Local Liquor: Always Appreciated

If you need to buy someone a present, nothing is more widely appreciated than a bottle of booze. And if you are going to give booze, get it from the source: House Spirits, one of my favorite local producers.

House Spirits makes Aviation gin as well as a handful of other small-batch artisan spirits. They just released a subtle and complex ouzo as part of their new Apothecary line, with other delights to follow, including a rum. If the unfinished rum I tasted at their workshop recently is any indication, this is going to be a really delicious product. My New Year's resolution is to drink more daiquiris. Anyway, here is the info:

The House Spirits Apothecary will be open this Saturday (tomorrow!), December 20th, from 11AM - 5PM for shopping and tasting, and every Saturday starting January 3rd, 2009:

HOUSE SPIRITS DISTILLERY & APOTHECARY
2025 SE 7th ave, Portland
Open from 11am-4pm
with tours at 12pm and 4pm
Tours limited to 20 ppl per tour
Please contact to hold a spot
tours@housespirits.com
503-235-3174

La Boucherie

The day after Thanksgiving André's mom took us to la Boucherie, Sea Breeze Farm's new restaurant on Vashon. It was all anybody talked about for the rest of the weekend. Simply prepared meats so fresh they were practically still breathing, seasonal produce, and amazing wine also produced by the farm were presented in a tasting menu that included everything from "lamb scallops" to the best sirloin I have eaten in my life. If you live in or travel to the Seattle area you've got to check this place out.