stacy

It wasn’t my idea and I was very apprehensive about going to a “celebrity” restaurant. I don’t watch tv, so my impression was that it’d be something akin to Planet Hollywood.
But oh how I was wrong.
I was there for the easter sunday prix fixe dinner. five or six courses in a fairly casual environment with a great non-stuffy staff.
Very simple and thoughtfully crafted dishes filled with beautiful flavor.
The most delicious meal I’ve ever had.

yunnan is a lovely, sweet dream that never ends. i fell in love. the next time i go to china i plan on flying directly into yunnan and staying there for my whole trip.

if you have any kind of food allergies, you’re a vegan or you’re on a wierdo kind of detox diet… then you probably don’t get to eat yummy baked goods very often (ever?). with that said, the flying apron just might bring tears to your eyes.
so many baked goods… just heaven. all of their baked goods are vegan, dairy free, wheat free (many gluten free), and they don’t use any refined sugars or sweeteners.
i had a stevia sweetened chocolate cookie type thingy and it was so very tasty. i also had to get a savory item – so i tried a curried vegetable tart. it was the most deliscious thing i’ve eaten in a month.
they also have a location in pioneer square and i know that remedy teas on 15th carries a few of their items.
yay for the flying apron.

while the food was tasty and the service friendly – the atmosphere is a total bust. we were seated in a back, way back room that gave me the distinct impression that i had been magically placed in the conference room of a holiday inn somewhere in a suburb midwestern town. we ate on a long folding table!? it was drafty. the food wasn’t amazing, but it was good and, given the cow-herding vibe of the place, i was actually surprised when our food came out warm [though not hot].
i would go back only if i were able to go on a non-weekend, non-holiday morning.

they don’t have a huge selection of records, but what they do have is pretty damn good. also, the guy who helped me was super nice and went out of his way to help me find out if a record was ever even in wide distribution. (and, yes, i now know that i am pretty much on a wild goose chase!)
they also have a big metal spin art machine. it looks well-used.
the other half of the shop is fantagraphics.

it will be so wonderful to see this park grow over the years.

with some shops added just for giggles.
after calling too many craft shops in seattle and not being able to find an elusive crafting supply, i finally started calling suburb shops (ooooo…. scarrrryyyy). and the jo-ann’s at crossraods turned out to be the mecca of my sought-after item.

the shopping center itself was odd in the coolest way. so so much yummy smelling food from all around the globe. there were grown men playing some sort of game at the tables where they use things that look like baseball cards (these men were very serious.) and other men (these a bit older) were playing paul bunyan sized chess. they too were serious, but not uptight about it (like the card game men).
and the very best part of my visit was that the bellevue community band was playing christmas music. a quick count revealed there were at least 50 pieces in their band. they were so, so good (except one trumpeter who maybe hadn’t taken his pills that day; it was like he was musically twitching). five clarinets, two trombones, four(!!!) tubas, french horn, all manner of flute, sax and trumpets, and so much more. they were outstanding and it made me wonder if neat things like this happen regularly in the suburbs. hmmm…

oh! and their santa is the best looking santa i’ve can recall seeing. he looked like the real deal and there was no line! can you believe it? i bet if there was a santa contest, he’d kick the nordstrom santa’s ass.

this is a chocolate-lover’s fantasy restaurant. all i saw were desserts, sweets and more desserts and sweets. the pretty kind, made by fancy pastry chefs with lots of almond paste and ganche. the decor is a funny mix of ikea [literally] and medieval-inspired wall murals and molding – i’m not convinced it works.
i’m also not sold on the menu yet. what i had didn’t blow me away with complex flavors. instead, it just tasted incredibly rich and decadent… which, frankly, doesn’t impress me. what did intrigue me was the savory smells coming out of the kitchen. i didn’t see any of the savory dishes – but it smelled incredible, and i know the chef/owner is planning on some pretty ambitious sweet/savory fusions (think caviar tartlets with crème fraîche ice cream!!)
the service was great. they have a nice wine selection and even a liquor licence!
i’m curious to see how the place will work out. and i will definitely give it another go.

the blending of the old a new is a bit abrupt, but i think the most important thing is how big the library is and the room it has to grow. they are still unpacking books from boxes and the shelves aren’t even half full. the place is h-u-g-e for a branch library. the non-fiction section is great, they have a homework center to help kids after school, and they have lots of great dvds (even brand new documentaries).
and the copper exterior looks amazing in the rain.

The Grand Reopening is next weekend…
Sat, Oct 14 from noon to 4.
the opening dedication is at noon and features the book fairy “lulu” (huh?!) and a cajun band. garfield high’s jazz trio and other performers will be there throughout the day. lots of crafts and things for little people. oh. and the mayor will be there with some city council folks.

now for the good part: the new branch has a collection capacity of over 66,000 books!