In part one of our Best of 2011 blog post trilogy, we asked Seattle chefs what their favorite meal was of the year with answers ranging from lobster pot pie at Michael Mina to chickpea and squid pancakes at Revel. In part two, we’ve once again cast the net wide asking local chefs what their favorite restaurant of 2011 is. Here’s what they had to say:
Jason Franey, Executive Chef - Canlis
Jason Franey, Executive Chef, Canlis
“Willows Inn. For one, it is a beautiful destination. And Chef Blaine Wetzel’s foraged and technique-driven cuisine is a gift to the Northwest.”
Dalis Chea, Executive Chef, Fresh Bistro
“RN74. I like that you can get classic French that is not to fussy. Simple and good. It feels comfortable also I don’t feel like I have to get dressed up.“
Brandon Kirksey, Executive Chef, Tavolata
“One of my favorite new spot is not in Seattle, but deep in the Mission district of San Francisco called Local Mission Eatery. The chef/owner was a very influential chef that I worked under while I cooked in the bay area. It’s nice so see talented people cooking their food exactly how they want. When I am home here in Seattle I’m excited to dine at Revel and The Blind Pig.”
Kamala Saxton, Owner - Marination Station
Kamala Saxton, Owner, Marination
“Revel. The consistency, creativity, and culinary genius that those two have implemented at Revel makes it my favorite of 2011. I have had the short rib bowl dozens of times and it is always spot on. And Rachel and Saif are about as nice as they get.”
Renee Erickson, Owner-Chef, Boat Street Café and Walrus & the Carpenter
“The Woodsman Tavern in Portland. I love it right down to the beautiful and cozy decor. The food is a perfect and simple showing of the finest Oregon ingredients. Chef Jason [Barwikowski] does an incredible job with the menu and [manager] Carly [Laws] makes is really hard to decide what wine you want to drink with the food. It’s a place I could go to weekly.”
Lucy Damkoehler, Pastry Chef, Mistral Kitchen
“I am still trying to catch up with the new restaurants of 2010 so I actually have not made it to that many new ones. But I really enjoyed myself at Artusi. I liked the bread soup!”
Tom Black, Chef/Owner - Restaurant Bea
Tom Black, Chef/Co-owner, Restaurant Bea
“Revel would be my fave of 2011. I just thing they have captured the lighting in a bottle that is necessary to be successful in this business. They are genuine people who are really liked for what they do and how they do it.”
Kathy Casey, Kathy Casey Food Studios
“I love The Walrus and the Carpenter’s and Revel’s neighborhood vibe. It’s so great to be able to go to amazing restaurants in Seattle’s small neighborhoods with fantastic food and cocktails. These two places though pretty polar opposite in feel and food – both embody the spirit of today’s entrepreneurial restaurant owner.”
Angie Roberts, Executive Chef, BOKA
“La Bete and Revel. Revel because I love Seif and Rachel’s food. I love that it has levels of flavor and texture and that they are willing to be different. It’s a refreshing addition to the Seattle dining scene. My love for Le Bete can be summed up in 5 words: salt and pepper pork rinds!”
Jennifer Shea, Owner, Trophy Cupcakes
“The Walrus and the Carpenter. Two of my all-time favorite things on the planet: oysters and champagne!”
What’s your favorite restaurant of 2011? Personally, I love Staple & Fancy purely for the coziness of the space, the value (you can get a dozen items with the Chef’s Tasting Menu for $45!) and the energy of the place. Next week, chefs will be dishing on who they think the up-and-coming chefs of 2012 are. Stay tuned!
[...] far, we’ve learned what Seattle chefs consider their best meal of 2011 as well as their favorite restaurant. Today, we find out whom they’re tapping as the next up-and-comer of 2012 and why. Here are their [...]