Seattle

Nestled in an alleyway just off of Pike's Market, The Tasting Room has a welcoming atmosphere with a hint of mystery. Walking in there, even as a tourist, gives you the feel of finding your own secret wine bar in your hometown. They have a large...

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...

The Fremont neighborhood is full of quirk, which seems only right, since the locals consider it to be the Center of the Universe. Attached to the top corner of a gift shop, the rocket was fashioned into its current shape out of Fairchild C-119...

In the Phinney Ridge neighborhood, the seasonal Friday evening market is not only filled with local folks buying up fresh produce for the weekend but also with those eating a fresh dinner made on site. For dinner you can enjoy grilled veggies,...

I didn't expect to like the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit, because it seemed like yet another overpriced Seattle attraction. But I was pleasantly surprised by this colorful, photography-friendly collection of the one-eyed glass artist's work....

This section of the Pioneer Square area has been designated by the city as a place where local artists can display their work. It's a lively place to enjoy a latte or go on a walk.

Let's be honest, while local chocolatier Autumn Martin serves up cookies and seasonal savory treats like grilled cheese and salads, the real treats at Hot Cakes are the melty centered chocolate cakes and the inventive boozy milkshakes. The Hot...

Walking into Velouria is like stepping right inside the handmade and vintage web marketplace, Etsy. Located in Seattle's SoDo neighborhood, it's filled with carefully crafted dresses, swimwear with vintage flair, and all sorts of accessories.

While Seattle is the home of the flagship of another outdoor wear giant, the neighborhood of Ballard has it's own homegrown outdoor brand. The KAVU store in historic downtown Ballard is always a friendly place to step into, selling it's "Busy...

Venue combines work studio spaces for some artists and designers with a consignment boutique for even more. You’ll find local art, notecards, hand-thrown ceramics, photography, jewelry, bags and small gift items from over 40 Seattle artists. With...

With over 150 varieties of loose leaf teas and tisanes and a great seasonal crepes menu (with gluten free options) - Miro Tea is my favorite spot in historic downtown Ballard for a late brunch. The interior is made up of a stylishly mismatched set...

I was excited about visiting Dubrovnik because it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and I wanted to take panoramic shots of the city to rival the ones I had seen on the Internet that lured me to Croatia in the first place. So I was eager to walk the...

The scent of lavender so intense you can smell it in the air on the drive towards the farm. Fields of purple so intoxicating you want to crawl in and drift to Neverland.

Opened in 2013, this gastropub is a new and welcome addition to Capitol Hill, incorporating traditional French dishes with local Northwest ingredients. The decor is simple and elegant, perfect for a romantic dinner date, as long as you don't mind...

In the heart of West Seattle's Alaska Junction is the local gem Husky Deli, family-owned since 1932. In summer, the line winds through the store for their famous ice cream — like the Oreo Coffee scoop shown here. But their made-to-order deli...

More of a cider lover than a beer drinker? Seattle's new Capitol Cider has you covered, with a variety of apple and fruit ciders, both bottled and on tap. Of course, there's plenty of beer, too — and even the occasional nonalcoholic ginger beer....

In the heart of downtown, Belle Epicurean is located inside the Fairmont Hotel, but has a small storefront on 4th Avenue. Step inside this tiny French bakery and inhale the aroma of croissants, macarons, and other confections. Belle serves...

Just down the block from Schmancy (get it?), Fancy is a charming little jewelry boutique with gorgeous, modern jewelry and art. They’re a Seattle-based company focused on producing high-quality jewelry that is 100% handmade of ethically sourced...

Boudreaux Cellars is a boutique winery located outside Leavenworth on the aptly named Icicle River, but their tasting room is conveniently located on Leavenworth’s main drag. The winery produces riesling, chardonnay, merlot, syrah, cabernet...

Don’t be surprised if you’re offered a sample of cheese the moment you step into the Cheesemonger’s Shop. The friendly staff is only too happy to talk cheese, offer samples, and suggest pairings with their crackers, meats, and wine selection. They...

A gingerbread cottage is entirely fitting for the faux-Bavarian village of Leavenworth, and the Gingerbread Factory fits the bill, right down to the lollipop and candy-cane decorations on the walkway. Inside, you’ll find a big case of oversized,...

When a restaurant’s logo consists of bulbs of garlic, you can consider yourself warned. Mediterranean Kitchen uses liberal amounts of the stuff in their delectably aromatic Middle Eastern dishes. Their meals are a great value, since they include a...

Click prides itself on carrying useful, well-designed objects for the home, which anyone can appreciate. But the heart of the business is owner Frances Smersh’s unconventional, edgy modern jewelry using materials like dyed concrete and...

Who knew you could buy art and get your hair cut in the same place? Vain is a local hair salon/beauty supply chain that started in Belltown, but its newest location is in West Seattle’s Alaska Junction. Not just a hair salon, Vain also has a good...

“Couture” may not be a word you see much in Tacoma, but owner Tina London aims to change that with her vintage and consignment boutique, London Couture. They carry vintage designer pieces, contemporary clothing and formal dresses, plus handbags,...

Although it looks impressively historical, the Chinese gate at the entrance to Seattle’s International District is actually quite recent — it debuted in 2008. The gate is designed with traditional Chinese motifs and colors, including auspicious...

Lost Lake may look like it's been open for decades, but despite its dimly-lit vintage decor, this Capitol Hill diner just opened in 2013 — and is already a favorite with locals. One side is a restaurant and the other side is a bar, depending on...

As its name implies, the Hideout isn’t the most centrally located place, and it can be a bit difficult to find the nondescript entrance (unromantically close to the Virginia Mason hospital). But step inside, and it’s a different world: dimly lit,...

So called because it’s located above sister restaurant Pintxo, The Upstairs is indeed up a flight of stairs, but once you’re inside, it feels like a cozy, if dimly lit, living room, complete with Victorian-style couches and wingback chairs,...

A fun restaurant/lounge in West Seattle with tiki-bar flair, West 5 offers a popular happy hour from 4-6 p.m. and again from 10 p.m. to midnight. Stop in for a drink and admire their vintage decor and the oversized, crown-shaped neon sign...

Now I know what a hipster is! This awesome little spot was chock full of 'em and, as visitors from Boulder, the land of hippies and rock climbers, I really appreciated the service. They serve chicken and waffles and about the best burger you can...

The fabulous and creative Jill Wenger created and founded the beautiful Totokaelo in 2003 in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. This store is truly a purveyor of beautifully designed and thoughtfully curated fashion and objects, as the website...

Another food-truck-made-good in a permanent location, Molly Moon’s now has five locations around town, but still sends out its iconic baby-blue truck for special events — just follow your nose to the heavenly scent of their freshly made waffle...

If you're allergic to doilies and calico prints, not to worry: Remedy Teas is a far cry from the frou-frou tearooms you're used to. Modern and minimalistic, with clean white decor, the most eye-catching feature of their cafe is the rows of big...

Part of the recent local boom in artisanal and craft liquors, Oola Distillery describes itself as a “micro-distillery” in the heart of Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. They create small batches of gin, vodka, flavored vodkas (including...

Pretty Parlor, possibly the most perfectly named boutique in Seattle, looks exactly like it sounds: a cavity-inducingly sweet pink bon-bon of a shop, crammed full of vintage clothing, accessories, and jewelry, plus modern stuff from local indie...

Yes, you read that right... "Keep clam" is the motto at Ivar's famous Seattle seafood restaurants. Ivar's has plenty of locations around town, from the casual fish-and-chip stands to the fancier waterfront Acres of Clams and Salmon House, but all...

“My wife is the wine expert, so when we go to Portalis together, she can order for us. When I’m by myself, the servers suggest wine pairings for small plates such as lobster ravioli and lamb kebabs.” -Bill Frisell 6754 15th Ave. NW, (206)...

This is a little neighborhood cafe in one of the prettiest districts we drove through. After going to Volunteer Park, we were looking for a snack nearby and this was the cutest place ever. Though quite the locals scene, we did find a sidewalk...

Madison Park is just five minutes from downtown Seattle. Located on Lake Washington, it's a great place to view the mountains and get into nature. Just off the main drag inside a little house you'll find Cafe Parco. The chef-owner has created an...

It’s easy to love Seattle and the benefits afforded by its diverse, dense, urban environment. However, like most big cities, on any given day in downtown Seattle, you can often be faced with the impacts of the hustle and bustle that goes along...

Perched at the top of a 268-foot waterfall, the 84-room hotel is only 30 minutes east of Seattle. You can hike, bike, fish, and do yoga. From $189. This appeared in the March/April 2014 issue.

Angela Rosen owns this chic and very feminine spa, dedicated to making you feel and look good. Sound simple? Yes, but how many "day spas" purport to provide this and when you arrive, the person at the desk is too busy on the phone, doesn't even...

Le Pichet (the sister to Cafe Presse in Capitol Hill) is a quaint little French bistro close to Pike Place Market. Locals rave about the quiche, which often sells out by lunchtime, but if you miss out, you can console yourself with their...

Located in The Fairmont Olympic’s main lobby, the Terrace is an upscale piano bar featuring live music Thursday through Saturday, starting at 7:00 p.m. Happy hour is daily from 3:30–6:00 p.m. and features food and drink specials, as well as local...

Fran's Chocolates is a must-visit for chocoholics. The upscale and handmade truffles, caramels, and more make for a perfect gift—though be sure to treat yourself too! The salted caramel is to die for; or buy one of the assortments to sample a...

The Museum of Glass is in Tacoma, about a half-hour away from Seattle, and it's well worth the trip for art glass enthusiasts. The permanent collection includes some Chihuly pieces, work by 20th and 21st-century artists, and a charming collection...

Once a pop-up, Analog opened a full-blown café three years ago with an eye toward minimalism. Rather than use an automated espresso machine, baristas pull shots using a manual Synesso machine in a big, bright shop that nods rather vigorously to...

No Ballard wander is complete without a stop by Anchored Ship, a teensy coffee shop with wonderfully creaky floors, Little Free Library, and a surprisingly cool sewing/fabric shop hidden in the back. Unlike most local cafés, Anchored Ship is...

Bauhaus is the quintessential Seattle study/coffee lounge. Locals have carted textbooks to the original Capitol Hill location for espresso-fueled study sessions for more than 20 years. Bauhaus is now three cafes deep—Ballard, Green Lake, and...

Want proof of Stumptown’s bean-geekiness? Founder Duane Sorenson—who earned his roasting chops at Seattle’s Lighthouse Coffee—opened the Seattle branch(es) of Stumptown because he refused to ship beans farther than 45 minutes from the Portland...

When I discovered this little gem I had just come from breakfast at the First & Union bakery and had no room for more goodies. So, I had been looking forward to making a trip downtown just for the Hungry Pelican. In a town full of antiques,...

Located just around the corner from the Seattle Center, Triumph Bar is an upscale place to take a break after you’ve trooped around the Space Needle, EMP, or Chihuly Garden and Glass. During happy hour (3-6 and 10-close), enjoy indulgent snacks...

Seattle's first—and only—Native American food truck brings Blackfeet fry bread to the Emerald City. Top it with veggie chili, chicken chile verde, or 12-hour-smoked pulled pork for an Indian Taco piled high with lettuce and pickled red...

No surprises – pork is the focus at West Seattle’s Swinery deli. When you walk into the tiny shop, you’ll see a huge deli case full of steaks and chops, bacon, smoked meats, sausages, pates and confits, as well as all the pickled veggies, slaws,...

Inside Spinasse’s charmingly rustic dining room, you’ll feel like you’ve left Seattle for an Italian trattoria. The roasted beet salad with cherries, radishes and marinated La Tur cheese is tangy and refreshing, while the hand-cut egg pastas are...

A dash of London style; hints of Scandinavia; a generous dollop of Seattle cool: Sitka & Spruce brims with gastronomic oeuvres that demonstrate that good things happen when fresh, high-quality ingredients intersect with meticulous preparation....

The moment you step inside Purple and see the floor-to-ceiling wine tower in the center of the room, you’ll know you’re with serious wine lovers. With over 80 glass and 600 bottle selections, there’s bound to be something to please every palate....