Friday, July 30, 2010

Science: On The Menu At One Seattle Restaurant. - KCPQ


The chefs are interviewed by FOX TV that reports, "At Spur in Belltown, Brian McCracken and Dana Tough are on the cutting edge of this new cuisine. "We play with things, and try things out," said McCracken. "We try new techniques to see what we can come up with."

The chefs say they're dedicated to traditional food and techniques, but with a twist. Sometimes that twist includes utilizing a tub of liquid nitrogen. They drop in powdered peanut butter for just a few seconds, and what comes out tastes like a Reese's treat, but when you bite into it, smoke comes billowing out of your mouth.

Tough says they use familiar ingredients that, "end up exciting and different when they come out on the plate."

Some in the culinary world call molecular gastronomy a gimmick, but the chefs at Spur say it's just another way to enhance a dish, and it's helped create a buzz around their restaurant.

"We have restraint," said Tough, "but we're not afraid to try something new here.""

Watch the story here and special thanks to John Hopperstad of Q13.

Science: On The Menu At One Seattle Restaurant. - KCPQ

We'll Be at Foodportunity in Seattle on Monday

Hoping you already got your tickets because Keren's planned another terrific evening of Foodportunity. Monday night, August 2, we'll be on hand to chat there. Yashar Shayan wrote about it for Mutineer magazine saying, "Foodportunity, it’s pretty much what it sounds like! An event aimed at bringing local food and beverage peeps together to exchange info and ideas and just plain have a good time. Featuring a host of local food exhibitors sampling attendees with their delights, it is held only a few times a year, with one coming up on Monday, August 2nd in Seattle.

The event was cooked up (oh I made a funny!) by Seattle food enthusiast Keren Brown as a way of giving back to the food industry by providing an event for those looking for job or business opportunities, those wanting to sample the hot new restaurants and products, and even for those just looking to socialize with like-minded people.

The August 2nd installment of Foodportunity Seattle features local Chef Thierry Rautureau of Rovers Restaurant, a recent competitor on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters. Other industry celebs include James Beard Inductee, Jon Rowley, and Seattle’s own chef celeb, Tom Douglas. These heavy hitters are juxtaposed with the likes of new kids on the block such as Brian McCracken and Dana Tough, owners of Spur Gastropub and Tavern Law, hailed for their innovative spirits and cocktail programs."

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Sunday Spur Film Night Menu: Bowling Alley Fare


A look at the menu for Sunday night's Big Lebowski night:

EAT

Cheddar Popcorn
compliments of the Chefs

Walla Walla Onion Rings
heirloom ketchup.
4

Alvarez Farms Stuffed Peppers
cream cheese.
4

Buffalo Chicken Confit ‘Wangs’
blue cheese. celery.
6

Painted Hills Beef Slider
Billy’s Beefsteak. smoked aioli. cheddar.
6

Lingonberry Blinis
4



DRINK

Bowling Pin Bud & Bud Light
3

White Russians
5

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Sunday Spur Film Nights: We Kick Off This Weekend with The Big Lebowski


Making use of our big screen, we're rolling out a calendar of Sunday Spur Film Nights. Come in costume for Spur's first Sunday Spur Film Night (Sunday July 25, 9-12 midnight)-- this one a showing of the Big Lebowski (film starts on our big screen at 9).

The chefs will be preparing a different popcorn for each Sunday Spur Film Night along with drink and food specials. This one will feature bowling alley-inspired fare and Lebowski drinks including (of course) White Russians and Bowling Pin beer.

Everyone's already working on their get-ups and dressing in fashions inspired by the flick. (Any guess what Anne will don? We're keeping it a secret, of course.) Sunday Spur Film Nights will occur regularly, but not SO regularly, so check back in on our blog and Facebook + Twitter to get the scoop on our next one.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

our seasonal menu at Spur


We've taken a fresh look at how our menu's arranged and hope you'll come by to enjoy the offerings. Here's a look at the Seasonal section:

Seasonal

Heirloom Lettuces
speck. candied almond. chevre.
10

Alstott Farms Arugula and Tomatoes
cucumber. taggiasca olives. fromage blanc.
12

Parisian Gnocchi parmesan. summer chanterelles. peas.
10

Amberjack Crudo* avocado. radish. sorrel.
15

Warm Marinated Mussels
sausage. summer squash. peppers.
18

Pan Seared Trout
quinoa. carrot. almond milk.
22

Lamb Tartare*
heirloom tomato. shiso. egg yolk.
18

Tagliatelle*
duck egg. oyster mushroom. pine nut.
14

Fried Oxtail Terrine
fresh garbanzo. chicory. shallot jam.
12

Veal Sweetbreads
corn. bing cherry. sorrel.
18

Lamb Saddle*
fennel. potato. pearl onion.
27

Smoked Brisket *
braised greens. smoked tomato. saba.
25

Chefs Tasting Menu: 3 course
45

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

July's Food at Spur

Heirloom Lettuces
speck. candied almond. chevre.

Sockeye Salmon Crostini*
mascarpone. caper. pickled shallot.

Wild Watercress
Billy’s tomatoes. cucumber. smoked yogurt.

Parisian Gnocchi
parmesan.morels. peas.

Amberjack Crudo*
avocado. radish. sorrel.

Pan Seared Trout
quinoa. carrot. almond milk.

Tagliatelle*
duck egg. oyster mushroom. pine nut.

Fried Oxtail Terrine
fresh garbonzo. chicory. shallot jam.

Veal Sweetbreads
corn. bing cherries. sorrel.

Cattail Creek Lamb Saddle*
morels. yogurt. spring vegetables.

Pork Belly Sliders
nectarine mostarda. marjoram. champagne.

Grass fed Beef Burger *
smoked cheddar. grilled onion. mustard.
optional: add pork belly

5 Course Chefs’ Tasting Menu Available Upon Request $75

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Cocktails at Spur in July


West Coast Pimm’s (David Nelson, Spur 2008)
pimm’s no. 1. lemon. cucumber. mint. basil. ginger ale.

Empress (David Nelson, Spur 2008)
jamaican rum. grapefruit. st. germain.

Seelbach (Seelbach Hotel, 1917)
bourbon. angostura and peychauds bitters. cointreau. sparkling wine.

Cut Stick Cocktail
sherry. dry vermouth. strawberry nasturtium syrup. lemon.

Jasmine (Paul Harrington, 1990’s)
gin. campari. lemon. cointreau.

Wheelhouse
tequila. strawberry shrub. domaine canton. lime.

Nevisian Rum Punch
rum. aperol. lime. falernum. ginger.

Nordic Flower Fizz
aquavit. gin. lillet. dandelion and orange bitters.

Broken Spur #2* (David Nelson, Spur 2008)
bourbon. cointreau. lemon. amaretto.

The One Inch Plantation
rum. falernum. smoked pineapple. orange juice.

50 Ways to Leave Your Lovage
tequila. yellow chartreuse. lime. cucumber. lovage.

The Ballad of Anne Bonny
rye. pineau des chaurentes rosé. ramazzotti. dry vermouth.

House Cocktails by: Marley Tomic-Beard & Craig Schoen
Photo of the Wheelhouse