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Super Bowl viewing parties in downtown Bellevue

January 31, 2012

520 Bar and Grill
Tired of the same old halftime shows year after year? If you head to 520 Bar and Grill in Old Bellevue you can catch the game and witness a one-of-a-kind show! 520 will award a $520 1st prize in this Sunday’s “Madonna Look-A-Like Contest” during Super Bowl halftime! 520 Bar and Grill will also offer game day specials including the “Largest Nachos on the Eastside,” “Wings To-Die-For”, $5 Touchdowns, $4 Stella “Big Gulps” and the new Bud Lite Platinum. Arrive early, have fun, root for your favorite team and vote for your favorite Madonna!

Lot No. 3
Join Lot No. 3 for the Super Bowl this Sunday! They will be showing the big game on a giant projection screen. Special menu items include Chili-Cheese Nachos, Spicy Chicken Wings, Spice-Rubbed Spare Ribs, and two kinds of Potato Skins! Drink features include $2.50 Rainier tall boys and $1 off all draft beer and well drinks. Lot No. 3′s famous Brunch Menu runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the special Super Bowl Menu will be available from 2 p.m. to close. Reservations are encouraged! Click here to make a reservation.

Rock Bottom Brewery
Football is standard affair at Rock Bottom Bellevue! Offering NFL Sunday Ticket, brunch beginning at 9 a.m., happy hour from 3:00-6:00 p.m. and happy hour beer prices throughout the entire game. Both bars will be open featuring a 120” HD projector screen and a 90” TV wall.

Tap House Grill
The Tap House Grill will be offering happy hour all game long for the Super Bowl this Sunday.

The Spot Off Main
Enjoy happy hour prices on food and drink during the Super Bowl at The Spot Off Main! Also pick up a Bud Light Super Bowl commemorative glasses for just $4.25—you keep the glass—and refill it throughout the day for just $2.50. The first 100 people attending will be entered to win a trip to Hawaii and other exciting prizes.

Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill
No need to battle football fans in line at the grocery store —Z’Tejas in Bellevue is offering 20 percent off all to-go orders on Sunday, February 5th for delicious, ready prepared snacks and meals. With options like Chile Pork Verde with tender pork simmered in tomatillos, Anaheim and serrano peppers, with melted Jack and cotija cheese, or the Tejas Trio with fresh chips, hand-hacked guacamole, chorizo chile con queso and salsa picante, its a deal you won’t want to pass up. Present this coupon to receive the discount. Call (425) 467-5911 to place an order.

John Howie Steak happenings

January 27, 2012


Chef John Howie is keeping busy this month. From launching a new Sunday Supper menu to the Great Steak Giveway promotion, we could have a reason to stop in and eat some delicious steak almost every night. To keep track of it all, we’ve compiled all of the John Howie Steak happenigs for you below.

Sunday Suppers
Sunday evening is a time to gather as a family at the table, enjoy a long leisurely meal and catch up. Why not skip the cooking prep and let Chef Howie’s team do the work for you? The Sunday Supper menu serves four and is certain to please all members of the family. For a total price of $138-$180 (depending on entree selection), each guest has their choice of soup or salad. The table then chooses a shared steak dinner entree, two sides and two desserts. View the Sunday Supper menu here.

Evening Land Vineyards Wine Dinner with Master Sommelier Larry Stone
When former film producer Mark Tarlov established Evening Land Vineyards, he assembled a team of Burgundy fanatics, including two superstars: famed winemaker Dominique Lafon and James Beard award winning master sommelier and former GM of Rubicon Estate, Larry Stone. What was to be a hobby soon became his second career. Evening Land’s distinctive Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, based on estate vineyards on the Sonoma Coast, Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills and Burgundy, have placed the winery on Wine & Spirits 2011 “Top 100 Wineries of the Year”, garnered raves from Wine Spectator’s Harvey Steiman and scores in the mid to high 90’s.

On Tuesday, February 7th at 6:30 p.m., twenty-four lucky guests will get red carpet treatment at John Howie Steak’s exclusive Evening Land Wine Dinner. Chef John Howie and Chef Mark Hipkiss have designed a sumptuous six-course dinner alongside these incredible wines. View the full menu here. Cost is $150 per person (does not include tax & gratuity). Space is limited. Reservation can be made by calling (425) 440-0878.

The Great Steak Giveaway
The Great Steak Giveaway provides diners with weekly opportunities to win thousands of dollars in prizes!

Dine at John Howie Steak anytime through April 17 and you will be entered into a weekly drawing to win a gift card for the value of your meal (three drawings per week: one lunch – up to $200, one lounge – up to $250, and one dinner – up to $400).

Just for dining you’ll also be entered into the final drawing to win a trip to New Orleans with Chef John Howie for the 2013 Taste of the NFL or a $5,000 gift card to John Howie Steak!

And be sure to visit John Howie Steak’s Facebook page to recieve bonus contest entries. All you have to do is “Like” the page, or if you already do, post a picture of yourself at John Howie Steak on the wall to receive up to two additional entries weekly.

Help re-stock Hopelink’s food bank at Tap House Grill

January 17, 2012

Eat out and donate to a local cause in need. Now through February 15 Tap House Grill will be a collection site for canned food and other non-perishable food items to benefit Hopelink.

Hopelink has served homeless and low income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities since 1971 with a mission of promoting self-sufficiency for all members of our community.

Both the downtown Bellevue and downtown Seattle Tap House locations will have a marked box at the entrance of the restaurant where people can deposit a food donation.

Tap House Grill owner, Paul Reder said, “ After the holiday season is the perfect time to help charities like Hopelink, when their food supply is low and needs replenishing, and all of us at Tap House Grill are happy to help out such a great organization.”

Doing New Years in true downtown Bellevue style

December 30, 2011

It’s that time of year again. Break out the party poppers and champagne, pin up a brand new calendar and maybe a list of resolutions—it’s New Years! Luckily for Eastsiders, downtown Bellevue is a New Years party hot spot. The following is a list of downtown restaurants and entertainment venues gaurenteed to help you ring in 2012 right.

Pearl Bar and Dining
Pearl Bar and Dining is well established as one of the best dining options on the Eastside, so it comes as no surprise that they will be hosting a fabulous New Year’s Eve celebration! Join Pearl on December 31 for a gourmet three-course dinner followed by a nightclub style party and a champagne toast to ring in 2012. Pearl’s New Year’s Eve Ball will include multiple bars, a DJ and even party favors. Tickets are $30 per person through Brown Paper Tickets or $40 at the door. Valet parking is provided free by The Westin Bellevue. Come celebrate a gem of a year at Bellevue’s own restaurant jewel, Pearl!

Pogacha
Early birds rejoice because Pogacha is celebrating all day long on December 31! Starting at 11 a.m. on New Year’s Eve day Pogacha Bellevue will be serving its breakfast and lunch menu until 3 p.m. Starting at 5 p.m. Pogacha will feature a special New Year’s Eve menu in addition to a host of new winter specials like Hawaiian blue prawns and a variety of featured wines including Ross Andrew’s Boushey Syrah and Soos Creek Sundance Red.

Purple Café and Wine Bar and Lot No. 3
If you didn’t get your fill of New Year’s Eve festivities, Purple and Lot No. 3 have the perfect solution—New Year’s Day brunch. On January 1 both restaurants will be serving a New Year’s brunch to welcome in 2012. Items include hearty morning favorites like seasonal omelets at Purple and bagel sandwiches and waffles at Lot No.3. So put off cleaning up your New Year’s Eve party mess, just for a bit, and enjoy a New Years day brunch! Purple Café will also be open for New Year’s Even festivities. In addition to the full menu, Purple will feature unique food and drink specials.

The Melting Pot
New Year’s Eve is all about fun and the celebration of another successful year gone by—and nothing says fun like fondue! Join the Melting Pot this New Year’s Eve for a special four-course New Year’s dinner complete with featured seasonal wines and cocktails. Dinner is $75 per person and guests who book reservations between 3 and 5 p.m. will receive $100 in Melting Pot gift certificates for a delicious 2012! End the night with The Melting Pot’s signature chocolate fondue and get a sweet start to the New Year.

Wild Ginger
Creative cocktails and delectable dining are the name of the game this New Year at Wild Ginger! On December 31 Wild Ginger’s menu will include a vast array of creative cocktails, as well as a decadent dinner menu available all night. Diners can look forward to Wild Ginger’s Asian fusion favorites such as Thai chili beef, green curry chicken, squash and sweet potato stew as well as a satay bar. Wild Ginger will also serve a host of delicious cocktails like the cracked coconut martini, lychee cooler, vanilla passion sidecar and mango mojito. With options like that, who needs champagne?

Z’ Tejas Southwestern Grill
Can’t wait until the 31st to star your New Year’s celebration? You’re in luck. Z’ Tejas at the Bellevue Collection is starting their New Year’s festivities early too. December 30 through January 1 Z’Tejas will be serving a special New Year’s menu. Featured items will include an ahi ceviche with seasoned tostados, Southwestern chicken achiote and a molten chocolate cake for dessert. A trip to Z’ Tejas can be a delicious precursor to your New Year’s Eve!

Not everyone’s New Year’s Eve celebrations center around a meal out. For party-goers that prefer their night out with a little more action, downtown Bellevue has plenty of exciting options.

Munchbar will be hosting an angels and demons costume party on New Year’s Eve complete with guest DJ, celebrity host, champagne and of course prizes awarded to those with the best costumes. If you’re interested in something a bit more formal, consider New Year’s Eve at Piano Bash. Piano Bash will be holding a black and white themed attire party on New Year’s Eve featuring a prefix dinner, champagne toast and live jazz band.

Down the street in Old Bellevue The Spot Off Main will be hosting a New Year’s Eve party of its own. Don’t have a New Year’s Eve date? Play their “Match Ups” game and leave a message for that certain someone you’d like to stand by when the clock strikes twelve. The pinnacle of the night will be a champagne toast at midnight and a drawing for a trip to Hawaii! Doors open at a 8 p.m. and happy hour prices will be offered all night long.

520 Bar and Grill is known among locals for hosting festive holiday parties and New Years is no different. 520 will open at 8 p.m. on December 31 for a pre-funk and DJ and dancing begin at 9 p.m. Celebrate with your close friends at 520 all night!

For those with athletic flair, head to Lucky Strike Lanes! They don’t call it “the ultimate playground for adults” for nothing. In addition to a bowling, Lucky Strike features an arcade, billiards room, dance lounge and bar, making it a great choice for your New Year’s Eve venue. Lucky Strike’s New Year’s celebration will also include an appearance from UFC Octagon Girl and Brittney Palmer.

However you like to welcome in the New Year, downtown Bellevue has all the venues to make it happen. Here’s to 2012!

Give the gift of good eats and holiday treats

December 16, 2011

Shopping for friends and family is one of the most enjoyable parts of the holidays. However thinking up gift ideas that are both creative and personal can sometimes be a chore. Don’t fall into the shopping rut of neckties and mittens this year—below is a list of easy gift ideas from downtown Bellevue restaurateurs that will add that personal touch!

Does your friend, co-worker or family member have that one special restaurant they rave about? If so, you may want to consider purchasing them a gift card to their favorite dining spot. Some of downtown Bellevue’s best eateries are offering up gift cards for holiday gift giving this year including Red Robin, Blue C Sushi, Flo Japanese Restaurant, Palomino, Wild Ginger, Pearl Bar and Dining and Z’Tejas. And several feature bonuses for the gift giver too! For instance Blue C Sushi offers $10 off the price of every $50 gift card purchased and Z’Tejas offers a $5 bonus gift card for every $25 in gift card purchases.

If you need gift cards in bulk, Vovito Caffe and Gelato features a “buy five get one free” deal; a great option for office gifts as well as stocking stuffers! Gift cards are perfect for anyone on your list that lives or works in downtown Bellevue.

John Howie, owner of John Howie Steak and Seastar Restaurant and Raw Bar has a creative solution for the foodies in your life. In addition to gift cards at both of his fantastic restaurants, Howie will be selling his famous seasoning rubs and specialty salts; an ideal gift for the chef in the family or just fans of John Howie’s restaurants. In addition, Howie will be offering both small and large cedar roasting planks; a great gift for the family gourmet who thinks they have everything. Another idea is John Howie’s new book Passion and Palatea collection of Howie’s own stories and recipes.

For those on your list with a sweet tooth, swing by Specialty’s Café and Bakery and pick up a box of their cookie mix. Specialty’s is famous for delicious, gourmet cookies and they make a great gift for kids or as an enticing snack to set out at a holiday gathering. Mixes are just $12 each and come in three delicious verities; white chocolate, milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate. Mixes are available both online and in Specialty’s locations.

Specialty’s isn’t the only place with holiday treat offerings. In addition to retail wines, gift cards and holiday catering platters, Purple Café and Wine Bar offers boxes of sea salt caramels. These delicious confections strike the ideal balance between sweet and salty, making them a great accompaniment to your holiday party appetizers.

And not to be outdone, Trophy Cupcakes is offering a variety of new, seasonal cupcakes inspired by holiday flavors. Stop by any of their three locations to sample the chocolate candy cane, gingerbread, bourbon eggnog and candied yam cupcakes. Buy a few to try or a dozen for your next party or get together.

Gifts are only one aspect of your holiday giving. If you’re stressing over what to bring to the holiday office party, look no further than Tap House Grill. Through the holidays Tap House club members are eligible to receive a free Tap House Growler just by swiping their member card. Growlers can be filled with any of  Tap House’s 160 varieties of beer. Growlers are great for sharing with friends, family and co-workers and make a unique gift for the host of the party.

The holidays are meant to be a time of relaxing with family and friends but as we all know, it is easy to get caught up in the obligations this time of year brings. Sometimes a good laugh can provide the perfect cure for all that seasonal stress. Luckily for frazzled holiday shoppers The Parlor Collection has a fresh new December lineup of comedy acts. And in addition to top notch comedy shows, The Parlor Collection offers weekly events like Roadhouse Wednesdays, Karaoke on Thursdays and a daily happy hour. For a full list of Parlor Collection events check out their events calendar here.

If comedy isn’t your thing, The Spot Off Main offers a more down-home line up of events with activities such as beer pong on Thursday and a poker tournament every Tuesday. Come relax and watch the game after a hectic day at the mall or just stop by for a night out with a few good friends.

Downtown Bellevue also has a variety of dining options available the 24th and 25th of December. Bellevue’s own Palomino will be open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on December 24 and from noon to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day. Its special menu will include Puget Sound clams, roasted prime rib, rotisserie pork loin, warm pear bread pudding and an extensive menu of specialty wines.

Joining the lineup of restaurants open on Christmas are Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, making for a truly A-list holiday dinner lineup!