Skip "The Butcher" Christianson, who has won the hearts of many women at Bert's Red Apple in Madison Park with those specialty cuts of beef, tied the knot with longtime girlfriend Karlene Robinson in August.
Fellow employees were placing bets the day of the wedding on how long it would take for Skip to pass out from nerves; however, he rose to the occasion and never missed a beat. What does everyone's favorite butcher serve at his wedding? Flank-steak sandwiches, of course!
Pious
The car to drive for the very hip, forward-thinking and ecologically minded is the new 2006 Prius, which combines a gas engine and an emissions-free electric motor to achieve amazing fuel economy.
Area residents who have traded their Mercedes Benz for the new Prius might be considered saints to those who are actively trying to help the environment.
One in particular is Saint Paul Hayes, whose frequent trips to his second home in Carmel not only save him a bundle, but fits right in with the Hollywood environmentalists who are seen driving the pious Prius.
Outstanding Sostanza
The finicky travel writer at the Wall Street Journal, Laura Landro, wrote a glowing but predictable feature on Seattle for the Aug. 19 issue. The usual suspects were called out as must-sees: Wild Ginger, Canlis, Campagne, even Dicks Drive-In.
However, for central and northern Italian, she cites Sostanza Trattoria's (1927 43rd Ave. E.) outdoor deck, overlooking Lake Washington, in her top five.
Locals have known for years about this secret; now, it's probably a good idea to start making reservations and get chummy with Lorenzo.
Oprah wears Bassetti
For those with a keen eye for local fashion and a subscription to Oprah Magazine, in the August issue of Oprah, you will see that recognizable collar made famous by local Madison Park resident Renee Bassetti.
While the orange-and-white striped shirt wasn't called out, Renee's daughter Sarah says that Oprah's stylist ordered a number of them in different colors, all in size 10.
Watch to see if she wears them on any upcoming episodes, and get your order in before they become one of her "favorite" things. Renee's shop is located at top of the Olympic Hotel.
Cacti
It all started in Madison Park more than 15 years ago, in a location that was once "Eggs Cetera." Cactus Restaurant can now be called a "chain of cacti" with its third location open along Alki Beach (the second is in Kirkland). As Cactus continues to bloom, it should leave room for more locals to grab a seat and not have to stand in line.
Owners Mark and Brett Chatalas have found gold wrapped in those fajitas and will probably pan for more.
French connection
Quaint Saint-Germain opened just down the street from the popular Voila! French Bistro in Madison Valley at 2811A E. Madison St. It brings a limited menu of salads, soups and desserts, and it offers beer and wine.
The owners are hopeful to capture a late-night crowd headed home from arts performances downtown.
Dog days
Who can't resist a puppy in the park?
When asked what the little, black-and-white pup breed was, the owner cheekily replied, "French bulldog crossed with shih-tzu, but we call him 'French bull--.'"
Sold!
Remember the sweet, shingled house at 1403 McGilvra Blvd. E., at East Lee Street, that was torn down and then replaced with what some described as a "square peg in a round hole"? After spending 138 days on the market (asking price $4.87 million), it sold for $4.4 million to a family from California.
Dolly West, an East-Central Seattle resident, can be reached at mptimes@ nwlink.com.[[In-content Ad]]
