Next stop.... España!!!

.....tidbit on the run ..... culinary stop in Spain......

Preface:

There are times in your life where you find a good opportunity and all the pieces fall into place. Which leads you to a wonderful journey, connecting the past with the present and preparing for the future. That is exactly what happened when I found a last minute flight to Madrid for less than $500 (minus taxes of course). After proposing it to Nic and to my astonishment, he didn’t even hesitate. He said “Yes”. Our first steps were in place. We consulted his father in Italy to see if he and his wife would like to meet up in Madrid and spend some time together. The next day, they had found a five day “Tour of Andalusia” that they were excited about. Even though I had lived and studied in Sevilla for 6 months during undergrad and I wanted to see other parts of Spain that I was less familiar with, I wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to visit some of my old haunts from college. I was still very eager to see how the city had changed, if at all.

Now that the plan was starting to take shape, I had a lot of planning to do with the restaurant. I had to make sure that everything was covered for the time that we were gone. Since we are a small restaurant, we do a lot of the day to day tasks. These daily tasks would need to be delegated and the larger tasks (payroll to name a big one) needed to be perfectly timed. If not, there would be some angry employees and a big mess to clean up when I got back.
At this point, the planning started full force. Questions like, “Where do we go, when we are not on the tour?” or “What do we want to see in Spain?” or “What is our goal with this trip?” all come to mind and need to be answered and well thought through. Then, the big day arrives!!!

...... tidbit is underway .......

Day 1 (Thursday)- Depart Seattle, next stop Amsterdam
Our first flight from Seattle takes us to the beautiful city of Amsterdam (9 ½ hours later). I have been to this city a handful of times and each time I enjoy it more and more. I love the look, the feel and the ambiance of this city.

Day 2 (Friday) – 8 am Amsterdam, next stop Madrid
We arrived around 9 in the morning, at the airport, after clearing customs we needed our first espresso of the trip. After that we headed toward the train station to make our way into the City. We started in an area of the center that we hadn’t been before, the Jordaan. We were strolling our way to the very famous “Anne Frank House”, which once we saw the line to get in down the street, we decided against going inside. We would have waited our whole 7 hour layover just to get in. Along the way, we stopped at a Kaas shop, where the shelves were lined with cheese after cheese after cheese and some baked breads. As the sign says: “Loads of Cheese”, it truly lived up to its title. Of course, we had to try some baked bread with cheese and marinated black olives. Delicious!

After making our way past the flower market (lots of tulips and bulbs), we were in the shopping area. I tried to get Nic to try a croquette from a vending machine but I did not succeed. The “fast food” restaurant, called “FEBO”, is a very small room with vending machines that line the long wall. Inside each door is a small delicacy. It may be a croquette or a sandwich or a hardboiled egg or something easy to eat. There is a counter where you see people making the food and you can order French fries (with mayo, delicious). We spent the next 2 hours enjoying the sights and sounds of the city on a Friday.
It’s sad how fast a day can go by, before we knew it, we needed to head back to the airport to catch our next flight to Madrid.

We finally made it to España at 8 pm. We retrieved our luggage, found the Metro, got our tickets and headed in to the center. After turning a few wrong corners, we finally found our hotel. After a relaxingly calm check-in, we headed up to our room. The elevator door opened and we saw approximately 50 people waiting to go down the elevator. There must have been some party on the roof, because they were all dressed up and they were chatty! The last thing you want to do, especially in a foreign country, is after a 24 hour trip, feeling dirty and unshaven, is talk with 50 drunk strangers who are having a great time. The only way to enter your room, is in front of them and have them joke about the party moving to our room. After entering the room, we were glad they didn’t come in, it was way too small, we wouldn’t have fit!

Now, all tiredness aside, we were hungry, let’s go look for tapas or “raciones (larger portions of food)!” We were recommended a place around the corner on Gran Via (one of the main streets in Madrid, where shopping eating and the center of the city is). It was called “Mercado de la Reina”. After finding it, we went in. It was a little after midnight and the place was packed full. There was a bar in the front that we waded past, then we found the host stand. After waiting for a few minutes, we were greeting by one of the servers, who told us that it was “completo”, meaning full. We had to go explore and find somewhere else to eat. Here we were thinking that it was too late to have dinner, nope not in Spain.
After two more blocks, we found a cute small bar/pub called "Taberna odre y hogaza", which was also packed; luckily a table just left, so we waited a few minutes then were told to sit down. Let the food begin. We tried the patatas bravas (something we make for happy hour at tidbit), fried potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce, which was very yummy! We also got a bottle of white wine from Rueda, which was delicious and only 10€. I was amazed at the prices of the wines. They had bottles for 7€. It was so tasty, dry, a little tart and crisp. We also pigged out on some grilled meat plate, which included regular sausage, lamb chops, chorizo (one of Spain’s leading sausages, it’s cured with paprika and other spices), morcilla (blood sausage from Albacete, which uses onions instead of rice, which is the way that I’ve always had it), lomo (pork loin), chicken, pancetta and a few other varietals. Everything on the plate was tremendous and grilled perfectly. After being away from Spain, all my taste memories flooded back to me. We also sampled a crostino with sheep’s cheese.

... before we headed back to the hotel, we stopped at a very famous Cuban bar, which was frequented by Hemingway. It also specializes in mojitos! Yes, we had, I can honestly say the best mojito ever. The mint was wonderful, the sugar was perfect and the rum (which was "Barceló" a Dominican Republic dark rum) was delicious. As I watched the bartender wack the ice cubes in his bare hand then place the broken pieces in the glass to be muddled, I wondered what the health department here would do to such a place... After the first sip, I wanted more. I can still taste the flavors. After having eaten and had a nightcap, it was time to head back.

When we finally go back to our hotel it was close to 2:00 in the morning.

Were we ever going to wake up in the morning?

...stay tuned....

tidbit bistro's menu for the Urban Eats - May 2009

...more on the Urban Eats: tidbit bistro's menu...

During the month of May 2009, tidbit bistro is taking part in the Urban Eats dining promotion (more details available on the previous post, click here).
For $ 30.00 you can pick one item from “tapas & antipasti”, one from the “entrees” and one from “desserts”. Following several requests, we are also offering vegeterian options.

See you in May for the Urban Eats!

Here is a sample of our Urban Eats menu, in addition to our regular menu . Please keep in mind that the menu may change.

URBAN EATS MENU:

tapas & antipasti

Trio di Crostini
Alpino – Speck, fontina, and marinated bell pepper
Funghi - Sautéed mushrooms, mozzarella, and shaved parmesan √
Español – Tomato, garlic, and chorizo
OR
Arroz al Horno
Mixed fresh seafood baked with saffron rice, chorizo, and peas
OR
Insalata Saporita √
Spring lettuces tossed with gorgonzola dressing, English cucumbers, tomato, shaved red onion, and topped with fried avocado

entrees

Lasagna Vegetariana √
Lasagna layered with béchamel, eggplants, sundried tomatoes, and ricotta
OR
Bistecca con Insalata
Grilled 5 oz. flat iron steak, mixed organic greens with pancetta and gorgonzola tossed with a lemon vinaigrette
OR
Pescado del Día
Market fresh fillet -selection varies- baked with a bread crumb topping served with herbed potato cake, marinated tomatoes and olives

desserts

Dessert of the Day
Ask server for today’s yummy dessert
OR
Cestini di Cioccolato
Three Belgian chocolate cups filled with chocolate mousse and topped with pecan pralines
OR
Lemon Tartufo
Fresh lemon gelato with limoncello cream center, covered with meringue sprinkles

√ Vegetarian
* Eating raw or undercooked meats, poultry, eggs, fish, or shellfish may increase your risk of food borne illness

wine deal
2 glasses for $10
Cabernet Sauvignon, Stonecap, 2005, Columbia, Washington
Pinot Noir, Cara Mia, 2007, IGT, Lombardy, Italy

tidbit chef demo at the metropolitan market

In conjunction with the New Urban Eats, tidbit was invited for a chef demo at the Metropolitan Market in Queen Anne on the evening of Friday, January 16th. Kurt cooked the Mussel Zuppa and John was there to entertain and represent us.

Below are some pictures of the event:

Here is a funny picture...nobody knows how Nic's name instead of Kurt's name ended up on the board in front of the Market.

tidbit featured on Seattle Dining

tidbit was featured on the December issue of Seattle Dining in a nice write up by Connie Adams. For the full reportage, with pictures and insert, click HERE.

tidbit
Where Madrid meets Napoli

by Connie Adams

Spain and Italy have a long and sometimes complicated relationship. Sometimes they get along, sometimes not so much. If you want to enjoy the best of both without the complications, it’s time you head to tidbit on Capitol Hill, owned by Nicola Longo and John van Deinse.
Nic grew up in Naples, Italy, where food, family and culture are extremely important. He and his brother watched the adults cook and learned to cook themselves. Food was not only cooked and eaten; it was discussed "all the time." In 1998, Nic moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. He already had his masters in civil engineering and, once here, got a double masters—urban design and planning and transportation engineering. He graduated in 2000 and began, and continues, work as a transportation engineer. "I deal with traffic problems," he explains. No shortage of work in Seattle.
John was raised in Eugene, Oregon, and also spent time in the kitchen watching his mother and grandmother cook. "I did the grunt work, but paid attention to what they did," he recalls. Attending the University of Oregon, he discovered the beauty of the study abroad program, spending a total of two years in Germany and Spain. It was Spain that captured his heart. "I lived with a family and watched the mother cook every day. She wouldn’t let me help, but I still learned a lot." Returning to Eugene, he worked at a pizza restaurant and was in charge of HR as they grew from one location to five. He moved to Seattle and took a job at Palomino, staying for 4-1/2 years. A year into it, he took a second job, this one at Bing’s in Madison Park. He stayed for seven years, becoming a manager. "I learned about both the corporate and small business worlds," he says. He returned to school and got his certificate in HR management.
In 2002, John and Nic met at a party; their love for Italy and Spain created a bond. Around 2006, they started talking about opening their own restaurant. It had to reflect their casual style, be a friendly neighborhood spot and showcase Italian and Spanish comfort food. They both wanted something small and personal. "We wanted a place where we could control the feel: to say hello and goodbye and talk with people," explains John. That has come true. tidbit has many regulars, both from the neighborhood and beyond, who come for both food and conversation. The majority of pictures on the wall are from trips Nic and John have taken. All have stories behind them and have sparked many a discussion.
They looked at several locations near the downtown core. "We really liked the layout of this spot," says Nic. "It felt right for our concept, had outdoor seating and shares a parking lot in back. We did quite a bit of cosmetic work, wanting something more vibrant, less classic. We took out heavy wood and added glass. Our tidbit logo is on glass and whether you look at it from the front or back, you can read it. We like the fact that this is an old building. It fits for a European bistro and has more charm." The TV over the bar shows Italian and Spanish programming. "We know some people don’t like TV in a restaurant, but it’s our connection to Italy and Spain," says Nic. John adds, "We’re not stuffy and we don’t take ourselves too seriously, so it fits our style."
They used their experiences and backgrounds to create a large tapas menu and smaller large plate menu. "Italy was under Spanish rule for quite awhile and there is a cultural cross-over," explains Nic. "But they both have their own dishes. The food in Naples actually has more in common with Spanish food than with Northern Italian cuisine. We don’t do fusion—our dishes are either Italian or Spanish."
Neither Nic nor John are professional chefs. They created the menu and had a consultant chef do the fine-tuning. They have since hired a full-time chef. "We’re very picky on how things are done in the kitchen," explains Nic. "We have certain standards and our chef follows those. He’s doing a great job." The menu changes seasonally, but in order to keep things fresh for the regulars, they offer daily specials—soup (made to order), one tapa, chicken, risotto and gelato. "We create the seasonal menus ourselves," says John. "On special dinners, we work with the chef. The daily specials are created by the chef."
Choice is key to them. A special vegan menu joins the main menu which is coded to indicate vegetarian and gluten-free items. Dishes range from grilled breads to cheeses to seafood to lamb and beef. A special kids menu is colorfully-filled with Italian cartoon characters. Over 20 wines are offered by the glass and there are half bottles as well as a good-sized list of full bottles from around the world. They currently have 39 different grappas and an ever-changing grappa flight. A cello flight is also available: Limoncello is probably the most familiar here, but the walnut/hazelnut Nocello is the oldest and most familiar in Italy.
As first-time restaurant owners, they’ve learned a lot. "Running the floor is pretty easy for me," says John. "The lessons have come on the behind-the-scenes stuff." Nic didn’t really know what to expect. "There’s more work than I realized. And I’m an engineer. I want everything perfect. But that’s part of the charm; each table may not line up. I’ve had to learn to compromise." As they’ve settled in, they’ve had time to do something else they want—get greener. They’ve joined the Green Restaurant Association which helps owners recycle, use products better for the planet, etc. "I’m from Eugene," laughs John. "I grew up composting."
Owning a restaurant doesn’t always go according to plan. But Nic and John have managed to create the small, personal spot they wanted where they meet and get to know their customers while offering the food and drink they love. How very European.

stuzzichini assortiti - appetizer tray

tidbit can help cater your event!

Starting this year, tidbit is offering special take-out trays ‘Stuzzichini Assortiti’ to help make your holidays stress free. Our trays feature an assortment of banderillas, crostini, and arancini and we can customize them accoding to your needs.

stuzzichini assortiti
- appetizer tray -

choice of 5 items - 50 pieces
choice of 5 items - 25 pieces

choice of 3 items - 30 pieces
choice of 3 items - 15 pieces


Banderilla con Fiocco
Bite sized skewer with marinated olive, prosciutto, and fiocco pasta filled with pear and blue cheese

Banderilla Roa

Bite skewer of tortilla Española, prawn and mayonnaise

Crostino con Prosciutto
Parma prosciutto, mozzarella, and tomato

Crostino con Funghi
Sautéed mushrooms, mozzarella, and parmesan

Crostino Español
Tomato, garlic, and Spanish chorizo

Arancino
Golden fried risotto cake with tomato, saffron and mozzarella

Duck Bigné
Bigné filled with duck confit, pickled shallots, arugula, and mustard

Rotolini di Bresaola
Rolls of bresaola filled with lemon oil arugula, parmesan, and fennel

tidbit at the GSBA TASTE

The TASTE of GSBA was a grand success and tidbit was proud to help another great cause! On November 22, 2008 tidbit was at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Seattle to sponsor this event.

This event had the goal to raise funds for the GSBA scholarship and the Fund-A-Scholar part of the TASTE (where you raise your paddle directly for donations) raised over $50,000. There is still time for donations through the GSBA webpage. You can find more for the GSBA Scholarship Fund online at thegsba.org.

Below are some pictures of Kathy and John during this fun event.

tidbit offered two tapas: a banderilla with spanish tortilla, poached prawn, and orange aioli AND an open face bigne with arugula and a crab artichoke brandada

new grappa flight in November

Yes, November brings a new grappa flight to tidbit!

Tidbit is the place in Seattle where you can find the largest collection of grappas. We are proud of being the first restaurant to offer grappa and cello flight, something that other Seattle restaurants are now imitating!

This November, tidbit is offering an exciting grappa flight! Our November selection includes aromatic grappas from Nardini producer. Nardini is one of the oldest distillers of acquavite from the region of Veneto in Northern Italy. Aquavite (grappa) Nardini has been produced and bottled in Bassano del Grappa, in the northeastern part of Italy, since 1779. The founder of Italy’s most traditional distillery was Bortolo Nardini who purchased in April of that year, an Inn at the eastern entrance of the famous wooden covered Bassano bridge, on the Brenta river bank. The Inn soon became the “Grapperia Nardini”, strategically located for both the ample water supply, a necessary element in the distillation process, as well as its accessibility to the local regional markets, Venice in primis.

The flight for the month of November includes Acquavite di Vinaccia Bianca, Acqua di Cedro, and the grappa style liqueur Tagliatella.

November Grappa Flight $15.

Acquavite di Vinaccia Bianca - This grappa is made from the pomace of D.O.C. grapes from Veneto and Friuli. This grappa has a clear color with a traditional and intense nose.

Acqua di Cedro - This grappa has a nice aroma of cedro fruit. The citrus fragrance creates a strong appeal with a sweet and dry taste.

Tagliatella - This grappa style liqueur is made from grappa, cherry juice, sherry and natural aromas. This liqueur has a pleasant bouquet of fruity, flowery, herbal and spicy scents.

And as always the cello flight is still available!

cello flight $15.

Nocello - A walnut and hazelnut liqueur with a rounded and balanced flavor with vanilla tones...also called Nocino.

Limoncello - A lemon liqueur from southern Italy, bright yellow in color, sweet and lemony, but not sour.

Orangecello - A sweet, orange-infused liqueur made with Sicilian oranges soaked in pure grain alcohol.

Crema di Limoncello - A creamy sweet liqueur with the original, unmistakable taste of Limoncello.

tidbit chef demo at the Metropolitan Market

tidbit was invited for a chef demo at the Metropolitan Market in West Seattle on the evening of Monday, October 20, 2008. Kurt cooked one of our most popular dishes, the Gambas al Ajillo and John was there to represent the restaurant. A special thanks from tidbit to Ilga Westberg, the culinary & community events Director at the Metropolitan Market in Admiral and Amy Pinkis for being such a great host!

Here are some pictures of the event:

tidbit on the Seattle magazine

tidbit was featured on the Seattle magazine issue of November 2008.

Ginny Morey wrote a really cute bit around our lemon affogato in the lemon dessert section. Here it is:

Most Intense Blast of Lemon
AFFOGATO AL LIMONCELLO AT TIDBIT BISTRO
Devout lemonheads: Get thee to Tidbit pronto for tart lemon gelato molded around a creamy limoncello center, encased in vibrant lemon meringue sprinkles, drowned in a shot of limoncello liqueur. (Also available sans booze... but why?)

We were very excited to be mentioned for one of our tartufo gelato because this has been one of the most popular gelato in Italy for years. We are proud of offering a dessert that you can find also in many Italian restaurants. When I was in Italy there were two main producers of tartufo: the Antica Gelateria del Corso and Bindi. I was very excited that the tartufo Bindi was availble also here in Seattle and there was no question that I wanted it on the menu. Without any doubt, this is the most authentic gelato that you can find outside of Italy.

tidbit offers the tartufo for $6 and with the booze for $9.
The tartufo is also available in two other flavors: Chocolate and Cappuccino. You can find them all at tidbit.

Wednesdays: Italian and Spanish Movies

Wednesday's are fun at tidbit!!!!

We are now offering a special "tapa" menu with half off selections!

Not only will you enjoy 1/2 off tapas, but we will be showing fun Italian and Spanish movies on the big screen. It's a great time to see some unique movies; subtitles will be provided.