Monthly Archives: December 2013

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December 31, 2013

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I Ate the State – Kirkland, WA

Greetings and salivations!

Hitting much closer to home, this entry will highlight the Deru Market in Kirkland, Washington.  Tucked back into a cozy neighborhood off of NE 85th Street in Kirkland, you might start to question if you’ve taken a wrong turn as you drive further into the residential area.  Ignore your instincts to turn around and keep going towards the end of the street – and there it is! 

Upon receiving a glowing review and recommendation from a coworker, I was excited to make a visit. Not only do they have in-house café dining (just added this fall!), they also offer full-service catering and cooking classes.  As I regularly plan events as part of my day job, I’m always looking for quality local restaurants to support.  I can honestly say I was hooked after my first visit and now that I’ve gone back a few times and have also used their catering services, I’m looking forward to a long and delicious partnership.

On my first visit, they hadn’t yet added their indoor dining area so I made my order to go.  Right away I was drawn in by the delicious smells coming from the kitchen.  Then as now, the kitchen area is viewable to the public and I was happy to play foodie voyeur as I waited for my order.  I surmised that some of the amazing smells must be coming from the large, brick pizza oven perched just inside the kitchen.  I’m sure the large trays of handmade focaccia cooling on the counters were also contributing to the mouthwatering aroma.  The more I breathed in, the harder the wait became.

While anticipating the tastes these smells would accompany, I had the chance to scope out the kitchen layout and design.  It’s a large, open area with high ceilings and several long, artistically arranged counters and tabletops.  While although the staff was abuzz with activity, the well-organized, open feel of the kitchen lent an unexpected sense of tranquility to the scene.  It was also great to see the two co-owner/chefs personally preparing the dishes.  Chefs Jamie Cassady and Jordan Cooper are graduates of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in New York and it certainly shows in the manner in which they present themselves in the kitchen.  Alas, if I had only half of their knife skills, my kitchen would be a much more productive place indeed…

As I admired the kitchen scene, I was also drawn to the well-stocked deli-case and counter at the front of the shop.  Loaded with rustic salads and stacked with freshly made bakery goods on the counter, I desperately searched for a justification to try each and every one of them.  And then it dawned on me… Catering! I vowed if I made it out of the shop with only my lunch order, they’d be hearing from me the very next time I was in need of a caterer.  (And a happy ending it was!  I only ordered enough for one that day, but did indeed get to try SO much more when I procured their catering services a few weeks later. I win!  And as I received rave reviews from the recipients of said catering, I’d say everyone was a winner!)

 

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Smoked brisket on house-made focaccia.

 

Of the delicious Deru Market items I’ve tried, here are a few of my favorites:

  • Smoked Brisket Sandwich (w/Beecher’s cheddar, arugula and aioli) – Tender, melt-in-your-mouth brisket on house-made focaccia.  I would eat this sandwich every day if I could.  Come to think of it, why can’t I??  (Except on Sunday. They’re closed Sundays. Sigh…)
  • Sardine & Herb Pesto Sandwich (w/aioli, arugula, lemon and pickled red onion) – Not made with the canned, oily sardine variety, this sandwich features delicate fillets on house-made focaccia.  The creaminess of the aioli with the bitterness of the arugula and tang of the onion is a perfect mix of flavors.
  • Kale Caesar Salad – Fresh baby kale with house-made anchovy vinaigrette and Parmesan.  Simple and delicious.
  • Celeriac Soup – This wasn’t on the menu the last time I went in and I hope they bring it back soon!  A satisfying blend of cream and comfort, but still very light and refreshing.
  • Marinated Beet Salad (w/pistachio, goat cheese and frissee) – Perfectly marinated beets tossed with frissee and pistachio encrusted dollops of goat cheese.  SO good!
  • Orzo & Cauliflower Pesto Salad – Orzo pasta tossed with pesto, walnuts, garlic, lemon and Parmesan. This salad is a wonderful side, but could easily stand on its own as a main dish.
  • Salted Peanut Butter Cookie – All of their baked goods have been delicious, but I have a special place in my heart for their salted peanut butter cookies. 
  • Any of their coffee drinks (w/house-made syrups!) – Did I mention they make their own syrups??
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I was able to snap one more photo before diving into the sandwich… It was a difficult task, indeed. 

There are several other items I could list, but at the risk of typing out their entire menu, I’ll leave some of that list for you to explore on your own.  You won’t be sorry.  But if you happen to grab the last brisket sandwich or salted peanut butter cookie, I’ll be comin’ for ya… To very politely ask you for a bite, of course. 

 

Deru Market

723 9th Ave – Norkirk Neighborhood

Kirkland, WA 98033

(425) 298-0268

 

M-F:  11am – 9pm

Sat:  9am – 9pm

Sun:  Closed

 

 

Next up:  Kalaloch / La Push / Forks

 

 

Happy New Year!!

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December 17, 2013

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I Ate the State – Maltby, Washington

Greetings!

As I’ve mentioned, I come from a foodie family.  One of the newer contributing members to the family foodie scene is my 10-year old nephew, Eli.  He has served as my partner in many foodie shenanigans and is well on his way to rocking his own foodie commentary.  Eli is also a co-founder of The Sandwitches – Our ongoing effort to reinvent the sandwich wheel.  I think we’re really making headway!  We’ve been putting together some crazy recipes and dream of someday sharing our creations with the world at large.  Stay tuned!

In the meantime, Eli and I recently visited The Maltby Café in the tiny town of Maltby, Washington.  Quaintly tucked away in the basement section of an old schoolhouse (circa 1937), this place is beyond a gem.  They regularly win ‘Best of’ awards and I can’t imagine this will change anytime soon.  Granted, Maltby might be a little off the beaten path for many in the greater Seattle area, but I assure you The Maltby Café is worth the trip. 

They are open daily from 7am – 3pm (lunch starts at 11:30am) and seem to be constantly busy.  However, due to an unexpectedly early morning for us, we got there early enough to beat the breakfast rush.  (It required extra coffee on the part of Aunt Dayna, but whatevs.)  When we walked in, we were immediately greeted by a hostess and led to a table.  On the way to be seated, I noticed a stack of cinnamon rolls packaged to-go, sitting on a stand near the entrance.  Due to the size of the packaging, I assumed they were servings of four rolls.  And that was where my assumption was very… WRONG.

After being seated at our table, our server stopped by right away and got us going with our morning beverage requirements.  We both perused the menu and Eli immediately zeroed in on the homemade cinnamon rolls – with a side of delicious bacon.  I opted for the breakfast classic of bacon and eggs with potatoes and toast and we were ready to roll. Key word: ROLL.

When the breakfast arrived to our table – very quickly, I might add – both of our jaws dropped to the ground.  Not only was my breakfast and Eli’s side of bacon ENORMOUS, the cinnamon roll was quite literally the SIZE OF OUR HEADS.  Possibly the size of both our heads put together!  We both stared silently at our plates and then back at each other.  And then started laughing hysterically.  There was no way we could ever finish everything!  If this were an episode of Man vs. Food, food would definitely walk away the victor.

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Note the size of the cinnamon roll as compared to Eli’s head. They’re the same!

  

Eli’s cinnamon roll was not only gigantic, it was incredibly delicious.  Warm and topped with gooey frosting, it was melt-in-your-mouth perfection.  Our only issue was the fact it was studded with evil raisins.  (Are raisins evil?  Yes.  As are bananas and walnuts.  Be aware.)  I know it’s common to add these little monsters to cinnamon rolls, but I just can’t get on board.  That said, as the roll was so ridiculously delicious, neither of us were too bothered to have to pick out the raisins.  And I’m sure we’d do it again… However, we plan on having at least four people at the table to collectively take on this beast moving forward.

My breakfast was prepared perfectly and the bacon was fantastic!  The ratio of crispness to thickness was just right and it had an excellent smokiness.  Not to be outdone by the enormity of the cinnamon rolls, the bacon slices were equally great in size.  Between the two of us, there were eight slices of bacon on the table.  We are both bacon freaks, but by the time we squared our to-go boxes, there were still six slices left.  (I honestly got two more meals out of my own to-go box!)  They even actually made my eggs the way I’d requested – Over-hard.  Restaurants always seem to dork up that particular egg order, but the Maltby Café completely nailed it.  Fried eggs with the yolks broken and all the way cooked… Thank you, Maltby Café!  I also want to mention their homemade bread – thick cut and super fresh.  I haven’t tried their sandwiches yet, but I’m sure the homemade bread is a winning addition.

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Note the size of the bacon strips as compared to the plate. Nay, PLATTER!

While although each of us only finished about a quarter of our respective meals, we were both completely and positively full – and deliriously happy.  (And hopped up on a cinnamon roll/hot chocolate sugar overload in the case of Eli.) We can’t wait to go back and try more of the menu.  And we’ll be bringing more hungry family members to help us out!  

Check out The Maltby Café, located in Maltby, Washington.  Open every day from 7am – 3pm – Stop by and enjoy some classic, home-style cooking.  Come hungry!  Suggestion:  This a great place to stop on your way up to Stevens Pass for a day of snowy fun. 🙂

Other places of interest in the Maltby area:

Snoqualmie Ice-Cream – Makers of amazing ice-cream and custard.  They have a nice little café, featuring great sandwiches and deliciously fresh ice-cream and custard.  (And espresso!) Their salted caramel and French lavender ice-creams are two of my all-time favorites.  They even grow their own lavender!  (And offer tours of their farm and creamery!)  This is located just past The Maltby Café, on the right side of the road.

 

Up next:  Deru Market in Kirkland. YUM!

Cheers!

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December 16, 2013

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I Ate the State – Yakima Valley Edition – Part Deux!

Alrighty – It’s Part Deux of my Yakima Valley adventures!

As I mentioned earlier, I was born in Yakima, Washington.  (Pronounced YAK-ih-ma, not Ya-KEE-ma  J)  I only officially lived there until I was 7, but of the early memories I carry with me, some of the fondest are my visits to Miner’s Drive-In Restaurant on 1st Street. 

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Miner’s Drive-in as it was in 1948.

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Miner’s Drive in today. 

What is now a fairly sprawling sit-down restaurant was then only a drive-thru with a small, ordering area inside.  When it was nice outside, there was – and still is – ample picnic-style seating available in a grassy area next to the restaurant.  Open since 1948, it was one of the first drive-thru restaurants in the area.  I can’t count the times I went through that drive-thru with my mom, grandma, great-grandma – whoever in the Smith or Brown family who happened to be craving a milkshake and fries at the moment.  It was always especially enjoyable for me due to the somewhat backwards drive-thru layout.  The driver does the ordering, but the pick-up window is actually on the passenger side.  Not only did it make me feel very adult and important to be handling the monetary transaction, it also meant I was the first one with hands on the fry bag.  HA!  (I will fight you for your fries.)

And on the topic of those fries, here are a few menu items I can recommend:

The Big Miner burger – Seriously.  There is no exaggeration in the use of ‘big’ to describe this burger. Words such as humungous, ginormous, gut-busting and insanely-proportioned are also appropriate descriptors.  Made with giant, grill-fried patties of locally-sourced beef, buttered and toasted sesame seed buns (very important ingredient) and all the fixin’s, one burger will likely cover your food requirements for the day.  (I like to add cheese and Walla Walla sweet onions)  Throw in an order of fries or TATOR TOTS and a thick shake and you’re probably good for a few days.  (Did I mention they have TATOR TOTS?  Yeah.  TATOR TOTS.)  Note to the incredibly hungry, incredibly brave or just incredibly insane:  They also have a DOUBLE Big Miner.  Yowsa.

Hot Dogs – Not to be outdone by the burgers, their hot dogs are equally tasty and ENORMOUS.  High-quality beef dogs, split down the middle and grilled, served on a buttered grill-toasted bun.  Add onions, relish, mustard, chili, etc. – they’re delicious!  Also try the DOUBLE Dog!  ;-} Pairs nicely with TATOR TOTS and…

FRY SAUCE – Do they have other condiments besides fry sauce?  Certainly.  They have quite a few delicious dipping sauces, in fact.  Does that really matter when FRY SAUCE is on the table?  NO.  End of discussion.  (Oh, wait – one more thing.  TATOR TOTS.)

Other delicious items of note:  I’m not gonna lie.  I typically order either the Big Miner or a hot dog.  With TATOR TOTS.  Or sometimes a small order of fries.  (A large order will feed your neighborhood.)  However, I have sampled many other delicious items on their menu.  Check out these tasty gems:

–          ANY of their BBQ items.  Want a BBQ Ham sandwich?  They’ve got it. 

–          Big Chicken Swiss w/Ham – YUM!

–          Fish Burger.  Mmmmm.  Try adding cheese and Walla Walla sweet onions!

–          ANY of their salads – particularly the Shrimp Louie salad.  (‘lots of shrimp!)

–          Dipped ice cream cones, milkshakes and hot fudge sundaes! 

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Many delicious items to be had on the Miner’s menu. And… TATOR TOTS!

Even though I no longer live in Yakima, much less the Central/Eastern side of the state, I try to visit Miner’s whenever I’m in the area.  It might also be true I’ve been known to make daytrips to the area just for the sake of a Miner’s Burger.  I can neither confirm nor deny this.

 

Moving on to the beverage portion of the adventure, I’d like to give a shout-out to Yakima Craft Brewing Co.

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Yakima Craft Brewing Co. = Delicious beer!

If you’re looking for a meal other than beer, you might want to perhaps stop at Miner’s first.  While although Yakima Craft Brewing does have a simple appetizer/bar menu in their Taproom pub, they don’t have a full kitchen, so the offerings are pretty basic.  However, if you are perfectly content with making a meal out your beer – and what’s wrong with that?? – Yakima Craft Brewing Co. is a good place to check out. (And the sausage sampler w/German mustard IS pretty tasty if you’d actually like something to accompany your beer.)

Tucked back into the River Road industrial area of North Yakima, (just off Hwy 12) Yakima Craft Brewing Co. has been brewing some very enjoyable beer since 2007. The Taproom is a fairly small pub siting adjacent to the main brewery.  Stop in for a pint or two – or several – and be sure to fill up your growler on the way out!  While we were there, my brother and I sampled the following brews:

Pale Ale – Light, very drinkable ale and not overly hoppy. 

1982 – Amber ale with just the right amount of depth and hoppiness.  Not too heavy for the hot summer days and not to wimpy for cooler fall nights.  Plus, the label is an awesome homage to the cassette tape.

Imperial Red – If you often go by the nickname, ‘Hoppy McHopperson’ you will love this beer.  VERY hoppy and pretty in-your-face.  I will admit to siding more with the Belgian-style golden ales, so this was a bit much for me.  My brother, aka ‘Hoppy McHopperson’ LOVED it.

Heather – A light, Scottish ale brewed with honey and heather.  My favorite of the day – and that was saying something.  Delicious!

Summer Serendipity – VERY tasty Kolsch-style brew and from what I understand, very limited in release.  Made me want to float down the Yakima River in an inner tube and a 6-pack of the stuff…  Yeah.

 

There were many other beers we would’ve liked to have tried, but the evening was approaching and it was time to consider eventually heading back towards Seattle.  I will, however, definitely be back – and in the near future.  In a nutshell, drinking locally brewed beer in the area where the majority of our nation’s hops are grown is a not only a privilege, but should also be a Washington beer lover’s rite of passage.  It makes me very happy to see the craft beer scene continuing to grow and develop in this part of the state.  It just makes sense!  And I am very happy to do my part to support this plan.

I’d definitely recommend stopping in for a visit the next time you’re in the area.  And don’t forget your growlers!

 

Some other areas of interest in the Yakima Valley area:

Additional Old Skool Burger Joints – Try them all!

Pepp’rmint Stick (Union Gap)

Laredo Drive-in (Naches)

King’s Row (Selah)

 

More beer!

Bale Breaker Brewing Co. – Excellent local brewery and taphouse.  Try their High Camp Winter Warmer – delicious!

Moxee Hop Festival – Come celebrate hops in the tiny, hop-growing mecca of Moxee, Washington.

 

Learn more about the Yakima Valley!

Yakima Valley Museum  – The very first museum I ever visited.  And largely responsible for making me the giant nerd I am today.  Thanks, Yakima Valley Museum!

Yakima Valley Appellation – Wine Trail – The Yakima Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) is the oldest and most diverse wine growing region in Washington.  Tour all the local wineries and ENJOY!!

Yakama Nation Museum & Cultural Center – Stop in and learn about the history, people and culture of the Yakama Nation.  Located 18 miles past Yakima in Toppenish, WA.  Well worth the visit!

Next up:  The Maltby Café in Maltby, WA.  Cinnamon rolls the size of your head!

Cheers!

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December 14, 2013

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I Ate the State – The Yakima Valley

Howdy!

In a continuing tribute to my family and the roots of my foodie propensities, please join me on a visit to Yakima, Washington and the nearby, mountainous community of Cliffdell.

I was born in the sunny expanse of the Yakima Valley and spent the beginning years of my life in the area.  Home to hops, orchards, wine, a lot of sunshine and the gateway to the Cascade Mountains, it was an idyllic place to spend part of my childhood.  And since my family only moved a little further to the southeast for the remainder of my formative years, we returned often to visit family and friends.  To this day, I frequently visit the area to get a dose of sunshine and enjoy the surroundings.  (And the wine)  (And the beer)  It does of course help that it’s conveniently located along the route to visit my Eastern Washington relatives.  (And the wine and beer)

Recently, my brother and I made a couple of summertime foodie pilgrimages to Yakima and its surrounding communities.  Allow me to share a brief breakdown of our culinary adventures…

First stop:  Whistlin’ Jack Lodge – Located on Hwy 410 (Chinook Pass Hwy) in the community of Cliffdell.  (Pop.  Approx. 100)

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Whistlin’ Jack Lodge in the mountain community of Cliffdell, WA. 

Whistlin’ Jack Lodge was built in 1931 and has been an official operation of the Williams’ family since 1957.  It’s a rustic oasis for weary travelers, bikers, sportspersons and campers who just can’t handle another meal over their makeshift fire pit/outdoor grill. (Losing 4 hot dogs to the fire was enough; let alone the T-bone steak…) Whistlin’ Jack Lodge is host to a cozy assortment of bungalows and riverside cottages along with rooms available in the main lodge.  In addition to the main lodge restaurant, they have the Fireside Lounge which sports a full-service bar, a café style menu and live music on the weekends.  They also have a nice little deli and grocery store if you’re stocking up for a hike or have run out of marshmallows. (Not good.) Throw in a gift shop with ‘lots of quirky souvenir items, interesting antique displays and a somewhat frightening taxidermy tribute to local wildlife and you’ve got a mountain wonderland.  And if you’re running low on fuel, be sure to stop in at their gas pumps before traveling further.  (Seriously – the next gas station if you’re heading west isn’t until Greenwater – 53 miles away.)

If you’re stopping in for something more substantial than marshmallows, there are many items I can recommend in the riverside lodge restaurant.  During my last visit, my brother and I, along with my three nieces all enjoyed some tasty meals.  We happened to be there during brunch, which is quite an elaborate spread, but since we weren’t hungry enough to require such a large affair, we chose to order from the menu.  They were serving both breakfast and lunch at the time and we were a bit torn, but we all opted to enjoy a spot of breakfast…

Ham & Eggs – Nicely smoked, thick-cut and pan fried, the ham was very tasty.  Served with lodge-made hash browns, fresh eggs and toast, this was much more food than I’d planned on eating, but I didn’t argue!  (I also stole some of my brother’s gravy for my hash browns.  Don’t judge me.)

Country-fried Steak & Eggs – My brother’s selection.  While although the steak was served on top of the gravy, rather than the gravy being on top, it was nicely battered and tender.  As I come from a family of gravy lovers, my brother ordered an additional side.  That was a good plan. (And nicely supported my own gravy theft plan.)

French Toast, Hotcakes, Belgian Waffles – All of the sugary menu options for my sugar-loving nieces.  Who am I to argue?  Syrup is delicious!  They all loved their orders and as I sampled each dish myself, I’d have to agree.  (They may or may not have been looking when I sampled everything.  Again, don’t judge me.)  The hotcakes were fluffy, the French toast was nice and thick with ‘lots of butter and the Belgian waffles were deliciously malty.  For the lover of sweets, I’d also recommend their homemade blueberry cinnamon roll and the blueberry hotcakes.  (Great remedy for a night of drafty tent camping.)

If you’re in the mood for some very tasty, local fish, I recommend the pan-fried Rainbow trout.  It is delicious and is boned tableside by your server.  Cool!

If you happen to be around for dinner, try their dinner preparation of the Rainbow trout – or any of their delicious steaks.  (Including elk steak!)  In the lounge, they serve a great burger and have a good selection of beer, wine and other assorted adult beverages.  As a note, the main lodge restaurant can get crowded on the weekends and sometimes the service can be slow.  I’d recommend reservations for the dinner hour and if you’re in a hurry, I’d opt for the Fireside lounge or their deli.

Whistlin’ Jack Lodge occupies a very special place in my heart and is home to many happy memories.  I grew up spending countless summer weekends camping in the area with my family.  With bated breath, I’d sit in the back of our loaded down Ford Super Cab, anxiously waiting to see Whistlin’ Jacks appearing magically out of the forest.  If I were lucky, we’d make a quick pit-stop before heading onto the campground.  If not, I knew I could probably sucker one of my family members to give me a ride over on one of their dirt bikes.  Or, as I got older and was able to ride a dirt bike myself, I’d grab the hotrod Honda Trail 90 and make my marshmallow run. (It’s important to not run out of marshmallows.)  After all this time, I can honestly say that I still get an anxious, excited feeling whenever I’m heading up Hwy 410 towards the mountains.  I know it’s getting close; just past that next bend in the road… A good meal, a goofy shot glass, a bathroom that doesn’t involve an outhouse and a replenished marshmallow supply!  Thank you, Whistlin’ Jack Lodge!

Other spots to visit in the area:

Boulder Cave – Family-friendly hike featuring one of the largest caves of its kind in the state.  It’s a beautiful and very interesting hike.  Bring flashlights! 

Naches River – Great places for fishing, camping, rafting and general adventuring all along its shores.

Chinook Pass – One of the highest drivable mountain passes in Washington State at 5430 ft.  Stop at the top of the pass and hike around Tipsoo Lake or investigate part of the Pacific Crest Trail.  Absolutely beautiful area and an absolutely beautiful drive.

Mt. Rainier National Park – I can’t say enough about Mt. Rainier National Park.  I spent many summers working at the lodges and ‘The Mountain’ is one of my favorite places on earth.  So much to do – so much to see.  If you haven’t been, make it a priority.

Crystal Mountain Ski Resort – Ski resort just over Chinook Pass.  Great hiking, biking and summer adventure options. Not accessible via Chinook Pass during the winter months.  (Although I highly recommend hitting it from the other side as the skiing is fantastic!)

 

And as this entry is getting long, I’ll continue the Yakima Valley journey with my next entry.  (Miner’s Drive-in, and the Yakima Craft Brewing Co.)

Cheers!