Wine and dine with culinary experts at Cast Iron Studios’ summer workshop series

June 29, 2012

Cast Iron Studios, downtown Bellevue’s newest event venue, invites you to wine and dine while learning about delicious cuisine at their unique workshop series this summer.

Located next to Purple Café & Wine Bar and Lot No. 3 on the first floor of Bellevue Towers, Cast Iron Studios makes for the perfect space to host parties, corporate events, receptions, galas, and auctions, but the venue is also opening it’s doors to the general public for insightful culinary classes.

Each workshop is led by a food and liquid expert from Heavy Restaurant Group’s  Lot No. 3, Purple Café & Wine Bar, or Barrio. Upcoming workshop topics include “Pie Dough, Biscuits, & Quickbreads,” “Popular Latin Cocktails,” “Pacific Northwest Cuisine,” “Wines from South America,” and “A History of Whiskey.”

The workshops are extremely hands-on and contain an educational component along with featured food and beverage sampling. Workshops take place on Saturdays at 1 p.m. and cost $50 per person.

If you haven’t been to Cast Iron Studios or are looking for something fun to do with friends or family, one of these workshops is bound to satisfy your appetite and curiosity! For more workshop details visit CastIronStudios.com. To make a reservation call (206) 838-3853 or email workshops@heavyrestaurantgroup.com.

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New Cast Iron Studios offers party space, catering, cooking workshops and more

May 24, 2012

Calling all party planners! Heavy Restaurant Group, the folks behind Purple Café and Wine Bar, Lot No. 3 and Barrio Mexican Kitchen & Bar (in Capitol Hill) has opened Bellevue’s newest event venue, Cast Iron Studios.

Located in the heart of downtown Bellevue, Heavy Restaurant Group transformed the space of former Bellevue Barrio into Cast Iron Studios.

“After two years in downtown Bellevue, we realized that the Barrio concept, while generally well received by the Eastside community, wasn’t succeeding at the same rate as our other restaurants. After careful consideration we decided that the best long-term decision for our company was to shift the focus of this space and to create a new event venue” explained Larry Kurofsky, owner of Heavy Restaurant Group.

Cast Iron Studios offers an ideal space to host parties, corporate events, receptions, galas, auctions, and more. The venue is able hold parties of up to 200 guests and features industrial décor which puts off a warm, rustic feel. Your guests will be wined and dined with the delicious cuisines of Purple Café and Wine Bar, Lot No. 3, and Barrio, as catering is offered from all three menus.

The venue will not only serve as a private event space, but will host a series of workshops including specialty food events, wine tastings, and cooking classes that foodies and foodies-in-training are sure to love.

“The new addition of a dedicated event venue will clearly fill an existing need and offer new ways to engage those with a culinary passion,” said Kurofsky.

Whether you’re in the mood for new cooking ideas or have an upcoming party to host, Cast Iron Studios is worth a look. For more information, visit castiron-studios.com

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Barrio to transform into new downtown Bellevue event space

July 5, 2011

Heavy Restaurant Group announced today that Barrio in downtown Bellevue (beneath Bellevue Towers) will be transformed into the company’s primary event and catering space. The new venue will open this fall and host a series of food and wine events and will function as a private event space for parties of up to 200 people. Catering at the venue will feature food from Purple Café & Wine  Bar, Lot No. 3, and Barrio. The transition to the new space has begun, and as of today Barrio Bellevue is closed.

In addition to this venue, Heavy Restaurant Group owns and operates six restaurants including four Purple Café & Wine Bar locations in Woodinville, Seattle, Kirkland and Bellevue; Barrio in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood; and Lot No. 3 in downtown Bellevue.

“Ten years ago, when we launched Purple Café & Wine Bar in Woodinville, we set out to create a new type of dining experience grounded on exceptional food and exceptional service,” said Larry Kurofsky, owner of Heavy Restaurant Group. “We also had a vision for continued growth with new locations and concepts. The addition of a dedicated event venue will clearly fill an existing need and offer new ways to engage those with a culinary passion.”

The new downtown Bellevue venue will allow the company to significantly expand its current array of popular events that take place on a smaller scale at each restaurant. In addition, they will now be able to meet the strong demand for parties between 80 and 200 guests that its current restaurants cannot accommodate.

The vision for the space includes a weekly schedule of specialty food events, wine tastings, cooking classes, and private parties. Full details of the new space will be formally unveiled in early fall. The company will also operate its growing catering business from the downtown Bellevue location.

“The addition of an event venue in downtown Bellevue is a great opportunity for us to grow as a company,” continued Kurofsky. “While closing Barrio Bellevue was a difficult decision, we are excited for what this new space has to offer the eastside community.”

Fans of Barrio still have the opportunity to enjoy the restaurant’s unique approach to Mexican cuisine at Barrio in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. Those interested in learning more about the venue as it evolves should follow the project at heavyprivateevents.com.

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Cachaca cocktail paired dinner at Barrio Mexican Kitchen & Bar

June 16, 2011

On Wednesday, June 22 at 6:30 p.m., Barrio Mexican Kitchen & Bar will host a Cachaca cocktail paired dinner. Joining Barrio will be Dragos Axinte from Novo Fogo Distillery in Morretes, Brazil.  The dinner will feature four, southwestern-inspired courses that are perfectly paired with a Cachaca infused cocktail.

Cachaca is a spirit distilled from sugarcane and can only be produced in Brazil. One popular misunderstanding is that Cachaca is a type of Rum. The difference is that Cachaca is made directly from the sugarcane itself, as opposed to molasses which Rum is traditionally made from. The Caipirinha (lime, lime juice, sugar and of course Cachaca), the national cocktail of Brazil, will be served during the first course. Here is a look at the menu created by Barrio’s chefs especially for the event:

1^st Course

Traditional Brazilian Caipirinha
novo fogo silver cachaca, lime, sugar

Empadinhas (Brazilian Empanadas)
delicate pastries filled with chicken, black eyed peas,
and linguica with a cilantro-lemon sauce

2^nd Course

Santa Catarina
novo fogo silver, aperol, lillet, grapefruit zest

Salada de Palmito (Heart of Palm Salad)
shaved hearts of palm, tropical fruits and
chayote squash with a coriander-lime dressing

3^rd Course

CaipBEERinha
novo fogo gold, yellow chartreuse, lemon, mexican cerveza

Moqueca de Candido (Seafood Stew)
prawns, dungeness crab, and rockfish simmered with cashews,
coconut milk, dende oil, chile sauce, farofa and white rice

4^th Course

Strawberry Batida
novo fogo gold, strawberry, condensed milk, sugar, lemon, cinnamon

Flan
cachaca-flamed red banana flan with vanilla bean caramel

The price for the event is $50 plus tax and gratuity. For more information or to make a reservation, call (206) 838-3853.

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Treat Mom in downtown Bellevue

May 4, 2011

Daniel’s Broiler
Show how much you love mom this Mother’s Day by treating her to one of downtown Bellevue’s finest steakhouses. Bring the whole family to enjoy the great menu at Daniel’s Broiler from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. If you’d rather flatter her with a Schwartz Brother’s Gift Card, you will receive a free $25 bonus gift certificate for every $100 purchased through June 13, 2011.

For details call (425) 455-3948, or visit schwartzbros.com.

McCormick & Schmick’s
McCormick & Schmick’s is making it a special Mother’s Day weekend! May 6–May 8 bring Mom in to enjoy a special Mother’s Day brunch menu, in addition to the regular menu. Also every Mom that dines at McCormick’s this weekend will receive a complimentary chocolate truffle trio! To make the experience even more special, guests have the opportunity to request custom menu messages and flowers to be hand-delivered to your table.

For more information or to book your reservations call (425) 454-2606, or visit mccormickandschmicks.com.

The Melting Pot
Make Mother’s Day a week she’ll remember! At The Melting Pot celebrate mom with a special four-course Mother’s Day menu available May 2–May 8. Let Mom dip into a creamy Garlic Herb and Cheddar Cheese Fondue, or try their bubbling Pesto and Marinara Cheese Fondue. For lighter options, choose from a classic Caesar Salad or the light and tangy Strawberry Kiss Salad. For entrees guests can choose from Lobster, New York Strip Steak, Zesty Shrimp, Garlic Chicken, Pork Tenderloin and Ravioli ($47 per person), or the Melting Pot’s Signature Filet Mignon, Teriyaki Sirloin, Zesty Shrimp, Garlic Chicken and Seasame Ahi Tuna ($39 per person). Top off the celebration by indulging in any of The Melting Pot’s chocolate fondues or choose their Mother’s Day Special—the Dark Chocolate Dream made with fresh raspberry puree. In addition to the regular menus, kids 12 and under can design their own meal with the choice of chicken, steak, shrimp or ravioli for just $10.

The Melting Pot is also offering a way for the little ones to show mom how much they care! May 2–8, kids are invited to write an essay detailing why their mom is the best mom in the world! One winner will be chosen at each Melting Pot location. Winners will receive a free chocolate fondue dessert for themselves and six of their friends!

For more information or to make reservations call (425) 646-2744, or visit meltingpot.com.

Pearl Bar & Dining
On Sunday, May 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., bring mom into Bradley & Mikel’s Pearl Bar & Dining to enjoy a special Mother’s Day brunch. The menu will include all of your Pearl favorites including a Smoked Salmon Scramble, Classic Eggs Benedict and their famous Dungeness Crab Omelet. If you can’t make it to their morning brunch, treat mom to Pearl’s dinner menu available from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

For reservations call (425) 455-0181, or visit pearlbellevue.com.

Pogacha
Looking for a unique spot to bring mom this Mother’s Day? Try Pogacha where Northwest cuisine meets Italian and Adriatic style cooking! This Sunday, May 8, join Pogacha for their Mother’s Day brunch from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. This delicious three-course brunch includes a first course of a cup of their fresh Tomato and Basil soup. The second course is a buffet of all your classic brunch favorites, such as scrambled eggs, freshly baked muffins, fresh fruit Caesar Salad, as well as some Pogacha twists like Pogacha Potatoes O’Brien and Chicken Dijon Pasta. For the third course, select your made-to-order accompaniment from Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Breast, Sauteed Prawns or Grilled Ham. This brunch also includes coffee.

If you can’t make it to brunch, Pogacha is offering a Mother’s Day Dinner as well! Served from 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., this dinner menu includes some tasty specials in addition to their regular menu.

Cost is $20.95 for adults, &17.95 for seniors, $5.95 for children ages 5–11 and free for children 5 and under.

Make your reservations today by calling (425) 455-5670, or visit pogacha.com.

Purple Café and Wine Bar, LOT No. 3 and Barrio
Make Mother’s Day special by bringing her to one of three Heavy Restaurant Group restaurants, right here in downtown Bellevue. She’ll enjoy classic Northwest Cuisine at Purple, a modern twist on home-style favorites at LOT No. 3 and authentic southwest food at Barrio.

For reservations at Purple visit thepurplecafe.com. For reservations at LOT No. 3 visit lotno3.com. For reservations at Barrio visit barriorestaurant.com.

The Spot off Main
The Spot off Main is not only your friendly neighborhood gathering place, but a great place to bring mom this Mother’s Day! On Sunday, May 8, all premium wines will be on special for $7. Take mom out to enjoy a glass and kick back in a comfortable, laid-back atmosphere.

For more information on upcoming events in May at The Spot visit thespotoffmain.com, or check out their Facebook page.

Trophy Cupcakes
Show your Mom how sweet she is by bringing home a box of Trophy Cupcakes’ Margarita Cupcakes! This flavor includes Fresh Lime cake topped with Tequila Lime Buttercream. Perfect for Mother’s Day or in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. The Margarita Cupcake will be available all month long!

For more information, visit trophycupcakes.com.

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