It's like the Big Top coming to town...

Cruising through Liberty Park on my way to the Renton Annual Art Show, I saw the dormant tents of our yearly celebration - Renton River Days.

A burst of welcomed sunshine lightened the sky and brought a smile to my face as I saw the beginnings of one of my favorite local happenings. There is an excitement that reaches back to your childhood whenever you see the big white canvas of a tent being erected. An as yet, clean canvas that will soon be painted in fun.

Here's your spot, #23! Today begins the Kid's Day at Renton River Days. Free fun and a focus on the young. The Wenatchee Youth Circus is performing for the next two days - see, the Big Top really has come to town! Today at 1pm and 6pm, tomorrow at 1pm and all for a buck or two, depending on your age.

I love a big tent.

I also love some great music - this group played the last two Renton Annual Art Show's that I have had pleasure of attending - Uptown Lowdown Swing.You too can attend - it's free and open 7/22 (today) and 7/23 from 10 til 6pm. Sunday noon to 5.

The evening was lovely, and nestled in on the elbow of the Cedar River, this deck was a buzz with art appreciators and artists. Catered by Gene Sens' The Redhouse, head chef Frank working his magic, it was a classy and tasty affair. I love being in this space - hey somebody, have a wedding here and invite me, will ya?!

No sneak peaks this year - you want art?? Go see some art!! Get inspired by incredible Renton talent and then go home and make a plan to enter yourself, next year.

Redhouse reacquainted

The Redhouse is one of those fine places to dine in our town, and we should be thankful that it has weathered this bad economic storm that has taken a few of our other dining hot spots away. Frank Lucarelli has for been at the helm of the kitchen for over a year, and his food is a force to be reckoned with - YUM. The night I went there his homemade Torta (read pizza rustica) was one of the specials. I would go back for this dish in a heartbeat. On a night when the sun is pretending to shine, the outdoor deck awaits you.

Under the sure hand of Jeff Andrew, The Redhouse has not only a great kitchen, but a very fine wine selection by the glass or bottle and a treasure trove of beer. In fact, a whole room dedicated to just beer. You need not be dining there to go and purchase a bottle of something good.

For the last nine years, Aleana McMurray has been living and breathing her love of good wine and good beer, four of those years at The Redhouse. I love heading for her table and asking for her input on what I should be drinking (and eating). Aleana deserves a nod of recognition for a job well done. Gene - I love your restaurant. If I wasn't so budget constrained, you would see me around a lot more often.


The Redhouse
410 Burnett Ave.S.
425.226.2666

Roving Renton Returns!

Tonight at 5pm, starting with Armondos, Roving Renton Returns! The fee is $25 per person, that includes gratuity, and you get some wine and an appetizer at four lovely downtown tasty spots. Blossom, Redhouse and the Melrose are the next on your list, in any order really - as seating is limited, so make it there early!


Thanks to reader Lao Gong for giving me the heads up!

Here's some beer, what's your hurry?

Here's some beer for you - fresh from the ever growing selection at The Redhouse - the beer of the moment - Northern Lights Crystal Bitter Ale. At $4.50 for a nice 22 oz. bottle, that is some lovely beer for a great price. This is out of a brewery in Spokane and the style is an English Bitter - crisp, malty and hoppy.

Redhouse Current Beer on Tap:
Leavenworth Dunkelweisse
Elysian Immortal IPA
Hales Tripel
Chimay Tripel
Hale's Pale Ale
Redhouse Red (Irish Red brewed by Big Als Brewery and named for the Redhouse)

Beer Pairing Dinner with Big Al's Brewery
5 courses, 4 Draft beers and one cask, $40 per person
April 19th, 5 pm, call now for reservations
(425) 226 - 2666 410 Burnett Ave. S. http://www.redhousebeerandwine.com

Beer of the Moment

Today's Beer of the Moment is brought to you by Port Brewing/San Marcos,CA and is "High Tide" Fresh Hop IPA. 6.5% alchol,$7.75 for 22oz bottle and can be had today at The Redhouse.

What's on Tap Today:

Silver City Hefeweizen
Manny's Pale Ale
Hale's Tripel
Chimay Tripel
Alasken Barleywine
Silver City "Big Woody" Scotch Ale

Jeff Andrew and Chef Frank Lucarelli

It's only been a few weeks, and the new Redhouse manager, Jeff Andrew is making his amiable and professional presence felt. Jeff was the one who was responsible for all of the great wines and beers we became so pleased/lucky to find over at Thriftway. Jeff was just there taking a breather from his restaurant/wine savvy career, to the benefit of all of us who so appreciated his good taste and finds. Some of you might remember that great happen' spot in the U District called Tommy's - that was owned and operated by Jeff himself, until the pressure of the Night Club Task Force and a tad over zealous mayor put an end to his passion for that business. Jeff, however - keeps being pulled back into the restaurant field. It could be his work at Anthony's Wood Fire Grill, or his stint at The Pacifica where he and Gene Sens, owner of the Redhouse, first met - that keeps everyone wanting to put him at the helm of a good eatery.

Go in and treat yourself- fresh daily lunch and dinner specials. Vegetarian? No problem - they can tell you right away if the Carrot Soup will do for you or not. I spied Coconut Cheesecake on the desert menu today - eat a piece for me, will ya?

The Redhouse 410 Burnett Ave. S. (425)226-2666

Got plans tonite??

Indulge in appetizer sized plates of food paired with wine for $20 tonight, beginning at 5pm at Armondos. You then tottle off to Blossom and Melrose for a bite of entree paired with vino and then for desert, the Redhouse has your sweettooth covered and also a bit o wine - all for, that's right, $20. Last week the turnout was very impressive - 75 participants. Get to know your neighbor, make your way around Renton on foot chatting and imbibing with other downtown foodies. This is the last night, folks, so don't miss your ample chance to test out all of those great eateries and socialize with the downtown crowd.

Roving Renton $20 starts at 5:00 pm tonight at Armondos - then, Melrose,Blossom and the Redhouse, where you must place your order by 8:30 at the latest - cheers!

Redhouse Rocks

Look for yourself - here is the updated beer list this week for the Redhouse - with prime emphasis on the Alaskan Barleywine, which isn't that easy to score a keg of (it has a good following) so if you scurry, you'll get a glass. It's very delicious (I heartily indulged already today)and Jeff Andrew, the new manager, will be storing away a keg for next year in hopes of having some vertical tasting - yum! Truly, folks - come out and get it while you can. You won't regret trying this taste treat.

Beer of the week at Redhouse - Russian River's Pliny the Elder $5.75 A hoppy but approachable Double IPA (8.0% ABV) that those new to hops will love and old hopheads rave about - try it!

Stay tuned for more updates on the new faces at the Redhouse!!

Here's the Beer, Where Are You?

Here's a beer list of what's on tap locally - go get your beer groove on and please, remember, you are drinking locally - be proud!

Tapestry Saloon
919 S. Third Street. Renton, WA
425-572-5931

Lost Coast Double Trouble IPA
Bridgeport Ebenezer
MacTarnahan's Amber
Pike Monks Uncle
New Belgium 1554
Baron Liberator

RedHouse
410 Burnett. Ave Renton, WA

Victory Golden Monkey
Pike Auld Acquaintance
Schooner Exact 3 Grid IPA
Hale's Kolsch
Chimay Tripel
Deschutes Abyss Stout
Manny's Pale Ale

Feb. 3, Tuesday, is also Roving Renton Nite, $20 buys you lots of wine and food - yum! (This event is called Roving Renton, because it is hosted at Redhouse,Blossom,Armondos and Melrose Grill on rotating evenings). Feb. 4th, Wednesday, is Wine Tasting at the Redhouse, more yum!

What'z Up at the Redhouse

The Redhouse has been keeping busy lately and getting a little literary on us too. They hosted a book reading by an author that pens a blog called "The Sarcastic Lutheran" who stayed up for 24 hours straight watching the Trinity Broadcast Network and then found enough faith in herself still to write a book about it. "She was tall and had tattoos all over her arms, not what you'd expect, and the tattoos were of Jesus, but real old school style and cool", Aleana McMurray, waitperson and beer/wine go-to gal of the Redhouse told me, "She was very funny." The author's friend, Charlotte, a regular at the Redhouse, did the music for the event, which had about 50 people in attendance this last Thursday evening.
And now for the real important stuff - what is currently on tap there -
Deschutes The Abyss, Diamond Knot Ho Ho, Whistler Export Lager, Chimay Tripel(White), Victory Golden Monkey, Schooner Exact Hoppy the Woodsman, Pike Auld Aquaintance
Note: The Abyss a wonderful stout, had only 3 kegs in this state - so run to get some. The Schooner Exact is a brewery in West Seattle that only brews one keg at a time, so also a big find for us here in little ole Renton, wouldn't you say!
Prices: $4.10 for a pint, $5.10 for a true (22oz) Imperial Pint