The Roving Pizzaioli

When you come to the 8th Annual Poverty Bay Wine Festival, (March 2–4 and the Landmark Event Center), make sure you come with an empty stomach! Not only will they have 25 wineries and two breweries at the festival, they’ll also have eight food merchants who are offering delectable Northwest cuisine and desserts.

New to the festival this year, but certainly not new to pizza fans at the Des Moines Farmers Market, is Roving Pizzaioli. Roving Pizzaioli is a mobile wood fired pizza company based out of Normandy Park. It’s easy to spot the Roving Pizzaioli because of their very distinctive copper wood fire oven, which is set on wheels. Co-owners, Marshall Hansen and Walter Smith, along with their team create all kinds of pies, but their specialty is NY style pizza by the slice. At the festival, they will be on hand all three days making warm yummy cheesy goodness, which (we might add) pairs quite nicely with a glass of wine.

Another new offering at the festival is the Poverty Bay Bistro, which will be operated by Rotarian Vince Koester, owner of Koester Landscape Management. Those who know Vince, know that his true passion is cooking. Vince can make a mean burger and is always on the lookout for the perfect burger! Some of the menu choices at the Poverty Bay Bistro will be grilled chicken cesar salad, poached wild salmon, beef stroganoff, and (of course!) a mean cheeseburger. Proceeds from the restaurant will go to fund the charitable projects of the Rotary Club of Des Moines.

Other food merchants available at the wine festival include:

• Panera Bread
• Salty’s at Redondo
• Scotch & Vine Restaurant and Bar
• Redondo Fred Meyer Deli
• M&T Smoked Products
• Forte Chocolates

For more information about the Poverty Bay Wine Festival or to purchase tickets, please visit www.dmrotary.org.

Under Secretary Concannon and Interim Superintendent Alan Spicciati join Madrona students for a school lunch.

USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon and Regional Administrator Allen Ng visited Madrona Elementary School on Monday (Feb. 6) to recognize four Highline schools for their efforts to promote good nutrition and active lifestyles among students.

Under Secretary Concannon presented plaques to principals from Madrona, Southern Heights, Beverly Park, and White Center Heights elementary schools, as well as to Highline’s Nutrition Services Director, Chris Neal. Under the guidance of Nutrition Services staff, the four schools achieved silver status in the Healthier US School Challenge, championed by First Lady Michelle Obama.

Silver award schools are in the top one percent in the nation for adhering to healthy standards, according to Under Secretary Concannon. No other schools in Washington achieved the silver designation.

To win the award, the schools provide healthier foods in their school meals; educate students about nutrition; ensure that students get at least 90 minutes of PE per week; and give students opportunities for physical activity.

Madrona, Southern Heights, White Center Heights, and Beverly Park are already using the new healthier school meal standards issued by the USDA last week.

“You are at the head of the pack for adopting the new standards,” said Concannon. “We know that children learn better when they have a regular source of healthy meals. And as we look at some of the challenges facing our country with obesity and preventable illnesses, to the extent that we can instill, support, and reinforce healthier eating we will have healthier adults later in life.”

For more information about the Healthier US School Challenge, go to http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/healthierus/index.html.

USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon with Highline Nutrition Services Director Chris Neal.

L-R Megan DeVries (Nutrition Services Manager), Leslie Perry (Beverly Park Interim Principal), Deborah Holcomb (Southern Heights Principal), Dave Darling (White Center Heights Principal), Daniel Yarbrough (Madrona Principal), Chris Neal (Nutrition Services Director), Alan Spicciati (Interim Superintendent)

Luso will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with a special Portuguese wine and beer tasting with Latin dancing, Maria Luisa Empanadas, appetizers and more from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10th. Cover charge is just $8 so be sure to mark your calendars for this event:

Fatima Eremita Hemmons

As we do with all our Advertisers, we’re giving Luso a forum to describe their business:

The owner, Fatima Eremita Hemmons (Tina) was born in Goa, the most beautiful former Portuguese Colony on the SW coast of India. She spent many years in England and has been living and raising her family in the United States of America since 1980. Hence, most of the amazing food and wine comes from Portugal, Goa and England. Luso, is a Beer and Wine Specialty Shop. Luso is a retail store. Fatima has wine tasting from 12 to 2pm and 5-7pm and lunch from 11-7pm which includes coxinhas (Brazilian croquettes), empadas (Portuguese) and Maria Luisa Empanadas from Argentina and salad. Let Tina make you a salad with her special olive oil that so pleases the palate. Even better, just come and meet Tina, she’s as warm and inviting as her tasty treats. She also carries bread from Grand Central Bakery and Ice Cream from Full Tilt.

Fatima, as a Certified Health and Wellness Coach, provides informational knowledge to help individuals make necessary lifestyle changes. Using the eight natural laws of health, the body is able to regain a healthy balance and heal itself. Hence, the Health and Wellness Center located at Luso Food And Wine offers various classes to boost motivation, improve cardio and bring in cheer. They offer health and wellness coaching and hydrotherapy by appointment. They also offer other exercise classes as follows:

• Zumba: Features easy to follow routines of interval training to tone and sculpt your body while burning hundreds of calories. Tues and Thursday from 7 to 8 pm
• Belly Dance: Core conditioning focuses on strengthening one’s core through isolation movements. This class gives you a full body workout targeting the abs, thighs, calves, gluts arms and shoulders. Sunday from 2 to 3 pm.
• Salsa: 1 hour of footwork and fun with authentic Cali Style Salsa. No partner necessary!! Come alone with a group of friends or with your partner. Beginners 3pm to 4pm and advance from 4 – 5 pm.
• Samba: features a very prominent teacher, Dora, from Brazil. Samba is a Brazilian dance and a musical genre originating in Bahia. If you can only imagine the hip work and cheerful atmosphere! This class will start on February 23rd @ 6pm.
• Cooking Classes: Start in March to learn about spices and their health properties. This class is for bring together families and communities.

To make it special for the family, friends and supporters of Luso, Tina has invited Alma Y Azucar to create a special Valentine’s Day Performance on February 10th from 7 to 10 pm. Music, dancing, food and wine, who could ask for more! Cover Charge $8.00. Appetizers included.

Check us out on Facebook @ Luso Seattleand like us!

There's plenty of room to dance at Luso!

Luso Food and Wine is located at:

9988 15th Ave SW, Suite C
Seattle, WA. 98146

A cool new spot in White Center, offering Portuguese Wines and Beer and specialty teas and spices from India.

Store Hours:

• Tues – Sat 11- 7pm
• Sunday Noon to 6pm

Here are some videos featuring belly dance instructor Sofia-Fahd:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

We’d like to welcome back Advertiser 909 Coffee and Wine

909 is a popular neighborhood gathering place in Olde Burien with great coffee, fresh-baked pastries, excellent meals, fine wines and a cozy atmosphere. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, and even have live music on Saturdays.

Coming up Valentine’s Day (Tuesday, Feb. 14) at 909 is a 4-course Prix Fixe Dinner with two seatings: 5-5:30pm and 7:30pm-8pm (view the menu here), priced at just $55 per person (sorry, the $5 off coupon is not eligible for this event) – talk about a great, romantic and local way to celebrate your love!

One other reason to frequent this great, locally-grown establishment is this – an exclusive B-Town Blog $5 Off Coupon! (limit one per table, after 5 p.m. only and Happy Hour excluded):

Click image to Print Coupon.

Proprietor Frank Ricci also wants our Readers to know that they’re now renting out 913 Spirits for private parties – just call (206) 243-7909 and ask for Frank.

If you haven’t been in to 913 Spirits yet, here’s what to expect:

Small but quaint, this bar has it all! The place next door offers our wide variety of wines by the glass, specialty beers from the northwest and beyond and our handmade signature cocktails. We also offer the delicious 909 dinner menu, so you can enjoy the whole evening at the 913 Bar.

Adjacent to the bar is our spacious, heated courtyard situated between the 909 and 913. Equipped with heaters and a fountain, it’s the perfect place to hang out year round.

When you step inside the 909 you’re almost always greeted by one of their friendly staff, who either seat you at one of their sturdy wood tables, overstuffed leather chairs near a fireplace, outside on the deck (pending weather) or offers you something to go. If you only have time for a quick glass of wine, or are waiting for your table, you’ll find their granite-topped bar area very comfortable.

Here’s more from 909′s website:

909 Coffee & Wine opened its doors in May 2007, the 3rd restaurant operated by the Ricci Family. The Riccis brings over 50 years of restaurant experience to our latest venture. As Angelo’s Restaurants have become Burien and Bellevue institutions where generations of families come together, so is our hope for 909.

909 is a warm and cozy neighborhood gathering place. If you don’t know anyone when you walk in, you’ll certainly have made a new acquaintance by the time you leave. We don’t have a television or offer Wi-Fi because we want 909 to be a place where our guests come together to share, not only food and drink, but themselves.

The 909 family is passionate about what we do and offer. That passion is why we take pride in serving locally roasted Caffé Umbria coffee, bread from Macrina bakery and gelato from Gelatiamo. We make all of our pastries and desserts in house. Our soups and salad dressings are all made from scratch. And we change our menu seasonally to take advantage of the freshest ingredients available.

We want our guests to be able to try a variety of dishes when they come in, so we offer numerous “small” plates as well as larger “entrees.” Our wine selection changes frequently, and we always have 20-30 glass pours, with several tasting flights available. We offer 8 beers on tap, with a focus on local and micro-brewed beer.

We believe that our guests deserve the best food and service we can provide. We want 909 to be more than just a place to satisfy your hunger – we want 909 to be a place to satisfy your soul.

Reserve the 909 for your special event!

For your next event or get together, have it catered by the 909 or better yet, have it at the bistro! Sundays can be reserved and catered for up to 50-60 people. To get more info, just give us a call or email.

To view our catering menu, click here.

Here’s a video review:

909 SW 152nd Street

Burien, WA 98166
(206) 243-7909
909coffeeandwine.com

913 Spirits is located at (you guessed it…) 913 SW 152nd in Olde Burien.

Their hours are:

Mon-Thu: 8a-10p
Fri-Sat: 8a-Midnight
Closed Sundays

The Community Center is located at 14700 6th Ave SW, in the building that formerly housed the library.

Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer was on hand to take the following pics during the lunch session; be sure to check back later for scenes from the dinner from Michael Brunk (click images below to see larger versions or to start slideshow):

REMINDER: If you ‘Dine for Highline’ at any participating Burien restaurant TODAY (Thursday, Jan. 26th), a portion of your check will be donated to the Highline Medical Center Foundation.

It’s a great reason to dine out locally AND help a great cause at the same time.

This is the third year for this fundraiser.

The Highline Medical Center is a not for profit, non-tax revenue supported hospital.

Each restaurant is asked to donate 10% of the Dine for Highline proceeds made today.

Here are the participating restaurants:

• 909 Coffee & Wine
• 913 Spirits
• Angelo’s of Burien
• Burien Press
• CC’s Lounge
• La Costa Mexican Restaurant
• Mark Restaurant & Bar
• Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub
• Tin Room Bar & Theater

The folks at Highline add:

“Thank you to the above participating restaurants and to you for supporting excellent health care in our communities.”

REMINDER: B-Town’s annual ‘Empty Bowls’ fundraiser event for the Highline Area and White Center Food Banks is TOMORROW – Friday, Jan. 27th – with lunch being served from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., and dinner from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

This great event will be held at the Burien Community Center, located 14700 6th Ave SW.

Your 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. Sponsored by Burien Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services and Discover Burien.

Suggested donations are:

• $15 (minimum) Adult Donation
• $10 (minimum) Child Donation

Empty Bowls events can be found around the country raising money to combat hunger in our communities. Moshier Art Center Potters have donated bowls to be filled with soup at this fun event…and all are invited!

Also please note that there will also be food barrels available if you’d like to bring a canned/non-perishable food donation for the food banks.

And be sure to smile for us, as BTB’s own Michael Brunk and Scott Schaefer will be on hand taking photos!

For more information, email Gina Kallman at ginak@burienwa.gov or call (206) 391-6605.

To see our previous coverage of past Empty Bowls, including great photos, click here.

See you tomorrow!

‘Dine for Highline’ at any participating Burien restaurant (see list below) on Thursday, Jan. 26th, and a portion of your check will be donated to the Highline Medical Center Foundation.

It’s a great reason to dine out locally AND help a great cause at the same time.

Here are the current participating restaurants:

• 909 Coffee & Wine
• 913 Spirits
• Angelo’s of Burien
• Burien Press
• CC’s Lounge
• La Costa Mexican Restaurant
• Mark Restaurant & Bar
• Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub
• Tin Room Bar & Theater

The folks at Highline add:

“Thank you to the above participating restaurants and to you for supporting excellent health care in our communities.”

BTB Advertiser and Friends of the Blog The Tin Theater’s FREE monthly Wine Tasting Event will be this Thursday, Jan. 19, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Wine Tastings are a regular feature at the Tin Theater, and are held the third Thursday of every month.

The Tin Theater is located at 923 SW 152nd Street, just west of the Tin Room Bar.

Here’s what will be uncorked:

GRUET BRUT NV
Made in New Mexico the wine is crisp and full-bodied, which has developed rich complexity and a fine mousse. The allure of toasty finish from 24 months on triage is a compliment the sophisticated green apple and citrus like fruit flavors. A truly fine value, and yes, it is from New Mexico. $14

CHARLES SMITH VINO PINOT GRIGIO 2010
100% Pinot Grigio from the Evergreen vineyard. The wine is fermented and aged in 100% stainless steel. This wine shimmers, glistening pale straw nectar. Terroir driven. Think mineral and stone. Bosc pear , Washington apple, orange zest and honeysuckle.

An excellent northwest take on an Italian classic. $10

CHARLES AND CHARLES 2010 RED BLEND
This wine is a collaboration between Charles Smith of K Vintners and Charles Bieler of Three Thieves. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Syrah, the wine is dark, almost black,with a brooding nose of blackberry, cranberry, tobacco and sweet oak.

The fruit carries through the palate where you find great texture, soft tannins and a long finish.

The Cabernet was raised in French oak while the Syrah was fermented and aged in stainless steel. $9

CHARLES SMITH 2009 CHATEAU SMITH CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Made from 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot and 6% Syrah. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in French oak before bottling. Savory and supple. Flavors of cassis, dark berries and pipe tobacco coat the palate for a long and satisfying finish. $16

ALLEGRINI PALAZZO DELLA TORRE 2008
From the Veneto region of Italy this wine is a blend of 70% Corvina, 25% Rondinella and 5% Sangiovese. A smooth, full-bodied cru made in an innovative ripasso style.

After harvest the grapes from the Palazzo Della Torre vineyard follow 2 different paths:

70% of the grapes are vinified immediately and the remaining 30% are left to dry until the end of December. Then the fresh wine made at harvest is blended with the fermenting juice

from the dried grapes initiating a second fermentation and rendering a more highly concentrated and complex wine.The winery affectionately refers to the wine as “baby Amarone.”

Deep ruby in color, brimming with notes of dark, dried cherries, blackberries and hints of

Dates and mocha. $19

SEE YOU THIS THURSDAY!

The B-Town Blog would like to proudly welcome back Advertiser Emerald Cove Catering Company!

Emerald Cove Catering Company has been creating memorable events using the finest, freshest ingredients in the Seattle area since 1999. They moved to their location in Normandy Park in the spring of 2007.

Emerald Cove offers Corporate, Wedding and other Special Event Catering.

Owner and Executive Chef Freddie Detore II says:

“Our service and food speaks for itself and I truly believe that people can see the love and passion we put into our work.”

Fred found his passion for cooking in the family kitchen, perfecting Italian and other cuisines. In his early teens, Fred began working in the restaurant industry and later graduated from the Western Culinary Institute at the top of his class.

He is complimented by an extensive team of catering professionals who are looking forward to taking care of your needs in any and all areas of party planning and execution.

No event is too big or too small for their culinary expertise!

Emerald Cove Catering Company
17825 First Avenue South
Normandy Park, WA 98148

Phone: 206-431-COVE (2683)
Fax: 206-246-5495

Email: info@emeraldcovecatering.com
Web: www.emeraldcovecatering.com