“Local” resident cheese monger Strom Peterson is a candidate for change in our community — an Edmonds small-business owner, a City Councilmember, and now the newly-elected 21st District Representative to the State Legislature.

Nine years ago, Peterson opened Olives as a specialty food shop with a deli in back. Specialty cheeses played an important role. Gourmet condiments and a great selection of lunch items offered daily.

Olives morphed into a restaurant and wine bar. Strom moved around the corner to open the Resident Cheese Monger. The shop supplied Edmonds foodies with cheese from all over the world, with a focus on the Pacific Northwest. Condiments, cutlery and culinary delights encouraged frequent visits to stock their pantries and sample the latest additions in the cold case.

The Cheesemonger’s Table opened mid-2012. Strom came full circle. At Milltown Plaza, lucky patrons of Edmonds purchase meals and foods in one location. Embellishments — like a pint of local brew or a glass of fine wine — make the destination more attractive. Customers may dine at their leisure or sample and purchase from the plentiful selections for enjoyment at home.

My biggest challenge: which of the mouthwatering melted Panini to choose? Staff is always willing to split two selections. My favorite is the Gruyere and Caramelized Onions, for me the closest to French onion soup I can get without needing a soup spoon. I have been treated to “off menu” Panini of goat or sheep’s milk cheeses, creamy bliss! Too full for dessert or gigantic freshly baked cookies? Take home for later!

More news: The Hook in Perrinville is finally open and worth the wait. Located at 76th Avenue West and Olympic View Drive, they open daily for lunch and dinner, 11 a.m.  to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday til 11 p.m. Wonderful selections of seafood, supporting cast of flat bread, and salads robust enough to be entrees. Seafood items on the Hook Platter and in the NW Cioppino were perfect. Happy Hour portions are large and priced to keep one coming back, available every day from 3-6 p.m. and after 9 p.m. My personal favorite — baked feta — is soft, tangy and paired with plenty of pita.

Details count and using fresh basil in the house vinaigrette was a hit at our table. Flat bread crusts baked just crispy tender on the stone ovens are sure to please. Bread is much improved from opening week. Trials to get it right resulted in garlicky herb focaccia, perfect to sop up every last bit of the broth in the steamers of clams or mussels.

On to holiday plans that involve food… Thanksgiving is an occasion for family to gather and dine leisurely, visiting over a second piece of pumpkin pie. But when preparation becomes a gargantuan task or conversely the group gatherings grow small, what to do? Local grocers like PCC offer turkey dinners for four or more, but there are still dishes to wash, etc.

Where can Edmonds residents dine out, on the last Thursday in November?

Arnie’s Restaurant, 300 Admiral Way, open from 12:30-8:30 p.m. with a four-course dinner. 425-771-5688.
Claire’s Restaurant 301 Main, open from 6 a.m.-8 pm, has turkey dinner on menu. 425-776-2333.
Scott’s Bar and Grill, 8115 Lake Ballinger Way, 425-775-2561. Open on Thanksgiving from noon-8 p.m. Offers a traditional turkey dinner featuring slow-roasted free-range turkey with all the fixings.

– By Kathy Passage

A specialty gourmet food broker for over 30 years, Kathy Passage has in-depth knowledge on food and the special qualities of ingredients used in the exquisite products she helped bring to market. Kathy brings this unique perspective from the “other side of the plate” to writing about the food and restaurant scene in Edmonds.