Geoffrey Smith:Look at Lao Studios

The following chefs are making delectable desserts at the Food for Thought – KPLU event with Nancy Leson and Dick Stein. This tantalizing event sold out during the KPLU Fall Pledge Drive.

Monsoon: Chef/Owner Eric Banh and Chef Nathan Crave will be making a Banana Cake with Savory Coconut Sauce.

Campagne: Chef Daisley Gordon and General Manager Gordon Kushnick will be presenting a Gateau Opera, Chocolate Ganache Covered Almond Sponge Cake with Coffee Butter Cream.

Earth & Ocean: Chef Adam Stevenson is offering a Spiced Yogurt Panna Cotta with Citrus Fruits and an Anise Wafer.

Ponti Seafood Grill: Owner Richard Malia and Chef Alvin Binuya will be making Goat Cheese Ice Cream with Selkirk Mountain Wild Huckleberry Sauce.

Spring Hill: Chef/Owner Mark Fuller and Chef Tyler Palagi is offering a Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bar.

And

Restaurant Zoe: Pastry Chef Harlee Morrow and Manager Sarah Wheaton present Buckwheat Walnut Financier with a Nebbiolo Pear Reduction and Candied Walnuts.

There’s nothing better than a newspaper, a great cup of coffee and a relaxing, late morning breakfast on the weekend. Monsoon restaurants in Bellevue and in Seattle both serve brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with French- and Vietnamese- inspired dishes like Brioche, Beignets, Omelets, Croque Monsieur, Pho, Noodles and Rice Bowls.  Coffee is from Victrola and both restaurants are wi-fi accessible.

Beginning December 5, parents can bring along the kids on Saturdays for the Monsoon Kid’s Pancake Feast.  Complimentary pancakes for kids under 12 include a selection of toppings like banana frosting, chocolate chips, house-made strawberry preserves and even a big dollop of whipped cream.  YUM!

For more information, visit MonsoonRestaurants.com.

Here is the Brunch offerings to tantalize your taste buds

Oxtail pho w/ wagyu brisket and flank steak 9.5

Fulton valley drunken chicken rice bowl w/ yu choy & fried egg 12

Vermicelli noodles w/ grilled prawns, crispy vegetarian roll, cucumber and mint 10

Vermicelli noodles grilled lemongrass chicken, crispy imperial roll, cucumber and mint 10

Vermicelli combo (grilled prawns, chicken, la lot beef and crispy imperial roll) 12

Vermicelli noodles w/ wokked painted hills flat iron steak w/ lemongrass and roasted peanut 9

Bun cha hanoi (berkshire pork patty & pork belly on a bed of vermichelli) 10

Grilled lemongrass kurobuta pork rice bowl w/ fried egg, cucumber and tomato 12

Sweet corn johnny cake, tonnermaker farms peaches, fireweed honey and whipped cream 9.5

Brioche french toast w/ schmidts farm blueberry compote, vanilla buttermilk cream 10

Sesame seed beignets w/ five spice, maple syrup, banana cream 7.5

Fresh banana muffins, cultured honey butter 5

Croque monsieur bread pudding, ham, gruyere & organic mixed greens 10

Croque madame bread pudding, sunny side up egg, ham & gruyere & organic mixed greens 11

Croque provencal bread pudding, tonnermaker tomato, ham, gruyere & organic mixed greens 11

Duck egg omelet, chanterelle mushrooms, sweet onions, gai choy & crispy red potatoes 14

Milk poached eggs, prawns, mussels, clams, baguette & olive oil 15

Hens eggs benedict w/ dungeness crab, hollandaise, arugula & crispy red potatoes 15

Hens eggs benedict w/ black forest ham, hollandaise, arugula & crispy red potatoes 12

Grilled wagyu hanger steak w/ wokked fried egg , chili garlic yu choy & crispy red potatoes 13

Sausage hash w/ fried hens eggs, caramelized onions, chanterelle mushroom & red pepper aioli 14

Sides

Berkshire pork belly 6

Organic scrambled eggs 5

Nem nuong ( berkshire pork + shrimp sausage ) 4.5

Desserts

Banana cake w/ savory coconut sauce 6

Vanilla bean panna cotta w/ schmidt’s farm blueberries lemon crumble 7

Chocolate ganache w/ toasted coconut, almonds and pineapple relish 8