Right on the heels of Seattle Restaurant Week, Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar is presenting Seastar Washington Wine Week.  A celebration of the partnership between the award-winning restaurants, company wine director Erik Liedholm and the Washington enological community, wines will be served by the glass by the artisans who crafted them.  This will be a rare opportunity for enthusiasts to discuss wines with the winemakers or a top company representative, paired with their favorites from Seastar’s acclaimed menu.  Each evening’s pours will also represent a great consumer value.  Starting April 25, wineries and guests at the Bellevue Seastar will be:

25th- Va Piano represented by Winemaker/Owner Justin Wiley

26th- Hestia represented by General Manager Cole Sisson

27th- Quilceda Creek represented by General Manager John Smith

28th- Long Shadows represented by Company president Dane Narbaitz

The following week, May 2 – 5,  Seastar Washington Wine Week celebration will move to the Seattle location at 2200 Westlake.  Wineries and guest pourers at Seattle Seastar will include Leonetti, McCrea, Rasa and Woodward Canyon.

Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar was a proud recipient of Food & Wine Magazine’s Best New Wine List upon opening, Best of City Search’s Best New Wine List, and the Washington Wine Restaurant Awards’ Grand Award, Best of Western Washington-Evening Magazine Grand Award, Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Unique Distinction Award, and Wine Spectator Magazine’s Award of Excellence for the last several years running.  For reservations or information, go to www.seastarrestaurant.com or call Bellevue Seastar at 425-456-0020; Seattle Seastar at 206-462-4364.

Photo by JOE MARINARO

Is it a bison burger and shoestring fries at a gastropub downtown or the fare at a greasy but well-loved fast-food joint near Crossroads?

We’re on a quest for the all-Americana meal worth savoring, but we need your help.

Where are the best burgers and fries are in Bellevue?

Spring is coming and so is a whole new look for Eastside women transitioning from coats and scarves to warmer-weather attire. If your jewelry needs sprucing up in addition to your wardrobe, consider the new Tiffany Locks collection.

Feminine yet edgy, charming yet dignified, vintage-inspired yet completely contemporary—these designs complement a range of fashion styles.

Based on Tiffany archival designs, Tiffany Locks feature detailed pendants and charms, some of which function as actual locks. Among the options are vintage, heart, arc and round shapes in 18 karat yellow and rose gold or sterling silver.

The Tiffany Locks collection ranges from $80 to $6,000 and is available at Tiffany & Co. at 105 Bellevue Square, 425-451-8844.

Tateuchi Center’s Act Two Guild announces today that its signature event, “Silhouettes of Style—A Royal Affair,” will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m, Friday, April 29, 2011 at The Westin Bellevue, with special emcee, Molly Shen of KOMO 4 News.

The women of the Act Two Guild present their annual spring luncheon and fashion show to raise funds and community awareness to support Tateuchi Center, a world-class performing arts center featuring a 2,000-seat Concert Hall and 250-seat Cabaret, targeted to open in 2014 in downtown Bellevue.

“A Royal Affair,” this year’s theme, is named in honor of the Royal wedding of Prince William and Ms. Kate Middleton, occurring on the same day.  The Bellevue Collection, Presenting Sponsor of “Silhouettes of Style,” promises a first look at top fashions of the season, including a special runway segment that pays homage to Ms. Middleton’s personal style.

“It was by complete chance that the date we scheduled for our third annual event is now the date for the upcoming royal wedding,” notes Event Chair Michele Phillips-Baransky. “The wedding day of the future King of England and his Princess offers us an elegant backdrop to bring women together to enjoy fashion, raise money for Tateuchi Center, and celebrate.  It will be an affair to remember.”

The Bellevue Collection is orchestrating the show in conjunction with its Spring Style Event. “As a nod to this auspicious occasion, we are delighted to add some exciting new segments to the Royal Affair runway show to benefit Tateuchi Center,” said Jennifer Leavitt, vice president/marketing, The Bellevue Collection. Silhouettes of Style is the highlight of the spring season for us and our only runway presentation, so it is very special – and this year it will celebrate the fashion savvy and effortless elegance of Ms. Middleton.”

Kim Hardwick, president of Act Two Guild, said her group is pleased to once again have the support of The Bellevue Collection.

“Our sponsors, who also include Aegis Living of Bellevue and Bob’s Heating and Air Conditioning, are forward-thinking local businesses that recognize the many advantages a world-class cultural facility like Tateuchi Center will offer to our community and the Eastside,” Hardwick said. “We are incredibly grateful.”

Officers of the Act Two Guild, in addition to Hardwick, are: Michele Phillips-Baransky, vice president, of Kirkland; Carol Loya, treasurer, of Kirkland; and Lizabeth Morrow-Nold, secretary, of Woodinville.

Reservations are now available for $125 for individual reservations or $1,250 for a table for ten.  All proceeds benefit the $160 million Tateuchi Center Campaign.

It’s the hair. Black, wild, unruly, a shoulder-length mini-mane one could seemingly get lost in, first draws the eye toward comedian Felipe Esparza. But once there, one’s gaze can’t help but notice the unmistakable Mexican-American accent, the neck beard, the smile and the man who, somewhere in between a teddy bear and an Aztec warrior, we can’t help but stare at. Esparza, winner of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” has appeared on numerous television shows, including ABC’s “Comics Unleashed,” Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend,” “Russell Simmons Presents Stand-Up at the El Rey,” and Showtime’s “Comics Without Borders.” The man who came from the school of hard knocks in East Los Angeles discusses how he managed to escape a life of prison, gangs and violence because he likes to make people laugh.

Scene: You won NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.”  Tell me about your winnings, the $250,000 prize and an exclusive talent deal with NBC?
FE: I donated money to NPR, as well as Homeboy Industries, which is a gang-prevention organization that helps people stay out of prison. The deal with NBC means that if say someone from Fox has an idea for a show for me, NBC has first look.

Scene: What was it like getting to throw the first pitch for the Dodgers?
FE: Oh man, that was a great pitch. I was so excited for that because I used to work at the stadium making hot dogs.

Scene: What’s one show you would kill to be on?
FE: “The Office.” I would play a guy that came in to deliver something but he doesn’t know what do, he’s just a weirdo.

Scene: Speaking of “The Office,” Craig Robinson who plays Darryl on the show, hosted “Last Comic Standing.”
FE: Yeah, he’s a nice guy. We actually did a show together in 2000 in Mesquite, Nevada when he was a nobody. He showed up with a big piano and he’d tell jokes, play the piano and sing.

Scene: You’ve been doing standup for 16 years. You’ve gained a lot of material during that time. How do you usually get inspired?
FE: From my neighborhood, I’m from Boyle Heights but I now live in Echo Park. From outside and from the news. Boyle Heights used to be a horrible neighborhood, with a lot of gangs and graffiti, and I have social-issues jokes about it.

Scene: How does your Mexican heritage inform your standup?
FE: You hear it when I talk. A lot of people say my material is ethnic material. I say it’s just funny. I do appeal to Mexicans and Latinos, though. I make jokes about burglars.

Scene: If you weren’t doing standup, what would you be doing?
FE: I’d probably be robbing and stealing. I’d be in prison. You know when you look at an inmate and he looks so terrible and you think, ‘He has so much potential, this guy’s a genius. If he hadn’t been locked up what could he have become?’ Well, I’m one of those rare people who managed to do something with my life instead of being locked up.

Scene:What helped you escape that fate?
FE: I like making people laugh instead of hurting people.

Scene: What’s your guilty pleasure?
FE: Man, like everything. I like to eat food. I like cakes. I like pastries. Some people just wanna keep eating hamburgers and pizza. For me, it’s cupcakes and cookies. For my birthday, my girl bought me these blue velvet cupcakes. So good.

Scene: What are your pet peeves?
FE: I have no pets.

Scene: How has gaining national television exposure changed you?
FE: It has changed me a lot. I’m more responsible now. I hired a personal assistant. I started a corporation called felipesword.com where I sell merchandise. I’ve grown up a lot. I’m a better comedian.

Scene: Ever been to Seattle or Bellevue before? What are your impressions?
FE: I went to Seattle to some university where the color is purple and gold. The people there are kind of like the people in San Francisco but not as trendy and cooler than people in Portland.

Scene: What does the future hold for you?
FE: I think I’m going to end up having a guest spot on “The Tonight Show” a couple times. I’m confident that I’m a funny guy with a stage presence and an appearance that makes people want to look. I’m positive that if they put me on any sitcom or any kind of show and gave me a team we could take that show to the top 20, then to the top 10.

Scene: In part, because of your appearance?
FE: No. Because I have that sparkle, baby.

Felipe Esparza will perform at the Parlor Live Comedy Club April 7-9.  For tickets and more information, go to parlorlive.com and felipesworld.com.

Photo by Mark Malijan

When massive tremors and a catastrophic tsunami devastated the northeastern coast of Japan on March 11, it was a sobering reminder: So much of the time, humans are powerless in this world. We of Japanese ancestry call it, shikata ga nai (it can’t be helped). Whether it’s the wrath of nature or climate change, the global economic slump, or the tragedies and cruel misfortunes that happen in our daily lives, like losing a job, we often can’t control what happens.

But, instead of wallowing in our inabilities, there is something people can do: whether it’s donating to the relief efforts in Japan (which I highly encourage you by texting “RedCross” to 90999, and a $10 donation will show up on your next cell phone bill), or by making more conscious, mindful choices about aspects of your life that you can control. This is what David and Millie Huang, featured in our cover story, have chosen to do. The Huangs are just one of the Bellevue families choosing to reduce their environmental footprint, save money on their utility bills and live in a more healthy household with green technology. Rebecca Klein, a fashion blogger featured in our second-hand shopping story, looks at the positives of recycling clothing by rocking a vintage look.

To better illustrate what I mean, my grandmother has this “Live with Intention Calendar” hanging on her kitchen wall that I sometimes tease her about because it’s kind of sappy. It combines Asian-looking paintings with inspirational sayings. One of the sayings, however, really deserves some thought: “It’s wonderful to wake up in the morning knowing you’re doing all that you can do.” I invite you all to find out what that’s like, by living purposeful, thoughtful, effective lives – whatever that means to you.

- Gabrielle Nomura

Assistant Editor, The Bellevue Scene

gnomura@bellevuereporter.com

Twitter: @GabrielleKazuko

By Andy Perdue and Eric Degerman, Wine Press Northwest

One of the finest success stories of the past decade in the Washington wine industry has to be that of Maryhill Winery.
Owners Craig and Vicki Leuthold launched their winery in a remote area of the state with the 2001 vintage, making 4,300 cases. In less than a decade, they have grown that to 80,000 cases, making Maryhill one of the largest family-owned producers in Washington.
Along the way, Maryhill has gained a well-earned reputation for crafting wines of quality and value, with its Winemaker’s Red — a $14 blend — making up more than a third of its production. In 2004, Maryhill shocked the California wine world when its 2002 Zinfandel won best in class at a prominent wine competition (against more than 100 California Zins).

The winery, near the town of Goldendale and next to the famed Maryhill Museum, occupies a beautiful location atop basalt cliffs that provide delicious views of the Gorge, Columbia River and Mount Hood. The Leutholds take advantage of their location with a 4,000-seat amphitheater that plays host to top musical acts each summer. Between the winery and concerts, Maryhill attracts 75,000 visitors per year. The wines also are widely distributed and easy to find in wine shops and groceries.

Here are some Maryhill wines we’ve tasted recently:

Maryhill Winery 2006 Proprietor’s Reserve Syrah, Columbia Valley, $25: Chukar Cherry, red raspberry and boysenberry accents include cola, milk chocolate, RyKrisp cracker, soy sauce and peppermint for a hedonistic Syrah with some late tannin.

Maryhill Winery 2006 Proprietor’s Reserve Barbera, Columbia Valley, $20: Rich oak aromas gather in ripe red fruit and red licorice, and there are Van cherry, strawberry and plum notes on the palate. Raspberry acidity and good grip give it length, making it reminiscent of expensive offerings from Italy.

Maryhill Winery 2009 Rosé of Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $9: Some of the Northwest’s nicest rosés come from this high-acid, food-friendly Italian variety, and this rates among them. First, there are whiffs of white strawberry, rhubarb, plum, blood orange, pomegranate and Lincoln rose. Inside, it’s all fruit, hinting at smooth strawberry, juicy Rainier cherry and peach. What little sugar is left (1%) gets whisked dry by citrusy acidity.

Maryhill Winery 2007 Vintage Port, Columbia Valley, $25: An estate gathering of Tinta Cao (30%), Touriga Nacional (30%), Souzao (30%) and Tempranillo — all Portuguese varieties — paves the way for aromas of golden raisin, Madagascar bourbon vanilla extract, almond, caramel and cherry cough syrup. Vanilla and almond extract ply their way onto the palate with raisins and Hoisin sauce as orange peel trails. The sweetness checks in at 6%.

Maryhill Winery 2007 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $15: Smoked cassis, blueberries and raspberry aromas stay ahead of fascinating scents of teriyaki, Westbrae Unsweetened Ketchup and horsehair. There’s a sweet entry of blueberry and black cherry with an Old World feel to the midpalate when remarkable acidity from pomegranate kicks in. Frontal tannins and black olive in the finish will make this a pleasure to pair with fatty meats.

Maryhill Winery 2008 Proprietor’s Reserve Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $15: Orange Creamsicle, sweet lemon and Granny Smith apple aromas are joined by smoked pineapple. There’s a nice balance of oak to the palate, and it shows as baked pie crust with apples, backed by more lemons and pineapple. Butterscotch and enjoyable spiciness arrive in the farewell.

Maryhill Winery 2009 Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, $11: Filling the nose are hints of canned pear, gooseberry and starfruit. There are more fruit cocktail flavors on the palate with pear, tangerine, honeydew melon and lychee.

Maryhill Winery 2009 Dry Riesling, Columbia Valley, $9: The opening here is of Uncola, jasmine, lychee and green banana aromas. On the palate, it is deliciously austere with lemon and unsweetened grapefruit, minerality and gooseberry tartness. At the end, there’s a remarkable hint of macadamia-flavored ice cream.

Andy Perdue and Eric Degerman are the editors of Wine Press Northwest. For more information, go to www.winepressnw.com.

One of the true iconoclasts in the world of wine is Randall Grahm. The owner of famed Bonny Doon Vineyard in Santa Cruz, Calif., began his winery in the early 1980s with a focus on Rhône Valley varieties such as Syrah and Viognier, grapes that were not in vogue in the New World.
In 1992, Grahm’s love of Riesling — another variety that was far from being in favor with American wine drinkers — led him to launch a wine called Pacific Rim. He used Riesling grapes from Washington as well as Germany, a previously unheard-of combination.
By 2006, Grahm’s operation had grown greatly in size, and he didn’t necessarily care for that. So he sold his popular Cardinal Zin and Big House brands and decided to spin off his Pacific Rim wines as a standalone winery. It only made sense to Grahm that he should locate his new operation in Washington, where the vast majority of his Riesling grapes came from. He worked with the DenHoed family, longtime grape growers in the Yakima Valley and Horse Heaven Hills, to create a winemaking facility in the shadow of Red Mountain. The DenHoeds built the building, which they own and lease to Pacific Rim.
Today, Pacific Rim, under the direction of Nicolas Quille, general manager and winemaker, produces 160,000 cases of wine, almost all of which is Riesling made from Washington grapes (Grahm stopped using German grapes in 2008). That means only Chateau Ste. Michelle and Hogue Cellars make more Riesling in Washington.
Pacific Rim makes 10 different Rieslings, as well as a Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer, raspberry dessert wine and two blends. Here are six Pacific Rim Rieslings we’ve tasted recently:
Pacific Rim Winemakers 2008 Solstice Vineyard Riesling Yakima Valley $32: The approach with this wine is low sugar (1.4%), and one gets the sense of that in the nose of petrol, muskmelon, gooseberry, nectarine and pear. It’s a zippy drink with Asian pear crispness, Gala apple, a hard nectarine and Lemonhead candy.
Pacific Rim Winemakers 2008 Wallula Vineyard Biodynamic Riesling Columbia Valley $32: This Riesling floats in with tropical aromas and flavors, accented by honeydew melon, jasmine, pear and slate. Its dryness also levels off at 1.4% residual sugar, and that’s balanced with a finish of Rose’s Lime Juice.
Pacific Rim Winemakers 2009 Riesling Columbia Valley $10: Blood orange, apricot and tangerine aromas are matched on the delicious palate. Passion fruit, Ruby Red grapefruit and orange peel create a wealth of acidity, which strikes a delicious balance with the residual sugar (2.3%).
Pacific Rim Winemakers 2009 Organic Riesling Columbia Valley $14: This hints at aromas of dried mango, pineapple, Granny Smith apple and candy corn. Inside, there’s a delicious core of tropical fruit, supported by jasmine green tea, a pinch of anise and a lingering finish of lime. Despite the residual sugar (3.7%), it’s rather food-friendly, and its partners could include shrimp salad or grilled peaches with prosciutto.
Pacific Rim Winemakers 2009 Sweet Riesling Columbia Valley $10: One of the largest productions of Riesling in the Northwest, there’s not a lot of preparation in the nose for the pending sweetness (6.5% residual sugar). It’s dried pineapple, lime, spicy peach, jasmine, beeswax and rose petal among the aromas. There’s limeade, candy corn, jasmine and petrol accents in the finish.
Pacific Rim Winemakers 2008 White Flowers Sparkling Riesling, Columbia Valley, $16: This beautiful and popular sparkler opens with luscious aromas of orange blossoms, candied peaches and freshly cut apples. On the palate, this reveals superb bubble texture with fresh fruit flavors and true varietal characters.

Andy Perdue and Eric Degerman are the editors of Wine Press Northwest magazine. For more information, go to www.winepressnw.com.

Williams will be performing at Parlor Live Comedy Club in Bellevue on Dec. 9 through Dec. 11.

To purchase tickets in advance, visit www.parlorlive.com.

Harland can be heard every week on his free podcast, The Harland Highway, which can be

downloaded on iTunes or streamed live from mobile devices on Stitcher Radio.

Check out his website at harlandwilliams.com.

The threads of change are in motion and the city of Bellevue is gradually taking on a new pattern, intertwining different cultures, languages, age groups and religions.

The city has become a hub for cultural diversity spurred by ample resources, a top-rated school district and steady work force.

With a city population hovering around 122,000, Bellevue has been ranked the highest in foreign-born residents in Washington state, with 30.9 percent, including those born in Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania, Latin America and Northern America (U.S. Census Bureau, 2006-2008 American Community Survey). In 2008, it was documented that more than 33 percent of residents spoke a language other than English at home, with the top three languages being Chinese, Spanish and Korean.

The same year, the U.S. Census Bureau report made a significant projection, estimating that by the year 2050, the overall population of the United States will be both dramatically older and more diverse.

Minorities are thought to become the new majority.

This is most evident in Bellevue schools, where a recorded 75 different languages are represented at the elementary level alone.

“Bellevue has become a community that can be defined by diversity,” said Kevin Henry, the communications coordinator for Bellevue’s Cultural Diversity Program. “What is critical to remember, is that diversity doesn’t pertain solely to a person’s race or the color of their skin. It’s really inclusive of everyone, including the youth, the elderly, people with disabilities and different sexual orientations. Diversity at its core is really about what everybody brings to the table within a community.”

Race and Ethnicity- Bellevue is in the top third of Washington places for highest racial/ethnicity diversity. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006-2008 American Community Survey.

Henry has watched the face of Bellevue change first hand over the course of the past two decades and works closely with local departments, such as police and fire, to build connections with various sectors of the community through education, panel discussions, workshops and free public events.

“We create situations where we can facilitate bringing people of different backgrounds, cultures and religions together to discuss current topics. Our goal as a city is to open the wave of communication and understanding between every community member who calls Bellevue home,” Henry explained.

He points to the many youth-oriented programs as prime examples, including Youth Link and the Bellevue Youth Theatre program, a recreational performing arts center created to serve youth, families, persons with disabilities and seniors. Annual involvement in the program has grown to include more than 900 individuals and more than 10,000 performance attendees since its opening in 1990.

“A program like the Bellevue Youth Theatre works to dispel myths, inaccuracies and misconceptions of people with disabilities and ages,” Henry said. “There are stereotypes of people from different races and cultures, but there are also stereotypes about people with disabilities and this is a great vehicle to help break down those pre-judgements.”

Like Henry, Bellevue Youth Link Coordinator Patrick Alina also knows the importance of encouraging today’s youth through education and awareness. He works with the city to ensure the continuation of a number of after and out-of school programs which serve as vital resources for many teens in the Bellevue area.

“The city has always and will continue to support youth in our community…”, Alina said. “During these budget cuts, specific youth programs are likely to be impacted. Nevertheless, the city is working to make sure that our young people are still supported through various programs such as the Wrap Around Services, after school programs at middle schools, environmental stewardship volunteer opportunities and more.”

Heeka Shin, Heidi Song and Elaine Kow

Ron Langston, photographed at Crossroads Bellevue by Chad Coleman.

On the educational front, Bellevue College has worked to become an open resource for students and community members from diverse backgrounds and upbringings.

“We are committed to the ideal of pluralism, by which we mean striving to go beyond just having a mix of races, ethnicities, genders and abilities on campus, to actually learn about and respect each other,” said Bob Adams, the director of college relations for Bellevue College. “Our Diversity Caucus, student clubs, LGBTQ organizations, Multicultural Services staff and many others on campus sponsor events throughout the year just for this purpose, and the public is always more than welcome to attend.”

Although economic times are hard, the city and other local organizations continue to provide free and low-cost services and resources to community members through various avenues including the city’s community centers, the parks department, public libraries, churches, City Hall and Mini City Hall located at Crossroads Bellevue, offering translation services for over 200 languages.

“If you go east of the 405 it’s very densely populated with an extremely diverse population,” Henry said, pointing to Crossroads Bellevue as a prime example.

Strolling through the international food court at Crossroads offers a very real-life snapshot of the diversity in Bellevue. On any given afternoon, the shopping center will attract hundreds of people from all walks of life who come together for what can only be described as true community. Beyond the big-name stores, Crossroads offers a cozy public library, a giant chess set, an internationally-inspired food court, generous public seating, locally-owned shops and a main stage where music, arts and entertainment are celebrated on a regular basis through free events year round.

Thyme for Soup and Mediterrian Grill owner and native of the Republic of Turkey, Bulent Aki first opened shop at Crossroads in 1987, around the same time as developer Ron Sher took over the then run-down shopping center. Since then, Aki has stood back and watched as Crossroads has taken on a life of its own and become a community hub in the midst of a bustling suburban city.

“This place was empty when I first opened my small business, and now it’s like a busy little community where people gather and eat good food. The restaurants represented here are all independently owned and operated, but we don’t feel any competition with one another. There’s something for everyone here, from Mexican food to Indian and so forth. The owners share a good friendship and really support one another. We help each other prosper.”

Aki attributes much of Crossroads success to the management team and the vision Sher had of creating a “third place”, a community space where everyone was welcome.

“Ron [Sher] is so down to earth and really tries to help people grow their business. He is very understanding and has a good heart. It was his vision of a community meeting place that made Crossroads happen. He changed this place for the better.”

On the weekend of Nov. 5-7, Crossroads will celebrate the community’s cultural riches during the 20th Annual Cultural Crossroads event. The three-day event will include 35 cultural and ethnic music and dance performances along with an international bazaar. More than 20 booths will be at the free event celebrating the differences that exist between people and the commonalities that shape a prosperous community.

Learn more about the upcoming Cultural Crossroads event, by visiting www.crossroadsbellevue.com/.