Coming soon: Cantinetta

This just in from Seattle P-I's latest "On Dining" column:

Via Tribunali alum Trevor Greenwood is opening a place in Wallingford.

"Cantinetta will be a neighborhood pateria emphasizing Tuscan culinary traditions, authentic handmade pasta and seasonal ingredients from the state of Washington," he wrote in an e-mail. "Our lead chef is Brian Cartenuto and our sous chef is Morgan Brownlow."

Cantinetta is scheduled to debut Saturday at 3650 Wallingford Ave. N. Call 206-632-1000 for reservations for six or more.

I'll be out of town this weekend, but that doesn't mean you can't check out the new kid in the neighborhood.

Stone Way snowman

Spotted at the intersection of 45th and Stone Way:


We inquired about the backstory at Starbucks; apparently someone built it overnight and when they saw it this morning, one of the baristas decked it out with the apron and cups.

Amazingly no one has hit it yet, although in the time we were at Starbucks someone lost a tire chain (I took a picture but it's too difficult to see). If you're planning to venture out in the car, remember to put those tire chains on nice and tight.

Molly Moon's polling for new flavor(s?)

Stop by Molly Moon's blog to vote on what could be the neighborhood's new taste sensation. Gorgonzola? Black licorice? Rosemary with Meyer lemon? Personally, I'm voting for maple bacon.

Snowmen of Wallingford

There were a number of snowmen out (though not about) in Wallingford today. This merry trio, and their snowdogs, were on the corner of 38th and Burke. Note the classic top hat on the one in the middle:


A close-up of one of the dogs:


This straw-hatted snowman was on Meridian and 39th:


This cheery snowperson was a few blocks further north on Meridian:


And this one was on 2nd Ave NE, north of 40th:


More ambulatory residents of Wallingford skied, sledded and snowboarded around, frequently putting up makeshift markers indicating blocks closed to cars.


How often does one see a palm tree covered in snow?


A view of "downtown" Wallingford around 8 pm:

Wallingford Snowpocalypse

Yesterday afternoon QFC was jammed with shoppers stocking up for the big storm. At one time I saw the checkout line extend all the way down the length of the produce aisle to where the orange juice is shelved.


By Sunday morning about six inches of snow had fallen in the neighborhood. Trash cans that had been sitting on the curb unemptied since midweek acquired a fresh roofing of snow.


This hardly looks like Seattle, does it?


NE 50th Street was almost entirely devoid of traffic at 10:00 am this morning. The peculiar muffled quiet that follows a heavy snowfall was broken only by the cheerful chirping of birds and the occasional distant shout of a hardy pedestrian or joyful child.

Looking east down 50th, the Cascades were clearly visible.


Looking West, a Metro bus sat silent on the side of the road, either parked or abandoned.


Amazingly, I saw the #26 bus was running.

There's a possibility of more precipitation later today. It could be a while before we dig ourselves out of this one.

Do share your snow-related neighborhood stories.

Seasonal cupcakes at Trophy

Four delicious flavors of cupcakes are being served up at Trophy this holiday season.

Chocolate Candy Cane: Every day
Bourbon Eggnog: Tuesdays and Saturdays
Gingerbread: Mondays and Thursdays
Candied Yam (with toasted marshmallow meringue): Wednesdays and Fridays