Chef Ariel’s extensive knowledge along with a passion for food and wine pairings comes courtesy of intensive study at the University of Hawaii, the Thai Cooking School in Bangkok, Thailand and completion of the introductory course from the Court of Master Sommeliers.

This innovative culinarian has worked within a broad array of cuisines, from Asian and Pacific Rim fusion, to Northern Italian and Pacific Northwestern in the kitchens of many esteemed local kitchens including Canlis, Cafe Juanita and Luc.

After six years working with the esteemed Michelin Star-rated, British chef Gordon Ramsay in London and New York, Executive Chef Steven Snook brings his passion for food and culinary excellence to the Restaurant at Kenwood Inn and Spa, open to guests of the Inn and Spa. Ingredients for his rustic Italian fare are sourced locally from the region’s best farmers, ranchers, cheese makers, and fishermen, and the menu features a variety of produce, fruits and herbs grown on the property.

From his early days cooking with his grandmother and helping in her gardens in the English countryside, Chef Snook has consistently insisted on using the highest possible quality ingredients in his cuisine, and prides himself on maintaining good relationships with his purveyors. This connection to local artisan food growers brings Chef Snook back to his roots and will serve him well at Kenwood, where he has a bounty of fresh product literally at his fingertips.

Join Revel on Sunday, December 18th from 9 to 11 p.m. for nibbles, cake, bubbles and a toast as they celebrate their first birthday!

The festivities are open to everyone who loves Revel and at 10 p.m., they’re hosting their first Revel Dumpling Eating Contest!

14 brave contestants will compete to see how many Short Rib Dumplings they can eat in 3 minutes. Check out the guidelines on their Facebook page and sign up early on Sunday – if you dare.

Need a last minute hostess gift or stocking stuffer? Looking for an easy dessert for Christmas Eve dinner? Anticipate the desire to dive into a carton of from-scratch, small-batch, all-organic ice cream while still in your pajamas on Christmas Day? Parfait Ice Cream is now offering home delivery every week night, and as a special holiday treat, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

Pre-ordering for those days is available now, and encouraged, here: http://www.parfait-icecream.com/delivery/. (Special delivery time for Christmas Eve and Day is between 12 and 4 p.m. Regular weekday delivery time is 6 to 9 p.m. See below for more delivery details).

In addition to Parfait’s ice cream in a variety of seasonal flavors (Cinnamon Stick, Toasted Hazelnut and Earl Grey Tea, to name a few), owner Adria Shimada also makes two delicious dessert sauces: Dark Chocolate and Vanilla Bean Caramel, which are also available for delivery and are the perfect toppings for her divine ice cream.

Details for delivery are as follows:

Order by midnight and Parfait will deliver your treats the following weekday evening between 6 and 9 p.m. (Christmas Eve and Day delivery is from 12 to 4 p.m.). Pints arrive in a lovely insulated tote bag packed with dry ice to keep your ice cream frozen.

Parfait currently delivers to the following Seattle neighborhoods: Ballard, Belltown, Capitol Hill, Greenlake, Madrona, Magnolia, Maple Leaf, Mercer Island, Queen Anne, South Lake Union, University District, Wallingford, Wedgwood and West Seattle. If you don’t see your neighborhood on this list, send them an email (info@parfait-icecream.com) and they’ll try to add you to their route.

There is a two-pint minimum for delivery. Pints are $10 with discounts for purchases of three or more. Jars of handmade sauce are also $10 each.

Classes are $60 each and are from 2 to 4 p.m. Bring your own knife and settle in to a glass of wine while you learn from the masters!

Head to RevelSeattle.com for more info or call 206.547.2040 to register.

The votes are in! After more than 10 million restaurant reviews, OpenTable has announced their Top 100 US Restaurants for 2011 and Cafe Juanita is one of just two Seattle-area spots who made the list.

Congrats to Chef Holly Smith and her exceptional team!

Who doesn’t?

Join W Seattle this Friday, December 9 as they kick-off their RE-WONDER project and launch the W Seattle RE-WONDER Trivia Hunt.  The contest officially opens at 8:00 am PST, with clues released on the W Seattle’s Facebook page. Should you enter to win, you and your plus one could be whisked away to Paris, compliments of the new, tres chic W Paris-Opera.

Starting on December 2, the W Seattle will begin a substantial renovation/RE-WONDER of the hotel’s “Living Room,” Bar and Restaurant, with the closure of its first floor public spaces.

The hotel’s dramatic re-opening is planned for early March 2012. Upon completion, W Seattle will reveal TRACE, the hotel’s new restaurant and bar. TRACE will continue the hotel’s legacy as a trend-setting, urban cocktail venue and a long-time leader in Seattle’s culinary community with award-winning chefs highlighting Washington State’s local, organic and sustainable products and supporting those who grow, raise or catch them.

Six, W-inspired, trivia clues will be posted beginning at 8 am PST on December 9 and final answers must be entered by 12 midnight PST, December 10. One observant fan, plus their guest, will win an exciting, 5-night stay at the fashionable W Paris-Opéra, including round-trip airfare, daily breakfast and a chef-selected, wine-paired dinner for two at the hotel’s restaurant.

In addition, you’ll experience a private, full day of culinary adventure in Paris courtesy of The International Kitchen, the leading culinary travel company. Your host, a longtime Parisienne, will take you to one of the bustling neighborhood markets to do your shopping. Following a private cooking class with those ingredients, you enjoy a typical French lunch with wine.

The winner will be selected from all correct answers and notified on Monday, December 12, 2011 by a representative of W Seattle.

So head on over to Facebook.com/wseattle for hints by end of day today!

It’s countdown time. It’s officially the first week of December and you’re probably feeling the pressure to get that Christmas shopping down. How does a Holiday Trunk show, that has various gift options to get your Christmas list completed in one stop sound? This Wednesday Bellevue Towers will be hosting such an experience.
For the first time ever, the tallest buildings in Downtown Bellevue will be opening their penthouse doors to the public. The four stunning model homes will be outfitted with wares from the merchants involved, which include:

1. City Flowers
2. Terra Bella
3. Alicia Peru
4. Orvis
5. Masins Fine Furnishings
6. Maison
7. Urban Dogs
8. Wee tots
9. Bellevue Art Museum Store
10. Gourmet Blends
11. Blue Luna
12. Vue Society
13. Stella & Dot

You will be able to enjoy hors d’ oeuvres and wine provided by Purple Café & Wine Bar as you tour holiday gift ideas and furnished homes.  Also make sure to check out the stunning views of the 3,400 sq. ft. penthouse. It was recently opened for viewing to the public.

Join us Wednesday, Dec 7^th from 4 to 8 pm in the North Bellevue Tower at 500 106th Avenue NE in Bellevue. Complimentary valet parking will be provided.

Spinasse and Artusi

This year is bound to be extra festive with New Year’s Eve falling on a Saturday! On Capitol Hill, both Spinasse and Artusi are offering special menus and wine flights to bid adieu to 2011 in delicious style.

Artusi

Spinasse is offering two delicious five-course menus from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., with optional wine flights. The 2011 menu is filled with classic guest favorites, and the 2012 menu looks to the future, featuring innovative dishes for a brand new year. $75 per person plus tax and gratuity with optional wine pairings at $35 and $50. Click for a reservation or call (206) 251-7673.

For a spirited evening join the team at Artusi from 5 p.m. to midnight for cocktails, a special three-course tasting menu, plus dessert, offered in addition to the regular menu, along with a flight of bubbles that will pair perfectly with the tasting menu but can also be enjoyed separately. $40 per person plus tax and gratuity, with optional sparkling wine flight for $30. No reservations, seating is first come, first serve.

Cafe Juanita

Cafe Juanita

Usher in 2012 at Cafe Juanita in Kirkland, where Chef Holly Smith is crafting a 7-course tasting menu alongside two exquisitely chosen wine pairings created by Sommelier Dawn Smith.

Dawn was recently named a finalist for Sunset magazine’s Western Wine Awards and boasts over 13 years of experience, including professional chef training and multiple Sommelier certifications. Her brilliant sense of food and wine pairing and extensive knowledge of wine serves to enhance the already stellar menu at this award-winning restaurant. Reservations are available until 10 p.m. Click for reservations or call 425-823-1505.

RN74

RN74

A favorite Seattle destination for wine lovers, RN74 is offering an early and late seating, with two menus certain to delight all the senses. The early seating features four courses, plus a supplemental cheese course, with such festive temptations as a Hamachi Crudo, studded with bright Cara Cara oranges, hearts of palm and Castelvetrano olives,  Ginger Glazed Black Cod with Matsutake dashi and a Grilled New York Strip Loin paired with a spinach soubric, black trumpet mushrooms and sauce Perigourdine.

The late seating also starts with the Hamachi Crudo, but adds Seared Nantucket Bay Scallops with parsnip puree and black winter truffles to the menu before the Black Cod and ending with the Grilled New York Strip Loin, this time with a sauce Bordelaise. End the meal (and the year) on a sweet note with a Chocolate Mille-Feuille, chestnut cremeux and Bourbon ice cream.

Reserve online or call 206-456-7474.