Happy Fourth of July from Seattlest
Seattlest Day Trips to Mount Rainier (in Photos)
Can't Miss It: Weekend Edition July 3-5
Weekend Theatre: July 3-5
Cascadia's high-ceilinged space has been painted a golden shade of yellow in anticipation of the opening this Saturday of Taberna del Alabardero. (That's sommelier Jaime Anasagasti from Madrid, ready to welcome you.) There's been an Alabardero in "the other Washington" since 1989, a fancy spot that caters to diplomats and nearby K-Street lobbyists. But the history goes back even further: to the Palace Honor Guard in Madrid, who wielded ceremonial "halberds"--those fearsome pole-axe blades on pikes.
The story behind the name: some 35 years ago, a priest by the name of Luis de Lazama started a restaurant in a townhouse near the Royal Palace, named it for the guards, and—though he had no experience in the restaurant business—used the place to teach troubled youth how to cook. He went on to open other Tabernas across Spain, and then, 20 years ago, he flew to Washington DC and launched an American version. No delinquent kids this time; this was to plant the flag of Spanish gastronomy.
Now that flag is set to fly in Belltown as well. Tapas and pintxos in the $5-$8 range at the bar (they're on the same page as Txori) plus traditional Spanish food in the dining room. The menus for the Washington DC location are online at if you want to check it out. They'll be open for lunch, too.
Taberna del Alabardero, 2328 First Avenue, 206-448-8884
Other changes in the works: Tamara Murphy of Brasa is opening a Pioneer Square outpost, taking over the café below the Elliott Bay Bookstore.
The Varchetta family, meantime, is moving into the Apartment's vacant space on First Avenue. They're going to name it List. The family—known for years as Mamma Melina's kids—now owns Barolo. Which reminds us: how long will it be until there's a bar (next to List, for all we know) called Who's On First?
Also new in Belltown: a pasta takeout place, tentatively called La Vita è Bella Express, or maybe just LVB Express, is coming to the space on Second where Bellino went stale. VitaBella's Giuseppe Forte wants to be open in plenty of time for the holidays.
At Boulangerie Nantaise, French-born manager Mireille Nelson is hosting an informal weekly French conversation group, lunchtime on Tuesdays.
Flying Fish continues its series of cooking classes, this time with a non-pescatory pastry lesson. Dec. 6, 10:30 in the morn. Call 206-728-8595 to reserve.
Sad to report, on the other hand, that Black Bottle's excellent lunches are being cut back. No more pho, no more pastrami bombers, just the perfectly fine flatbreads.
Sad to report, also, that Elbasha, the middle-eastern coffee shop on Western, has a sign on its door: Closed due to economic conditions. Sigh.
add to digg
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
email this
add to facebook
add to del.icio.us
Hmmm. Checked out their website, 'cause it sounded intriguing. The title that comes up when you click on dinner menu is 'Vegetarian Dinner Menu 2008'.
Okay, I'll bite. 1st item - a 32$ appetizer (!?!!) Jamón Ibérico. Mi español no es buena, pero ISN'T JAMON F'in HAM??
That's what it meant in the film Jamón Jamón all right.
Er.. prices seem rather high for the food if you ask me. Harvest Vine is cheaper.
Come on, a veggie paella for $30 too rich for your blood?
Typical DC prices, I hope they understand everyone here isn't dining on a gov't sponsored expense account.
Commenter #1: the outrageously priced jamon appetizer is actually on the (regular) Dinner page, but it's tagged "vegetarian" -- not a particularly encouraging sign, IMO. Restaurants that don't proof their websites probably don't pay a lot of attention to other details. Remember that these are all Wash DC prices, however.
Woohoo! More food I cant afford! Youll have to pry my $5 bottomless pasta at Two Bells from my cold dead hands.
Well, for those who ask about jamón and ham... it's not the same. Jamón is not cooked it's just kept into salt for several months in the mountains. There is a big industry about that in Spain from centuries and it's very difficult to get jamón anywhere in the world.
The prosciutto is pretty close but it's not the same, when you taste jamón... let me know if taste same :-)
Enjoy!
(yes, I'm from Spain...)
Understand it's not the same, but it does come from an animal, no??
BTW marianolozano - what's your opinion of the tasty Spanish Table version of whatever they call they're stunningly good pig product sandwich?
As I've commented before: what, MORE tapas?
Tapas are big when the economy is bad. It's an indicator!
That's actually a good point, now that I think about it. When I lived in San Francisco in the early 90's I seem to remember multiple tapas places opening. At least one of them -- Esperpento -- is still there, last I checked.