August 2010

Governing: Money For Nothing

As King County contemplates a catastrophic budget shortfall, voters in November may not have to worr

Money For NothingPoliticians like to joke that people want two things from government: fewer taxes and more services. In the coming years, the joke is going to be on the people as that old saw is reversed: Government will tax more and cut back on what it provides. The Great Recession has battered tax revenues,…

The Must List: August

Our Top To-Do’s For August

Bike In Pee-Wee’s Big AdventureIt’s hard to believe Pee-wee Herman made his silver screen debut 25 years ago, but what better way to celebrate that fact than biking to Cal Anderson Park for Northwest Film Forum’s annual bike-in and watching his Big Adventure on the big screen, al fresco? Whee! 8/28. 8 p.m. Free. Cal…

Urban Safari: Denny Triangle

Whatever its name, the 'hood is home to a trove of new businesses along Westlake Avenue and a fresh

Denny Triangl The little slice of Seattle wedged between South Lake Union and downtown, anchored by Whole Foods beneath the Pan Pacific Hotel, is sometimes referred to as Denny Triangle, but has also been called the Gateway District. (We hereby declare it the South Lake Union Gateway, or SLUG.) Whatever its name, the ‘hood is…

Shopping Around: August’s 2010 Shopping Finds

This Month's Shopping Finds

AugustHoot SweetNewborns turn parents’ lives upside down, but the birth of daughter Sadie in 2008 also changed Suzy Fairchild’s design aesthetic. An experienced women’s wear designer, Fairchild added kiddie wear to her Phinney Ridge boutique Frock Shop in late 2009, launching Hoot Organic (hootorganic.com), a full line of colorful caps ($18) and sweet dresses made…

Health: Braintrust

A groundbreaking law and a commitment to top-flight concussion treatment aim to make Washington?s yo

BraintrustAs student-athletes prepare to head back to school, it’s unlikely many of them will be thinking about a young man named Zackery Lystedt. But state legislation known as the Zackery Lystedt Law might one day save their lives. Four years ago, Lystedt was playing football for Tahoma Junior High in Maple Valley when he received…

Key Ingredient: Kinako

Nutritious soybean flour lends its nutty essence to sweets and savories

KinakoWhat it is: Made from toasted and ground soybeans, kinako (KEE-nah-koh) is a nutty-tasting, tan flour whose flavor is often compared to tahini or peanut butter. How I Discovered It: I first tasted kinako on a traditional Japanese confection (wagashi) from Tokara in Phinney Ridge (6208 Phinney Ave. N; 206.784.0226). Chef Chika Tokara dusted the…

Craving: Art Of The Cobbler

In a fervent embrace of summer’s fruitful bounty, Seattle restaurants demonstrate a charming affecti

Art Of The CobblerVolunteer Park CaféCo-owner and pastry chef Heather Earnhardt bakes some surprises into her peach, blueberry, blackberry and nectarine cobblers, infusing the filling with a touch of thyme, rosemary and scented geraniums from her garden. Each serving comes with a dollop of Olympic Mountain vanilla bean ice cream. $7. Capitol Hill, 1501 17th…

Bar Hop: Olympia Pizza and Spaghetti House III

Olympia Pizza and Spaghetti House III on Capitol Hill upped its street cred in January by adding an

Olympia Pizza and Spaghetti House III on Capitol Hill upped its street cred in January by adding an inviting bar next door. In the space that once housed Sonic Boom Records, The Bar (516 15th Ave. E; 206.329.4500; olympiapizza3.com) brings an old-school, relaxed flavor to bustling 15th Street. The Vibe The saloon radiates charm and…

Meet The Producer: Hermosa Mexican Foods

That’s a wrap: Hermosa Mexican Foods brings Mexico to the Eastside with its authentic tamales

Hermosa Mexican FoodsAbout seven years ago, Southern California natives Karyn and Ernest Moreno sated their hankering for authentic Mexican fare by forming Hermosa Mexican Foods (425.208.2933; hermosamexicanfoods.com). After perfecting recipes from Ernest’s mother, a native of Hermosillo, Mexico, in a small commercial kitchen in the Snoqualmie Valley, they launched their tamale and tomatillo salsa creations…

Restaurant Review: Nettletown

Sitting at the four-seat counter inside petite, robin’s-egg-blue Nettletown, which opened in the old Sitka and Spruce space in March, I had the urge to cancel my entire afternoon so I could sit sipping chef/owner Christina Choi’s homemade herbal tea and work my way through everything that sounded delicious on that day’s specials menu. Like…