I hope all those who received tickets to the Paramount enjoyed
Showboat. From your feedback, it sounds like it was an all-timer. My
daughter and I are still singing the songs. We'll be drawing names
again in January for the Broadway at the Paramount series. The shows
for early 1998; Bring in da Noise, Bring in da Funk, Big and Smokey
Joe's Cafe. Drop your business card in the fishbowls at the host
stands at our restaurants and hopefully it's your name we draw.
Jackie and I spent a weekend in San Francisco last month. The
restaurant scene there is intoxicating. To me there is nothing quite
like it - it's not LA, it's not New York. New York is so grand, so
overwhelming, and the restaurants are big budget, big ticket. And Los
Angeles is so spread out that half my budget is blown on $30 cab rides
to take in a few restaurants. Seatle improves every year but is still
missing the incredible depth of quality restaurants that you find in
those cities. But San Francisco still has neighborhood appeal, and
the depth, and affordability. I had the feeling that you could still
open a little restaurant on a shoestring. Not that they do, but you
could.
Had another fabulous meal at Boulevard, consistently one of my
favorite joints in the city. Tried a couple of new places including
Jardiniere which was very good. The Slanted Door; good but didn't
surpass the Wild Ginger standard. Fouk-Yuen; the best dim sum I've
ever had. I sure wish Seattle had a restaurant like this. The Mecca;
the coolest bar I've been to in a long time. Tadich Grill; every time
I go there, I order the mesquite-broiled petrale sole with potato
tartar sauce and a Bloody Mary. It's my favorite "classic" restaurant
in San Francisco and I've been ordering the same dish there as long as
I can remember. At Labuznik, here in Seattle, I've been ordering the
roast pork and dumplings for twenty years. There is sometimes the
need to set aside the now and wow for good old fashioned comfort food.
There are people who tell me they feel that way about the crab cakes
at the Dahlia - I love to hear that.
Two of Seattle's original foodies have passed away in the past couple
months. Jerry Banchero of Mondo's World of Wines - the last time I
saw Jerry was at the Northwest BBQ Championships at Red Hook. He was
having a ball and I hope he won. Also, mentor and friend Angelo
Magnano, the original importer of all the Napoleon food products you
see on store shelves. Angelo always put his arm around me while
telling great stories of the old days and I never tired of listening
to them. I will miss them both.
This past year has been another wild ride. Our restaurant family,
numbering nearly 200 people now, will be celebrating our 8th
successful year in business with a midnight bowling bash at Leilani
Lanes. (Can't wait for the Grand Buffet!) Jackie, Loretta, and I wish
you and your family good eating, fine sipping and all the best for the
holidays. Thanks for your continued business.
Cheers! Tom & Jackie and the family.
