Not Going to Sochi? Where to Experience Russian Culture Here in Seattle
Catch the Olympic spirit without making the trek to Sochi
By Rebecca Armstrong January 21, 2014
This article originally appeared in the February 2014 issue of Seattle magazine.
!–paging_filter–pWhether you’re actively boycotting the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi (2/7–2/23) because of Putin’s anti-gay policies or you just can’t afford the trip, never fear, there are plenty of ways to experience the best parts of Russian culture right here in Seattle. Get into the right mind-set with a visit to South Lake Union’s Banya 5 day spa (a href=”http://www.banya5.com” target=”_blank”banya5.com/a), img src=”/sites/default/files/newfiles/0214_stpetersburg.jpg” style=”float: left; margin: 10px;” height=”266″ width=”400″where you can build up a restorative sweat in the Russian sauna (parilka), followed by a visit to the tearoom upstairs, or better yet, Venik Lounge (a href=”http://www.veniklounge.com” target=”_blank”veniklounge.com/a), two doors down, where a shot of infused “health vodka” will cure whatever ails you. Say privet to the Eastern European tradition of savory stuffed pastries, either at popular Pike Place Market spot Piroshky Piroshky (a href=”http://www.piroshkybakery.com” target=”_blank”piroshkybakery.com/a), or at lesser-known Piroshki (downtown and on First Hill; piroshkirestaurant.com). Or try the Soviet sustenance at Capitol Hill newcomer Vostok Dumpling House (a href=”http://www.vostokdh.com” target=”_blank”vostokdh.com/a), serving delicious dumplings, Russian red cabbage and classic borscht. Finally, stage your own closing ceremonies by hearing the world-renowned St. Petersburg String Quartet play a concert of Russian music at Benaroya Hall (2/23; a href=”http://www.russianchambermusic.org” target=”_blank”russianchambermusic.org/a)./p
Follow Us
Holiday Hunt in Pioneer Square
A daily ornament drop turns December into a neighborhood-wide scavenger hunt.
The holidays tend to bring out the kid in all of us. And if opening presents and eating too many treats weren’t enough, there’s also a scavenger hunt in Seattle’s oldest neighborhood. Pioneer Square’s Holiday Ornament Scavenger Hunt has returned for its third year. Twenty-five handblown glass ornaments—all made at Glasshouse Studio—are hidden across 25…
Chit-Chat Kids
Phone a friend.
Twenty years ago, before everyone walked around with a device in their pocket, kids used to call each other on a landline—often tethered to the kitchen in their home. It was a simpler time, when parents didn’t have to worry (nearly as much) about a potential predator contacting their child. Nowadays, things are different, which…
A Plate for Pickleball
The design celebrates the state’s official sport. Additional plates are on the way.
Washington served up a new license plate last week, honoring the state sport of pickleball. In the works for three years, it’s the second of seven specialty plates to hit the market since getting approved by lawmakers earlier this year. “We’re thrilled to see our efforts become reality,” says Kate Van Gent, vice president of…
Seattle-Based Agency Brings Real Voices to NBC’s New Campaign
DNA&STONE built the project around candid conversations to understand what audiences want from reporting.
“I turned off news altogether. I want to be able to form my own opinions. Just tell the truth.” These lines open NBC News’ new national campaign, a 60-second ad that drifts over forests, farms, neighborhoods, and cityscapes while Americans talk about how worn out they feel by the news. The landscape carries the conversation…