Hop to downtown Bellevue for Easter festivities

April 3, 2012

Spring has finally sprung in the Pacific Northwest which means Easter is fast approaching. Downtown Bellevue restaurants are pulling out the stops to make your celebration fun, memorable and hassle-free. Read on for Easter dining the entire family will enjoy!

520 Bar and Grill
Old Bellevue’s beloved bar and grill will open promptly at 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 8 for Easter brunch. Be sure to make reservations soon as space will fill up quickly for this popular breakfast spot. Best of all, 520 offers the added bonus of garden patio seating if the sun is shinning. View 520 Bar and Grill’s full weekend brunch menu here. Reservations: (425) 450-0520

Daniel’s Broiler
Celebrate Easter in the clouds 21 floors up! Daniel’s Broiler at Bellevue Place will be serving Easter brunch and dinner all day on Sunday, April 8. View the special Easter Brunch menu here. Reservations: (425) 462-4662

Lunchbox Laboratory
Does a quarter-pound American Kobe style beef burger smothered in savory sauces sound like the perfect Easter treat? Then head over to downtown Bellevue’s newest and hippest burger joint, Lunchbox Laboratory. They will be offering an “Easter Egg Hunt” where the only place to find your egg is in one of their decadent hand-dipped milkshakes. Find an egg and win a $100 dining gift card to LBL! Three winners possible. Reservations: (425) 505-2676

McCormick & Schmick’s
Join McCormick & Schmick’s for Easter brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 8. The dinner menu will also be available all day long. Brunch entrées start at just $14.95 with choices like Baked French Toast, Crab Cake Benedict and Grill Salmon O’Brien. A children’s brunch menu (for those 12 and under) is also available for $7.95. Don’t forget to top off your meal with McCormick’s famous Bloody Mary or a fresh squeezed mimosa! Reservations: (425) 454-2606

Palomino
Palomino invites you to join them for Easter and share a delicious meal with family and friends. Palomino Bellevue will offer a special Easter Brunch beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 8. Come in to enjoy a festive spring menu, as well as lots of activities and surprises for kids. Reservations: (425) 455-7600

Pearl Bar & Dining
Celebrate Easter on the Eastside with brunch at Pearl Bar & Dining on Sunday, April 8. Brunch entrées range from a Dungeness crab omelet topped with a Beecher’s cheese béchamel sauce ($25) to a delicious smoked salmon scramble made with Gerard & Dominique smoked salmon ($24). Those who prefer something on the more savory side can opt for the Center-cut Sirloin Steak Sandwich ($25) or try the Wild Mushroom Risotto ($23). The kid’s brunch special is sure to delight with vanilla-custard French toast topped with maple syrup and a side of apple-smoked bacon and fresh fruit ($10). All brunch options are served with house-made lemon currant scones, your choice of an appetizer and JJ’s O’Brien potatoes. Pearl’s brunch menu will be served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the regular dinner menu will be available from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Reservations: (425) 455-0181

Pogacha
Pogacha offers diners two ways to celebrate Easter this year. Choose to come in anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for Easter Brunch or between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. for Easter Dinner. The 3-course brunch menu includes house-made soup, a special buffet with scrambled eggs, pasta, French toast, assorted salads and fruit, as well as a brunch
accompaniment prepared to order with choices like mediterranean grilled chicken breast, sautéed pawns or grilled ham. Brunch prices are $20.95 (Adults), $17.95 (Seniors) or $6.95 (Children 6-11). Reservations: (425) 455-5670

Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Start a new Easter tradition at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Come in for their Seasonal Classics menu, where you can enjoy a 3-course meal for only $40.95. The menu includes dishes like a sizzling 6-oz. filet, tender and cooked to perfection, topped with juicy jumbo shrimp. Also, for children 12 and under, Ruth’s Chris has a special menu for $13.95. Reservations: (425) 451-1550

Trophy Cupcakes
One of Trophy’s most anticipated cupcakes of the year is returning Easter weekend! The Hi-Hat Cupcake is made by topping Trophy’s decadent Valrhona chocolate cupcake with a sky-high swirl of pastel-tinted marshmallow frosting, hand-dipped in semi-sweet Callebaut chocolate. There was never a more perfect Easter treat! Hi-Hats will be available for purchase at Trophy Cupcakes at The Shops at The Bravern on Saturday, April 7. Advance orders can also be placed by Friday, April 6. Order: (206) 632-7020

Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill
Z’Tejas will be welcoming a special guest on Easter Sunday – none other than the Easter Bunny himself! Bring the family by for brunch and an Easter Egg Hunt, and walk away with a complimentary photo to mark the occasion. Adults can enjoy the Weekend Fun Bar, offering a do-it-yourself Bloody Mary and mimosa station. The new brunch menu will be available with dishes like the Shrimp Omelet with Andouille Veracruz ($14.50), Scrambled Eggs & Jalapeno Bacon Stuffed Relleno ($13.50), or Stuffed French Toast with Raspberry cream cheese and prickly pear syrup ($11.50). Reservations: (425) 467-5911

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Spirit tasting events up next in downtown Bellevue

March 19, 2012

Daniel’s Broiler Bellevue

Schwartz Brothers Restaurants and Pilchuck Distributing invite you to join them for the first annual Bellevue Bourbon Bash Thursday, March 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Daniel’s Broiler Bellevue. This is the first event of its kind in the Seattle area and will be the largest collection of Bourbon and Rye whiskey west of Kentucky. Celebrating the founders of the whiskey industry and the birthday of Pappy Van Winkle, there will be over 75 whiskies to sample, a commemorative tasting glass and tasting guide for each paid guest. Brand representatives will be available for questions and history of most of the bourbons. Rare and select bourbons have been chosen for this event along with many of your favorites. A great selection of appetizers will also be served. Tickets are $125 per person and $175 for the VIP experience. The VIP room will be set in the Vintage Lounge and will feature all the Pappy Van Winkle bourbons and 30 other exclusive finds. To make a reservation, call 425-990-6310.

John Howie Steak

Come enjoy the elegant tastes and aromas of some of the world’s finest scotch whiskey. John Howie Steak will be hosting a Glenmorangie Scotch Dinner Thursday, March 29 at 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The cost is $125 per person plus tax and gratuity. David Blackmore, Master Brand Manager for Glenmorangie and Ardberg Scotch will be the guest. The night will include a five course dinner consisting of: Roasted Butternut Squash Salad; Smoked Salmon Bisque; Wagyu Steak & Mushrooms; Australian Lamb Loin; and Fromager d’Affinois & Valdeon Blue Cheese. The featured spirits will be comprised of: Glenmorangie 10 year; 18 year; Nector D’or; Lasanta; and Quinta Ruban. Each guest will leave with a commemorative Glenmorangie scotch glass. For reservations please contact Wilma Manchester at 425-440-0878.

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Let the luck o’ the Irish be your guide

March 16, 2012

It’s time to break out the shamrocks, lucky clovers and any wacky green clothing hidden in your closet. St. Patrick’s Day is Saturday, and it’s time to let your true Irish spirit shine! Downtown Bellevue has locations aplenty to celebrate to the fullest, whether you’re looking for traditional Irish food and music, or simply a good party. Venture forth below, and let the luck of the Irish guide you to your perfect place!

McCormick & Schmicks

McCormick’s is offering dinner specials Friday and Saturday. Some of the specials include $15.95 Corned Beef and Cabbage, $22.95 Irish Whiskey Glazed Salmon; $17.95 Guinness Battered Fish and Chips. Also, on Friday during Happy Hour in the bar there will be $4.95 Steamed Mussels and $3.95 Corn Beef Sliders.

520 Bar and Grill

The idea for 520 Bar and Grill was conceived in the world famous Temple Bar in Dublin, Ireland. Is there a better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than offering $4.50 Guinness and Irish Death beers and $6.00 for all Irish Liquors? We’ll let you find the answer.

Cupcake Royal

The luck of the Irish is coming early with the booziest cupcake yet. Introducing the Irish Cake Bomb, a chocolate cake made with Elliot Bay No Doubt Stout, filled with a Jameson Whiskey buttercream frosting and kissed with an Irish Cream whipped frosting. Irish jig, anyone? Available until March 18.

The Spot off Main

Green Beer and Lucky Charms. What more does one need? The Spot off Main will provide both this Saturday. Doors open at 11 a.m. and there will be plenty of $10 Pitchers of Green Bud Light and Lucky Charms to go around.

Trophy Cupcakes

Trophy’s Chocolate Guinness Stout Cupcake topped with Baileys Buttercream is back! And this year, as luck would have it, the seasonal favorite is available the entire month of March. Not familiar with this delightful St. Patrick’s Day-inspired treat? It’s a decadent chocolate cake made from Valrhona cocoa and Guinness stout and topped with Bailey’s buttercream and a lucky sugar shamrock.

Paddy Coyne’s

In true Irish flavor Paddy Coyne’s will serve traditional Irish fare throughout the day and night for St. Patty’s Day. The pub will open at 8 a.m. and feature a variety of musical performances: Bagpipers, the Eastside Firefighters Pipes and Drums, and Robbie Christmas are all set to play. You could also take in the Ireland vs. England Rugby match at 10 a.m.

Lot No. 3

Lot No. 3 invites you to stop by and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with them. They will be serving Braised Corn Beef with Butter Poached Potatoes and Pickled Cabbage with Applewood Smoked Sea Salt. In addition, there will be plenty of delicious drink specials to wet your whistle.

Tap House Grill

Tap House Grill will offer Corned Beef and Cabbage along with Sheppard’s Pie all week to anyone who wants to get into the St. Patty’s Day festivities.

Lunchbox Laboratory

To celebrate the holiday, Lunchbox Laboratory will have a unique Irish Style menu and plenty of drink specials. Some of the specials include a pistachio shake with an Irish Kiss of Frangelico, Amaretto, and St. Brenan’s Irish Cream; $2 Irish Whiskey Sour Jell-O Shots; $5 Obama’s Irish Roots which includes Jameson, Peach, Blue Curacao, and OJ; $4 Guinness Drafts, and $7 Car Bombs. They might not be Irish, but they can sure drink like they are!

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Wine Storage and Purple to host March wine events

March 13, 2012

Italian Wine Tasting: March 15

Wine Storage Bellevue invites you to join them for a fun, casual evening of wine sampling from three of Italy’s most famous regions, Thursday, March 15 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and must be purchased in advance. They can be purchased online through Brown Paper Tickets here (enter the code “amoroso”).

The host for the evening will be the Gilroy Family, owners of Wine Storage Bellevue, the premier wine storage facility serving Greater Eastside wine enthusiasts. Whether you are a serious collector or simply a person with a passion for wine, you will enjoy touring this state-of-the-art wine storage facility designed to accommodate both established and growing wine collections, as well as their Tuscan-inspired tasting room.

Vino at the Landing will be on-hand to take orders for the featured wines at special event-only prices and to handle any other retail requests. Orders will be fulfilled and available for pickup by Saturday, March 17.

All attendees will be eligible to win one of three Grand Prizes during this event: A 36-case wine locker FREE for 6 months at Wine Storage Bellevue; Private Wine Tasting for four at Vino at the Landing featuring premier Washington wines; or a
Gift Certificate good for $40 of dining credit at Vino at the Landing, including food and beverage.

The event will be limited to only 50 attendees and no tickets will be sold at the door. 21+ and ID is required. For more information on Wine Storage Bellevue visit their website.

AVA Dinner at Purple Café and Wine Bar: March 17

In celebration of Washington Wine Month all four Purple Café and Wine Bar  locations will have a special dinner featuring the wines from one of the 11 American Viticultural Areas in Washington State. Purple Bellevue will be hosting their AVA dinner Saturday, March 17 at 7 p.m. The cost is $95 per person (excluding tax and gratuity).

The featured region will be the Columbia Gorge. The Columbia Gorge AVA was established in 2004 and within its compact boundaries lies an extraordinary combination of climate, soil and geology, creating distinctly different “micro climates” perfect for growing premium grapes of almost every variety.

Seating is limited. For more information or to make a reservation contact Event Planning at (206) 838-3853 or email groupdining@heavyrestaurantgroup.com.

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‘Dine Around’ downtown Bellevue March 1-29

March 6, 2012

Think you have to travel cross lake to experience delectable – and wallet conscious – 3 for $30 meals? Not to worry. The March Dine Around Seattle restaurant lineup has a heavy Eastside presence, with four of the participating restaurants located right here in downtown Bellevue.

What’s the scoop on Dine Around? According to the promotion’s website, here are all the details you’ll need to know:

Each March and November, Sundays through Thursdays, Seattle area’s finest restaurants offer 3-course dinners for a mere $30. This includes selections for appetizer, entrée, and dessert. Many of the restaurants also offer lunch for $15. Prices do not include beverage, tax and gratuity. Menus are not available on Thanksgiving or Easter.

Downtown Bellevue boasts 3 for $30 dinner menus at Lot No. 3, Monsoon East, Palomino and Purple Café and Wine Bar. All four eateries are also offering 3 for $15 lunch menus.

Plus there’s more ways than one to get involved in Dine Around. The campaign frequently adds restaurant features and recipes to their ‘Table Talk’ blog. And if you’re the social type, we recommend following Dine Around Seattle on Facebook and Twitter for a chance to enter great dining contests and giveaways!

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