Restaurant - Wild Mushrooms and Crab Ravioli


Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Vitrales Restaurant - Veal chop


Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Vitrales Restaurant - Eggplant Parmesan


Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Vitrales Restaurant - Beef Tenderloin


Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Vitrales Restaurant - Crème Brulee
Around the Hotel…
Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, MexicoSwim up Bar
Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - View towards Puerto Vallarta
Melia’Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Vitrales Restaurant - Wildlife habitat

Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Vitrales Restaurant - Wildlife habitat
  Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Guacamole class...

Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Guacamole class

Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Guacamole class

Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Guacamole class

Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Guacamole class

Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Guacamole class

Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Guacamole class

Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Guacamole class


Melia’ Hotel Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Guacamole class
Other Stuff…

Vitrales Restaurant – Desert

  La Palapa Grill - salad

  Landing at San Francisco airport is always a lot of fun