Seattle Foodies

Group dining therapy at Steelhead.

Spring is here. And with the vernal equinox mercifully behind us, cherry blossoms exploding, our long summer days stretched out before us, and the Pike Place Market unloading the season’s early produce, my Seattle version of OCD is back with a vengeance. No, I don’t try to hide it. Obsessive Consumption Disorder is my diagnosis, the chief symptom being unbridled, frantic gorging on the fresh, what’s-in-season, right now. Such an affliction makes this a particularly hard town to live in, like a compulsive gambler settled in Las Vegas.

Especially with places like Kevin Davis’ Steelhead Diner. Located in the Pike Place Market (95 Pine Street), they focus on the local and seasonal, serving “nothing south of Oregon, nothing east of Idaho.” The dishes are inventive, generous, and delicious, and have earned Kevin a semifinalist position for the 2010 James Beard Best Northwest Chef Award.

In fact, it’s the perfect place for April’s group therapy session, a.k.a First Friday Lunch Club. We’re working on a special menu for the event, so stay tuned for more details.

The fine print: the Seattle Foodies dining plan covers OCD (pre-existing condition or not), so mark 11:30am, Friday, April 2nd on your calendars, and come prepared to get well. Also, please R.S.V.P. by next Wednesday so we can ensure everyone receives adequate treatment!

UPDATE: I just received this from Tiana Garrett, Steelhead’s general manager. They’re really excited that we’re coming, so we’re getting the private dining room plus a special Foodies multi-course tasting menu:

SEATTLE FOODIE MENU

Amuse

SMOKED ALASKAN BLACK COD SALAD

With Red Radishes, Chevril & Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette

Appetizer

JUMBO LUMP DUNGENESS CRAB CAKE

With Crispy Parsley & Sauce Louis

Entrée

OLIVE CRUSTED BRISTOL BAY SOCKEYE SALMON

With Sauteed Asparagus & Spring Garlic ~ White Bean Puree

The cost will be $25 plus tax, tip, and any beverages (or additional food) you’d like. They’re doing separate checks, so feel free to go nuts.

As a reminder, we’ll start at 11:30. Steelhead is at 95 Pine Street, right inside in the arcade entrance, which is just uphill from Post Alley (and Beecher’s), and across from Sur La Table and Café Campagne.

If you haven’t RSVP’ed yet, please let me know by Thursday mid-day so I can let them know the final headcount.

Finally, as many of you know, I just can’t get enough of the Pike Place Market. So after lunch, if anyone’s interested, I’d love to do a walking tour of favorite spots. I’ll show you mine, if you show me yours!

See you there!

I woke up this morning still a bit depressed at having missed Mobile Chowdown III this weekend. Hardly soothed by reports of too-long chow lines, I am resolved to make it up to my mouth. The solution? Pedro Vargas’ Paladar Cubano sandwich truck on 90th and Aurora, which is reported to have the only authentic Cuban sandwiches in Seattle. I hear they also make a mean cafe Cubano, to get you back in action for the afternoon. (And Foodie Chuck swears by the fried plantains.)

So join us this Friday at 11:45 at 90th and Aurora for a street food fix. Until then, I’ll be day-dreaming about crunchy-crusted Cuban bread, succulent roast pork, salty ham, tangy mustard, oozing cheese, and crisp pickles.