Can You Dig It? The Aurora No ‘Mora

Bertha is o-fish-ally sitting on the dock of the bay, and we want to give her – and all her 7,000 pounds – a proper welcome toast! At Ivar’s Acres of Clams, we’re now mixing up “The Aurora No ‘Mora”, which puts a drill bit twist on the classic mimosa and screwdriver cocktail. We start with Absolut Mandrin and orange juice, add a splash of Monin Tangerine Syrup and top it all off with Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut and an orange garnish. It’s yours for $8.50.

Aurora No’ Mora – Ivar’s Nod to Bertha’s Arrival

So come join us in the restaurant or in the Clam Digger’s Lounge to shell-ebrate the arrival of the world’s largest drill. In a few short months, once they’ve reassembled her 41 pieces, she’ll start her two-mile tunnel dig under downtown – and we’ve got a front row seat!
You can also follow Bertha’s journey to the center of Seattle on Twitter and get the insider scoop from WSDOT.

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Ivar’s 108th Birthday is Reel-y Here!

After one full year, Ivar’s birthday bargain is back tomorrow (Tuesday, March 19th)! There’s a special shell-ebration happening at our seafood bar and full-service restaurants across Washington.  And, we want to share it with you. Swim on by to claim the buy one, get one for $1.08 entrée deal and, if you’re one of the first 108 guests at any location, there’s a blueberry cake pop with your name on it! Well, technically it has our name on it, but you know what we mean.

Don’t forget to say/shout/sing, “Happy Birthday, Ivar!” to claim your deal!

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We’re Shelling out a $108 Gift Card for the Best Birthday Wish!

Calling all Ivar’s fans!

The best, most creative birthday wish could earn you $108 clams in Ivar’s Gift Cards

As a tribute to Ivar Haglund’s would-be birthday next week, we’re running a Facebook contest to find the most original and creative birthday wish for our flounder. An o-fish-al Ivar’s judging panel will select the most clam-tastic photo or video entries and reward a lucky winner with a $108 Ivar’s gift card, with plenty of other prizes for the rest of the school.

We’re taking entries through Wednesday, March 20, but don’t delay! Submit your wish here and remember to KEEP CLAM.

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A Very Haglund Birthday, To You!

Mark your calendars for a deep sea deal! On Tuesday, March 19, our seafood bars and full-serves throughout Washington will be shell-ebrating our flounder, Ivar Haglund’s, would-be 108th birthday. With the order of one entrée and a simple wish of “Happy Birthday, Ivar!” you can reel in a second entrée from Ivar’s special birthday menu for just $1.08. As always, enthusiastic wishes are welcome and encouraged!

Ready for the sweet blueberry on top? The first 108 people to visit any of the 23 participating seafood bars and three full-serve locations will be treated to a scrumptious blueberry cake ball – one of Ivar’s favorite flavors.

We’ll keep you afloat on the latest and greatest birthday details on our o-fish-al Ivar’s Facebook page, where you can also enter our contest to win a $108 Ivar’s gift card. All it takes is a photo or video of a creative birthday wish, and those clams could be yours!

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Get the Inside “Scoop” at Our Everett Seafood Bar

Scoop Jackson Clam Caper Photo

Clam stamp caper photo featuring Henry “Scoop” Jackson to be unveiled Feb. 26, 2013 at Ivar’s Seafood Bar in Everett

Back in November, several renderings of historical artwork were taken down for refurbishing as part of an interior refresh at the Everett Seafood Bar. One of the pieces was a photo of our dearly departed friend and Everett’s native son, Senator Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson, holding Ivar Haglund’s infamous “clam stamps.”

Local fans quickly began missing the Scoop snap, and Ivar’s is now ready to re-hang the restored (and, we must say, clamtastic) image of the hometown hero – and once presidential hopeful – at a mini “reveal” party.

Ivar’s President Bob Donegan and Scoop’s son Peter Jackson will be on-site to share a few words about the role Scoop played in Ivar’s storied history, contribution to the community and his association with Ivar Haglund. Please join us on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 10:15 a.m. (doors open at 10am) for the festive reveal!

And, the party doesn’t stop just there. Our Everett Seafood Bar (1520 41st Street) will be celebrating the return of this much-beloved image with tasty promotions, including a free slice of cake for reveal guests (while it lasts!) and a free Clam Snacker with entrée purchase from Tuesday, February 26 – Sunday, March 3. See you all there!

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Steam Things Up on Valentine’s Day

Best Seattle Restaurants Valentine DayTreat your loved one to a clamtastic Valentine’s dinner at our full-service restaurants, Ivar’s Acres of Clams, Ivar’s Salmon House and Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing on Thursday, Feb. 14 through Sunday, Feb. 17. With breathtaking waterfront views, our restaurants are an ideal dining destination for couples looking for the ultimate in romance.

There’s no beating the combination of an aphrodisiac-inspired menu of romantic bites, sensual cocktails and half-priced Champagne and sparkling wines

Prepare to feast:

  • Sweetheart’s Indulgence for Two – a three-course dinner with a choice of baby greens, Caesar salad, smoked salmon or white clam chowder; filet mignon topped with Dungeness crab and béarnaise sauce; White King Salmon stuffed with baby shrimp and Brie and topped with a saffron fennel vinaigrette; or Northwest crab cakes with a papaya ginger beurre blanc. All options are served with a side of smooshed red potatoes and steamed broccolini. To complete the dinner share a decadent chocolate fondue for two.
  • Wild Alaskan Halibut and Lobster Saffron Risotto – fish is known for its heart-protecting qualities and this delicious halibut dish is no exception. Topped with Roma tomato shallot confit and fresh basil-scallion oil, it’s sure to make the heart grow fonder.
  • Hazelnut French Vanilla Dark Chocolate Fondue – what day of love is complete without a chocolate treat? Warm up with this special, rich chocolate fondue and dip to your heart’s delight — with fresh baked pound cake, juicy strawberries, kiwi and mangoes.
  • Midnight Passion – start the night off with a cocktail of St. Germain elderflower liqueur, Sauza Blue Tequila, passion fruit puree, sour and a splash of Sprite.
  • Will You Be My Mojito? – things get heated up with a twist on this tropical favorite made with Cuervo Gold tequila, Crème de Cassis, lime wedges, and fresh mint leaves topped off with soda and brown sugar.
For a full peek at our sultry menus, see below:
                    Ivar’s Acres of Clams Valentines Menu
                    Ivar’s Salmon House Valentines Menu
                    Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing Valentines Menu

 Ivar's Mukilteo Landing Reservations

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Great Things Do Come in Threes

There’s just 10 more days left in our 3 for $30 offering, and what’s better than three restaurants, for three weeks, offering three courses for just $30?!

To get in on the action, visit any one of our full-service restaurants – Ivar’s Acres of Clams, Ivar’s Salmon House or Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing – to mix and match your favorites and try some new seasonal flavors.

To tempt your taste buds even further, here are some popular, sample dishes on the 3 for $30 menu:

Duck Leg Confit with Caramelized Shallots, Pepper and Parmesan Polenta Cake;
Grilled Coho Salmon
with Brown Butter and Sage Sautéed Yam Gnocchi, House-smoked Bacon and Baby Frisée Salad with Apple Maple Vinaigrette

…and, don’t forget about dessert! Our Cinnamon Bread Pudding with Snoqualmie Crème Fraîche Gelato and Whiskey Cream will delight through the last bite.

Plus, you can stretch your dollars even further by taking advantage of Ivar’s Half Price Wine days every Monday and Tuesday at all three restaurants. Ask your server for the perfect pairing from our award-winning wine programs. Now that’s pretty clamtastic!

So don’t wait, this seasonal meal deal is good through January 31, 2013, Sunday through Thursday during dinner hours only.

Ivar's 3 fot $30 now through Jan. 31

Ivar’s Grilled Coho Salmon, featured at Ivar’s Acres of Clams

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Ivar’s Teacher of the Year: Top of the Class!

Mr. William Levin with student Henry Meyerson accepting Levin's grand prize award with help from Ivar's Dancing Clam

Every little fishy loves to be a part of a school (pun intended), and your favorite teacher is someone who stays with you for life. Special teachers are those who relate on a personal level, bring facts and figures to life, and give each student the confidence to excel as an individual. Ivar’s thinks those teachers are worth celebrating! During National Teacher Appreciation Month in May, students across Washington nominated their favorite teachers for Ivar’s annual Teacher of the Year contest.

Now in its ninth year, Ivar’s received hundreds of nominations from students ranging from kindergarten to eighth grade, touting their admiration and thankfulness for their remarkable teachers in hopes of winning the grand prize for them. This year’s big winner?

Congratulations to William Levin of Seattle’s Hamilton International Middle School who was named Ivar’s Teacher of the Year!

Ivar’s regional manager, with assistance from Clem the Clam, surprised Mr. Levin with a giant-sized check for $500 good for school supplies, along with a commemorative plaque, and, of course, the right to boast for the next 364 days. Mr. Levin’s class also received gift certificates to chow down on some award-winning clam chowder– and trust us, they could hardly Keep Clam!

The Teacher of the Year contest also awarded two additional teachers with first place prizes of $150 gift card good for school supplies.

Congratulations to Ivar’s first place winners:

  •   Abi Ellingson, third-grade, Sherwood Forest ElementarySchool, Bellevue
  •   Ellyn Ritchotte, sixth-grade, Lake Stevens Middle School, Lake Stevens

In addition, thirty teachers received second place honors and a prize of a $25 Ivar’s gift Card.  For a full list of winners click here.

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Copper River Salmon Is Here!

It’s here!  We’re pleased to announce that the first-of-the-season Copper River Salmon have arrived at all three of our waterfront restaurants – Ivar’s Acres of Clams, Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing and Ivar’s Salmon House!

Did you know the wild and rugged terrain of the roughly 300-mile Copper River makes for one of the longest and most grueling salmon migrations? That’s why fishermen wait patiently for the supply to become plentiful enough, to maintain the delicate balance that keeps the Copper River Salmon a sustainable seafood source.

So, what makes Copper River Salmon so special besides the long journey they take? Their flavor! The healthy fat of the fish gives it an unparalleled taste that salmon enthusiasts wait for with baited breath (pun intended). In order to make their way through the arduous trip, each salmon has to store immense amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids, which give the fish essential EPA and DHA nutrients.  Due to this, the salmon are noted for their firm, bright flesh, nutty flavor and extra oils. 

Now that Copper River Salmon season is upon us, choose from a variety of our mouth-watering preparations like:

  Alder Grilled Fresh Copper River Salmon Combo: King and Sockeye Salmon, mashed red potatoes, Merv Dykstra Eastern Washington asparagus
  Grilled Fresh Copper River Sockeye Salmon: Tarragon vinaigrette, fresh Oregon shrimp meat stuffed Piquello pepper, garlic roasted Yukon Gold potatoes.
  Grilled Fresh Copper River King Salmon: Red cherry beurre rouge, Laura Chenel’s chevre thyme cream, roasted garlic-shallot fingerling potatoes and fresh asparagus

Take a look at the mouthwatering preparations our culinary team has put togther for this unparalleled fish. 

So dine with us today for a Salmonchanted meal like no other. – Copper River Salmon may be on the hook for only a few short weeks.  So don’t wait too long to savor this succulent salmon.

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Clam Currents

GO GO CYBORG CLAM BATTERY

 

 

 

 

 

 

This article is just too good to pass up.  We’ve known clams have special powers.  This study confirms they’re powerful machines.  Maybe Steve Jobs should have named his product line after this mollusk? 

  Living batteries? How clams can power up an electric motor        by Jeremy Hsu, Innovation News Daily, Wed, Apr 18 2012 Animal cyborgs have already begun their rise as scientists transform creatures into living batteries capable of powering tiny spy gadgets or sensors. A lab has taken a new step toward that world of tomorrow by harvesting energy from clams to power an electric motor.  The same group previously showed how cyborg snails could survive hosting the first fully implanted biofuel cells.

This time U.S. and Israeli researchers put implants in three living clams and then hooked the clams together as a battery to create enough electricity to turn an electric motor — a step toward the scenario in the 1999 film “The Matrix” in which Morpheus compares a human being to a Duracell battery.  “The challenge of the work with clams was in assembling individual cells in batteries,” said Evgeny Katz, a professor of chemistry at Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y.Katz and his colleagues implanted the biofuel cells by sticking electrodes into the clams’ main body cavities filled with blood, so that the blood sugar served as the energy source for the biofuel cells.

The researchers allowed the clams to rest between energy-harvesting periods so that the mollusks could rebuild blood sugar levels.The researchers tried different ways to connect three clams at a time as a collective living battery. A serial circuit boosted the battery’s voltage (electric potential), whereas a parallel circuit increased the current (rate of charge flow) — but the overall electricity available often changed depending on each clam’s health.

The variation “is trivial for ‘normal’ galvanic cells but not easy for living cells, because all of them have different electrical properties depending on physiological conditions of clams,” Katz told InnovationNewsDaily.The three-clam batteries charged a capacitor with almost 29 millijoules over an hour — enough to eventually turn an electrical motor about a quarter of a full turn. By comparison, a 75-watt light bulb uses 75 joules (75,000 millijoules) per second.Such a test is still a long way from the U.S. military or government agencies harnessing creatures as tiny spies capable of powering their own gadgets.

But it represents one of a handful of experiments to try extracting electrical power from living organisms. Katz and colleagues found just three papers from other labs about biofuel cells implanted in a rabbit, rat and a cyborg insect.  ”We need to resolve some engineering problems — most electronic devices require more power than we can get from our implanted cells,” Katz said. His paper was published in the online edition of the journal Energy & Environmental Science April 12

 

 

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