Dine Around Seattle | Eat Your Local Heart Out

Last Monday, I had the pleasure of attending a private kickoff event for Dine Around Seattle - Seattle's Premiere All Local Dining Promotion. It was a quaint event with scrumptious appetizers, wine and great folks discussing the importance of eating and supporting local restaurants. Enjoy the snapshots of yummy bites I got to snack on during the event - sprinkled throughout the post below! The kickoff was held at Farestart, a job training and culinary placement program for homeless and disadvantaged individuals that uses "knife skills to teach life skills." Over the past 20 years, Farestart has helped provide opportunities for more than 5,500 people to transform their lives. Their efforts and life-changing contributions to our local community and economy are more than a testament to why they are so well-deserving of being the recipients of this year's Dine Around Seattle's proceeds.

(left: roasted tomato with oregano, garlic basil pesto crostini | right: my sampler plate)

Organized by the Seattle Good Business Network - a non-profit network of residents and local businesses, Dine Around Seattle is a way to connect thousands of residents with the best of Seattle’s restaurants, contributing millions to our local economy and strengthening our community.

(left: zucchini frittata w/ kalamata olives, creme fraiche and roasted peppers |
right: smoked salmon cakes with mango vinagrette)

HOW IT WORKS: 
From March 3 to 28 (Sundays thru Thursdays), participating restaurants will be offering 3-course dinner menus (a starter, entree and dessert) for $30*, with many others also providing a 3-course lunch menus for $15*.
*Tax, gratuity and beverages not included. Not available Sunday brunch.

Here is the list of participating restaurants to choose your next local, gastronomic adventure. (More than 40 restaurants are participating this year!) Tips for the newbie: it doesn't hurt to make a reservation via Open Table or calling the restaurant directly. (Reservations are not required, but highly recommended as these restaurants get super packed.)

lemongrass chicken meatballs

Whether it's date night or if you're looking for a new place to try, this "do good. do local." version of Restaurant Week has got my vote for the next food outing.

(left: dark chocolate brownie bites and lemon cheesecake bars |
right: dark chocolate ganache dipped in almond powder and mint chocolate chip cookie whoopie pies)

While looking at the list of restaurants, I was absolutely ecstatic to see some of my favorites: Local 360 and Toulouse Petit - and even more so, excited to try some new places!

What local Seattle restaurants will you be trying or want to try with Dine Around Seattle?

dishcrawl seattle: gastronomic adventures.

This past Tuesday, my main squeeze and I attended our very first Dischrawl! For those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept, be sure to check out my original post about it.

First stop of the night - one of my favorites: Local 360 - a sustainable restaurant that is known for using locally grown produce within a 360-mile radius. I've been to this quaint place many times, but was absolutely delighted that the dish prepared for us was not on the menu.. a little special treat for us Dishcrawlers.

Fried chicken on top of a light slaw and cornbread | Parsley and hazelnut pesto puree with endive and crostini | Rockfish hushpuppies placed on top of a sweet honey butter

spotted: me. instagramming my food.

Served to us by candelight, this was one of my favorite stops of the night.

Next, we ventured down 2nd Ave towards Sarajevo Lounge, a Bosnian club and restaurant.

on our way to the next stop for more yummy in our tummy

Hummus | Handmade lamb and beef sausage | Traditional Bosnian cream and roasted red pepper dipping sauces | Gyro slider

To be honest, I was very surprised at how tasty the food was... since I've always walked past the place and never been in. Not sure if it was my favorite place, but an interesting choice nonetheless to have on the Dishcrawl.

After that, we headed to one of my go-to places for take-out / where I go to satisfy my cravings for home cooking - Green Leaf, a Vietnamese restaurant. We were graciously welcomed in by the owner who explained the dishes in detail. I sort of didn't really pay attention, as I am all too familiar with this cuisine... just dug right into the yumminess.

Handmade fresh spring rolls | Sauteed shitake mushrooms with lemongrass  Mixed salad of green papaya, mangoes and lotus rootlets

To end the night on a sweet note, Holy Cannoli was the place to be for a custard-filled little sweet treat. My choice for the night? Limoncello.

My favorite place of the night? I'll pick two - Local 360 and Green Leaf.

And of course, I had to have a picture with Dishcrawl Seattle's Ambassador - Melissa.

Had a fun little Belltown adventure.Thanks, Dishcrawl Seattle for the splendid evening!

PS - Huge thanks to my main squeeze for taking great photos for me during the event.

Sponsored Post: I was contacted by Dishcrawl and compensated with free tickets. However, all opinions are my own.

oh weekend adventures

Sometimes the best weekends are those that don't go according to plan...

friday.

This past weekend, the only activity crossed of my agenda was my info-meeting with the Lake Washington Alumnae Association of my sorority. Obviously by my picture below and multiple Facebook Mobile uploads, you are now well aware that I thoroughly enjoyed my PB&J Bon Bons from Local 360. 

I seriously cannot say enough how delicious these little pieces of fried dough with warm, yummy peanut butter in the middle, dipped in a sweet berry preserved compote were.. especially with my shot of milk. I've always wondered if I'd ever call food "cute?" Umm... now I do.

During Happy Hour, they come in threes!

After that little ADPi shindig, it was bedtime for me... yes, I went to bed before 9:30 p.m. on a Friday night. Am I embarrassed? Heck nahhh because my pillow was calling my name and demanded that I go to bed without setting my alarm clock. Oh how I live for the weekends!

The T.G.I.F. Katy Perry video from the last post.. lies.... I did not wake up next to a stranger, or raged like a cray cray... complete opposite.. so sorry for the boring, old lady life I live... #fridayfail

saturday.

You'd think I would wake up at 11:30 a.m. on a Saturday right? I wish I did... my body sensed light and morning rays of sunshine at.... 6:45 a.m. Yes, I was awake at the crack of dawn for no reason at all, and I made myself sleep for at least three two hours more before I threw on a pair of running shorts, a running top, messy bed hair into a pony and then kicked my butt out the door for a run. 

Seattle was sunny this weekend in case you couldn't tell by the crowded streets of Pikes Place Market, loud patios of happy drunkies and plethora of tweets exclaiming how beautiful the weather was in the Emerald City. Everyone goes nuts about the weather here... snow or sun... or well, anything besides rain gets plenty of hype. 

Having clear skies and sunny rays made my run so much more pleasant, and it was on the run that we discovered that wine tasting wasn't happening anymore... so what to do with a free afternoon? Oh I know... I'm going to do what I do best... go grocery shopping. You may think it's weird, but I actually took my time to look cute for Whole Foods. Bahaha I mean, you always want to look polished right? Plus your attitude goes up at least 5 notches when you're feeling/looking like a million bucks. Don't worry friends, no prom dress or anything for the store... just a J.Crew zebra-khaki print skirt, ruffle light blue blouse with rolled up sleeves tucked in, my new Jack Rogers, an ADPi tote bag from Convention and K.Spade shades. Wish I had taken a picture for y'all because I was most def. bringing Southern Style to Seattle.

Saturday ended with happy hour at Cactus in South Lake Union with my little Diamond sister, Jenn. It was fabulous catching up with her and chatting about school, work and how we needed to hang out more often. Unfortunately, we forgot to snap a picture of our date... but lucky for us, we have a family dinner this Friday with the whole group, which may result in a Fam Bam Jam (oh the good 'ole days at the frat). I'll be sure to document adventures of that outing. 

For happy hour, I highly recommend getting a glass of sangria ($5) and their calamari ($8). Absolutely delectable... calamari comes with fried jalapenos... party in my mouth. yum.

sunday.

a day of rest, church, new Pinterest recipes and retail therapy... and most importantly, here are my picks from today's shopping spree:

Halogen Stretch Cotton Pencil Skirt, Yellow Acacia, $59

Pencil skirts are a work staple, and since this is a bright yellow, it will bring some pop to the office. Paired with a navy blazer or a crisp white blouse with turquoise jewelry... can you say... love?!

 Vince Camuto Safari Tribal Caftan in Poppy Polyester chiffon, $99

absolutely gorgeous... the print is breathtaking and complements so many different pairs of colored-pants - coral, stone, white, black, denim and even a bright blue (LOVES)

                            

Vince Camuto 'Caribbean Strip Skirt' Petite, $89

obsessed with this skirt... the adorable gold zipper on the back. swoon. but it would have made a huge dent in the bank account along with my other purchases.. so good-bye skirt.. maybe some other day. some day soon. please.

Rubbish Chambray Shirt in Dark Wash, $49

Chambray is a must have this spring and summer, and I love it with red pants as seen on the model. On a hot summer day, toss on a pair of white denim shorts and some feathered earrings and heyyyooo, we're sporting tribal and bohemian. To dress it up for the office, tuck it into a high-waisted colored skirt (maybe the pencil skirt pictured above), and bedazzle with some jewels and wedges. Soft, comfy and oh-so-trendy.... chambray is here to stay.

Jolt Skinny Jeans in White Wash, $44

These were a must-have... a-how-come-you're-not-already-in-my-closet purchase... I was surprised that I didn't have white full-length skinnys. I had white denim capris but they're cut at a length that is not appropriate for work or with heels. My other white denim pants were boot-cut, and only look good with sandals since the hem was cut for flatter shoes. So when I went shopping today, they were on the top of the list. I searched high and low for a pair, and finally settled on these Jolt ones from Nordstrom (B.P.). I could have easily snagged a pair of J Brand, Paiges or my favorite Hudsons from T.B.D. or the ones on sale at the Rack... but for some reason, I just wanted a pair of no-name, simple branded jeans - just everyday skinnys that I could wear and tear. I almost died when I bought these because I saw the same cut in four different colors... including my favorite. coral. But too bad, the only sizes left were 00.... obvi, I wasn't going to even attempt to squeeze into those.

After three hours, I was ready for home to catch up on some trashy Real Housewives of Orange County and a snack... snack of the day? Basil, lemon and garlic infused non-fat greek yogurt as a dip for sesame crackers, carrot chips and kale-spinach rolls. Yum... absolutely delectable... together with a mason jar of pink lemonade.. it was a sunday funday.

For dinner, I whipped up a tofu, ginger, kale, white bean and portobello mushroom soup. Healthy, light with veggies and protein... yum in the tum.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, and for my Seattleites, you better have soaked up some rays!

What about you m'friends- did you have fun activities for basking in the sunshine? Better question: do you prefer to plan your days or be spontaneous on the weekends? I mean clearly... shopping was not on my agenda, but that was an "okay" awesome alternative. haha

friday friday friday... let the fun begin

I feel like this post doesn't need much of an intro. I mean, let's be real.... it's FRIDAY! Yaayyy for a relaxing 2 days filled with adventures to a vineyard for some wine tasting and reading.

To start off my weekend, I'm coming here right after work:

Obvi, I would choose Local 360. I have been obsessing over their PB&J bons bons... all week!

And doing a little bit of this:

Okayyyyy maybe not as glamorous and without the cocktail dresses... but you get the gist. I'll be with some sweet sisters and presiding as dare-I-say-it... Prezi (?) of the Lake Washington Alumnae Association at our ADPi alumnae happy hour. Our goal besides tossin' back a couple of wine glasses would be to revamp our wonderful alumnae chapter and find ways to strengthen our efforts for our local chapter (Alpha Theta) and international organization. Oh, the sweet bonds of sistah-hood. <>

What am I most looking forward to? sleep.

T.G.I.F.

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