FOOD NEWS: Dino's Tomato Pie Opens on Capitol Hill

Photo Credit to Alex Garland

Brandon Pettit, owner of Delancey and Essex, opened Dino's Tomato Pie on Capitol Hill! The new bar and pizzeria is on the corner of Denny and East Olive Way. Brandon is bringing his delicious pizza to Capitol Hill after having much success at his popular Delancey in Ballard.

The pizza is not the same as those served at Delancey. It is served square and with a thick crust. The name of the new pizzeria is an homage to a New Jersey pizzeria called Joe's Tomato Pie. I can't wait to try the pizza at Dino's!

Dino's Tomato Pie
1524 East Olive Way
Seattle, WA  98122

FOOD NEWS: James Beard Award Semifinalists

Photo Credit: James Beard Foundation

Last month the James Beard Foundation announced the 2015 Restaurant and Chef Award Semifinalists. As always, Washington state has a good representation of outstanding chefs and restaurants. Here is a list of the Washington state Semifinalists. The finalists will be announced on March 24th, 2015, at the James Beard House in New York City.
  
Outstanding Baker
Evan Andres, Columbia City Bakery - Columbia City, Seattle

Outstanding Bar Program
Canon - Capitol Hill, Seattle

Outstanding Chef
Holly Smith, Cafe Juanita - Kirkland, WA

Outstanding Restaurant
Canlis - Queen Anne, Seattle

Outstanding Restaurateur
Ethan Stowell, Ethan Stowell Restaurants (Staple and Fancy, How to Cook a Wolf, Anchovies & Olives, Chippy's, MKT., Red Cow, Rione XIII, Tavolata, Ballard Pizza Company) - Seattle

Outstanding Wine Program
Wild Ginger - Downtown Seattle and Bellevue, WA

Rising Star of the Year
Jay Blackinton, Hogstone Wood Oven - Orcas Island, WA

Best Chef: Northwest
Eric Donnelly, RockCreek - Fremont, Seattle
Renee Erickson, The Whale Wins - Wallingford, Seattle
Jeremy Hansen, Sante - Spokane, WA
Nathan Lockwood, Altura - Capitol Hill, Seattle
Garrett Melkonian, Mamnoon - Capitol Hill, Seattle
Dustin Ronspies, Art of the Table - Fremont, Seattle
Jason Stratton, Spinasse - Capitol Hill, Seattle
Blaine Wetzel, The Willows Inn on Lummi Island - Lummi Island, WA
Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi, Joule - Wallingford, Seattle

A full list of all the national Semifinalists can be found at the James Beard Foundation website.

Congratulations to all the Semifinalists and good luck!

FOOD NEWS: James Beard Award Semifinalists

Photo Credit: James Beard Foundation

Last month the James Beard Foundation announced the 2014 Restaurant and Chef Award Semifinalists. As always, Washington state has a good representation of outstanding chefs and restaurants. Here is a list of the Washington state Semifinalists. The finalists will be announced on March 18th. The winners will be announced on May 2nd and 5th in New York City.

Best New Restaurant
Aragona - Downtown Seattle
Bar Sajor - Pioneer Square, Seattle

Outstanding Bar Program
Canon - Capitol Hill, Seattle

Outstanding Chef
 John Sundstrom, Lark - Capitol Hill, Seattle

Outstanding Pastry Chef
Neil Robertson, Crumble & Flake - Capitol Hill, Seattle

Outstanding Restaurant
Canils - Queen Anne, Seattle

Outstanding Restaurateur
Rick and Ann Yoder, Wild Ginger - Downtown Seattle and Bellevue

Outstanding Service
Cafe Juanita - Kirkland, WA

Rising Star Chef of the Year
Chris Weber, The Herbfarm - Woodinville, WA
Blaine Wetzel, The Willows Inn on Lummi Island - Lummi Island, WA

Best Chef: Northwest
Chris Ainsworth, Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen - Walla Walla, WA
Eric Donnelly, RockCreek - Fremont, Seattle
Renee Erickson, The Whale Wins - Wallingford, Seattle
Jason Franey, Canlis - Queen Anne
Nathan Lockwood, Altura - Capitol Hill, Seattle
Brendan McGill, Hitchcock - Bainbridge Island, WA
Dustin Ronspies, Art of the Table - Wallingford, Seattle
Ethan Stowell, Staple and Fancy - Ballard, Seattle
Jason Stratton, Spinasse - Capitol Hill, Seattle
Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi, Joule - Wallingford, Seattle

Congratulations to all the Semifinalists and good luck!