Fantastic music, food & drinks at the Bellevue Jazz Festival

June 2, 2011

The Bellevue Jazz Festival returns for a fourth year with yet another spectacular lineup. Wednesday June 1 through Sunday June 5 downtown will play host to top international and regional jazz artists who will perform in bars, restaurants, hotels and cultural spaces around town. Each night of the festival features a ticketed show at The Theatre at Meydenbauer Center with renowned artists such as Charles Lloyd, Zakir Hussain, Regina Carter, Chris Potter, Tierney Sutton, Michael Formanek and Luis Perdomo. Also scheduled to perform is the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, which will feature an opening performance by the festival’s Rising Stars―standout jazz students from the local area.

Throughout the week festival-goers can also catch over 45 free jazz concerts at some of the hottest venues in downtown Bellevue. These include favorites such as Grand Cru Mixologie Lounge, El Gaucho, John Howie Steak, Wild Ginger, Twisted Cork, LOT No. 3, Cypress Lounge and Wine Bar, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Rock Bottom Brewery, and even a jazz brunch at Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill. View the full schedule of free shows at bellevuejazz.com. 

The Bravern’s John Howie Steak will host five of these free shows and in tribute to the Bellevue Jazz Festival, has developed a special June happy hour cocktail―the Benny Goodman Southside Swing. Benny Goodman, known as the “King of Swing”, hailed from Chicago where the original cocktail, the “Southside”, originated. It was created during the prohibition era and became popular in the underground bars and jazz clubs of Chicago’s Southside neighborhood. John Howie Steak’s version of this classic drink is made with Voyager gin, made locally in Woodinville, Cointreau, orange juice, mint, fresh orange and a splash of Peychaud’s Bitters.

Don’t miss out on the chance to experience some outstanding jazz music along with delicious food and drinks at these favorite downtown Bellevue restaurants during the the Bellevue Jazz Festival. For more information about the festival, the free show schedule and to purchase tickets. visit bellevuejazz.com.

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Monsoon East serves up fabulous wine deals and fresh menu selections

August 17, 2010

Searching for a new dining experience or a well-priced bottle of wine? With great lunch and brunch menus, indulgent crab dinners and a wonderful wine promotion, Monsoon East has something for every day of the week! Recently named “Best of the Eastside Dining Explosion” in Seattle Magazine’s Best of 2010, Monsoon East specializes in the mixture of traditional and modern flavors to satisfy all different tastes. Here is a look at a few of the enticing offerings at Monsoon East:

Fresh Crab Feast: Every Sunday and Monday Night from 5:00–10:00 p.m. enjoy an amazing crab dinner featuring two-pounds of wok-sautéed Dungeness Saigon Pepper Crab, accompanied by a mango and papaya salad for only $28. Add your choice of any bottle on the wine list at 30% off!

Scrumptious Lunch Selections: Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Monsoon East features an exquisite lunch menu, with usual favorites such as vermicelli bowls and oxtail pho along with some fresh new additions. Enjoy 30% off any bottle of wine on your lunch hour. But that’s not all—they also offer a lunch box delivery service!

Weekend Brunch with a Twist: Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. stop by for some wonderful brunch selections, made up of many American favorites and Vietnamese inspired dishes.

For more information or to make a reservation visit monsoonrestaurants.com or call (425) 635-1112.

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Order a cocktail and give back!

June 17, 2010

John Howie Steak features new Mt. Rainier Huckleberry Sour

John Howie Steak found a new and unique way to serve both customers and the community of Bellevue this month. Drop in and order this month’s featured Happy Hour cocktail, the Mt. Rainier Huckleberry Sour. Made with Finlandia Berry Vodka, fresh lemon, simple syrup and a huckleberry sugared rim, this can’t miss cocktail is sweet, sour and perfectly pink!  It is being offered for $6 with $1 being donated to the Overlake Service League for each one sold.

The Overlake Service League is a local non-profit that is looking to promote stability, self-sufficiency, and independence for those in need in the Bellevue community.  With each purchase of the featured Happy Hour cocktail, you will be helping to feed, shelter, and educate those who are most in need here in our community. This special will be running  June 1 – June 30, so get to Happy Hour at John Howie Steak and order the Mt. Rainier Huckleberry Sour, a local cocktail that benefits the local community.

Happy Hour at John Howie Steak is 3:00-6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and 3:00-9:00 p.m. on Sundays in the Piano Bar. Late Night Happy Hour from 9:00-11:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9:00 p.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday nights.

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New lunch and happy hour offerings at El Gaucho

June 15, 2010

With the first day of summer just around the corner, El Gaucho is celebrating its second summer in Downtown Bellevue with new and expanded lunch and happy hour menus.  The updated menus offer diversity and a lighter fare, broadening the options for salads, sandwiches, and vegetarian entrees.  El Gaucho also showcases an amazing selection of Certified Angus Beef® Prime steaks and the freshest Northwest seafood with private dining rooms for luncheon groups of 8-50. Don’t worry, longstanding favorites—such as the El Gaucho Grilled Medallions of Tenderloin Sandwich, Ahi Tuna Salad and Mac and Coastal Cheddar—remain.  These will be joined by soon-to-be new favorites including:

Portobello Burger—balsamic-marinated grilled portobello, tomato, onion, garlic truffle aioli on a focaccia bun ($12)

Rock Shrimp & Goat Cheese Flatbread—red pepper pesto and spinach ($12)

Northwest Garden Flatbread – organic tomato sauce, roasted artichoke hearts, mushrooms, fontina, herb salad ($10)

Tandoori Chicken Salad—curried yogurt chicken, mango, coconut, slivered almonds, with coriander-lime vinaigrette ($16)

Grilled Prawns – scampi butter, seasonal vegetable ($18)

The happy hour menu will also be expanded to include more sharable plates: 

Prosciutto Wrapped Prawns — chipotle honey butter ($2 each)

Warm Artichoke Relish—with garlic crostini ($4)

Steamed Spring Asparagus—with prosciutto truffle butter ($4)

Sweet & Spicy Habañero Shrimp – with lotus chips ($4)

Fried Chick Peas, Spinach & Chorizo – with fresh herbs ($4)

El Gaucho’s happy hour is offered from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to close. They also offer a “Brokers Happy Hour” from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  In addition to the featuring food items there are also wine, beer and cocktail specials.  Check out Bellevue Local Table’s complete happy hour listings here.

A quick note from El Gaucho Bellevue - We thank our loyal patrons and the Bellevue Downtown Association for your support since opening in November 2008. The team is honored to have won the recent Haute Picks contest in the Best Power Lunch category, and greatly appreciates your votes.

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Jazz set to take over the heart of Bellevue

May 27, 2010

The jazzy sounds of horns, pianos, guitars, percussion, and vocals are in the air! Downtown Bellevue is center stage for the Bellevue Jazz Festival, Thursday, June 3 – Sunday, June 6. This entertaining 4-day event offers a collection of live concerts featuring a premier bill of jazz icons, regional artists and top student musicians. Festival-goers can see headliner shows at the 410-seat Theatre at Meydenbauer Center and experience an elite array of regional jazz talent at more than 30 free concerts in downtown restaurants, hotels and cultural spaces. Venues such as Grand Cru Wine Bar & Shop, El Gaucho, Wild Ginger, 520 Bar & Grill, Cypress Lounge and Wine Bar, Rock Bottom, Ruth’s Chris, and Z’Tejas will host these free jazz performances throughout the weekend. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience some great music along with excellent food and cocktails at these Downtown Bellevue hot spots! Here is a look at the full event schedule:

Thursday, June 03

Friday, June 04

Saturday, June 05

Sunday, June 06

To purchase tickets or for additional information at the Bellevue Jazz Festival, visit bellevuejazz.com.

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