Weekend Dining

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!  I know many of you have probably left town in what we should really consider the true start to summer.  We usually stick around for the sole purpose of not having to fight traffic in or out of town, and having the city a little emptier is a pretty good added bonus.
We decided to use up a few of the Amazon Local restaurant coupons that I've been accumulating and have some fun tasting some of what Downtown Seattle has to offer.

First up on Friday was a big favorite of mine, but one that the bf had never been to; Spur.
This is a little gem that has been getting more popular every week, and getting national recognition for amazing dishes. It's on Blanchard between 1st and 2nd, and worth the trip if you haven't been (yet, or recently).  Spur has been featured in Food & Wine Magazine, Conde Naste, Seattle Weekly, etc, but what really maters is that YOU go experience it.  Their seasonal menu changes often, but I had the Tagliatelle, which is a menu staple and pretty much luxury on a plate. This isn't just a restaurant with some of the most amazing food I've ever had, but the cocktails can be an experience all on their own. Just want a bite?  Then I absolutely recommend the Sockeye Salmon Crostini and let the bartender make you a drink that isn't on the menu.  My bf was asked what he liked (Bourbon) and if he preferred dry or sweet (dry) and by then, the drink was already decided in the bartenders head.  According to the bf, if a Manhattan and a Old Fashioned had a baby, it was the drink he had, and it was perfect.

www.spurseattle.com

My rum & grapefruit (with grapefruit foam) concoction; delicious.

Saturday we tried something completely different and decided on Japonessa.  Think Sushi with a Latin flair, and absolutely fantastic.  We arrived during happy hour, which is open to 6:30 in the entire restaurant. Guys, this is probably one of the best happy hour deals in the city, it's delicious, and totally worth it.  We sampled a few recommendations from a friend; Spicy Tuna Takaki and the Rock Star roll.  I could only get through one bite of the Spicy Tuna; the tuna was delicious, and perfectly tender, but I'm not a huge fan of jalapeno and this was swimming in it a jalapeno-based sauce.  I also had the happy hour eel roll which was satiny eel and avocado perfection.  The rolls were great, but next time I'll stick to the sashimi; the quality of the fish was amazing.

 www.japonessa.com 

Golden Tidbit:

When walking the city this weekend, you want to make sure your footwear is comfortable and of course, golden.  I have a pair similar to these from Shoedazzle purchased a few years back and don't wear them nearly enough.  Get these on sale from Zappos.com for just $60.30

Golden Quote: "Ponder well on this point: the pleasant hours of our life are all connected by a more or less tangible link, with some memory of the table." - Charles Pierre Monselet