WLB Advertiser Archery Bistro (located at the Normandy Park Towne Center), would like our Readers to know about their latest food specials and events.

Here’s a letter from Chef Brandon about this week’s offering:

Hello!!! Chef Brandon here! This will be my last blog of the summer. I can’t believe September is almost here! Fortunately, September means that football season has arrived! Archery Bistro is your pro and college football headquarters!

Come down and have a burger and a brew, and cheer on your favorite team(s) all season long!

As I said last week, people are already booking their holiday parties with us. I would recommend you giving me a call, or stopping by in person to ensure you can book the date that you want!

Until Next Time,
- Chef Brandon

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Advertiser Des Moines Dog House wants to know: How Do You Dress Your Dog? The Facebook Fan who gives the most mouth-watering answer — using Dog House condiments –wins!

What do you win? Your dog dressed the way you like it! Go to the Des Moines Dog House Fan Page on Facebook and share your answer. Post it on their wall, starting with the words “Dress My Dog:” All answers must be received by August 31, 2010. The winner will be announced Wednesday, September 1, 2010.

The Dog House is also announcing a change in their hours. They will be open Monday – Saturday from 11am to 7pm. Owner Tami LaFreniere says they’re planning to reserve Sundays for family and charitable events like the Poverty Bay Arts Festival in September. They will be doing Late Nights, where they serve Nathans 1/4 lb All Beef Hotdogs with cream cheese and grilled onions for $5, from 11pm to 2am, at least through the fall on Fridays and Saturdays.

Keep watching Facebook for surprise specials, contests, and updates. Give them a call at 206-824-1794, visit their website at www.thedesmoinesdoghouse.com or stop by at 22302 Marine View Drive in Des Moines.

WLB Advertiser Archery Bistro (located at the Normandy Park Towne Center), would like our Readers to know about their latest food specials and events.

Here’s a letter from Chef Brandon about this week’s offering:

Happy Thursday Loyal Blog Readers! The best thing about Thursdays, besides All You Can Eat Fish and Chips at Archery, is our August Car Show Event! Every Thursday of this month we have designated front row parking for you and your classic car or motorcycle! Come show us your ride and receive drink specials! We plan on having some great cars tonight, come see if yours is better!

Since we talked last, I have added a couple new items to our menu. We switched up our Clams and Mussels dish to Clams ONLY and it comes with a Smoked Tomato Butter with white wine and ginger. We also added a Grilled Chicken Penne Pasta with Pesto Cream sauce. It is selling like hot cakes! It started off as a dish I made for our after work staff meal and turned into a sensation! And if you’re one of our bar customers, don’t worry, we haven’t left you out. Introducing Cheese Fries!! Inspired by my brother “because he doesn’t eat “Normal” food,” our cheese fries come with Apple Bacon and White Cheddar Cheese. Come down and have some fries and watch some Pre-Season Football tonight!!!

Always,
Chef Brandon

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WLB Advertiser Archery Bistro (located at the Normandy Park Towne Center), would like our Readers to know about their latest food specials and events.

Here’s a letter from Chef Brandon about this week’s offering:

Hello August! And hello blog followers! It’s been really hot in the Archery Bistro kitchen and it has us thinking about ‘Hot August Nights,’ the annual car show in Reno. Starting TONIGHT and EVERY Thursday in August we will have our own version! We are fortunate to have a large parking lot for you to show off your classic cars and bikes to the public and we will offer food and drink specials for all participants! Call your friends, bring your cars and bikes and enjoy a fun evening with us!

This past Tuesday was the one year anniversary of the First Avenue construction that I am properly dubbing “The Fiasco on First.” We are celebrating (or not celebrating) this fantastic date by offering a free appetizer with your entrée purchase. Just say “Fiasco” and the appetizer is yours! This offer is good through this Saturday August 7th.

I wanted to give you all a heads up about a super delicious dinner special that we are going to run this weekend; Bacon Wrapped Eastern Sea Scallops. These will make a return to our special menu because of their popularity! Come on in and have a little taste of love this weekend!

Until Next Time,
Chef Brandon

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BTB Advertiser Archery Bistro (located at the Normandy Park Towne Center), would like our Readers to know about their latest food specials and events.

Here’s a letter from Chef Brandon about this week’s offering:

Hey! Chef Brandon here! What a gorgeous day! I just finished up a round of golf and remembered that our Waterbrook Wine Dinner is in 3 days (on Sunday, July 25th)! With all the great wines Waterbrook has to offer, I wanted to pour both the Reserve Syrah & the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon but at the same time I wanted to serve a Black Cod & Kobe Steak. The solution is both! That’s right I will be serving both Courses at the same time along with both wines! We still have space available for you and yours! Call us at Archery or come by tonight for All You Can Eat Fish and Chips and sign up on the spot!

Are you on Facebook? Be sure to “Like” us (link here) and you will receive special offers and discounts only available to our Facebook fans! Also I am hoping in next weeks Blog to announce our schedule for our weekly “Hot August Nights” for both motorcycles & cars. We will be offering food and beer specials for those who want to show off their rides!!

Since I have been doing this weekly blog, people have asked many questions about me, the restaurant, and what really happens in a kitchen. So I would like to announce that I will be starting my own blog in addition to this weekly letter very soon. It is called “Kitchen Life” and will consist of things that happen in the life of a Chef. The site is cheflavielle.blogspot.com. Check it out starting next week!

Our patio at Archery is a great way to enjoy our food and a glass of wine or signature cocktails. Come by and see it if you haven’t already, no one in the area has a fire pit like ours and I’m confident you’ll enjoy it!

Until next time,
Chef Brandon

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BTB Advertiser Archery Bistro (located at the Normandy Park Towne Center), would like our Readers to know about their latest food specials and events.

Here’s a letter from Chef Brandon about this week’s offering:

Well, I know I don’t need to tell you how hot the past few days have been. But I can tell you what the best way to cool down is. Come eat some soup at Archery Bistro! Drinking or eating hot liquids will make you sweat, therefore cool you down! I find it funny too! But since I know Tomato Bisque isn’t exactly what you are craving when it is 90 degrees out, come and try my new Watermelon and Cucumber salad! Wash it down with a glass of rose or one of our tropical signature cocktails! Hang out on the patio with your friends and keep those sunglasses on all night when our fire pit turns on!

Here is our first friendly reminder about our July wine dinner featuring Waterbrook Winery. It will take place on Sunday, July 25th. The menu will include prosciutto wrapped fruits, Pepper crusted Ahi, Baby Spinach Salad with creamy Pear Vinaigrette, and a dueling entrée dish which will have Black Cod and Kobe Beef! Finished off with a homemade brownie and homemade Cookie Dough Ice Cream! Call us today to make your reservations!

Mention my blog when you come in and I’ll buy you an appetizer when you purchase two entrees! This cannot be offered with any other coupon or discount though!

Be sure your pets have fresh, cool, clean water!!

Adios!
– Chef Brandon

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BTB Advertiser Archery Bistro (located at the Normandy Park Towne Center), would like our Readers to know about their latest food specials and events.

Here’s a letter from Chef Brandon about this week’s offering:

I would like to thank all who came to our Rodney Strong wine dinner this past Sunday. It was loads of fun and we had some amazing wines to drink! Keep in mind our next wine dinner will be with Waterbrook Winery on Sunday July 25th!

This past weekend I was invited to participate in the Leavenworth Wine and Food Festival and had a ton of fun with my cooking demonstration. Thanks to all our customers who came over to enjoy the festival with me. As I was in Leavenworth this past weekend it was so hot, I started thinking about our new patio and fire pit we just finished. It made me excited about our new summer menu. The new menu will include much “lighter items” and more “summer-friendly dishes.” So I’ve developed a few fun items which we’ll now offer on our regular menu; Seared Ahi Salad with a sweet wasabi vinaigrette, Mango and Papaya Salad with a cilantro dressing, and Grilled Alaskan Halibut with mango salsa, and our always popular Pulled Pork Sliders, just to name a few!

Be sure to come by this weekend for an 8 oz. Wagyu Beef Top Sirlion! We will be running this special today through Saturday. Have a safe and fun Independence Day weekend!

Happy Birthday America!

- Chef Brandon

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BTB Advertiser Archery Bistro (located at the Normandy Park Towne Center), would like our Readers to know about their latest food specials and events.

Here’s a letter from Chef Brandon about this week’s offering:

Well, according to my calendar summer is here! Hopefully the sun will come out this Sunday, the 27th for our June wine dinner featuring Rodney Strong Vineyards from Sonoma, California!

With great anticipation I’ve worked hard on the menu, and even harder tasting the wines! If that is actually “working hard.” Since the dinner is the week before my FAVORITE holiday, Independence Day, our menu for the wine dinner will be a cool innovative take on classic backyard barbeque foods. We will have mini corndogs with homemade ketchup and mustard, mac ‘n cheese with a delicious chardonnay, grilled pork chop with corn salsa, and for dessert we will have an awesome strawberry “pie!” Check out our website for the complete menu. And if the menu isn’t enough to get you in the door, the price itself will! $60 the 5 course meal including wines! It’s our lowest priced wine dinner yet! Once again, you can’t get this kind of offer anywhere! We have a few spots left, so call Archery to make your reservations for a great night of food and wine!

I will be in Leavenworth this weekend at the “Great Leavenworth Wine and Food Festival” on Saturday drinking some of the region’s finest wines. I will also be doing a cooking demonstration on the main stage at 2pm. So if you can, make your way over the mountains and come say hi!

I hope you have had a great week so far and please think of Archery Bistro when making your dining choices. We look forward to seeing you soon!

- Chef Brandon

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BTB Advertiser Archery Bistro (located at the Normandy Park Towne Center), would like our Readers to know about their latest food specials and events.

Here’s a letter from Chef Brandon about this week’s offering:

Only three more days until Father’s Day and if you don’t have dinner reservations, look no further. Archery Bistro is still accepting reservations so give us a call. We will be offering a three course menu for $19.99! The first course includes, Heirloom Green Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette, Vine Ripened Tomato Bisque, and a Prawn Cocktail with candied lemons. Entrees will feature our popular Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken Breast, Grill Alaskan King Salmon with Lime Leaf Rice, and Roasted Bell Pepper and Parmesan Ravioli with Lemon Alfredo Cream. Last but not least, dessert. We will have a Strawberry Rhubarb Tart and Chocolate Truffle Ganache Cake.

In addition to this menu, we will also feature a “Dad’s ONLY” menu! A selection of items that are a little more macho if you will. The first course features a Dungeness Crab Cake. The entrée is a Bacon Wrapped Filet with an Australian Rock Lobster Tail and for dessert, my version of the Banana Split! The banana split is special to me because my dad always said if I would hit a homerun in my baseball game, he would buy me a banana split. I NEVER hit a homerun, unless you count the defense making a fielding error or two! But my dad still bought me a banana split! He will be joining us for dinner this Sunday, and you should as well!

We still have spots available for our Wine Dinner on Sunday June 27th featuring Rodney Strong Wines. If you haven’t been to one of our Wine Dinners, now is the time. Since it will be the weekend before Independence Day, we will be showcasing a menu that is inspired by backyard barbeque foods. It is going to be a great time!

Hope to see you this Sunday!!

Chef Brandon

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BTB Advertiser Archery Bistro (located at the Normandy Park Towne Center), would like our Readers to know about their latest food specials and events.

Here’s a letter from Chef Brandon about this week’s offering:

What’s up?! I would like to start by giving thanks to all of those who came out for our “Running Blind” 5k Run this past Sunday at Archery Bistro! We raised an incredible amount for the Hear See Hope Foundation. So thanks again to all of you who came to run, walk, eat, drink, or all of the above!

One Sunday June event down, two to go for us at Archery! Father’s Day is just ten days away, and if you don’t have reservations yet, you better hurry! Let us do the work for you and your guy(s)!

We will be open for brunch from 9am-2pm and dinner from 4:30 to 9pm. Menu items include, Prawn Cocktail, Dungeness Crab Cakes, Steak and Eggs, French Toast, Green Eggs and Ham, Bacon wrapped Filet of Beef and Australian Rock Lobster Tails! Call us today for reservations.

Our June wine dinner is slated for the 27th of this month featuring Rodney Strong. Go to our website to view the menu.

Once again, I will be at the Burien Farmer’s Market today grabbing some fresh items for our specials for this weekend. Last week I found some juicy Yakima cherries and crisp sugar snap peas that we served with grilled Alaskan Halibut. AWESOME!

Hope your day is great!
-Chef Brandon

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WLB Advertiser Archery Bistro (located at the Normandy Park Towne Center), would like our Readers to know about their latest food specials and events.

Here’s a letter from Chef Brandon about this week’s offering:

Happy Thursday! What a great week so far!

We have been preparing and cooking some very special menu items here at Archery Bistro including Copper River Sockeye Salmon, and our newest addition to the menu, a 16 oz Certified Angus Beef Ribeye! It is accompanied by Yukon Gold Potatoes, Roasted Walla Walla Sweet Onions, Tempura Asparagus, and a Bleu Cheese Butter! You won’t be disappointed. Since we are talking about the menu, I just received an order of duck breasts that we will be showcasing tomorrow night for dinner. Also, our Lead Cook John and I came up with a Seared Scallop special last weekend that we sold out of so quickly, we decided to bring them back again this Saturday. So come on down for some very special and delicious items this weekend that aren’t usually on our menu.

Don’t forget about the “Running Blind” 5K Run hosted by Archery Bistro this Sunday (June 6) at the Normandy Park Town Center. The event is supporting the Hear See Hope Foundation benefiting Usher syndrome. Usher Syndrome is the leading cause of deaf-blindness. After the run there will be a live band, beer & root beer garden, and a BBQ with hot dogs and hamburgers!

Well, I’m off to the Burien Farmer’s Market to find some items for tonight’s special! Come see what it is!

Chef Brandon

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New Waterland Blog Advertiser The Des Moines Dog House is calling all artists to design the new Dog House T-Shirts!

Here’s some info they want us to pass along to our Readers:

Pick up an entry form between June 2 – 29, then submit your design to the Des Moines Dog House by June 29th. Voting and Dog Party will be from 6pm – 8pm on Wednesday, June 30th – bring your friends and family to vote for your design! If your design is selected it will be available for purchase on all Des Moines Dog House merchandise at their new online store, coming soon! You must be present to win.

Every Sunday this summer, starting June 6th, Kid’s Dogs will be $2. Take the kids down to the beach for a picnic!

New this Year at the Dog House is Late Night on the Deck on Friday and Saturday nights.From 11pm to 2am the Dog House serves Nathans 1/4 lb All Beef Hotdogs with cream cheese and grilled onions for $5. It’s perfect for a late night snack!

The Des Moines Dog House is located in the heart of downtown Des Moines. They specialize in gourmet sausages including the World Famous Nathans 1/4 lb All Beef Hotdogs. They have chicken and turkey sausages, pork and beef sausages, sides like chili, cole slaw and crinkle cut fries, and ice cold domestic and imported bottled beers. There is also a fantastic condiment bar with over 20 different items to dress your dog up with. Enjoy eating your cooked to order meal in a casual environment filled with fun hotdog memorabilia or dine on their outside deck.

You may not be able to tell by the weather, but you can tell by how light it stays at night. The Dog House is now operating under its Summer Hours:

• Mon – Fri 11am – 8pm
• Sat 11am – 7pm
• Sun 12pm – 5pm

The Des Moines Dog House is located at 22302 Marine View Drive.

The Des Moines Dog House is located in a distinctive building at 22302 Marine View Drive.

Give them a call at 206-824-1794 or visit their website at www.thedesmoinesdoghouse.com.

Become their fan on Facebook and be in the loop for Facebook Only Specials here.

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Our latest Advertiser, Archery Bistro (located at the Normandy Park Towne Center), would like our Readers to know about their weekly food specials and events.

Here’s a letter from Chef Brandon about this week’s offering:

Hi folks, Chef Brandon here from Archery Bistro. I’m very excited to be working with The B-Town Blog to let everyone know the many exciting things happening at Archery Bistro. Every week I will be posting our fresh happenings along with our upcoming special events.

As you may know, the Copper River Salmon season started last week and I’m excited to announce we received our first delivery of the beautiful fish yesterday! I’ve been thinking about this recipe for months anticipating for this day to come. This week’s preparation will be grilled with vanilla scented rice, baby carrots, and a lemon butter sauce.

At our May wine dinner last Sunday, featuring Kestrel Vintners, one of the wine makers brought me a generous bag of gorgeous Morel mushrooms that he had handpicked near his winery in Prosser, Washington. Look for these delicious Morel’s in the next few days at Archery Bistro.

Don’t forget to call us for your Father’s Day Reservations. With the success of our Mother’s Day Brunch we will be serving both Brunch and Dinner for Father’s Day with a special menu for all Dad’s! We have limited seating and will only be taking reservations so don’t wait too long as we sold out for Mother’s Day. Reservations can be made by calling us at 206-429-3145.

Our weekly specials are very popular with Tuesday night Steak Night along with ½ price bottle of wine, Wednesday Burger Bonanza with Burgers starting at $5.95 and Thursday All You Can Eat Fish & Chips at only $10.95. Don’t forget our Saturday night Ladies Night featuring $3 Lemon Drops and Cosmos ALL NIGHT LONG!

I hope to see you at the Bistro very soon.

Cheers,
Chef Brandon

Archery Bistro is located at 19803 1st Ave. South, Suite 104 in the Normandy Park Towne Center.

For more information, or to make a reservation, call Archery Bistro at 206.429.3145, or visit their website here.

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Story & Photos by Scott Schaefer

When a spouse dies, the surviving partner is called a “widow” or “widower.”

But what can one possibly call a parent whose young child dies a terrible, tragic death?

The grief one must feel when ones’ own child dies tragically is so incredibly severe there really can be no name for it, so we’ll just leave it as that – unnameable.

Such is the case with Dermot Owens, longtime Manager and bartender at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub in Burien. His grief is most certainly unnameable now, as he lost his five-year old son Shea in a tragic accident when he was run over by Dermot’s SUV at their home in Newcastle last Friday (April 16).

“What a great Father he was,” said Mick Purdy, co-owner of Mick Kelly’s, and Dermot’s boss. “We all saw Shea grow up right here, running around the place. To have this tragedy happen is just unbelievable. We’re all in a state of shock…”

UPDATE: There will be a benefit concert for Dermot at Mick Kelly’s on Thursday, May 6th starting at 6:00pm, with live music and a raffle to raise money so Dermot can take time to be with his friends and family.

The Burien branch of Key Bank (655 Southwest 152nd Street • 206-241-9348) has set up an account called “The Little Shea Memorial Fund” where people can donate to help fund Shea’s funeral, which will be held this Thursday (April 22) at 11am at St. Mary’s Church (611 20th Avenue South, Seattle), with a wake afterwards at the Glen Acres Golf Course (call Mick Kelly’s for more details: 206-246-2473).

Also, here are other ways to help Dermot and his family out:

• Donate using PayPal: Click here to donate directly to the memorial fund online.

You can also make a cash or check donation in person at:

• Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub & Restaurant in Burien
• Mick Kelly’s at Full Throttle Bar & Grill in Renton
• A Terrible Beauty Irish Pub in Renton
• The Celtic Swell Pub & Restaurant on Alki in West Seattle

Donations will be used to pay for Shea’s service as well as for the Father’s time off from work. You can donate at any Key Bank location.

Here’s a Photo Slideshow of the memorial by Scott Schaefer (be sure your speakers are turned on):

Click to Play Scott Schaefer’s SoundSlideshow

We just got off the phone with All-Star Sports Bar Operations Manager Joe Potts, who announced that they held a “soft opening” on Wednesday night (Mar. 3), and are now officially “open for business.”

How does one successfully launch a “soft opening” you ask? Simple – turn on the “Open” sign. Maybe call or text some friends. And wait. Joe reports that they had a steady stream of 20-30 customers all day, topping out around 80 before they ran out of “training liquor.”

And all that was without any real publicity. A good sign for a new business in our opinion. And seeing how this is the second new restaurant to open in Des Moines, we say things are definitely starting to look up around here.

All-Star’s hours are 11am – 2am seven days a week, and despite not yet having a full menu, they’ll be serving pizzas this weekend.

The “soft opening” continues today, and the bar is definitely open, so this might be a good time to help “train” their staff by dropping in, bellying up and ordering something; just don’t forget to tip your local server.

Expect a big “grand opening” on Thursday, March 18th, when ESPN Radio announcers Brock and Salk will make an appearance for a March Madness basketball promotion. Be sure to check The Waterland Blog often, as we’ll be posting more news as we receive it.

Joe says they’ll start serving their full menu sometime towards the middle of next week – but here’s an exclusive sneak peek at it so you can start planning your order:

To download a PDF of All-Star’s menu, click here.

Story and Photos by Michael Brunk

As of Monday, March 1st, hungry folks in the city of Des Moines now have a new option to satisfy their culinary cravings. Barnacles Restaurant & Bar – located in the old Boston Pizza location at 22636 Marine View Drive South – is now officially open for business. I stopped by during the dinner rush on Monday to see for myself what this new business had to offer.

As you pull into the parking lot, it’s hard to miss the rather dramatic changes that have been made to the old building. The first thing that catches your eye is the new, covered, outdoor seating area. Still a little cold to be enjoyed just yet but bound to be a favorite spot as the weather warms up.

Stepping inside reveals the restaurant proper, completely remodeled from floor to ceiling. The interior is smaller than I expected. The Butlers have made good use of the space however, and very little is wasted. To your left as you enter is the bar with seating and to the right is the open dining room. For the evening crowd the lighting was subdued and intimate. I sat in the bar but I found the music just a bit on the loud side for my taste.

Almost immediately I bumped into Mayor Bob Sheckler and Carmen Scott and Dave Kaplan from the City Council. Nice to see local officials out supporting a new business. Dave raved about the fish and chips so I ordered a batch to try them for myself.

Given the fairly large opening night crowd, I imagined I’d be waiting a while before my dinner arrived but I was pleasantly surprised at the quick service. A very good sign! I’m no food reviewer but I’ve eaten fish and chips at restaurants from coast to coast. While I wouldn’t rate these as the best I’ve had it was certainly tasty and a great value at $10.

The fish and chips are just one item on the streamlined menu that Barnacles refers to as “American comfort food.” Some patrons might chafe at the lack of options but frankly, I think it’s a smart move for a new restaurant to focus on doing a few things really well. I’m definitely going to have to return sometime soon and give their cheeseburger a try.

Overall, a very positive first impression. Good food at a decent price, served fast and with a smile. It could prove to be a winning combination for this new Des Moines business.

Here are some photos from my evening at Barnacles:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

The brand spankin’ new restaurant Barnacles At Des Moines will be holding its grand opening on Monday, March 1st, from 4pm – Midnight.

As we reported back in October, Barnacles is located in the building formerly occupied by Boston Pizza, at 22636 Marine View Dr. South.

Owner Steve Butler told The Waterland Blog that they’ve gotten the ‘green light from the city of Des Moines’ and they are set to open at 4PM on Monday March 1.

Owner/Operation Manager Sandy Butler calls the menu “American comfort food.”  Here’s the menu that was finalized just this week:

(ALL PASTA AND SANDWICH ENTREES COME WITH SOUP, SALAD, OR FRIES)

PASTA ENTREE…9.95 SANDWICH ENTREE..9.95
Smoked Salmon Fettuccine… Reuben..Patty Melt
Chicken Linguine.. French Dip..Monte Crisco Cristo
Mushroom Beef Rosoto… Burger… Grilled Cheese
Calamari & Noodles… Cheese Burger.. Garden Burger
Spinach Mushroom Fettuccine

FISH AND CHIPS AND SALAD…9.95
COB SALAD AND SOUP…9.95

(All Specials Of the day come with Soup, Salad, or Fries )

SPECIALS OF THE DAY…14.99
Scallops, Potato and Veggie…Flank Steak, Potato and Veggie…
Salmon, Potato and Veggie

SIDES…4.95 DRINKS…1.95
Fries..Cheese Nachos..Lg Salad… Coke.. Sprite..Root Beer
Insalata Caprese..Lg Soup… Diet Coke…Hot Tea
Shrimp Cocktail… Sweet Tea…Milk…Coffee

DESSERTS…4.95
Hot Fudge Sundae
Carrot Cake
Cheese Cake W/Cherries

Sandy and Steve’s kids, Austin, Jake and Fawn have a lifelong love of the restaurant business. The boys started in the business at 16, and now are turning what they’ve learned into a family business.

“They’ve bussed, dishwasher, waited, bartended…. just everything in the business to get where they are now,” said Sandy.

Austin’s even gone to culinary school to hone his skills, along with mom Sandy. Both graduated from South Seattle’s Culinary School. Daughter Fawn is just finishing Culinary school at Puget Sound Skills Center.

Steve was the contractor on the job who totally gutted the former Boston Pizza, and replaced the tired exterior with updated, modern kitchen, tile floors, dark wood, and a beautiful hand hewn bar made from a tree. It even has the some knots in it.

Steve and Sandy also decided that Barnacles Restaurant and Bar needed some outdoor dining, so they built a very nice covered patio –complete with outdoor heaters. They plan on serving food and drinks there on Monday.

Barnacles will be open from 4-midnight 7 days a week. Kids are welcome until 9 pm and then they’ll have some fun for those over 21:

• Open Mic Mondays (not the first Monday)
• Trivia Tuesday
• Western Wednesday
• Ladies Night Thursday (with ½ price drinks for the ladies)
• Live Music Fridays
• DJ’s Saturdays

Next Friday’s (Mar. 5th) live music is Rock ‘n Roll by Ricardo Valenzuela (who returns Friday, Mar. 19th) and the following Friday (Mar. 12th) customers can enjoy keyboardist/singer Cameron Rafati.

“We’re thrilled that this up and comer is coming to our little restaurant,” Sandy told WLB.

Barnacles’ mission is, in part, “to provide each customer with the finest service, food and drink experience.”

They are located at 22636 Marine View Drive South.

No reservations are required, but just in case, the phone number is 206-878-5000, and here’s a link to their Facebook page:

We hope to be conducting a full review of Barnacles at Des Moines, so stay tuned.

The Waterland Blog stopped by All-Star Sports bar last Friday for an update on their countdown to opening. Operations Manager Joe Potts told us they’re “still targeting the Winter Olympics for the grand opening, but it may not be for the opening ceremonies.”

The dark hardwood floors have been laid. The walls are painted a dark blue and deep red. The tables, chairs and barstools have arrived and are stacked all over the place. This week the large screen TV’s will arrive and will be installed.

“Once the bar is finished, we can move the furniture around and take delivery of the pool tables and golf games,” Potts said.

And for those readers asking about employment know that the first team of 14 employees have been hired. Potts is still accepting applications for future employment – you can email your resume to potts2000@hotmail.com or call him at 206-212-6740.

On Thursday, Jan. 21st, several local restaurants will be hosting “Dine For Highline,” where a percentage of proceeds will be donated to Highline Medical Center’s “Campaign for a New ER.”

Originally built to serve 12,000 patients each year, Highline’s current ER now serves nearly 45,000, making it one of the busiest in the state; obviously, a new, state-of-the-art ER is required.

Here’s info from their press release:

Mark your calendar for January 21st!

On Thursday, January 21, several local restaurants are hosting Dine for Highline, whereby they will donate a percentage of their proceeds to the hospital’s Campaign for a New ER.

These generous businesses know that having a great community means having a great hospital, too, and that’s why they are supporting the campaign.

Now let’s show our support for them, while enjoying a fabulous meal!

Currently participating restaurants include:

• Archery Bistro
• Emerald City Smoothie
• Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub
• Sal’s Deli
• 909 Coffee and Wine
• Mark Restaurant and Bar
• Yo’s Bistro
• Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar
• Angelo’s of Burien
• Australian Pie Co.
• Tin Room Bar
• La Costa Restaurant
• Bison Creek Pizza
• Vino Bello Wine Bar

Here’s info on the campaign from Highline’s website:

A State-of-the-Art Facility
With support from the community, Highline Medical Center is building a 27,000 square feet, state-of-the-art ER housed in a new three-story building on its Main Campus. It will be equipped with the very latest advances in medical technology and staffed by an expert team of board-certified physicians. It is designed to make ER visits faster, to reduce stress and to enhance comfort for patients and their families at every stage of care:

• Three private triage rooms
• Bedside registration
• Sophisticated electronic patient tracking system
• Family consult room
• 32 private treatment rooms, with room for family members
• Dedicated decontamination room for disasters
• Diagnostic imaging within the ER
• Electronic medical records
• Separate family waiting area
• Private and confidential admitting areas
• Convenient free parking and easy drop-off

A Life Giving Opportunity: How You Can Help
Highline Medical Center Foundation has launched a $10 million community campaign to help fund construction of the new ER. Highline is not tax-supported. We are an independent, nonprofit organization created by the community and supported by the generosity of individuals like you. We need your help. Your gift is an investment in the future health and wellbeing of everyone in our community. It will assure that fast, convenient, state-of-the-art emergency care will be right here –– whenever life depends on it.

To support The Campaign for a New ER at Highline, be sure to “Dine For Highline” on Thursday, Jan. 21st, or click here or call (206) 901-8500.

by Kelly Johnson

There is no question Seattle is an amazing city for food, drink and great places to go out, get out, hang out and hang loose. But here’s the drawback:

What happens if you don’t live in the city?

Fortunately, Dan Thiessan of Bellevue’s 08 Seafood Grill and Twisted Cork Wine bar was wondering much the same thing, so he brought a bit of neighborhood warmth, uptown style and devotion to dining out fundamentals — such as making people happy — to those of us here in the south end.

I had the privilege of spending last Thursday night at Archery Bistro (formerly Cafe Mia). I didn’t know what to expect really. “Ooh. Ahh. A new place in Normandy Park,” I thought. I am now amending my original thought by adding a few more “h’s” after that initial ooh and ahh.

I don’t care if you’re a smalltown to downtown meat & potatoes lover, a seafood fan only interested in the market list or the “go out of your way to try the one thing you haven’t seen on a menu elsewhere” type. The diverse but unpretentious menu here gives a nod to them all. While Archery doesn’t skimp when it comes to a solid array of beer, traditional as well as upscale soft drinks and liquor, it is the wine that will win you over. There’s a wine list designed to pair well with whatever might be on your plate. But if you don’t know what to choose, that’s not a problem. Feel free to leave the Sommelier lingo at the door if it’s not your mother tongue. Dan and his staff have you covered there. Just tell them what you like. The wine list is extensive yet unintimidating with price point being under twelve dollars by the glass and bottles in the $24 to $50 range.

The kitchen shared generously with us that night. High points go to the “crab no cake” crab cakes with the ribbon-thin drizzle of apple aioli giving the sweet densely packed meat perfect tang. This isn’t the Panko proffered version you might be used to. It’s just densely-packed loveliness encased in a golden brown sear from the pan. Oh and for those of you who don’t like greenery, you’re missing a bet if you don’t eat the Fuji apple and watercress slaw that comes with it. This is one time no one is going to have to make you eat your vegetables.

The Cowboy Beef Tenderloin — emphasis on the word tender — had a dry rub that could very well make our counterparts south of the Mason-Dixon Line want to sit up and take note! The tenderloin was carefully prepared, juicy and darkly flavorful. The coffee ground rub put a confident spin on what is sure to be a crowd favorite.

My guest and I also got to try the artfully brined cedar-planked Salmon that flaked perfectly, along with the Apple wood Smoked Pork with the Mushroom Forest Hash (the Pork Chops and applesauce Bobby Brady would only hope to try) and a Squash Soup whose flavor embodies winter time cozy and a texture that could only be described as velveteen.

If you can pull yourself away from focusing on your meal, you’ll note the tribute the décor pays to Glen St. Charles of Northwest Archery fame. Warmly hued wood, subtle touches from the St. Charles’ museum and a beautifully executed wine rack display instantly lend itself the overall dining experience.

The restaurant hasn’t even been open a month, but I noticed staff and patrons are already exchanging first names in greeting, good byes and all that’s in between. Keep an eye out for this place. The commitment to community, its customers and high quality cuisine is quite a gift to us here in the south end this holiday season.

See what happens when you make it onto Santa’s “nice” list?

Here’s a Photo Slideshow of the Archery Bistro by Michael Brunk:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Archery Bistro is located in the Normandy Park Town Centre at 19803 1st Ave. South, Suite 104 in Normandy Park.

Their hours are:

• Lunch: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Dinner: Nightly, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
• Happy Hour: Daily, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.; 9 p.m. – Close
• Bar: Daily, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Their phone number is 206.429.3145.

Story by Janet Grella
Photos by Michael Brunk

We’ve all watched the China Seas Restaurant morph into the All Star Sports Bar, but the big question on the minds of Des Moines residents and sports fans throughout the area is:

“When is All Star going to open?”

According to operations manager Joe Potts: “I usually tell people 30 days from the day someone asks me (that question).”

Would that put the opening date as January 17th then?

Not exactly.

Joe hopes that their opening will be no later than the Vancouver Winter Olympics. That would be February 12, 2010. They hope to be open before that, but in the past they had hoped to be open for football season, then the Superbowl, but the Olympics is a safe bet.

Potts also adds “Powell Brothers (A Waterland Blog Advertiser) and Todd Powell have been great to work with. The city has been great to work with. But in my experience I have learned that ‘remodeling’ a house is sometimes more challenging than building a house.”

Transforming the old China Seas from the ‘blight on the corner’ to All Star started when owner Jim Fullerton, general manager Justin Edwards and Potts met with Dr. Scott Andrews regarding his vision and mission for the rebuilding of Des Moines. They found they were all on the same page, and promptly signed a lease on the property. It is All Star’s mission to be a “Pillar in the community of Des Moines and display a sense of community through deeds and sponsorships,” according to Joe.

Long time friends Fullerton, Potts and Edwards all live in Des Moines. Edwards is a Des Moines native, and attended Pacific Middle School and is a Mt. Rainier grad. A few years back, they would convene at China Seas to enjoy indoor sports (pool and ping pong) as well as televised sports. They agreed one day they would own a sports bar. That day draws near.

“We plan to use the newest of high tech gaming entertainment, plus some old stand-bys” said Edwards, including:

• 20 Large Screen TVs
• Two Golden Tee Golf Games
• Darts
• Two Pool Tables (Spring tournament session starts in February)
• High tech Juke Box which will take both debit and credit cards
• Entertainment on weekends: DJ Friday and Live Bands on Saturday
• Fireball
  
• Real Time Fantasy Stats for the Fantasy players
• Ping Pong table from the old China Seas (the only fixture they saved)
• Free WiFi

Edwards also tells WLB that “we’ll do for individual-sized gourmet pizza what the Dog House has done for hot dogs.” Other food will include sandwiches, salad and appetizers. They’ll be open for lunch and dinner and events like the Olympics, March Madness, and if we’re lucky the Superbowl!

Know your All Stars: Of the three main guys we learned that Fullerton is a computer programmer and will keep his day job. Potts has had a career in Food and Beverage Services on the corporate side with Holland America and Edwards has spent 12 years as a bartender where he’s developed some pretty incredible drinks that he’ll be sharing with All Star bartenders.

All Star plans to be open from 11 am-2 am everyday, including holidays. There will be ‘no cover-no time.’ They plan to stay a step ahead of other sports bars by offering service, atmosphere and hospitality.

Keep up with All Star’s countdown to opening with The Waterland Blog – in the coming weeks we’ll be sharing their specialized drink menu and food menu – and finally will announce the much awaited opening.

Sadly, Des Moines’ “The Reuben” sandwich and espresso cafe has finally closed, despite many last-ditch attempts to recover by owner Mike and Debbie Rovech.

Photographer Michael Brunk stopped by Wednesday (Dec. 16th) to show his respects, and he also took these photos:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Slideshow

Read our previous coverage of The Reuben here.

by Mark Neuman

Guitarist Jerry Miller regaled a healthy crowd Saturday (Nov. 21st), at The Reuben in Des Moines.

Deli owners, husband and wife team Mike and Debbie Rovech, were hoppin’.

“Yes! We are open!” they said. “We love our customers!”

Jerry Miller was lead guitarist for a group in the 60’s called Moby Grape. They had a great first album, and performed at the Monterey Pop Festival. Friends with Northwest native Jimi Hendrix, Jerry was selected by Rolling Stone Magazine as the 68th greatest guitarist of all time.

His buddy Jimi is #1.

Looking at friend Mike across the busy room Saturday, Jerry bantered: “Well, hello entrepreneur!”

“Don’t forget the entrepreneurette!” Debbie good-naturedly ricocheted.

Des Moines City Councilmember-elect Matt Pina, a guitarist himself, was in attendance, along with his wife, Michelle.

Never had a Reuben? Prepare to salivate, sports fans.

Here, verbatim, from Mike and Debbie’s menu is what goes into a Reuben:

“Lean corned beef, fresh sauerkraut and Swiss cheese with Thousand Island Dressing, grilled on classic light caraway rye bread.”

Come get one! And prepare to say: “Now THIS is a Reuben!”

The Reuben
21904 Marine View Drive South
Des Moines, WA 98198
(206) 824-6672

Hours:

• Monday 9:30am to 3pm
• Tuesday through Friday 9:30am to 5:30pm
• Saturday 11am to 5:30pm
• Sunday – Closed

The Waterland Blog has learned from a top secret, well-placed inside source that the Seafair Pirates will be “raiding” Des Moines’ own Butler Bar and Grill on Saturday night (July 18th) after the big 50th Birthday/Waterland Parade, ’round 8pm.

Expect a riotous and raucous evening as they’ll be up to their usual pirate schtick.

You see there’s all sorts of new happenings at Butler Bar and Grill in Des Moines. Can we talk happy hour, new menu, karaoke, trivia nights and more?

Butler’s has a really fun Happy Hour that stretches from Monday to Saturday with great prices on beer, wine and wells. Plus you’ll enjoy some really great bar food with all the grease and cheese needed to make good bar food.

Happy Hour specials are available from 3:30-6. You and your party can enjoy

• $2 Off Well Drinks
• $2.50 Coors Light Pints & $3.00 House Wines

…and some great appetizers including:

• Sliders ‘n’ Fries
• Chipotle Chicken Wings
• Dusted Calamari
• Nachos
• Garlic Styx
• Tacos

Plus Butlers has some really cool mixed drinks such as “The Butler Did It“, and “Butler Tickler” just to name a few intriguing concoctions.

Owner Mike Colello sat down with The Waterland Blog recently to explain how Butler’s is his dream come true. Mike formed the idea for Butler’s in 1998. His idea was to create and “upscale American Pub” to fill a niche in the Des Moines community. Mike added that “the city has embraced us. We are very excited and proud to be the focus of things to come in Des Moines.” Mike went on to explain that the “staff and attitude” of Butlers is his vision and the décor is his partners, Scott Andrews, vision (the neon art, which you won’t find anywhere else in South King County).

Going into the food business was not suprising to those who know Mike. He grew up helping his father Bo Colello sell produce at the Pike Place Market.

Butler opened its doors in Des Moines in October of 2007. Butler can be enjoyed by folks from all age groups, but as the night wears on, Butlers turns its focus to the mid-30 crowd, with Karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights starting at 10 pm-close (around 2 am).

And then there’s Thursday Night Trivia starting at 7:30 pm. It’s $2 a team to enter and special Butler Gift Cards are awarded to weekly winners.

Back by popular demand is Monday Night Spaghetti that includes Delicious Homemade Spaghetti & Meatballs, served with green salad and garlic bread for $12.95.

A month or so ago, Mike told WLB that he was going to develop a menu that “works for this town.” And he’s got it – check this out Des Moines: BBQ’d ribs, fettuccini, steak salad, an array of sandwiches and burgers cooked to a turn, salads both small and large (read the entire menu here).

When The Waterland Blog launched our new Des Moines community website in February we knew we needed to have a fundraiser for the Des Moines Food Bank, and we knew it had to be at Butler Bar and Grill. Why? Because it’s a cool spot in the middle of the Marina District. Over $600 was raised on April Fool’s Day in our “No Foolin Fundraiser,” and we became great friends with Mike, his team and the city and businesses of Des Moines.

We proudly welcome Butler Bar and Grill to our growing Advertising roster, and encourage our readers, who aren’t in the parade to watch the parade from Butler Bar and Grill on the Waterland Parade route this Saturday July 18.

Butler Bar and Grill is located at 22341 Marine View Drive South in Des Moines, in the spot once occupied by the historic Butler Garage.

You can call ahead for reservations 206-429-3709, or learn more at their website.

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