A hearty congratulations are in order to Artusi’s  beverage team, Adam Fortuna, Shattuck  Wildaner, and Tara McLaughlin.  All three recently passed the Level 1 Introductory Master Sommelier Course and Exam offered by the Master Court of Sommeliers, which is the first of four required steps to become a Master Sommelier. The program is given over a two day period with candidates receiving intensive review, instruction and training by a team of Master Sommeliers on wines and spirits knowledge, proper wine service, and blind tasting. The intent of this course is to provide wine and hospitality professionals with an extensive review of wines and spirits at the highest professional standards.

Recently, Adam was named Seattle’s Bartender of the Year on the Eater Awards, where local editors in 27 cities across the country nominated candidates for Bartender of the Year. Adam and Shattuck were both highlighted in the December issue of Seattle magazine offering advise on their favorite destinations to enjoy an adult beverage.

Tara, whom you may have read about in last month’s eflyer, has been the general manager of Rob Roy (formerly the Viceroy), spent two years at the renowned Zig Zag Café, and at the Royal Room in historic Columbia City.

With any one of these three pros behind the bar, Artusi is the perfect stop on Capitol Hill if you are looking for innovative, Italian-inspired cocktails or a great glass of wine.

If you’re looking for a warm companion on a chilly fall night, swing by Artusi and try Jason and Adam’s newest cocktails.  In addition to the drinks that you know and love, there are six great new versions to try.  Check out these teasers and view the full cocktail menu here.  Let us know which is your favorite!

Sashay Away: $11
Gin, Aperol, Honey Syrup

Sour McLaughlin: $12
Reposado Tequila, Pear Brandy, Egg White, Lemon, Sugar

This Woman’s Work: $12
Strega, Mirabelle Plum Liqeuer, Lemon, Sugar

Photo Mark Harrison/The Seattle Times

When the mercury in Seattle hits over 80 degrees, there’s nothing quite like a frosty, boozy cocktail to sip on.  Recently, Tan Vinh, Seattle Times Happy Hour reporter, made a stop at several bars around town in search of the best frozen drinks and reported on his findings that included a spiked version of an Orange Julius at Bait Shop on Capitol Hill, to the Swizzle at Tom Douglas’ new restaurant, TanakaSan.  Tan made his way to Artusi and ordered our latest slushy, a version of a Hurricane called “Water Off a Duck’s Back”, made with rum, passion fruit, lime and a bit of saffron herbal liqueur, saying that Artusi “makes some of the most sophisticated and balanced frozen drinks” and dubbed ours as the “best slushy cocktail in Seattle.”

Have a read of Tan’s story and stop in soon for a slushy at Artusi.

The weather is supposed to be beautiful and we’re ready to share Pride with you this weekend.  Check out our special slushy in tribute to Seattle’s own Jinkx Monsoon, winner of Season 5 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.  This delicious drink is called “Water Off a Duck’s Back” – Jamaican rum, passion fruit, Strega, lime and long pepper.  It will be cold, very tasty and available for $11 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

And, Seattle artist Joey Veltcamp has designed an Artusi Pride t-shirt that you can purchase right here. It’s $20 and $8 from each sold will benefit the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).

Can’t wait to see you at Artusi!

It’s that amazing time of year when we celebrate all the beautiful products that come from our region and with the season in full glory,  fantastic new dishes have been added to the Artusi menu that you should definitely try:

Strascinati with lamb neck ragú, artichokes & mint (14/22).

King salmon “in umido” with anchovy, green garlic & fava beans (30).

And for something sweet, dig your spoon into a Yogurt panna cotta with Lambrusco poached rhubarb & roasted strawberries (7)  or a Sorbetto of the day (price varies).

Our flag will be displayed in the window and we’ll be ready to celebrate, so join in on the fun at Artusi over Pride weekend, June 28-30.  Come on by to try our special “Monsoon” slushy and purchase a really great t-shirt, specially designed for Artusi by noted Seattle visual artist, Joey Veltcamp.

This weekend, raise a glass with us in celebration of Artusi’s second birthday! From Friday, June 7 through Sunday, June 9, swing by Artusi to join in on the festivities.

Each night, Jason Stratton and Chef Sasha Rosenfeld will be serving up a special 6-course anniversary dinner for just $65 per person (+tax and gratuity), with an optional accompanying wine pairing for $35 per person. On the menu, enjoy the following tasty items:

Dungeness crab, salsa apicius & local radishes

Black rice porridge, braised pancetta, poached Shigoku oyster & spring onion

Strascinati pasta, morel ragu & fava beans

Braised duck, English peas & grated turnip

Aged pecorino, caramelized honey and scotch sauce, duck fat cracker

Yogurt panna cotta, rhubarb poached in Lambrusco

In addition to the anniversary dinner, we will also be holding a gift card contest! Each guest who purchases a cocktail throughout anniversary weekend will receive a “golden coaster,” three of which will have a special symbol redeemable for gift cards! On Friday (June 7) and Saturday (June 8), a $100 gift card will be awarded each night, and on Sunday (June 9), a lucky $250 gift card will be out for the taking!

Swing by and celebrate with us! Make a dinner reservation online or call 206-678-2516.

Not long ago, Artusi’s outdoor patio and slushy machine officially opened for guests to enjoy drinks and morsels in the warm summer weather.  Artusi’s bar manager, Adam Fortuna, has crafted the first adult slushy and punch cocktails of the season. The Pink Hook slushy consists of rye whiskey, Punt e Mes, maraschino, and fresh grapefruit juice and costs $10.  It’s icy delicious!

On the punch front is Bambi’s Red-Eye Punch, consisting of Breckenridge bourbon, Smith & Cross Jamaican rum, Rooibos red tea, citrus-sage syrup, fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, luxardo maraschino, and fresh sage. This tasty punch recently prevailed over six other bartenders’ cocktails to win the Punch Kings Competition at the Cochon 555 event in Seattle in March and will be a contender in the final round of the national competition in Denver on June 1st and 2nd. Adam will be competing against the winners of the other U.S. cities at the Cochon 555 Punch Kings finals in Denver on June 1st and 2nd.  Stop by Artusi and try Adam’s winning  punch on the current cocktail menu for $9.

Artusi is open seven days of the of the week starting at 5pm. Reservations can be made online or by calling 206.678.2516.

Just in time for the appearance of summer and warm weather, Artusi is excited to announce the beginning of outdoor seating on Pine Street! The opening of the enclosed outdoor seating section will be on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, weather permitting. We will be able to seat up to 20 guests in the outdoor area, where Artusi’s tasty Italian dishes and cocktails can be enjoyed outside.  In addition to the new cocktail and spring dining menu that will be revealed that week, Artusi will fire up their slushy machine that became a huge hit following its inaugural launch last year.  Offering a daily, blended and crushed iced beverage ideal for enjoying outside, Artusi’s season opener will be the Pink Hook: rye whiskey, Punt e Mes, maraschino, and fresh grapefruit juice available for $10.

Swing by Artusi any day of the week starting at 5pm to enjoy cocktails and tasty treats! Reservations can be made online or by calling 206.678.2516.

What better way to celebrate spring than a yummy meal that satisfies your tastebuds AND benefits the earth! From April 17-26, Earth Dinner, an annual series of events sponsored by Chefs Collaborative and Organic Valley, will be happening in promotion of sustainable and organic foods and restaurants. Over 95 restaurants from across the country will be participating by offering a special selection of menus, tastes and dishes to their guests that will collect donations for Chefs Collaborative.  On our parts, Spinasse and Artusi will be highlighting local farms and farmers and contributing proceeds from dishes and special menus with two very special dinner events:

Artusi- Ode to Spring- Italian Wine Dinner
Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20, 2013
$60 per person (+ tax and gratuity) $ 32 per person wine pairings

Artusi will create a special, weekend menu with paired wines with proceeds benefiting Chef’s Collaborative.

Menu:
Roasted carrot, frico, & wood sorrel
Spumante – Cantine Ceci NV “Tre de Terre Verdiane”

Nettle passato with hard cooked egg & soft herbs
Vernaccia di San Gimignano – La Rote ’09

Spaghetti with rhubarb marinara & castelvetrano olives
Chianti Colli Senasi – Pacina ’07

Halibut “in umido” with asparagus, spring onions & leeks
Vermentino – Cantina Santa Maria ’11

Wood sorrel gelato, rhubarb & aperol gel & cocoa wafer crumbs
Vin Santo – San Felice ’05

Make a reservation here or call: 206.678.2516. To find out more about Spinasse’s menu, head over to their website.