Summer in Seattle!

Seattle in the summer is amazing! I can see why residents endure the endless rain to enjoy the blue skies and 70 degree days of summer… even if it only lasts 3 ½ months!

Well… Five and a half days of eating, drinking and shopping have come to an unfortunate end! Felt the need to share the experience as it was so different than the winter, or rather March visit earlier this year. Reason for the visit was a baby shower and girl’s weekend with my daughters too, so we ventured in many directions.

During my visits I always seem to continue my quest to visit all of Ethan Stowell’s restaurants throughout the city. My first night found us at two locations, Anchovies & Olives and Ballard Pizza, next to each other on 15th Avenue on the Pike Pine Triangle in the Capital Hill neighborhood for Happy Hour. It was a difficult choice so we opted for both! Anchovies & Olives is known as one of Seattle’s top oyster spots and has some amazing oyster deals… $1.50 each, half price! So had an assortment with a glass of house rose before moving nest door for pizza. Ballard Pizza offers whole pies or slices of amazing flatbread pies with fun toppings. My daughter & I chose the Parma with prosciutto, fresh tomato sauce, fresh arugula and of course fresh mozzarella. Did I say ‘fresh’? Accompanied that with a bowl of marinated olives, garden salad and these amazing fried flatbread bites… only had one slice of pizza left and were we stuffed!

Next day was a bit more low key.. only ate out once with homemade Chicken Quinoa Bowls for dinner! Madison Park Beach is an lovely neighborhood down the hill from Capital Hill and Madison Park, next to Lake Washington. Has a nice assortment of restaurants, shops and of course a beach that easily meet your every need. Wouldn't even have to go to the city! Madison Kitchen is a delightful coffee/ sandwich shop that also has salads and wonderful pastries and cakes too. I couldn't decide what to have so opted for the Trio Salad… Broccoli salad, Curried Chicken Salad & Roasted Cauliflower Gemelli Salad. Amazing! Took home a slice of carrot cake too that we shared about an hour later… so good!

Brunch on Saturday brought us to Tallulah’s, a neighborhood café in North Capital Hill. The menu fare is locally focused and sure to satisfy all taste buds! Also has a variety of gluten-free options, which fit into my other daughter’s dietary needs too. I started out wanting a mimosa and chose the fresh grapefruit choice. Such a great combination with the bubbly too! My pregnant daughter knew what she was having before we even got there… the Lemon & Ricotta Pancake. As you can see, it is served with a generous dollop of lemon curd and whipped cream, as well as maple syrup. So smooth and yummy, but huge. We all tasted and still took half home! Most patrons were sharing a pancake too! My son-in-law and daughter had the Breakfast Bowl with yams, black beans, quinoa, avocado, quest fresco and a sunny side up egg on top. Definitely a wonderful blend of flavors… gluten free too. Me… I had the special, Crab Benedict with asparagus and baby potatoes. Best hollandaise sauce I have ever tasted… and I've had many!

Dinner brought us to the shore of Portage Bay in the University District, to Aqua Verde Café, a Baja-style Mexican eatery with a patio. Unfortunately they had had a fire so much of their patio was unavailable. Views were still great from our table! Large bowls of three salsa varieties were there to serve yourself with organic chips, so you never ran out! I had the Fried Alaskan Cod in Shepard grain coconut beer tempura with shredded cabbage slaw and marinated onions… delish!

A visit to Seattle is never complete without a trip to Woodinville, WA! Wine tasting delight! Since my daughter from Ohio had never been and we had a built in designated driver = Sunday Adventure! I have been there a few times, but still haven't tasted all 118 wineries/ tasting rooms. We often find ourselves venturing back to our favorites too. Our stops included the majestic Chateau Michelle Winery where we tasted a variety of Columbia Valley wines. Then on to Lauren Ashton Cellars, where our experience was amazing! Our gentleman pouring for us was informative and humorous… learned a ton about Curvee wine production and the differences in a large varieties of whites and reds! Our last stop took us to Matthews, home of the best claret I ever had! Here the wines are Bordeaux-Inspired and delicious… paired with Beecher’s Curds… How could the afternoon end any better?

Early morning visit to the Market is always wonderful! Before most booths are open is the perfect, crowd-free tome to go. Grabbed a salmon pate Piroshky, pastry from La Panier, and a gluten free muffin and headed for the new Pike Place Urban Gardens. Wonderful spot for ‘breakfast with a view’! Then headed in to the Market for some Chukar Cherry samples, and a couple bags for my hubby's souvenir. Other samples include the ‘Oh My God Peaches’ and Strawberry Rainer cherries! Will need to send for a shipment of those… unbelievably sweet, juicy and definitely ‘Best in the Market’! Kind of difficult to take home on the plane, unfortunately.

Alkali Beach in West Seattle is always a stop! Best place to view the city and take a long walk along the beach too. After our 3 mile stroll, we stopped for a beverage… it was 11 a.m! Marination Ma Kai just happens to be at the end of our trek and Monday was National Tequila Day so a Lychee Margarita was a great choice! My daughter opted for a taco snack… miso ginger, spices pork and a slider as we indulged in adult beverages. After our walk we ventured into the city for lunch… of course sushi at Japonessa! Japonessa has the best Happy Hour from noon until 6:30 p.m. Their rolls are huge and amazing… with a Latino flair! As you can see the three of us stuffed ourselves with five rolls of different styles. Mostly spicy… Wicked Sensation was our favorite, spicy tuna, topped with tuna and a jalapeño lime glaze!

Time to head out to the airport and breakfast on the way… of course! Stopped at Macrina Bakery down in the industrial area by the shipping yards and Starbucks headquarters. Macrina supplies many of the restaurants with their yummy baked goods too! Have had then at the various Ethan Stowell locations too. As you enter the doorway, you are treated to the amazing aroma of baked goods! Having grown up in a baking family, bread is my true weakness! The beautiful tree painted on the wall is fabulous and a great view as you eat your goodies too. Decisions were difficult, but my PG daughter had to have a Triple Berry muffin to start! If I was to buy a loaf of bread or choose one for a sandwich, I'm not sure I could make a decision! Thank heavens the breakfast sandwiches has the decision made for you. Hannah had the Bialy Egg Sandwich, a brioche bialy baked with roasted sweet Walla Valley onions and poppy seeds filled with two fried eggs, roasted tomatoes, goat cheese, fresh basil and Dijon mustard. Huge, but she ate it all. Me, I chose the Brioche Egg Sandwich, a bit smaller but served with one fried egg, Hempler’s ham, Beecher’s Cheddar, sweet Dijon apple butter spread on a round Brioche bun. Savory and sweet combination to die for!

Until next time Seattle…. Probably for October ‘baby-time’! Until then… stay dry Seattle!