A Special Edition ‘Taste of Giving’ dining coupon book, good for coupons of restaurants at The Bellevue Collection will be available for $25. All sales from the book will go directly to Hopelink.

Tom Colicchio is a veteran of the restaurant industry and may be best known for his role as head judge on Bravo TV’s reality cooking series, Top Chef. Colicchio has recently been involved in efforts to ensure the nation’s school children have access to healthy school lunches, and he has testified before Congress on reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act.

COOKING DEMONSTRATION SCHEDULE

Chefs: Live at the Collection Cooking
Demonstration Schedule: Center Court, Bellevue Square

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14

• 7:00 pm Ruth’s Chris Steak House
• 8:00 pm Boom Noodle

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15

• Noon Pagliacci Pizza
• 1:00 pm McCormick & Schmick’s
• 2:00 pm Din Tai Fung
• 3:00 pm Munchbar
• 4:00 pm Palomino

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16

• 11:30 am Pearl Bar & Dining
• 1:00 pm Chef Tom Colicchio
• 3:00 pm Earls Kitchen & Bar

This bi-annual fine-dining experience offers guests 3-course dinners for $30 at participating restaurants, Sundays through Thursdays, from March 1-31. Each dinner includes an appetizer, an entrée, and a dessert. Beverages, tax, and gratuity are not included in the above price. Many restaurants will also offer lunch for $15.

Participating downtown Bellevue restaurants include: Barrio Mexican Kitchen & Bar, Purple Café and Wine Bar, LOT No. 3, McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, Monsoon East, and Palomino Restaurant & Bar.

For the full list of featured restaurants, visit http://www.dinearoundseattle.org/.

Giving a gift card for a Downtown Bellevue business just got better. Below are businesses offering holiday specials:

Palomino
Holiday Savings 20% off! Gift Card “Holiday Savings” NOW through December 26, 2010. Receive 20% off any denomination, any combination of denominations, no limits, and no expiration dates!
Learn More

Pearl
Special Holiday Promotion – buy one and buy the second card for ½ price. The promotion is available for any denomination over $10.
Learn More

Via Vita Café
Grand opening special $15 for $30 at ViaVita Café & Wine Bar. Downtown Bellevue’s newest European inspired restaurant! (Valid Dec 13th & 14th)
Buy Now

Melting Pot Bellevue
Buy a $100 Melting Pot gift card, & receive $100 in gift certificates to be used throughout 2011
In Store Offer: 302 108th Ave NE

Red Door Spa
Free $30 Spa Card with your gift certificate or gift card purchase of $200 or more
Buy Now

Gene Juarez Salon & Spas
Complimentary $10 – $20 gift card with your online gift card purchase of $150 or more
Buy Now

Also for a limited time Palomino is running a ‘Summer Savings’ promotion; you will receive 25% off all gift card purchases between now and August 15th.

Also as a reminder, Palomino continues to have one of the best happy hours in all of Downtown Bellevue; valid all day, every day in the bar and outside on the patio!

Happy hour pricing only applies to orders in the bar. Happy hour at Palomino in Bellevue includes $4 specialty cocktails, $4 draft beers and house wine, $5 pizzas. and half-off other appetizers.

Dear Downtown Dan,

With the economy slump having no clear end in sight, I can understand why going to a Bellevue Happy Hour as a family is appealing. My parents and I have started meeting for happy hour instead of dinner over the past few months, but my little brother’s only 20 so we can’t always enjoy the discounted prices as a family. Most people think of happy hour as the businessman’s social hour or the singles spot for late-night drinks, but as times are changing it’s an understatement to call it an “hour” when some now last all day!

From our happy hour list, here are some restaurants that let you enjoy everything that’s happy about their hours with your whole family:

• 520 Bar & Grill: Monday – Saturday 2pm – 5:20pm (Restaurant, Outdoor patio)
• Joey Bellevue: Brand NEW happy hour! Everyday, All day (Restaurant, Outdoor patio)
• Palomino: Sunday – Thursday All day; Friday – Saturday 3pm – 6pm, 9pm – close (Outdoor patio)
• Tap House Grill: Everyday 3:30pm – 6:30pm, 10pm – close; Sunday 3:30pm-close (Outdoor patio)
• The Melting Pot: Sunday – Thursday 4:30pm – 6:30pm, 9pm – 11pm (Lounge)
• Lucky Strike: Everyday 4pm – 7pm (Lounge, Bowling Alley)
• Tangerine Thai: Monday – Saturday 3:30pm – 5:30pm (Restaurant)

So as you can see, there are actually quite a few to choose from. This brings a whole new meaning to family dinner on a dime!

C’mon Get Happy,
Lea

Beginning Thursday (6/18), Palomino will offer their popular happy hour all day at their Downtown Bellevue location: Sunday – Thursday.  Happy hour will be available in their lounge, as well as on the patio.  Happy hour will still be offered on Fridays and Saturdays from 3 – 6pm and 9pm – close.

The happy hour menu continues to feature $4 cocktails, $5 pizzas, and half off all appetizers.

Palomino has also announced new later summer hours!  Monday – Thursday they will be open until midnight,  Friday and Saturday they will stay open until 1am, and on Sunday until 11pm.

Dear “Eager for Eggs,”

It’s not too late. There are plenty of places in Downtown Bellevue offering Easter specials this Sunday. Whether it’s brunch and a visit from the Easter bunny or a 3-course meal, Downtown Bellevue restaurants have you covered. Here’s what’s happening:

Palomino
Brunch: 6:30am – 1:30pm. Crisp pepper bacon and cheddar omelette, Eggs benedict, Vanilla bean yogurt parfait, and more.
Dinner: 2pm – 9pm. Butternut squash ravioli, Cedar plank salmon, Filet mignon, and more.

0/8 Seafood Grill
Brunch: 9:30am – 2:30pm. Fabulous food by Chef Dan. $4 mimosas for the adults; a surprise visit from the Easter bunny for the kids.

Daniel’s Broiler
Brunch: 10am – 2pm. Homemade Scones with honey butter and raspberry preserves, a starter, and an entree.
Dinner: Beginning at 4pm.

Z’Tejas
Brunch: 11am – 3pm. $3 Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar for the adults; photos with the Easter bunny for the kids.

Pearl Bar & Dining
Dinner: 12pm – 9pm. Local and seasonal cuisine.

McCormick & Schmick’s
Dinner: $29.95. 3-course meal of steak and stuffed shrimp.

Bis On Main
Winemaker Dinner: $110pp. Guests will be poured a generous sampling of 7 Mark Ryan wines to paired with a 6-course dinner by Chef Christopher Peterson.

I’m always a proponent for Z’Tejas brunch, and the specials at Daniel’s sound delicious as well. Whether you celebrate Easter or not, I hope you have a joyful Sunday filled with good company and great food!

Here to put your chicks in a row,
Lea

Dear “Egg Eater,”

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and there’s nothing I enjoy more than having someone else cook it for me on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Downtown Bellevue has a lot of great places that serve breakfast now. From quick bites to the full meal deal, here are some places to check out:

Gilbert’s Main Street Bagel Deli – The best bagels on this side of Washington. Gilbert’s has delicious egg dishes, pancakes, and of course a variety of bagels. The portions are large and easy to split between 2 people. My personal favorite is the L.H.L.!

Palomino – Something for everyone. From a classic eggs Benedict to a breakfast panini or bowl of oatmeal, Palomino is a great place for family breakfast. I would definitely recommend it for a special occasion.

520 Bar & Grill – Simple and easy. Breakfast at 520 Bar & Grill is from 10am – 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Each item is only $10. They offer burritos, omelets, and waffles.

Z’Tejas – The most unique breakfast around. Z’Tejas is one of my favorite breakfast places, and I didn’t even know they offered breakfast until recently! Their menu features items such as “Bananas Foster French Toast” and “Breakfast Enchiladas.”  All breakfast orders come with a freshly baked muffin, sorbet, and fruit.

0/8 Seafood Grill – Good atmosphere, great food. 0/8 has breakfast and brunch on the weekends. Enjoy a casual breakfast of eggs and toast or a full meal deal, complete with sandwiches, salads, and mimosas.

Reinstate your weekend breakfast routine, and take advantage of the fantastic food at any one of these restaurants. I’d love to hear about your favorite dishes or things you think we should try!

Ending your breakfast fast,
Lea