Avalon Opens in West Seattle Today

January 3 at 3 p.m.

SEATTLE, Wash.—(January 3, 2011)—Fittingly located on S.W. Avalon Way in West Seattle, Avalon restaurant and lounge opens today, spotlighting Northwest fare with a touch of rustic Mediterranean flavor.

WHO: Avalon – Pacific NW Casual Fine Dining & Lounge

www.avalonws.com

WHAT: Restaurant Opens

· Menu created by Chef Deborah Breuler focuses on local Pacific Northwest fare with a touch of rustic Mediterranean flavor. See a sample of menu items below.

· Prices range from $7 to $12 for starters and $15 to $22 for entrées.

· Full bar highlights local distilleries and wineries.

· Open seven days a week, with dinner service daily (dine in or take out) from 5 to 10 p.m. and happy hour in the lounge from 3 to 6 p.m.

WHERE: Avalon in West Seattle

2940 S.W. Avalon Way

Seattle, Washington 98126

WHEN: Today: January 3

3 p.m. (Happy Hour)

5 p.m. (Dinner Service)

Situated in the historic Luna Park neighborhood, West Seattle’s Avalon offers an approachable, regionally inspired, locally sourced menu as well as a full bar and wine list focusing on Washington and Oregon. Dishes are available for dine in or take out. The warm and welcoming ambiance makes an equally comfortable backdrop for casual meals and special occasions alike. Located at 2940 S.W. Avalon Way, Avalon serves dinner daily from 5 to 10 p.m.; brunch is served Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and happy hour is offered daily in the lounge from 3 to 6 p.m. (206) 922-3606.

Follow Avalon Online:

http://www.avalonws.com

http://twitter.com/AvalonWS

#          #          #

Media Contact: Andrea Courtney

Randall PR / (206) 551-1651

 

Sample of Menu Items:

Small Plates

Artichoke Fritter

with zesty tomato spread ($7)

Bruschetta of Crab

with mascarpone, arugula and lemon vinaigrette ($11)

Grilled Curly Endive

with honey crisp apples, Seastar goat cheese and candied walnuts ($7)

Entrées

Grilled Marinated Pork Loin

with fig mostarda, braised Brussels sprouts with pancetta, and smashed potatoes ($17)

Forty Clove Garlic Chicken

with preserved lemon, green olives, almonds, Bluebird Farms grains and sautéed kale ($17)

Thundering Hooves Farm Short Ribs

Syrah-braised and served with potato dumplings and roasted roots ($19)

Cedar Planked Wild Salmon

balsamic-glazed, with roasted cauliflower and fingerling potatoes ($20)

WRAZZ.COM IS LIVE TODAY

One-Stop Shop for Seattle Daily Deals, Social Networking and Social Commerce

¨¨¨¨¨

SEATTLE, Wash.—(October 28, 2010)—What’s the “gameplan” for the evening? Decide with Wrazz (www.wrazz.com), offering killer daily deals, venue information and updates to friends across social networking sites- all from one website.

WHO: Wrazz.com

WHAT: Wrazz Launches to the Seattle Market

· Sign up at Wrazz.com or with a Facebook account.

· Search for a business by location or category, or click on one of the daily deals being offered.

· Use Wrazz cash or a credit card to purchase deals with discounts of up to 80 percent.

· Get venue details by viewing the Twitter and Facebook news feed, details, photos or a map.

· Make a “gameplan” of where to go and then share it with friends.

· Check Wrazz daily to receive local deals, get business information and share or connect with friends.

· Earn Wrazz cash by referring friends to join.

WHERE: Online – www.wrazz.com

WHEN: TODAY - Thursday, October 28, 2010

Wrazz.com connects consumers and their social networks with enticing local deals in the hippest North American markets. Launched by Bret Eickhoff and Ian Porter to facilitate a night on the town, Wrazz.com promises to integrate social commerce with a dynamic user experience. For a good time visit Wrazz.com.

Follow Wrazz Online

Website: www.Wrazz.com

Facebook: Wrazz

Twitter: @WrazzSeattle

#          #          #

What’s your “gameplan”?

Media Contact: Andrea Courtney

Randall PR / (206) 624-5757

$1,000 GIVEAWAY FROM WRAZZ.COM

Social Media Site Gives Away Clues to Hidden Cash When Facebook Page Reaches 5,000 Fans

¨¨¨¨¨

SEATTLE, Wash.—(October 27, 2010)—In celebration of their upcoming launch tomorrow, October 28, Wrazz.com is giving away $1,000 when its Facebook page reaches 5,000 fans.

WHO: www.Wrazz.com

WHAT: Wrazz Gives Away $1,000 Cash

Wrazz.com is a social media website that connects people with places and offers killer daily deals.

· Wrazz will give away $1,000 when the fan page (www.facebook.com/wrazz) reaches 5,000 “likes.”

(Currently, Wrazz has 3,625 “likes.”)

· Cash will be hidden somewhere in the Seattle area.

· Wrazz will begin posting clues about the location of the cash on the Facebook page and Twitter: @wrazzseattle.

· Wrazz.com launches tomorrow, October 28 at 6 a.m.

WHERE: Online – www.facebook.com/wrazz

WHEN: Whenever the Facebook fan page receives 5,000 “likes”

Wrazz.com connects consumers and their social networks with enticing local deals in the hippest North American markets. Launched by Bret Eickhoff and Ian Porter to facilitate a night on the town, wrazz.com promises to integrate social commerce with a dynamic user experience. For a good time visit wrazz.com.

Follow Wrazz Online

Website: www.wrazz.com

Facebook: wrazz

Twitter: wrazzseattle

#          #          #

Media Contact: Andrea Courtney

Randall PR / (206) 624-5757

Patterson Cellars Participates in the Warehouse Wineries Crush Festival

Experience the Ins and Outs of Grape Harvest with 20 Woodinville Wineries

Saturday, October 23, from noon to 5 p.m.

¨¨¨¨¨

WOODINVILLE, Wash.—(October 19, 2010) — Patterson Cellars joins the Woodinville Warehouse Wineries for the Crush Festival at Woodinville Park North.

WHO:             Patterson Cellars

WHAT:          Warehouse Wineries Crush Festival

· Learn about the many different grape varietals and fermentation techniques, and experience the unique opportunity of punching down grapes.

· Taste Patterson Cellars’ full catalogue of wines:

o 2009 Chardonnay (90 pts Wine Advocate)

o Woodslake Due Anni

o 2008 Woodslake CSMS

· Lunch available for purchase from Veraci Pizza, Skillet, and Dante's Inferno Dogs.

WHERE:        Woodinville Park North

19501 144th Ave NE

WHEN:          Saturday, October 23, noon to 5 p.m.

PRICE:           Regular tasting fees apply; all other activities are complimentary.

Family-owned Patterson Cellars is located at 19501 144th Ave NE, Suite D-600, Woodinville, Wash., in the heart of Woodinville Wine Country.  Father and son, Jack and John Patterson worked side by side to start production in 2000, with their first release in 2003. From crush to cork, the winery focuses on producing wines as unique as the grapes themselves. Patterson Cellars uses grapes from Columbia Valley, Red Mountain, Chelan and Horse Heaven AVAs to provide consistent quality in their wines. Their Woodinville facility offers a unique space and experience for parties and events, a retail tasting room, a wine club and custom crush facilities for local wineries, as well as a bottling program and a private label program where award-winning wines have been created for local restaurants. Tasting rooms are open Friday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

Follow Patterson Cellars Online:

Website: www.pattersoncellars.com

Facebook: Patterson Cellars

#          #          #

Media Contact: Andrea Courtney

Randall PR / (206) 624-5757

Free Pumpkin Decorating Party for Kids and Parents at Cafe Flora

Saturday, October 30 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

¨¨¨¨¨

SEATTLE, Wash.—(October 13, 2010)—Parents are invited to bring their little princesses, pirates, superheroes, ghosts and more to Cafe Flora for a morning of pumpkin decorating with no trick, all treat.

WHO:             Cafe Flora

WHAT:          Pumpkin Decorating Party

• Adorn pumpkins from Tonnemaker Farm with sequins, feathers, pipe cleaners, pens and other arts-and-crafts supplies provided by Thrive Art School. No carving.
• Free cinnamon bites from Cafe Flora and free cider provided by Rockridge Orchards & Cidery.
• Kids are encouraged to come in costume.
• Thrive’s staff will be helping kids decorate.
• Event is free and open to everyone.

WHERE:        Cafe Flora

2901 E. Madison St., Seattle, 98112           

WHEN:          Saturday, October 30

                        9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

COST:            Free

Cafe Flora’s award-winning menu features modern and sophisticated vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free cuisine inspired by international culinary traditions and created with local, organic and sustainable ingredients. Accolades include Vegetarian Times magazine’s Dining Award for “Reader Favorite Vegetarian Restaurant in the Northwest 2009” and “Best Vegetarian Restaurant” by Seattle Magazine eight years running. Located at 2901 East Madison, dinner is served Sunday through Thursday 5 to 9 p.m. and Friday through Saturday 5 to 10 p.m. Breakfast is served weekdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch is served weekdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a happy hour menu from 3 to 6 p.m. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (206) 325-9100. www.cafeflora.com | Twitter:@CafeFloraVeg

#          #          #

Who says Halloween has to last only one night?

Media Contact: Andrea Courtney

Randall PR / (206) 624-5757

Photo Courtesy of Flickr User Tambako

Olive Crest’s 9th Annual Wine Procurement Party

Wednesday, October 13, 5 to 8pm

BELLEVUE, Wash.—(October 12, 2010) — Support local at-risk children at Olive Crest’s “Grape Expectations” Wine Procurement Party from 5 to 8p.m. at Lot NO. 3. Wine donations from the night will be auctioned off at the Annual Gala Auction, “Feats of Wonder”, held on March 5, 2011 at the Westin Bellevue.

WHO: Olive Crest

WHAT: 9th Annual Wine Procurement Party

· Hors d’oeuvres provided by LOT No. 3 .

· Wine sampling from several local northwest wineries.

· Entry fee: one bottle of fine wine per guest, valued at $50 - $100, as a donation for the March auction.

· All donated wine will be auctioned at the Olive Crest Annual Gala Auction, “Feats of Wonder”, March 5, 2011 at the Westin Bellevue.

· Contact Toni Young, at toni-young@olivecrest.org or (425) 462-1612 Ext 1312 of you would like to make a donation.

WHERE: LOT No. 3

Loft, 460 106th Ave NE

Bellevue, WA 98004

WHEN: Wednesday, October 13, 5 - 8 p.m.

Since 1973, Olive Crest has transformed the lives of over 50,000 abused, neglected, and at-risk children and their families. We work tirelessly to meet the individual needs of kids in crisis by providing safe homes, counseling, and education for both youth and parents. Our many innovative programs reflect our conviction that strengthening the family is one of the most powerful ways to help heal children. With unwavering compassion, the Olive Crest family maintains a lifelong commitment to the youth and families we serve even after they have graduated from our programs. Olive Crest serves nearly 1,000 children and families each day throughout California, Nevada, and the Pacific Northwest. For information call 1-800-550-CHILD (2445) or visit www.olivecrest.org.

# # #

Media Contact: Angela McConnell

Randall PR / (206) 624-5757

El Gaucho Tacoma Launches “Off the Vine” Recurring Wine Tasting and Retail Event

Friday, October 15 from 4 to 6 p.m.

TACOMA, Wash.—(October 8, 2010)—Uncork a favorite wine and purchase it for discounted prices without leaving south sound’s favorite steakhouse. El Gaucho Tacoma is introducing a regularly recurring wine tasting and retail event titled “Off the Vine.”

WHO: El Gaucho Tacoma

WHAT: “Off the Vine”

· Meet with local wine representatives while enjoying wine tastings and light appetizers. Guests have the opportunity to purchase bottles or cases of anything offered for tasting at discounted prices.

· $10 per person plus tax; inclusive of tastings and chef’s selections of appetizers.

· Each date will have a different mix of wines to taste and purchase. See the October 15 “Off the Vine” wines.

· No reservations needed; pay at the door.

WHERE: 2119 Pacific Avenue

Tacoma, WA 98402

(253) 272-1510

WHEN: Friday, October 15 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Cordon Selections

Long Shadows Ninehats ‘07

Long Shadows Poets Leap Riesling ‘08

Long Shadows Pirouette ‘06

Wineglass Cellars Red Blend ‘01

Wineglass Cellars Chardonnay ‘09

Salida Tempranillo ’09

Noble Wines

Abeja Cabernet ‘07

Abeja Merlot ‘07

Abeja Chardonnay ‘08

Shafer 1.5 Cabernet ‘07

Cain Concept ‘06

Penner Ash Pinot Noir ‘08

NEXT: The next “Off the Vine” event will be held Friday, October 29 from 4 to 6 p.m. Wines to be determined.

El Gaucho^® Tacoma is renowned for its 28-Day Dry-Aged Certified Angus Beef^®, tableside preparations, extensive wine and single malt scotch lists, and intimate private dining. Recognized in Wine Press Northwest’s Best Washington Wine Lists issue as “Outstanding,” El Gaucho Tacoma is open Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to close; Saturday and Sunday 4:30 p.m. to close. Happy hour is offered Monday through Friday 4 to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to close; Saturday 10 p.m. to close and all day Sunday. El Gaucho is located at 2119 Pacific Ave., Tacoma. For more information, visit www.elgaucho.com or call (253) 272-1510.

Follow El Gaucho Online

Website: www.elgaucho.com

Twitter: @ElGauchoSteak

#          #          #

Media Contact: Andrea Courtney

Randall PR / (206) 624-5757

WRAZZ.COM GIVES AWAY $500

WRAZZ.COM GIVES AWAY $500

Social Media Site Gears Up for Launch by Offering Clues to Hidden Cash When Facebook Fan Page Receives 1,500 “Likes”

¨¨¨¨¨

SEATTLE, Wash.—(August 19, 2010)—Check every park bench in Seattle: There could be $500 beneath one of them. wrazz.com, a social media website connecting consumers with local businesses, is giving away $500 cash when the Facebook fan page reaches 1,500 “likes.” Become a fan at www.facebook.com/wrazz and be on the lookout for clues leading to the winning park bench on the Facebook page.

WHO: wrazz.com

WHAT: wrazz Gives Away $500 Cash

wrazz.com is a social media website that connects businesses and users in a single location and offers killer daily deals.

· Giving away $500 when the fan page (www.facebook.com/wrazz) reaches to 1,500 “likes.” (Currently, wrazz has 985 “likes.”)

· Cash will be hidden beneath a park bench in the Seattle area.

· wrazz has begun posting and will continue to post clues about the location of the bench on the Facebook page.

WHERE: Online – www.facebook.com/wrazz

WHEN: Whenever the Facebook fan page receives 1,500 “likes”

wrazz.com connects consumers and their social networks with enticing local deals in the hippest North American markets. Launched by Bret Eickhoff and Ian Porter to facilitate a night on the town, wrazz.com promises to integrate social commerce with a dynamic user experience. For a good time visit wrazz.com.

Follow wrazz Online

Website: www.wrazz.com

Facebook: wrazz

# # #

What would you do with $500 cash?

Media Contact: Andrea Courtney

Randall PR / (206) 624-5757

‘Pour On the Plaza’

El Gaucho^® Bellevue Presents

2^nd Annual ‘Pour On the Plaza’ August 14

Spirited Wine and Food Event Showcases Prestigious Northwest Wineries; Proceeds to Benefit Global Organization Room to Read

BELLEVUE, Wash.—(July 26, 2010)— Hot on the heels of being awarded Best in Show, Best Service and Best Private Dining by the Eastside’s own 425 magazine, El Gaucho Bellevue—is announcing the second annual Pour on the Plaza. On Saturday, August 14, guests are invited to sample the offerings of some of the region’s most distinguished wineries and restaurants while supporting the award-winning organization Room to Read.

Taking place from 2 to 5 p.m., Pour on the Plaza will once again be held on the City Center Plaza’s expansive, grassy outdoor area, in the heart of downtown Bellevue’s Financial District located at 450 108^th Ave. NE, Bellevue. Cost is $95 per person and reservations can be made by calling the restaurant at (425) 255-2715 or by visiting the reservations page here. Validated self-parking is available in City Center Plaza Garage. Guests must be 21 years or older.

The gifted jazz guitarist and vocalist Brian Nova will lend his smooth, jazzy vibe to the event.

Partnering Northwest wineries include:

Alexandria Nicole Cellars (alexandrianicolecellars.com)

Andrew Will (andrewwill.com)

Barons V (baronsv.com)

Col Solare (colsolare.com)

Darby Winery (darbywinery.com)

DeLille Cellars (delillecellars.com)

Domaine Drouhin (domainedrouhin.com)

Domaine Serene (domaineserene.com)

Dunham Cellars (dunhamcellars.com)

EFESTĒ (efeste.com)

Elevation Cellars (elevationcellars.com)

Fidelitas (fidelitaswines.com)

Gorman Winery (gormanwinery.com)

Lachini Vineyards (lachinivineyards.com)

L’Ecole (lecole.com)

Long Shadows (longshadows.com)

Mark Ryan Winery (markryanwinery.com)

Northstar (northstarwinery.com)

Novelty Hill (noveltyhillwines.com)

Pepper Bridge (pepperbridge.com)

Sparkman Cellars (sparkmancellars.com)

Stevens Winery (stevenswinery.com)

SYZYGY (syzygywines.com)

Va Piano Vineyards (vapianovineyards.com)

Woodhouse Family Cellars (woodhousefamilycellars.com)

Woodward Canyon (woodwardcanyon.com)

El Gaucho will offer an array of appetizers, including its signature 28-day Certified Angus Beef^®. Additional partnering restaurants include:

Grand Cru (grandcru-winebar.com)

Palomino (palomino.com)

Wild Ginger (wildginger.net)

“We want to position Pour on the Plaza as Bellevue’s premiere food and wine event. Everyone last year had a wonderful response, so we are thrilled to hold it again in City Center Plaza– this time with ‘Room to Read’ as the beneficiary,” says Mackay Restaurant Group COO Chad Mackay.

About Room to Read:

Room to Read is a non-profit organization established in 2000 by former Microsoft executive John Wood. Room to Read promotes literacy and gender equality by collaborating with local communities, governments and partner organizations in developing countries through Asia and Africa.

El Gaucho® is the Northwest's steakhouse legacy focused on elegant, old school, tableside service for people celebrating their lives. The menu highlights 28-Day Dry-Aged Certified Angus Beef® Prime steaks, cutting-edge fresh seafood selections from sustainable sources, and extensive wine and single malt scotch lists. El Gaucho offers intimate private dining and nightly live music. El Gaucho Bellevue is located at the City Center Plaza at 450 108th Ave. N.E. For more information on the Bellevue location, please call (425) 455-2715 or visit www.elgaucho.com.

Follow El Gaucho Online

Website: www.elgaucho.com

Twitter:@ElGauchoSteak

# # #

Media Contact: Andrea Courtney

Randall PR / (206) 624-5757

Stor-House Self Storage and Wine Storage Bellevue Open On the Eastside

Grand Opening Party - Saturday July 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

BELLEVUE, Wash.—(July 16, 2010) — Stor-House will unlock its doors this month to Eastside residents who need to lock up their valuables, including wine in the adjacent Wine Storage Bellevue. Guests are invited to celebrate and view the facilities at the grand opening party July 24.

WHO: Stor-House and Wine Storage Bellevue

WHAT: Stor-House Self Storage & Wine Storage Bellevue Open

Grand Opening Party

*Get a glimpse of the new Eastside storage facility.
*Dante’s Inferno Dogs hot dog cart from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
*Balloons for kids.
*A contest to win free storage at Stor-House.

About Stor-House Self Storage:

*753 all-new, temperature-controlled storage units.

*Secure, convenient and stress-free storage experience.

*Access from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

*SMART security.

*Variety of unit sizes.

*Moving supply store open daily.

*FREE use of move-in truck.

About Wine Storage Bellevue:

*422 secure all-steel wine lockers.

*Competitive pricing starting at $24 per month. Full locker sizes range from 33” x 30” (12-case capacity) to 48” x 148” (200-case capacity). Split locker sizes range from 33” x 30” x 33” (12-case capacity) to 44” x 30” x 64” (40-case capacity).

*1,000-square-foot Wine Resource Center equipped with cellar-tracking and wine inventory software.

*Intimate private room ideal for hosting wine club meetings and tastings.

WHERE: Stor-House Self Storage & Wine Storage Bellevue

1614 118^th Avenue S.E.

Bellevue, WA 98005

(425) 453-2242

WHEN: July 16 - Wine Storage Bellevue Opens

July 16 - Stor-House Self Storage Opens

July 24 - Grand Opening Party, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Stor-House Self Storage and Wine Storage Bellevue offer secure temperature-controlled, state-of-the-art all-steel storage units for all types of valuables, including wine collections of all sizes. Prices begin at $24 per month. Wine Storage Rental includes use of the generously appointed 1,000-square-foot Wine Resource Center and Tasting Room, equipped with a computer and internet access. Wine Storage Bellevue is situated inside Stor-House Self Storage, located at 1614 118^th Avenue SE, Bellevue, Washington. Self storage office, Wine Resource Center and moving supply store open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday until 5 p.m; Wine Resource Center open later by special appointment. Storage units and Wine storage open daily from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. For more information call (425) 453-2242 visit http://www.stor-house.com or http://www.winestoragebellevue.com/.

# # #

Media Contact: Andrea Courtney

Randall PR / (206) 624-5757