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Pearl’s ‘sister restaurant’ Koral to open in 2012

November 28, 2011

If you’re an Eastside resident chances are you’ve heard the buzz about Pearl Bar and Dining. Although Pearl opened its doors in the midst of a major economic downturn, its distinctive Northwest-inspired cuisine and sleek, modern ambience won over even the most discerning foodies, allowing the restaurant to flourish here in downtown Bellevue. Coming off three years of great success with Pearl, founders Bradley Dickinson and Mikel Rogers (pictured above) recently announced their newest culinary addition to the Eastside, Koral.

The concept behind Koral is a contemporary take on the all American tavern. Unlike Pearl’s sophisticated, elegant feel, Koral will be a warm, inviting, down-to-earth haunt where you can unwind after a tough day at the office, long workout or hectic day of running errands. Koral’s menu will reflect its homey feel with reasonably priced dishes featuring recognizable ingredients like oyster shooters and roasted pork shank. Adventurous eaters need not be disappointed though as Koral will also feature a handful of more unusual items such as Gnocchi with braised oxtail.

Koral is set to be located in Bellevue’s Hyatt Regency Hotel in the space formerly occupied by Twisted Cork. Construction on Koral is scheduled to begin at the end of this month and Bellevuites can expect to be enjoying downtown’s first new American tavern by mid-late February. If history is any indication, Koral will surely follow in Pearl’s footsteps as one of Bellevue’s restaurant staples.

Bellevue’s restaurant scene; something to be thankful for

November 21, 2011

A  home cooked turkey dinner is a Thanksgiving staple; however the time and effort that goes into creating that holiday feast can be tiring. Why not skip the drama this season? Let the professionals take care of the cooking and cleaning this year as you sit back and experience the unparalleled elegance of  Thanksgiving dinner downtown Bellevue style!

Basil’s Kitchen
Visiting Bellevue for the holidays or have family who is? Why not have Thanksgiving dinner right at the hotel! The Hilton Bellevue’s own Basil’s Kitchen is hosting a Thanksgiving dinner of its own, and although you might not think to dine out for Thanksgiving at a hotel restaurant, Basil’s food is bar none. Basil’s Kitchen is a Mediterranean restaurant and its menu for Thanksgiving reflects that. Basil’s will be offering a slow roasted leg of lamb and chipotle roasted half chicken in addition to more traditional options like roasted turkey breast, roasted prime rib and pan seared salmon. Dessert will be buffet style with an assortment of holiday cakes, pies and cookies as well as chocolate fondue. *Prices range from $26.00 to $29.00 for adults and $12.95 for children under 12.

Daniel’s Broiler
Staying true to its roots, Daniel’s Broiler will be offering a prime rib and pork roast in addition to fresh Northwest salmon and an entrée of roast turkey for those that prefer to stick to the traditional. Dessert promises not to disappoint with delectable choices like vanilla bean crème brulee and chocolate raspberry charlotte in addition to the Thanksgiving staple of ice cream and pumpkin pie. As one of the Eastside’s premier steakhouses, Daniel’s Broiler is a great Thanksgiving choice for any family of foodies! *Prices are $50 for adults, $12 for children 6-10 and children 5 and under are free.

Maggiano’s
Looking to add a little Italian twist to your Thanksgiving celebration? Look no further than Maggiano’s. In true Maggiano’s style, the restaurant will be serving a special Thanksgiving menu that will include all of your Thanksgiving favorites with a unique Italian twist. The four course menu includes irresistible dishes like roast turkey with focaccia sausage stuffing, parmesan crusted tilapia, garlic mashed potatoes, four cheese ravioli and much more. Dessert will include such delicacies as a pumpkin praline cheesecake as well as a warm apple crostada. For a full menu drop by Maggiano’s in Lincoln Square and get ready to spice up Thanksgiving with the flavors of Italy! *Prices are $36.95 per person and $17.95 for children ages 5-12.

McCormick and Schmick’s
Although famous for fine seafood, McCormick and Schmick’s makes a mean turkey! This year Bellevue’s seafood staple will be serving a fixed three course menu of roast turkey, mashed potatoes, apple-butternut squash casserole, cranberry sauce and all of your Thanksgiving favorites. Desserts include your choice of pumpkin or apple pie, making McCormick and Schmick’s the place to go for die hard traditionalists to get their fill of the full Thanksgiving experience.*Prices are $23.95 for adults and $7.95 for children.

Palomino
Dining out for Thanksgiving can be fun experience, but Palomino understands that many families want to celebrate at home. For all of you who want to stay home for the holidays but avoid the mess of cooking a big meal, Palomino is offering its classic turkey dinner available for order. Now you can enjoy traditional favorites like slow roasted turkey, apple sausage stuffing and garlic herb mashed potatoes made by Palomino and enjoyed right in your own home. Orders are available for any group size and can be placed by calling (425) 455-7600. Customers are encouraged to order ASAP as Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching.

For those wishing to enjoy Palomino’s slow roasted turkey dinner in the restaurant, Palomino will be open from 12-8 p.m. on the 24th. Enjoy the Thanksgiving menu or choose from Palomino’s signature selection of starters, seafood, steaks and desserts. *Prices range from $27.00 for the turkey dinner ($7.00 for kids) to $38 for the prime rib dinner.

Pearl Bar and Dining
For the past three years Pearl Bar and Dining has been bringing gourmet Northwest cuisine to the Eastside, and now you can enjoy Pearl’s Northwest-inspired Thanksgiving feast in its chic, modern ambiance. This Thanksgiving Pearl will boast an extensive holiday menu that includes such favorites as sage roasted turkey, cedar-plank king salmon, herb roasted beef tenderloin, grilled boneless Berkshire pork chop and a host of delicious, seasonal sides. Desserts will include a traditional pumpkin pie, pecan pie, cranberry-vanilla bread pudding, valrhona chocolate sundae and Pearl’s signature butterscotch sundae. With its extensive array of menu options, Thanksgiving dinner at Pearl is truly something everyone in the family can enjoy! *Prices are $39.95 for adults and $12.95 for children 12 and under.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
We all know Ruth’s Chris for their fine steaks, but this Thanksgiving the well-known steakhouse will be trading in its steak knives for a turkey baster as it hosts a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. You won’t be seeing steak on the menu—Ruth’s Chris will be serving a fixed three course meal of oven roasted turkey, sausage and herb stuffing, cranberry relish, and for dessert, pumpkin cheesecake and vanilla ice cream.

Those who are fans of fine steak fear not—Ruth’s Chris will also offer its regular menu items in addition to its Thanksgiving menu, allowing everyone to enjoy their favorites. *Prices are $34.95 for adults and $12 for children.

Trophy Cupcakes
Spending Thanksgiving at home but need some help in the dessert department? Let Trophy Cupcakes do the baking! Trophy’s seasonal Candied Yam with Toasted Marshmallow cupcake (pictured above) will surely impress your family and guests. This beloved, miniature cake boasts local, organic Garnet Yams, warm fall spices, and toasted pecans topped off with a generous swirl of fluffy, toasted marshmallow meringue frosting. At only $4 each, we think they’re the perfect finale to any Thanksgiving feast. To place your special order, call (206) 632-7020.

And don’t forget the 25th is Black Friday—time to burn off those Thanksgiving pounds by hitting the malls for all your holiday shopping! After a hectic day of bargain hunting you’ll surely deserve to sit back and relax at these restaurants.

The Melting Pot
The Melting Pot is offering a special Black Friday menu including hearty favorites like filet mignon and teriyaki marinated strip steak for those Thanksgiving dinners that left something to be desired. For diners wanting something lighter after their turkey day feast, The Melting Pot will also offer a vegetarian option of peanut marinated tofu, artichoke hearts and Portobello mushrooms in addition to three different salads.

Paddy Coyne’s Irish Pub
Paddy Coyne’s Irish Pub will be hosting “Man Camp”—an alternative to the traditional Black Friday shopping expedition! From 10:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m. Paddy Coyne’s will be featuring a host of Black Friday specials including a traditional Irish breakfast, spirits and liquor, and two-for-one entree deals.

Three cheers for three years at Pearl Bar & Dining

November 16, 2011

Just three short years ago Pearl Bar & Dining opened its doors here in downtown Bellevue to rave reviews. Since its opening, Pearl has successfully established itself as one of the Eastside’s premier spots for gourmet Northwest-inspired cuisine. With its unparalleled dishes and elegant ambiance, it comes as no surprise to Eastsiders that Pearl has rapidly earned its place as a Bellevue staple.

To celebrate its three year milestone, Pearl will be hosting an Anniversary Celebration on Thursday, November 17 beginning at 6:00 p.m. The event will include a prix fixe dinner (available 6:00-9:00 p.m.) featuring a filet mignon, broiled duck breast and Pearl’s signature Bering Seasablefish. Limited seating is available so reservations are encouraged. Call (425) 455-0180.

Dinner isn’t the only highlight of the evening. Stick around for Pearl’s Cocktail Party in the lounge complete with a live DJ. Guests can also participate in a drawing to win a trip to Las Vegas! The drawing will raise support for the Rise n’ Shine Foundation – an organization dedicated to providing support, advocacy and education to children and teens affected by HIV/AIDS.

So join Pearl for a swanky, stylish celebration of fabulous cuisine and cocktails, and see why this bold restaurant has everyone talking. Here’s to another three years of delicious dining at Pearl!

Experience fresh food all year at Pearl

October 13, 2011

As eastsiders we are fortunate to have a vast variety of fresh, local dining within reach. Bellevue is unique in that it harbors numerous fine dining options that feature some of the freshest local ingredients Washington State has to offer. As one of Bellevue’s leaders in both fine dining as well as gourmet local cuisine, Pearl Bar and Dining will be showcasing the unique flavors of fall in the Northwest with their Harvest Dinner Series.

Beginning October 13th, Pearl will be partnering with some of Washington’s finest local food purveyors, wineries and small farms to bring diners a true taste of what the Northwest has to offer. Executed by renowned chef Bradley Dickenson, these three dinners will showcase meats, seafood, wines and produce from Snake River Farms, Penn Cove Shellfish and Dunham Cellars, to name just a few.

The first of these three diners is to take place tonight at 6:15 p.m. and will feature a mouth watering lineup of dishes expertly crafted from produce grown at Skagit Flats Farms and Tahoma Farms. Courses include a grilled beef tenderloin, seared Coho salmon, saffron risotto and maple glazed squash – the perfect dinner to warm you up on a chilly October evening.

The second dinner in the series will be held on Thursday, October 27 at 6:15 p.m. and will feature wine from DeLille Cellars and high quality meat from Snake River Farms. The menu will include Wagyu sirloin and shortribs, crisp pork belly, sweet and sour kale and bleu cheese fritters.

Pearl’s final Harvest Dinner takes place on Thursday, November 10 at 6:15 p.m. and will include wine from Efeste Winery and a dinner of pan seared mussels, manila clams and bacon wrapped oysters from Penn Cove Shellfish - a can’t miss dinner opportunity for seafood lovers!

Each dinner is a deal at only $75 per person and complimentary parking will be provided by the Westin Hotel. Reservations can be made by calling Pearl Bar & Dining at (425) 455-0181.

Although the weather outside may be frightful, delightful locally harvested meals are available year round at Pearl! Stop by for one or all of their Harvest Dinners to kick off fall the tasty way!

Pearl celebrates 20th annual “Wine Weekend”

July 7, 2011

Head down to Pear Bar & Dining tonight at 6:00 p.m. for an expertly paired 6-course winemaker dinner featuring local Bookwalter Winery from Woodinville. Pearl’s Executive Chef Bradley Dickinson has created an exclusive menu for this event to honor and celebrate the 20th annual Washington Wines Festival “Wine Weekend” happening July 7-9.

The Washington Wines Festival’s mission is to raise awareness internationally about Washington State’s growing wine industry, as well as to raise money for select charitable organizations. To date, the festival has raised over 6 million dollars for different charities. Tickets to Pearl’s Winemaker dinner are $200 per person with proceeds benefiting Camp Korey and the Washington Wine Education Foundation. For tickets visit washingtonwinefestival.com, or call (206) 236-5167

Here is this evening’s complete menu:

Passed Amuse

Seared Foie Gras

Wild rice pancake, maple jus

Fresh rolls

Rice noodles, basil, spicy Nuac cham

Grilled Shrimp and pineapple

Anecdote Riesling

 

Salad

Wild Arugula

Grilled peaches, Medjool dates, champagne vinaigrette

Couplet Conner-Lee Chardonnay-Viognier blend

 

Fish course

Alaskan King Salmon

Slow-roasted, black pepper rub, wild berry jus

Foreshadow Merlot

 

Pasta course

Summer Mushroom Risotto

White truffle oil, Parmesan Reggiano

Foreshadow Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Entrée

Grilled Wagyu Sirloin

Padron peppers, romescu sauce, warm potato salad

Protagonist Red Blend

 

Dessert

Local Artisan Cheeses

Seasonal accompaniments