My husband and I stole our way to a new restaurant when our kids went camping with their grandparents. Purple had just opened in Seattle, already garnering a land-able reputation at their other restaurants in nearby Kirkland and Woodinville. At the downtown Seattle venue there is a choice between formal dining or a tasting bar, the latter of which you can enjoy on the fly---no reservation required.

My husband and I ventured down 2 routes, him picking the multi-course meal and myself the tapas selection. Here is what I would suggest: hit the tapas as a shared appetizer prior to a meal (you have to order a minimum of 3, but they are smallish and inexpensive). The tapas are high-end snacking, enough to whet your appetite or just string it along of you aren't terribly hungry; they are an ideal compliment to a flight of wines. The dinner round was a 3 part substantial display of food, including a salad/appetizer, entree (try the halibut!) and dessert. Though not taken to gastronomic heaven via the tapas, I was still feeling my zen because I added a Purple Tapa (literally) to my kitchen repertoire: Figgy Toasts.

This succulent though painfully easy-to-make appetizer consists of ham, jam and cheese:

Figgy Toasts Baguette Prosciutto or ham Fig spread or fig jam Manchego, Fontina or Asiago cheese Olive oil

Sure to impress your guests, serve this on the front end of a pasta or Italian inspired dinner or as a center-stage, substantial hors d'oeuvres for your next cocktail party.

Slice baguette, brush one side with olive oil and broil for 1 minute. Flip toasts, spread on fig jam (the one I bought was thick so I mixed in equal parts olive oil to fig jam and then spread on toast), a slice of prosciutto or thin ham and a slice of cheese. Broil another 1-2 minutes and serve. Warning: it might be hard to save your appetite for dinner...