Hello all you foodies,
Seattle offers a wonderful tapestry of foods and restaurants. From our rich agricultural (I'm sure you have heard of our apples) and fishing industries to our multi-cultural make up, a great meal is not hard to find.
Seattle is a wonderland for the seafood loving foodie. To start, we are all rather snobbish when it comes to seafood. It better be fresh and it better be wild caught. You can be assured that the Alaska Airlines flight each May with the first of the Copper River Salmon will be greeted like a rock star - papparrazzi and all. It is a crying shame that you all will not be able to consume that delicacy - but hey - just an excuse to come back when we can guarantee some sunshine. Don't be too disappointed, any fresh caught salmon you have while here will be delectable. And there are plenty of places to do that. A local favorite with a colorful history and charasmatic founder is Ivar's. There are several sit down locations including the one pictured which is on the north side of Lake Union. The view of downtown while dining is beautiful. The salmon can be had a million ways - alder plank is the best - just like the Northwest Natives have always done. This particular location has a dock, so local boaters can tie up right at the restaurant and jump out for the fine dining or grab some fish and chips at the walk up window. And although the salmon is fantastic, it doesn't hold a candle to the chowder. So popular you can buy it at Costco. If you are a clam, fan don't miss it! Even if you are NOT a clam fan, don't miss it!
As mentioned earlier, the Dungeness Crab (discovered at the Dungeness spits on the Washington Coast) is perhaps the best tasting crab on the planet. A day on the water pulling pots and finding the keepers, than cooking them on the beach......can't wait to do it again. You don't even need butter! Don't miss having some of this if you are a shellfish fan. Oysters Oysters Oysters - razor clams and the Geoduck! I won't picture it here but have a little fun and google that one! Apparently they are delicious.
Other Seafood restaurants of note: Another Ivars on the waterfront very close to The Wheel and Anthony's Home Port further north on the waterfront. Seastar and Raw Bar just a few blocks from the hotel is another personal favorite. And if your pocketbook is feeling too full, Aqua by El Gaucho is a bit north of Anthony's and always great for a celebration.
Other restaurants of interest for dinner: Metropolitan Grill - most likely place to see a SeaHawk or other celebrity, Matt's in the Market - great food with birds nest view of Pike Place Market, and Canlis - the original "it" restuarant for fine dining in Seattle, you can't do much better (dress code strictly enforced).
Some great choices for less formal meals: Salumi - in the Pioneer Square area, this is an Italian deli owned by Mario Batali's dad. Din Tai Fung - there are several locations around town - this is one of those "best in the world" Michelain Star restaurants and started in Taipei. Seattle was one of the first US locations and they are currently in all 3 west coast states. Their claim to fame is the Xiaolongbao - a dumpling with the soup inside. I must say they are rather amazing. My kids literally can't get enough of them, and you can watch them make the dumplings thru the giant glass walls. For a late night crave, Dick's Burgers. In-n-Out has nothing on Dick's! Similarly short menu. The french fries are gooey and salty and the vanilla shakes are real. A local boat company has been floating around Husky Harbor during the football games throwing them out to sailgaters - yes please. (The Best Setting in College Football thing is a whole other topic on its own - but I digress).
For the sweet tooth - Bakery Nouveau has a double baked almond croissant that you will dream about, and Molly Moons has the most interesting ice cream flavors you may ever see - Earl Gray ice cream anyone? Top Pot Donuts doesn't have the lines of Portland's VooDoo but they are still varied and delicious. Last but not least for this post - Fran's Chocolates - Gray Sea Salt Caramels. If you have them in town you will be grabbing a box to go in the airport - promise.
Well folks, this is it for the pre-conference blogs. I hope you are as excited to come as I am for you to enjoy my beautiful corner of the world. Pray for sun, plan for rain, and travel safe - I'll see you all in one week!
Now off to grab something new and different at the Starbucks Reserve - Definitely next level coffee shop!
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