This just in from Purple in Woodinville:

A Fresh New Look At The Washington Wine Scene
Join us on Monday, September 8th between 5pm and 8pm at our Woodinville location to meet some of the up-and-coming Washington Winemakers:

~ Darby Winery - Darby English (a Woodinville Winery)
~ Efeste Wine Cellars - Brennan Leighton (a Woodinville Winery)
~ O’Shea Scarborough Winery - Darryn O’Shea & Travis Scarborough
~ Steppe Cellars - Anke Freimuth-Wildman

Cost is $50 all inclusive and includes a wine tasting and light appetizers. Space is limited; please contact our Direct of Event Planning to make a reservation 206.838.3853.

This just in from the folks at Purple:

Join us on Monday, July 28th at 6pm in our Woodinville location for a Riesling focused winemakers dinner featuring four wineries: Long Shadows Vintners, Jacob’s Creek, Navarro Vineyards and Schlossgut Diel.

First Course ~ passed hors d’oeuvres
Ahi Tuna Tartare, cucumber rounds and soy reduction
Asparagus, gruyere and phyllo bundles
Smoked Salmon Gravalax, lemon dill creme fraiche and warm potato cake
~ Long Shadows Vintners ‘Poets Leap’ Riesling . Columbia Valley, WA . 07

Second Course ~
Frisee Salad, bacon lardoons, caramelized cipollini onions, soft poached egg and smoked vanilla bean vinaigrette
~ Jacob’s Creek ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay . South Australia . 06

Third Course ~
Pate de Campagne and traditional accompaniments
~ Navarro Vineyards Riesling . Anderson Valley, CA . 06

Fourth Course ~
Pan Roasted Sea Bass, roasted vegetable hash, green curry sauce and cilantro
~ Jacob’s Creek ‘Reserve’ Merlot . South Australia . 04
~ Schlossgut Diel ‘Dorsheimer Pittermannchen’ Riesling . Nahe, Germany . 05

Fifth Course ~
Grilled Pork Tenderloin, herb and pecorino parsnip puree, caramelized apple, red wine reduction and crispy sage
~ Long Shadows Vintners ‘Chester-Kidder’ . Columbia Valley, WA . 04
~ Schlossgut Diel ‘Dorsheimer Pittermannchen’ Spatlese Riesling . Nahe, Germany . 03

Sixth Course ~
Brown Butter Cake, stewed cherries and vanilla creme anglaise
~ Navarro Vineyards Pinot Noir . Anderson Valley, CA . 06

This 6 coursed winemakers dinner costs $100 per person, plus tax and 18% gratuity. Space is limited; please contact our Direct of Event Planning to make a reservation 206.838.3853.

Took the gang out to lunch last week for a small celebration to Purple Cafe in Woodinville, and as usual the food was great and the service very attentive.

The noteworthy item(s) were that a delay in delivery of one of our entrees resulted in the entree being taken off our bill. Then one of my team then noticed a flaw in their order, and noted it to the waitress who alerted Sara Goodenow the manager. There was no major issue on his end, he just wanted to flag it so they could take action early. The result was another comped meal and a gift certificate for a future visit. Yet another example, of the “above and beyond” service The gang as Purple have internalized.

Nordstrom has become a legend due to their unflagging dedication to customer satisfaction. From this blogger’s point of view, Purple is on track to achieve similar status.

Note that Purple is NOT a sponsor of this site or any of our endeavors, and that I don’t love every restaurant I visit…

I’ve been haunting Purple Cafe in Woodinville since they first opened their doors in a tiny space that seated 22 people. Back then, owners Larry and Tabitha provided such excellent food and service that the place rapidly became a destination. It’s now blossomed into a massive operation whose reach extends into downtown Seattle.

Even though Larry and Tabitha don’t spend as much time in the remote Woodinville store as they used to, the quality of the operation is still stellar. Case in point: My wife and I went in for lunch today and ordered the lamb burger. I didn’t notice that it came dressed with an olive tapenade, (which was clearly described on the menu.) I’m not a big fan of olives — so when it arrived I did ask to see the menu to confirm that I messed up. Sure enough there it was.

To be honest it still was a pretty tasty burger, so I was set to forge ahead. Or so I thought. Our server, Rita insisted that they redo my order without the tapenade(!) I tried to tell her that it wasn’t necessary, but she wouldn’t take no for an answer. Next thing I know, A brand new burger appears on the house.

How many operations take customer service to that level these days? Not many. Thanks Rita, you know I’ll be back.

Purple Cafe http://www.thepurplecafe.com now has 3 locations: Woodinville, Kirkland and now Seattle. On Sundays they offer 1/2 price bottles of wine valued at $50 or more with a minimum $25 entree purchase. They are also participating ...

They've just opened a Seattle location on Fourth & University this last Monday; I've been to their Kirkland and Woodinville locations several times each and can't wait to check out their new space. Get there before everyone knows about ...