652629 Tue Sep 15 16:48:15 -0700 2009 8 4 Pacific Northwest 0 5032643 Does anyone have any restaurant recommendations for the Wenatchee area? I've been disappointed several times so prefer to cook at home, but I would like to get out once in awhile. I am looking forward to the Taste of the Harvest festival in Downtown Wenatchee on Saturday. I've been waiting for a chance to taste cheese from Larkhaven Farmstead Cheese, Alpine Lakes Cheese and Sunny Pine Farm. Does anyone have a preference for one these cheesemakers? Also, pasture fed beef is kind of expensive and I don't want to join a CSA until I've tried the meat so I am looking forward to trying Crown S Ranch beef too. Does anyone know of other good ranchers in the Central Washington area? Tue Sep 15 16:48:15 -0700 2009 214490 whinendine 1 5033191 Tonight we ate at our new IWA Sushi and Grill, which has been open for about a month. We were very pleasantly surprised about the freshness, quality, and price. We also enjoy Visconti's, El Porton, Casa Tapatia, Garlini's, Lemolo's, Windmill, South and Alley Cafe (in Leavenworth), Cellar Cafe, McGlynn's Cuc Tran, Mai Lai, Jimmy's Diner for breakfast. They might not be considered "foodie" places, but they satisfy us. Also, many of the area wineries serve occasional dinners, particularly Icicle Ridge. We love the goat cheese maker on Blewett Pass, but for the life of me I can't remember the name of it. Lunch or breakfast at Anjou Bakery in Cashmere is a delight. For a humongous juicy fatty burger, you can't beat the Hitching Post or Rusty's in Cashmere. Oh, Country Boys BBQ in Cashmere is very good. Sleeping Lady Lodge in Leavenworth puts on some special dinners, They have a new chef this year who has impressed us. Of course, Sun Mountain Lodge in Winthrop (or is it in Twisp?) is a favorite destination. I am sure I have left many important places out. We don't eat a lot of beef, so I can't comment on area beef. Costco seems to serve us well. We have bought hamburger from local ranchers, but they don't sell commercially. Tue Sep 15 21:13:12 -0700 2009 5032643 16407 Jane917 2 5033884 Thank you for this list. The Mexican food seems different here than in California. The burritos are covered with an orange sauce that we are not too crazy about so we are looking for a different style, I guess. However, I think La Fuente's cabbage salsa is delicious. Asian food - Is Cuc Tran still opened? I haven't tried Spring Lotus (behind Target) yet for Vietnamese type food. Mai Lai is okay, but it isn't spicy enough for us so we cook our own Thai food. They are Laos and I wonder why they don't try serving laab. Italian food - my husband doesn't think it is worth going since making pasta is not too difficult. Interestingly enough, I'm the one who ends up making it though! Cheese - The goat cheese maker at the Thursday evening farmer's market in Leavenworth is called Good Shepard. Good cheese. Alpine Lakes makes sheep cheese and that is good too. I've heard from others that Sunny Pine Farm is really good. They make organic goat cheese. Other - I've tried Country Boys BBQ and Anjou Bakery. They are okay if I'm out that way. McGlinn's and Sleeping Lady is on my list to try and I think I have to try these special dinners at some of the farms (Sunshine Farm had a tomato taste and dinner a few weeks ago that I missed). Beef - Crown S Ranch has pasture- fed beef, pork, poultry and eggs per the Farmhouse Table Harvest Market information web page for the Taste of the Harvest festival. Looks like they will be serving samples so I'll be able to taste before I buy. Costco beef is okay, but I'm curious how this beef will taste. Thanks again for this list. I may need to try to get to Sun Mountain Lodge one day too! Wed Sep 16 08:24:44 -0700 2009 5033191 214490 whinendine 3 5035331 Cuc Tran was open the last time I was there, not too long ago, and I have not heard any word of them closing. They are always busy. Spring Lotus is more asian fusion than Vietnamese. The food is fun and good, but a bit pricey, especially for lunch. Mai Lai can make your food as spicy as you want it. We moved here from Montana and were raised on local grass fed beef. Since we don't eat much beef, we haven't looked into locally raised beef here, though I think we might still have part of a beef in the freezer that we shared with someone. Let me know of any good adventures you find. Wed Sep 16 16:36:38 -0700 2009 5033884 16407 Jane917 1 5033975 we had a really surprisingly good meal with the inlaws at visconti's. it was on the mark for classic italian sitdown. it was a very pleasant relaxed place too. several nice small rooms. i would definitely try it before you discount it. good wine list too. Wed Sep 16 08:55:46 -0700 2009 5032643 83982 ericlutzker 2 5035338 We ate dinner at Visconti's a couple of weeks ago with my parents and brother who were visiting from San Francisco. We had a very pleasant meal. I think my mom was the only one who had pasta. You are right about the wine list, but I thought we would have needed a couple of days to get through the listings. Wed Sep 16 16:38:49 -0700 2009 5033975 16407 Jane917 3 5035473 Thank you both for the input about Visconti's. I will have to convince my husband. I could use a good osso bucco! Wed Sep 16 17:38:57 -0700 2009 5035338 214490 whinendine 4 5035636 Call ahead. I am not sure if osso bucco is on the menu. Wed Sep 16 19:03:22 -0700 2009 5035473 16407 Jane917 1 5037139 We drove through Wenatchee last year and stopped at Applewood Grill down by the railroad tracks and pedestrian bridge. We had a great sandwiches, and I've never seen such an extensive mojito menu! Too bad we had to drive to Seattle afterwards, or I'd have tried more mojitos. Thu Sep 17 10:49:09 -0700 2009 5032643 237929 tracylee