Food & Wine magazine recently did a story on Best New Chefs of years past who have gone on to open new restaurants and bars. Included in the story was our own Chef Jason Stratton (named Best New Chef in 2010).

Here’s a snippet of the piece:

‘”In Italy, there’s this hour-and-a-half before dinner when no one’s even thinking of eating, when the bars are packed,” says chef Jason Stratton. “The energy is really vibrant.” The Spinasse chef is hoping to bring that same buzz to his new bar, Artusi. The focus will be on Italian-inspired cocktails, aperitivos and simple dishes like squab in saor (fried and marinated in vinegar). Stratton painted the 43-foot-long mural for the walls. “I wanted to bring something to the place that’s a little bit playful,” he says.’

To read the article in its entirety, click here.

A different kind of twitter hit Seattle last Saturday night as Galaxy soccer superstar David Beckham walked into Capitol Hill’s Spinasse for dinner.

Beckham walked into the bustling eatery without a reservation, but being a Saturday night, the acclaimed Spinasse was booked. (Spinasse was recently named one of the Top 10 Places for Pasta in the nation by Bon Appetit magazine, and chef Jason Stratton called out as a Best New Chef for 2010 by Food & Wine magazine.)

“Becks” returned awhile later and was able to be accommodated. He and his dining companion enjoyed chef Stratton’s Tagliatelle w/Pork, Tajarin w/Ragu, Tajarin w/Butter Sage, Duck Caramelle, and Rabbit Meatballs (no surprise, the duo skipped dessert).

While the 46-seat restaurant has seen any number of celebrities dine in the two years since opening, staff reported that they had hadn’t seen Seattleites all atwitter over a celebrity like they were for Beckham.

Entertain friends and family this holiday season with three delicious Spinasse dishes that you’ll be able to make from home.

During Spinasse’s Savory Italian Holiday Meals cooking class (November 28, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.), you’ll have the opportunity to share a glass of wine, taste the dishes and ask chef Jason Stratton lots of questions about the best dishes for holiday entertaining and his award-winning cooking techniques.

Class includes: wine, tastings, and recipes. Space is limited to 10 guests. $75 per person.
For reservations, call 206.251.7673.