SPUR CHEFS HONORED WITH TOP RISING CHEF STATUS BY GAYOT

Five, Make that Six, Chefs Chosen Nationally for the Award.

The Chefs of Spur got the nod from industry leader Gayot publications tonight, being designated together as "one" of the country's Top Five Rising Chefs.

Gayot just announced, "While their peers were partying and procrastinating, these chefs kept their eyes on the culinary prize and paid their dues at an early age. As a result, they are now top chefs at restaurants across the country before their thirtieth birthdays. This year, we have actually discovered six talented young professionals, as two of them form a powerful pair despite their tender years. Look for these half-dozen chefs to continue their culinary careers as top toques in restaurants near you, as well as on television."

Highlights of the editor's review read, "The fresh, creative menu by chef-owners Brian McCracken and Dana Tough stretches culinary boundaries and appeals to adventurous palates with bold, concentrated flavors and surprising textures."

Also included in Gayot's Top Rising Chef line up with Spur's McCracken and Tough were Kevin Gillespie of Top Chef Season 6 fame and Woodfire Grill (Atlanta), Summer Genetti of Palace (Cincinatti), Daniel Giusti of 1789 Restaurant (D.C.), and Sylvain Delpique of David Burke Townhouse (New York). Read about the awards at Top Rising Chefs Best New Chefs in the U.S. Restaurant Issue Gayot: http://www.gayot.com/restaurants/spur-seattle-wa-98121_25se081101.html

photo by Kristin Zwiers.

Spur in Sunset Magazine "Seattle's Happiest Hours"

Jess Thomson and Rebekah Denn included Spur in their "Time it right, and you can eat like a prince at pauper prices" article in Sunset. The line-up included $1 oysters at Anchovies & Olives, $5 thalis at Poppy, $12 all-you-can-eat-cheese-bar at Art Lounge and our $7 cocktails.

Jess and Rebekah wrote, "Seven bucks a drink is a bargain at Spur Gastropub, where 'startender' David Nelson designs concoctions like the Foreigner (normally $10), a mix of Old Overholt rye whiskey, Ramazzotti amaro, Strega, and peach and blood orange bitters. 5-7 Sunday-Thursday; spurseattle.com".

Thanks Sunset!

Jan/Feb issue of Tasting Panel mag Features Spur's Anne Magoon

Look what just came across our screen. Tasting Panel's 2010 The Year of the Woman in Wine issue features a round-up of industry people including Spur's Anne Magoon. They write, "Spur is a charming gastropub in Seattle's Belltown. Anne Magoon, the Manager/Wine Buyer, worked as a bartender at Bespoke in New Haven CT before moving to Seattle. David Nelson, Bar Manager, also manages Spur's sister property Tavern Law. Spur's drinks are made from scratch, with seasonal ingredients. The wine list is small, focused and food-friendly, featuring local wines. To showcase the synergy between food and beverage, Spur hosts monthly spirit, wine and beer dinners involving local producers.

Photo of Anne Magoon at Spur by www.tastingpanelmag.com

new, our nightly Chef Tasting Menu at Spur

Each evening we're offering a $65 Tasting Menu at Spur. Here's a look at tonight's-- they change daily.

Paddlefish Caviar
crème fraiche. roasted shallot. blini.

Slow Cooked Duck Egg
cauliflower. chevre. truffle.

Pan Roasted Butterfish
parsnip. kale. balsamic.

Crispy Pork Belly
semolina pudding. baby turnip. comice pear.

Chocolate Sponge Cake
caramel. ice cream. sea salt.

January 25: A Winemaker's Dinner with Buty

Start the decade with an intimate evening of fabulous food and wine with Spur's Chefs and winemakers Nina Foster Buty and Caleb Foster. The menu:

1ST
DUNGENESS CRAB SALAD
BUTTER. GREEN APPLE. PEPPERCRESS.
2008 Sémillon, Sauvignon and Muscadelle

2ND
OAK SMOKED BUTTERFISH
POTATO. CARA CARA ORANGE. CARAWAY
2008 Conner Lee Vineyard Chardonnay

3RD
MOULARD DUCK BREAST
SUNCHOKE. FOIE GRAS. POMEGRANATE
2006 Columbia Rediviva Phinny Hill Vineyard Estate Grown

4TH
FRIED OXTAIL TERRINE
PARSNIP. BRAISED FIG. SHISHO.
2001 Merlot/Cabernet Franc (Buty library wine)

5TH
SOUS-VIDE LAMB LOIN
PICKLED BEET. COCO NIB. HOLLANDAISE
BEAST 2005 Phinny Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Buty library wine)

6TH
CHOCOLATE WITH RED WINE
TASMANIAN PEPPERCORN. CARAMELIZED SUGAR.
BEAST 2008 Phinny Hill Vineyard Malbec (current release, Buty exclusive)

DETAILS
Monday, January 25, 2010 6:30pm at Spur
Reservations Essential, Space is Limited
206.728.6706 or info@spurseattle.com
Price: $115 pp plus tax and gratuity

Gastronaut Jay Friedman with a Sound Off Challenge

Friedman's Gastrolust blog tells a tale of fall figs in a culinary challenge around the 1999 XTC song "Fruit Nut". Our chefs, along with Chef Ashley Merriman, dished out a themed dinner for the Gastronaut, which he seductively extols here in his "Nuts for Forbidden Fruit" post:

http://bit.ly/8e5r5p

Thanks for the opportunity Jay. Looking forward to the King Fig's return here in the Northwest.

January at Spur

Heirloom Lettuces
baby beets. chevre. hazelnuts.

Sockeye Salmon Crostini
mascarpone. caper. pickled shallot.

Roasted Cauliflower
fennel. taggiasca olive.arugula.

Parmesan Gnocchi
parsnip. hedgehog mushroom. brussel sprout.

Steamed Mussels
potato. leek. bacon.

Pan Seared Butterfish
celery root. artichoke. castlevatrano olive.

Tagliatelle
duck egg. oyster mushroom. pine nut.

Fried Rabbit Terrine
potato. turnip. truffle.

Veal Sweetbreads
delicata squash. kale. orange.

Slow Cooked Short Ribs
thumbelina carrot. pearl onion. tasmanian peppercorn.

Washington Chicken Confit
mustard. garlic chips. scallion.

Pork Belly Sliders
celery root. apple. mustard.

Grass fed Beef Burger
provolone. red onion jam. thyme aioli.