Providence Cicero

Summer fruits stole the show at a dinner with friends this weekend. Peach and blueberry salsa with basil and lime dressed up fresh halibut from @kuzmasfishmarket. Credit for the gorgeous plum and raspberry tart goes to @rooty738. There were even grapes in the salad. Thanks Nancy and Stewart for hosting a lovely evening.

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Where I come from they'd call this Black & Blue London Broil "Pittsburgh rare." Dressed up with shio koji, brown butter, and tarragon at Kevin Smith's English gastropub Little Beast, it's called London Royale and it's a royal treat. So is duck breast, which also gets the seared-rare treatment. The scotched eggs and pig head nuggets are not pictured but should not be missed. If you go to @littlebeastballard, expect excellent cocktails, warm hospitality, and possibly meat sweats.

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The magnificent Russian murals inside remain but the name on the awning has changed. Cafe Lolo is the newest restaurant to occupy this charming space in the Loveless Bldg on Capitol Hill that was most recently Cook Weaver. The menu is hyper local and seasonal. The food is delightful. Fresh, bright flavors and subtle textures harmonize beautifully on each plate. Service is smart, swift, and congenial. Give it a try. You won't be sorry.

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So many lovely dishes @cedarandelmseattle, a gracious, light-filled, conversation-friendly dining room in Kenmore's @lodgeatstedward

1. Lion's mane & maitake mushroom confit with sourdough breadcrumbs
2. Buried under all the hazelnuts is a roasted wedge of cabbage with black garlic, spinach & eggplant
3. Koji cured bavette steak frites
4. Alaskan king salmon with turnips
5. Branzino with lemon sauce
6. A posset topped with cocoa nibs
7. Strawberry sorbet with brittle shards of panforte

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Stopped at @vindulacwinerychelan for a breezy lunch on the way home from the Methow Valley last weekend. It was great to see @chefdnix and @cascadiacowgirl and revisit some favorite dishes from @eightrowseattle. Fried eggplant with turnips, beet salad with avocado and strawberry chamoy, and lamb meatballs over whipped feta. Vin du Lac's rosé of pinot noir was just the right accompaniment. Shout out to our smart and attentive server, Mario.

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If you find yourself in the Methow Valley, head to Lupo Brio in Twisp for simple, seasonal, sensational Italian food. Open since January, Lupo Brio is the successor to the long-running Tappi, and sister restaurant to 1908 BBQ & Bourbon just down the street. Tyler and Nicky Krost are the dynamic food-and-wine duo behind both restaurants, along with business partner Jen Tate. At Lupo, house-made pastas and pizzas anchor a menu that showcases local meats, fish and produce. Start with an apple, arugula and prosciutto salad (1) or carpaccio scribbled with horseradish ricotta (2). Share a pizza (3), or a pasta. I suggest the Lupo de Mare (4) with plump shrimp snuggled against luxuriously creamy pistachio pesto, or rigatoni alla vodka (5) smothered in vibrant pomodoro sauce. Steelhead (6) perched on a bed of vegetables is a good bet from the fresh sheet. The fish was as impeccably cooked as the bistecca alla Lupo (7), a 24oz porterhouse from Gebbers Farms, 4th generation family cattle ranchers in nearby Brewster, WA. Finish with the terrific tiramisu.(8)

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Heavenly. Missing this tranquil view from Casia Lodge where @bronleewedavid and I enjoyed a relaxing (too) few days last week. Feeling refreshed after the excellent food, warm hospitality, and quiet comfort provided by @chefjasonwilson, Debbie Wilson and the entire team @casialodgeranch. Also, we got to meet the newest members of the flock, Archibald and Wallace, who proudly ruffled their feathers for us.

P.S. Special thanks to Jay & Melinda Schiering for sharing their 36th wedding anniversary celebration with us, along with the 1990 Lafitte they brought along for the occasion. 🙏🏽💕 @jayschiering

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Seattle’s oldest Chinese restaurant goes to lunch at one of Seattle’s newest! I brought Harry @taitungrestaurant to have lunch with @chef_danna @viviennesbistroseattle @provicicero and I are trying to develop a regular food section for the @internationalexaminer Stay tuned. First article next month. This was research for future articles🤣 @provicicero writes and I eat🤣 Less