Fork Dork: Chin Means Business at Bis on Main

in Old Bellevue has hired restaurant industry veteran Shing Chin as its new manager. Chin replaces Tim Shea, who will be opening the Bay Café on Lopez Island.

Chin has held management positions at the original Wild Ginger on Western Avenue in downtown Seattle, at in Bellevue, El Gaucho, Fullers at the Seattle Sheraton, the Salish Lodge, Waterfront Seafood Grill on Seattle’s waterfront, the Market Street Grill in Ballard and Toulouse Petit in Lower Queen Anne.

Chin owned Ovio Bistro and O2 in West Seattle, where he was also the general manager.

“His restaurant where I ate several times was awesome,” said Bis on Main owner and general manager Joe Villardi. “Knowing that he had that restaurant that is very similar in style to what we do was a factor. Restaurants like that don’t just happen.

“He’s very professional, qualified, even-handed and calm. He has that nice floor presence.”

Giordan is the heir apparent at bin on the lake

Dylan Giordan was hired as the new chef de cuisine at at the in Kirkland. Giordan replaces Paul Hyman, who left to become the head chef at Marjorie on Capitol Hill.

“Chef Dylan is a mastermind at creating delicious fare from our region’s local ingredients and we look forward to the fresh inspiration he will bring to the bin on the lake menu,” said John Murphy, general manager of the Woodmark Hotel. “Additionally, with his extensive travels through Italy and Spain, exploring the cuisine and viticulture of each region, he will be a great asset to the restaurant’s robust culinary and wine program.”

Giordan was the executive chef at Serafina Enoteca and Osteria, and Cicchetti Kitchen and Bar. He was also the sauté line cook at Flying Fish, working under James Beard award-winning chef Chris Keff.

Anger turns to savings at Monsoon East

British statesman Sir Francis Bacon said, “Anger makes dull men witty, but it keeps them poor.” Dull Vietnamese food is making chef and owner Eric Banh angry, motivating him to create a traditional Vietnamese seven-course Wagyu beef dinner that might make him a profit.

“I am tired of so much Vietnamese food being dumbed down,” Banh said of the food from his native Vietnam sold around the Puget Sound. “It makes me angry thinking about it.”

Banh will be offering a seven-course Wagyu Beef dinner for two for $45 on Tuesdays at Monsoon Capitol Hill and Wednesdays at Monsoon East in Old Bellevue starting this month.

Dishes, made with Kobe-style beef from Snake River Farms, include carpaccio salad, steamed ground beef with tapioca noodles and wood ear mushrooms and ground beef congee.

The bargain multi-course dinner is sold at low margins so it may not make Banh poor, but it won’t make him rich, either.

“I’ll probably make very little profit,” Banh said. “This is about proving a point. Very few people know about Vietnamese cuisine. I am on a mission to make certain parts of Vietnamese cuisine famous.

“You cannot eat a better seven-course beef dinner anywhere other than Monsoon.”

Sunday Supper Savings at Purple Café

in Kirkland kicked off special Sunday Suppers at the beginning of the year. For $30 guests can dine on a themed three-course dinner. Wine pairings are $20. January’s theme is Italy.

Proceeds from Sunday Suppers will benefit a local nonprofit. January’s beneficiary is Bailey-Boushay House, a Seattle nonprofit serving patients living with HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases.

A separate wine flight will also be available all month long. This month’s flight includes 10 Monte Tondo Soave, 10 La Fiera Pinto Grigio Veneto, 07 Borgo Scopeto Chianti and 09 Produtorri del Barbaresco Nebbiolo Langhe for $25.

For reservations, call 425-828-3772. For more information on Bailey-Boushay House click here.