Geraldine’s, Shanghai and MOD Pizza in Seattle / Bellevue

Seattle is well-known for coffee but should also be praised for interesting food trends and tastes in my opinion. I live in the Bay Area which has a plethora of fine food, but when headed to Seattle I put my adventurous spirit in high gear and get ready for gastronomic bliss.

Geraldine’s Counter
4872 Rainier Ave, Seattle
206-723-2080

From the airport we weren’t exactly sure where to go or what we were in the mood for. After a few minutes of indecision we hopped off the freeway and onto the south end of Rainier Avenue. Driving north – midway between Renton and Seattle – we paused in Columbia City where we noticed a packed place called Geraldine’s Counter. We stopped and added our name to the long and growing list waiting for a seat.

Geraldine’s is hoppin’ with good coffee and Americana-style comfort food. The French toast was crispy (fried?) and topped with a sweet blueberry compote and Geraldine’s breakfast casserole a combination of hashbrowns, sausage, eggs, cheese and spicy salsa. Note: I’d suggest splitting the casserole as it’s a very generous and filling portion for two.

This small stretch of Rainier Avenue is what I love most about Seattle: vibrant hot spots which sprout up and nurture the neighborhood spirit – and appetites – along the way.  Other noteables near Geraldine’s:

• Lottie’s Lounge
• Columbia City Bakery
• Tutta Bella Neopolitan Pizza
• Bob’s Meats
• KC’s Flowers

MOD Pizza (now has 5 locations!)
317 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
425-455-0141

Made-On-Demand Pizza oozes with good pies (all priced at $6.88 each – despite the number of toppings you choose) and an uber hip NW vibe. Industrial chic décor, a big pizza oven and that good ole Northwest version of cool make this the place – and trend – to watch (my opinion only.) The best part? The large tower of ding dongs (yes, the retro foil-wrapped cakes with white creamy center) at the end of the counter. I LOVE this place and want to see it in California!!!

Shanghai Café
12708 Southeast 38th Street, Bellevue, WA 98006
425-603-1689

It seemed like a tall order: Shanghai-style dumplings on Christmas Eve without a long drive. A quick online search led us to the highly-rated Shanghai (Factoria) and house-made dumplings served with soy + vinegar dipping sauce, garlicky green beans and honey walnut prawns. The one item we skipped but plan to order next time is the house hand-shaved noodles (green barley) which many raved about. Another trip, another visit to Shanghai Café!

Shrimp Etoueffe at Hudson's in Seattle

Hudson
5000 East Marginal Way South
Seattle WA  98134
206-767-4777

It doesn't come any better than this:  funky, eclectic restaurant located in an industrial area of Seattle and featuring comfort food done really, really well.

I chose the shrimp etouefee over cheesy grits and I have to say...I chose WELL.  Ridiculously rich and creamy with bits of peppers, tomatoes and shrimp all covering a large portion of grits plus eggs on the side.  Whoa. And although vowing to eat just half (uh...save calories) I gave up mid-plate and literally finished it all with a huge grin.

Once again I am reminded how well Seattle dishes up food and funkiness and for that, I bow down to greatness.

A magical meal at Michael Mina, San Francisco

Michael Mina

252 California St

San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 397-9222

Dining at Michael Mina in San Francisco was a treat that surprised and delighted this diner from start to finish.  From the warm greeting by the host and wait staff to full immersion in the sleek, sophisticated setting I eagerly anticipated a meal to remember.                           
                                                                                                

Before launching into the details of the food I have to take a moment and applaud the attention-to-detail which prevailed throughout our meal.  Although reprimanded by my dining companion, I couldn’t help but lift the plates to see where they were produced.  Of course the server noticed and told us that all serveware had been commissioned by the restaurant (no doubt Mr. Mina himself) and produced by various artisans.  A very cool and personal touch carried throughout the meal.

We started the meal with oysters which were good, but the sauces and sides really made the overall experience superb.  Pimms cup, bloody Mary and basil French “granita” graced the platter alongside more traditional mignonette and cocktail sauce.  “Too ordinary” my dining companion said through slurps and I agreed. The basil French granita rocked the house – and our table too!

The shaved ice "granita" flavorings are at the top; bloody mary, pimms cup and basil French

                                                                                      

The ahi tuna tartar was a sight to behold and mixed tableside with ancho chile, sesame oil, pine nuts and mint.   A  favorite of mine since dining at the Las Vegas location and a great reminder of how I STILL love this dish!  The foraged mushroom risotto was fairly standard in ingredients but amazing in preparation (“the creamiest” proclaimed my dining companion) but it was the lobster potpie that really defined this meal.  

Less “potpie” and more buttery pastry, it’s decadence turned inside out on a very beautiful and delightful plate.  Big perfectly cooked chunks of lobster topped the pastry and were blanketed with a delicious savory sauce.  Total perfection and totally devoured.  A note to diners: we split this entrée which seemed like the right serving size given the richness of ingredients. 

Not your average pot pie!

While the appetizers and main dishes were spectacular it was truly “the little things” that won me over at Michael Mina. The amuse bouche featuring a mini grilled cheese and ginger-carrot soup on the side was both fun and sophisticated.  Rather than the tried-and-true bread and butter, Mina dished out little pots of rich silky ricotta with a swirl of thick honey on top.  And the lemony custard dish of sweet at the end sealed the deal:  the perfect meal, top to bottom in every way.    

For me, dining at Mina was the perfect gift for a foodie who loves a memorable, mind-blowing meal wrapped in the glitter and romance of the holiday season.  

Peace, love and joy to all those I hold dear.

A Day of Dumplings: China Village and Shanghai Dumpling Shop

It wasn't planned but for some strange reason I ended up awash in dumplings by the end of the day.   Dim sum at China Village kicked things off with Shanghai Dumpling Shop the finale.  Both places were super satisfying and a nice way to spend the bulk of my Sunday.  Okay, I did find other things to do during the day besides eat which makes everything seem a bit more acceptable (and it IS the holidays after all).

China Village
600 Ralston Avenue
Belmont, CA 94002

Today we made a run through all my favorites and then came back for a second dish of the fried tofu with shrimp and green onion garnish.  It was a combo of crunchy, creamy and well-seasoned goodness in small bites.  I admit it, I am still thinking of that dish and it's almost 11pm (yikes!)

Shanghai Dumpling Shop
455 Broadway
Millbrae, CA 94030

The pork dumplings are a "must try" item on the extensive - and inviting - menu.  Had I not gone overboard  at China Village earlier in the day I might have ordered more.  Instead we settled for the pork dumplings and ma po tofu (whoooo...spicy!)   I loved this place and can't wait to return.

Hint:  get there early.  The place was PACKED when we left (around 7:30 on a Sunday evening).

Amazing Asian Restaurants: Ramen Dojo, Silver House and Tuk Tuk Thai

Ramen Dojo
805 S B St
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 401-6568

Ramen Dojo is one of those places where you are going to wait and that’s just how it is.  But if you are patient you will be rewarded with the perfect ramen and toppings swimming around in a delectable broth.  Everyone in our party ordered the spicy pork except me because apparently the place ran out right as I was ordering (grrr!)

While the soy flavor was good, the  spicy pork with hint of truffle ramen my friends were slurping gave me envy and caused me to noodle on my next visit to Ramen Dojo (sorry, couldn't resist that!)

Silver House

2224 South El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 571-1298 ()

Like many who have tried Silver House, it’s true that some of the best items are found on the white board which needs some translation.  The item we chose, a steamed giant clam with clear noodles, arrived with a garlicky broth perfect for dipping rice once the noodles were gone.     If you try one thing at Silver House, try this and you won't be disappointed!

Tuk Tuk Thai in Berkeley

2468 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley CA  94704
510-540-6360

Good, well-priced Thai in a comfortable and quaint setting.  Like it’s namesake, Tuk Tuk actually has a Tuk Tuk located in the middle of the restaurant. 

Make sure you try one of the curries which are pleasantly spiced and richly flavored. 

Chotto, Wayfare Tavern, Charanga, Flora and Johnny's Harborside

My oh my how time flies.  Although the blog content on funfeasts is somewhat stale (sorry for the hiatus!) this Bay Area dining list will hopefully make up for some of the lost time. 

Not in any order, but here goes...

Chotto
3317 Steiner Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
415-441-2223

Chotto is a fun place to kick back and dig into small plates like the ever popular pork belly or more ambitious ramen noodles.   Great service!

Wayfare Tavern
558 Sacramento Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 772-9060

The flagship restaurant owned by Tyler Florence has a vintage look and feel plus a stellar menu that defies easy decisions when time to order.  Mac and cheese, a killer burger and salad with Green Goddess dressing all require careful selection.  But decide you must, and love this place...you will.

Charanga
2351 Mission Street
San Francisco CA
(415) 282-1813

What's not to love about this small Mission-based restaurant featuring "Pan Latin" cuisine?    My favorites:

• The ahi tuna marinated in lime, soy sauce and ginger
• Little Cuban meatballs
• Patatas bravas

There is a homey, authentic feel to Charanga which is complemented by the friendly, knowledgeable staff and well prepared food.  Yum.

Flora
1900 Telegraph
Oakland CA  94612
(510) 286-0100

A glance at the interior of Flora and you'll swear you've been transported back to the era of Prohibition and stylish flappers.   But the menu is all dressed up with your favorite classics and a nod to local, sustainable ingredients.

I played it "safe" with a burger and was not disappointed. Delish and perfectly cooked.

UPDATE:  since my initial visit to Flora I've returned serveral times for the chicharones which are, you guessed it, fried pork rinds.   Note that these are no ordinary pork rinds as they arrive at your table freshly cooked with a dusting of chile lime salt on top.  Crunchy and crackling - they are the ultimate oddity pulling me back to Flora over and over again and yes, that IS crazy!

Johnny's Harborside
493 Lake Avenue
Santa Cruz CA  95062
(831) 479-3430

While cruising Santa Cruz recently I had a craving for fish and chips and landed at Johnny's Harborside.  Tucked away in a quaint harbor and serving up fine sea-worthy fare, Johnny's doesn't disappoint.