Zagula spells trouble

What a lovely port and pretty reasonable too. Here's what one reviewer said:

"a mellow style of wine. There's lifted, honeyed, nutty aromas that follow through with nuts, honey and candied peel in the palate. It's an elegant style with lovely muscat and raisin characters on a dry (as dry as a Port can be) balanced finish."

I concur. For more on all kinds of Ports click here for that nice review.

Posted by johnza at 12:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

My favorite Szechuan restaurant in Seattle. It’s a very unassuming place on the second floor of an Asian strip mall/office building. But boy is it good and are the staff - who all seem like Asian versions of my aunts.

It’s on 1207 S Jackson Street, Upstairs in Seattle
206.568.6446

Here are some of the menu highlights:

• Green onion pancake – what a sauce
• Sliced beef Omasa in hot oil
• The Fish in Hot Black Bean Sauce – wow, wow
• The hot and sour soup is among the best I’ve ever had
• The hand shaven Dan Dan noodles are awesome, so is the Chow Mein
• Do not miss the Chong Gin chicken – it is like spicey fried chicken like you’ve never seen before
• Also the chicken in hot ginger sauce (I have yet to try the crab but it looks terrific)
• The Broccoli Beef in Hot Garlic sauce is not to be missed
• Try the Ma Po tofu
• As vegetables the garlic watercress and the eggplant as well

And I am not the only blogger who loves the place - check here and here.

Posted by johnza at 11:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Several years ago I bought a small portrait by a relatively unknown artist, tucked away in a small combination cafe, wine store and gallery.

His name is Wayne Jiang and he has great stuff. See his site for a wide range of work. His portraits are warm, rich and insightful. His sketchbooks are terrific - eclectic, playful, strong. Aside from that he is also a graphic designer and ukulele player.

He currently shows at Solomon Dubnick Gallery in the Sacramento area.

Posted by johnza at 02:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Just saw this marvelous painter at a very nice, relatively new gallery in Seattle, Pacini Lubel.

Brent Holland is an instructor at the Seattle Academy of Fine Art. His work is luminous, intense, emotional and beautiful. Keep an eye out for more from him.

Posted by johnza at 10:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Just saw Mandy Patinkin at a benefit for the Seattle Children's theater. What a fun night. He was totally over the top in a broadway "jazzsinger" kind of way. But boy, was it fun. Especially singing the Hoakee Poakee, Take Me Out to the Ballgame, God Bless America and others in bold, boisterous yiddish.

Have to say I loved the guy in as Inigo Montoya "The Princess Bride."

Posted by johnza at 09:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Was on the subway in New York when a young, cool, punky, Asian bike messenger entered wearing this T-Shirt.

It's from Mazeltough.

It says "So Few in Number but Such Great Accomplishments..." on the back. Just ordered mine.

Posted by johnza at 12:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)