Austin Robaire Cabernet

[stevebody]

Sadly, many of the places you listed are gone. Labuznik's owner just finally reached the same state of terminal burnout that motivated my own recent retirement from chefdom and closed it about two years ago. Adriatica is a sadder case. Some pack of A-holes built a big, ugly office building right across Dexter Ave from it and completely blocked their wonderful view of Lake Union. They lost business and folded almost a year ago. Mitchellini has been gone a long time, Red Cabbage I never heard of, Le Tastevin esta muerte, and The Oyster Bar...which one? If you're referring to Emmett Watson's, it is happily still there although, sadly, Emmett himself is no longer among us. He is now telling God how things ought to be. God, as i hear it, is listening.

Canlis is quite well and still perched up there on thecrest of QA hill above the lake. Le Petite Maison bit the dust. What is that...one for ten? Seattle is a BAD place to be running a restaurant right now. I had the grain of sense necessary to see it coming and sell out. My places back east always produced five to one more money than anything I ran here anyway.

Sorry to be the bearer of sad tidings. Adriatica, especially, really breaks my heart. There are some great new places around, though, so come on back and email me when you do. I'll be glad to offer some suggestions.

Steve Body