Weekend Holiday Happenings: Dec 4-6

Here at Northeast Seattle Life, we are big fans of Christmas and the winter holidays in general. With Hannukah already in full swing and neighborhood craft fairs galore, here are a few events happening in our area:

Laurelhurst Holiday Art Sale and Winter Festival
It's day two of this festival which includes art by local artists and plenty of holiday craft-making for kids. Santa plans to make a visit from 11a.m.-noon.
Laurelhurst Community Center
4554 NE 41st Street
Saturday, 12/4: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM; FREE

Ravenna Holiday Arts & Crafts Sale
Now in its third year, the Ravenna Eckstein Community Center sale has an array of local crafts from jewelry and candles to to hand-woven goods, as well as a bake sale benefitting the center's teen program. For more information, read the Ravenna Blog post about the event.
Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center
6535 Ravenna Ave. N.E.
Saturday, 12/4: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM; FREE

Lifetime Learning Center Holiday Faire
Located in John Marshall High School, this holiday celebration includes a book and bake sale, musical performances and silent auctions; all in support of this nonprofit education institution for older adults.
John Marshall High School
520 N.E. Ravenna Blvd.
Saturday, 12/4: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM; FREE

Waldorf School Winter Faire
More local gift shopping and holiday craft-making for kids at the Waldorf School in Meadowbrook. If it's anything like their summer farmers market, there is sure to be some great treats.
Waldorf Grade School Campus
Second Floor, Huckleberry Hall
2728 NE 100th Street 
Sunday, 12/45: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM; FREE

Children’s Home Society of Washington's Red Stocking Run & Walk
For those looking for an athletic way to celebrate the holidays, there is a 5K run/walk and 1K Kids Dash at Magnuson Park on Sunday. The cost of the run is $35 on the day of race with proceeds benefiting the Children’s Home Society of Washington. Festive attire and red socks strongly encouraged. The event also includes the very unique Fruitcake Toss and Hot Chocolate Garden. For more details go to: www.redstocking.org.
Warren G. Magnuson Park
7400 Sand Point Way NE
Sunday, 12/5: 9:00 – 11:00 AM; race registration starts at 8:00 AM

Menorah Lighting Ceremony
The annual menorah lighting at the University Village takes place this Monday at 6pm. Celebrate the festival of lights with klezmer music, dancing, and dreidels and gelt for children. Ceremony takes place near Mrs. Cooks.
University Village
2623 NE University Village Street
Monday, 12/6: 6:00 PM

Sample Restaurant Week before it ends Thursday

Some of you may remember my excitement about the inaugural Restaurant Week earlier this year, despite the fact that only one Northeast Seattle restaurant was participating.

Well, with it's second go round Restaurant Week is bigger than ever and offering many more restaurants in our neck of the woods. If you haven't had a chance to check out the 3-course dinner for $25 deal, better hurry! The promotion finishes on Thursday night (10/28).

Try one of the five Northeast restaurants participating:

• Frank's Oyster House and Champagne Parlor (Ravenna)
• Pair (Ravenna)
• Sand Point Grill (Sandpoint)
• Mamma Melina (University Village)
• Piatti (University Village)

I haven't been to all of these fine establishments but if I had to choose my vote definitely goes for Pair. A small, unassuming little bistro tucked next to the Queen Mary on 30th; Pair serves up small plates with simple but delicious flavor. It's an invitingly cozy spot perfect for a rainy night.

Free concerts this summer at U Village

I'm a little late to the game on promoting the summer concert series at the University Village this summer but better late than never, right? It's a great chance to get out and hear some live music every Wednesday from now until August 18th for free from 6:00-8:30pm.

The next band coming up on July 28th, The Beatniks, cover rock songs from the 60's, 70's and even a dash from the 80's ($10 bucks says they cover at least one Journey song). If you want a little more disco in your cover band, try out Hit Explosion on August 18th.  It's been a few years since I've seen them perform but if they are still the same then it's guaranteed to get many a shy Seattleite out of their chairs and dancing. Outside of the cover band realm, the Village finishes out some rockabilly with The Dusty 45's August 4th and some reggae with Clinton Fearon & The Boogie Brown Band on August 18th.

For more information on the series, check out the flyer below:

Piatti's 3 for $25 dinner ends Thursday

If you find yourself shopping down in the University Village this week, you might want to try Piatti's special spring menu deal before it ends on Thursday, June 10th.  Three courses for $25 is tough to beat and the menu looks delicious:

PRIMI PIATTI

ZUPPA - Asparagus, Cream, Leeks & Agrumato

INSALATA DI FRAGOLE - Arugula, Strawberries, Goat Cheese, Almonds & Raspberry-Mint Vinaigrette

SECONDI PIATTI

RAVIOLI - House-Made Goat Cheese & Caramelized Onion Ravioli; Asparagus, English Peas

& Grape Tomatoes

PORCHETTA - Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Green Beans & Pan Jus

RISOTTO - Arborio Rice, White Prawns, Leeks, Fennel, Thyme & Lemon Zest

SUGO D’ AGNELLO - Pappardelle Pasta, Braised Lamb Ragu, Calabrian Chili & Ricotta Salata

DOLCI

BUDINO - Rich Chocolate-Orange Custard, Candied Orange Zest & Whipped Cream

GELATO OR SORBETO - Selection Changes Daily

For more information, check out Piatti's website or call: (206) 524-9088.

Memorial Day special at Blue C Sushi

According to Daniel over on the Eat Bellevue website, Blue C Sushi is honoring all those who have served our country with a Memorial Day special.  Spend $15 or more on your meal and receive a free dark blue plate option, such as: V-8 Roll, Sea Urchin, Yellowtail Nigiri, Spider Roll, Eel & Cucumber Roll, Las Vegas Roll, Salmon Albacore, Tuna, Octopus, Mackerel, or Seared Tuna.

Print out this coupon to get the free plate:

The closest Blue C is in the University Village; hours are 11am - 9pm. If you aren't in the neighborhood then check out Daniel's list of all restaurant locations in the Seattle area.

Forza Coffee to Open New Store by the University Village

With 20 locations across Western Washington, Forza Coffee was still relatively unknown to many people; that is until four Lakewood police officers were shot in one of their cafes last November.  It turned Forza into a household name as residents across the state discussed and mourned the horrible tragedy.

Being forever linked to such a horrendous event could be considered a tremendous black mark on a business.  However, as a sign of great honor and respect, Forza Coffee has now pledged to make the entire chain a memorial to these heroic officers. Current and future cafes will all have plaques commemorating the officers.  Another tribute will be opening each future store on the first day at 8:14am - the exact time the shooting took place.

Forza started this new memorial tradition when it opened it's first Seattle store in Belltown last month and will continue when they open a cafe in the Merrill Gardens complex adjacent to the University Village next week.

For those interested in attending the ceremonial opening, watch Forza's Facebook page for more details.  At the time of posting this, the event is tentatively scheduled for next Saturday, March 20th.

Beard Papa Hits the University Village

There is a cult-like following for Beard Papas.  No, it's not the latest hipster facial hair trend; it's a yummy creme puff made by the hugely popular Japanese company of that name.  Made fresh daily, without preservatives, the pastries are filled with custard available in varying flavors such as vanilla, chocolate and green tea.

Devoted followers patiently waited for the first store to open over in the Uwajimaya Food Court in September of 2008 and have been keeping it very busy ever since. Well starting today, Beard Papa lovers (yes, I realize how strange that sounds) can get their fix at a second location in Seattle - Blue C Sushi in the University Village.

If you have a free minute, watch the incredibly hilarious cartoon history of "The Beard Papa Story":


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Keep an eye on your iPhone because someone else might be

Lately it seems every decade has a product that gets so popular it dominates mainstream pop culture. It’s the latest trendy gadget or apparel that is desired by all kids – not coincidentally, very expensive – and therefore coveted from afar by many. In the 80’s it was Air Jordans and Starter jackets. Now, for this new century, it appears to be…iPhones. So what do over-marketed and over-priced, but highly sought after, products of this nature bring? Yep, you guessed it: crime!

The Seattle PI reports two women were mugged on Tuesday afternoon for, their iPhone and iPod Touch devices. The first incident happened at 1pm near the University Village in the 2700 block of Northeast 45th Street. The victim was listening to her iPod Touch when four or five men in their late teens or early 20’s grabbed it from her. Considering that an iPod Touch looks almost identical to an iPhone, I’m going to take a guess that that was what the robbers were hoping it would be. The second incident occurred only ten minutes later in the 4500 block of 15th Avenue Northeast. Two men, of the same age group as the previous robbery, approached a woman and grabbed her iPhone.

These two robberies in the U District are not the first of their kind.  A man was robbed on Capitol Hill at the end of January; another robbed on a Metro bus in South Seattle last December.  According to SeattleCrime.com, "it seems like police are investigating an iPhone robbery just about every other day."

So if you one of the over 80 million people predicted to own an iPhone by 2012, be aware of your surroundings when you're using it.  Odds are there could be someone very aware of yours.

Mamma Melina to Move Near University Village

Nestled under the Seven Gables theater, Mamma Melina has been serving up really good, authentic Italian food in the University District since 1990. So when I read the news that it would be moving, my heart panged with sentimental memories of so many great meals at that location. Of course, I would be a liar if I didn't say I'm REALLY excited to see it reopen even closer to my house.

According to KOMO, Mamma Melina will shut it's University District doors this May and move to The Croydon building on the corner of 25th Ave NE and NE Blakely; just outside of the University Village.  With the recent news of Enotria closing, it's good to know that "Mamma" and Pasquale will be moving into the neighborhood.  I'm only sad it will most likely mean the end of the discount to all Seven Gables theater-goers.

Atlas Foods Closes at U Village. Welcome Boom Noodle!

From the Seattle Times:
"On Wednesday, January 6, auctioneer James G. Murphy Company will be on hand to sell-off the contents of Atlas Foods, which -- Boom! -- will then be completely overhauled to make way for Boom Noodle, sibling to University Village's popular Blue C Sushi.


ETA for the debut of the latest Boom Noodle: June, says co-owner Steve Rosen, who notes that the closure of Atlas leaves a breakfast void in the Village he and his business partners are contemplating filling. "We're strongly considering a weekend breakfast component," one that would take a creative approach to the morning meal. (Dim sum, anyone?)"

I've never been to Boom Noodle on Capitol Hill but I've heard pretty positive reviews - especially the bar.  I'm just wondering how the owners of the University Villages' current Asian noodle restaurant, Zao Noodle, feel about this change.  Competition much?