2005 Washington Wine Restaurant Award Winners Announced; The Herbfarm Takes Top Honors as ''Restaurant of the Year''.SEATTLE -- The third annual Washington Wine Wine produced in the U.S. state of Washington has a long and continued history. The state ranks 2nd in the US in the production of varietal wine with over 31,000 acres (125 km² or 48. Restaurant Awards, hosted last night by the Washington Wine Commission and the Seattle Times Company, honored 51 Washington restaurants for their commitment to supporting the Washington wine industry. Launched in 2003, the program is designed to recognize restaurants that use innovative methods of showcasing Washington's quality wines. "We saw a 10 percent increase in entries this year, and were extremely impressed im·press 1 tr.v. im·pressed, im·press·ing, im·press·es 1. To affect strongly, often favorably: by the creative restaurant promotions submitted," said Jamie Peha, marketing director for the Washington Wine Commission. "Not only did we have increased participation, but we saw more comprehensive programs aimed at consumer education and wine appreciation, showing just how dedicated our restaurant industry is to supporting Washington wine." Wine philosophy, wine service, staff training, wine list creativity, point of sale materials, promotional activities and customer service were the criteria by which judges rated each entry. The evaluation team was made up of wine and food writers, Heart of Washington representatives, Washington Restaurant Association members, Washington winery win·er·y n. pl. win·er·ies An establishment at which wine is made. Noun 1. winery - distillery where wine is made wine maker members, marketing professionals and the Washington Wine Commission. "Washington wines are truly world class and complement a wide variety of cuisine Cuisine (from French cuisine, "cooking; culinary art; kitchen"; ultimately from Latin coquere, "to cook") is a specific set of cooking traditions and practices, often associated with a specific culture. ," said Gene Vosberg, Washington Restaurant Association president and chief executive officer. "We hope the Washington Wine Restaurant Award program will encourage more restaurants across the country to showcase the fine wines of our state." And the Award Goes to.... The Herbfarm in Woodinville, Wash., won the coveted cov·et v. cov·et·ed, cov·et·ing, cov·ets v.tr. 1. To feel blameworthy desire for (that which is another's). See Synonyms at envy. 2. To wish for longingly. See Synonyms at desire. "Restaurant of the Year" award for its extensive wine list and food and wine pairing program. The Herbfarm co-owners Ron Zimmerman and Carrie VanDyck have been strong Washington wine supporters since the restaurant's inception in 1986. The restaurant maintains a cellar cellar Portion of a building beneath ground level, used for utilitarian and storage purposes. It is often called a basement, especially when constructed as part of a foundation. A cellar used for food storage (e.g. of more than 750 Washington wines, spanning three decades. They also have the largest selection of Pacific Northwest wines in the world. Chef Jerry Traunfeld's famed multi-course dinners are paired nightly night·ly adj. 1. Of or occurring during the night; nocturnal: the cat's nightly prowl. 2. Happening or done every night: the physician's nightly rounds. with Washington wines, emphasizing the restaurant's focus on regional food and wine pairing. Sazerac received the second annual Heart of Washington award The Washington Award is an American engineering award. Since 1916 it has been given annually for "accomplishments which promote the happiness, comfort, and well-being of humanity". for promoting locally grown foods and pairing them with Washington wines. Sponsored by the Heart of Washington, this award honors state restaurants showcasing the bounty bounty, payment made by a government bounty, amount paid by a government for the achievement of certain economic or other goals. It often takes the form of a premium paid for the increased production or export of certain goods. of locally grown foods alongside Washington wines. The Marcus Whitman Hotel received the second annual Washington Restaurant Association award for setting the bar in the Northwest for a comprehensive wine list that favors Washington, as well as holding an impeccable im·pec·ca·ble adj. 1. Having no flaws; perfect. See Synonyms at perfect. 2. Incapable of sin or wrongdoing. [Latin impecc long-standing reputation for superb food and service. Receiving the Walter Clore Dr. Walter J. Clore (July 1st 1911-Feb. 3, 2003) was a pioneer in wine growing and agricultural research in Washington State and has been formally recognized by the Washington State Legislature as the "Father of Washington Wine".[1]. Honorarium HONORARIUM. A recompense for services rendered. It is usually applied only to the recompense given to persons whose business is connected with science; as the fee paid to counsel. 2. award for supporting and promoting the Washington wine industry is Robert Bonina, sommelier and vice president, food and beverage F&B is a common abbreviation in the United States and Commonwealth countries, including Hong Kong. F&B is typically the widely accepted abbreviation for "Food and Beverage," which is the sector/industry that specializes in the conceptualization, the making of, and delivery of foods. , at the Washington Athletic Club. Bonina began studying wine during a family vacation to Seattle in 1986, and is currently working towards achieving a Master Sommelier certification. Barking bark 1 n. 1. The harsh sound uttered by a dog. 2. A sound, such as a cough, that is similar to a dog's bark. v. barked, bark·ing, barks v.intr. 1. Frog took home honors for the Most Innovative Wine List for its focus on Pacific Northwest wines for the second year in a row. Their wine menu creatively expresses the wines' attributes by profiling taste versus variety. In 2003, the Barking Frog was honored as the Restaurant of the Year. Two of Washington's favorite seafood seafood Edible aquatic animals excluding mammals, but including both freshwater and ocean creatures. Seafood includes bony and cartilaginous fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, edible jellyfish, sea turtles, frogs, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers. restaurants, Anthony's and Elliott's, shared the award for Best Restaurant Event this year for their innovative oyster oyster, edible bivalve mollusk found in beds in shallow, warm waters of all oceans. The shell is made up of two valves, the upper one flat and the lower convex, with variable outlines and a rough outer surface. and white wine promotions. The judges were equally impressed with Anthony's "Oyster Fest" and Elliott's "Oyster New Year" events for their inventive in·ven·tive adj. 1. Of, relating to, or characterized by invention. 2. Adept or skillful at inventing; creative. in·ven promotion of Washington white wines. Anthony's was awarded Restaurant of the Year in 2004. Salty's on Alki won the award for Best Restaurant Marketing Promotion for its "Washington vs. the World" tasting promotion and series of appearances on nationally syndicated radio show, "Have Wine Will Travel." Salty's is also honored for its ongoing commitment to hosting innovative Washington Wine Month promotions, including "Sexiest Syrah" and "Riesling Taste-Off." Impeccable service, attention to detail and focus on customer service ensures each guest receives a memorable and delectable dining experience at the Salish Lodge and Spa, recognized this year for Best Dining Room Service. Daniel's Broiler/Schwartz Brothers Restaurants won Most Improved Wine Program for its increased Washington wine selection, monthly "Meet the Winemaker" series featuring local winemakers, and Reidel stemware stem·ware n. Glassware mounted on a stem with a broad base. program. Peter Donkonics of the Barking Frog took home the distinguished recognition of Sommelier of the Year. He has gone above and beyond to support Washington wines utilizing the restaurant's prix fixe prix fixe n. pl. prix fixes 1. A complete meal of several courses, sometimes with choices permitted, offered by a restaurant at a fixed price. 2. A fixed price charged for such a meal. 3. menu to showcase innovative Washington wine and food pairings. In addition, he has added a consumer education component to the wine list. Bin #20 Wine Bar & Restaurant and Northwest Vintage share the honor of Best New Program Launch. Located inside the Red Lion Red Lion may refer to:
tr.v. sur·round·ed, sur·round·ing, sur·rounds 1. To extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle. 2. To enclose or confine on all sides so as to bar escape or outside communication. n. community events. Top honors, the Washington Wine First Awards, went to 32 restaurants for designating a Washington wine section, showcasing more than 35 percent of Washington wines on the wine list and more than 50 percent on the wine by the glass list. Restaurants showcasing a large portion of local wines in proportion to their global wine lists were also considered in this category. In addition, each of these restaurants feature Washington wines year-round through a number of promotional activities. Restaurants at this level and their category include:
Fine Dining Category Bistro/Cafe/Wine Bar
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26 brix Barking Frog
Bella Italia Bin #20 Wine Bar & Restaurant
Canlis Campbell's Resort & Conference Center
Cascadia CreekTown Cafe
Daniel's Broiler/Schwartz Bros. Northwest Vintage
Elliott's Oyster House The Idle Hour Cafe & Steak House
Lake Cresent Lodge Tini Bigs Lounge
Salty's on Alki Valley Cafe
Salty's on Redondo Vintner's Inn & Restaurant
Sky City Waters Lakeside Bistro
The Berkshire Grill
The Herbfarm Hotel Dining Room/Club
The Salish Lodge ----------------------
Waterfront Columbia Tower Club
Whitehouse Crawford Marcus Whitman Hotel
Meadow Springs Country Club
Restaurant Group Ocean Crest Resort
---------------- Washington Athletic Club
Anthony's Restaurants
Visconti's
Ten restaurants featuring more than 25 percent Washington wines on the wine list and at least 40 percent on the wines by the glass list received Washington Reserve Awards. In addition, they were active in at least two Washington wine promotions in 2004. Restaurants in their respective categories include:
Fine Dining Bistro/Cafe/Wine Bar
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Ruth Chris Italianissimo
Sazerac
Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar Restaurant Group
The Shoalwater Restaurant ----------------
Rover's Cucina Cucina
Coho Cafe
Hotel Dining Room/Club
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Rainier Club
Nine restaurants received Washington Select honors for featuring at least 15 percent of its wine list as Washington and 30 percent of the wines by the glass. These establishments also participated in Taste Washington Wine Month promotions. Restaurants in each category include: Fine Dining Restaurant Group ----------- ---------------- Ponti Seafood Grill Tom Douglas Restaurants Ray's Boathouse & Catering Six Seven Tulio Wild Ginger Triple Door An additional award introduced last year is the 80 Percent and Above Club, designed to recognize those restaurants whose wine lists are comprised of more than 80 percent Washington wine. Twelve restaurants received the honor this year: Anthony's Restaurant The Berkshire Grill Barking Frog The Idle Hour Cafe & Steak House Bin #20 Tini Bigs Campbell's Resort & Conference Center Valley Cafe Marcus Whitman Hotel Vintner's Inn & Restaurant Northwest Vintage Whitehouse Crawford About the Washington Wine Commission The Washington Wine Commission is responsible for the promotion and development of the Washington wine industry, representing the state's more than 300 wineries, 350 wine grape growers and 30,000 vineyard vineyard, land on which cultivation of the grape—known as viticulture—takes place. As many as 40 varieties of grape, Vitis vinifera, are known. acres. For more information about Washington wines, touring, and tasting opportunities, visit www.washingtonwine.org or e-mail info@washingtonwine.org. |
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