Seth Winterhalter

Tomorrow evening couples will be on display all over the South Sound celebrating their undying love for one another over a more expensive than usual dinner, perhaps accompanied by a glass of wine and topped off with a decadent dessert. Well, that’s what I’d be doing if my two year old daughter didn’t have the coup and my wife and I playing a prevent defense to ward off the sickness to our three month old. And since I’m back living in the South Sound region and one thing I often hear is that you have to drive up to Seattle to celebrate a nice evening out I’d like to take a quick moment to share some places I’d choose from among if I were heading out. The list is in no particular order besides the order they jump into my mind causing my mouth to salivate and my stomach to creak and groin in sad anticipation that won’t be fulfilled.

First, is my favorite Italian restaurant in town, Basilico. Located on Capitol Way in between 5th & Union it boasts freshly made pasta (try the wild boar bolognese pictured below) and mouth watering dishes of all delights. Their wine list is not huge but every option will cement the adage that only great wine comes from Italy. I’m sure the restaurant is completely booked for tomorrow night but on the off chance someone has come down with some wicked form of a flu virus and had to cancel you might be able to get in. You should call now.

Another great option, if you’d like to stay in the same region of food, is Acqua Via, a Mediterranean influenced delight located on the corner of Capitol and 5th. Although I frequent his restaurant more during the lunch hour it’s a great option for dinner as well. Although you’ll find a few seasonal main dishes on the menu, which are all delicious, I’d recommend ordering an array of their small plates and giving your taste buds a smorgasbord of pleasure. If you’re a fan of celebrity chef Mario Botali you may be intrigued by the salami options found here that are created by his father, Armandino Botali, in his Seattle cured meat shop.

Although I could turn this post into a short book I’ll hold back and leave you with one final option that is also a new restaurant to our beautiful city. Now pizza might not sound like an option worthy of a Valentine splurge but I’ll argue for the authentic pies being served at La Gitana Pizzeria any day and time. Located as well on Capitol street, La Gitana has enhanced the vibe of the area with original and inviting decor and a menu that does the same. The pizza here isn’t your American, smothered in cheese variety, although I could give you a list of places that do that extremely well in the area (but not on Valentines…come on!), but rather these pizzas are of the Italian origin all baked in a wood fired oven and heaped with distinctively, delightful toppings like arugula, prosciutto, artichokes, feta, ham, blue cheese and the like. The wine list is also decent and a great pairing for this cuisine. 

Since I won’t be out and about with all of you tomorrow night but instead celebrating at home I’ll wrap up with a final option, which I’ll be opting for. First off, I’ll be stopping off at one of my local groceries to pick up some simple ingredients for a fresh pasta dish of my own creation and then I’ll head over to the Olympic Wine Merchant where Patrick will find the perfect selection to pair with my ingenious, culinary creation. I must say, Patrick has never led me astray with a wine selection and each one has been a perfect pairing for the ingredients I tell him about. 

Well, get on those reservations right now. And above all, make tomorrow evening not an annual event but the first of a habit forming cycle of something you treat your special someone to on a regular basis. Enjoy the South Sound dear friends!