Chandler's Turns the Big 2-O!

Chandler's Crabhouse, a South Lake Union institution featuring the world's finest crab, turned 20! It first opened its doors on March 4, 1988. Chandler's is celebrating its 20th Anniversary by undergoing a facelift. Chandler's already specializes in the freshest seafood and now the decor will feel even fresher. This beautiful, lakefront destination has been updated by adding contemporary features that complement the original classic Chandler's Crabhouse design.

Warm, chocolate-colored, wood walls greet you at the entryway and extend beyond the hostess stand and throughout the lounge, adding the perfect mixture of sophistication and flare. The reconfigured semi-private lounge with its cozy fireplace will feature a carpeted section making it a soothing, urban oasis, right in the middle of Lake Union. It's the perfect spot for sipping cocktails or enjoying sushi and other delicious Happy Hour items (Happy Hour is available seven nights a week from 3:30-6:30pm and 9pm-close).

The dinner menu will offer new selections in addition to the traditional favorites, catering to those wanting to enjoy the great ambiance of Chandler's Crabhouse, but who might want something other than seafood. An entire section of the menu will be devoted to USDA prime steaks. The wine list has also been expanded to include an even greater selection of Washington wines. You will find great new reds that best match these particular cuts.

Spring and Summer always draw a crowd to Chandler's deck, situated in the heart of the marina. Starting May 2nd (and continuing every Friday and Saturday night through September) Two Buck Chuck, the brotherly, acoustic guitar playing duo consisting of Sean and Ryan Mefferd, will be performing their very extensive and eclectic playlist of current and past hits. Two Buck Chuck plays mostly from audience requests and has been entertaining patrons on Queen Anne and South Lake Union for years. The Mefferd brothers are part of Chandler's history, each having worked there in the past. They also worked at other Schwartz Brothers Restaurant concepts including Benjamin's, Daniel's Leschi, and Daniel's Catering. On an interesting side note, Sean met his wife, Vanessa, while working at Chandler's.

So come help Chandler's Crabhouse celebrate its 20th Anniversary by checking out the new look and feel of the restaurant and new menu items, while getting the same great world class service that has made Chandler's a favorite for twenty years!

Brothers Sean and Ryan Mefferd
of the band Two Buck Chuck

Randy Austin, Wine Director for
Daniel's Broiler

New Format for Wine Events in the Vintage Lounge at Daniel's Bellevue; An Educational Food and Winemaker Dinner Series

Randy Austin, Wine Director for Daniel's Broiler Talks About the Upcoming Wine Events in the Vintage Lounge

The past twenty years have shown tremendous growth in the Washington wine industry. A big part of this is the growing number of consumers who are passionate about visiting wineries, and want to learn more about this great wine region that we live in. We felt that there was an opportunity to create an environment where the state's top winemakers could pass their knowledge on to a small, intimate group. The idea was for our guests to experience the marriage of food and wine. We see this as a more complete wine experience that allows our guests an intimate period of time with the winemaker, where they can be in an open, hands-on environment that is a both educational and fun.

Following this wonderful educational experience, our guests will be invited to a traditional, winemaker dinner, where they will sit together at one table (along with the winemaker) and enjoy a five-course meal. Here they will experience food and wine pairings that will illustrate how the presence of one improves the presence of the other. In the past we have done Wine Receptions in a "Meet the Winemaker" format, where we offered hors d'oeuvres in an informal setting and where a winemaker was in attendance, pouring his wines and greeting guests.

We wanted to create a more unique and interactive event that would include an open forum where our guests could feel a real connection with the origin of the wine. Guests receive an explanation of how it gets to the bottle, followed by a traditional winemaker dinner where the entire experience then becomes a celebration. The energy at one of these intimate and powerful dinners is incredible.

Randy Austin, Wine Director for all three Daniel's Broiler locations, has put together a tremendous grouping of winemaker dinners for the year. Randy has spent many years in the wine industry and is very knowledgable in all areas. Randy graduated from Culinary School in 1986 and accepted the position of Cellarmaster for The Salish Lodge at Snoqualmie Falls in 1987 where he held that position until 2002. Randy has created a nationally recognized, award-winning wine program that from its inception, has been featured in numerous articles (Wine Spectator, Wine Press Northwest, Northwest Palate, etc.) and was named the 2002 "Best Sommelier" by Seattle Magazine.

Daniel's Broiler Wine Dinner Dates for 2008

May 14th - Januik Winery
Seattle Magazine, "Vineyard of the Year", Stillwater Creek Vineyard.
Join winemaker Mike Januik as you explore the distinct expression of this noteworthy vineyard with varietal examples from Novelty Hill Winery.

June 4th - McCrea Cellars
"Rhone Varietals in Washington State." Join us for an in-depth tasting and presentation focusing on the importance of Rhone Varietals produced from the Vineyards of Washington State.

July 9th - O.S. Winery
"A Bordeaux Blending and Tasting from Single Vineyards"

August 6th - Walla Walla Vintners
"Sensory Evaluation of Alternative Oak Treatments Using the UC Davis Aroma Wheel"

September 3rd - Woodward Canyon Winery

October 8th - DeLille Cellars

November 5th - Cadence Winery
"Vineyards of Red Mountain"
Explore the power of Red Mountain as winemaker and owner Ben Smith takes you on this journey of single vineyards from this celebrated appellation and how each of these expresses it's own unique character.

December 3rd - Champagne Dinner

Please email Daniel's Broiler Wine Director, Randy Austin, at vintagelounge@schwartzbros.com to find out more information on wine events in the Vintage Lounge and to make reservations for an upcoming wine event.

Click here to join our Vintage Lounge Wine Club

Great Late Night Wine Bar Menu at Spazzo Italian Grill & Wine Bar

If it's 9:00pm and you're near Redmond Town Center and looking for great food at a great price, make your way to Spazzo Italian Grill & Wine Bar. The lounge is alive with an inviting mixture of people indulging in authentic antipasti and pizza selections. It's hard to believe that every item is half off regular menu price. The food practically flies out of the kitchen!

Feedback has been that folks have such a difficult time deciding between items, they end up ordering a few. Who can blame them when you scroll the menu to find crispy fried artichokes with parmesan and basil aioli (carciofo), tuna tartare with fennel and olive tapenade (tonno), baked goat cheese with salsa rosa (formaggi), sautéed shrimp, garlic, and chilies (gamberi) or grilled asiago cheese flamed with brandy (asiago; Salute!) The wine bar is abuzz with happy people also enjoying the pizzas topped with Italian sausage, pepperoni, and mozzarella (carne), seasonal mushrooms and goat cheese (funghi), and shrimp, pomodoro sauce, and red chili salt (gamberi).

Click here to view the late night wine bar menu at Spazzo

Beverages are a great deal as well. All wines by the glass are half price (we feature over 60 wines by the glass, mainly from Woodinville), draft beer and sangria (a Spazzo favorite) are $2.95 and all specialty drinks are $5.95. The drink specials run seven days a week from 3:00pm-6:00pm and from 9:00pm-close.

Spazzo Italian Grill & Wine Bar is a great place to come for a late night of great food and drinks, either with old friends or alone so that you can make some new ones. It's the same delicious, authentic Italian food but at fast food prices. That's worth driving for!

The Flaming Asiago Cheese Appetizer at Spazzo Italian Grill & Wine Bar

The Formaggi Appetizer at
Spazzo Italian Grill & Wine Bar

Learn How to Make the Formaggi Appetizer Served at
Spazzo Italian Grill & Wine Bar

Recipe for the Formaggi at Spazzo Italian Grill & Wine Bar

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 package of Laura Chenel goat cheese (14 oz.)
• 1 10 oz. can whole tomato in puree
• ½ cup tomato sauce
• 2 oz. red wine vinegar
• 2 tsp. minced garlic
• 2 oz. chili oil (available on international isle of your grocery store)
• Kosher salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

Method:
Salsa Rosa: Combine whole tomato in puree, tomato sauce, red wine vinegar and minced garlic in a bowl and puree with a hand held blender or food processor. Reserve for serving over baked goat cheese.

Form the goat cheese either as round disks or even in the shape of a marshmallow and bake on a serving plate that is heat resistant @ 425 degrees until just beginning to soften. It doesn't take long; only 3-4 minutes. Then ladle the chili oil and then the salsa rosa onto cheese, add a turn of fresh cracked pepper, add a pinch of Kosher salt and serve with piping hot grilled bread.

Enjoy!

In Collaboration with EMP|SFM's New Film Series, Revolution Bar & Grill is Pleased to Offer a Film-Themed Happy Hour Before the Screenings!

Filmgoers can stop by Revolution Bar & Grill to mingle and take advantage of appetizer and drink specials from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on movie nights. Come early and enjoy assorted beer specials, soda, espresso, gourmet popcorn, nuts, nachos, Italian sausage, etc. In addition to food and drink specials, each movie will have a featured alcoholic beverage that goes with it. The featured beverage for The Golden Compass will be The Golden Compass Margarita. Get the recipe for this refreshing beverage below.

Admission is free to EMP|SFM members and The Warren Report members. General admission is $5. Tickets for these three films are on sale now. Visit the EMP|SFM box office or call 206.770.2702 or 1-877-EMP-SFM1 to reserve them. Doors to the JBL Theater at EMP|SFM open at 6:30pm for the 7:00pm screenings.


Movie Schedule

The Golden Compass with writer and director Chris Weitz
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
7:00 pm (6:30 pm doors)
JBL Theater
Chris Weitz directed American Pie, About A Boy and most recently, The Golden Compass. He also wrote the screenplay for The Golden Compass and About A Boy, which was nominated for an Oscar.

Star Trek New Voyages "World Enough and Time" episode with co-writer, director and executive producer Marc Scott Zicree and executive producer Elaine Zicree
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
7:00 pm (6:30 pm doors)
JBL Theater
The Star Trek New Voyages episode "World Enough and Time" will be screened followed by a conversation with co-writer, director and executive producer Marc Scott Zicree and executive producer Elaine Zicree. Brooks Peck, EMP|SFM curator, will host the evening.

The Golden Compass Margarita

Recipe for the Revolution Bar & Grill's Golden Compass Margarita

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz. Jose Cuervo Oranjo Tequila
• ½ oz. Triple sec
• 6 oz. Orange juice
• Splash of sweet and sour
• 3 ea. Lime slices
• 1 ea. Orange wheel

Method:
Combine Jose Cuervo Oranjo Tequila, triple sec, muddle with limes and then add orange juice in a salt-rimmed pint glass. Add a splash of sweet and sour. Garnish with an orange wheel.

Cheers!