Food & Drink

South Lake Union and Maria Sabina Restaurant

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The hustle and bustle of South Lake Union is back. On a sunny and warm Friday evening, we walked the streets of this Seattle neighborhood. It has everything you could need…gyms, restaurants, shopping, recreation, parks, and services. So many to choose from. It’s a diverse area of ages, cultures, lifestyles. As many employees are returning to the office, the local economy is again thriving. The number of those out and about and the traffic can confirm that.

At the southern tip of Lake Union, you’ll experience people jumping from the bridge into the water (or swimming nearby), art displays, parks, boats, and the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), the Center for Wooden Boats, and you’ll see the South Lake Union Streetcar or Trolley (nicknamed the SLUT) transporting those from stop to stop consisting of 1.3 miles. We happened to catch a car from CA parked on the track, therefore the trolley could not continue to its next stop. A visit to The Spheres is in the future. https://www.seattlespheres.com/

Eat at Maria Sabina Mexican Restaurant, located on Westlake Avenue North. The flavors and quality of the meal is top notch. Service is ok. And on a nice day, the doors open up for that treasured indoor/outdoor experience. The sauces and salsas are tasty, including the side of guacamole. The menu has a nice variety to choose from; which makes one want to return. Recommended (and shown here) are the nachos, house salad, and also the mushroom taco, and chicken Tinga taco. https://www.marinasabinarestaurant.com/

Check out visitseattle.org/neighborhoods/south-lake-union/ for more info.

COA Mexican Eatery

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All I can say is… BEST MEAL EVER! Locations in La Conner and Mount Vernon, WA. I was able to enjoy it in La Conner. https://www.coalaconner.com/

Although I am a taco or enchilada gal typically, I chose the Burrito Chiquito… a flour tortilla stuffed with choice of meat, rice, beans, pico de gallo, fresh greens & cheese. Drizzled with pimento sauce, poblano crema and mole sauce. Topped with pickled onions and queso fresco. Side garnished with mango pico. So good…Amazing! The salsa and chips hit the spot. The ambiance and decor resonated with me…the music, the natural stones in the bathroom sink too. I took part of my meal to go and was thankful.

Hood Canal Experience

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Last minute road trip in the #pnw Puget Sound area. Great weather. The Olympic Mountains showcased their beauty.

Seattle to Union to Bainbridge Island.

Stopped at Bent Bine Brewery in Belfair, WA. Enjoyed Skogkat Red and took one to go.

Sleep, Dine, Self Care and the natural beauty of Alderbrook Lodge & Spa area. https://www.alderbrookresort.com/

Love my https://eqpdgear.com/ bags for travel and more.

Ridgetop Red…my favorite from Silver City Brewery in Silverdale, WA. The beer is good on tap or in a bottle. https://silvercitybrewery.com/

My intention was to stop at Bloedel Reserve but cell service isn’t the best in this area and they require entry tickets purchased online in advance. https://bloedelreserve.org/

Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, Bainbridge Island. Volunteer Carolyn is priceless. https://bijaema.org/

Bruciato – enjoy your Napolitano style pizza, cutting it with scissors. Bainbridge Island on Winslow Way E. https://www.pizzeriabruciato.com/

Bainbridge Island Art Museum. https://www.biartmuseum.org/ Especially loved the Indigenous artwork of Peg Deam (Suquamish). Go! Experience this lovely exhibits and all it has to offer. I really liked that it is all current work.

Ferry ride makes for a true #pnw experience. https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/washington-state-ferries

Living the best life when I can.

Art Walk Edmonds… and a Pub

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Art Walk Edmonds occurs the third Thursday of the month from 5 pm – 8 pm. This is a good chance to see the galleries, businesses that showcase local artists. Make it fun by choosing your favorites in each location, making it an outing with friends. You might just find something that will be showcased in your home or business. As part of the Walk, you may even find a demo like at the impressive Aria Studio Gallery by Joan Archer. https://www.artwalkedmonds.com/

Prior to stepping out on the streets of Edmonds, have a meal at the Churchkey Pub. Craft beer, specialty cocktails and the most satisfying pub fare out there. The Rachel sandwich is fabulous – fresh sliced turkey breast piled high with sauerkraut, swiss cheese and 1000 Island dressing on marble rye (although I chose sourdough bread). The side salad was fresh and a great mix of nuts and veggies, nicely presented. And the blue cheese dressing is… maybe the best ever! Check out the menu at https://churchkeypub.com/

Local Appreciation Day

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Pike Place Market is celebrating all things local. January 28th started it off with a shopping bag (love it!) giveaway for the first 500 shoppers who spend $50 or more at the shops and restaurants in the Market area. Entertainment was showcased too.

There will be weekly prizes throughout the month of February. 

So, go and experience the Pacific Northwest vibe and shop local. See the charms, the gum wall too. Participate. We did.

pikeplacemarket.org

Alberta, Canada

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Oh, Alberta. It’s on the bucket list of many and it certainly is, was on mine. September 2022.

The beautiful Canadian Rockies. Within four hours reach via airplane. It is worth it and a must see.

Canmore. A resort town of sorts. It definitely is a place to consider home. A great community to stay while you’re exploring the area. A favorite for brunch, breakfast was at Graze. https://grazefoodanddrink.ca/ The Graze Egg Classic was all-around fabulous. Hats off to the chef who contributed, did it all.

Banff. Walk the town. Take in a meal. Do the Banff Gondola. See the sunset. Have a bear (or a beer) at Three Bears Brewery https://threebearsbanff.com/, a lunch at Nourish (especially if you’re vegan). The Boss Bear Burger was a hit as well as their cocktail of the day. https://www.nourishbistro.com/. And for a real treat, have dinner at The Bison. https://www.thebison.ca/ The ambiance with the live music and the tasty meal is a showstopper. The Bison Burger, The Bison Caesar (pork belly croutons) and the Sunrise Meadow cocktail and Black Sage Cabernet Sauvignon was a hit! We missed seeing the elk herd walking the streets of town. https://banff.com/banff-gondola/

Check out the Jasper National Park… Icefields Parkway. The glacier blue lakes, the exquisite cliffs and jagged mountains against the blue sky. We took the trip to https://icefieldsparkway.com/ https://jaspercolumbiaicefield.com/ Staying here would be an amazing experience at the right time of year https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/hotels/glacier-view-lodge/

Lake Louise. Walk the trail or get in a canoe. Take in a bite and a view at the Fairmont Chateau Hotel. https://www.fairmont.com/lake-louise/ I can recommend the Candied Farmers Vegetable Bowl. So good.

Don’t miss out. Plan ahead. Enjoy the beauty, the landscape, the destination.

Victoria BC and more

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Are you wanting to explore Vancouver Island a bit more? Taking the Black Ball/Coho Ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria BC is a good way to travel depending on your location. Making Victoria your home base, it makes for a good 2-3 night adventure. Traveling further north would mean a 1-2 week trip. So much to see, experience.

In Port Angeles, while waiting to board the ferry, make a stop at both the Next Door Gastro Pub and then the Country Aire Natural Foods Market for some snacks, lunch or other to take aboard. At Next Door, the fish tacos (non-blackened and grilled), were ordered, the cabbage and pickled adds really made it tasty. The local Lazy Soul hot sauce is recommended and can be purchased at the market mentioned here. https://www.camarket.org/ https://nextdoorgastropub.com/

Victoria’s Inner Harbour – Walk through the Empress. View the indigenous totem poles. Enjoy the hanging flowering baskets around town. Shop for your tourism swag. https://www.travel-british-columbia.com/blog/where-to-see-totem-poles-in-british-columbia

Eat. NUBO Kitchen + Bar (they have a busy take-out option too). https://nubokitchen.com/

Stay. Strathcona. http://strathcona.victoria-hotelcanada.com/en/

Malahat Sky Walk – See the natural beauty of the trees and animals made of branches, twigs along the walkway. The 360-degree views from the Spiral Tower are amazing. You’ll see views of the Salish Sea, Saanich Peninsula, and more. Walk the tower and take the slide down if you’re up for it. All abilities are welcome. Those that work there are so friendly. The gift shop has many options that you’ll want to take home with you (I did!). https://malahatskywalk.com/

Cowichan Bay – Shop in the village. Sailboats, fishing, houseboats, and history of Cowichan Bay is showcased here. The Halibut Burger and Pan-fried Oysters hit the spot at The Bay Pub. And we got our first taste of the Victoria local Fat Tug Beer. Yes!

Visit a winery or two while in this area. Many of the grapes, varietals are unique to Vancouver Island and you’ll try something new I’m sure. I was able to get my hands on a beautiful book named ‘Cedar + Salt’ – Vancouver Island recipes from forest, farm, field, and sea. The natural aspects of it really sings to me.

Kinsol Trestle – The Kinsol Trestle is also part of the Cowichan area. You’ll definitely get your steps in by visiting this 144-foot high attraction. This wooden trestle was originally built to transport timber (and other) by rail through the canyons, ravines. It was completed in 1920 and then after 1979, no trains made their way across it and not preserved. In 2007 plans were made to restore it and it is now part of the Trans Canada Trail network and it remains one of the loftiest wood railway trestles in the world. There are two points of access. Enjoy the views, have a picnic. So cool! https://www.tourismcowichan.com/explore/destinations-attractions/kinsol-trestle/ and https://www.cvrd.ca/1379/Kinsol-Trestle

Dinner at The Snug Pub at Oak Bay Beach Hotel. Great views of the Pacific Ocean and we can attest that the beef burger, fish & chips, seafood chowder are hits. Oak Bay is a great neighborhood with fabulous beaches, like Willows Beach. There are unique trees in this area called Garry Oak and contributes to it being a photographers paradise. https://www.oakbaybeachhotel.com/ https://www.mustbevictoria.com/willows-beach

Butchart Gardens – in Spring, you’ll see tulips, hanging baskets, roses, and a lot more in bloom. It is open year-round and you’ll see different plantings based on seasons. https://www.butchartgardens.com/

Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood – Take a harbour or whale watching tour, shop, dine. Check out the commercial vessels, floating homes, boats and more. Eat at The Fish Store at Fisherman’s Wharf. Sooooo good! Enjoyed Fat Tug IPA, Halibut & Chips, and Fraser River Sturgeon while sharing a table in the sun with other visitors to the area. https://driftwoodbeer.ca/beers/fat-tug-ipa/ https://floatingfishstore.com/the-fish-store-menu/ https://gvha.ca/marinas-facilities/fishermans-wharf/

From Fisherman’s Wharf, we walked the neighborhood to The Breakwater District at Ogden Point, did the walkway and viewed the large cruise ships in port. This was a great add to the day before leaving Victoria. https://www.victoriaharbourhistory.com/locations/outer-harbour/the-breakwater-district/

A sampling of cheer. Go often.

Supreme Dumplings

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Supreme Dumplings in Bellevue, WA is one of the first in the USA partnering with former Executive Chef of W Hotel Taipei. Chef Wang is a master of Xiao Long Bao. The decor is something like you’d see globally. It’s on the small size, tables are close together… and getting rave reviews! Make a reservation online or risk being a walk-in. We happened to get there when they opened on a Monday and were thankfully able to dine-in. Weijin and the team are fabulous….providing good service and info of the menu.

The items chosen were based on one of us being vegetarian and we wanted to celebrate, try a variety of entrees. The menu consisted of Stir-Fry String Beans (heavenly with wild mushrooms and carrots too…see the pic), Supreme Pork Xiao Long Bao, Pan-Fried Leak Pie, Steamed Vegetable Dumplings, and Wild Mushroom Fried Rice (so good!). Also, a cold Matcha Green Tea was had. The Spicy Wontons were not available so I hope to try this dish another time, among others. All are recommended.

I’ll look forward to returning.

https://www.supreme-dumplings.com/

The Cottage

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The Cottage in Bothell entertains and delights at all hours Tuesday-Sunday. Go for brunch aka mid day, happy hour, or dinner. The Cottage serves breakfast all day until 3 pm. The main dishes, the sides, the brunch, and the cocktail options begs you to come back. Check out the sample menu and dream away.

Live music happens. Check out the various events too.

Reserve your table today. As they say…

All Things Delicious.

All Things Cozy.

Shown here: Lemon Cilantro Hummus Platter (the hummus is thicker once you dig into it), Roasted Tunisian Vegetable Melt and The Wedge (with chicken). The Pink Champagne Cocktail (not shown) is perfect for toasting the birthday girl.

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