A while back, we had considered going out of town somewhere nearby (in the Pacific Northwest) to do one last trip just the two of us before the baby comes.  Ultimately we decided that being 34 weeks along and having already spent a lot of money on baby related items, we’d just hang out and enjoy a weekend together at home.

Since we didn’t end up going out of town, I thought it would be fun to plan a few date night dinners.  Our favorite spot in Seattle is Sutra, where we went back in May when my sister first arrived for her summer here. 

It’s funny that I have two restaurant posts in a row for you, because I almost never take my camera with me when we go out to eat.  I tend to find that it can take away from the experience of just eating with people you love.  Casey and I agreed that in this particular case, the camera was worth documenting the amazing food they serve at Sutra.

The restaurant operates at two set seatings each night, and all guests are served together in a prix fixe style.  I started my evening with a cucumber Dry Soda.  I am seriously addicted to this stuff.

And Casey got some sort of delicious sun tea elixir.  I love that they serve even the non-alcoholic drinks in fancy champagne glasses.  Feels so much more special!

Not before long, the first course was set in front of us…

Chilled Yellow Watermelon-Lemon Basil-Fresh Cayenne Soup

…with an Arugula- Carrot-Pickled Fennel Salad finished Truffle Oil and Sesame Crisp.  This was incredible!  I wanted to ask for a side dish of nothing but pickled fennel – amazing. 

Followed shortly by the second course – Zucchini-Roasted Yellow Pepper-Spigariello-Cashew Cheese Lasagna with Bay Leaf-Peppercorn Marinated Olives and Arame finished with a Blue Chile-Yuzu Dressing.

I was a little nervous about the arame (sea vegetable) when they first described the dish, but it complimented the zucchini and cashew sauce so well.  Ate every bite!

The third course was definitely the highlight – Purple Potato Gnocchi with Capers, Parsley and Smoked Chanterelles with a Roasted Garlic-Hempseed Sauce, Steamed White Russian Kale and Black Cherokee Heirloom Tomatoes.

So much amazing smoky flavor in those mushrooms, and purple potato gnocci that melted in your mouth.  I want another plate of this right now.

Last but certainly not least – dessert!  Pecan-Fig Crusted Star Fire Nectarine-Rose Tart served with a Carmel-Cacao-Coconut Cream Sauce.

A delicious way to end a wonderful meal with my favorite dinner date.  The fun thing about Sutra is that the menu changes every two weeks.  We’re hoping to get back there one more time before our little one arrives.

Back shortly with a delicious COOKIE recipe you wont want to miss!

I have said it before, and I will say it again.  Seattle has amazing FOOD! We’ve been here for four months now (can you believe that?) and I am still discovering new wonderful places to eat.  This weekend we went out for lunch, and headed out to a spot I had been meaning to try for a while – Thrive. 

Thrive is totally vegan and mostly raw.  I checked out the menu online ahead of time, and it reminded me so much of Café Gratitude in San Francisco – one of my favorite meals of all time!

And yes, it is chilly enough in Seattle in the mornings to wear a light weight sweater and jeans.  I love it!

I love finding new vegetarian restaurants to try, but I always try to check out the menu ahead of time.  Otherwise I take foreeeeeever to decide what I want (since I can have everything!), and it drives Casey crazy.  This time I came prepared.

We got a little excited about the menu and ordered a TON of food.  Starting with a Dragon Nori Roll – Bhutanese red rice, avocado, cucumber, carrot, and fresh cilantro and toasted nori.  Served with Sesame Ginger Sauce and Garlic Cilantro God Sauce.  YUM.

On the side, Casey got the Sunshine Salad – a perfect egg-free summer salad.  Created with cashews, tumeric, onions, red bell pepper, celery, sea salt, paprika, and sunshine.  Ha!  This was super rich and tasted exactly like egg salad. 

The Buddha Bowl – steamed grained topped with delicious “taco meat,” kale chip crumbles, sesame ginger sauce, marinated kale, marinated mushrooms, and organic cucumbers.  Topped with Garlic Cilantro God Sauce and Onion Cashew Cream. 

And the Thrivelicious – steamed Bhutanese red rice an quinoa topped with large dollops of Onion Cashew Crème, salsa, and guacamole.  Topped with hearty “taco meat.”

I couldn’t resist asking for a side of the Nacho Dip to go with my bowl, made of cashews, bell peppers, lemon, nutritional yeast, tahini, water, and other spices.  It was delicious and cheesy.  If I ever actually buy some cashews, I might try making something like this at home!

The restaurant was really cute and open, and I loved how you could see into the kitchen and watch the chefs prepare the food.  So many culinary school flashbacks!

The also had a big wall of bulk foods in the back of the store, which I am always drawn to.  I have checked every Whole Foods and Fred Meyer in Seattle, and have not been able to find cacao nibs anywhere.  Finally, we found them at Thrive!  Casey loves them, so we stocked up. 

A delicious lunch at a new spot, and surely one I plan to visit again soon.  I hope everyone is having a wonderful and relaxing Labor Day!