Waitsburg, WA

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Looking for food and drink that a foodie could love (and anyone else for that matter)?  When visiting Walla Walla, drive 20 minutes north past the wheat covered fields on US-12 East to Waitsburg.  As our drive was mostly in the dark (going for dinner), I would like to visit again during daylight…after all, Waitsburg has been around since 1865.  I also would like to keep driving to Dayton at some point as well.

This evening, we went for a taste of Southern Comfort, Cajun cooking at the Whoopemup Cafe.  Our party had the Tomato Bisque soup, Gumbo, Catfish, and the not to miss Jambalaya.  Skip the salad and go for the soup or gumbo as a starter.  Reservations recommended, especially on Friday and Saturday.   http://www.whoopemuphollowcafe.com/

After dinner, we stopped in at the Jimgerman Bar.  There, Dan concocted unique cocktails and offered a bit of info about the vibe of Waitsburg.   An example of offerings are the Moscow Mule, Giving up the Gun, El Greco, and Lee Miller’s Frobisher.   You might want to start at The Jimgerman Bar for appetizers as they offer a seasonal selection of “Etruscan Snacks” …Etruscan is another word for tapas.  Check out a sampling at   http://www.jimgermanbar.com/

Visit www.cityofwaitsburg.com for more details…history, community, and tourism

New October eats…

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Crossroads Bar and Grill –    Crossroads Bar and Grill is new to Bellevue in 2010 and in my opinion, a nice addition to the Crossroads Mall (and east Bellevue area).  The bar area is substantial and offers a nice option to sitting in the dining area.  The menu has a nice range of salads, burgers and sandwiches.  Most sandwiches are served on a ciabatta roll which makes a nice meal.  They have daily specials (including happy hour) and breakfast is served until 2 pm on weekends (at least this was our experience).  This location is the fifth of the Neighborhood Grills family.  Check out  www.neighborhoodgrills.com  for other locations and menu options. 

Doofers – this “rural”  sports bar will please as there are many TVs for viewing your favorite team and/or game.   Doofers is located in the east part of the Renton Highlands at 16430 SE 128th St.   The staff was nice enough to change a number of  TVs to various games so that we could have the optimal viewing experience for Sunday NFL football.   We shared the beef sliders (served on potato rolls) and wings…choosing the mild sauce (great flavor). Yelp.com has a variety of reviews…mostly good but service and wait time seem to be an issue here and there. 

Something I missed this month… Seattle Restaurant week http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/seattlerestaurantweek/  In case you missed it also, check out the next Seattle Restaurant Week in the Spring.

And something old….Elysian Fields.  Need to give a shout out to Jimmy…great service, best bartender in the city! Strongly recommending the Lamb Ragu – really good, the noodles that were used made it extra special.  Skip the Cuban Sandwich.

October Splendor

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“October’s the month
When the smallest breeze
Gives us a shower
Of autumn leaves.
Bonfires and pumpkins,
Leaves sailing down –
October is red
And golden and brown.”
–   Can Teach Songs  

“The clump of maples on the hill,
And this one near the door,
Seem redder, quite a lot, this year
Than last, or year before;
I wonder if it’s jest because
I Love the Old State more!”
–   David L. Cady, October in Vermont  

Things to Do in the Northwest

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If you are wondering what is going on this weekend around the Puget Sound or your community,  check out the NW Weekend section of The Seattle Times every Thursday.  Parts of this section can also be found at http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/traveloutdoors/?from=stnvpg1 

NW Weekend has a variety of sections to tempt you… Best Bets, Weekend Highlight, Getting in Gear, and a detailed section called Datebook.  In Datebook, you will find various community events such as Animal Events, Benefits, Biking, Dance, Fairs/Festivals, Food Events, Hobbies, Museum Events, Sports, Performance…and the like.  There is always one main story showcased as well – this week it is Monte Cristo and Maples…Autumn Treasures of the Mountain Loop.

If I was to head off to one of the events this weekend…I think I might choose Issaquah Salmon Days  http://www.salmondays.org/  Enjoy!

Visitor Information Center

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Do you want to visit a location that has a great selection of travel brochures and is also a historical site?  If so, visit the South Snohomish County Visitor Information Center located just off of I-5 in Lynnwood, WA at Exit 181B (heading north or Exit 181 heading south).

The VIC is located in the historical 1919 Wickers Building.  It is a large space with a relaxing atmosphere .  It hosts a great selection (the most I have seen anywhere) of brochures and pamphlets dealing with travel in the Northwest (including Canada), lodging options, local classes and events in Snohomish County, various hiking and camping options in the area as well as commuter information.  Washington State maps and ferry schedules are also available.  These items are free but I would recommend tossing a donation in the donation jar as well as signing the guest registry.  This helps the Snohomish County Tourism Bureau track attendance to the location.  A friendly volunteer will be happy to answer any questions you may have as well.  Also, many VIC’s have a computer for use and some offer calendars, books or souvenir pins for purchase. 

This VIC is located at Heritage Park.  This park was created to preserve the history of the Alderwood Manor area.   Lynnwood was incorporated in 1959 from the larger unincorporated Alderwood Manor.  Besides the Visitor Information Center located in the Wickers Building, the park also houses the Heritage Resource Center (the superintendent’s cottage) and water tower from the 1917 Demonstration Farm, the Geneology Research Library (the park site’s original residence), and Interurban Car 55.  Check out  http://www.ci.lynnwood.wa.us/Content/Community.aspx?id=221  for additional information such as hours of operation, photos, and other interesting facts.  You will also find a walking tour guide of the park…both on the website as well as in the park itself.

http://www.snohomish.org/; http://www.alderwood.org/

This post pays tribute to my grandparents who had ties to this park and Alderwood Manor.

Time…

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“By all these lovely tokens – September days are here,

With summer’s best of weather – And autumn’s best of cheer.”

                         – Helen Hunt Jackson, September, 1830-1885

Puyallup Fair

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The 2010 Puyallup Fair is up and running…September 10th – 26th!   The Puyallup Fair is the World’s 8th largest fair.  Now that is something! 

Not only does the Fair have a concert series, but it also has a variety of entertainment and music throughout the Fairgrounds.  Last year, I saw Heart, a local favorite, for the first time here at the Fair.  Wow!  Ann can really belt out the tunes and the band (including sister Nancy) were fabulous!  The sound system and early Fall weather really made for a great show.  I would certainly see a show there again.  This year’s line-up showcases a little bit of everything including Adam Lambert, Heart, Willie Nelson, John Legend, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Queensryche, Billy Currington, Kid Rock, and more…

Like most fairs, the Puyallup has its rodeo, the rides, and the exhibits (art, photography, 4-H, hobby hall, floral, and the colorful displays of fruit and vegetables, grains, and more).  Sample your favorite fair food…whether it be a corn dog (my personal favorite), elephant ears, scones, enjoy the wine garden, corn-on-the-cob, BBQ, or try the international cuisine or healthful food options.  Whatever your choice, you will be able to find something unique that you more than likely will only get once a year.  Cooking oil at the Fair is Trans Fat Free.   And what is a fair without animals…the barns are filled with pigs (Whee!), rabbits, horses, chicks, cows, and the like.  What is your favorite part of the Fair?

Check out their website for tickets/admission, directions, hours, parking, and other info…http://www.thefair.com/puyallup-fair/

Dining in August…

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Mamma Melina Ristorante + Pizzeria – http://www.mammamelina.com/  Located a block or so north of University Village in Seattle on 25th Ave NE.  The contemporary atmosphere will most surely please.  Enjoy the relaxation of outdoor dining on their resort style patio… or dine-in.  The patio comes with padded lounge options and a water structure.  Mamma Melina’s offers a sampling of Neapolitan Pizza, house made pastas, Insalatone, Antipasti such as Formatti Italiana, Bruschette, and Piatto di prosciutto, fish and meat selections, and sandwiches.  We had the Vegetariano and Pollo Sandwiches which are accompanied by your choice of salad or fries.  We chose the salad as a side and both were nicely presented on a sleek rectangular white plate.  White wine is served in an ice bucket to keep it cool on a warm day.   Upon entering, I was impressed with how airy it was and then noticed the art hanging above…very cool – check out their website for photos and more detail.

Bison Creek Pizza & Pub – Located in Burien, WA, this rustic establishment has been serving South Seattle communities since 1975.  It resides in the old Burien Theatre building and can see the original projector holes above the antique 1890’s back bar.  On this night, the four of us split a large pizza and a calzone and Chicken Strippers (minus the pole and the bad dj…the menu reads) were ordered.  The pizza is loaded with toppings.  There are 16 varieties such as Rod’s Wrangler Roundup, Mama’s Margherita Pizza, The Greek Goddess, Ray Ray’s BBQ Chicken Special, The Stampede aka Heart Attack, Home on the Range, etc… OR you can build your own pizza.  We chose the Meathead Combo and it was indeed loaded.  The Plus:  not greasy and  the Minus:  sauce was a bit sweet/too much tomato flavor…would recommend more garlic and herbs.  I will say that there was a lot of meat (full size salami and Canadian bacon), a bit too much maybe…I think next time I would like to build my own pizza – the fresh tomatoes looked good.  The menu also boasts pasta, grinders, salads (there is a salad bar as well), burgers, and something sweet.  For you local fans that might like The Men’s Room Original Red…it is served here.  www.bisoncreekpizza.com

Seattle Seahawks

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With new coach Pete Carroll at the helm, many are hopeful for a winning 2010 season.

Seattle Seahawks fans are known as the loudest fans in the NFL…and this is in an outdoor stadium like Qwest Field – that is pretty darn good!   Check out the history of the 12th man at http://www.seahawks.com/fans/12zone/spirit-of-12.html.  Who will be the person/celebrity raising the 12th man flag each game?  Show up and find out.  At the time of this post, J.R. Celski, 2010 Winter Olympics short track speed skater two-time bronze medalist was the latest to have this honor.

At the Qwest Events Center prior to the football game, check out Touchdown City.  It offers numerous activities to get your energy going… meet the Sea Gals and have them sign their new calendar, watch the game in the “lounge” on a 40 x 48 screen, see the pre-game show being broadcasted via radio, bid on autographed memorabilia, shop for Seahawks merchandise, stop by one of the sponsors/vendors exhibits, test your quarterbacking accuracy or get timed in the 40 yard dash.  Or maybe you want a temporary tatoo or have your hair colored to show your Seahawks spirit.

Qwest Field offers cutting edge technology, a roof that covers 70% of the seating area, views of downtown Seattle and surrounding area, and a variety of seating options that put you just feet from the action.  On a local, artistic note – check out the wall showcasing the helmets of Washington State’s high school football teams (with a legend to help find your favorite).   Purchase your favorite Seahawks merchandise at the pro shop or at any number of the kiosks located around the stadium.  At the pro shop, you can have a customized jersey made or find Seattle Sounders gear as well.

And if you are looking for food and drink prior to during the game, I would recommend checking out one of the numerous options near Qwest Field.  I say this because the food is limited upon entering the stadium.  Your choices are the typical stadium and hot dog fare, Ivars seafood, Kidd Valley hamburgers, bbq, burritos, or pizza.  I was disappointed that there was not more of an assortment…such as Subway or similar to the fine selection at Safeco Field.  Mind you, I understand this might be the case as there is an extended period of time between games.  Also, if you are into microbrews, the selection is limited – you will find a better selection at a hockey game.  But of course, tailgating might be the preferred option…bring your own grub, grill it to your liking and make your own meal/sandwich to bring in.  Enjoy!

Go Hawks!  http://www.seahawks.com/

Check out Seattle Seahawks 2010 schedule:

http://www.seahawks.com/schedule/season-schedule.html

Update 11/28/10 –  if you can get a pass (or have a ticket) to the club level, try the $40 buffet…NOTE:  you won’t need to eat the rest of the day!!!!  Good mix of choices…omelet (breakfast bar), spring rolls, asian noodles, pot stickers,  freshly carved roast beef, wedge salad, mini-sausage options (3), pork loin …and delicious bloody mary’s are served.