French in SoCal: Parc Bistro. In the Banker’s Hill area of the city….basically just east of the airport. Thought we should go in a French direction rather than Italian……..although this...

Dinner for 20: Top of the Market. Back in SD for a meeting and this was the choice for the group. I always hesitate a bit in reviewing spots where...

Animals anyone: The Lion’s Share. One of those places that would be off most people’s radar unless you are a local. I’ve walked by in the past without realizing exactly...

Former Biker Bar: Hollywood Tavern. Started out as a service station in 1922 then became a roadside tavern in the 1940s. Completely renovated a few years ago and has now...

Top 10 tasting room: Mt Hood Winery. The wines are acceptable but the views……outrageous! Very large tasting room with vaulted ceilings and floor to ceiling windows but the place to...

BBQ in Oregon? Apple Valley BBQ. Unexpected but solid BBQ so, if you are doing the Fruit Loop, keep it in mind. They advertise themselves as NW style BBQ but...

Dinner with amazing views: Departure. Go here if for no other reason but the views from this restaurant located on the 15th floor of the Nines Hotel in downtown Portland....

Have some ice cream: Apple Valley Country Store. On the Fruit Loop and their claim to fame are their milkshakes. You know they will be good……Tillamook ice cream makes up...

Coffee and a pastry: Pearl Bakery. Very nice open space with typical offerings. Somewhat limited pastry choices but it is all very good…..give the pain aux raisin a try….delicious. Visit...

Cider in Hood River: Fox Tail Cider. Looked interesting so we stopped by while doing the Fruit Loop. Nice cidery with a friendly staff. Try the tasting flight to get...

French in the Pearl: Måurice. This is a small place and an interesting dining experience….described as a pastry luncheonette. So, you should expect a mix of sweet and savory pastries...

“BBQ” in Seattle: Brileys. Hard to find great BBQ in this town but finally visited this place after it was suggested to me by a friend some months ago. It...

Coffee fix: Blue Bottle Coffee. One of several locations in the Bay Area this one is in the Ferry Building. They have espresso down to an art but also offer, not only...

Frenetic Mexican: La Taqueria. You need to visit this place just to watch what goes on at lunch or dinner. The line is out the door and the seating is...

In the Ferry Building: Fog Hollow Farm. Need a quick fix…..pastry, soup, sandwich, coffee or farm to table fruits?…..then this is a good option. It’s basically a take away place...

At Hotel Griffon: Perry’s. One of 2 locations in the city, this one fronts the Embarcadero. The alfresco area on a nice day would be a show stopper. Just had...

Vietnamese in the Ferry Terminal: The Slanted Door. I tried this place a few years ago and don’t remember coming away impressed despite its renown. This visit was more to...

Drinks anyone? Wayfare Tavern. Stopped by for a drink and some light appetizers before dinner. This is a very popular spot for…….you didn’t guess it…..fried chicken! We’ll have to try...

Return visit: Bar Cantinetta. Our prior visit was for a wine tasting menu and I wasn’t that impressed with the food but I thought we should give it another try……I...

Meeting at SeaTac: The Conference Center at SEA. I gotta quit eating like this….at another meeting. Nice space for a smaller meeting and convenient via the Link Light Rail. Otherwise,...

Bakery near the convention center: The French Bakery. Had a meeting at the Bellevue Convention Center and needed a quick bite to eat before sitting in a room all day...

Thai in Maple Leaf: Ban Hua Sai. Decided to give this place a try based on reviews indicating it was the best Thai in the area and we needed a quick...

Late night cookies: Midnight Cookie Co. Have a craving for cookies in the middle of the night?……they deliver until 3 am! Just choose your delivery service…..Uber Eats, Grubhub, etc. Note...

Interesting experience: Manolin. Had an opportunity to have early dinner and this seemed like a good place for the experience since they opened for happy hour early in the afternoon...

Street party: Off the Rez. Invited by friends to a Saturday night block party……with a food truck. Their claim to fame is that it’s the only Native American food truck...

Georgetown vibe: Ciudad. Not sure how to describe this place…..Spanish……Middle Eastern…..or? They describe themselves as “flavors from the East, vibes from the West” and I think they are spot on...

Bakery option: Lake Chelan Artisan Bakery. Nice option for a coffee and pastries besides the ubiquitous Starbucks…..which is essentially next door to this strip mall location. The croissants were quite...

BBQ in Chelan, Really? BBQ in the Vineyard. Highlight of this trip to Chelan. It just reopened the week we were there……note as of the date of this posting it...

On my list: Flintcreek Cattle Co. This is the sister restaurant to Rockcreek and, as expected, it’s the turf version although they do have a vegetarian and seafood option on...

The Eating Places: James Beard Award Winners 2018. Best new restaurant: JuneBaby, Seattle. Outstanding restaurant: Highlands Bar and Grill, Birmingham. Rising star chef of the year: Camille Cogswell, Zahav, Philly. Outstanding pastry...

An old favorite: Boat Street Kitchen (Cafe). It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been to this little jewel but my first experience was when it was in the...

Captive audience: Urban Crave. Located at the Alaska gates in terminal 1 of the San Diego airport this is an option…especially if your flight is delayed an hour…..due to the...

A pleasant surprise: Puesto. One of several locations of this small chain; this location was across the street from the Grand Hyatt and therefore very convenient for a quick lunch....

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...

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...