Sure surf and turf is always a crowd pleaser....at a recent media dinner the cuisine team at Salish Lodge kicked it up a notch with American Kobe Ribeye Steak with a butter-braised lobster tail on fry bread with a green and yellow bean salad. But the pairing I refer to is the wine selections. With this course it was Betz Family "Be Soleil" Rhone-Style Red, Columbia Valley '06.

The other noted pairing with the Salt Cured Foie Gras Torchon with gooseberries, golden raspberries and a lavender marshmallow....long Shadows, "Poets Leap" Riesling, Columbia Valley '06.

Both knock-out in my book....and the view wasn't bad either. A firy sun setting over the Olympics as the falls crashed.

Another great pairing was my dining partner, Lenny Zilz, general manager. Coming up through the Ritz Carlton system and now with Columbia Hospitality, managers of Salish, he is just the guy to lead the upcoming room renovation and spur the restaurant to greater things....just don't mess with that Hunt Breakfast, Lenny!