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Couzin’s Café: A Bounty Of Breakfast

May 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This homey, comfortable café located in Kirkland’s bustling Rose Hill neighborhood has earned a real reputation for itself as one of the city’s most satisfying places to grab a bite to eat. Opened in 2009, this is truly a family business – owner Greg Waham employs lots of “cousins” to wait tables, wash dishes, and more. After your meal here, you’ll feel like family too. Although they serve food all day, regulars know that breakfast is where the kitchen really shines. Their potato pancakes are spectacular – thin, crispy and incredibly flavorful, served with delicious applesauce. Omelettes are a popular choice, with the prime rib version stuffed full of amazingly tender, perfectly-seasoned meat. The prime rib is available in a number of other versions, including a great egg scramble. If you’re looking for a little Southern flavor, their chicken-fried steak is also incredible. Portions are massive and prices are very reasonable, so bring the whole family.

Couzin’s Café
12861 NE 85th Street
Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 822-8803
www.couzinscafe.com

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Treat Mom to a Special Mother’s Day Brunch!

May 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Residents of Tera Apartments are fortunate enough to live in an area where there is great food everywhere! Some local, Kirkland restaurants are offering up special Mother's Day deals to help you show your mom a great time on her special day:

Beach Cafe
Treat Mom to Chef Matthew Steffen's scrumptious brunch! Sunday, May 13th 11AM-3PM. Adults $39, Kids 5-12 $20. Stunning water views included.

bin on the lake Wine Bar and Restaurant
Treat Mom to a lakeside brunch featuring Chef Dylan Giordan's scrumptious cuisine. Sunday the 13th, 11AM-2PM. Stunning water view included.

Lucia
Treat the amazing Mom in your life to Bottomless Mom-osas during Brunch (9:30am-3pm) or a "3 Course for $30" Dinner (3-10pm) at Lucia! Large parties welcome!

For more information, and to make a reservation, visit www.opentable.com.

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Restaurant Reviews from the Leasing Office! This week: THAI GINGER

April 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Allyson says: I have forever been on the quest for amazing Thai food in the Kirkland area, and I must say that I have yet to find any. I am disappointed in this, as I am always a supporter of local restaurants, and I love sharing these places with my residents. As it turns out, the only Thai food worth mentioning on my radar comes from Thai Ginger, located in Factoria. Luckily, my chiropractor is located in that area, so I never really have to make up an excuse to frequent this fine establishment. I have forever been a fan of their Pad Thai. I prefer mine with the maximum number of stars and extra lime, but the staff is happy to honor any requests you may have for your food.

This past month I have had the pleasure of dining there two times, and discovered some new dishes definitely worth mentioning! They have a wonderful lunch special that consists of rice, pad thai, soup, spring rolls, and cashew chicken — for only $12! That is an absolute steal and is certainly enough for 2 people with leftovers. As chicken pad thai runs $9.50, the lunch special is the way to go if you are looking for a variety at your lunch hour. Additionally, I had some delectable crab and cream cheese wontons with a light plum sauce. These creamy, fried gems were everything I wanted and more in an appetizer, and I will most definitely be ordering them again.

As I mentioned before, I am open to finding new Thai restaurants, but I have yet to be wowed by any establishment other than Thai Ginger. If someone wants to prove me otherwise, I welcome the challenge, and would be delighted to try a new locale at your recommendation. In any case, if some high-quality Thai cuisine is what you are after, you will not be disappointed by Thai Ginger!

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Eat, Drink, and Be Merry, at Brix Wine Cafe

April 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Pour a glass of wine and relax in sophistication at Brix Wine Cafe. Warm brown tones spill into every corner of the restaurant, from the elegant lighting and drapery to the sleek bar and weathered wood beams from the 1800s. Wine bottles rest on handcrafted ironworks, displayed on an exposed stone wall behind the bar. There's much to choose from on a bountiful wine menu that serves glasses or bottles of whites, reds, bubbles and everything in between. Aside from a rich wine list, the cafe also serves dinner each night, with a well-rounded menu for pairing with wine. Snack on appetizers like truffle fries, chipotle hummus, or crisp fried calamari, order up a flatbread pizza with your favorite toppings, or indulge in something larger like creamy risotto, a pulled pork sandwich, or ancho sirloin steak.

Brix also hosts a the neighborhood wine club, where Brix's chefs fix up complementary bites to go along with chosen wine selections during special gatherings. Wine club members also occasionally receive member discounts and advanced reservations for special events. Looking for a great way to start the week? Head over to Brix on Mondays, when a local red and white wine will be served for only $20 a bottle.

Brix Wine Cafe
9749 NE 119th Way
Kirkland, WA 98034
(425) 242-0280
www.brixwinecafe.com

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Find Fun and Flavor at Cactus

March 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Enjoy flavors of Mexico and the Southwest amongst galleries and boutiques at Cactus Restaurant, located in the heart of Kirkland. The Kirkland location serves up scenic views of the Seattle skyline, mountains, and sunsets, while the inside is a celebration of color, with works of art covering the walls. Guests can watch passersby on the busy street through the large restaurant windows, while savoring festive dishes packed with flavor—like tacos, fajitas, tacos, enchiladas, and more. The origin of the flavors ranges from Mexico to Spain and the reasonably priced dishes arrive expertly garnished and decorated. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and also runs a festive happy hour each day from 3 – 5 p.m. at the bar—drink $5 margaritas and sangria and feast on appetizer specials like guacamole, chips and salsa, wild mushroom quesadillas, and more.

Cactus
121 Park Lane
Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 893-9799
www.cactusrestaurants.com/kirkland

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Restaurant Reviews from the Leasing Office! This Week: SANTORINI GREEK GRILL

March 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Allyson says:

Every Friday, the staff here at Tera partakes in what we like to call "Fun Food Friday." It is a day where no one brings their lunch, and we all get food from a new, local restaurant. This concept was running very smoothly until we discovered Santorini Greek Grill.

This "hole-in-the-wall," cash only (checks too, but I always feel weird writing a check for $5), gem of a restaurant is located right on Central Way, a few doors down from Jimmy John's. With their fresh gyro meat, homemade tzaziki, and to-die-for platters, "Fun Food Friday" quickly became "Must Have Santorini Monday," "Trust Me, We Need Santorini Tuesday," "We Need Santorini STAT Wednesday," "Think No Further, It's Time for Santorini Thursday," and, "Finally, It's Santorini Friday."

This is not a formal, sit-down restaurant that tries to WOW people with their finesse, fine linens, and china, but they do not have to! This is real, homemade, delicious food that speak for itself.

My personal recommendations would have to be the traditional gyro (I'm a purist), the gyro platter, and a vat of tzaziki sauce. I could bathe in this garlicky goodness, and find any excuse to order an extra side of it.

Take a stroll down Central, and make your way to Santorini Greek Grill! You will not be disappointed!

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Hoffman’s Fine Cakes and Pastries: Bakery Bliss

March 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This exceptional pastry shop has been bringing incredible baked goods to Kirkland residents since 1984, and locals rave about its astounding cakes. The selection at Hoffman's Fine Cakes and Pastries is second to none, with some items you won’t find at any other bakeries. Some of the standouts include the Princess Torte – a delectable combination of light, fluffy sponge cake, raspberry jam, Bavarian cream, and whipped cream, with a delicious marzipan frosting. The Black Forest torte folds cherries soaked in Kirsch and chocolate mousse into a dense, rich chocolate cake and iced with fresh whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Cupcakes are also excellent, letting you sample some of this decadent pastry without having to buy a whole cake. Hoffman’s also specializes in German-style pastries, including great bear claws and rum rolls. Their Danishes are also incredibly good – rich and buttery with a ton of great filling and delicate, perfectly sweet icing. Everything is made fresh daily, and the prices are very reasonable.

Hoffman’s Fine Cakes and Pastries
226 Parkplace Center
Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 828-0926
www.hoffmansfinepastries.com

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Sasi’s Café: Sandwich Paradise

February 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for a bite to eat on the Eastside, locals will unanimously steer you to Sasi’s Café. Husband and wife team Roland and Doris Oberholzer relocated from Scottsdale, Arizona to open this comfortable, unpretentious lunch spot. Using fresh bread from Seattle’s Essentials Baking Company and ingredients sourced from the awesome local farmer’s markets, the menu is stocked with great soups, salads, and sandwiches. The tomato bisque soup is spectacular, bursting with European flavors and extremely hearty. Regulars rave about the sandwiches, especially the amazing roasted Portobello mushroom with bacon and Provolone cheese and the pork loin with Dijon mustard and fig-raspberry preserves. The house special burger is also great, expertly seared and delicious. If you’re in the mood for a salad, the Caesar is a fantastic take on the concept, with a pungent dressing adding a great kick of flavor. The place is a little hard to find – it’s located inside a tennis club and there are no signs – but it’s worth the trip. Check the website for more information!

Sasi’s Café
12630 Northeast 59th Street
Kirkland, WA 98033-8710
(425) 889-2411
www.sasiscafe.net

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Restaurant Reviews from the Leasing Office! This week: CACTUS

January 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Allyson says:

When you visit Cactus, think of your time there as an impromptu vacation. Part of the menu is dedicated to antojitos, bocaditos or tapas — small plates perfect for sharing with friends, with the rest taking you on a culinary journey from the Southwest and Mexico all the way back up to the Pacific Northwest, where their unique creations meet the fresh ingredients of this region.

I have always been a fan of Cactus, with my favorite experience occurring this past October. Seattle Restaurant Week had just started, and I was definitely not going to miss out on the great deal Cactus was offering for lunch in honor of the event. A friend and I headed over there for a 3-course lunch that put us out a whopping $15. This feast allowed me to really experience what cactus had to offer. Since my friend and I were each getting a 3 course meal and sharing, I really got to try 6 different dishes, which made the feast even more enjoyable.

Course #1:

* Guacamole — crushed Hass avocados, cilantro, lime, onion and Serrano chiles, with pico de gallo and warm chips and salsa.

* Tortilla Soup — shredded chicken, ancho chiles and fire-roasted tomatoes topped with fresh avocado, cilantro, and blue corn tortilla chips.

Course #2:

* House Chimichanga — crisp flour tortilla, Jack cheese and green chile sauce with pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream, vegetable escabeche with Spanish rice and cumin black beans.

* Butternut Squash Enchiladas — crisp white corn tortillas with Jack and goat cheeses, sauteed spinach, roasted butternut squash, caramelized onions, mole rojo, and guacamole, served with Spanish rice and cumin black beans.

Course #3:

* Three Milk Cuban Flan

* Churros with 3 Dipping Sauces

After indulging in this feast of the gods, it became very apparent that Cactus had become one of my favorite restaurants. Although I frequent this venue on a somewhat consistent basis, indulging like I did during Restaurant Week only happens twice a year! Seattle Restaurant Week returns April 8th-19th, 2012 but don't wait until then to try out Cactus!

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Cafe Juanita: Flavors of Northern Italy, Expertly Crafted

January 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Cafe Juanita takes a sustainable, organic approach to fine Northern Italian cuisine. Chef Holly Smith combines her love for Northern Italian foods and wines with a commitment to holistic dining to create a masterpiece meal. Menu items are made with fresh, bold ingredients, and the menus change daily given the season and the best, available ingredients. No matter what's on the menu, the knowledgeable staff can help you choose a fantastic dish from the antipasti, salads, pasta, entrees, sides, and daily specials—and the perfect complementary wine. Note that the signature appetizer is the tender, succulent, grilled octopus. The restaurant's award-winning wine list introduces guests to both Northern Italian producers and some of the best wine in the Northwest. In the ten years since opening, Cafe Juanita has been praised in local and national media and has won numerous awards—click here and see for yourself. Open Tuesday through Sunday starting at 5 p.m, Café Juanita also hosts special events throughout the year—look out for the restaurant’s special Monday night dinners and fantastic wine events.

Cafe Juanita
9702 NE 120th Place
Kirkland, WA
(425) 823-1505
www.cafejuanita.com

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