How to cook a great steak

NOTE: This only applies to “baseball-cut” steaks (aka really thick, hard to get the center cooked)

[My steaks are usually 14-16 oz filets so cut down the time for smaller steaks as needed]

1. 2-3 hours before you’re ready to start cooking, take the steaks out and season them generously (I use Siesel’s Meats San Diego seasoning: 4 types of
salt plus other stuff)

2. Pre-heat an oven to 425-500 and put a Pyrex dish in

3. Get a pan red hot (many use cast iron, I just use a regular one) for searing

4. Put a big pat of butter on top of each steak and throw into the pan

5. Sear for 2-3 mins each side (or as much char as you want) – I like the char so I actually roll mine around on all sides to get color/char all over
and soak up butter

6. Once you’re done searing, just use tongs to move them to the oven and bake them for 6-7-8 mins each side (depending on the size, and desired
temperature – aka “doneness”). I don’t know if you have to flip them, in the middle, but I do because I’m retarded like that (symetrical and all).

7. You can tell when they’re done by meat thermometer or by pressing on the top of them (takes practice)

8. You want to pull them slightly under your desired temperature, and then let them rest (under a tent to keep them warm if so desired)

Once you do this a couple of times, it becomes second nature. For as simple as this is though, you’ll find that all kinds of things can change the
result: oven temp fluctuation (especially if not gas), meat quality, the way the meat was cut (is it enlongated or more spheroid) missed cooking time,
etc. Always an adventure cooking meat..

Pho Fuchsia in Pioneer Square

I’ve been on quite the “office shopping” trip lately, first trying out Office Nomads for a couple of months (details here), and now here at SURF Incubator. Part of the excitement of a new place is trying out all the nearby restaurants. There are quite a few options so far, but I’ve struggled to find a good pho/banh-mi joint close by (I need to explore the International District much more).

But I think I’ve found a very good stand-in for my pho cravings, Pho Fuchsia. I was pleasantly surprised at a solid chicken banh mi – not as good as Pho Mimi on Aurora, but better than anything else I’ve tried down here. And the pho tai (rare beef) was delicious. Broth was dark and flavored well. Beef was good quality and accoutrements were acceptable.

Service was solid, although the server did warn me that it gets massively busy during the lunch rush (I’m not surprised).

At any rate, this will probably become a once or twice a week spot for me – I definitely recommend it.

Jersey’s Sports Bar in Shoreline

Jersey's Short Rib SandwichThere are no good sports bars in North Seattle. Hell, there aren’t even any really good sports bars in Seattle, at least compared to San Diego, although there are some kick-ass soccer bars (San Diego has those too though).

But one bar that I really wish more people went to is Jersey’s Great Food & Sports at 1306 N 175th St in Shoreline. It’s a funky little place tucked away off Aurora on 175th, but man they’ve got some really good food!

This is a picture of their Short Rib sandwich with coleslaw on top – I’m telling you it’s frickin’ awesome! Love the cibbatta bun especially, and the fries are addicting. This ain’t no Sysco food wagon.

And they’ve got a Chipotle burger that’s just unbelievable. Good food, cheap drinks and beer.. not sure why more people don’t come here? Especially during football season. Especially in the North End where there ain’t shit-all to hang out (what, Bleachers? Please.)

If you read their Yelp reviews, you’ll see everyone typically loves the food, but dislikes the service, at least in the restaurant – wouldn’t know, I always sit at the bar, or on the bar, or near the bar, just to make sure I get good service.. you know, the hard-to-ignore jerk?

I do think they’re kind of floundering a little bit – are they a family restaurant? a sports bar? a disco/nightclub thing in the evening? Sheesh.

But in the end, the food is damn good, and if you need a place to eat and watch a sporting event, then you should keep Jersey’s in mind!

Rain City Burgers

I have to give a quick shout out to Rain City Burgers on the corner of 65th and Roosevelt. I stopped in there recently and had an unbelievable bacon double cheeseburger (my Yelp review). Highly recommended!