Ivar's Seafood Restaurants and Chowder

Clam Currents

Ivars — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:33:43 +0000

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

Hometown fans, vote IvarDog your favorite stadium eats!

Jim — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:04:35 +0000

Ivar's famous IvarDog, served at Safeco Field

Seattleites know what Ivar’s seafood fare hits it out of the park, and now it’s time to let the rest of the nation know! Ivar’s is up to bat for the national Munchies: People’s Choice Food Award, by Tablespoon.com, in the Favorite Stadium Eats Category. What are our concession rivals, as selected by a panel of culinary celebs? Your favorite hometown IvarDog, served at Safeco Field, has been pitted against Crazy Crab’z Dungeness Crab Sandwich, Shack-Cago Dog, Sweet Victory Peach Cobbler and Tony Luke’s Cheesesteak in a public vote battle for the top spot. The IvarDog is an iconic offering found only in Seattle, and is actually a breaded cod fish sandwich served on a bed of coleslaw with Ivar’s tartar sauce all wrapped in a hot dog bun.

If you heart Ivar’s, please help us hit a home run! Click here to vote, and you can do so once a day now through April 30th.

This is so exciting; it’s difficult for us to Keep Clam!

Seattle’s Icon Turns 107, Celebrate Today

Ivars — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:23:19 +0000

Ivar Haglund

Come celebrate Ivar Haglund’s 107^th birthday today. Enjoy a $1.07 entrée, when you purchase another. But, pssst…say “Happy Birthday Ivar!” to get the deal. To properly celebrate “the person who most exemplified Seattle,” the first 107 of you at each location will also receive a complimentary cupcake with your meal. Don’t wait though, this birthday bash is today only (that is Tuesday, March 20^th). Go to Ivar’s Birthday Bash for more details on today’s celebration.

Speaking of Seattle, Ivar’s storied life left an indelible mark on the Emerald City. Between starting Seattle’s first aquarium and fish n’chips stand on Pier 54 in 1938, opening Ivar’s Acres of Clams in 1939, pushing a baby seal around in a baby buggy during Christmas of 1940, or purchasing the Smith Tower in 1976, Ivar Haglund never did anything half-heartedly. This is precisely why Ivar’s continues to celebrate his birthday whole-heartedly. So today we tip our Captain’s Hat to one of the great personalities Seattle calls its own.

Sing for Your Supper!

Ivars — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:42:27 +0000

Sing It Like Ivar Would!

As we celebrate what would have been Ivar Haglund’s 107^th birthday, we invite clams and fans alike to film themselves singing “Happy Birthday Ivar”, for a chance to win an Ivar’s gift card worth 107 clams ($107). Use your smartphone, tablet or whatever technology you prefer. Then upload the video to O-Fish-All Ivar’s Club Facebook page. We want you to have fun with it so sing it loud and proud. Bonus points will be given for actually being at one of our locations. Contest ends March 21^st.

The lucky winner will be announced later in the month, which will give you just enough time to dream up all the things you’ll order when you win!

Ivar Haglund was known for being a little quirky and whimsical. In fact he decided there was really a dancing scallop living on the bottom of the Puget Sound! Our flounder even went so far as to write a jingle about it, which you can listen to here. Take a note from Ivar’s fantastical endeavors when recording a video of your own!

An Ivar’s Birthday Celebration – and You’re Invited!

Ivars — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:23:29 +0000

Folksinger, Ivar Haglund

Next Tuesday, March 20, our restaurants across Washington will be offering a whale of a deal in celebration of what would be flounder, Ivar Haglund’s, 107^th birthday. On that day, when you purchase one full priced entrée, enjoy a second for just $1.07, after exclaiming “Happy Birthday, Ivar!” with as much excitement and panache as possible! The celebration doesn’t end there, either; the first 107 of you to visit will be treated to a delectable, complimentary cupcake to end the birthday meal.

The birthday bargain will be available at all 25 Ivar’s quick-serve Seafood Bars (except stadium locations), Ivar’s Acres of Clams, Ivar’s Salmon House and Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing. It only comes once a year so don’t miss it! Click here for more information.

Bring Your “Perfect Catch” to Ivar’s for Valentine’s Day

Ivars — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:10:38 +0000

As everyone knows, there are many fish in the sea, but Valentine’s Day is the time to celebrate your own special catch, and Ivar’s award-winning restaurants are just the place to do it. Starting on Friday, Feb. 10 through Tuesday, Feb. 14, all Ivar’s full-serve restaurants will feature delicious menus of amorously inspired food and drink offerings, including the aphrodisiac-inspired Oysters Rockefeller or romantic cocktails such as “Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder” pairing the elusive absinthe with sparkling wine.

Each of Ivar’s full-serve restaurants – including Ivar’s Acres of Clams, Ivar’s Salmon House and Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing – will have their own special Valentine’s Day menu items featuring heart-palpitating ingredients like lobster, saffron, hazelnuts, vanilla, dark chocolate, strawberries and thyme to name a few. All restaurants will feature select half-priced Champagnes and sparkling wines for guests who wish to indulge in light, celebratory bubbly or take advantage of more exotic offerings.

Sample menu items and specialty cocktails include:

Maine Lobster Bisque – dates are sure to snuggle up and share a bowl of this starter of rich creamy soup topped off with luxurious caviar crème fraiche.

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 fondue special, made for couples to dip fresh baked pound cake, juicy strawberries, kiwi and mangoes into a rich chocolate sauce.

Thyme Stands Still Cocktail – make the evening last forever with a twist on a classic martini made with Hendrick’s gin, a dash of dry vermouth and garnished with a cucumber and a sprig of thyme.

Reservations are required, and can be booked online at Valentine’s Reservations, or by calling the individual restaurants: Ivar’s Acres of Clams, located on Pier 54 on the Seattle waterfront, at 206-624-6852; Ivar’s Salmon House which is situated on North Lake Union at 401 NE Northlake Way, at 206-632-0767 or Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing adjacent to the Mukilteo ferry terminal at710 Front St., at 425-742-6180.

The rest of the romance is up to you!

“Old Faithful” Geyser Erupts During Severe Weather

Ivars — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:20:09 +0000

Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing was closed last week due to high tides, fierce waves and winds. This weather phenomena caused a broken window and water to flow inside the restaurant.

A maintenance worker was at the restaurant around 5 a.m. when he heard the window break and water shoot vertically out of a hatch built in the restaurant’s floor. After figuring out the timing of these evil water spouts, he quickly bolted the hatch, assessed the situation and called for assistance.

Quick-witted teams assembled to repair, aerate and clean the restaurant so it could return normal operations on January 27th at 11 a.m. The Fish Bar at the front of the restaurant remained open throughout the time. Thankfully, no one was injured during the weather system.

Kudos to Ivar’s Mukilteo’s employees for responding so quickly to the situation and amazingly re-opening the restaurant a mere 24 hours later. The system also caused some damage at the Silver Cloud Inn next door but the specifics of those damages are unknown at this time.

Ivar’s would also like to thank its patrons for their patience during the closure.

Read about this from the Northwest’s meteorology expert Cliff Mass.

2012 – The Year of Big Brains

Jim — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:48:47 +0000

Study demonstrates high level of vitamins and Omega-3s may keep brain from shrinking

Whenever we transition to a new calendar year, a series of prominent health studies start popping up in the media. It might not be so much as an FYI, but rather a thoughtful approach to get us thinking about our health and eating habits. This steers us towards making that News Year’s Resolution to eat right, which includes loading up on Omega-3 fatty acids.

A new study published December 28 in the Journal of Neurology suggests that seniors with a high level of vitamins B, C, D, E and Omega 3 fatty acids (those commonly found in fish) in their blood tend to have better cognitive brain function and larger brain volume While those with a diet high in trans fatty acids tended to have brain shrinkage with lower levels of executive function. “Executive Function” measure level of thinking involving planning, attention and problem solving. The research measured nutrient levels in healthy, well-educated seniors with an average age of 87.

Ivar's Salmon Trio - Tripling the Omega-3s

Therefore, if your 2012 plans include getting healthy, a diet that includes eating at Ivar’s can also be the smart thing. Ivar’s not only offers many Omega-3 rich foods but also uses zero grams trans fat canola oil. Ivar Haglund was onto something when he sang “Seafood is Brainfood”!

For more on the study, see this USA Today article

Salmon-chanted Evening: Your New Year’s Eve Splash at Ivar’s Salmon House

Heidi W — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:09:53 +0000

All things sparkle on New Year's Eve: be dazzled at Salmon-chanted Evening at Ivar's Salmon House!

Make a splash this New Year’s Eve at Ivar’s Salmon House’s Salmon-chanted Evening! You’ll get sparkling waterfront views, a fabulous dinner that let’s you eat to your heart’s content, and a New Year’s Eve party that ends with soaring fireworks and the pop of bubbly….oh yeah, and it’s all just $50 per person!

The Salmon-chanted Evening New Year’s Eve package includes a delicious, all-you-can eat buffet, two drink tickets, a complimentary Champagne toast, dancing, entertainment, and of course, an unobstructed waterfront view of the sparkling city skyline and midnight fireworks display! If it’s your first time out to Ivar’s Salmon House, you’ll find us on the shores of Seattle’s North Lake Union cooking up one of the best New Year’s Eve experiences around.

The celebration kicks off at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, and advance reservations are required. We’ll be adorning you in festive party favors right when you enter. You’ll enjoy seating in the Salmon House’s main, open dining area; a substantial portion of the restaurant will be dedicated to music and dancing throughout the night.

Our delectable New Year’s Eve buffet was created by Executive Chef Jason Bray, who features an array of alder-grilled seafood and meats, along with artisan cheeses, fresh salads, fruit and hand-made desserts, whose highlights include:

-Alder Grilled Salmon
-Prime Rib
-Fresh Shucked Oysters
-Roasted Vegetables and Assorted Salads
-Flank Steak Crostini
-Fresh Fruit and Hand-made Desserts, Pastries and more!

The evening brings live entertainment from Diana Ruiz, an engaging, high-energy singer and performer who covers all genres. Your tickets also include two drink tickets and a complimentary glass of Champagne for a celebratory toast during the midnight fireworks viewing (which launches from the Space Needle).

To secure your tickets to Ivar’s “Salmon-chanted New Year’s Eve Party,” call 206-632-0767 in advance. Prior to the party, from 4 to 8 p.m., Ivar’s will offer its regular menu in the dining room. Ivar’s Whalemaker Lounge will also be open throughout the evening serving its famous “Happiest Hours” from 3 p.m. - midnight. Throughout the evening all guests can enjoy half-price bottles of Champagne and sparkling wine or partake in creatively-themed cocktails. For full details on all Ivar’s holiday activities, including locations, hours and pricing visit www.ivars.com.

Ivar’s Salmon House is located at 401 NE Northlake Way, in the North Lake Union area of Seattle. Happy New Year!

All is Clam, All is Bright: Ivar’s Holiday Happenings

Heidi W — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:57:57 +0000

Trip the lights clamtastic at Clam Lights in Gene Coulon park, Renton.

All over Puget Sound, Ivar’s is shelling out the holiday spirit just for you! Now is the time to bundle up and head out for a helping of cheer. Here’s what’s going on right now!

Through Jan. 1 – Ivar’s 18^th Annual Clam Lights
Trip the lights clamtastic at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park in Renton. Park greenery, holiday scenes and Ivar’s famous Dancing Clams will be covered in thousands of twinkling lights! Lights run nightly 5 – 9 p.m. through Jan. 1. Free and open to the public. For more information on Ivar’s Clam Lights visit this link on our website.

Through Dec. 27 – Ivar’s Nutcracker Deal with Pacific Northwest Ballet:
Enjoy the season’s most-loved ballet, the Nutcracker, at 15 percent off by dining at any of Ivar’s restaurants (excluding stadiums) throughout Washinton state now through Dec. 27. Stop by Ivar’s Acres of Clams, Ivar’s Salmon House, Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing or Ivar’s Seafood Bars (excluding stadiums) to receive a coupon for select seasonal performances at Seattle’s Pacific Northwest Ballet.

Dec. 17 – Photos with Ivar’s Santa Clam at Acres of Clams – (Pier 54, 1001 Alaskan Way):
It’s okay to tell this Santa all your shellfish wishes! Ivar’s famous oversized Clam dons festive Santa attire for children and families to snap a fishy holiday photo. Santa Clam appears one last Saturday on Dec. 17, from noon to 3 p.m. before heading out with the yule tide.

Dec. 23 – Christmas Ships Grande Finale at Ivar’s Salmon House (401 NE Northlake Way, N. Lake Union).
One of the best spots for viewing Argosy Cruise’s Christmas Ship Festival is found at Ivar’s Salmon House, where dining guests can watch the boats float by in spectacular fashion. The Parade Finale on Dec. 23 will bring views of the twinkling flotilla approximately 9:45 – 10:05 p.m.

We’ve planned some great New Year’s activities at Ivar’s Salmon House, too, including Salmon-chanted Evening New Year’s Party dinner and celebration ($75) on Dec. 31, and the New Year’s Day Brunch to start off the year deliciously (for just $29!). We’ll spill all the details in a few days, but you can hook in now by calling (206-632-0767).

See you soon at Ivar’s!