Several Gruman & Nicoll clients were included in Seattle magazine’s April “Best Restaurants” issue, including Spinasse and Revel who were among The 7 Restaurants that Define Seattle Dining Now according to food writers Allison Austin Scheff and Sara Dickerman.

Revel’s Oxtail ragout noodle bowl with Swiss chard even graced the cover!

Artusi made the Happy Places cut, shouting out all the Best Restaurant Happy Hours and bartenders Adam Fortuna and Jonathan Hudak were included in the piece entitled Happiest Happy-Hours Bartenders.

Readers named RN74 the Best new restaurant that opened in 2011; Cafe Juanita was named Best Eastside restaurant and it was a tie between Spinasse and Cantinetta for Best Italian food.

Parfait was named the Best Sweet/Dessert Food Truck and Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi and Jason Stratton were included among The Food Establishment: The 70 Power Players in the Seattle Food World.

Congrats all around!

It is an honor all chefs aspire to achieve: a prestigious James Beard Foundation Award. Semifinalists were announced today for the 2012 awards, which includes a major nod for the second consecutive year to Kirkland’s Holly Smith, chef/owner of the much-lauded Cafe Juanita, in the category of “Outstanding Chef,” a nomination which includes chefs from all over the nation, notably David Chang (Momofuku, Ssam Bar), Suzanne Goin (Lucques), Paul Kahan, (Blackbird), Gary Danko, (Restaurant Gary Danko), Daniel Humm (Eleven Madison Park) and fifteen other great chefs.

In addition to this exciting nomination, Chef’s Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi (Revel, Joule) and Jason Stratton (Spinasse, Artusi) are semifinalists in the “Best Chef: Northwest,” an honor that recognizes the chefs’ talents and reflects their outstanding contributions to the culinary scene in the region.

The finalists will be announced on March 19 in Las Vegas and the winner will be feted on May 7, 2012 in New York City.

Ring in the New Year at one of our delicious restaurant clients and start 2012 off in a sublimely delicious fashion.

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.

Four Gruman & Nicoll clients made Eater Seattle’s map of where to eat right now! Congrats to Artusi, RN74, Revel and Il Corvo Pasta for heating up the food scene this summer!