A Tale of Two Tartares

By Karen

There were times when the thought of eating raw beef would send shivers down my spine, but times have changed, and now steak tartare is a delicacy that I really enjoy. 

Two of my favorite restaurants in Seattle have two very different and very delicous preparations of steak tartare: the French-influenced style at The Walrus and the Carpenter (which I had this summer as a part of my birthday dinner) and the Korean-influenced style at Kaya, which I have had a few times (most recently again this past weekend with my parents who were visiting). 

The French and Korean styles of tartare both feature seasoned raw beef topped with a golden-yellow egg yolk, but taste completely different.  Here is a comparison tartare lovers in the Seattle area:


 

French-American Steak Tartar at the Walrus and the Carpenter in Ballard ($12)

The beef in The Walrus and the Carpenter's  tartare is finely minced and seasoned with mustard, cornichons, and herbs.  The texture is smooth and creamy, and goes fantastically well with the savory oiled toasts that accompany the tartare. 

Korean Steak Tartar at Kaya in Shoreline ($15)

The beef in Kaya's tartare is julienned into small strips and seasoned with  sesame oil, garlic, and pine nuts.  Strips of asian pear accompanying the tartare get mixed into the beef and egg yolk, adding a light sweetness to the dish.  Compared to the tartare at the Walrus and the Carpenter, this dish is lighter in beefy flavor and has a more distinct texture.

Holiday festivities in and around Seattle!

 By Karen


 

A tiny little tree for my tiny little apartment!


Inspired by my cute little three-foot tree (and a bout of insomnia), I thought I'd share some of my favorite things to do in Seattle to celebrate the season.  (Warning: I love cheesy holiday stuff!)


  

1. Nutcracker by the Pacific Northwest Ballet at McCaw Hall:

The gorgeous set before the performance

The Nutcracker is  one of the most popular ballets in the world.  It is not the most high-brow of ballets, but is one that can be enjoyed by almost anyone regardless of whether they are young or old and whether it their first ballet or their fiftieth.  I began attending the Nutcracker in high school, when my dear ballerina friend Natalie performed in in local productions in Portland, and my friends and I would go to watch her perform.  PNB's production of the Nutcracker is one of the most extravagant, beautiful, and fun productions of the Nutcracker I have ever seen.  It was thus no surprise to me that the New York Times recently reviewed PNB's Nutcracker to much praise.  The dance, the music, the sets, the costumes, and most of all, the story embody the holiday spirit like nothing else! Tickets range from $23 to $118. 

2. Christmas Ships by Argosy Cruises: 

The ships from Alki Beach

Seattle's landscape is defined by its lakes and surrounding waters, so a wintertime celebration on the water seems like the only proper complement to summertime's famed Seafair.  A few years ago, James surprised me by taking me out on the Argosy Christmas Cruise, where a choir on board a lead boat sings holiday songs that are projected over the water to various points (and people) on the shore.  The lead boat is followed by a parade of private boats decorated with lights.  Last year, James and I went with our friends Tim and Dimay to experience the Christmas Ships from the shore, and it was almost as fun as being on the lead ship itself (without the cost!).  The Christmas Ships take a variety of different routes, but the routes with the greatest parade of boats are the ones that are on Lake Washington.  Tickets for the lead boats range from $25 - $35 for adults and $12 - $19 for kids, but viewing from the shore is free! 

3. Garden D'Lights at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens:  

  

A glimpse of the light spectacle

I have never seen the Bellevue Botanical Gardens during the day, but on winter evenings, it is a sight to behold.  The entire garden is covered in thousands of elaborate plant-themed lights, creating a unique and beautiful spectacle.  Tickets are $5.

4. Zoolights at the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma:

If plant aren't your thing, Zoolights offers spectacular animal-themed lighting displays.  I loved going to the Zoolights at the Portland Zoo growing up, but have never made it to Zoolgihts at the Point Defiance Zoo.  However, my good friend Steve has been there, and and highly recommends it!  Tickets are $6.50 - $7.50.

5. Christmas Lighting Ceremony in Leavenworth: 

Downtown Leavenworth in the fall (photo c/o Phong and Duyen)

Every city has a tree lighting ceremony, but few go all-out like they do in Leavenworth, WA, a Bavarian-themed town set in the mountains about two hours east of Seattle.  When James and I went to Leavenworth in the wintertime a few years back, the sight of the adorable Bavarian buildings covered in snow already make it seem as though we had been transported Santa's Village in the North Pole.  On top of this already picturesque setting, the town hosts a ton of holiday events, including tree lighting ceremonies every weekend and performances every evening.  If you decide to go, make sure to check road conditions through the passes.  Free!

6. Snowflake Lane in Downtown Bellevue:

The corridor between the Bellevue Square Mall and Lincoln Square Mall fills with with foamy faux snow and real-life toy soldiers marching down the street with drums at 7:00 PM every evening during the holidays for a 15-minute show.  While you may not want to go out of your way to watch this show,  it is definitely worth stopping by if you happen by to be at the mall or in the area!  Free!

7. Ice skating at the Bellevue Downtown Park:

 

Skating with my friend Jennie, who can do all sorts of cool tricks on ice!

Something about gliding on ice can bring forth a sense of adventure and excitement in some... but for others, it can bring out a sense of fear and loathing.  I took a few ice skating lessons when I was a kid, and love the thrill of zipping around the ice, but James had never gone ice skating before until I dragged him a few years ago.  While he is otherwise incredibly coordinated on dry land, his internal gyroscope seemed to be completely thrown off the moment he set foot on ice.  Luckily, we went again last year my good friend Jennie, who was formerly a competitive figure skater.  She taught James a few tricks, and he finally started to get the hang of it!  If ice skating sounds like fun to you, the rink in the Bellevue Downtown Park is a must-do!  Tickets are $10 including skate rentals.


(Note: I have been to the ice skating rink at Seattle Center during the holidays, and it seemed chaotic verging on dangerous, so I would not recommend it.) 

8. Running off to Jamaica:



Enjoying the sunshine in Negril, Jamaica

If the cold weather has got you down, consider running off to Jamaica as James and I did one winter while I was in law school.  The warm sunny beaches were a welcomed escape from the gloom of wintertime in Pacific Northwest.  Jamaica is generally not a place to go to soak in the local culture - doing so can be dangerous and is ill advised.  Instead, all inclusive resorts are the norm here, and if a relaxing getaway is what you need, this is the place!