94's Blog

What a glorious day! Imagine, February in Seattle, its Friday and it's all wrapped up in a blue and white bow! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

That new dinner menu, wow! The biggest seller has been the new Ravioli stuffed with confit onion and cinnamon scented ricotta finished with brown butter and Parmigianno Regianno. (Of course it's the real deal! Geez! This is 94 we're talking about) Sous Chef Kevin has been working diligently to prep these beauties. I could swear I heard him muttering something last night about a "rule" that only vegetarians should be allowed to order the things. LOL!! Of course, for the carnivores in the group the New York steak topped with foie gras stuffed mushrooms was rolling out pretty steadily, as well. The kitchen was disappointed that no one tried the new Cherry Stone Clams. These are baked with double cream St Andre and fire roasted poblanos. Talk about fabulous! You gotta try these things.

Thursday was a little lighter on wine sampling for Chef. She only tried 20, I think. She says she is bringing on the 2005 Ca'Di Pian Barbera D'Asti from La Spinetta. Loads of flavor for a Barbera; nice texture holds the well balanced fruit/earth/spice all the way through. Look for it soon on the glass pour list. She also retasted the Cristom Oregon Syrah. It's on the list now, but she's ordering some 375's, as well. This is an old world style lovely. Tastes more like France than NW. Understated, elegant, good true fruit, dry, elegantly balanced minerality, earth, not dark.

Chef's putting together a bunch of private tastings in Woodinville for Sunday, so be sure and catch the site next week to see what she has found. She's been in contact with a number of the little boutique wineries that don't have tasting rooms open to the public.

In the meantime, enjoy this incredible day! See you for dinner tonight.