The Wine Knows - restaurants

Chain restaurants tighten their grip on Boise

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:49:34 -0400

Eric Degerman, Wine Press Northwest managing editor, also serves as unofficial food editor, as he researches and writes our quarterly Match Makers feature and annual Great Northwest Wine Lists Competition. He has filed this report on a disturbing trend in Boise.

Fake restaurant busts Spectator awards

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:59:37 -0400

The wine blogosphere has lit up today with the story about someone who created a fake restaurant in Italy, complete with a fake Web site and fake wine list (containing low-scoring wines from the Wine Spectator). This person then entered Wine Spectator's restaurant awards contest and won an award.

What to do when you didn't mean to order Leonetti

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:49:36 -0400

A guy in our office endured a faux pas a couple of weeks ago that I'm certain will make you squirm.

This guy - we'll call him "Joe" - doesn't know a lot about wine. He was in a very nice Thai restaurant with his girlfriend. This particular restaurant has a reputation for its great wine list.

A great meal in Walla Walla

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:10:11 -0400

I've heard a lot of folks talk about Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen in Walla Walla, Wash., for the past year or so, and I finally had the opportunity to have dinner there last week.

I was not disappointed.

Award-winning Toasted Oak for sale

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:02:33 -0400

The Toasted Oak restaurant and Wine Country Welcome Centre wine shop in downtown Oliver, B.C., is up for sale. No price is listed, but you can view the listing here.

Purple Cafe to expand to Bellevue

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:08:05 -0400

Purple Cafe and Wine Bar has announced it will open three new restaurants in Bellevue. Owner Larry Kurofsky will open his fourth Purple Cafe at Bellevue Towers in November, followed by two other restaurants in January.

End of an era: The Shoalwater's last supper

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:01:47 -0400

With entirely too little fanfare, the amazing Shoalwater Restaurant in little Seaview, Wash., served its final meal last weekend.

After 28 years in the historic Shelburne Inn on Washington's Long Beach Peninsula, owners Tony and Ann Kischner have closed the Shoalwater to focus on their new operation, the Bridgewater Bistro in nearby Astoria, Ore.

Sinclair Philip, the force behind Sooke Harbour House

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:20:24 -0400

Sinclair Philip, the force behind the fabulous Sooke Harbour House, also is a national leader in Canada's Slow Food movement.

Eric Degerman, Wine Press Northwest managing editor, sat down recently with Philip to talk about the Sooke Harbour House, Slow Food and a number of other subjects. Watch the interview here:

Inside The Herbfarm

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 23:47:24 -0400

Famous for its nine-course meals based on fresh, regional ingredients, The Herbfarm in Woodinville, Wash., is one of the true treasures of the Pacific Northwest food and wine scene.

Napa Valley misses boat on in-winery restaurants

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:38:56 -0400

I read with interest this article this morning on the Wines & Vines Web site about how wineries in Napa County are unable to open on-premise restaurants. Wow. What a great opportunity missed. In fact, head just north of the border to British Columbia's Okanagan Valley and you'll see how it's done right.

Two approaches to wine by the glass

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 10:08:11 -0500

In case you didn't know, it's Washington Wine Month for restaurants and retailers (not to be confused with Washington Wine Month in August, when the state liquor stores have blow-out prices).

Here is how two Seattle-area restaurants are featuring Washington wines. Take this however you want.

Inside Sooke Harbour House

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:41:17 -0500

One of the great gems in the Pacific Northwest is the Sooke Harbour House in Sooke, British Columbia. This gorgeous destination is southwest of Victoria on Vancouver Island and is world renowned for its luxury accommodations, wine list and cuisine.

Where everybody knows your name

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:48:35 -0500

I was having lunch today with winemaker Eric Dunham at a pho restaurant in downtown Walla Walla.

I knew it had to be a good place to eat when I saw no fewer than six winemakers while we were there, including Chris Figgins (Leonetti) and Trey Busch (Sleight of Hand).

Portland's Terroir restaurant closes

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:37:20 -0500

Stu Stein, owner and chef of Terroir Restaurant & Wine Bar in Portland, announced Friday that he has shuttered its doors just about six months after opening.

Joie Wines, Gastropod head to James Beard House

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 17:04:33 -0500

Joie Wines of Naramata, British Columbia, and Gastropod Restaurant in Vancouver will present a dinner March 15 at the James Beard House in New York.