PRESS DETAILS
Destination Seattle
On the flashy block of downtown Seattle that is home to Niketown and the Levi's store, there's a new sports bar and restaurant, the third in a Fox Sports endeavor that began in2002 with restaurants in Arizonad and California. The Seattle grill, which opened last fall, provides an upscale atmosphere in which to enjoy sports camaraderie. The friendly, energy-charged grill is also a place you can bring your teenager to eat and watch a game, and fortunately, I have one in the form of Mike, my ravenous, basketball-stylin' 14-year-old.
Make your way downstairs from the street-level reception area, and you'll be embraced by the buzz of a large crowd and the flashing lights of 32 flat-screen TVs that are broadcasting as many as 16 different games. The huge space, broken up with waterfalls and handsome stone walls, houses a bar, billiards, a wine cellar, a dining room with banquettes, a private dining room and a cigar lounge.
This is sports-television heaven, with a menu that includes filet-mignon chili; mixed greens adorned with pears, blue cheese and pecans; hefty hamburgers; and grilled ahi tuna steak sandwiches. Portions, especially of pastas and salads, are huge and hearty, and a wood-fired grill produces excellent steaks and ribs, along with novel items such as grilled carrot cake, served with vanilla bean ice cream.
Be sure to try the house-made potato chips, which can be enjoyed warm and topped with sour cream, blue cheese, bacon, roasted red peppers and green onions.
Chef Kerry White-a Seattleite who joined the restaurant from the esteemed McCormick & Schmick's group and who has appeared on the Food Network's "The Best of" series-is a fan of fresh, local food. Her kitchen provides a daily "fresh sheet" of fish dishes, and uses local cheeses, mushrooms and produce.
Mike's expert analysis? "It was cool," he said, which is high praise indeed from a freshman.
