They have a really great list of favorite links, but curiously enough they have not included BellevueBusinessJournal.com or IamEastside.com …

Home to two of the region’s four Slayer espresso machines, the Italian-inspired specialty cafè will offer hand-crafted espresso, coffee and beans in Premium Blend and Single Origin varieties, as well as a full selection of gourmet teas and chai beverages.   Along with coffee and tea drinks, Vovito Caffè & Gelato will feature house-made gelato, sorbetto, a wide variety of paninis, salads and baked goods -– all made fresh daily.

The café will open at 6:30 am Monday through Friday (8:30 am on Saturdays and 10:00 am on Sundays) to satisfy coffee and breakfast cravings, including freshly prepared Panini breakfast sandwiches, pastries, fresh orange juice and gelato smoothies.

Vovito is a welcome addition to The Shops at The Bravern, which has been seeking a coffee purveyor.  “We’re extremely pleased to have Vovito Caffè & Gelato open at The Bravern,” said Mark Netherland, senior investment manager for project developer Schnitzer West, LLC.  “The quality of the product we can now offer visitors was worth the wait.”

Founded by Eastside entrepreneurs Ariff and Shairose Gulamani, Vovito Caffè & Gelato represents the third start-up venture for the couple.  It was a personal passion for unique artisan products that led the two to begin development of the Vovito concept a year ago.   Bellevue seemed the perfect location to launch their flagship store.

“We see Bellevue as the new hub,” says Ariff Gulamani. “It’s vibrant, it has the right demographics, and it has become the new center of activity for the region. We were very excited when we heard about The Bravern.  Its inviting, upscale environment is the perfect setting for our concept.”

Much like vintners and sommeliers, Vovito’s baristas will further refine the art of coffee, exploring the nuance of single origin sources right down to the farms or hillsides; to blending, brewing and extracting for various flavor profiles and themes.

“Vovito will offer the very best coffee for connoisseurs,” Ariff points out. “For us, this is an opportunity to build social connections around coffee while connecting people in the café with our sustainable business relationships with direct coffee farmer co-ops where we will source the world’s best coffee beans.”

After much recipe research, consultation with Italian Master gelato chefs and menu development, Vovito Caffè & Gelato will offer flavor-rich gelato and sorbetto made fresh daily. The café will open with 24 flavors of colorful gelato and sorbetto, as well as delicious gelato cakes. The gelato offering, says Shairose Gulamani, will accommodate customer preferences with new gelato flavors featured every month.  And there is a focus on fresh, healthy ingredients:  “Most people don’t realize that gelato has fewer calories and less sugar A006Ed fat than ice cream,” she explained. “It’s a great way to treat yourself.”

Vovito Caffè & Gelato will occupy 2,444 square feet in The Shops at The Bravern and seat approximately 35 inside the shop. Vovito Caffè & Gelato plans to open its doors July 25 with grand opening festivities set for July 30. Reflecting the Italian origins and artisanship of its signature products, Vovito Caffè & Gelato will feature Italianate design throughout, from the custom-made, curved gelato cases to the stone counters and stairs to the warm colors enveloping the interior design of the space. Comfortable and contemporary bar stools and ledges line the walls, with table seating provided for small or large groups as well as lounge chairs for a relaxed alternative. The café will offer free WiFi service and will be family friendly and wheelchair accessible.

As John Howie Steak nears the restaurant’s first birthday, chef/owner John Howie has decided to get the party going early by gifting guests with $131,550 in gift certificates.  Every party dining at the award winning steakhouse during the months of July and August will receive a sealed envelope.  Like Pandora’s Box, they MUST resist the temptation to open it!  When returning to dine during the months of July and August, upon the finish of their dinner and receipt of the bill, the still sealed envelope should be presented to their wait-staff.  At that time, the server will unseal the envelope and disclose the amount of the gift certificate inside, applying it to the bill.  Amounts issued range from $20 to six special certificates with $500 in value.

The envelopes must still be sealed when presented for redemption or they are considered invalid.  The gift certificates are good only for dinner (not lunch) dining during the months of June and July and may not be combined with any other promotion or used during Happy Hour.

John Howie Steak opened in September of 2009 and is located at The Shops at The Bravern, 1111 NE 8^th Street, Suite 125, Bellevue.  The restaurant was most recently honored with the 2010 Haute Picks award for “Best Steakhouse”, and “Best Steak House in Seattle” by the readers of Seattle Magazine (Best Restaurants Issue April 2010).   For reservations or information call (425) 440-0880.

CROSSROADS BAR & GRILL
APRIL 17, 2010
$10 ALL YOU CAN EAT!

ALL proceeds will be donated to EHC!!!

6-9pm, Crossroads Bellevue

Crossroads Bellevue:  NE 8th & 156th Ave. NE in Bellevue • 425-644-1111

www.crossroadsbellevue.com; www.neighborhoodgrills.com

The new Crossroads Bar & Grill opens its doors for business on Monday, April 19.

WE get a sneak preview APRIL 17!

Please come to this special benefit dinner and bring your friends.

Good Food!  Good Friends!  Good Music!

$10 – Pay at the door – Benefit Dinner for EHC at Crossroads Bar & Grill!

Thank you Crossroads Bar & Grill for this fundraising opportunity!

~ EHC & Crossroads Bellevue present the 20th Annual Cultural Crossroads – November 5-7, 2010 ~