Branzino and Pete Yorn at the Showbox
She Said:
Sooo, i had been dropping hints to Brett all week about an upcoming show at the Showbox that i was DYING to see: Pete Yorn. I saw him at the Crocodile Cafe ages ago, and had a blast. So, i wanted a repeat!
I know Brett LOVES to see live shows, and he quickly picked up on mymultiple emails begging him to take me subtle and gentle hints, and bought a couple of tickets to the Thursday night show! Tickets at the Showbox are usually pretty affordable -- no more than $30 (ours were $11 each, half off thanks to this), and they typically have really great performers. So i knew we were in for a fun time!
To jump start the evening, we started off at Branzino for dinner. It's been on our list since it opened back in June of '08. After watching Wednesday night's premier of Top Chef and realizing one of the contestants was Branzino's executive chef Ashley Merriman, it only solidified our want to try it!
I had heard mixed reviews of the place--some folks raving about the robust eats and originality of the menu, others complaining that the foods were too obscure and pretentious -- but wanted to go in with an open mind. And hey, if the chef was good enough to be one of 17 on Top Chef, then guess what? It's probably good food.
We arrived excited and hungry.
[Brett is excited!]
The interior was extremely cool -- comfortably cozy, with big dark wooden booths, low-lighting, and large picture windows lining the walls. The wait staff doesn't wear uniforms, which both Brett and i liked - we found it more personal - and they were friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable.
We started with a glass of wine each and the antipasti assortment ($16 for two). This was interesting. There were foods on this plate that i had NO idea what the heck they were. But i forced myself to try them anyway (you only live once!).
The plate included homemade mozzarella, pickled carrots, flat bread, some funky olives (that did NOT taste like olives, they were strange but yummy!), chicken liver mousse, a pulled rabbit meat type of thing, and a jellied pork with Dijon mustard. (I told you guys it was weird food!)
I tried it all (i know, i can't believe it either) but stuck with the mozzarella. The others were too weird (or as Brett brilliantly noted, 'Mandy, you won't like the chicken liver mousse. it tastes too much like meat.')
[Chef's Choice Antipasti]
For our mains, Brett ordered the spring chicken ($22) and me the spaghetti ($16), and of course, another round of wine.
Our mains took quite a while to arrive -- I'd say probably 20 minutes, so luckily we weren't starving after our appetizer (and we were in good company). When they finally arrived, they were beautiful!
[Spring Chicken; Spaghetti]
Brett exclaimed that this was the [second] best chicken he'd ever eaten in his life. Paired with pork belly and crisp green beans, the meat fell off the bone in the most welcoming fashion. My spaghetti was good, but lacked a bit of flavor (no salt or pepper on the table -- Brett and i always take note of that - is it arrogance? or confidence? you decide) and there were clumps of the spaghetti noodles that were stuck together (almost in a ball), as though they had sat in the pot too long after drained. Besides that though, the meal was excellent. The tomatoes were sweet, the noodles not too oily, just enough to coat my lips!
A bit pricey for the food, but was a good experience. Unfortunately, Ashley Merriman was not the chef on Thursday night, so perhaps we'll have to head back when she's returned from her Top Chef adventures!
After dinner, we took a nice leisurely stroll down 2nd avenue towards the Showbox, one of Seattle's most notorious music venues.
[Showbox located on 1st Avenue Between Union and Pike]
Once we arrived, we realized a couple of our friends from Ozzie's work there!
[Hi Dana!]
We went inside and grabbed a couple of beers while waiting for the first band to go on (Redhook ESB, $5ea)
There were two opening acts before Pete Yorn came on. The first was a sort of eccentric, twangy styled musician named JD King.
The second was an AMAZING group of musicians accompanying Juliette Commagere. Brett and i absolutely fell in love with their music (we bought both their CDs right on the spot!).
When Pete Yorn finally did come on, he did not disappoint. He is an outstanding performer, and we had an amazing time. If any of you have the chance to see him live, you should jump at the chance! I believe he's headed to Portland this weekend, and SF and LA next week. Oh, and for all you Aussie readers--Juliette Commagere and band are headed your way in November, so keep your eyes out for them!
There is something about being around live music with your sweetheart. It fills you with an energy unlike much else. Even though, in the photo below, Brett is sleeping.
I highly recommend taking your someone to the Showbox for a Date Night--and be sure to sing along, even if you don't know the words!
Sooo, i had been dropping hints to Brett all week about an upcoming show at the Showbox that i was DYING to see: Pete Yorn. I saw him at the Crocodile Cafe ages ago, and had a blast. So, i wanted a repeat!
I know Brett LOVES to see live shows, and he quickly picked up on my
To jump start the evening, we started off at Branzino for dinner. It's been on our list since it opened back in June of '08. After watching Wednesday night's premier of Top Chef and realizing one of the contestants was Branzino's executive chef Ashley Merriman, it only solidified our want to try it!
I had heard mixed reviews of the place--some folks raving about the robust eats and originality of the menu, others complaining that the foods were too obscure and pretentious -- but wanted to go in with an open mind. And hey, if the chef was good enough to be one of 17 on Top Chef, then guess what? It's probably good food.
We arrived excited and hungry.
The interior was extremely cool -- comfortably cozy, with big dark wooden booths, low-lighting, and large picture windows lining the walls. The wait staff doesn't wear uniforms, which both Brett and i liked - we found it more personal - and they were friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable.
We started with a glass of wine each and the antipasti assortment ($16 for two). This was interesting. There were foods on this plate that i had NO idea what the heck they were. But i forced myself to try them anyway (you only live once!).
The plate included homemade mozzarella, pickled carrots, flat bread, some funky olives (that did NOT taste like olives, they were strange but yummy!), chicken liver mousse, a pulled rabbit meat type of thing, and a jellied pork with Dijon mustard. (I told you guys it was weird food!)
I tried it all (i know, i can't believe it either) but stuck with the mozzarella. The others were too weird (or as Brett brilliantly noted, 'Mandy, you won't like the chicken liver mousse. it tastes too much like meat.')
For our mains, Brett ordered the spring chicken ($22) and me the spaghetti ($16), and of course, another round of wine.
Our mains took quite a while to arrive -- I'd say probably 20 minutes, so luckily we weren't starving after our appetizer (and we were in good company). When they finally arrived, they were beautiful!
[Spring Chicken; Spaghetti]
Brett exclaimed that this was the [second] best chicken he'd ever eaten in his life. Paired with pork belly and crisp green beans, the meat fell off the bone in the most welcoming fashion. My spaghetti was good, but lacked a bit of flavor (no salt or pepper on the table -- Brett and i always take note of that - is it arrogance? or confidence? you decide) and there were clumps of the spaghetti noodles that were stuck together (almost in a ball), as though they had sat in the pot too long after drained. Besides that though, the meal was excellent. The tomatoes were sweet, the noodles not too oily, just enough to coat my lips!
A bit pricey for the food, but was a good experience. Unfortunately, Ashley Merriman was not the chef on Thursday night, so perhaps we'll have to head back when she's returned from her Top Chef adventures!
After dinner, we took a nice leisurely stroll down 2nd avenue towards the Showbox, one of Seattle's most notorious music venues.
Once we arrived, we realized a couple of our friends from Ozzie's work there!
[Hi Dana!]
We went inside and grabbed a couple of beers while waiting for the first band to go on (Redhook ESB, $5ea)
There were two opening acts before Pete Yorn came on. The first was a sort of eccentric, twangy styled musician named JD King.
The second was an AMAZING group of musicians accompanying Juliette Commagere. Brett and i absolutely fell in love with their music (we bought both their CDs right on the spot!).
When Pete Yorn finally did come on, he did not disappoint. He is an outstanding performer, and we had an amazing time. If any of you have the chance to see him live, you should jump at the chance! I believe he's headed to Portland this weekend, and SF and LA next week. Oh, and for all you Aussie readers--Juliette Commagere and band are headed your way in November, so keep your eyes out for them!
There is something about being around live music with your sweetheart. It fills you with an energy unlike much else. Even though, in the photo below, Brett is sleeping.
I highly recommend taking your someone to the Showbox for a Date Night--and be sure to sing along, even if you don't know the words!
RATINGS:
Branzino
2429 2nd Ave
Seattle, WA 98121-1424
(206) 728-5181
Romance: 4
Cool Ambiance/Interior: 4
All Around Service: 4
Cost: $$$ = entrees from $14 - 22
Would we recommend it? 4: Was good! And always fun going someplace tied to one of our favorite food shows!
Branzino
2429 2nd Ave
Seattle, WA 98121-1424
(206) 728-5181
Romance: 4
Cool Ambiance/Interior: 4
All Around Service: 4
Cost: $$$ = entrees from $14 - 22
Would we recommend it? 4: Was good! And always fun going someplace tied to one of our favorite food shows!
1 comment:
I'm so glad you reviewed Branzino! Mike and I went there during the Belltown wine walk, but didn't get a full meal. I did get to say hi and CONGRATS to Ashley though for making Top Chef, so that must have been before she took off for the competition?
We def want to go back for full dinner... and Pete Yorn = SWOON. My college BF got me hooked on him. He's a great musician AND dreamy.
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