Dinner for thirty: Seastar Another group dinner at this well known and highly regarded seafood restaurant in the metro area. Fixed menu this night with the typical choices…salmon, a chicken...

Doughnuts anyone? Top Pot. This is a Seattle institution for doughnuts. They started as a single storefront downtown and now there are multiple opportunities throughout the metro area. The doughnuts are...

Skagit Valley: Tweets Cafe. Springtime in the Skagit Valley brings daffodils and then tulips in bloom and at some point you must eat…right? This place is in the very small...

Best Thai in Seattle: Aroy Mak. That’s a bold statement with all the Thai opportunities in the metro area but this is the place. Unlike most Thai restaurants the menu...

A bit of hygge in SLU: Café Hagen. Several locations in the metro but this one is located very near REI and is a perfect spot for breakfast, brunch, lunch...

Must visit: Ray’s Café. It’s been a number of years since I’ve visited this Seattle icon to seafood. It continues to never disappoint. Where to start? How about the views....

Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: The Cottage Cafe & Fireside Lounge. Usually visit Pioneer Coffee but just finished skiing so looking for more calories and this place was a great choice....

Nice place for a quick coffee break just off I5: Pioneer Coffee Roasting Co. Right downtown and just past Snoqualmie Pass makes it a perfect stop to refuel. The coffee...

Outstanding coffee: Blue Star Coffee Roasters. Now in a new location it’s still a must stop while in Twisp…for whatever reason. Once you give their coffee a try you’ll be...

Excellent bakery: Wild Crumb. Come here after that great cup of joe at Treeline. This is one of those places with an endless line up of breads and pastries so...

Sushi in the neighborhood: Japonessa Sushi Cocina. Two Seattle metro locations and while in Bellevue gave that location a spin. We were not disappointed! Sushi is widely available in Seattle...

You gotta have a bakery with your morning coffee: Cinnamon Twisp Bakery. Typical space offering good coffee, espresso, lattes and bakery items. A must have is the namesake of the...

French bakery: Oliver’s The French Farm Cafe. The storefront is Oliver’s Artisan Kitchen/French Farm to Table and the breakfast menu, when we visited, was definitely French and all about crepes....

Sun Mountain Lodge: The Dining Room and Bar. Dining, gorgeous views and skiing all in one. Typical menu choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner with very good protein bowls, of...

Hard to come up for air: Deep Dive. For sure the most unique bar in Seattle. Located below the Amazon Spheres and has the feel of a dark undersea grotto....

It never disappoints: Westward. The space is outstanding and one of the best places in Seattle for dining outside. Located right on the north shore of Lake Union with great...

Finally: Taylor Farms Samish Oyster Bar. It’s the holy grail of shellfish farms in Western Washington and because it’s so popular…it requires perseverance to get a seat at the table....

Another Philly find: Laurel. Another late arriving flight…this time one and a half hours! Barely made my reservation going straight from the airport. Thanks Uber! This is another Philly restaurant...

Sports bar: Rough & Tumble Pub. Markets itself as Seattle’s sports bar for women’s sports. They have 18 screens so you can find all manner of sports on display. Very...

Usually a very busy place: The Shrimp Shack. It’s on the way to Deception Pass and it’s very popular after being there for over 50 years. We visited on a...

Gotta have ice cream: Swanky Scoop. Heard many great recommendations about this place and it did not disappoint. Multiple flavors including at least 8 vegan offerings. To me, vegan or...

Interesting find: Twisted Tail Bourbon Bar. Specializes in grilled food with a Southern touch which is interesting since the chef is Mexican and the owner a Brit. My first task...

Pho anyone? Pho 175. Once again found ourselves in Woodinville and decided to give this place a try. It did not disappoint. Expect typical Vietnamese cuisine with an extensive Pho...

Mixed Plate: Buddha Bruddah. A bit of Hawaii in Mount Baker/Kenmore. Reminds me of Tinroof on Maui but it’s 3 times larger inside which makes dining here much more pleasant…even...

Headed home: Chickie’s & Pete’s. Located near Concourse D at PHL, it’s a good place to grab a bite instead of  airplane food. Serve breakfast, lunch and diner so you...

Must experience: Morimoto. Usually it’s difficult to tell much about a restaurant when you’re in a group. But, shared plates make the experience more like couples dining together rather than...

Stupendous seafood: Automatic Seafood & Oysters. It’s much bigger inside than it looks from the outside but a reservation is recommended on weekend nights. While the space has high ceilings…it...

Tucked away in the U District: Saint Bread. Originally opened to long lines but things have settled down a bit, at least on weekdays. Started by a trio from London...

Chef’s tasting menu: Forsythia. Modern French cuisine in the heart of the Old City. Even though it was a dinner for 15 the chef’s tasting menu ran the gamut of...

It’s also a bottle shop: Dachi. Insider recommendation…helps when your daughter lives here! While the menu isn’t extensive and constantly changes due to what’s available, explore it with friends. Also...

Need some Joe? Beaver Tales Coffee. Headed home but needed some coffee before we hit the road. This small, interesting shop, fit the bill. They roast their beans daily so...

Chinese dumplings: Dough Zone. There are about a dozen locations of this local chain in the Seattle metro area with the original located in Bellevue. It’s hard to go wrong...

Never too many bakeries: Honoré. Have been interested in visiting since a colleague recommended it several years ago. Usually in this are of Seattle when they weren’t open so just...

Unexpected: Cob + Cork. You never know what to expect but this place looked interesting from the road so we decided to give it a try. It did not disappoint....

The 3rd restaurant: Sandía Saint Helens is no more. Bistro Shirlee is no more. However, this one may be the best of the three. I’m sad to see the loss...

Handmade soba noodles from scratch: Kamonegi. This chef has gotten a lot of press, including being named a James Beard semifinalist for best chef in the Northwest 2018 to 2020...

The original: Dreamland BBQ This is one of the more famous BBQ pork sources in Alabama and it was started in a cinderblock building by “Big Daddy” Bishop in 1958....

Need a beer in Mazama: Mazama Public House. This is a very small town on the way to the North Cascades National Park and the must visit Cutthroat Pass so,...

What? A “grocery store” on a food blog: Mazama Store. Much more than your typical grocery store. Good wine selection…including pet nat, excellent food choices, local t shirts and baked...

Always worth a repeat visit: Buddakan. This is a very large and gorgeous space near Independence Hall offering Asian fusion cuisine. It’s the other outpost of this NYC legend. The...

Darrington outpost: Moe’s Coffee Shop. Stopped by on the way back from hiking in the North Cascades National Park for a quick bite of lunch. One of several branches. The...

Creole Food Truck: Where Ya At Matt. On the day I learned of this food truck, it just happened to be in the neighborhood. Couldn’t pass up the opportunity to...

Quintessentially Seattle: Ivar’s. There are 3 locations on the water in the metro area and a visit to one of the locations is a must for any visitor to Seattle....

Italian in the Old City: Positano Coast. Small group dinner with choices off the regular menu. That always give me a better idea of a place rather than the dinner...

Vegan in Philly Cheesesteak land: Vedge. This restaurant continues to receive rave reviews and even though I’m nowhere near a vegetarian this place will  not disappoint the carnivores out there....

Great place for Italian food: Tappi. The restaurant is in a very small town in the heart of cross country skiing and hiking areas of Eastern Washington. It’s always nice...

Mid ride stop: Lyla’s Cafe. Always good to have a place to replenish calories during a ride. This place fit the bill. Pastries, sandwiches and espresso round out the breakfast...

A place for cocktails: Copper Glance. It’s always great to find a place like this where you least expect it…this is one of those places. They have a few small...

Always room for another bakery choice: Grand Central Baking Co. They have a choice of sandwiches such as turkey with havarti cheese, lettuce, mayo and Grand Central cranberry chutney on...

Anyone like ice cream: Salt & Straw. Very popular place with several locations. They have an eclectic offering of flavors and pride themselves on local selections…for Seattle. Flavors like Beecher’s...

Espresso in the North Cascades: Karina’s Deja Brew. Looking for a quick coffee as you head off or return from a hike in the area? Give this place a try....

Close to the ferry dock: La Belle Creperie. About to head back to Seattle and needed some sustenance befor the long car ride.  In a place known for seafood, pizza,...

Lunch anyone? Gordon’s Fusion Cuisine. New find in “downtown” Coupeville with both in and outdoor dining. The menu changes focus every 3 months so, approach the experience knowing it may...

A special experience: The Oystercatcher. From the street it still looks a bit like a burger and beer joint. Step inside and you’ll wonder what’s in store. First taste…you know...

Liquid food: Damsel Cellars. I first met Mari when she was the assistant winemaker at Darby Wines. She’s been making her own very solid wines for the last several years...

Recommendation from a local chef: Pestle Rock. The cuisine is Thai but it’s from the Isan or northeast part of the country. You will recognize the menu but there are...

Great experience: Marlaina’s Mediterranean Kitchen. Part business dinner and part get together with friends. I’d heard about this place from a coworker…whose husband is the chef/owner and it’s been on...

Outstanding xiaolongbao: Din Tai Fung. Quick fact…even though it’s at University Village, this is the first Din Tai Fung in the US! I suspect it had something to do with...

Post ride lunch: Tapped Public House. Expect seafood, burgers and chicken in various forms…and of course beer on tap as well as ciders. They also offer kombucha and sours. Solid...

In the Hood: Ravenna Brewing Co. Located in what was an auto repair shop it’s become well known for their local brews in a city with close to 70 breweries....

On Salmon Bay at Fishermen’s Terminal: Little Chinook’s. Looking for fast/To Go seafood near Discovery Park then check it out. No reservations required and you should expect the usual…cod, oysters,...

Several locations of this Seattle icon: Mioposto. Like the others, the primary offering is wood fired pizza and they do it very well. As a matter of fact, everything here...

If you are looking for French food with a view, this is the place: Maximilien. We were entertaining guest from out of town and it was a beautiful day so...

Has been on my list for several years: Joule. It’s been described as Pacific Northwest Korean and has been around since 2007…not sure why it took me so long to...

Need to experience: Valentine. Looking for a unique experience in Phoenix? Found it. Now how to describe the cuisine…how about New Southwestern? It starts with the wine and cocktail menu....

Spanish tapas: Amada. Part of a group dinner but we had a good sampling of the menu including some items made just for our group. As expected, this is a...

New Southern with a Southwest twist: the larder + the delta. The menu looked interesting and it was a walkable distance from the hotel so, why not? Distance was indeed...

Great option: Heritage. While Purple Cafe has been our go to for many years while in Woodinville. But, we are always looking for other options in a town that is...

Upscale but laid back: Feast. Have visited this place more than once and it never disappoints. How to describe the cuisine? New American seafood with a Bozeman twist…limited selection of...

Malasadas in a food truck: Goodbelly. Primary location is the Beverly Food Truck Park in south Everett. What’s a malasada you ask? It was originally a Portuguese confection that was...

Vietnamese: Pho Sai Gon. Way off Main Street but worth the drive. The space is modern and refreshing with high ceilings and open spaces. As one would guess, this place...

Mexican near the U: Agua Verde Near the UW Medical Center Montlake Campus. Indoor dining is in a small space and is frequently crowded, especially for lunch. There is a...

New Southern: JuneBaby. The food has a Southern focus starting with the bread…biscuits and cornbread as choices. Not to start a debate but the cornbread is sweet…that said, it’s very...

New Southern in the old city: Amina Actually visited a few months after it open in 2022 and it didn’t disappoint…you can indeed find excellent southern cuisine in Philly…it’s not...

A very special experience: Archipelago. I’ve been trying to score a reservation here since soon after they opened about 4 years ago. Before COVID-19 hit, I finally snagged a very...

Not your average fish house: Harry’s Fish House. Very popular spot on Alki Beach. Come hungry since the portions are large. They have oysters, of course, but expect to find...

A local favorite: North Bend Bar & Grill. Nice spot on a cold day for lunch…check out the fireplace! Basic bar food…burgers, salads and soups. But, you have to remember...

Thai in the Hood: Pinkaew. Needed a change in cuisine and this place has gotten good reviews so, it was close by and, we needed some Thai. It didn’t disappoint…one...

Asian fusion: Wild Ginger. Recently had the opportunity to visit the Bellevue location of this Seattle based restaurant long known for its Asian Fusion menu and highly rated wine cellar....

Local spot for breakfast: Bryant Corner Cafe Standard breakfast fare at this restaurant north of the UW campus. They also offer lunch and dinner as well as all day breakfast....

Gotta experience: Dooky Chase’s. Recent trip to New Orleans had us looking for a new experience. While it has been in existence for more than 80 years and is still...

Excellent Italian food: Cantinetta. This is a small place near the UW campus that is our go to place for Italian food in Seattle. I’ve never had a bad meal...

Great Mexican food: Rio Bravo. We were looking for something a bit different than our usual stop…Twede’s Cafe. The place is very small…maybe 20 seats, tops inside. It’s in what...

Small plates in Alki: Driftwood. Delightfull new find and a must visit now that the West Seattle Bridge is back open. The other must visit, when you get the chance,...

University Village: Joey Kitchen. This is a chain of restaurants out of Vancouver BC that serves a mix of Asian fusion, PNW, burgers, and steaks in a very nice upscale...

Hollywood district of Woodinville wine tasting: Purple Cafe & Wine Bar. On the way to taste Darby’s most recent release and stopped by for a quick bite at the original...

Looking for Indian food: Taste of India. This is my go to place for Indian food and has been for a number of years. It’s like having dinner in your...

Finally got to the brick and mortar restaurant: Monsoon. My first experience was take away from this highly regarded Vietnamese restaurant on Capitol Hill. My usual go to Vietnamese food,...

Nice spot in Pioneer Square with a perfect name: Damn the Weather. The space is in one of the original buildings on 1st, between Yesler and S Washington Street, and...

Change of pace: Mr West Cafe Bar. Located in the space previously occupied by a cooking store, it offers unique cuisine at U Village. The menu is of small plates...

Try this place for happy hour or dinner: Frank’s Oyster House. One of a 2 restaurants owned by the same family this one is a bar and oyster house. Convenient...

Dinner for 15: Via Tribunali. I usually find it more difficult to fully experience a restaurant with a larger group. However, we had several pizzas from the wood fired oven...

For biscuit fans: Seattle Biscuit Company. First met these guys when all they had was a truck. Now they have a brick and mortar place in Fremont (Frelard area). They...

Seattle Malasadas: General Porpoise. There are several locations of this very popular spot for doughnuts…..better described as malasadas….the Portuguese variety of doughnut. Very nice open space to enjoy your choices!...

An old standby: Calico Cupboard. There are several locations but this one was a go to for many years in the past so, why not give it a try since...

A slice of the Caribbean: Bongos Cafe. This place has been on my radar for some time and I finally got a chance to visit. Describing it as laid back...

Another unexpected find: Wild Mountain. This is another example of an unexpected dining experience in a small town. It’s about an hour drive from Victoria BC and more than well...

Relaxed fine dining downtown: Revelry. A bit of a hidden jem just off Main Street they have a small indoor dining area and a large outdoor space which makes it...

Mexican in a seafood town: COA We were planning to stop by Seeds, one of our favorite restaurants in the area. To our surprise, it’s no longer in business. But,...

A Puget Sound institution: Taylor Shellfish Farms. The space is small and is the definition of an oyster bar. The fresh tanks are centrally placed with the dining area arrayed...