Have wondered about this place for years: Naches Tavern. Apparently it’s been there for more than a century…I’m a bit slow on the visit. This experience was for a post...

A new old place: El Gaucho. It’s been a number of years since my last visit…and it’s not where it used to be! So, make sure you go to the...

Heard good things about this place: Bob’s Chowder Bar. Basically one of the first restaurants you come to as you enter town so it’s hard to miss. We visited on...

Virtual restaurant: Molly’s Garden. You read it correctly…a virtual restaurant. Really, it’s a takeaway place using Shawn O’Donnell’s locations. Our order was from the Fremont location. The Molly’s Chicken Salad...

A hidden gem: Baker’s. This is a place for cocktails, small plates and making new friends. Basically a “local” watering hole in the Sunset Hill area of Seattle. It’s one...

Nepalese in the neighborhood: Himalayan Sherpa House. Interesting menu with items you’ll recognize…naan and gulab jamun but others that you won’t…momo and Himalayan noodles. So, try something different. My choices...

A cyclist must stop: Black Diamond Bakery. Established in 1902 and it’s still here so you know it has to be good! Their building takes up most of “downtown” Black...

Inside Huckleberry’s Natural Market: 9th St Bistro. Recommended by a friend and, it was spot on. They have, “ever whacha need” from breakfast choices to sushi including plant based burgers...

Mochi doughnuts: Dochi. When it opened about a year and a half ago, the line was out the door so I waited for things to settle down a bit. The...

Just driving by: Tacos El Güero. In the parking lot of Met Market at Sandpoint and it was lunchtime so, why not? My choice this visit were the carnitas which...

Takeaway in a gale: Tweets Cafe. In the Skagit Valley with the hope of seeing the daffodils in bloom which were about but the weather was really awful…even by Pacific...

Someone Couldn’t Wait: Pie Day. Not homemade this year but nonetheless, excellent. Our choice: Sea Salt Caramel Pie. Source: Metropolitan Market. Washed down with a light Chianti Classico with notes...

Fried Chicken in Seattle: Cookie’s Country Chicken. Near Lumen Field in Pioneer Square. We happened to be in the neighborhood the day I noticed a post from @eatseattle about the...

Not my go to but: Krispy Kreme Mars Doughnut. Special, limited edition release to celebrate Perseverance landing on Mars! Had to have one of these chocolate cream filled doughnuts…a bit...

Out and about: Terramar Brewstillery. In the area and had noticed this place on previous visits and it was lunchtime…so, why not? The space is open with multiple possibilities…sit in...

Fast food: Chick-fil-A. Sometimes you just need some and we needed it this day. My choice is usually the spicy fried chicken sandwich. I have to say, it’s always good...

Takeaway: Tam Noodle Box. Recommended by a colleague and it was spot on. This place is all about wok prepared noodles…multiple choices to which you add a protein…chicken, pork, shrimp...

German food in Norway: Tizley’s Europub. What?…yep even though the town was founded by a Norwegian and has a Scandinavian theme this place has pretty authentic German cuisine. Perfect spot...

On the Eastside: Nasai Teriyaki. Not our usual go to for this Japanese staple but our local source was closed the day we needed a teriyaki fix so we gave...

Quick cup before the pass: Farmer Joe’s Espresso Stand. Very near Smallwood’s Harvest and Silvara Winery so it’s a very convenient stop before you start the drive back home. Very...

In the hood: Pleasant Beach Donuts. Seem to be sold out when we usually think of visiting but this day we arrived in the late afternoon and there was still...

An old favorite: Pagliacci. Needed a change so why not back to the future? A Seattle original with locations all around but it’s been a few years since we’ve experienced...

Coffee stop: Ristretto Coffee Lounge and Wine Bar. Nice relaxing spot for a cup of coffee or espresso on a wet, cold day. In addition to java they also have baked...

Small Plates on 55th: Ebb & Co. First noticed this new place a few months ago and finally got a chance to experience their offerings. I wish I hadn’t taken...

Mid ride: Sandy’s Espresso and Café. Stopped by this nice little spot with friendly staff and good espresso during a recent bike ride in the area. In addition to java,...

Chuckanut Brewery: South Nut. Quick stop after a bike ride in the Skagit Valley for a cider…or beer…they have all manner of choices. Very friendly staff so give them a...

Le Grand Tour: Skagit Valley Farm Stands. Not a recipe or a restaurant but without these places we have no food or flowers. This day we visited: Mossy Gate Flower...

Takeaway: New Orleans style Po Boy. Part of Ethan Stowell Restaurants this popup was all about New Orleans style Po Boys. You order online for a specific pickup time then...

Takeaway: Lobster Roll. Part of Ethan Stowell Restaurants this popup was all about lobster…whole or on a roll. You order online for a specific pickup time then show up just...

When you’re in the area check out this bakery: The North Bend Bakery (formerly Georgia’s and George’s). It’s been in the same location for 90 years so it’s a bit...

Filipino takeaway: Archipelago Balikbayan Box. Before COVID-19 hit, I had snagged a very hard to come by reservation at this well regarded restaurant with very limited seating. Alas…the reservation was...

Takeaway: Mean Sandwich. COVD pandemic continues making take away the best option.  This is a place that gets great reviews and has been on my list to visit. Very efficient...

Cider and beer in abundance: Sixknot Taphouse. Very nice spot for a beer or cider after skiing or hiking with over 40 choices on tap! They also offer a menu...

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...

Looking for some Q: Meaty Johnson’s. Described as Seattle BBQ…whatever that is, the meat is smoked in house…on the second floor no less! Three types of sauce are offered…mild, medium...

Bakery and a cup of Joe: Kringles Bakery. Happened to be in the neighborhood and having a kringle seemed like a great diversion before returning home. Nice selection of baked...

On the way: Roadhouse Restaurant and Inn. First built early in the last century it’s been renovated several times and still serves as an Inn. On the first floor is...

A bit of hygge in SLU: Café Hagen. Opened for just a few months and located very near REI this is a perfect spot for breakfast, brunch, lunch or early...

What…another coffee spot in Seattle: Armistice Coffee Roaster. Nice new place just off 65th with not only coffee, espresso, etc. but also a full bar and…they know how to steam...

Nice little spot for coffee: KáVé. Just barely out of town on the way to Manson and the parking lot is a bit tricky so when you see it start...

Jianbing: Me and Crêpe. Started in Richmond BC and more recently has moved into Shanghai…reverse migration. This location, in Bellevue Square, open in the spring of last year. There are...

The other half: Salish Lodge Dining Room. We usually visit the Attic but decided on the more formal Dining Room for brunch…and the Attic doesn’t serve breakfast on weekdays. It...

University Village Sushi: Bamboo Sushi. Located in the space formerly occupied by Blue C Sushi, they are a Portland chain that promotes sustainable seafood/sushi. The space is much nicer than...

Japanese sandos: Tres Sandwich House. Recommended by my daughter, who is a bit of all things Japanese nut, it’s a great find in south Bellevue…you have to want to go...

Afternoon cup of joe: Stone Way Cafe. Just happened across this popular spot and decided to give it a try. We weren’t disappointed. They know how to steam milk here…including...

Quick stop for lunch: Homegrown. One of about a dozen outlets in the metro area this visit was to the University Village location. They are all about sustainable local food...

A bit of Bainbridge Island: Café Hitchcock. Part of the growing Hitchcock group of restaurants, this one is downtown in the Exchange Building. Nice space for a quick bite for...

State Hotel: Ben Paris. The name may seem a bit odd but there was a Ben Paris, a well known Seattle sportsman who had a restaurant of similar name located...

Out shopping: Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya. This is chain from Tokyo that has a number of outlets in the Seattle metro area. Our visit was to the Bellevue Square location....

They know how to steam milk: Diva Espresso Kenmore. Located in The Hanger this is another of about a 1/2 dozen locations of this coffee roaster and purveyor of all...

Group dinner: La Cocina Oaxaqueña. Dinner for about a dozen but we ordered from the standard menu so I feel more confident in my impressions. It’s a relatively small place on...

Even on a cold day it’s good: Kpaw’s Iskreme. Small but usually busy place in this small island town. They have a nice selection of ice cream with handmade waffle...

Eurasian fusion: Cook Weaver. Reading about this place I was intrigued by the description of the food as well as the space. Apparently the building was built in 1930….wouldn’t know...

Needs a little prep: Rain Shadow Meats. Grab some charcuterie…..gotta try the chicken liver paté…. and a steak for later and you’re all set. Friendly service with reasonable prices. Visit...

Java and pastries: Broadcast Coffee. This is the location of their roastery. They also have a couple more locations around the city. The pastries were outstanding, in particular the Queen...

Maybe the best biscuit in Seattle: Marmite. Hard to get a great biscuit in Seattle but this has to be one of the best. Made all the better by the...

Right on Main Street: Looking Glass Coffee. Nice little spot with good espresso and inhouse made donuts! The espresso is on the dark and moody side with serious pulls so...

An old standby: Dahlia Bakery. It’s all about the triple coconut cream pie….for which they are famous but, they have a number of other great choices as well. This time...

New spot, old name: Uncle Lee’s Kitchen. It used to be located about a mile away but recently moved and reopened a few weeks ago at this site. Same food...

Artisan fast food pizza: MOD Pizza. All made to order….from any of 30 toppings and in a pizza oven no less! It’s Seattle based but they have over 300 locations...

Food truck popup: Random Acts of Food. Everyone was going crazy for the deep fried Brussel sprouts with sea salt and lime so I had to give them a try....

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

Blueberries any way you want: Bow Hill Blueberries. Stop by for a tasting….including pickled….or just go to pick your fill. This place has blueberries done in ways you may haven’t...

Another spot for cheese: Samish Bay Cheese. Very nice spot to do a cheese tasting on your way to pick blueberries in the Skagit Valley. It’s all organic and made...

No bike this time: Duvall Tavern. We were visiting this small town just east of the metro area and stopped in to checkout this “world famous since 1934” establishment in...

Sushi on the Ave: KU. Started the afternoon at The Mountaineering Club and caped off the day with a bit of sushi……more precisely….rolls (maki). This is a small place just...

Wine anyone? Slough Food. Nice little spot to pick up some wine, cheese and charcuterie for later…or enjoy it in their courtyard. They also offer soups, salads and sandwiches. This...

Continuing our tour of northwest Washington: Breadfarm. Nice little artisan bakery in the heart of a nice, interesting little village in the Skagit Valley. While we didn’t have their bread,...

Who knew: Boxx Berry Farm Market. Happened upon this place driving the backroads of northwestern Washington and stopped in just to see what they had to offer. This is a...

Dessert: Lynden Dutch Bakery. Had lunch at JoFish and saved room for a Dutch treat…or 2! Our choice wasn’t so Dutch but more local….the caramel apple pie, made from local...

Seafood in cow country: JoFish Seafood & Grill. Beautiful small town near the Canadian border originally populated by people of Dutch ancestry. The downtown area is full of Dutch architecture,...

Go to place near Mt Baker: The North Fork Brewery. Neapolitan style pizza with a few other choices such as salads and lasagna. And then there is the beer. Nice...

On the bike again: Snohomish Bakery. Weather was awful so we stopped to dry out and refuel. Nice spot with reasonable espresso and a good selection of pastries. Visit website...

Waiting for the ferry: Port Townsend Vineyards Wine Plaza. Nice spot with drop dead views of the Sound…and the wines aren’t bad either. Fruit is locally sourced so expect cold weather...

Carb loading: Bella Italia. Classic Italian restaurant located downtown near the waterfront. Had a ride up Hurricane Ridge the next morning and this seemed like a good option. Started with...

Pizza on the Peninsula: Hillbottom Pie. On my way to ride to the top of Hurricane Ridge and I needed some carbo loading. Nice little spot in the historic district...

Brewpub in B’ham: Aslan Brewing Co. For my Alabama followers, no this isn’t in Birmingham…Bellingham instead…which my PNW followers will immediately recognize. I’ve been here several times and their specialty...

Popular Brewery: Populuxe Brewing. The Tide faithful gathered here to kick off the football season and there’s nothing like beer and biscuits to get you in the mood…..especially if the...

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

You gotta go for the views: Mountaineering Club. There has been a real stir recently about this bar on the rooftop of the Graduate Hotel in the U District and...

Another bike stop: Proper Joe. About the midpoint of our ride north and it seemed like a good place to try….there are a number in this small town just north...

Dandan Noodles: 7 Stars Pepper. My first experience with these noodles was in China a few years back and I’d been looking to find them in the US ever since....

Classic brew pub: Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro. Visit on a Monday night if you can….it’s Irish and Folk night….live music in the park next door. Nothing like a beer...

Delightful little spot: Farm to Market Bakery. A bit off the beaten path but worth a short drive off I5 or as another route to Bellingham since it’s just south...

Szechuan on Capitol Hill: Chuan on Capitol. I had heard a bit about this place and it’s only a short walk from the light rail station so it seemed like...

Afternoon snack: Pane d’Amore. Heading back to Seattle from the Peninsula and no need to get on the ferry hungry. This place is a bit off the beaten tourist track...

Brunch: NetShed No. 9. We were visiting Gig Harbor…for the first time despite living here for almost 20 years! This place sounded interesting…..and the space and views can’t be beat....

After brunch drinks: Heritage Distilling Co. They have several tasting room locations and this is their waterfront location in the downtown area. We visited during the Maritime Gig Festival so...

Recommended by a friend: Le’s Deli & Bakery. Looking for a great Bánh Mi and this place came highly recommended so I had to give it a try for lunch....

Needed some Joe: Coffee Shack Co. Located just off exit 221 near Mount Vernon, it was a good place to stop…for gas…and some coffee on our way to Vancouver BC...

On the list: Stack 571. I was in the general area to have this year’s rosé analyzed and decided to stop by to see what this place had to offer....

Pike Place Market: Three Girls Bakery. Quick “breakfast” while visiting the Market. Not the best bakery in Seattle but it is very conveniently located if you are shopping at the...

Impossible Burger: Meet the Moon. We had been looking…all over for the Impossible Burger….and didn’t even know they had it on the menu. Not only was it listed, they actually...

Not a restaurant: DeLaurenti’s. This is one of those places you must visit…if you like Italian food..and even if you don’t…just to see the place. They have aisles and aisles...

Needed some Q: 3 Pigs. This is one of our go to places in Seattle for BBQ. Story is that it was started by 2 brothers from Atlanta….not a hotbed...

Cycling pitstop: C.C. Espresso and Ice Creamery. Needed a quick protein and carb load so what could be better than ice cream! Nice little shop in “downtown” Duvall. They have...

Breakfast: Bacon & Eggs. This place is very popular. On weekends expect to wait in line so arrive early…or wait. Classic breakfast fare delivered country style….huge portions! The short stack...

Google search: Public House Yakima. We needed a quick lunch on our way back to Seattle and this place looked interesting…and hopefully quick. Our problem began with Google Maps. Not...

Our daughter’s choice: Whitehouse-Crawford. We ate here about 10 years ago and she still remembers the experience. So, we had to have an update. The space is in an old...

Seriously good French cuisine: Brasserie Four. This place really has it all….nice bar, French bistrot food and a great selection of wines. We started with the chicken liver pâté to...