Pub Grub For The Seafaring Set

Jolly Roger Taproom @ Maritime Pacific Brewing Ballard Jan. '13
www.maritimebrewery.com
eat: Smokers, Jalepeno Caesar, Green Curry Mussels, Oyster Po' Boy, Steak Frites, Corn Dogs.
sip: Flagship Red, Nightwatch, Cask-conditioned Ales

I like my sports with a side of savory.

The game is the means to the drinkable & edible end.  I pick bars based on their non-televised offerings--Belgian Ales, stellar nachos, spicy Bloody Marys, schnitzel.   With the Superbowl just upon us, I have memories of my last football outing, or more appropriately "routing", January's BCS Championship.  Lured by onion rings and curious about the new & bigger locale of Maritime Pacific Brewery, my sis, her hubby, their son, and I headed to their pub, the Jolly Roger Tap Room

If their former locale was a weathered, small dinghy, the current space is more akin to the clipper that graces their logo; the concrete floor features an antique, nautical chart, wooden booths and tables allow for ample seating, and Captain chairs at the bar offer choice, game-viewing.  While the beers are the main attraction, it is the culinary details that draw a diverse crowd.  A beer-based demi-glace seasons the steak, a variety of veggies pepper the menu, and homemade hot sauces adorn the tables. I especially liked the jalapeno, cilantro, lime combo, a mild & zesty sauce that goes great with the oceanic offerings.

Flagship Red Alt Ale

Maritime offers a rotating array of cask-conditioned ales: beer that is unfiltered and naturally carbonated (aka conditioned) outside of the keg.  What results is a smooth, less effervescent brew that is served almost room temp rather than ice cold--an attribute I appreciate in these cold climes. I opt for the easy-drinking Flagship Red, a tasty balance of malt and hops.

Nightwatch Ale

 Roasted hops give this dark amber ale its toasty flavor, making it one of my favorite Northwest beers. While the Nightwatch is thankfully sold in local markets, nothing beats the creamy head of a fresh-poured draft.  Like farm-to-table, this is brewery-to-belly.

Smokers

 Considered the best around town, these onion rings are deliciously smoked with apple wood and hops.   Thanks to a signature double breading & double fried process, you avoid the oft-occurring o-ring mishap--when a bite sucks the slippery onion out of its crunchy coating, leaving the breading limp in your hands and your mouth burnt by the disrobed allium.  Served with a roasted jalapeno tartar, these thick cut beauties are reason to return.  

Smoked Jalapeno Caesar 

Ordering a salad at a bar is akin to sushi at Safeco Field. Availability does not ensure edibility.  The stereotype is shattered by this South-Of-The Border Caesar.  Crispy romaine, cotija cheese, and ancho tortilla croutons are slathered with a kicky, smoked jalapeno vinaigrette. Both smoky and spicy, this hearty salad befits beer pairings.  

Green Curry Mussels and Clams

Plump bivalves are bathed in Thai green curry, giving our meal an exotic zing.  Smothered with peppers, fennel, and onions, it is a delicate and delectable dish.  

Po' Lil' Oysters

Consider the oyster. With the Puget Sound a few miles away, the Maritime's Po' Boy is as local as it gets.  Oysters, breaded and pan-fried golden brown, shredded cabbage, and homemade, roasted jalapeno tartar make for finger-licking good sandwich.  

Hanger Steak Frites

Our perfectly medium-rare steak is slathered with a mouthwatering green peppercorn, Nightwatch Ale demi-glace and melted Stilton. The hand-cut fries would be outstanding on their own, yet the melange of beefy gravy, cheese, and potato metamorphosizes them into a mouthwatering poutine, Quebec's wonderfully trashy, and now-trendy, dish.   

Mini Corn Dogs

A welcome break from the kids menu standards, grilled cheese or hamburger, these mini corn dogs make Robert happy. Luckily, his 3-year old appetite allows for sharing with the grownups.

In spite of its swashbuckling name, the Jolly Roger Taproom is the opposite of rowdy. It is a convivial  spot, where you can wash down beers, eat well, and converse during the game without garnering glares.  And let's not forget about those onion rings.....

A Manly Meal For A Birthday Girl

The Parish Downtown, LA 10.11.12
www.theparishla.com
eat: Deviled Eggs, Chicken Liver Toast, Pork Shoulder Poutine, Celery Root Mash, Sunchokes, Chicken Wings, Grilled Shrimp, Fried Chicken, Sticky Toffee Pudding
sip: Hubert & Blegér Crémant D'Alsace Rosé, Black Bee, Disco Nap, Amaro

Thank goodness for girlfriends.  Mine are especially rad with their simultaneous beauty, sass, and smarts, traits that could induce extreme envy, but instead keep me inspired.  Most of them enjoy eating (these aren't those "I'll just have a salad, hold the dressing" kind of gals), yet I'm admittedly the gourmandette:  the one who insists on ordering multiple desserts, who finishes everything on our shared plates, and who has a penchant for all things porcine.  Hence, my ladies let me pick the location for our monthly dinners.  For my birthday, I chose the Parish.

Considering my love for Tasting Kitchen, Chef Casey Lane's Italian-inspired gem in Venice, I had a hunch I'd dig The Parish, his new, Downtown gastropub.  As a foursome, I knew we'd be able to tackle a good chunk of the menu, which brims with comfort food -- fried chicken, poutine--with ethnic twists.   That night was our first rainy eve of the fall--perfect weather for feasting.  What followed was an unforgettable meal.  We ate like men, both in quantity and gusto, battling each other for each last morsel.

Located in a triangular building reminiscent of NYC's iconic Flatiron, the Parish feels decidedly urban.  Spacious windows and outdoor patios offer intimate views of street life and traffic .  The cosmopolitan vibe continues inside.  At the inviting bar, polished steel taps, gleaming glassware, and aproned bartenders beckon you to linger over drinks.  With vintage photographs, tawny wood floors, wallpapered walls, and a cozy candle-filled fireplace, the dining room has the familiar, masculine warmth of an English pub.

A Birthday Toast!

 "Too much of anything is bad but too much champagne is just right" - F. Scott Fitzgerald.  One of the many boozy quotes that decorate the drinks menu, this one was particularly pertinent thanks to the bottle of bubbly gifted by my good friend, Hollis. A burst of chilled strawberries, the Huber & Bléger Crémant D'Alsace Rosé was perfect for getting the party started. 

Black Bee

The manly and magical Black Bee is composed of house-barrel bourbon, stout, lemon, honey. Each ingredient compliments the other, with the stout giving it a welcome, bitter coffee zing.

Disco Nap

 Grappa--which our waitress aptly dubs "Italian Moonshine"-- is normally too heady for my taste.  But this libation, made with Prosecco grappa, Aperol (a bitter orange liquor), muddled lemon and a sprig of mint will change the way you think about the g-word.   A feminine drink with heft, like a woman in a Botticelli painting. 

Ladyface Red Rye and Eagle Rock Manifesto

 An abundance of SoCal brews on tap give the Parish local cred. Try Eagle Rock's Manifesto, a citrus-y, wheat beer, and Ladyface's Red Rye, a nice balance of bitter and hops.

Amaro Meletti

Warning: a seat at the bar can lead to impromptu tastings.  On my inaugural visit to The Parish, my amiga, Alyce, and I got an in-depth Amaro lesson thanks to Brian, our affable--and barely-legal looking--bartender.  The bitter digestivo varies depending on the producer: the Amaro Meletti has a unique, saffron spice while the Amaro Montenegro has hints of orange and clove. 

Deviled Eggs

It's hard to go wrong with this classic nibble. Here, they are emboldened by pickled chilis, giving them more kick than the usual dusting of paprika.

Chicken Liver Toast

Who needs foie-gras when chicken liver is this decadent? This macho pâté is intense and gamey, coarsely chopped, and garnished with thick bacon.   It's a tie with Mozza for L.A.'s leading liver. 

Pork Shoulder Poutine

This Québécoise has poutine in her DNA.  Like other iterations around town, cheese curds and gravy are given a gourmet makeover.  Cubes of homemade paneer and a porky, chili-scented sauce replace curds and gravy.  Succulent chunks of pork shoulder are the pièce de résistance.

Celery Root Mash

A crowd-favorite, this is more than the average mash.  Celery root is more complex than its tuber cousin. Topped with a naughty dollop of harissa butter, it's gluttonously good.

Grilled Sunchokes

As succulent and squishy as escargot, these sunchokes reign supreme.  They are delectably tossed with balsamic roasted shallots, watercress, and salsa verde.  

Grilled Shrimp

Morocco meets shrimp when served with cumin-roasted carrots, black olives, fried chickpeas, and mint yogurt.  This wood-fired goodness is a refreshingly different way to eat shrimp.  

Chicken Wings

 Using quality wings, not the stringy counterparts so oft served in bars, this haute rendition is beer-laquered, sticky sweet, finger-licking yum.

Fried Chicken

 The chicken is so juicy good that my gluten-free friend savors the bird even when disrobed of its mouthwatering skin.  Roasted brussels and braised greens balance out the fried.  Yet another terrific version of a culinary trend.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

 Due to an ordering error, our dessert is served simultaneously with our fried chicken.  A high-brow hybrid of a low-country classic, chicken and waffles, we get our savory with our sweet.  The moist, brown-sugary cake bathed in toffee sauce is too good for four girls to politely share. 

While the food indeed rocks, the friendly and skilled staff ensure an excellent time at the Parish.  Case in point: instead of sneers at my silly birthday tiara (thank you, Barndi), genuine well-wishes were said by all who passed our table.

FYI, the Parish just launched a morning menu (fresh-baked pastries and breakfast biscuit sammies) and Happy Hour with nibbles, discounted drinks, and communal punch.   Even more reasons to return as soon as possible!

Get Ur Belgian On

Little Bear Downtown Arts District Jan '12
www.littlebearla.com
eat: Brisket Grilled Cheese, Moules Frites, Grilled Smoked Salmon, Nutella Pot de Creme
sip: Cuvée Des Jacobins Rouge, Ommegang Witte, Bruery 4 Calling Birds, Ommegang Adoration


When considering men, there are certain characteristics--culinary prowess, vast vocabulary, willingness to hit the dance floor--that invariably make me swoon. The same holds true for where I choose to eat and imbibe, so I knew I'd like Little Bear--industrial setting, Belgian beer, gastropub--even before I set foot inside.

Located in the Arts District, the up-and-coming industrial 'hood east of Downtown, Little Bear is all about the Belgian, for beer and food alike. The stellar beer list features both imported and Belgian-style American beers poured by the polar-opposite of Trappist monks: boob-acious L.A. ladies. Experiment beyond the Belgian standbys, Chimay and Duvel, and try a Cuvée Des Jacobins Rouge (left) a sour Flemish Red Ale full of tart, not overly fruity, punch. 'Tis the season to be local--the Bruery's 4 Calling Birds is a heady Christmas Ale, dessert-like with it's rich molasses and clove spice. From one of my favorite U.S. Belgian-style breweries, Ommegang (right), try the Witte, an effervescent white beer so crisp and bubbly it topples Miller Hi-Life's crown as the Champagne of Beers, or the Adoration, a seasonal, strong, spiced ale.

For eats, effort has been made to surpass the usual pub grub. The Brisket Grilled Cheese is both the best on the menu AND my current citywide champion, with tender ale-braised meat, frizzled onions, arugula and oozing smoked Maasdam cheese sandwiched between super-buttery bread.

The moules were so-so, but their tarragon/shallot/wine/cream broth is drinkably delicious. However, the frites are so good they help support the claim that it was the Belgians, not the French, who created these oil-dunked sticks of yum.

If you are in the mood for healthy, the Grilled Smoked Salmon is moist, flavorful, and well-matched with Beluga lentils, finely-chopped root vegetables, and onion puree.

Fancy a non-liquid dessert? Try the Nutella Pot de Crème, a homey rendition accompanied with hazelnut shortbread--think gourmet Pecan Sandies.

Be warned - it's noisy inside but in a good way (aka laughter, convivial conversation, and boisterous cheers). Little Bear is a versatile spot; the long bar welcomes solo diners, ample space allows for big groups of friends, TVs are tuned to sports, and the low-lighting will flatter your date du jour. Come for the beer, but stay for the food.

The Good German

People’s Pub Seattle,WA 21.Nov 09
www.peoplespub.com
Eat: Wiener Schnitzel, Spätzle, Rotkohl
Sip: Spaten Optimator

Before the trend of gastropubs - a pub with gourmet grub - swept the nation, there was The People’s Pub. This German tavern devotes just as much focus to the food as to the beer; the main attraction isn’t waitresses clad in busty, Bavarian dresses, but authentic, Swabian cuisine (foodie nerd note: Swabia is a cultural region in Southwest Germany).

Although the menu is peppered with more exotic fare like Jägerschnitzel or Paprikaschnitzel, I opt for the original Wiener Schnitzel Dinner, a heaping plate o’ comfort perfect for a rainy night in Seattle. The schnitzel is a hefty portion of thinly-pounded, moist pork blanketed in crispy breading. Although traditional Wiener Schnitzel is made with veal, this porcine version is quite common (and more palatable to the “non-baby cow-eating” crowd). In this world where pastas are laden with sumptuous sauces and fancy ingredients, the simplicity of the spätzle, a starchy, egg pasta in butter sauce, is down-to-earth pleasure. The veggie part of the plate, if you don’t count the dusting of green parsley garnish, is vibrant, fuschia rotkohl, a traditional German dish of red cabbage sautéed in vinegar and apple cider. This meal is a nostalgic nod to my childhood, when mom often served up breaded chicken cutlets (fried in butter rather than the more healthy & culinary-savvy olive oil we use now) with buttery rice pilaf. In fact, my love of butter-yes, this is the FIFTH time that word has been used in this entry-stems from my mom’s affection for the stuff - rather than spread a meager pat onto toast, she slathers thick ½” slabs. I swear I even once saw her sneak a square of unadorned butter out of the fridge! In sticking to German tradition, I quaff a regional brew, Spaten Optimator, a full-bodied, dark ale brimming with roasted malt flavor.

The People’s Pub embodies all that a neighborhood bar should be. It’s located in a picturesque part of town (Ballard), the food is filling and tasty, the quality beer is available in pitchers, and there is a cozy, conviviality that beckons groups and individuals alike. Plus, there are a variety of board games to encourage hours of good times amongst friends. As I sit surrounded by my sister & brother-in-law (who are the wise folks who introduced me to this pub), I can’t think of a better way to welcome me back to Seattle.