Passionate about the Pacific Northwest

Crumpets in The Market

Have a fresh crumpet on a brisk morning--you'll learn that their reputation as 'dainty' fare is completely unjustified. In Seattle, "The Crumpet Shop" has been a family-run institution in Pike Place Market for more than three decades. Get some tea...

Snoqualmie Falls

Just 25 miles east of Seattle, in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, is Snoqualmie Falls. Winter and spring are the best times to see the thundering 268-ft waterfall; summer brings sun (believe it or not), but less rain and snowmelt.

Although...

Drink (hyper)local at the Pike, Seattle

You really can't ask for fresher beer than they serve at the Pike. This huge pub is actually built around the equipment that is brewing the next batch as you drink. It's the brainchild of Charles Finkel, whose passion is evident in this glorious...

Welcome to My Lab

Locals may get a twinge of nostalgia remembering Lunchbox Laboratory's original, tiny shack in Ballard, where vintage lunchboxes covered the walls and they closed up when they ran out of meat. Fortunately, their new South Lake Union location is...

Happy hour at the Spur Gastropub

Look, I'll be honest. I'd heard the Spur was a great place to eat and drink, but when we got there, the prices on the menu did scare me a little ($30 for lamb, $12 for artichokes). Then we realised that, thanks to jet lag, we had turned up early...

Art in the Park

Here's a bold claim: the Olympic Sculpture Park might just have something for everyone. Located on the waterfront, not far from Pike Place Market, it features great views of Puget Sound (well, on clear days) and the ferries going back and forth....

Nouveau Riche

Sure, there's a lot of hubbub about Crumble + Flake right now, but for my money, it's hard to beat Bakery Nouveau in West Seattle. This immensely popular place always has lines snaking through the store and out the door, but it's worth the wait —...

Dinner with the "Sushi Nazi"

West Seattle is a bit off the beaten path for visitors, but the short drive is worth it. After admiring the sunset at Alki Beach, head to the Alaska Junction, the main shopping/eating area on California Avenue. There you'll find Mashiko, one of my...

Kayaking in Washington's San Juans

Believe it or not, these four paddlers had NO IDEA this breech was taking place! I took this photo from a safe distance. If you look closely at the 2nd kayaker from the left, you will see that directly in front is a dorsal from a different orca...