Revel

     So everyone knows by know how much I love food.  Those who know me and who have spent any amount of time around me knows that I have a voracious appetite.  I have not always put this appetite to good use, but within  the past couple of years I have made it an goal to challenge my palate rather than just fill up the tank as it were.  I, in large part, have Kieko to thank for this.  She has done an amazing job in training my palate and to recognize good flavors and to really appreciate food.

     One of the reasons I started this blog was of course to right about places I've eaten and food I have made.  Well, Friday night gave me a reason to write.  On that night we went out to eat at Revel.  The brain child of Seattle celebrity chefs Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi (they were on Iron Chef America.)  It is their take on Korean street food served in a fun and lively setting.  I really enjoyed the open kitchen stetting where we could actually watch Seif and the staff do their thang.  Rachel must have been working some where else.(They do have several joints around town.) 

    I ordered the Shrimp noodle bowl with gulf white shrimp, cilantro pistou, and coriander noodles.  All I can say is OMG!  My mouth exploded with flavor from the cilantro in the sauce to the incredibly sweet tomatoes that were served with it.  As strong as the flavors were, they were still very balanced and no one part of the dish over powered the other.  It was also beautiful to look at.  The presentations was so colorful and lively I wanted to take a picture.  Oh wait.. I did.

    
     I mean, how pretty is that. 

     Kieko ordered a rice bowl with beef short rib, sambal daikon, mustard greens with a raw egg placed in the middle to create a very rich hearty meal.  Daikon, by the way, is a type of radish which was then treated very much like kimchee, so it had that spicy, sour, type of flavor.  The beef was cooked perfectly and was very tender.  It was much different flavor from mine but was equal in the pleasure it provided.  This to had a wonderful aesthetic.

     I mean the FLAVORS!!! Out of this world.

     The service was great and because of the the way the dining and kitchen are combined we actually were able to talk with Chef Seif.  He asked "How was everything Sir?"  I just remember thinking, "You're the celebrity chef, I should be calling you sir!"  He was completely unpretentious.  I loved that.

     Revel is also a great value.  Our food came to about $37 which is a pretty good deal for a dining experience this good.  When you get a chance to go, do it.  Your taste buds will forever thank you.

     Now to plan a time to go back so I can try their dumplings.