Happy Hour at Purple

Home now and cannot wait tell the story of Happy Hour at Purple. I met up today with Karri, whom I have known in junior high and high school. In conversation, she decided that my array of foods and level of adventure now is where she was 10 years ago. Purple is a wine bar and restaurant in downtown Seattle. Quite the menu of familiar and new foods.

I ordered the artichoke hazelnut spread. It was served with some pita bread wedges. Now mind you I now remember trying artichoke hearts on a pizza. That did not taste good. Who knows why. Also keeping in mind that a lot of the artichoke dips that I see in various grocery stores look a bit runny? Overkill on mayo or mayo-like products (which to boot I don't care for much unless it is warmed somehow). This was much thicker in consistency than what I was expecting. It was very good. The artichoke spread was good. I think this experience is similar to the eggplant vs baba ganoush. Will definitely try artichoke again. Well accepted.

Karri ordered country style pâté and beef carpaccio. I tried a sample bit of each. These are new as I have not knowingly eaten liver before much less a meat item cooked in a bain marie. Water baths are for cheesecake right? Also new was raw beef. Sort of new...nothing against rare, just not tried it before. Carpaccio will happen again!

The country style pâté tasted very good. What's not to love about something wrapped in bacon! Its texture was nice. The spices were balanced. Had I not known what typically went into the preparation, I would not have been able to tell. It was served with cornichons and grain mustard. The bite I tried was without them to have a control sample. I can envision the taste with them and it does seem to go well.

I also got some recommendations from Karri for fish and shellfish to try. Four possibles to start with are prawns, steamed clams, tilapia and halibut. For the prawns she suggested trying a good shrimp cocktail. The spice of the sauce should help and the prawns would be mild in flavor on their own. Also suggested for the fish was tacos. Baked in the oven with a squeeze of lemon juice and then onto tortillas with fixings. We will have to see what happens!