Here-Here to a New Food Year!

AS THE YEAR winds down, most of us take a moment to reflect on our annual successes and failures, the year’s emotional highs and lows and our goals for the coming months. I’ve had the distinct pleasure of eating my way through 2011 as Kirkland Patch’s food and dining columnist. And while specific meals comprise some of my highs, many of my favorite experiences have been getting to know the personalities of local chefs, bartenders and restaurant personnel.

Kirkland Patch went live on Dec. 30, 2010 headlining my first article To prepare for the article, I conducted my first major interview of a chef and restaurant manager, recorded and transcribed an hour of audio and took tons of photos of the brand new restaurant. Manager Jason Harris and former chef Chris Peterson were a great introduction to the industry, full of gracious manners, enthusiasm and pertinent quotes.

A year later, has maintained its appeal even through staff and menu changes. Some of the intense dedication to Mexican authenticity has waned ever so slightly, but most everyone would agree that the new chips and salsa are a good move with the public. Milagro Cantina made many Kirkland Patch appearances, including a , coverage and an article detailing the to Kristin Mills.

Favorite dishes at Milagro Cantina in 2011? They would include the lubina ala Veracruzana by Chef Peterson, as tasted during the restaurant review process, and the pork belly as added by Chef Mills. It’s no secret that I’m more than a little obsessed with bar manager Mark Sexauer’s home-brewed when it is available.

But Kirkland does not live on authentic Mexican food alone. There are some other amazing stories in town -- like the considerable talents of Caterina Gargagline, Italian immigrant and mastermind behind the dishes at . The restaurant’s signature spaghetti and meatballs with creamed tomato sauce and black truffles was even featured a fall issue of . But, again, though the food is mouth-watering, meeting Gargagline’s gregarious son and Lucia owner, , was just as positive. He and his wife Megan were born to welcome diners at a restaurant and could charm the socks off even the most skeptical of customers.

Farm-to-table has been a buzzword in the restaurant scene for years now, though very few restaurants who offer such fresh fare can claim to run an actual farm. It was a distinct pleasure to tramp through the soggy fields of the with chef Brian Scheehser, who proudly claims to be 75% chef and 75% farmer. Chef Scheehser is not merely an overseer at the farm, he is the farmer, complete with rubber boots and mud-caked pickup truck.

Much of the produce consumed at Trellis comes from the farm -- berries, apples, vegetables and even the herbs in one of bar manager ’s carefully balanced cocktails. I was rather taken aback when Chef Scheehser readily admitted that produce is the star of the Trellis plate, that proteins are secondary. Not that the proteins aren’t stellar -- the massive pork chop served at the was out of this world.

Perhaps the most decorated culinary star in Kirkland, chef and owner Holly Smith turns out to be a completely approachable, down-to-earth working mom. She of her baby son strapped to her back in the kitchen, or of him greeting guests in his mini blazer as he grew up. What is completely not down-to-earth is the . It floats in the heavenly realm of northern Italian via Northwest organic ingredients perfection. Silky housemade pasta, ingeniously braised meats, inventive sauces and impeccable service make Cafe Juanita one of the best restaurants in the whole region.

Favorite dishes from Cafe Juanita this year? I loved the strawberry-topped tart served with a saddle of lamb, was amazed by the braised rabbit and truly relished my introduction to veal sweetbreads.

Kirkland is flowing with wine bars -- , , , , -- and even a couple of wineries -- and . My favorite wine picks of the years are the by Northwest Cellars, the sparkling at bin on the lake, the at Purple Cafe, and the at Cafe Juanita.

Mediterranean cuisine has a notable presence in Kirkland -- , , , , and . Recently meeting Padria owner was the hands-down highlight in this category. Her glowing personality and the fresh flavorful dishes are a winning combination for a restaurant.

So, where does my family go when we need a night off from cooking? With the kids in tow, it comes down to or -- the latter slightly edging out the former. There is nothing more comforting to our crew than a , scented with star anise, basil and lime, with its nest of rice noodles ready for slurping. We never lose an opportunity to order the shrimp salad rolls with peanut dipping sauce and occasionally feel led to order the equally delicious bahn mi sandwich. French-influenced Vietnamese food is a beautiful thing.

It has been a tasty year, 2011. I’ve started an intense work-out regimen in anticipation of 2012, a year that will usher in rumored upgrades at , possibly a new restaurant from the creative mind of owner Stuart McLeod, and hopefully more in the way of mobile food trucks with the addition of .

So I woud like to propose a toast to the City of Kirkland for supporting the people and policies that are making Kirkland a dining destination.

Cheers!