Seattle Times food writer forewarns readers about Tavern Law's buzz

Don't you love when an article starts with a line like, "With all the early press -- both locally and nationally..." We do!

Here's the scoop from Nancy Leson on our client's opening weekend (but don't let her keep you away, it's going to be fun to see everyone these opening weeks):

Tavern Law open. Don't expect a Spur-of-the-moment seat

With all the early press -- both locally and nationally, my guess is there won't be a lot of room to move at Tavern Law when the Capitol Hill restaurant and speakeasy-styled drinks-joint makes its public debut at 12th and Madison tonight. Doors open at 5 p.m. and listen up: it's 21-and-over.
Considering the talent at hand (chefs Brian McCracken, Dana Tough and their barman David Nelson -- who brought us Belltown's Spur gastropub), and the foot traffic alone on this Pike/Pine corridor (they're ensconced in the Trace Lofts complex), chances are you might just have to poke your nose in and head elsewhere. Not that you'd have far to go given the implosion of worthy places to eat and drink within a few short blocks.
Chefs Dana Tough (left) and Brian McCracken want you: to check out their new place.photo/Kristin Zwiers

Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company

Tavern Law opens August 21: Daily Candy delivers the summons

Today's Daily Candy delivers the news about our clients:

Barely Legal.
Tavern Law Bar Opens.

The verdict is in. In light of recent evidence, your temporary prohibition (which began last night at 2 a.m.) of all alcohol is lifted.

Bust out your desk drawer flask, Don Draper.

Twisted classic cocktails and elegant pub fare continues at Tavern Law, Spur owners Brian McCracken and Dana Tough’s new project, opening tonight. With its curved mahogany bar, masculine leather booths, and bookcase stocked with vintage law tomes, the remodeled mercantile building recalls a privileged private library.

Study up on the short chalkboard menu with rotating specials like carnaroli risotto, braised pork belly, and fried oysters with beefsteak tomato and horseradish aioli.

Cocktails like the vintage Monkey Gland (gin, orange juice, grenadine, absinthe) and the newly fashioned Pike & Pine (rye, rosemary, lemon, kummel, egg) make a case for sticking around late into the night.
Setting a precedent.

Writer Rebekah Denn examines Twitter in the food world

This month's Seattle magazine features a great article by Rebekah Denn: "SHORT ORDER REVIEWS: In Seattle where restaurants, chefs and food are topics discussed and debated with more fervor than politics, Twitter is giving foodies inside access to the conversation, 140 characters at a time."

Denn included me in the mix, writing, "Twitter followers must determine which sources they consider reliable, rather than rely on gate-keeping editors. And that reliability is harder to judge due to the fact that every Twitterer has an agenda— or sometimes, several.

Kat Spellman, publicist for Spur Gastropub, finds Twitter a valuable business tool, learning immediately, for instance , when (Ruth) Reichl (Gourmet magazine’s editor) ate at Spur. But she also follows luminaries she admires on Twitter, such as Mark Bittman of The New York Times. She was thrilled when she tweeted Bittman to compliment him on his chocolate soufflé and he replied.

The self promotion that’s clearly a top agenda item for some is only effective when done in a low-key style…"

As a Twitterer who enjoys wearing multiple hats online, I'm honored to be included and even more thrilled to be recognized for rocking a "low key style". Love it!

Thanks for the opportunity Rebekah. Illustration for Seattle magazine by Ken Orvidas.

...

Pepper Schwartz talks Samantha of Sex in the City, That Girl and more with Elle magazine

What fun it was to connect Dr. Pepper Schwartz with Elle magazine recently, for the “Living Single” article on the single gal in tv and film through the years. Writer Jeryl Bruner wrote about taking a tip or two from “unwed wonders throughout pop-culture history” and who better than Schwartz, author of such books as Prime: Adventures and Advice About Sex, Love, and the Sensual Years to offer expert comment?

Of Marlos Thomas’ That Girl character, Schwartz says, “The opening scene was her pure joy—like she was saying, ‘Am I happy to be here or what?’” Of Sex and the City she says, “Imagine a show based on middle-aged and old women, who are usually invisible, having good and interesting lives,” says Schwartz. “They were bright, analytical, adventurous, and even interested in sex.”

This is a fun read single gals, so be certain to click on the blog title above to read the entire piece.

Thank you Jeryl and thank you Pepper!

Photo of Marlos Thomas as Anne Marie in “That Girl”.

Halter Hotties are some of the Fini Gals “Favorite Things”

Local made eco chic halters burn it up on Seattle Met mag’s “Who What Wear” blog.

The chic halter tops of our clients at Halter Hotties www.halterhotties.com have headlined Laura Cassidy’s fashion blog “that’s all about cultivating a life of style in Seattle.” Laura writes, “Kimberly Kay and her daughter Paris sort through piles of discarded silk and otherwise luxuriously smooth vintage scarves — designer and otherwise — and, adding contrasting fabrics to form soft necklines, belts for structure, and ultra-soft lining for wearability, fashion them into barely-there summer blouses.” Available at the Pike Place Market nighborhood boutique, Fini www.ILoveFini.com, the entire collection can also be viewed online.

Click on blog link above to read Laura Cassidy’s blog at Seattle Metropolitan magazine’s website. And check out singer Jewel shown hear rocking a halter look just last week- proof positive these style are on trend and glamorous.

Seen in PSBJ's Scene Section: Evergreen City Ballet

We adore the dynamic duo who grace the pages of the Puget Sound Business Journal this week: Melinda Morrison and Kevin Kaiser. Thanks to Erin Van Bronkhorst for spreading their smiles across the paper for us. Having collaborated with Morrison for years, for the last year + we’ve had the added pleasure of working with Kaiser as he's taken Evergreen City Ballet to new heights. South King County’s only professional ballet company and school is growing with leaps and bounds. Bucking the local non-profit trend ECB’s contributions, ticket sales and enrollment are all up.

Their first annual “Under the Tuscan Sun” dinner gala, pictured in the PSBJ, brought together over 100 attendees on May 16th at the Fairwood Golf & Country Club to raise funds for scholarships and ECB’s new Dance ALIVE educational outreach program. The top auction items were tickets to the Oprah show and two nights in Chicago plus an Edgar Martinez bat. Fun stuff!

Photo Courtesy Chris Clark

Spur Gastropub spoils DailyCandy.com readers with Outstanding in the Field dinner tickets for two

Thanks to the Seattle Editor of Daily Candy for popping a great mention of Spur’s upcoming Outstanding in the Field dinner in DailyCandy’s Weekend Guide today! For those of you who don’t know, Spur’s chefs will be out at Oxbow Farm on Thursday creating a dreamy five course farm feast. Guests will dine at a long linen draped table under the blue skies at the farm—just gorgeous and delish of course. Daily Candy wrote:

"WIN: Outstanding in the Field Tickets

What: Spur is giving one lucky DailyCandy reader two free seats at the dinner honoring and served by chefs Brian McCracken and Dana Tough at Oxbow Farm.

Why: Have a field day.

When: Enter to win by Sun., 5 p.m.

Event, July 16, 4 p.m.

Where: To enter, e-mail information@spurseattle.com.

Tickets also online at outstandinginthefield-reservations.com."

Trust me, my in box has been flooded as all of us with Spur see just how many folks would LOVE to get their hands on two of these hot tickets. And for those of you not wanting to leave Thursday’s plans to chance, go to the Outstanding website and order a couple. It will be an evening to remember for sure.