First RBCA Beach Eats was wildly popular

By Tom Petersen, Richmond Beach Community Association Board Member
Photos by Wayne Pridemore

The Richmond Beach Community Association's Beach Eats, a walking tour sampling six of the neighborhood’s restaurants, went beautifully on a blustery night in mid November. All 40 attendees in the sold out affair agreed that another, similar event should take place soon.

The epicurean tourists were divided into five groups of eight, each with a guide. The idea was for neighbors to get to know each other over some good food, have a good walk and find out about local dining. At each stop, the owner or manager of the restaurant greeted the guests, described the meal and told a little something about the venue’s history in the community.

In between stops, tour guides Carol Frieberg, Christie Quigley, Connie Thayer, Jerry Patterson and Tom Petersen sprinkled the conversation with fun facts about Richmond Beach that Tom had collected. All participants also carried full color brochures, designed by Susan Will, that described each stop on the tour.

Hill's Restaurant and Bar

Hill’s Restaurant and Bar
1843 NW 195th Street
206-542-6353
Hill’s Restaurant, for several years the neighborhood’s upscale hot spot, served a mini version of their very popular Mixed Grill, with a mustard- glazed skewer holding a slice of Andouille sausage, a bite of chicken and a shrimp on a bed of mashed potatoes, garnished with green beans and sweet potato. Many thanks go to manager Toni Crawford.

Streetzeria

Streetzeria
1857 NW 195th Street
206-755-5433
Streetzeria, the newest restaurant in Richmond Beach, served a sensational slice of stromboli from its catering menu beside a creative fall salad of arugula, persimmon, pomegranate and Asian pear. Diners thought the presentation was as terrific as the taste, with many compliments going to owner and chief chef Greg Bye.

Best Teriyaki

Best Teriyaki
1437 NW Richmond Beach Road
206-546-5777
Best Teriyaki, owned by JK Choi, offered a bowl of traditional Korean bulgogi beef that made a lot of new fans. The tangy marinade and sautéed onion side had that little extra something that had the tourists reaching for the menus and plotting a swift return.

Flying Dragon Chinese Cuisine

Flying Dragon Chinese Cuisine
1437 NW Richmond Beach Road
206-533-8888
Flying Dragon presented an elegant crab rangoon, a lotus-shaped stuffed wonton with sweet and sour dipping sauce that was a stimulating combination of the new and the traditional, along with a flavorful chicken pot sticker. Owner Ming Choi and staff were gracious hosts, and diners here and at all the restaurants enjoyed hearing about the ingredients and preparation.

Full Moon Thai Cuisine

Full Moon Thai Cuisine
1441 NW Richmond Beach Road
206-542-5777
Full Moon Thai welcomed its guests with fresh spring rolls, a hearty helping of pad Thai and a skewer of chicken satay in peanut sauce -- comfort food for a dark and stormy night. Bram Santoso’s spot at the corner of 15th and Richmond Beach Road is a landmark that most had visited before, but everyone enjoyed again.

All 40 diners were happily full by the end of the tour, but not so full as to turn down dessert!

Gino's Pizza and Pasta

Gino’s Pizza and Pasta
1430 NW Richmond Beach Road
206-546-5000
Gino’s Restaurant had a fabulous Argentinian lemon meringue for everyone at the end-of-tour party, personally delivered by owner Harley O’Neil. People from the various groups excitedly compared their experiences, meeting up with friends and planning where they’d like to get together next.

RBCA's Beach Eats sold out quickly, so there is much enthusiasm for staging another, similar event.