Posts Tagged ‘Fonté Café’
Disclosure: I attended this event as a guest of Allan Aquila. This is not a sponsored post.
After a brisk walk into Downtown and a quick browse in the SAM Shop I crossed the street to Fonté Café for the Sozo winemaker dinner.
sozo (so·zo) – noun
To save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction. To save a suffering one from perishing, to make well, heal, restore to health.
Sozo is an artisan winemaker that selects quality grapes from vineyards to craft their own blends. The company partners with not-for-profit organisations to distribute a portion of sales to assist those in need. Each bottle of wine has a medallion affixed to its label to indicate its contribution to Sozo’s commitment to the community. For example, ’5 lives’ is equal to five meals supplied by local food banks.
Winemaker Cheryl Barber-Jones collaborated with Chef Peter Jahnke on the wine pairings for the five course tasting menu.
The first course was pear, caramelised onion and St André tart, and Sozo Humanity Riesling. Amber and flaky, the tart had a delicate sweetness that was accentuated by the mellow Riesling.
A generous fillet of salmon perched on a mound of mushroom risotto, and Sozo Potential Pinot Noir. Averse to fish skin, I gently peeled it from the perfectly cooked flesh. Both the salmon and creamy rice was well seasoned.
The third course was duck confit with lentils, and Sozo Abundant Mourvèdre Syrah Blend. I love duck but unfortunately this was a little dry and lacked the sumptuous texture of confit meat. Traditionally coupled with Pinot Noir, the Mourvèdre Syrah was a delightful match with the game.
Abundant Mourvèdre Syrah Blend, one of four Sozo wines sampled.
The penultimate dish of braised beef with blueberry barbecue glaze, polenta and kale, and Sozo Generosity Syrah Tempranillo Blend was my favourite of the evening. Tender chunks of slow cooked beef were atop luscious polenta and wilted kale.
We concluded with an affogato. A single shot espresso and a scoop of espresso gelato was presented in a coffee cup. The espresso and vanilla ice cream are served separately in a classic affogato. The caffeine and sugar were appreciated after four diverse savoury courses that highlighted the Sozo wines.
Charmed by the smooth Riesling, Mrs W and I both purchased a bottle.
We were gifted a bag of Yemen Mocca Sanani as we exited into the crisp night.
Sozo is on the wine list of more than seventy restaurants in Seattle. Next time you dine out, consider this socially responsible winemaker!
Ms S has been living in Seattle for only two weeks and she’s had the best of the late summer weather that Seattleites have been craving for since Memorial Day weekend.
Although lethargic in the humidity, I’m determined to be out and about to absorb the natural vitamin D. On an al fresco dining binge, we enjoyed a weekend brunch on the sidewalk at Fonté Café.
My love for chalkboard signs is unabated. Masala latte is indeed ‘fun to say’!
The city is buzzing on a rare eighty plus day, hats and sunglasses were requisite accessories.
Fonté Café is located next to the Four Seasons Hotel and opposite the Seattle Art Museum. The interior is plushly decorated, and a gleaming espresso machine is showcased at the counter.
Fonté is a Seattle based coffee roaster. They sponsored Keren’s Food Lovers’ Guide to Seattle Book Launch Party and the aroma of freshly ground coffee lingered at the Shilshole Bay Beach Club.
In this climate and without air conditioning, I’m liking ice coffees. I slurped on one as the others had hot drinks.
Ms S ordered the Fonté pancakes with blueberry compote and maple syrup.
Mr S opted for the Fonté scramble of peppered bacon, mushrooms, asparagus, roasted red peppers, fresh herbs and Fonté cheese blend. I had a forkful and it was a delicious combination.
I selected the Parma omelette with prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano Reggiano and asparagus. Slices of prosciutto were evenly distributed in the fluffy omelette and the asparagus was pleasantly crunchy.
Both the scramble and omelette were served with sourdough toast, mixed salad leaves and cannellini beans.
After a week of coffee detox, my iced coffee was welcome reprieve from the heat!
