A Day in Seattle

On Sunday, my friend Jasmine and I drove to Seattle to attend the Nobel Wines Annual Northwest Producers Tasting at Tom Douglas' Palace Ballroom (2030 5th Avenue ~ www.tomdouglas.com/palace-ballroom) in Seattle. Although the tasting was enjoyable and rich with delicious wines, the rest of our adventure was simply exquisite.

We first visited the Pike Place Market as well as the shops across the street and in Post Alley including Sur La Table, Pike & Western Wine Shop, Kitchen Basics, etc.

At Sur La Table (84 Pine Street ~ www.surlatable.com), I purchased a much needed, rubber headed pastry brush. I received a 15% discount - because I'm 'in the trade.' As we were about to leave, an employee offered to make me a latte at no charge. After a brief chat, I told her about my new blog and she told me she would read it during her break. Another reader! What a wonderful shop - chock full of epicurean delights and helpful, friendly employees!

After a few other stops, we ended at Tom Douglas' Etta's Restaurant (www.tomdouglas.com/restaurants/ettas). I ordered both the halibut taco and pork taco with fresh guacamole ($4 total) and Jasmine ordered the Beecher's macaroni and cheese ($6). Both were excellent, but the real find at Etta's was the glass of Chinook 2008 Yakima Valley Cabernet Franc Rose ($9) I ordered! What a treat. I have read about this wine over the past few years, but have never taken the time to try it. I really have been missing out on basically the Northwest's 'perfect summer sipper.'

From the Chinook Wines web-site:

Fresh, lively & a lovely color – this new release of Chinook’s classic dry rosé is a Washington summer favorite. We make our rosé each year from one of our personal favorite varieties: Cabernet Franc. Enjoy it with salty snacks, such as thinly sliced Mangalitsa ham, or spicy nuts. We expect all the 2008 rosé to be consumed this summer & fall!

Check out the Chinook Winery at www.chinookwines.com.

After happy hour at Etta's we walked across the street and ended up at the Pike & Western Wine Shop (1934 Pike Place ~ www.pikeandwestern.com) and found the Chinook Rose at $14.99 a bottle - the winery's suggested retail. A wine this delightful, at this value price, is a must have! Pick one up at our local grocery store or wine shop. You simply won't regret it.

We then popped our heads into Kitchen Basics (1514 Pike Place #10 ~ www.mykitchenbasics.com), one of the Northwest's best sources for Fiesta dinnerware - every piece, every color (unlike Macy's and others) as well as a nice selection of 'kitchen basics.' I have been shopping at Kitchen Basics for years and have probably spent a few thousand dollars there. It remains one of my favorite spots in the city.

Next we walked from the market, down 1st Avenue, and ended up in Fran's Chocolates, Ltd. (1325 1st Avenue ~ www.franschocolates.com), on the corner of 1st and Union in the lobby of the new Four Seasons Hotel . As we walked in, we were greeted with a smile and the offer of a sample (which was amazing) and both Jasmine and I dropped a twenty on fine chocolate and caramels. By the way, the prices were reasonable and twenty dollars sends you away with a nice selection.

Recommended by my friend Patrick, we then walked around the corner and entered the new Four Seasons Hotel (99 Union Street ~ www.fourseasons.com) to view their lobby/elevator landing art collection. The hotel is literally full of art by the masters of the Northwest School including originals by Mark Tobey, Kenneth Callahan, Morris Graves and others (art directories are available at the concierge desk). If you enjoy the work of the Northwest School, this is an exciting stop. Thanks for the recommendation Patrick!

We then visited Arundel Books (1001 1st Avenue ~ ww.arundelbooks.com) where I found a perfect-condition hardcopy of Johnathon Livingston Seagull ($7) and Jasmine found a number of old play scripts ($3-6 each). The store clerk - DeDe Teeters - was delightful and very helpful and even suggested that I check out a new Leavenworth Winery called Eagle Creek (10037 Eagle Creek Road, Leavenworth ~ www.eaglecreekwinery.com).

Next we drove down to Pioneer Square and headed into Elliott Bay Books (101 South Main Street ~ www.elliottbaybook.com), which is massive and amazing. I bought a wonderful new wine book entitled Heard it Through the Grapevine: The Things You Should Know to Enjoy Wine by Matt Skinner ($24.99) and Jasmine purchased a stack of novels.

Our last stop in Seattle found us meeting up with my friend Alex and his friend Chelsea at Black Bottle Wine Bar (2600 1st Avenue ~ www.blackbottleseattle.com) in Belltown. I had a glass of the 2003 Foris Rogue Valley Fly Over Red Blend ($7) and Jasmine and I shared the smoked chicken/caramelized onion/sun-dried cherry flatbread ($9). The wine had a peculiar nose but was enjoyable enough to drink - jammy and spicy. The flatbread was amazing! I will certainly return to Black bottle for a second helping.

Cheers!

Stephen Pavletich
Wine & Spirits Director
Ocean Crest Resort

K Vintners 2006 "Royal City" Syrah

Last week the Ocean Crest Resort received shipment of 12 bottles of K Vintners 2006 "Royal City" Syrah.

"Royal City" is only the forth wine ever to receive a perfect 100 point score from any of the major national wine judges. Preceding the "Royal City" score, Quilceda Creek's 2002, 2003 and 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon each received 100 point scores from Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate.

"Royal City" received its perfect score from Paul Gregutt of the Wine Advocate. This was Mr. Gregutt's highest score ever given to a Washington wine. Cayuse, Leonetti and Quilceda Creek each received scores of 97 from him, his highest scores given prior to the 100 given to "Royal City."

Paul Gregutt's review of K Vintners 2006 "Royal City" Syrah:

"Rich scents of purple fruit, smoked meat, cedar, lead pencil, moist earth and so on proclaim a wine with genuine gravitas…..the finest syrah I have ever tasted from Washington State, and in fact as good as any young syrah I have ever tasted from anywhere."

What a review!

Thanks goes to Jeff Sequin of Vehrs, Inc. who sold us the wine and who placed our name at the top of the wait list (I was the first Vehrs client to call regarding this wine), to Rob Curtright, owner of the Ocean Crest Resort, for believing in me and for making the money available to purchase the wine and to my brother Dave Pavletich, who originally notified me of the score.

K Vintners 2006 "Royal City" Syrah will be available for purchase at Ocean Crest dining room for $210.00 per bottle. This wine, like our precious stock of Quilceda Creek Cabernets will be available to restaurant guests only and will not be available for retail sales.

Stock is EXTREMELY LIMITED as I have set aside six bottles for future use on our January 22, 2010 "Washington's Finest" Winemaker Dinner.

The line-up for the "Washington's Finest" dinner will now include (but is not limited to):

• K Vintners "Royal City" Syrah Washington 2006
  
• Andrew Will "Sorella" Horse Heaven Hills 2006
  
• Leonetti Merlot Columbia Valley 2005
  
• Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2005
  
• Chateau Ste. Michelle "Ethos" Late Harvest White Riesling Columbia Valley 2006
  

Reservations for any winemaker dinner can be made by calling 1-800-684-8439 or by e-mailing stephen@oceancrestresort.com.

Cheers!

Stephen Pavletich
Wine & Spirits Director
Ocean Crest Resort

Apolo Anton Ohno on The Ocean Crest

A frequent guest of the Ocean Crest Resort, Apolo Ohno was interviewed by USA Today regarding his favorite travel destinations. We were thrilled to read that the Ocean Crest Resort was among them! Pay special attention to the last two questions and answers.

From USA TODAY, September 8, 2009:

Apolo Anton Ohno, a five-time Olympic speed skating medalist and winner of Dancing with the Stars season four, spent the last month in Salt Lake City training for the 2010 U.S. Olympic short-track speedskating trials, which take place Sept. 8-12 in Marquette, Mich. He shares his travel highlights and tips with Kelly Carter for USA TODAY.

Q: Where have you been recently that you liked or were surprised by?

A: I went to Vienna for a skating competition. Having traveled extensively throughout Europe, I was in for an unexpected treat. I'd heard about the high quality of life in this capital but one tour of the city and I was sold. This place is absolutely beautiful — from the architecture, stunning churches, rich foods, and a day filled with music, opera and theater. My small experience on Dancing with the Stars allowed me to slowly appreciate the Waltz and Viennese Waltz but to see it in Vienna is something much different. Without a doubt one of my favorite (sights), simply because of the sheer magnitude of its size and location, is St. Stephen's Cathedral.

Growing up in Seattle, a guy comes to expect good coffee and Vienna can produce a cup with the best of them. I'd really suggest visiting the Hotel Sacher and one of the cafés attached to the famous hotel. The Sachertorte is something that you will not forget and you'll probably end up sending a cake back home to your friends or family — which is exactly what I did. One last tip: A fantastic restaurant that will have you praising Vienna is Zum Schwarzen Kamee, with 400 years of history. I suggest bonding with the maître d'hôtel. Not only is he amazing, but the food and attire will please everyone.

Q: What's the best place you've ever visited?

A: This is such a hard question. I enjoy every place that I visit with each country/city having a unique story and culture. Picking one would leave me no choice but Japan. My father is 100% Japanese and came to the United States when he was only 18 years old. My grandmother still resides in Japan, which has allowed me to travel to the roots of my ancestors with my father. Japan, not only a mega-busy city that thrives on electronics and efficiency, actually has an almost sacred appreciation of nature. One must travel outside of Tokyo to truly experience the "old Japan" and more importantly feel these aspects of Japanese culture.

The food is incredible, even if you do not like sushi! The Japanese have acquired a dedication towards quality and when it comes to cuisine — they take (it) extremely seriously. If you crave a French pastry, or Italian food — the Japanese will wow you on their preparation, taste, cleanliness and, of course, hospitality. If I would have one recommendation: Go with someone who speaks Japanese and is familiar with the areas surrounding Tokyo so that you will go off the beaten path.

Q: What's the most surprising/unexpected place you're ever visited?

A: Slovakia or Sofia, Bulgaria — dead in the winter, cold as can be, no people outside and the atmosphere was quite cold. Interesting.

Q: What's your favorite vacation spot?

A: What an impossibly hard question to answer! I enjoy anywhere that has water and sunshine. Since I cannot give you my top spot I'll try for my top three — Hawaii, Southern California (San Diego and Laguna Niguel) and Moclips, Wash., in particular the Ocean Crest Resort.

Q: Can you offer an insider tip or recommendation for your favorite vacation place?

A: Washington along the sandy beaches — this sublime hideaway (Moclips) is absolutely delightful! About three hours from Seattle it rests right against the Pacific Ocean and in the summer you'll find amazing weather, sights and nature. It is the place where I go to make big decisions, life-changing contemplation or simply to get away from the world of materialistic agenda. True nature seems sacred here and the appreciation of the sights and sound of the crashing waves make a one-week stay simply not long enough. My favorite place to stay is the Ocean Crest Resort. The chef and staff at this small, quaint hotel give it a family feel. In fact, it is still in family ownership and operated by many of its family members to ensure that the quality and true Pacific Northwest feel stays true to the experience.

Cheers!

Stephen Pavletich
Wine & Spirits Director
Ocean Crest Resort

Wine Press Northwest's Best Northwest Wine List

The Ocean Crest Resort is proud to announce we have received Wine Press Northwest's "Best Northwest Wine List" award. "The Herbie," as it is called, named after eight time 'Best Northwest Wine List' award recipient The Herbfarm, has been given out twice - in 2008 and 2009 - and both awards have gone to the Ocean Crest Resort!

From Wine Press Northwest, Fall 2009:

"As the Great Depression showed, folks drink in good times and in bad. And that was when alcoholic beverages were illegal. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and in this economic climate, Northwest wine often is the carrot to lure patrons into restaurants that hope for better days. Alas, Pacific Northwest restaurants continue to suffer from this deep recession."

"Sadly, a number of restaurants that showcased regional wines shuttered their doors in cities such as Boise and Walla Walla. But then there's The Ocean Crest Resort. This delicious destination in the tiny coastal town of Moclips, Wash., repeats with the Best Northwest Wine List. "The Herbie" is theirs for the second straight year. The level of commitment wine director Stephen Pavletich receives from management remains remarkable. And support from Northwest vintners is apparent by looking at his growing lineup of winemaker dinners for 2009-2010."

"BEST NORTHWEST WINE LIST, THE OCEAN CREST RESORT, MOCLIPS, WASH. Program: It's 34 pages of fabulous and famous Northwest wines at moderate prices. Among the star-studded lineup are Alexandria Nicole, Argyle, Beaux Freres, Barnard Griffin, Coeur d'Alene, Dunham, Leonetti, McCrea, Mission Hill, Owen Roe, Quilceda Creek. Policies: Do you want your Chardonnay served at 50 degrees or 65 degrees? They give you the choice. Taster flights of dessert wines, a thoughtful concept, served on a three-stem "wine tree." Pressings: Coastal ties show with listings for Cadaretta (owned by a Hoquiam family), Walter Dacon (Shelton), Westport (Aberdeen)."

As Wine and Spirits Director at the Ocean Crest Resort, I invite you to join us for an evening of wonderful Northwest wine, delicious Northwest cuisine and an ocean view second to none.

Also, consider attending one of our 2009-2010 Northwest Winemaker Dinners. For a full schedule of dinners, please visit www.oceancrestresort.com or read my upcoming blog regarding the wine dinners.

Cheers!

Stephen Pavletich
Wine & Spirits Director
Ocean Crest Resort