Some updates on recent Burien business news:

We had a chance the other day – Opening Day, as a matter of fact – to visit new Burien neighbors Donatelli’s Market.

The Donatelli family has created Burien’s newest enterprise, where you’ll find a wide variety of terrific fresh fruits, vegetables and other food items.

They are located on the west side of Ambaum Boulevard SW at SW 135th Street, in the building formerly occupied by Ike’s Burgers & Teriyaki.

B-Town Blog staffer Mark Neuman was on his way to another event with camera in hand. By chance timing, Mark became Donatelli’s first customer ever, snaring two bananas plus two perfectly ripe avocados, leaving behind Donatelli Market’s “first dollar we ever earned” (see photo at right).

They’re open seven days a week from 10:30am to 7pm. Open hours will lengthen as summer approaches.

And soon, Donatelli’s will be offering catering … Italian style!

Don’t forget to check out the north side of the nicely renovated building – it’s drive-through Espresso starting at 6:30am every morning.

Also, we’ve seen evidence of construction work on the Red Fish Grill, to be located where the former Keg Restaurant was at 180 SW 148th, across from the Transit Center in the Safeway mall:

The Clarion Hotel in SeaTac will be holding a special St. Patrick’s Day Spaghetti Feed & Auction fundraiser for the Des Moines Area Food Bank next Wednesday, March 17th from 5pm – 8pm at their location at 3000 South 176th Street in SeaTac.

Cost is $10 in advance for adults ($13 at door); Students & Seniors $7; or $25 for a Family Pack.

All proceeds go to the Des Moines Area Food Bank, so come on down, have some good spaghetti and help your hungry neighbors.

Here are the details:

WHAT: St. Patrick’s Day Spaghetti Feed and Auction fundraiser for the Des Moines Area Food Bank.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 17th, 5:00PM-8:00PM.

WHERE: Clarion Hotel, located at 3000 S. 176th St. in SeaTac.

COST: Adults $10 in advance, $13 at door; Students & Seniors $7; Family pack $25.

INFO: Proceeds go to the Des Moines Area Food Bank.

RSVP: Please call 206-676-3742 to RSVP, or click here for more information.

BTB Advertiser Elliott Bay Brewhouse and Pub will be celebrating its 3rd birthday this Saturday March 6th!

Live reggae from Dub Lounge International starts at 8pm.

Families are welcome and there’s No Cover!

Cheers to a great local establishment!

Elliott Bay Brewhouse and Pub is located at 255 SW 152nd in downtown Burien; phone: 206.246.4211. This family-friendly neighborhood pub offers a full pub menu, large party facilities, tournament-sized shuffleboard tables, along with party platters and beer to go.

More info on Elliott Bay Brewhouse & Pub is available at their website.

Here are a couple of videos of Dub Lounge International to whet your rastaman appetite:

Here’s another great reason to attend the upcoming Poverty Bay Wine Festival this coming weekend – a parade of MINI Coopers will end up at the Landmark Event Center on Sunday, March 7th sometime shortly after Noon.

The parade will start at the south end of the Des Moines Marina, where MINIs will congregate at Anthony’s Home Port (421 S. 227^th St.) at Noon, then motor on up to the Landmark Event Center and park in the front parking spaces (excluding handicapped, etc.).

As everyone knows, it’s always cool to see one unusual, groovy MINI Cooper. Now imagine 20 or more, all detailed, each unique in its own way, cruising in, parking and showing off.

If you’re a MINI Cooper enthusiast (Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer drives one), and you’re interested in being in this parade of fun and funky little MINIs, you should consider joining the Puget Sound MINI Motoring Club at their website here.

This will be the second specialty sports car event at the fest – as you may recall, the Tyee Triumph Car Club will be displaying their classic Triumph cars on Saturday, March 6th (read our coverage here).

To buy tickets for the Poverty Bay Wine Festival, click here, or visit CorkyCellars (206-824-9462), Des Moines Drug, and/or purchase directly from any Des Moines Rotary Club member. All proceeds go to the service projects of the Rotary Club of Des Moines.

For more information, including details on wineries, food vendors and entertainment at the fest, read our previous coverage here.

A very unique 9-liter bottle of Five Star Cellars 2006 Cabernet Savignon will be raffled off at the Poverty Bay Wine Festival next weekend (Saturday, March 6th & Sunday, March 7th) at the historic Landmark Event Center in Des Moines.

This one-of-a-kind, big, beautiful bottle contains nine liters – equal to a full case of wine (!) – and is engraved with the Poverty Bay Wine Festival emblem on one side, and the Five Star label on the other.

This 2006 Cab was rated 91 points by Wine Spectator and 94 points by the Beverage Tasting Institute – that means it’s an excellent case of wine in one big bottle!

No purchase is necessary– this is a drawing for anyone who wants to enter – but you will have to show up at the festival, which is just $20 per person; for that amount, you’ll also receive a souvenir wine glass and 10 tokens, a sampling of delicious foods, and live music both days.

Also, for all you non-wine drinkers out there, Pike’s Brewing will also have a booth.

The value of the wine plus the engraving is $1,000!

The opening night Gala will be this Friday, March 5th at 7:30pm at the Landmark Event Center. The theme is A Night in the Vineyard. A lavish buffet will be provided by Anthony’s HomePort. Tickets for the gala are $75 in advance, $85 at the door. The ticket price includes food, entertainment, and wine.

Wine Fesival tickets are priced at $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets for the Wine Festival and Gala are available at Corky Cellars, located at 22511 Marine View Drive in Des Moines (206-824-9462); or online at www.dmrotary.org.

Poverty Bay Wine Festival is the major annual fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Des Moines.

For full details on the festival, check out our previous coverage here.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is an unpaid "Reader Review" of a local Burien restaurant. If you want to write one and have us consider it for publication, please email us.]

by Suzanne Greive

Germaine’s Country Kitchen is now serving dinner – let’s all help support a local family business located at 14901 Ambaum Blvd. SW, Burien, WA 98166.

Germaine’s is a favorite breakfast and lunch spot. They are expanding their hours to serve dinner. To me, they are the “Cheers” of breakfast, ” Where everybody knows your name”. I love supporting a local family business. Mom, Jacki in the kitchen, daughters Jennifer (1/2 owner) and Kaitlyn are serving.

Germaine’s Country Kitchen is dedicated to the memory of Grandmother Germaine Maribeau Bourton. Germaine came to America in 1919 to live on a farm in Eastern Washington.  At that time, all she could do in the kitchen was boil water. Soon, she was selling her egg salad sandwiches at the family barn dances, cooking for the local Catholic church, and planning and cooking dinner for the members of the American Legion. For years, Germiaine was well known to folks in the Waterville area for her wonderful apple pie, maple bars, chicken dinners, and the wine she made in her cellar. Germaine started the family tradition of gathering in the kitchen with good home cooking! Come share the warmth of family and the enjoyment of good food, bringing you the same warmth and comfort of Germaine’s original country kitchen.

Their nightly specials are:

• Monday – Traditional turkey dinner
• Tuesday – Mexican night
• Wednesday – Pasta night
• Thursday – Meatloaf
• Friday – Steamer Clams/ Steak

Jacki is especially proud of her steamer clams. She said she “loves being able to present such a dish to folks who may not be able to afford to go to somewhere like Anthony’s or Salty’s.”

Hope to see you there!

- local resident, Suzanne Greive

The B-Town Blog happily welcomes back one of our Advertisers: The Ming Wong Chinese Restaurant.

Located in a strip mall in Burien near the Dairy Queen off Ambaum Blvd., the Ming Wong Chinese Restaurant is lovingly run by husband and wife team Connie and Kwan Chan.

Connie was born in Canton, China, and moved to the Seattle area in 1995. After honing her culinary skills for 14 years at various restaurants in Seattle, she now brings her dining expertise to Burien.

Connie says “Nothing we serve has MSG anywhere in or on it. It’s good Chinese food at a very fair price!”

Also, Connie tells us if you purchase $25 or more you will receive four free Egg Rolls OR Connie’s fabulous Crab Cream Cheese Wontons (not valid with lunch special menu, individual combos or family dinners).

They also serve beer, wine and Sake.

The Ming Wong has ample room for banquets, large dinner parties, or special occasions.

Ask about their catering menu. They can put together something special that you can enjoy at your home or office.

Connie and Kwan say:

“Thank you, Burien, for seeing our Ad on The B-Town Blog and enjoying our place.

And keep coming on by!”

And one other element that sets Ming Wong apart is their ability to take orders online – give it a try here.

Location:

The Ming Wong Chinese Restaurant
14400 Ambaum Blvd. SW
Burien, Washington 99166

• Phone: 206-241-2679
• Fax: 206-241-4860

Order online here: www.mingwongrestaurant.com

Hours:

• Monday through Thursday: 11am to 9:30pm
• Friday and Saturday: 11am to 10pm
• Sunday: 12pm to 9:30pm

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” Ad and/or Event Listing like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by nearly 50,000 interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

Burien’s Hospitality House will be holding its Spring Fling Dinner and Boats for Beds Fundraiser on Saturday, March 6th at the Cove in Normandy Park beginning at 6pm.

Located in Burien, Hospitality House is a shelter and place of transition for homeless women in south King County. The Women of Hospitality House are supported by more than 12 local churches and organizations as well as by our local communities. Home-cooked meals are provided 365 days per year by volunteers. With the staff case workers, over 70 women each year develop and work their individual plans to find home, health and hope (see hospitalityhousesouthking.org to learn more).

Richard LeMieux, the author of “Breakfast at Sally’s,” will be the featured speaker, and according to a press release:

”Richard has lived in Washington State since 1981. He ran his own publishing company, producing medical directories and university student directories for 14 years. When his business failed, he lost his livelihood, his home, his possessions, and his wife of 17 years.

Richard was homeless in Bremerton, WA, with his dog, Willow, for a year and a half. He lived in his minivan while writing Breakfast at Sally’s with a second-hand manual typewriter at picnic tables in parks around the city.

While he was homeless, Richard and the other homeless people he portrays in his book regularly visited Sally’s, the soup kitchen at The Salvation Army in Bremerton.”

Today Richard has committed himself to sharing the story of homelessness with people of all backgrounds and of all ages across the country.

A short film about Hospitality House will be premiered at this dinner and a former resident will also be sharing her story.

Three Tree Point Yacht Club will be partnering with Hospitality House to raise funds with Boats for Beds. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase “the boat” or individual seats aboard one of several sailboats. It will be a fun afternoon of racing Saturday, June 26 out of the Des Moines Marina. What better way to celebrate a graduation, Father’s Day, girls’ day out, engagement or anniversary, than as crew, passenger or ballast aboard one of these special sailboats and with this fun-loving community of people? The boats are each photographed and featured on the Hospitalityhousesouthking.org website.

Tickets are available for purchase online at this website.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: A lovely lady named Heidi won the “Win a Date With Bart Bryan Contest” last week. Bart Bryan is The B-Town’s Blog’s single Sales Guy and frequent video Host. Heidi and Bart enjoyed dinner and dancing this last Saturday night at the Burien/White Center Rotary Club's annual dinner and auction fundraiser. Here is Bart’s report:]

Story by Bart Bryan
Photos by Mark Neuman

I was pretty nervous as I waited at South Seattle Community College for my date Heidi to arrive for our big night.

I anxiously waited at the valet parking area when she pulled up.

Heidi looked beautiful in a purple dress as I helped her out of her car. We walked into the ballroom and found our table right in front of the stage.

We sat down and instantly hit if off. We then took Fox Trot lessons from a professional dance instructor, the enthusiastic Courteney Lynn. We had a blast as we, well, Fox Trotted across the floor.

We then had a wonderful dinner, prepared by the culinary students at South Seattle Community College, as we chatted with our tablemates as the evening unfolded.

The auction and raffle drawing began at 8 o’clock, and to my surprise my name was announced. After absorbing good natured ribbing, courtesy BTB Advertiser Tami Greene, Heidi was then introduced, whereupon she randomly selected the first winning raffle ticket out of a hat.

“Every year the auction and dinner supports several community programs and scholarships within the Burien and White Center areas,” said Tami, who is also the Public Relations person for the Rotary Club.

After the auction, Heidi and I danced the night away to the classic Rock and R&B stylings of the great local band Uncle Ernie.

And before we knew it, the night came to an end.

As I walked Heidi to her car I asked “Do I get a second date with you at the Mark Restaurant?”

She laughed and said “Well, I guess so!”

We hugged goodnight and after the embrace I looked in her eyes, and…

I’ll leave the rest up to the reader’s imagination…

For more Rotary information go to: http://bwcrotaryclub.org.

Here’s a Photo Slideshow of the evening, as shot by Mark Neuman:

Click to View Mark Neuman’s Photo Slideshow

Ric Jacobson is the Des Moines Rotarian in charge of lining up the largest line-up of wineries – 25 – in the six year history of the Poverty Bay Wine Festival, which is coming to the Landmark Event Center in Des Moines on March 6th and 7th.

Ric reports that the following Northwest wineries will be at the festival on Saturday and Sunday to serve the guests. If you taste a wine you want to take home, bottles will be for sale at the event. All proceeds of the sale of wine will go directly to the Rotary Club of Des Moines, who use the funds for the many great things they do for the community.

The following wineries will be in attendance for the event:

• Canyon’s Edge
• Chandler Reach
• Covington Cellars – NEW
• Coyote Canyon Winery – NEW
• Burien’s own E.B. Foote Winery (WLB Advertiser)
• Eaton Hill
• Erin Glenn
• Fall Line
• Five Star Cellars
• Fort Walla Walla Cellars – NEW
• Kestrel – NEW
• Knipprath – NEW
• Masset Winery
• Otis Kenyon
• Page Cellars
• Pondera – NEW
• Sleeping Dog
• Sodo Vino – NEW
• Stina’s Cellar
• Two Vintners – NEW
• Vashon Winery
• Vin du Lac – NEW
• Waving Tree
• Willis Hall
• Windy Point

Des Moines Rotarian, Dave Loft, in charge of food and goodies at the Poverty Bay Wine Festival has lined up the “best of the best” for food and snacks for wine-fest guests:

• Des Moines’ Anthony’s HomePort
• Des Moines’ Salty’s at Redondo
• Charley’s on Central Avenue in Kent
• Cafe Pacific Catering
• Forte Chocolates
• Kauzlarich Smoked Products
• Panera Bread
• Poverty Bay Coffee
• Waters to go
• Redondo Fred Meyer
• Archery Bistro
• Elliot Bay Brewery

The sixth annual Poverty Bay Wine Festival is surely the hottest ticket in town – well lots of towns, surrounding Des Moines. Your ticket includes fun, music, wine, food and even beer, all presented in the historic and magnificent Landmark Event Center (aka Landmark on the Sound), which is located at 23660 Marine View Drive South in Des Moines.

Tickets for the event are just $20 in advance from CorkyCellars (206-824-9462), Des Moines Drug or your local Des Moines Rotarian.

Parking and free shuttles will be available in the South Marina Parking lot.

All attendees must be 21 years of age and photo ID is required.

Click here for more information.

Story & Photos by Gina Bourdage

Community members and local business owners stepped up to raise $1,675 for the completion of Highline Medical Center’s new ER at the “Red Wine & Decadent Dessert” event Wednesday night, Feb. 10th.

This event was the brainchild of local business owners from Mark Restaurant, BTB Advertiser E.B Foote Winery and OptiMark Eye Care. This event allowed attendees to sample some of the great things our community has to offer as well as enjoy an evening among friends.

“We are glad to see such a great turn out, especially in this economy.” said Renee Klein, Executive Director, Highline Medical Center Foundation. “There is really something to be said about the energy in this room and seeing people enjoying themselves. This event speaks to the character and uniqueness of our community to see people come together, showing that this community is truly unlike any other.”

Amongst the warm candlelit setting of the Mark Restaurant, the evening highlighted a raffle drawing for a table full of generous community items including everything from baskets of gardening supplies, a romantic valentine inspired package and art work and more. Guests also were treated to a number of wines from the E.B. Foote Winery and a plate of indulgent sweet treats brought by Mark Restaurant and OptiMark Eye Care.

Originally built to serve 12,000 patients per year, Highline’s Main Campus ER now serves nearly 47,000 –– making it one of the busiest in the state. According to their website:

When a health emergency strikes, you need advanced care. And you need it fast, which is why a new ER is so critical. While we have made significant investments in expert staff and advanced technology over the years, there are simply too few treatment rooms for the number of patients. Ambulances are sometimes diverted to other hospitals farther away, because we simply don’t have enough capacity, according to www. lifedependsonit.org.

“…Highline Medical Center receives no tax support, i.e., we are not publicly funded. Yet, we are a not-for-profit hospital. The new Emergency Room and Patient Care Unit is a $60 million project, most of which is funded through bonds and reserves. But a $10 million capital campaign is needed to help complete the funding. The community has responded, and to date we have raised $5.4 million. But we still need more to reach our goal, and are so thankful for those individuals and businesses who have stepped up!” – Renee Klein

“We are truly grateful for the Mark Restaurant, OptiMark and EB Foote Winery. This was truly all their idea,” added Klein.

In addition to the three businesses that planned the event, many others donated time, products and/or gift certificates, and those businesses include:

• Market Place Salon (BTB Advertiser)
• Levich Agency
• Archery Bistro
• Bison Creek Pizza (BTB Advertiser)
• La Costa
• Purple Café’ & Wine Bar
• Artist Warren Knapp

Here are some photos shot at the event by Gina:

Click to View Gina Bourdage’s Photo Slideshow

Boy Scout Troop #375 will be holding their annual Fish Dinner on Friday Feb. 19th, from 5pm – 7pm at St Francis of Assisi in Burien.

The troop will be barbecuing Sockeye Salmon and serving fresh Dutch Oven desserts – all for just $10!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Boy Scout Troop #375’s annual Fish Dinner

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 19th from 5pm – 7pm

WHERE: St. Francis of Assisi Hall, located at 15226 21st Avenue SW in Burien.

COST: Just $10!

INFO: For more information, contact kgd2418@yahoo.com, or visit the Troop’s website here.

Troop #375 serves boys in areas including Des Moines, Normandy Park, Burien, White Center and West Seattle. For more information, check out their website here.

Burien’s annual “Empty Bowls” fundraiser for the Highline Area Food Bank was a smash hit Friday (Jan. 29th), setting records in both attendance (964 diners) and total amount of money raised (over $13,000).

“We had 477 people attend during lunch and 487 who came out for dinner,” said Mike Werle, Highline Food Bank Executive Director. “The amount of money raised was a little over $13,000.”

Werle added, “There must have been over 40 people who volunteered at the event, many of who were probably not counted because they didn’t come through the front door. Therefore I think we had over 1,000 people who contributed to the dollar total.”

“Do me a favor and put a big plug in for all the work that Gina Kallman and Debra George put in to make this event happen.  They are awesome!”

Here’s a Photo Slideshow shot during the dinner serving by Scott Schaefer:

Click to View Scott Schaefer’s Photo Slideshow

Also, as previously reported, BTB Photographer Michael Brunk took these shots during the lunch hour:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Youth Leaders at John Knox Presbyterian Church will be hosting a Spaghetti for Haiti fundraiser dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 10th starting at 6pm.

Cost is $15 per ticket, which can be purchased from the church office (phone: 206.241.1606) or at the door the night of the event.

The dinner will consist of:

• Spaghetti
• Garlic bread
• Salad
• Dessert
• Beverage

Here are the details:

WHAT: Spaghetti for Haiti fundraiser dinner

WHEN: Wednesday, February 10th beginning at 6:00pm

WHERE: John Knox Presbyterian Church, 109 SW Normandy Road in Normandy Park.

COST: $15 per ticket, which can be purchased from the church office (phone: 206.241.1606) or at the door the night of the event. The dinner will consist of spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, dessert and beverage.

WHY: To raise money for Haitian earthquake relief.

INFO: More info available at the church website here.

On Friday afternoon (Jan. 29th), the first of two rounds of Burien’s annual “Empty Bowls” fundraiser for the Highline Area Food Bank was served.

For just $10, visitors received a full meal of soup made by various local restaurants and served in one-of-a-kind bowls handcrafted by area Potters, along with bread, cookies and a drink. There was also a dinner served between 4pm and 8pm.

When we visited for dinner, Highline Food Bank Executive Director Mike Werle told us that the lunch crowd was “a record,” in the neighborhood of 470 or so guests. As the dinner crowds wandered in, Werle assured us that the evening group would be another record.

BTB Photographer Michael Brunk dropped by for lunch and captured these photos:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

We’ll be posting the total numbers from this fundraiser, along with more photos soon, so stay tuned to The B-Town Blog!

Advertiser Normandy Park Senior Living will be hosting two special benefit events to help raise funds to help victims of the Haiti earthquake, including a Pancake Breakfast this Sunday (Jan. 31st) and a Spaghetti Dinner on Feb. 13th.

Both fundraisers will be held at their campus in Normandy Park, and all funds raised will go directly to Doctors Without Borders.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Two benefit fundraiser events for Haiti earthquake victims by Advertiser Normandy Park Senior Living

WHEN: Pancake Breakfast will be this Sunday, Jan. 31st from 11am to 2pm; Spaghetti Dinner will be Saturday, Feb. 13th from 3pm to 6pm

WHERE: Normandy Park Senior Living, which is located at 16625 1st Ave. South in Normandy Park.

INFO: From a press release:

Haiti Earthquake Relief and Doctors Without Borders Fundraiser

Pauline Smith, Executive Director, Normandy Park Senior Living announced today two special benefit events to raise funds to help the victims of the Haiti Earthquake. A Pancake Breakfast will be held on Sunday, January 31 from 11:00am to 2:00pm and a Spaghetti Dinner will take place on Saturday, February 13 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. Both events will be held at Normandy Park Senior Living located at 16625 1st Ave. South in Normandy Park.

According to Smith, “All proceeds will go directly to Doctors without Borders one of the critical relief organizations assisting victims in Haiti. We’re pleased that our parent company, Artegan, our residents, staff and family members have joined together to make these events possible.”

Other area businesses interested in participating should contact Pauline Smith. “We’re honored to be part of the worldwide Haiti relief effort and hope our community will join us on January 31 and February 13th to help the people of Haiti and Doctors without Borders.”

Gregory Heights Elementary School’s “Better Together” auction – its first in four years – will be Saturday, Feb. 27th at 5pm at the Jerry Brockey Center at South Seattle Community College.

Tickets for the “Better Together” auction are just $40 (no, that’s NOT a typo), which gets you dinner, dancing, a drink and an entire night of good fun all for a great cause.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Gregory Heights Elementary School’s “Better Together” Auction

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 27th at 5pm

WHERE: Jerry Brockey Center at South Seattle Community College

COST: $40 per ticket, includes dinner, dancing, a drink and an entire night of good fun all for a great cause.

TICKETS: Buy tickets safely and securely online here.

INFO: From their website:

The money raised at the auction will continue to provide funding for the great programs that the Gregory Heights PTSA has established at the school:

• Language
• Drama
• Art
• Chess
• Jump rope
• Science clubs
• Family fun nights
• Books for the library
• Field trips (there is NO district funding for field trips)

…just to name a few.

These enrichment programs offer something for all students with a wide variety of interests and have been very popular and effective for enhancing the learning experience for all students.  They also hope to purchase as many Netbooks as possible for the students so they can each have use of one for writing and research lessons, which will be essential for all students as they continue on in their education.

Call your neighbors, friends and family and buy tickets online today here. It’s super easy and fast.  It’s going to be a great event for the whole community. What a great way to support the future of your great town and our future leaders!

Better Together: every CHILD  every PARENT  every TEACHER!

Former Washington Gov. Al Rosellini, who celebrated his 100th birthday Thursday (Jan. 21st), will be the guest of honor at Burien’s Kennedy Catholic High School this Sunday, Jan. 24 at a 3pm Italian dinner to raise funds for a scholarship named after him.

The “Governor Albert D. Rosellini Scholarship” benefits deserving students at Kennedy Catholic, where two of his great-grandchildren are students, and which all four of his grandchildren attended, according to Joe Faccone of the school’s Advancement Department.

Sponsored by the school and Sons of Italy Lodge 1390, the event starts at 3 p.m. with a reception in the cafeteria of the school, which is located at 140 South 140th Street. A dinner featuring traditional Italian fare will be served at 4 p.m., with a program celebrating the former governor’s centennial at 5 p.m.

Tickets are $50, and can be purchased at the door.

An invocation will be given by Oratorian Father Clarence Jones, parochial vicar of Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish in Seattle, the Rosellini family’s native parish.

Gov. Rosellini, who served two terms from 1957 to 1965, noted in a 2008 letter to the Kennedy Catholic community that he has strong ties with the school in addition to the fact that his offspring went there. He met President John F. Kennedy, the school’s namesake, on several occasions and in 1962 was selected chair of the U.S. governors to represent their collective concerns to the president.

“Then in 1964, shortly after his tragic passing, I was pleased to learn that the first high school in the nation to bear his name was going to be the new Catholic high school in Seattle,” the governor wrote.

For more information, or to donate to the scholarship fund, call 206-246-0500.

Highline Schools Foundation will hold their first annual “Gifts of the Heart” donor recognition luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 10th at the House Restaurant in Burien.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Highline Schools Foundation “Gifts of the Heart” donor recognition luncheon

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 10th, beginning at 12:30pm

WHERE: The House Restaurant, located at 643 SW 152nd Suite B in downtown Burien.

INFO: The honorees who will be inducted into the Ring of the Helping Hands will include:

• Nanci Tangeman and Chris Blumenthal
• Tom and Lee Ann Russell
• David and Sharon Wilson
• Eric and Suzanne Aasness
• Sandra and Denny Eliason

These folks have enabled the Foundation to grow and serve the school district for the past ten years.

COST: Tickets are $20 each and space is limited so please make your reservations by calling 206.248.5196 or email info@highlineschoolsfoundation.org.

More information on the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence is available at their website.

We’d like to remind all our Readers that Burien’s annual “Empty Bowls” fundraiser for the Highline Area Food Bank is next Friday, Jan. 29th, with both a lunch and dinner serving, along with one-of-a-kind original bowls handcrafted by area Potters.

This is always a great, fun and fulfilling event involving great food, art and fundraising for Burien’s hungry, and you can bet The B-Town Blog will be at the Moshier Art Center to help.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Empty Bowls” fundraiser for the Highline Area Food Bank

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 29th:

• 11am – 2pm: Lunch
• 4pm – 8pm: Dinner

WHERE: Moshier Community Art Center, located at 430 South 156th, Burien

COST: Just $10 donation, which will get you both a good solid meal AND a work of art in the form of a beautiful handmade bowl!

INFO: From their flier:

JOIN US FOR A MEAL AND HELP FIGHT HUNGER IN OUR COMMUNITY!

Friday, January 29, 2010

Lunch served 11:00 AM-2:00 PM

Dinner served 4:00-8:00 PM

Moshier Community Art Center, 430 S 156th, Burien

$10 (minimum) Donation

Proceeds to benefit Highline Food Bank

Moshier Community Art Center Potters have teamed up with the Highline Food Bank and Discover Burien to bring you Empty Bowls 2010. Empty Bowls events can be found around the country raising money to combat hunger in our communities. Potters have donated bowls to be filled with soup at this fun event…all are invited!

Your $10 (minimum) donation will get you the opportunity to pick out a beautiful handmade bowl, as well as a simple but wonderful meal of soup, bread, dessert and drink; all donated by local businesses. 90% of proceeds go to the Highline Food Bank, which serves over 750 area families per month, and 10% will go to provide art programming for low income youth.

www.MoshierArtCenter.org or phone: (206) 988-3700

Here’s a video we shot at least year’s event, where over 800 participants helped raise over $10,000 (let’s break that record this year!):

“Dine for Highline,” an all-day fundraiser to help raise money for Highline Medical Center’s new ER, will be all day Thursday, Jan. 21st at 16 or so various local restaurants (see the full list below).

A percentage of all proceeds from the day will be donated to Highline Medical Center’s “Campaign for a New ER.”

Here’s a link to our original story.

Participating restaurants include:

• Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub
• Sal’s Deli
• 909 Coffee and Wine
• Mark Restaurant and Bar
• Yo’s Bistro
• Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar
• Angelo’s of Burien
• Australian Pie Co.
• Tin Room Bar
• Osteria de Primo
• Collier’s The House
• La Costa Restaurant
• Archery Bistro
• Bison Creek Pizza (BTB Advertiser)
• Emerald City Smoothie
• Vino Bello Wine Bar

Local favorite Pianist-Singer Sandra Locklear will be performing tonight (Sat., Jan. 9th) at the new Archery Bistro in Normandy Park, and there’s no cover charge!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Sandra Locklear sings at Archery Bistro (check out her website here for music samples)

WHEN: Saturday, January 9th form 8:30pm – 11:30pm

WHERE: Archery Bistro, located at the Normandy Park Town Centre at 19803 1st Ave. So, Suite 104; phone: 206.429.3145. Read our review of this restaurant here.

COST: NO COVER CHARGE!

“Come check out the late night menu and wine list!”

We stopped by the other day to say Hi to B-Town Blog friend and Advertiser Bison Creek Pizza & Pub. We enjoy the company of the proprietors, but honestly, we just can’t resist the food!

Bison Creek Pizza & Pub originated in West Seattle in 1975 and expanded to Burien in 1977. The West Seattle location is no longer in operation, but the Burien restaurant and pub continues to this day.

New owners Shauna and Ryan Rumel purchased Bison Creek Pizza on September 15, 2008, and have seen business increase due to their hard work even as the economy has seen a dramatic downturn.

Shauna met her husband Ryan at the Art Institute of Seattle where she studied video and film production and Ryan studied graphic design.

They started dating at school and they both graduated in 2001. Then Cupid shot his arrow and they were married in 2004.

Shauna was working in the financial field and Ryan worked in construction. When they both could see that the housing market was going to collapse, they decided to start their own business.

The couple often came to Bison Creek Pizza while they were dating and would drive up from Renton even after they were married because, as Shauna says, “It’s pizza that you crave!”

They noticed a listing for Bison Creek Pizza in 2008 and purchased it.

“It was meant to be,” they told us.

Shauna says “One of the things that sets us apart from other restaurants is that we offer wheat- and gluten-free pizzas, and even wheat- and gluten-free beer!”

“If you have allergies to wheat and gluten, just ask and we will make a special pizza just for you,” she says.

Between 11am and 2pm Monday through Friday, Bison Creek offers a wonderful all-you-can-eat buffet with a salad bar, soup and fantastic pizza!

In addition to pizza, the menu includes appetizers, calzones, a variety of salads, pasta dishes, hot sandwiches and a “Lil’ Bandits” Kids Menu.

Who the heck serves Root Beer Floats anymore? Well, Bison Creek does! Just ask.

On weekends Bison Creek Pizza offers live music featuring some of Seattle’s top bands.

Asked what advice Shauna and Ryan have for folks thinking of starting up their own business, they say “Have patience and go for it. We’re here and we’re happy!”

While eating or enjoying the atmosphere at Bison Creek, ask them about the 100-year old wooden back bar. It’s an 1890’s Brunswick model and was shipped in two pieces from the Bison Creek Dude Ranch in Montana to the Burien location in the early 1990’s.

Click on their ad on this page to read a fascinating history of the Bison Creek Pizza & Pub Burien location.

Better yet, stop by in person and try some of the best pizza you will ever have!

Bison Creek Pizza & Pub
630 SW 153rd Street
Burien, WA 98166

Phone 206-244-8825

Restaurant Hours:

• Monday – Friday 11am to 10pm
• Saturday 11am to 10pm
• Sunday 11am to 9pm

Website: www.BisonCreekPizza.com

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” Ad and/or Event Listing like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by nearly 50,000 interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

On Thursday, Jan. 21st, several local restaurants will be hosting “Dine For Highline,” where a percentage of proceeds will be donated to Highline Medical Center’s “Campaign for a New ER.”

Originally built to serve 12,000 patients each year, Highline’s current ER now serves nearly 45,000, making it one of the busiest in the state; obviously, a new, state-of-the-art ER is required.

Here’s info from their press release:

Mark your calendar for January 21st!

On Thursday, January 21, several local restaurants are hosting Dine for Highline, whereby they will donate a percentage of their proceeds to the hospital’s Campaign for a New ER.

These generous businesses know that having a great community means having a great hospital, too, and that’s why they are supporting the campaign.

Now let’s show our support for them, while enjoying a fabulous meal!

Currently participating restaurants include:

• Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub
• Sal’s Deli
• 909 Coffee and Wine
• Mark Restaurant and Bar
• Yo’s Bistro
• Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar
• Angelo’s of Burien
• Australian Pie Co.
• Tin Room Bar
• La Costa Restaurant
• Archery Bistro
• Bison Creek Pizza (BTB Advertiser)
• Emerald City Smoothie
• Vino Bello Wine Bar

Here’s info on the campaign from Highline’s website:

A State-of-the-Art Facility
With support from the community, Highline Medical Center is building a 27,000 square feet, state-of-the-art ER housed in a new three-story building on its Main Campus. It will be equipped with the very latest advances in medical technology and staffed by an expert team of board-certified physicians. It is designed to make ER visits faster, to reduce stress and to enhance comfort for patients and their families at every stage of care:

• Three private triage rooms
• Bedside registration
• Sophisticated electronic patient tracking system
• Family consult room
• 32 private treatment rooms, with room for family members
• Dedicated decontamination room for disasters
• Diagnostic imaging within the ER
• Electronic medical records
• Separate family waiting area
• Private and confidential admitting areas
• Convenient free parking and easy drop-off

A Life Giving Opportunity: How You Can Help
Highline Medical Center Foundation has launched a $10 million community campaign to help fund construction of the new ER. Highline is not tax-supported. We are an independent, nonprofit organization created by the community and supported by the generosity of individuals like you. We need your help. Your gift is an investment in the future health and wellbeing of everyone in our community. It will assure that fast, convenient, state-of-the-art emergency care will be right here –– whenever life depends on it.

To support The Campaign for a New ER at Highline, be sure to “Dine For Highline” on Thursday, Jan. 21st, or click here or call (206) 901-8500.

Burien’s annual “Empty Bowls” fundraiser for the Highline Area Food Bank is coming to Moshier Community Art Center Friday, Jan. 29th, with both a lunch and dinner serving, along with one-of-a-kind original bowls handcrafted by area Potters.

This is always a great, fun and fulfilling event involving great food, art and fundraising for Burien’s hungry, and you can bet The B-Town Blog will be there.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Empty Bowls” fundraiser for the Highline Area Food Bank

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 29th:

• 11am – 2pm: Lunch
• 4pm – 8pm: Dinner

WHERE: Moshier Community Art Center, located at 430 South 156th, Burien

COST: Just $10 donation, which will get you both a good solid meal AND a work of art in the form of a beautiful handmade bowl!

INFO: From their flier:

JOIN US FOR A MEAL AND HELP FIGHT HUNGER IN OUR COMMUNITY!

Friday, January 29, 2010

Lunch served 11:00 AM-2:00 PM

Dinner served 4:00-8:00 PM

Moshier Community Art Center, 430 S 156th, Burien

$10 (minimum) Donation

Proceeds to benefit Highline Food Bank

Moshier Community Art Center Potters have teamed up with the Highline Food Bank and Discover Burien to bring you Empty Bowls 2010. Empty Bowls events can be found around the country raising money to combat hunger in our communities. Potters have donated bowls to be filled with soup at this fun event…all are invited!

Your $10 (minimum) donation will get you the opportunity to pick out a beautiful handmade bowl, as well as a simple but wonderful meal of soup, bread, dessert and drink; all donated by local businesses. 90% of proceeds go to the Highline Food Bank, which serves over 750 area families per month, and 10% will go to provide art programming for low income youth.

www.MoshierArtCenter.org or phone: (206) 988-3700

Here’s a video we shot at least year’s event, where over 800 participants helped raise over $10,000 (let’s break that record this year!):

BTB Advertiser Bistro Baffi Italian Cuisine will be holding a festive six-course New Year’s Eve Dinner, with two seatings on Thursday, Dec. 3st.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Bistro Baffi Italian Cuisine Six-Course New Year’s Eve Dinner

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 31st at either 5pm-7:30pm or 7:30pm-closing

COST: $100 per person, includes six-course dinner

RSVP: Reservation required and space is limited – please call (206) 244-0737 for your reservation today.

INFO: From their website:

Join us for a festive New Years Eve Dinner!

We are serving six course dinner.

Appetizers

• Stuffed mushrooms with prosciutto, roasted peppers, sun dried tomatoes, asparagus and pecans, served with spicy pink sauce.
• Caprese with fresh imported Buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes, basil and extra virgin olive oil.
• Lobster ravioli, served with truffle oil , Alfredo sauce and wild mushrooms
• Chef Michael’s Caesar salad

Main Course:
Choice of:

• New york Steak with fresh herbs
• Fillet Mignon wrapped in prosciutto with Barolo wine reduction
• Chicken Oscar, with crab meat and Bearnaise sauce
• Catch of the day , yet to be caught

Dessert

• Chef Michael’s award winning Tiramisu

Date: December 31st, 2009

Time: book your reservation for either of our two seating’s 5-7:30 or 7:30 -close

Reservation required. $100 per person, includes 6 course dinner.

Space is limited , please call (206) 244-0737 for your reservation today.

Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” Ad and/or Event Listing like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by nearly 50,000 interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

The grand finale of 2009 as well as to the first decade of the 21st century is this Thursday night, Dec. 31st, and here’s just a taste of what’s going on in the general Burien area for New Year’s Eve 2010.

First off, keep in mind that law enforcement in King County will be out in full-force, conducting their “X-52″ DUI patrols around the area, so get a designated driver, walk, ride your bike or take a cab if you’re going out.

Secondly, we recommend calling your establishment of choice prior to just showing up, just to make sure that they’re open and that everything’s hunky dory.

And if we haven’t listed something else you know of, please email us so we can add it to our list!

BURIEN:

Bistro Baffi Italian Cuisine (BTB Advertiser), 15217 21st Ave SW Burien; (206) 244-0737
Six-course New Year’s Eve Dinner for $100 per person, with two seatings on Thursday, Dec. 3st: 5pm-7:30pm or 7:30pm-closing.

Collier’s/The House Restaurant (BTB Advertiser), 643 SW 152nd Street, Burien; (206) 420-3338
New Year’s Eve Dinner/Party; music begins at 9pm; serving 4-course Prix Fixe dinner until 9pm, then it’s time to bring in the NEW YEAR! During dinner they will host music by Jim Locklear, then at 9pm Jim will be joined by chef Will Collier and his former bandmate, Allan Tegelburg. House Specials on tapas and wine! “If you plan to join us for dinner, reservations are strongly recommended.”

Mick Kellys Irish Pub, 435 SW 152nd Street;
 (206) 246-2473
DJ Ken@ 10pm, champagne toast at midnight, No cover.

The Mark Restaurant, 918 SW 152nd Street, Olde Burien; (206) 241-6275
New Year’s Eve Murder Mystery Party – this event will be fun for everyone…for the shy or the outgoing. Join us as we navigate you through “Murder at the Four Deuces” with gangsters, hit men, politicians, entertainers, molls and many other interesting guests in attendance. THIS IS A TOTALY NEW MYSTERY FROM LAST YEARS. Price is $45 per person and includes Dinner, Toast at Midnight, Party Favors and of course…murder! You must register ahead of time and receive your character packet!

Elmer’s Pub, 15027 Ambaum Blvd SW Burien; (206) 439-1007
Live band Grey Sky Falling, champagne toast at midi and music until 1:30am.

The Tin Room, 923 SW 152nd Street
, Olde Burien; 
(206) 242-8040
No cover, Dinner Specials, Champagne toast at midnight.

Side Street Kitchen & Bar, 717 SW 148th St (206) 402-5428
No cover, will be open until at least midnight.

DES MOINES:

NEW – “SALTY PAGAN” BLUE MOON RITUAL TONIGHT!
Possibly the most interesting NYE festivity will be a “Blue Moon Ritual,” followed by New Year’s Eve Party from 7pm on at the Saltwater Unitarian-Universalist Church (25701 14th Place So., Des Moines); will include food, dancing and merriment. Participants are invited to bring “1. An idea of what you would like to be rid of and an idea of what goals you have for the coming year. 2. A white candle or a white flower or something silver. 3. CD (If you would like to hear your own music played), as well as potluck finger food (items such as sandwich, vegetable, cheese, fruit, or pickle trays, beverage or other snack item). Dress from casual to fancy and everything in between, and childcare is available for this event.

Butler Bar & Grill, 22341 Marine View Drive South
, Des Moines; (206) 429-3709
$5 cover, “Cory Wild’s Band” is playing starting around 9pm; Champange toast at midnight, $1 shots, door prizes, and a raffle for $250 Butler’s gift certificate.

Mandarin Kitchen, 22612 7th Avenue South
, Des Moines; 
(206) 878-8511
Karaoke, drink specials and great food.

Lighthouse Bar, 22239 Marine View Drive South
, Des Moines; (206) 824-4920
$10 prime rib $5 shots – Washington Apple’s Apples, Crown Royal, Jägermeister, Jose Cuervo tequila, Smirnoff vodka, Captain Morgan & $5 long island iced teas. 10pm on complimentary late night snacks, not to mention pool and comfy couches.

by Kelly Johnson

There is no question Seattle is an amazing city for food, drink and great places to go out, get out, hang out and hang loose. But here’s the drawback:

What happens if you don’t live in the city?

Fortunately, Dan Thiessan of Bellevue’s 08 Seafood Grill and Twisted Cork Wine bar was wondering much the same thing, so he brought a bit of neighborhood warmth, uptown style and devotion to dining out fundamentals — such as making people happy — to those of us here in the south end.

I had the privilege of spending last Thursday night at Archery Bistro (formerly Cafe Mia). I didn’t know what to expect really. “Ooh. Ahh. A new place in Normandy Park,” I thought. I am now amending my original thought by adding a few more “h’s” after that initial ooh and ahh.

I don’t care if you’re a smalltown to downtown meat & potatoes lover, a seafood fan only interested in the market list or the “go out of your way to try the one thing you haven’t seen on a menu elsewhere” type. The diverse but unpretentious menu here gives a nod to them all. While Archery doesn’t skimp when it comes to a solid array of beer, traditional as well as upscale soft drinks and liquor, it is the wine that will win you over. There’s a wine list designed to pair well with whatever might be on your plate. But if you don’t know what to choose, that’s not a problem. Feel free to leave the Sommelier lingo at the door if it’s not your mother tongue. Dan and his staff have you covered there. Just tell them what you like. The wine list is extensive yet unintimidating with price point being under twelve dollars by the glass and bottles in the $24 to $50 range.

The kitchen shared generously with us that night. High points go to the “crab no cake” crab cakes with the ribbon-thin drizzle of apple aioli giving the sweet densely packed meat perfect tang. This isn’t the Panko proffered version you might be used to. It’s just densely-packed loveliness encased in a golden brown sear from the pan. Oh and for those of you who don’t like greenery, you’re missing a bet if you don’t eat the Fuji apple and watercress slaw that comes with it. This is one time no one is going to have to make you eat your vegetables.

The Cowboy Beef Tenderloin — emphasis on the word tender — had a dry rub that could very well make our counterparts south of the Mason-Dixon Line want to sit up and take note! The tenderloin was carefully prepared, juicy and darkly flavorful. The coffee ground rub put a confident spin on what is sure to be a crowd favorite.

My guest and I also got to try the artfully brined cedar-planked Salmon that flaked perfectly, along with the Apple wood Smoked Pork with the Mushroom Forest Hash (the Pork Chops and applesauce Bobby Brady would only hope to try) and a Squash Soup whose flavor embodies winter time cozy and a texture that could only be described as velveteen.

If you can pull yourself away from focusing on your meal, you’ll note the tribute the décor pays to Glen St. Charles of Northwest Archery fame. Warmly hued wood, subtle touches from the St. Charles’ museum and a beautifully executed wine rack display instantly lend itself the overall dining experience.

The restaurant hasn’t even been open a month, but I noticed staff and patrons are already exchanging first names in greeting, good byes and all that’s in between. Keep an eye out for this place. The commitment to community, its customers and high quality cuisine is quite a gift to us here in the south end this holiday season.

See what happens when you make it onto Santa’s “nice” list?

Here’s a Photo Slideshow of the Archery Bistro by Michael Brunk:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Archery Bistro is located in the Normandy Park Town Centre at 19803 1st Ave. South, Suite 104 in Normandy Park.

Their hours are:

• Lunch: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Dinner: Nightly, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
• Happy Hour: Daily, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.; 9 p.m. – Close
• Bar: Daily, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Their phone number is 206.429.3145.

New Burien business Eat Local will be hosting artist Nikki McClure this Sunday, Dec. 13th from Noon-1pm, when she will be signing her 2010 calendar.

According to owner Greg Connor:

Nikki does very few public events. We will be doing a tasting and it would be an opportunity for your readers to meet her.  As you probably know Nikki is an artist recognized on the national stage. Her children’s book All In A Day is a New York Times bestseller and should win several prizes this year.

Eat Local is located at 810 SW 151st, next to Bicycles West.

Using only an X-Acto knife, a single sheet of paper and the inspiration that surrounds her at her Olympia, WA home, Nikki McClure lovingly creates her intricate and beautiful papercuts. Her work constructs a bold graphic language that translates the complex poetry of family, nature and activism into endearing, positive and disarmingly powerful images.

This is the first year the cover has had more than just two colors; and what a wonderful use of color it is; only the threads in the sewing case are colored.

January also features a distinctive background; a first in Nikki’s calendars where she’s used a combination of two different cut papers. The background texture is a white paper creating a new sense of realism for the piece.

Happy Holidays!
Greg and the Eat Local Team

Click here to learn more about Nikki McClure, and here to learn more about Eat Local.

On Tuesday (Dec. 8th) and Wednesday (Dec. 9th), all Papa John’s Pizza Restaurants between Seattle and Tacoma, including the nearest one in Normandy Park, will donate 100% of their profits to the families of the four slain Lakewood police officers.

You read that right – if you make a purchase from any Papa John’s in King, Pierce or Kitsap Counties on Tuesday (12/8) or Wednesday (12/9), you’ll not only get some slices, but a 100% slice of profits will go directly to the families of the fallen officers, including the family of Mark Renninger, who served eight years nearby in the Tukwila Police Department (read our coverage here).

The nearest Papa John’s locations are (see map below):

Papa John’s – Normandy Park
19893 1st Avenue South
Normandy Park, WA 98148-2412
(206) 248-3333

Papa John’s – West Seattle
5252 California Avenue SW
Seattle, WA 98136
(206) 938-3000

Papa John’s – Kent
1432 West Meeker Street
Kent, WA 98032-4320
(253) 893-1111

Papa John’s – Federal Way
112 Southwest 312th Street
Federal Way, WA 98023
(253) 945-7575

It appears that you may also be able to order online as well – click here to go to the Papa John’s website.

We also encourage you to call and make sure the PJ’s you’re going to will be participating in this fundraiser.

Papa John’s has a Facebook page that may have more updated info – click here.

Here’s a map of area Papa John’s:

View Larger Map

Our friends at Advertiser Bistro Baffi Fine Italian Dining are now open for lunch, from Tuesdays through Fridays, from 11:30am to 2pm!

Talk about a great escape in the middle of your day – fresh, homemade Italian food right here in B-Town.

And recently, Bistro Baffi was voted the “Best Italian Restaurant in Seattle in 2009″ by the readers of City Search, as well as “The Best Place to Bring a Date” and “Best Restaurant $10 and Above” by the voters in the “Best of Highline” conducted by the Highline Times.

These back-to-back honors have been well earned by owners Dinka and Michael Vujovich. From a full bar, to Italian and local wines, to authentic and homemade pastas, fantastic steaks and seafood prepared the Italian way, there’s something to suit every discerning palate at Bistro Baffi. And according to Dinka, “we are going to feature fresh homemade pastas daily at very popular prices.”

Don’t believe us? Read our own Gina Bourdage’s review of Baffi here.

Bistro Baffi is located in what they like to call “a cozy little corner of Burien” at 15217 21st Ave SW, behind The Bean espresso stand and across from St. Francis, or online at www.bistrobaffi.com.

When you’re online, be sure and sign up for their newsletter to see the weekly specials. Reservations are recommended on weekends at 206-244-0737 or online by clicking here.

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, event listing and/or Ad like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by nearly 40,000 interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

(fortunately, we’re not talking about moldy ones…)

The Port of Seattle Tuesday announced that Sea-Tac Airport won first place for the Best “Green” Concessions Practice award among airports in North America.

The “green” in the award is referring of course the ecological elements that the food vendors at the airport use.

The honor was announced during the 2009 Airports Council International – North America Concessions Conference in Indianapolis, at which roughly 200 representatives of North American airport concessions industry were in attendance.

Sea-Tac was also awarded second place for Best Convenience Retail Program.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by our airport peers for our integrated recycling, composting and food bank program,” said Mark Reis, the airport’s Managing Director. “The airport concessionaires and staff have worked tirelessly to divert recyclable and compostable materials from landfills and thereby reducing waste, feeding the needy and helping lead our region and the airport industry to a sustainable future.”

According to a Port press release, during 2008, airport concessionaires recycled more than 1,200 tons of material – an amount equivalent to the weight of six Boeing 747 aircraft.  During the same period, they avoided disposal costs and generated revenue through rebates on recyclables which totaled $160,000. Sea-Tac concessionaires made waste reduction and recycling a priority by recycling cardboard, used cooking oil, food waste and coffee grounds. Since 2001, Sea-Tac concessionaires diverted thousands of tons of recyclable material from landfills through recycling, composting, and food bank donation programs. Concessionaires donated food that served 8,000 meals to needy families in 2008.

Sea-Tac’s recycling programs are even estimated to have prevented the release of Greenhouse Gas emissions equivalent to removing 819 passenger cars from the road annually; conserved an amount of energy equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 83 households (USEPA Waste Reduction Model), and saved 3,700 cubic yards of landfill space.

The purpose of the Airport Concessions Contest is to inspire creativity in the industry and to recognize innovative and outstanding airport concessions. These awards help to demonstrate the growing importance of concessions to the total airport experience. This year’s contest received more than 160 nominations from airports of all sizes throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Here are the results of the categories involving Sea-Tac Airport:

• Best “Green” Concession Practice or Concept 
1st Place: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport 
2nd Place: C-Pier Expansion, Vancouver International Airport
3rd Place: Concourse D, Portland International Airport
Honorable Mention: Enroute Spa, Indianapolis International Airport
• Best Convenience Retail Program - Large Airport 
1st Place: Atrium, Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport
2nd Place: Seattle Tacoma International Airport

Entries for this year’s contest were judged by an independent panel comprised of high-level professionals with no vested interest in concession operations, or the outcome of any one airport. In addition to the independent panel, one representative from the previous year’s overall winner was also involved in the judging process.

Previously, Sea-Tac Airport won the Richard A. Griesbach Award of Excellence in 2007 recognizing the Best Food and Beverage Program in North America. That year, three additional awards were won by Sea-Tac and its merchants: 1st place, Best Specialty Retail Program, 2nd place, Best New Food and Beverage Concept [Waji’s], and 2nd place, Best New Consumer Services Concept [butter LONDON].

The B-Town Blog Welcomes our latest Advertiser: The Ming Wong Chinese Restaurant!

Located in a cozy strip mall in Burien near the Dairy Queen off of Ambaum Blvd., the Ming Wong Chinese Restaurant is celebrating their Grand Opening this month under new owners Connie and Kwan Chan.

Connie was born in Canton, China, and moved to the Seattle area in 1995. After honing her culinary skills for 14 years at various restaurants in Seattle, she now brings her dining expertise to Burien.

Connie says “When it comes to Chinese cooking we can do everything!” They can even create your favorite Chinese dishes that are not on their menu. Just ask!

“Try our house tea,” says Connie. “Many of our customers say it’s the best tea in town.”

Some of their customers’ favorites are:

• Crispy Pork Szechwan Style
• Orange Beef
• Homemade Chicken Teriyaki
• Honey Walnut Prawns

The Ming Wong has ample room for banquets, large dinner parties, or special occasions.

They offer free delivery within a three mile radius with a $15 minimum order, and are one of the few local restaurants that allow online ordering (try it here).

Connie added “Ask me about our catering menu. We can put together something special that you can enjoy at home or at your business.”

The B-Town Blog staff highly recommends the Ming Wong Chinese Restaurant because we dine there frequently and hope you enjoy their wonderful menu as much as we do.

The Ming Wong Chinese Restaurant
14400 Ambaum Boulevard SW
Burien, Washington 99166

Phone: 206-241-2679

Fax: 206-241-4860

Order online: www.mingwongrestaurant.com

Hours:

• Monday through Thursday 11am to 9:30pm
• Friday and Saturday 11am to 10pm
• Sunday 12pm to 9:30pm

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, event listing and/or Ad like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by nearly 40,000 interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

Advertiser Bistro Baffi Italian Fine Dining has been voted the “Best Italian Restaurant in Seattle in 2009″ by the readers of City Search!

That’s great news for us Burienites, as we don’t have to travel far to enjoy what thousands of voters already know….that Burien’s own Bistro Baffi is the best for SEATTLE Italian food. And a special note – there’s nearly 400 Italian Restaurants in the Seattle area…and Bistro Baffi is numero uno!

And the locals love it too. Bistro Baffi has just been awarded “The Best Place to Bring a Date” and “Best Restaurant $10 and Above” by the voters in the “Best of Highline” conducted by the Highline Times (or read our review here, conducted by Gina Bourdage).

These back-to-back honors have been well earned by owners Dinka and Michael Vujovich. From a full bar, to Italian and local wines, to authentic and homemade pastas, fantastic steaks and seafood prepared the Italian way, there’s something to suit every discerning palate at Bistro Baffi.

Don’t forget “Bring Your Own Wine Thursdays,” when, if you bring your own bottle of wine, there’s no corkage fee.

New to Baffi this fall is Chef Francesco Troiano (pictured, left). He’s a third generation chef from Napoli (Naples). He’s also a graduate of Paris’ Culinary Arts in BOTH Italian and French cuisine! He’s created what Chef Michael calls the “perfect marriage of blending sauces” (created by Chef Michael) “and pastas” (created by Chef Michael). Every night they’re preparing Italian specialties like cannelloni, ravioli, agnolotti, lasagna and strozzapreti for their patrons.  The fun thing is that Chef Francesco or Chef Michael will bring these pasta specials and their seafood and meat specials directly to your table for you to see before you make up your mind.

Bistro Baffi is located in what they like to call “a cozy little corner of Burien.” You can find them at 15217 21st Ave SW, behind The Bean espresso stand and across from St. Francis, or online at www.bistrobaffi.com. When you’re online, be sure and sign up for their newsletter to see the weekly specials. Reservations are recommended on weekends at 206-244-0737 or online by clicking here.

BTB congratulates Advertiser Bistro Baffi on their big wins. You can enjoy the #1 Italian cuisine in the Seattle area Monday-Saturday starting at 5pm.

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, event listing and/or Ad like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by nearly 40,000 interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

Burien’s Hi-Liner’s 2009 Annual Fundraiser will be a Halloween Murder Mystery Dinner and Silent Auction on Friday, Oct. 30th from 6pm to 10pm at the Normandy Park Cove.

The Hi-Liners is funded from ticket sales, tuitions and donations from a variety of sources. The average MainStage production costs exceed $75,000, and this annual fundraiser will help offset those costs as well as support area youth.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Hi-Liner’s 2009 Fundraiser Halloween Murder Mystery Dinner & Silent Auction

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 30th from 6pm to 10pm

WHERE: Normandy Park Cove, 1500 SW Shorebrook Drive in Normandy Park

TICKETS: Click HERE to purchase event tickets and raffle tickets.

COST: Adults 18+ – $30 • Children 7-17 – $20

INFO: From their website:

Join us for a thrilling evening of food, fundraising, entertainment, who-done-it’s and more, that children ages 7-100 will enjoy! (Children must be 7 and up and be accompanied by an adult)

Enjoy a buffet dinner catered by long-time favorite, Sal’s Deli. There will be a silent auction, a cash bar and a raffle or two, along with director/acting coach Tony Curry and Events On The Edge as our fabulous entertainment! All proceeds of this event will go towards supporting The Hi-Liners theatrical programming for students and young adults.

MURDER MYSTERY THEME
Reality Bites: A TV/Film producer and director from L.A. are in town auditioning new talent and looking for new ideas for a new reality television show and film work. They heard that The Hi-Liners organization is bursting with talent and they want to find their next star! Director/ acting coach Tony Curry, Kate Moyer, Lynne Randall and other Hi-Liners will be there to audition for the part. After an unfortunate turn of events, they all become suspects in the murder of a private investigator who was investigating their backgrounds before they get signed. More suspects are discovered as the night unfolds, until eventualy, the murder is revealed.

Want to get even closer to the action? Would you like the opportunity to make your loved one a potential suspect in the evening murder mystery? Here’s your chance to snitch on your spouse, rat out your children, and set-up your friends…all for just $5!

Simply purchase a $5 raffle ticket for each individual that you’d like to incriminate and we’ll take care of the rest. Several suspects will be chosen from all of the raffle ticket purchased.

To purchase event tickets and raffle tickets, click HERE.

The Hi-Liners is independent and has received no financial or material support from the Highline School District since 1987.

For more information, visit www.hi-liners.org.

UPDATE 10/21/09: We have added one new business (Bratz, a German cafe) and one re-opening (Skippers) to this story, which we hope will continue to develop…

by Ralph Nichols

It may not be a boom. But even as the recession continues to buffet Highline communities, businesses are discovering – and returning to – Burien.

“We have a trickle of new businesses coming in here,” Burien Economic Development Manager Dick Loman told The B-Town Blog recently. “We’re gradually filling up our vacant (commercial) spaces, and it’s happening in the worst economic climate in decades.

“You’d think it would be very quiet, but it’s not,” he said. “It’s very amazing and we’re very fortunate to have this happening.”

NEW BUSINESSES:

• Grand Central Bakery, with popular stores in Pioneer Square and on Eastlake Avenue in Seattle, has announced plans to expand its business by moving into the vacant retail space at 626 SW 152nd St., next to Sylvan Learning Center.
  

  Bratz, a German food store, should open on 6th SW before the end of November.

• And Redfish Grill, already doing a successful business in Tacoma, is going to open a second dining spot in the building recently occupied by The Keg on SW 148th St. at the entrance to the Safeway shopping center.
• Bratz, a German-style fast food cafe, has its signage in place in a spot on 6th SW, just across the street from Sal’s Deli. We spoke with co-owner Robert Lang, who says that the store should open in “two to four weeks” and foodwise to expect “German beer, the world’s best sausages, schnitzels, red cabbage, pretzels, potato salad and more.” Robert and his brother John are both from Germany, and they have one other location in Seattle’s U-District.

BUSINESS RE-OPENINGS:

• Remaining in Burien, after closing its doors when displaced by the third-runway flight path north of Sea-Tac International Airport, is Filiberto’s Cucina Italiana. This popular Italian restaurant, long a local favorite, is moving downtown and will reopen at 653 SW. 152nd St (next to Key Bank).
• Already back in business with new owners is Wizards Casino at 15739 Ambaum Blvd. SW, next to the Hi-Line Lanes bowling alley. The return of Wizards was especially good news for the city – it’s one of Burien’s 10 largest employers.
• Skipper’s Seafood & Chowder, located at the corner of Ambaum Blvd. and SW 148th, has also re-opened.
• In the meantime, Car Pros of Tacoma continues to indicate it will reopen Burien Nissan at Five Corners as soon as their business plan is finalized and approved.

Why this interest? “It starts with the availability of property … on a reasonable-cost basis,” according to Loman, together with marketing studies that indicate these businesses will do well.

Burien has “a reputation of being friendly and a cool place to be … these are destination-type businesses that draw from a much larger area than just Burien. It’s location, location, location.”

As these businesses locate or relocate in Burien, another is expressing interest in coming here – and being the anchor of the phase two development in Town Square.

• Loman identified the company that wants to develop a 10-screen cinema complex in Town Square as Galaxy Theaters, headquartered in Los Angeles.
• Galaxy Theatres runs 10 different “first-run” movie complexes in four states, including three in Washington – Monroe, Tacoma and Gig Harbor.
• Here’s a blurb from their website:

Galaxy Theatres, LLC is a fully integrated movie theatre company.

Privately owned, it is ranked by size in the top 10% of its industry, according to the National Theatre Association and currently has theatres in California, Nevada, Texas and Washington.

Formed in 1998, its focus is to develop and operate a portfolio of high impact, state-of-the-art movie entertainment theatres in selected markets of the western United States.

Galaxy Theatres’ award winning business philosophy of “More than just a Theatre” incorporates the best in movie entertainment with the Company’s philosophy of active community service.

“Being socially entrepreneurial builds strong bonds and goodwill in the communities we serve”, according to Frank Rimkus, the Company’s CEO.

• Representatives of both Galaxy and Urban Partners, the private developer of Town Square, will appear before the Burien City Council at the Nov. 2 meeting to discuss their proposal.

Sustainable Burien is teaming up with Gregory Conner, owner of the new Eat Local store in Burien (located at 810 SW 151st, next to Bicycles West, near the fire station) for a special (and FREE) “Taste, Tour and Talk” on Monday, Oct. 19th beginning at 5:30pm.

Here are the details:

WHAT: TASTE, TOUR & TALK with Gregory Conner of the new Eat Local store

WHEN: Monday, October 19th starting at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: The new Eat Local store in Burien, located at 810 SW 151st next to Bicycles West

COST: FREE, but please RSVP to Rebecca at rdare2@yahoo.com

INFO: From Sustainable Burien:

Greg will give us a taste of some of the food they prepare, a tour of the store, and a talk about local farms and lessening carbon footprint, etc.

Please RSVP to Rebecca (of Sustainable Burien) at rdare2@yahoo.com so we have an idea of how many people to expect.

A new burger joint may be opening soon in Olde Burien – “B-Town Burgers & Shakes” is apparently taking over the space at 822 SW 152nd Street, next to Goodie Gumdrops, on the corner of Ambaum and SW 152nd where “Flat Majic Books & Gifts” was previously located:

According to their website, they’re slated to open in mid-November:

B-Town Burgers & Shakes
www.btownburgers.com

At B-Town Burgers, we believe fast food should be made from scratch. We start with 100% beef which is never frozen. Every burger is made to order. At B-Town Burgers there are no heat lamps or microwaves. Your french fries are cooked from fresh potatoes and are peeled and diced in the store. At B-Town Burgers we only use the highest quality, freshest ingredients to make the world’s most delicious burgers and fries. B-Town Burger — always fresh, always delicious.

“Delighting Customers with Burgers, Fries and Shakes”

Opening in November 2009

No word yet on whether you’ll be able to get free Tarot Card readings when you order a “Happy Psychic Meal,” but we wonder:

• Could this be another good sign for Burien’s economy?
• Could it also be a good sign for use of the nickname “B-Town”?
• Would you like fries with that?

BTB Advertiser Sidestreet Kitchen & Bar is hosting Burien jazz musician and singer Sandra Locklear, who will be playing piano and singing on every Thursday nights, starting at 7:30pm through the month of September, including this Thurs. night Sept. 17th.

Sidestreet Kitchen & Bar is located at 717 SW 148th Street in Burien (for more info, read our “Blogvertorial” for them here).

Locklear, a Burien resident, is both a musician and a singer, and according to her website:

“Music is a language of the human spirit. I can’t imagine a world without music and love lifting people up through the power of song!” – Sandra

Sidestreet Kitchen & Bar is located at 717 SW 148th.

A FRESH SOUND EMERGES
Seattle-based artist Sandra Locklear is both musician and singer with a natural gift for connecting with her audiences. With intuitive ease and passionate virtuosity, she pairs a rich alto voice with jazz piano stylings refined over many years of playing venues in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Canada and Europe. She effortlessly crosses over from jazz to blues, to folk to country, to pop and to rock with a technical proficiency honed since she took her first piano lesson at age 7. As a composer and performer Sandra sets a fresh standard full of vitality and soul.

EARLY INFLUENCES
Sandra began jazz and classical keyboard training with her lifelong music mentor, Hollywood B-3 jazz organist Margo Beecher. The music of Ellington, Jobim and Bach became standard fare for Sandra’s weekly lessons as her teacher passed on her repertoire. By middle school, Sandra was performing at weddings, fashion shows and church. In high school she won Yamaha’s Young Artists NW Regional Organ competition and went on to compete in California.

Afterward, a year studying jazz organ in San Francisco inspired Sandra to enroll in a college music program back in Washington State. Unable to resist the lure of the road, she soon accepted an offer to tour with a dance quartet. “And that’s when I really started singing. The band leader stuck a microphone in front of my mouth and ordered me to sing!” she recounts.

For more information, visit Sandra’s website here. To listen to some of her music samples, click here.

Sidestreet Kitchen & Bar’s phone number is (206) 504-5428. Visit their website here, and be sure to tell ‘em “the blog sent you!”