Salami Sandwich

Name:  Salumi Artisan Cured Meats

Location:  Seattle, WA

Meal: Salami, Mozzarella, and Sweet Pepper Sandwich and Porchetta Sandwich

Type:  Italian

Seattle is home to a number of great restaurants and meals but you wouldn’t assume that would include world-class charcuterie. The mythos behind the restaurant is that it is run by Mario Batali’s father who, after retiring from Boeing, wanted to learn the art so he traveled to Italy and trained with a master. He returned and opened up shop; a master in his right now. There is no debating that Salumi is now on the short list of Seattle foodie attractions. I had heard stories of the lunch lines (entire store hours 11am-4pm) so I walked over from my hotel and arrived a half hour before they opened their doors and was already third in line. By the time the doors would open, 25-30 people would be queued up to pay their respects to the pig.

There is limited seating available and could have had it but I opted to walk back to the hotel (for photos sake and I was flying home in a few hours). Being only one person, my plan was to get the house salami sandwich but fear of missing out convinced me to order a porchetta sandwich as well. Still being only one person I made peace with the fact I would have to discard a half of each sandwich but then again divide and conquer isn’t the worse battle plan.

The salami sandwich starts on a crusty ciabatta roll that gets a basil spread and parmesan bread crumb spread. Freshly sliced house salami is then piled on, followed by fresh buffalo mozzarella, and sweet peppers and onion. This is a firm sandwich that rewards each bite with a salty, meaty, sweet taste.

The porchetta sandwich, a last minute addition, would turn out to be the star of the show. Unwrapping the paper let out the full aroma of  savory slow cooked pork. Sensing this would be a memorable moment I quickly pulled up a soundtrack for my sandwich, O Fortuna from Carl Orf’s Carmina Burana. As embarrassing as it sounds after the fact, I did indeed listen to cliche classic music as I ate a pork sandwich in my hotel room; and it was magical. The porchetta is just amazing, tender, loaded with fennel, and just the right bit of fatty juice to it.

A great meal all around, Salumi should be shortlisted for anyone who enjoys a good cured meat. More than just for fans of charcuterie, Salumi shows what can happen when someone sets their mind to developing the best technique and using the best ingredients. When you do that you can’t help but deliver a great product; something I keep seeing along all my stops as the Hungry Traveler.

O Fortuna by Carl Orf

Porchetta Sandwich with Sweet Peppers

Porchetta with lots of fennel

Ciabatta crust

Salami, Mozzarella, and Peppers on Ciabatta

Salumi

Roasted Quail with Potatoes

Name: Woodfire Grill

Location: Atlanta,  GA

Meal: 5 Course Chef Tasting Menu

Type: Fine Dining

For the record, this is not turning into a fine dining blog; the traditional fare will be returning soon. I have had some amazing opportunities to eat well recently. Finding myself in Atlanta I knew that I had to make my way to Woodfire Grill, home of Top Chef finalist Chef Kevin Gillespie. I have to say that it was a full experience.  This was dining on a whole different level and I am quite glad I went along for the ride.I showed up  on a Saturday night but was lucky enough to have only a few drink wait until I was able to get a seat at the bar. It just so happened that a fellow foodie and fan of the show (San Antonio) was seated next to me and we both decided that 5 course chef’s tasting menu was the only way to go. Don’t get me wrong, the ala carte dishes I saw coming out of the kitchen looked amazing but doing a tasting menu is about letting a chef take you on a journey.

The meal started out with an amuse-bouche of saffron yogurt and grapefruit that woke up my beer dulled taste buds. The first course was a carrot and goat cheese dish that started what would be a theme of warming, wholesome flavors. San Antonio was reminded of chicken pot pie through a number of the courses.  A perfect seared scallop and risotto dish arrived next followed by a taste of chilled celery soup.

The meat dishes were next. First was a grilled quail dish served atop a potato ragout with potato emulsion that really elevated the savoriness of the progression. The main course was in short, phenomenal. Even a casual fan of Top Chef could tell Chef Gillespie has mastery of pork and his main course showed that off completely. Pork loin, fig glazed pork belly, and a farro risotto made with pork shoulder and pork rinds combine for a taste that is nothing short of extraordinaire.  Dessert finished up the meal wonderfully; a sweet and savory curry marshmallow and chocolate creation that left me just as excited as I was starting the meal.

The magic of a tasting menu is the progression from one course to another and how they all blend together into a single meal. I have to say that I’ve rarely enjoyed myself as much as I did at Woodfire Grill. The entire staff was warm and welcoming. From a fan standpoint it was awesome to meet Kevin; he is totally down to earth, signing autographs and posing for pictures all night. If you are looking for an amazing fine dining experience and you’re in Atlanta then Woodfire should be at the top of your list. I guarantee that you will be impressed.

*My apologies for the quality of some of the photos, I was a bit more focused on eating than usual.

Amuse-bouche of fennel, saffron yogurt, and grapefruit

Heritage carrots, sweet and sour cabbage, and goat cheese

Roasted scallop with confit of shrimp and salsify risotto

Pork loin, fig glazed pork belly, and pork risotto

Chocolate cake, curry marshmallow, coconut ice cream, and curry peanuts

The Hungry Traveler and Chef Gillespie