Category Archives: Food

Tapas at Tablas Woodstone Taverna

One of the newest restaurants in Mill Creek is Tablas Woodstone Taverna. Located at 15522 Main Street in Mill Creek, it is a Spanish Mediterranean tapas restaurant which is a welcome addition to the Town Center.

Tablas Woodstone Taverna from Main Street

My sister and I recently went for lunch. I love appetizers and small plates so I was really looking forward to this. This was the third visit for me and the first for her. We started out with a glass of the Carra Prosecco. It was a sip of crisp tart apple with a dry finish and just the right amount of bubbles — the perfect apéritif for lunch.

Tablas has several pages of tapas & small plates to layer and/or share. Decisions, decisions. We started with the Tomato, Basil and Mozarella flatbread drizzled with balsamic vinegar, a variation on the classic Margherita pizza. It arrived hot and the crust was perfectly crisp — a nice foil to the melted cheese and hot juicy tomato. We also ordered the Salmon & Dungeness Crab terrine, light and airy served with a garnish of greens and brandy aioli. We both thought it could have been served with crackers or crostini on the side.

After finishing those, we agreed that we wanted a little something more, a meat perhaps and decided on the Chicken Mignon. Described as “tenders” it arrived as four “rolls” of chicken wrapped in bacon with a demi-glace. They were okay, but we expected something a bit lighter, a thinner cut perhaps. They seemed heavy and a bit dry. Feeling satisfied, not stuffed we passed on our server’s offer of dessert.

On a previous visit with a friend, I ordered the Mediterranean Garlic, Parmesano, Oregano Flatbread and Spicy Garlic Shrimp to share. Both were delicious, and my only comment: it’s an order of 3 shrimp and was awkward for 2 to share. On all visits, service has been attentive and orders come out in a timely fashion, but I’ve never felt rushed. It’s been relaxed sipping, conversation and “grazing” as one would expect with tapas.

I love the ambience of Tablas Woodstone Taverna. It’s a big improvement over other attempts at locating a restaurant in this spot. Previously the space felt cavernous and empty. They were “franchise, order at the counter and take a number to the table” style. The owners of Tablas [also the owners of long-time local favorite, Kafé Neo, btw] opted to divide the space making a separate bar area including the ubiquitous flat screens. Mental note: come back for “Happy Hour”.  Tables line the window and raised booths cozy up to the inner wall. Down the center, there is a long table for groups. Hmmm, another mental note. A free-standing gas fireplace near the center of the space adds warmth, literally and visually. Candles dot the walls. I know I will return again and again for a variety of occasions and to sample more from the extensive menu. Do tell.

Phone: 425-948-7654

www.tablaswoodstonetaverna.com

Mill Creek Square Looking Green and Good

Mill Creek Square Sign

Just in case you haven’t noticed, Mill Creek Square has a pretty new face. For the past several months construction crews have been busy and are now applying the final touches to Phase One of the shopping complex project.

 

Mill Creek Square front QFC/Starbuck's

The plants on the roof overhang were what really caught my eye. This kind of roof  is known as a Green Roof. The plants, from the Sedum family, are indigenous, highly drought resistant plants that “reduce the heat island effect and slow water run off.” Cisterns at both ends of the complex, will collect some of the water run off and will be used to “enliven sculptural elements at each end of the complex.” Water will also be directed to existing sumps in planting areas, to a rain garden or existing swale.  And you thought it was all just for show.

I had the opportunity to chat with John Cannon, AIA a Partner with Lewis Architecture + Interior Design, designers of the project. See www.lewisarchitects.com He told me that the owners of the Mill Creek Square, who reside in Southern California, are very much art oriented in all aspects of their lives. The complex was originally built in the early 1980’s; they had acquired it some years ago, and felt it was time for a much needed makeover. They wanted to move away from the previous waterwheel and peeler pole look, and go with a clean, big lodge look, with a timeless quality. They wanted to move in a creative,  innovative, forward thinking direction. Inspirations were the house in Hitchcock’s North by Northwest and Frank LLoyd Wright’s Taliesin.

Mill Creek Square looking to East

A striking feature used to achieve this “Big Timber Look” is the large beams canted out. Rather than being cut from single large logs, they are Glulam Beams created using a high pressure lamination process. Beautiful stonework adds texture to the overall organic aesthetic.

common area with fireplace

 

 

Another nice feature of the Mill Creek Square project is the common space or gathering area between QFC and Starbuck’s. It is open to the air, yet covered from the rain. It is spacious with plenty of seating and tables. There are ample overhead heat lamps, and the space is centered by a gas fireplace. I found it to be rather cozy. Even in this rainy, damp season.

The floor itself, is a work of art. It contains hundreds of pieces of broken glass in a myriad of colors. As stated before, the owners are artists and they were hands on, first sitting down with the architects to design it, then with the contractor to personally place the floor out by hand.  Abbott Construction, general contractor on the project, is adept at this type of flooring, and took special care to make sure the floor would not be slippery. It was honed to a smooth texture, and then given a matte finish.

One thing you might notice is that QFC is still looking the same. Phase Two which will include the updated facelift of QFC is planned to begin this Summer of 2011. Do tell.

 

Oscar Night Dinner

Planning a little dinner party for 8 on Oscar Night. Festive, yet casual with star-strewn linens, lots of candles, maybe a little extra glitter tossed around.

On the Menu:

Steak Oscar with Filet Mignon and fresh Dungeness crab from Central Market, and fresh asparagus from QFC capped with more than a drizzle of Bernaise sauce.

True Grit roasted potatoes. Russets from QFC scrubbed, peeled and cut into bite size pieces. They are placed in a large rectangle baking dish and tossed with olive oil, Lipton Onion Soup Mix and pepper to taste. Roasted in a 350° oven appox 1 hour until crispy on the outside, soft on the inside.

Biutiful Salad made with a mixed greens of iceberg, baby spinach, Romaine, Arugula tossed with shredded carrot, sliced green onion, tomato wedges and garlic croutons. Choice of Ranch, Blue Cheese or Balsalmic vineagrette.

Wines:  Monte Aribaldo 2007 Dolcetta D’Alba  &  Michele Chiarlo 2008 Barbera D’Asti From the wine selection at Central Market

For dessert how about Red Carpet doughnuts [really Red Velvet] from FROST Doughnuts Evolved in Mill Creek? I hope FROST won’t mind. I love their doughnuts as an alternative to cake or cupcakes. They are so rich and fancy, they shouldn’t just be for breakfast and snacks. Do tell.