Ma'ono Fried Chicken & Whisky

Ma'ono is formerly known as Spring Hill.  The past few years buzzed place in West Seattle.  Spring Hill has been on my list of places to try forever.  Especially after a book signing by Thomas Keller, where he announced he was going their for dinner after the signing.  I finally made plans to check out the place and find out it was changed to a Hawaiian inspired Fried Chicken & Whisky place.  As a veggie eater, didn't know if I would find anything to eat.  

The good news is that the place is still fabulous!  It has the same owner and chef Mark Fuller.  He was trained from CIA and worked under Tom Douglas.  He is from Hawaii and is reaching toward his roots with this place. I've heard the quality and level of food is the same.

There are a lot of Pork on the menu.  Where they can fit in a pork item they do.  Lot of comforting items but kicked it up a notch.

Bloody Mary with Housemade Pickles and Hamhock

Eggs Benedict

Hangtown Fry

Crispy fried pacific oysters, bacon & roasted pepper scramble, grilled bread

Pascale said this was good but needed more flavor.

The Half Pound Burger

House bacon, hand-crafted american cheese, special sauce, dill pickle, fries.

I had several a la carte items...

Popover with Nutella.

I have to be honest, I think they over heated or scorched the chocolate a bit too much, it wasn't smooth.  I'd rather had cold smooth Nutella than heated with texture.  The Popover was good but it was no Tyler Florence's Popover that you get for free from dining there.

Hashed Browned Potatoes

This was interesting.  It was prepared ahead of time and deep fried I believe.  It wasn't that spectacular, it was okay.  Their homemade ketchup was great though.

Butter Lettuce Salad

Tender herbs, radish, parmesan, citronette

This was good, fresh and punch of acid with the dressing.

I think for a meat eater...it will be paradise.  My guy friends and bro will love this place.  Will I go back? Definitely...but want to try dinner next time.

My Love of...Walrus and Carpenter

I've had a love affair with Walrus and Carpenter and still do.  It's by far my favorite restaurant to date and it's the way I LOVE to eat.  I'm surprised I've not wrote about it yet.  Well, I guess I've not been at a place mentally to write about all my loves last year.  

It started with a happy hour in the winter of 2010, then I started going there at least once a month, taking new and old friends.  Any excuse to go, I was there. They are located in my neighborhood of Ballard, so it really was the place I've revisited the most in 2011.

It's an oyster bar but I've never eaten oysters.  It's all about small plates of food and amazing drinks. It's about sharing with your diners.  What I love about this place is that they really pay attention to the details.  The small details that make the dish.  Food is always consistent, high quality, and delicious!  It's whimsical and has personality.  The wait staff is so nice and attentive, and you can tell they love working there.  

Well, since I've been going there from the beginning, it's been tough to get a table.  You either get there right when they open or put your name in and get a drink at the bike shop.   Then, Frank Bruni of NY Times had to write up this raves about the place. Then, they are named best new restaurants in America by Bon Appetite magazine.  There have been other raves and I wish people would stop.  :)  I want my neighborhood spot back that I can get a table reasonably...

Here are some of the amazing dishes...

Cheese with Pickled Prunes

Cheese & Curried Apricot

Ramps with Fried Egg

Fried Oysters

Smoked Trout
Another favorite that I get every time.  You have to eat it with  all 3 parts, the fish, the pickled onion, the lentil and walnut salad.  It just balances itself.  Yum!

Steak Tartare

Grilled Asparagus

Clam Tartare

Oh my god...and their desserts...amazing!

Sticky Toffee Pudding

The best I've had by far.  I even had this dish in London and W&C version is to dream about!

Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries

The one pic that I don't have and wish I had is the Fried Brussels Sprouts.  It's another favorite but they only have it seasonally. It's like eating French Fries.  It's sooo good.  They have it now...go there my friends!

http://thewalrusbar.com/