Watermelon Goes Mainstream at icon Grill

Watermelon Goes Mainstream at icon Grill
Menu Items Debut for a Limited Time

SEATTLE, Wash.—(July 29, 2009)—icon Grill, known for its playful pink décor and creative comfort food, brings its “Aroused Americana” attitude to the blushing summer favorite: watermelon. This season’s fresh, flavorful melons inspired Chef Nick Musser to add a southern classic to the menu, house pickled watermelon rinds, nestled atop juicy pulled pork sliders:

Pulled Pork Sliders ($11.95)
Applewood-smoked pork with grilled peach chipotle barbeque sauce
Served with house-pickled watermelon rinds

Waste-not, want-not: Chef Nick was inspired to use all the leftover juicy fruit in these beverage offerings, available for a limited-time:

Watermelon Mojito “Wo-jito” ($8.95)
Watermelon puree, white rum, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, fresh mint, splash of soda

Watermelon Summer Cooler ($8.95)
Watermelon puree, raspberry vodka, limoncello, fresh lime juice, fresh mint

Watermelon Lemonade ($3.50)
Watermelon puree meets fresh-squeezed lemonade

As if watermelon-lovers need another reason to try these summertime sippers: The fruit also boasts anti-inflammatory properties and is packed with antioxidants and nutrients, such as Vitamins A, B1, B6 and C (one cup provides a quarter of the recommended daily intake of C).

icon Grill, open since 1998, is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year and is located at 1933 Fifth Ave. in Seattle, Wash. Open Monday—Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., bar until midnight; Friday 11:30 a.m. to midnight and Saturday 5 p.m. to midnight, bar until 1 a.m.; and Sunday 5 to 11 p.m., bar until midnight. Executive Chef Nick Musser’s cookbook, Aroused Americana, includes recipes for his highly regarded Ultimate Mac and Cheese and Texas Funeral Fudge Cake. Call (206) 441-6330 or visit www.icongrill.net for more information.

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Spit in Good Health!

Media Contact: Kelsey Simmons
Randall PR / (206) 624-5757

STIR/Martini + Raw Bar Opening in Bellevue Place Saturday, August 1

STIR / Martini + Raw Bar Opening in Bellevue Place Saturday, August 1
Solstice Restaurant Group’s New Eastside Location Offers Relaxed All-Day Dining, Precise Mixology and Lively Atmosphere

BELLEVUE, Wash.—(July 29, 2009)— Come early August, STIR / Martini + Raw Bar will do with cocktails what Twisted Cork has done for wine: ignite Bellevue’s drinking and dining scene.

Solstice Restaurant Group, the creative force behind Twisted Cork Wine Bar and 0/8 Seafood Grill is unveiling a “stirring” new restaurant concept that will focus on an innovative cocktail program, offer a Northwest and Asian influenced menu and wrap it all up in a lively yet sophisticated atmosphere.

“We want to take that same relaxed-fun vibe that we have at Twisted Cork and recreate it in a hip and contemporary cocktail bar,” Solstice Restaurant Group Owner Matt Bomberger says.

As the name implies, a big focus for STIR is on its liquids. Offering something for everyone, from classic to contemporary, from innovative to traditional, master mixologists will offer signature and unique cocktails while also customizing cocktails to guests’ preferences. A distinct feature of the bar is the ice encrusted vodka tap, which will dispense vodka at the perfect temperature, eliminating the need to chill—and dilute—it with ice. The signature cocktail menu includes:

Baby Shea ($7.5)
Titos Vodka, Lillet, Orchard Apricot, lemon juice

Purple Flower ($11)
Bombay Sapphire Gin, St. Germain Elderflower liqueur, Crème de Violette, Lavender Dry Soda,
garnished with an iced violet

Caju Caipirinha ($7)
Cachaca, lime, sugar, caju juice

For Whom the Bell Tolls ($9)
Hornitos Tequila, lime, maraschino, grapefruit juice

Summertime Manhattan ($14)
Basil Hayden, Vya sweet vermouth, peach bitters

Maximiliano ($10)
Finlandia Grapefruit Vodka, aperol, egg white, Champagne

In addition to a distinctive cocktail set, simple and contemporary preparations of poke, sushi, ceviche, tartare and oysters are joined by an all day menu of northwest and Asian influenced seafood. The menu will also feature a selection of soups, salads, sandwiches and entrees. Highlights include:

Raw Bar
Beef Tartare ($9)
Sake (Salmon) Sashimi ($8)
Ahi Tuna Poke ($10)
Oyster selection (MP)
King Crab Roll - crab, cucumber, cream cheese, fried tempura, spicy chili aioli ($9)
Halibut Ceviche - tomato, red onion, lemon grass, peppers, plantain chips ($7)

All-Day Dining Menu
Lobster Bisque ($7)
Rock Shrimp Miso Soup ($4)
Crab Salad ($10) / ($14)
Oyster Po’ Boy - cayenne, caramelized onions, saffron aioli ($9)
Beef Udon – seared tenderloin, shiitake mushrooms, scallion, lemongrass ($8)
Coconut Vanilla Prawns - black rice, pea vine, crispy kale ($12)

Designed to have a dynamic, urban lodge vibe, STIR’s ambiance invites comfortable lounging, lingering conversation and socializing. The restaurant is dominated by a bustling central bar lined with shaved-ice for keeping drinks frosty cold. Lounge furniture, dining tables and booths create distinct, intimate areas that punctuate STIR’s large open dining room.

Taking advantage of the warm months of summer, STIR will offer seating on its outdoor patio, accented by grassy and landscaped areas. Ideal for people watching, indoor patio seating will be available in the Wintergarden, just off the Bellevue Hyatt’s grand staircase.

STIR / Martini + Raw Bar will be open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.

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Opening August 2009, STIR / Martini + Raw Bar will focus on precise mixology paired with simple and contemporary raw preparations of poke, sushi, ceviche, tartare and oysters and an all-day menu of NW and Asian influenced seafood. The restaurant offers an intimate, indoor urban lodge-feel with modern elements. Open daily from 11 to 1 a.m., STIR is located in the Bellevue Place Wintergarden, just off the grand staircase of the Bellevue Hyatt. For more information visit www.stirmartinibar.com or follow us on Twitter @StirBellevue.

Media Contact: Andrea Courtney Randall PR / (206) 624-5757

Barrio en Fuego

Barrio is now open on Capitol Hill... And while I could go on & on & on, sometimes I think photos really speak for themselves:

First things first. Cocktails.

The Sangre de Agave. Bermuda dark rum, repesado tequila, cassis, lime juice. Yum.

Moving on to a little something to whet the palate... A nice ceviche, perhaps?

Might I recommend the Ahi Tuna Crudo? The meatiness of the avocado, the brightness of the orange, with tamarind and sesame seeds... divine.

And last, but by no means least, the tacos. With a range of fillings from housemade chorizo to duck confit, these aren't your taco truck standby tacos.



Stop by at happy hour to get the tacos at a steal, $2!



For more information on Barrio's new happy hour: http://barriorestaurant.com/documents/BarrioHappyHour11309Current.pdf

Inauguration Day Parties

Man o man! Inauguration Day was out of control around the city. I went to Tini Bigs and Hula Hula's party that featured the much talked about "Throw the Shoe at Bush" contest. It was packed with revelers. The $5 Obama-Tini's were an added bonus. To learn more about Tini Bigs visit www.tinibigs.com.

A Bowling Good Time.

It's official! For all those hipsters, bowlers and nightlife enthusiasts, Garage has expanded its unique brand of entertainment.

The expansion replaces the former, adjacent parking lot, and includes two large, artfully designed lounges, the Star Lounge and Echo Room; six bowling lanes, two pool tables and two bars totaling 20,000 more square feet.

Head in any time. The additional lanes and bars should mean decreased wait times.

www.garagebilliards.com

Oh, and some inside scoop... One of the owners, Jill, designed the brand spanking new lounges. And her artwork hangs throughout. Go forth and bowl.

Bacon in my Bourbon?

Now that Tini Bigs has welcomed nationally renowned mixologist Jamie Boudreau it is time to expand my cocktail palate. I have never been shy about trying new and cutting edge flavors, but with a new menu boasting cocktails with bacon infused bourbon and red wine vinegar, I admit- I was skeptical. But wow, did it blow me out of the water. This man, mixologist, mad scientist has created a catalogue of innovative AND delicious prohibition era cocktails that will literally delight everyone. Check out Tini Bigs website at www.tinigbigs.com to hear about new and hip happenings at the swanky lounge.

An Evening at Troiani Ristorante Italiano

If there is one thing I have learned while being at Randall PR, it's how many fantastic restaurants there are in the Seattle area. As noted in my last entry, I simply adore eating out and discovering new restaurants. After a long day at the office one Monday, Krista Koster and I decided to treat ourselves to a happy hour at Troiani Ristorante Italiano.

We had heard fantastic things about Troiani's happy hour and the restaurant is a mere three blocks from our office in downtown Seattle, so this seemed like a natural choice. After each ordering a glass of pinot noir and sorting through our dinner choices, we settled on splitting Beef Tenderloin Tips, the Grilled Chicken Burger and of course, French Fried Potatoes sprinkled with truffle oil. To sum it up, the experience was quite heavenly. And since we decided to indulge during happy hour, our pocketbooks were pleased as well.

Since our happy hour excursion was a great success, we have set our sights on icon Grill for our next night out. Because let's be honest, their Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese has been ingrained in our mind since their 10th Birthday Party in August!