FROM THE BAR TOP

Mark Sexauer has been bartending at Chandler’s Crabhouse since September of 2008, and has brought great ideas for hand crafted cocktails similar to what a talented Chef would bring to an inspiring plate.

Mark has been an active member of the local Seattle Bartenders Guild since 2006, and been driven by the inspiration of the many local bartending talents here in Seattle. Murray from Zig Zag, Jeffrey Morgenthaler of the Clyde Common in Portland, and a myriad of other local talents.

For the Fall season Mark has brought to the bar top some amazing hand crafted cocktail.

A great example of one of the cocktails mark is mixing up here at Chandler’s Crabhouse is:

East of Eden
½ oz. St. Germaine Elderflower liqueur
1 ½ oz. Beefeaters Gin
½ oz. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
½ oz. simple syrup

Put all ingredients in a martini shaker half full of ice, shake vigorously, and strain into a martini glass.

Follow more of Mark’s creative ideas on his blog at: http://marksexauer.wordpress.com/about/

Cheers from the bar top!!

JAZZ SINGER

Jessica Stenson has been singing her whole life. She's been a cocktail server at Daniel's Broiler Bellevue for two years now, and she just began singing in our lounge Sunday and Monday nights. Accompanied by her piano player, Darin Clendenin, she'll be singing from 7pm until 11pm both nights every week.

Jessica is a Northwest native, growing up in Marysville and currently living, as she put it, "in Fremont, the center of the universe."

Asked what kind of music she likes to sing, she said, "I love to sing heartache. I want to tell you a story and make you feel you've lived it or are living it with me at that very moment." Some of her favorite tunes are Guess Who I Saw Today, Loverman, Good Morning Heartache, and Where Do I Start.

"My biggest desire," she said, "is to 'make it' in music. I've always wanted to see my name in lights, in print — I want people to know me. The coolest part is that this has already happened and it's only the beginning!"

Starbucks recently asked her for a few tunes to put on their compilation disk to promote clean water research around the world. She's on her way. Come see this rising star sing her heart out at Daniel's Bellevue.

You can find out more about Jessica Stenson at jessicastenson.com.

RISING STARS OF WASHINGTON

At Daniel's Broiler Bellevue in the Vintage Lounge, we just changed all the wines on our state of the art Cruvinet system to exceptional local Washington wines. If you'd like to get a full taste of Washington wines, the Vintage Lounge is your perfect destination. At Daniel's Broiler Bellevue, we have decided to feature the Rising Stars of Washington, to showcase some of the Northwest's undiscovered rock stars in the Washington wine industry.

We are committed to being the hotspot for trying new Washington wines. So as of right now, the following are available at Daniel's Bellevue by the glass:

Olsen Estates – All estate grown fruit allows this Winemaker to have complete control of his fruit from bud break to harvest.

Merlot, Yakima Valley, 2007
Ripe red fruit, faintly spicy with refined tannin.

Petite Verdot, Yakima Valley, 2007
A staff favorite at the tasting. You first notice the inky color than the intensity hits you.

Syrah, Yakima Valley, 2007
A plush mouth feel, not an overly spicy or meaty Syrah. Fruit Driven.

Barrage Cellars - Winemaker, Kevin Correll is in his first vintage and showing tremendous potential. His total production is less than 500 cases and he just opened his doors in August. He is a Bordeaux driven house.

Merlot, “Trifecta”, Columbia Valley, 2007
A blend of 3 vineyards, all Merlot, and the biggest merlot in the line up.

Cabernet Franc, “Alias, HH Hills, 2005
A very oaked Cab Franc, complex, silky and floral.

Laurelhurst Cellars – In its second vintage, Greg Smallwood is producing 500 cases total.

Table Red, “Laurus Nobilis:”, Columbia Valley, 2006
A very quaffable red that isn’t to complex but very pleasant. Just rated 90 points.

Cabernet Franc, “Boushey Vinyd”, Yakima Valley, 2006
Violets and vanilla, Barnyard and very silky.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, 2006
Bright and Juicy, not the biggest Cab offered. Focus more on the sweet red fruit and medium tannin.

Syrah, “Boushey Vinyd”, Yakima Valley, 2006
Blueberries and spice, a little bit of tar and earth.

Woodinville Wine Cellars – Although WWC has been around for a number of vintages they are still a rising star due to the elegance and meticulous wine making of Sean Boyd.

Table Red, “Little Bear Creek”, Columbia Valley, 2006 A Bordeaux style blend that gets a huge fruit boost from using a fair amount of syrah. This is one of the best wines for the money on our list.

Malbec, “LMS”, Col. Val. 2006
Deep inky and rich. Meaty dark fruit that smells like homemade jam while it’s being made.

Syrah, Col. Val, 2006
A very elegant and refined NW Syrah. Not to much earth or meatyness. Very well balanced.

Table Red, “Indomitable”, CV, 2006
Sean is more proud of this wine than any other he has made. Only 195 cases made and selling out fast. Powerful and elegant.

Cabernet Sauv RSV, CV, 2006
Only 6 barrels made this wine is the flagship, One of Washington States best Cabs for the money.

Guardian Cellars – Jerry Reiner was an assistant to Mark McNeilly of Mark Ryan Winery for a number of years until Mark gave him the Gun Metal label that he worked on under his supervision. Jerry is a Seattle Police Officer by day and Winemaker by night.

Table Red, “Chalkline”, Col. Val. 2007
Fairly light bodied for a Washington blend. Easy drinking bright red fruit and leather.

Syrah, Wahluke Slope, 2006
A Northern Rhone style wine is blended with a little Viognier to add floral notes to the wine. Hints of Vanilla and cooking spice with brambly blackberry – think cobbler.

Table Red, “Gun Metal”, Conner Lee Vineyard”, Columbia Valley 2006, $17
Jerry’s finest attempt is lighter in style than it’s protégé. Still a well structured wine in is less earthy than in past.

Adam’s Bench Winery - We have wanted to bring Tim Blu’s wines on now for some time. He may be the biggest rising star on the Cruvinet. He focuses on only 2 wines and crafts them impeccably.

Table Red, “Reckoning”, CV, 2006
Tim makes all his barrels as best he can but in order to keep his reserve bottling at it’s prime he declassifies some barrels for Reckoning. It’s Still intense and balanced but without the finish of the reserve.

Cabernet Sauvignon, “Reserve V”, CV, 2006 - Elegant, supple and concentrated with all the standard characteristics of Cabernet, Cassis, Violets and smoke.

Darby Winery – Darby was established in 2005 and has quickly reached national acclaim. It may also have something to do with being friends of “The Grapekillers.”

Table Red, “Purple Haze”, Columbia Valley, WA, 2007 – A Bordeaux style blend that allows the Choas to be better. Still a good value.

Table Red, “Chaos”, Columbia Valley, 2007, – A more complex blend.