Dinner for 30: Salvatore’s. Always hard to evaluate a restaurant when it is a large party experience with a limited, a fixed menu. I think that may be the case...

Eclectic: Juniper & Ivy. The space is very modern and the crowd is on the younger side. It’s high ceiling and a bit loud but the experience was very good....

Italian near UW: Mamma Melina. I’ve been here several times……including when it was located in the U District but it’s been a while since my last visit. The special part...

Coffee anyone? Kreuzberg Coffee Company. Nice small shop….you guessed it….on 13th Street. Space is rustic but comfortable. Give the Mexican Mocha a try…. Visit website  ...

Northern Italian: Buona Tavola. A choice not in the13th Street restaurant core but worth worth a few blocks walk. The space is relatively small and intimate with a small area...

Lunch option not on 13th Street: Niner Wine Estates. Decided to take a day off from riding and noticed this place as I was driving others to the ride start...

Breakfast to start a new day: Cowgirl Cafe. One of many dining options in the downtown area near 13th Street. Specializes in breakfast with a western theme…..with portion sizes to...

Looking for a place to eat: Thomas Hill Organics. We thought we had our dining experience all picked out…..but it wasn’t quite what we thought it was, so we started...

Another breakfast: Vic’s Cafe. It has been around since 1942 and we needed fueling for our ride so this seemed like a good choice. Classic options of eggs, scrambles, omelets...

Wines on tap: The Hatch. Located in the downtown 13th Street area of the city which has multiple options to choose from, this option looked interesting: offering wines, whiskeys…….extensive offerings….and...

Hyatt Centric: Marbella. Quick bite before we were off to our next bike ride up the coast. The space is nice and the views, basically located on the beach, are...

Finally found one open: Los Agaves. One of 3 locations in the area…..and the first one we tried was closed for renovations. But never give up….the location in Da La Vina...

Since 1958: Farmer Boy. Diner like space with a breakfast made to be had before a long bike ride. They serve large portions…and lunch as well. The Santa Barbara Local...

Carbo loading, again: Via Maestra 42. Located nearby the hotel and known for regional Italian fare so off we went. It’s located in a strip mall….but most everything seems that...

Another coffee option: Gretchen’s Place. It’s been a while since I have been here and apparently it has new ownership……I knew the original owner who passed away a few years...

The Truck: El Camión. There are several locations and we have visited the one located in a parking lot near Home Depot in north Seattle and we now have one...

Vegan ice cream: Frankie & Jo’s. One of three locations, this one is on lower Capitol Hill. The shop is small and lines form at times so you may have...

Northern Thai: Soi. Food from the north eastern part of Thailand……the Issan region which borders Laos and Cambodia. Sounded like an interesting twist on typical Thai cuisine so we decided...

Neapolitan style pizza: Veraci. One of several locations in Seattle…..including a mobile unit usually seen at the Ballard Market….with branches in Spokane and Bend OR. Their claim to fame is...

Beer with a twist: No Anchor. Focus is on beer…and variations on that theme. It’s a relatively small bar in the Belltown area that has developed a big reputation, not...

Looking for a bite after the tulip fields: The Oyster and Thistle. Located a bit off the beaten path on the Sound, there are a number of options in the...

Extraordinary dining experience: Harvest Beat. As you know, I’m basically a carnivore but when given the opportunity to experience truly great food, I’ll give it a try. Such is the...

Worth the Kona Crawl: Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill. Can be a real bear to get there….the Kona traffic can be bad….looks like they are doing a lot of road work...

A view that can’t be beat: CanoeHouse. It should all be about al fresco dining at this restaurant….right on the water and facing west so the sunsets are spectacular. A...

Highly recommended by the people working next door: Waimea Coffee Co. About to be back on the road and needed a quick cup. The recommendation didn’t disappoint. Probably the best...

Nice for a quick low cal breakfast: Juice 101. Located in the Mauna Lani resort area this place was recommended by a friend. They have an extensive menu focused on...

Must stop on my list: Tex Drive In. Home of the best malasadas (Portuguese donuts) in Hawaii, in my opinion. The location is just off the main highway to Hilo...

Need poke, need fish? Da Fish House. The place to get fresh fish to grill for dinner…and poke for lunch or whenever. Great selection and very knowledgeable staff when it...

Ever what you need: Puako General Store If you are staying in the Kohala area of the Big Island, check this place out for provisions and treats. It’s about a...

Repeat visit: Seafood Bar & Grill. Funky little place on the Kohala Coast that we visited a few years ago. It’s upstairs…..and if there isn’t parking on the street level...

May be in a hotel but worth a visit: Kamuela Provision Company. Beautiful views from this oceanside hotel restaurant with food to match the views.  The space is open and surrounded...

Looking for late lunch: Stan’s BBQ. Hard to find good BBQ in Seattle but thought we’d give this place a try. Located in the old town area, the owner hails...

Had an eye on: San Fermo. I noticed this small restaurant when visiting the Ballard Sunday Market and was intrigued by the facade….apparently one of the oldest homes in Seattle…from...

A different dinner for 30: Lark. Unique experience at this well known establishment on Capitol Hill. What was unique?…..our choices, although pre determined, were drawn from the current menu…..so, this...

A bit of après ski: Roslyn Mexican Grill. Just down I-90 from the snow park and it seemed like a good option after cross country skiing. For those who remember...

An homage to all things meat: The Shambles. Maple Leaf butchery and restaurant specializing in house made sausage, meats and charcuterie. The food is about small plates…..think small to medium/large plates….with...

Nice spot near Seattle Center on lower Queen Anne for a drink: Solo Bar & Eatery. Eclectic space that feels a bit like having a drink in someone’s living room....

Would be even better for dinner and a beer in the summer: White Swan Public House. Located in South Lake Union the views, even in winter, are exceptional…..Lake Union, the...

Whiskey anyone? Copperworks. Holiday season party at this downtown distillery of single malt whiskey. Nice tasting room with a bar that is over a hundred years old. Tours of the...

More coffee: Caffè Fiore. One of four locations, this one is located in Old Ballard. It’s nice for a quick cup before or after visiting the Ballard Sunday Market……or anytime...

If you need a stop for sustenance: Bob’s Burgers and Brews. Part of a chain found throughout Washington this one is about 5 miles south of the border. Basic burgers,...

Quick bite after a movie: Great State Burger. One of 6 locations in Seattle for this burger outlet. The spin here is local farm to table burgers with cows who...

Another coffee shop in Seattle: Ballard Coffee Works. Part of Seattle Coffee Works this is the Ballard location which is one of 4 in Seattle. The space is lively and...

In Ballard for the Farmers Market and needed breakfast: Porkchop & Co. Just stumbled on this place after a bit of research and it sounded interesting so it was time...

Bikes and beer in Ballard: Peddler Brewing Co. Going away party for one of our staff…returning home to Texas. Small craft beer spot on Leary. The owners are devoted cyclist...

Asian fusion: Wild Ginger. We were downtown for an event and stopped in to once again experience this well known and respected spot for Asian food. Not only known for...

Like a little slice of Paris in the Pike Place Market area: Le Pichet. The menu is very typical of a small French bistro and the food is all very...

Vietnamese fast food: Sizzle & Crunch. Right off the Ave in the UW District this recently opened restaurant serves Vietnamese food much like Chipotle serves Mexican food……order the dish then add...

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...

Well known spot for baked goods: Sultan Bakery. A small place that is best known for its breakfasts and bakery. This visit was in the late afternoon so we went...

Get your fruit here: Smallwood’s Harvest. Very near Silvara Winery tasting room and it’s worth a stop just to look at all the specialty foods offered. It’s also a great...

Another wine tasting opportunity: Silvara. The wines are good…..and in some cases, quite good….but the venue is what is hard to beat. The fruit is mostly from the Columbia Valley...

Trip over the pass on a beautiful day: Andrea’s Keller. Recent brief visit for a “Bavarian” experience before……wine tasting. This is one of our go to places for Southern German...

Wine is food: Guardian Cellars. In Woodinville Wine Country on an errand and thought I should pick up a bit more wine. This is one of our go to places....

More wine as food: Gorman Winery. Another great option in Woodinville Wine Country in the Hollywood School area. Chris is all about music and the tasting room walls are festooned...

One of my favorite espresso shops: Vivace Alley 24. Doing some shopping at REI and decided to have a quick mocha caramel latte. Their claim to fame is that they...

If you’re in South Seattle and you need a food fix: Super Six. Part of the Marination group of restaurants this one is in Columbia City and serves brunch, lunch...

Third location of this Vietnamese restaurant: Ba Bar. Have been wanting to try this location since it was announced in January that it would be opening this summer and finally...

New spot for ramen in the U District: Hokkaido Ramen Santouka. Great choice on a night with a bit of fall chill in the air. The space is small so...

Haven’t been here in a few years: Steelhead Diner. Had a relative in town for business who wanted seafood and this seemed like a good choice……close to her hotel and...

A short drive from the ferry terminal: Adrift. Forgotten we had been here a number of years ago…it hasn’t changed much although they have changed the main dining room to...

A new place in an old space: Island Pie. Just down the street from where we were staying and it came highly recommended so we decided to give it a...

Ok it’s not a restaurant but if you hike, cycle or drive up this is a place to look for: Sugar on Top. Espresso and Lopez Island Creamery ice cream...

A lunch stop while exploring the island: Madrona Bar & Grill. Not our first choice but on a busy day it fit the bill. Typical bar and food but with...

On to Orcas Island: Brown Bear Bakery. Can’t miss…right on Main Street….because of that, it’s very popular and can be busy in the summer. They offer very large examples of...

Quick stop for lunch on our way north to Bellingham for a family event: Pho Mai. In a strip mall and a classic Vietnamese restaurant……all about the food and not...

Have noticed this place while in South Lake Union: Cinque Terre. Modern space serving foods from the region and on the streetcar line on Westlake which makes it convenient if...

Go to place near the Nisqually entrance to Mt Rainier: Copper Creek. Late lunch after hiking up to Panorama Point. We’ve tried the food at Paradise and found it to...

Road trip: Wild Sage Bistro Highly regarded and best described as new American, the choices were typical…fish, pork and chicken. We had the well received Yukon taquitos and the Thai...

On the road: Michaels on the Lake Located lakeside with outdoor dining and a view…..spoiled a bit by the railroad that runs lakeside as well. The menu runs the gamut...

One more coffee shop in Seattle: Diva Espresso. One of about a half dozen locations in the city. This visit was to the Harborview location. This purveyor of the roasted...

Local spot for breakfast: Bryant Corner Cafe Standard breakfast fare at this restaurant north of the UW campus. They also offer lunch and dinner. On a nice weather day the...

A quick coffee before the trip back to Seattle: Riptide Cafe. Very nice cafe right on the harbor. I had to have the blended salted caramel mocha….another 4 shot experience...

Early afternoon snack after whale watching: Downriggers. Gorgeous space and views so worth a visit just for that reason. That said, the food was good with a varied menu of...

Now for some caffeine: Fuel Coffee. One of 3 locations in Seattle but their coffee is more broadly available. It was a hot day and I had a bit of...

Hot wings without the wings: Ma’ono Fried Chicken. Located inside Rachel’s Ginger Beer at University Village this is a great space to visit on a sunny day with its open...

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...

Quintessential Seattle: Ivar’s. This visit was to the Salmon House which is one of 3 locations on the water in the metro area. A visit to one of the locations...

Looking for Thai and a new experience: Isarn Thai Soul Kitchen Have heard great things about this place so we decided to visit on a cold rainy Junuary Seattle day....

Not really a commercial concern: Dean Wines Those of you who have read my home page and my posts know of my enjoyment of good wine and my hobby of...

Vietnamese on lower Capitol Hill: Ba Bar One of three restaurants this is the original location. It’s part of the Monsoon restaurant group. I have been wanting to try it...

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...

A Seattle institution: The Pink Door. The cuisine is Italian but this place is more than just food…..there are nightly shows that vary between music and on Saturdays, cabaret and...

It’s all about the view: Aqua. Entertaining a visiting faculty member at this waterside spot on Puget Sound. There are a couple of places like this in Seattle but this...

Hit a few wineries for tastings while cycling (off the bike) in Chelan: Nefarious Cellars, Benson Estate Winery,Mellisoni Vineyards, Hard Row to Hoe and Radiance Most had free tastings which is unusual...

High end Indian: Nirmal’s. The space is beautiful and located in the historic Pioneer Square area. It has received multiple accolades including Zagat’s top 15 hottest new restaurants in the...

Classic small town diner: Apple Cup Cafe. This place is legendary and I’ve had breakfast and dinner during here. Portions are huge and are primarily comfort food with a bit...

Another post ride feed: Local Myth Pizza A go to place for pizza while in Chelan. It’s very small so expect a wait. Nice bar type tables outside so on...

Post ride feed: Marcela’s Cocina Mexicana. I’ve been here once before and we were post ride so it was a good choice for abundant calories. It did not disappoint. The...

James Beard chef: JuneBaby. The second offering from the highly regarded chef/owner of Salare. The food has a more Southern focus than Salare starting with the bread….biscuits and cornbread as...

Third option for lunch: Gracia. We didn’t start out to try this place in Ballard but wound up here when our other choices weren’t open for lunch. The space is...

End of the indoor cycling class season meetup: The Pub at 3rd Place. Always been an interesting place in the basement of 3rd Place Books…almost like entering a cave. Typical...

Got the job to pick up our cats today so this was lunch: Maltby Cafe. I’ve passed this place numerous times when we cycle north of Seattle but have never...

Great place on a cold day: Firehouse Café Nice little coffee and pastry shop in the Fairhaven neighborhood of Bellingham. Located in an old firehouse with a performing arts center...

Quick trip to check out: Back East BBQ. We have a wedding coming up in August so we did a bit of a secret shopper trip to the area to...

On my list for some time: Mkt. One of a long lineup of Ethan Stowell restaurants in Seattle this one is in the Tangletown area and hence its name….Meridian…the older...

Another business dinner downtown: Capital Grille. Classic high end steak place, with the usual decor, that does a great job of what they do well……steak. They also have the usual...

Long time coffee spot on south Capitol Hill: Café Presse. A sister to Le Pichet with a focus on coffee. Located very near Seattle University, it’s a spot to consider...

Another Seattle restaurant by Renee Erickson: Bar Melusine. Described as an oyster bar with small plates and focused on the cuisine of Normandy and Brittany; it’s located on lower Capitol Hill...

An old favorite for Vietnamese cuisine: Green Leaf. This place has been a stalwart of Vietnamese food for many years. It’s in a small space in the International District and...