Northwest Tofu

Any tofu lovers here? :D I actually find this place because of my school project. I'm searching for tofu supplier and there's a couple tofu place include Northwest Tofu. Located in Jackson Street, at first I thought this is a vegetarian restaurant. Well, looking from the name Tofu, at least that is what on my mind. In fact they actually also served meat. Eventho I'm not a tofu freak, but , I have to admit that their tofu is really fresh and I like it a lot. Things that I like from this place is they make their own tofu on daily-based. So we actually served with fresh home made tofu everyday :) I'm willing to sacrifice meat here only to get the tofu (well, both are source of protein right?)

I come to this place 2 days in a row, the first day I'm served by not old lady, but maybe she is in her 40's? Thank God, He creates body language because I don't speak Cantonese and I think she doesn't speak English. Thanks also for whoever make the menu because there is the Chinese version and the English version or I will just point to whatever on the menu (Point to the picture and the name, yes! that's what I do.)

DAY 1

Pork Spicy Sauce

I don't remember exactly the name, but there's spicy sauce on the menu (I believe). I'm not expecting to have this cause I'm so hungry and need something more soupy. Not the best one but still edible

Plain Soy Milk

Haha, there's actually funny story behind ordering this. I can't find soymilk on the menu, so I just point "a glass of soy milk" picture and tell the lady that I don't want sugar. I'm pretty surprised when she gives me the soymilk, because it's not in a glass but in a bowl. Yes, I can't finish it, it's way too much. Lucky she understands my body language when I asked for a to go bowl :p They soymilk is totally different with SILK brand soymilk, it's much much liquid that you can tell the only ingredients are soy and water.

The Chili

I know it's pretty silly for me to take picture of the chili, but this actually one of my favorite chili :D Beside mixing the chili with fermented salted soy bean (tauco) they actually use coriander (ketumbar) which makes this smell like fried cassava back in my home country. :)

DAY 2

Back again with more people, so I have a chance to try more their foods :)

Salt and Pepper Tofu

Liking it a lot, comparing to all the things that we order. The salt and pepper tofu is exceptional, the freshness of the tofu and the way they fry the tofu. I don't know how to explain this clearly, but the skin is not attach to the tofu, imagine chicken katsu? Not too salty, not too peppery . Crunchy skin. THE BEST :)

Salty Soy Milk

We actually order all types of soy milk this time. Hehe, no sugar, sweet and salty soy milk (new thing that I just find from my second visit). No sugar soy milk is my fave and sweet soy milk is my friend but salty soy milk? Hmm.. Too unique for me. Haha, I think they forget to put salt in it, it's more like plain soy milk + Chinese donut + green onion. Is this a soup? Dessert? I'm lost here, let you guys try...

Brown Sauce Tofu with Pork

(or this one with chicken)

Just a regular Chinese typo stir fried tofu which is so oily.

Tofu Hot Pot

Almost taste the same with the brown sauce but they have dried chili. Barely taste the spiciness.

Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce

Rrr, what do I have to write? It taste good. Haha. Overall, It's a good restaurant but way too oily which cause thirsty-ness afterward or they put too much MSG? I don't know. Ohhh... the place is just a Chinese restaurant typical, beside dine-in, they actually sell tofu in packaging (plain tofu and dessert tofu) so you can cook your own tofu dish or serve tofu dessert at home :)

Northwest Tofu

1911 S Jackson St
Seattle, WA 98144

(206) 328-8320

SRW #6 (Last) - Chez Sea

Finally my last restaurant review during the SRW. For the last opportunity, we went to Chez Sea. Located in Pike Place Market area, which actually just next to Matt's in the Market. Just wonder if you guys have ever tried Crumpet? I will definitely write review about the crumpet shop, well my point for asking the Crumpet Shop is actually because Chez Sea is located in the same building :p

Talking about the food, they actually have served pretty good foods, liking the appetizer and entree so far but for dessert it's just another dessert. I can say that they are being pretty royal because they have oyster as part of their appetizer. Their oyster is actually also way better than Seastar.

Pork Belly

Taste good, gather some fats for winter preparation :p

Yellow Rockfish

Not sure with the name, I try to find on their website but they actually have different menu in the restaurant. B for the fish :) Considering about the healthiness :p

The Duck Confit Duck Leg

Deep fried duck leg? Hohohoho, reminds me of dirty duck (bebek bengil) in Bali or my friend loving this so much because they say that this duck reminds them with Bebek HT in Surabaya.

Bacon Wrapped Veal

Chocolate Mousse

Taste pretty good :) My other friend has Pineaple Basil Sorbet which taste pretty unique :)

Vanilla Bean Creme Brule

The last dessert, it looks pretty small on the picture. Actually it's pretty big and I actually a really dessert typo person, so I actually finish my chocolate mouse and my friend's Creme Brule -__-". Talking about the food, if we compare with restaurants in the same area. I will love to have Chez Sea way better than Matt's in the Market. I just remember that the servant is really helpful. She spontaneously tell us what's on their hand when we kinda "staring" on the food :p

This gonna be my last review for the restaurant that participate on Seattle Restaurant Week. Will definitely go back to couple restaurants like Rover's, Portage, and Seafood Waterfront Grill for their bisque :P. Don't miss the next Seattle Restaurant Week on Spring btw guys :)

SRW #5 - Seastar

Now I will be reviewing Seastar Restaurant and Raw Bar, I won't be writing too much because I'm pretty disappointed with the foods. I have to admit that they have wide variety of options, from sushi to tomato soup. Interesting isn't it? or not? :p

Oysters

There actually 3 types of oysters, looking from their shape :) It's kinda fishy :( It might just our bad luck because my friend tell me that she loves the oyster here.

Washington Roll

I think they name it that way because they use WA apple as one of the filling. So-so.

Shitake Tomato Soup

Have no comment.

Dunges Crab Bisque

It's like comparing Heaven and Hell if we compare Seastar bisque and the Seafood Waterfront Grill spicy crab bisque.

Seared Scallop with Hazelnut

Among all, this is the thing that I like the most. Haha, maybe because it's pasta. You just never go wrong with simply pasta. It's more like pasta with white sauce + seared scallop and roasted hazelnut. Scallop lil bit salty (for my taste bud) and I just like the hazelnut.

Pana Cota

Once again, not the best one but the sour tangy sauce actually refreshing.

I actually feel bad for writing bad review, but what can I say? :S I might just too excited because Seastar is also under one management with John Howie Steak which claim themselves as the best steak house in Bellevue. My suggestion, next time if you want to recommend a place, never say something too good about the place or food. Based on my experience, it will always slightly fail because we just have too high expectation and thing doesn't go as we want :) Well, as usual. I let you decide and I might try their regular menu (just to be fair). Hopefully it won't be disappointing next time :)

Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar

205 108th Ave NE
Bellevue, WA 98004

(425) 456-0010

SRW #4 - Waterfront Seafood Grill

I guess we really take advantage of SRW, we try to satisfy ourself by tasting all the "fancy" place :P Well, we might or might not try without the SRW. But I guess with SRW, they give us the list of the restaurant so it's actually easier to decide where to go (aha.. I never heard about this restaurant, let's try !)

Well, this time we go to Waterfront Seafood Grill. I guess the name explain everything, their specialty is seafood and yes they are located in Waterfront area :D Pretty romantic if you sit next to the window looking at the water on your left or right and your partner infront of you (I know it sounds cheesy, oh well). B for place and food, thing that I really enjoy is the jazzy piano live music :)

It's something crisp salad

Sorry for having such a weird title for my appetizer picture. Hehe, I totally forgot the name, the only thing I remember is crisp but I can't find the exact name. I try to find through their website and my friend's picture but still no exact name :( Little bit explanation about the salad, it's crisp (yes), bacon on top as you can see and cheese. I forget their dressing but I believe it's oil something because it's kinda oily (duh?) Comparing to other appetizer, the spicy crab bisque is the winner :) Luckily is on their regular menu, so please do try it :D

Grilled icelandic charapples, horseradish, rosemary

I have fish for my entrée, it looks like salmon but it's not. I might not realize if I don't know what I'm ordering in the first place because it's almost like salmon. They have similar but not the same texture, It's softer than salmon. Under the fish, there is lentil (me and my friend believe) and on the purple-ish thingy it's onion. Overall, it's just okay

Blackberry Pina Cotta

Never go wrong with Pina Cotta, haha at least that's what my friend tell me. :p Comparing to other desserts, special smores and the washington apple something. I can say simplicity win, go Pina Cotta :)

My overall review, nothing extraordinary about the food but it might be worth to spend more for your special one and enjoy the ambiance :) Almost forgot, they only have valet which cost you $7 (rrr. I forgot, but not more than $10). As usual, I let you decide :) I'm just an ordinary girl with a picky taste bud :p

Waterfront Seafood Grill

2801 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98121

(206) 956-9171

SRW #3 - Portage

This time, we went to Portage where is located in Queen Anne area. I can say that this place is really small and no wonder if they require reservation in advanced. Place pretty casual yet romantic, there's a corner when it's just next to the window, seat for 2 people. For me it looks like in the movie (emo emo emo, JK). Place and ambiance is okay but liking the food :)

Braised Pork Belly Mushroom Duxelles Tartine

I have Pork Belly as my appetizer and this is darn good pork belly (FYI, I'm not a big fans of pork). I can't imagine myself chewing the fat but I actually finish everything. They choose just the right amount of fat I guess. not too salty not too oily just perfect for appetizer :D

Peppered Local Albacore New Potato, Green Bean, Crème Frâiche

This one is one of my fave beside the beef tongue. I don't have the picture of the beef tongue but it's really tender and taste almost like beef stew. Talking back about my peppered albacore. It taste almost like beef for me. Seared and peppered perfectly, with all the other "decoration", the veggies and the cream. LOVELY DOVEY :)

Cinnamon Chocolate Crème Caramel

My dessert! Perfect level of sweet :) nice texture. It's just something different. My friend had the pear tart and the sorbet which is just okay.

Talking about the wine pairing, they do have wine pairing but unfortunately it's not as detail (specific) as Rover's. Overall, I'm liking this place :D *good place for anyone of you who wants to have "romantic" casual dinner with your partner :) The weaknesses of this place, petite place, hard to find parking spot (can find lah.. :p), err... they play "unfit" song, hahaha. I'm expecting them to have more like jazzy song but in fact they have Pop. But it's okay. I will let you guys judge ^^

Portage
2209 Queen Anne Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109
206.352.6213

For Reservations Please Call or walks-in welcome :)

SRW #3 - Rover's

Sorry, for writing so much. I'm trying to catch up with all the SRW restaurants so I can start trying new restaurants and write the review :P

I can say Rover's is one of the best restaurant ever :) Great foods and impressive service (except the wait or i might just to hungry at that time). Location was kinda weird, luckily we found a good parking spot. I might say those were the only weaknesses, parking spot and lil bit hard to find. Rover's located inside small area where there another local store, I don't know how to describe but it's lil bit unique. Small place, look more like a house for me and pretty packed. It might because of SRW because it's pretty crowded and reservation required.

Goes into the food. :( I didn't order the right thing :( Mine just good but not exceptional. :) this happy face is for my friend who also order the wine pairing. It seems they enjoyed it a lot. Haha, every single food has different wine pairing which makes this special. Other special thing is when the chef in the hat walk out from his kitchen and checking our food :) Rover's or more like Chef In the Hat has two restaurants which is Rover's and Luc. It's still in Madison area. Looking from the address, it seems not to far, only a couple houses (I guess). Other thing that I expect is the chef will be wearing a hat as well? Let's check it out next time :)

Frisée Greens with Smoked Bacon, Toasted Baguette, Roasted Garlic and Red Wine Vinegar

Fall Squash Soup with Roasted Butternut Squash, Sage and Walnut Oil

I order this because I was so hungry and... It blends perfectly, sweetness from the squash and creaminess + aroma of the walnut oil :)

Smoked King Salmon with Shaved Fennel, Herbed Fromage Blanc and Peppered Lavosh

Pacific Cod with Lobster Mushroom, Braised Rainbow Chard and Herbs

It's just okay and i wish ordered the guinea fowl :P

Roasted Guinea Fowl with Fingerling Potato, Turnip and Thyme Sauce

rrrr... I just browse about guinea fowl, I know it's a type of bird but I don't know it was that cute -_-" now i feel guilty. Haiz. Anyway, the guinea fowl taste like chicken but more tender texture. LOVE IT (sorry, bird)

Praline-Dark Chocolate Gateau with Hazelnut Crunch

1 word, RICH.

Espresso Crème Brûlée with Vanilla Sable Cookie

Liking it, but i can't really taste the espresso or i might just forgot the taste (my bad :D)

Green Apple Tartlet with Caramel Sauce

Not a big fans of caramel, not too sweet, like the cream (who doesn't?) Lovely dessert :)

Ops, I almost forgot to mention about why I said the service is impressive. We had a really friendly servant and full of information. He will explained everything on what he just put in front of you. Impressive, I don't even remember what he said, it seems like he carried the name of the food in his blood (read-passionate)

Rover's
2808 E Madison St
(between E 28th Ave & Martin Luther King Jr Way)
Seattle, WA 98112
(206) 325-7442

SRW #2 - The Georgian

Good morning guys. As I promise, I will write about the second restaurant which is The Georgian. Located in the Fairmont hotel in downtown. FYI, if you're dining here, just valet your car and don't bother about finding parking spot because the good news is, it can be validated :p

I have to say they have a really nice place. Pretty formal, and I was expected to dress up but thank God i didn't do it too much. I guess it's just because of the era that has changed, jeans just fine here :P In additional it might just because of SRW event :)

Talking about the food. I have to say that this was the most royal place, they gave us "3 course" extra beside the other 3 menu that we ordered. Excuses for the pictures because there were couples that kinda blurry :D Mind me cause I only used my lovely onyx and the restaurant kinda darky. Hehe (should I change my phone or bring camera along with me?) FYI, I only took pictures of what I ate so I would only review on those too.

Crackers and butters

This was the first thing we got and there were 4 different types of butter that they served with the thin crackers. Left to Right: regular fattening butter :p, basil, s s something (i don't remember exactly what it called but my friend told me it's an expensive spicy spice), and balsamic vinegar. Love the basil the most :) Almost forgotten we actually got another 2 types of bread on side.

Smoked salmon + caviar on top

I'm not a big fans of smoked salmon cause it "smoked" or more like soaked the freshness from the sweetness into saltiness. Loving the caviar tho, it melts :9

Ahi Tuna Tar Tar
With Black Sesame Wafer, Frozen Wasabi Mouse

My appetizer :) Likey likey likey, it blends well from the freshness of the fish and the frozen wasabi mouse. The wasabi also wasn't too strong so it was match perfectly

Seared Scallop
with Melted Young Leeks and House Made Bacon Butter

Royal royal royal, all i can say about the Georgian :) big scallop, seared well and surprisingly fulfilling. Hehe, mind my dragon inside my tummy *wink2*

Frozen Raspberry Ginger Cassata

left to right, the raspberry sorbet, they have raspberry sauces in it and when you cut the sorbet, it will flow out. slurp (a little to sweet). well, i'm not a sauces person, maybe thats why. btw on top of it, they have some kind of crumble which is lovely and under that there's like i don't know white thingy. i'm not sure what's under but it blends well. in the middle we got the mini souffle, just so so :p so by ordering this one, i got a chance to try the souffle - the cream :p which other ordered. and the most right. i don't know, basically it's all sugar and more like decoration. The funny story behind this, one of my friend sipped it and the color thingy stain on his lips (blue color!). He looked scary yet funny tho

Last but not least, we got this last dessert. 3 cubes of chewy fruity thingy and dark chocolate. Fruity chewy cubes were chewy and sweaty (duh?) Dark chocolate? my best friend!

Loving this place, good foods, good ambiance, pretty romantic :)

The Georgian at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle

411 University Street
Seattle, Washington
United States
98101

Reservations:
Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling The Georgian directly at (206) 621-7889 or online at OpenTable.