February 2021

Emerald City Wins

Emerald City Wins

Seattle’s latest title? The most beautiful city in the U.S.

June arrives and the city feels like a vacation postcard. Ferries sparkle across Elliott Bay, Mount Rainier shows up in all her majestic beauty, and we locals find ourselves asking, “Do we really live here?” Truth is, Seattle wears all seasons well — but I’ll argue the skyline is never more handsome than on a…

Celebrate Octavia E. Butler Day

Celebrate Octavia E. Butler Day

Lake Forest Park honors the sci-fi pioneer who once called the city home

Before The Parable of the Sower became a staple on syllabi across the country, Octavia E. Butler was quietly living and writing in Lake Forest Park. From 1999 until her death in 2006, she made her home there — so quietly, in fact, that some longtime locals are still surprised to learn she once lived…

Must List: Seven Fun Things to Do in Seattle This Week

Must List: Seven Fun Things to Do in Seattle This Week

Celebrate Juneteenth, catch a dreamy live show, and solstice-party your way through Fremont

Happy Juneteenth! This week, we’re thinking about Black joy, freedom, and the work it takes to keep moving forward. If you’re marking the day, NAAM’s Juneteenth celebration is a great place to be. Here’s what else is happening:   Black Night Market June 20, 3:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Waterfront Park Seattle Free DJs, local makers, food trucks,…

MoPOP Gets a Menu Upgrade

MoPOP Gets a Menu Upgrade

The Lounge reopens with Northwest flavors after a $2.5 million refresh

The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) turns 25 this year, and it’s marking the occasion the way we all would — with good food and festive drinks. The Lounge, MoPOP’s full-service restaurant, recently opened after a $2.5 million renovation. The space feels airy and more inviting, with new seating and framed artwork pulled from the…

The Great B.C. Escape

The Great B.C. Escape

Enjoy a culinary weekend getaway just a few hours from Seattle

A memorable meal is one of the best incentives to travel. These three tempt the short drive from Seattle to British Columbia. The reward: a world-renowned Royal Thai experience; a Michelin starred Japanese/Italian fusion; and an impeccable aburi sushi bite — each paired with a complementary hotel — make for a delectable culinary weekend getaway….

Kevin Kwan Isn’t Making This Up

Kevin Kwan Isn’t Making This Up

The 'Crazy Rich Asians' author talks about his new novel and how the world of extreme wealth has evolved since his debut

When Kevin Kwan made his literary debut with Crazy Rich Asians in 2013, he introduced readers to the world of — as the title implies — crazy rich Asians. While it may not have been the first book to tell a story about the Asian diaspora that wasn’t rooted in trauma, it was the first…

Where History Repeats Itself

Where History Repeats Itself

Populus Seattle features more than 300 original works of art

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the hotel’s new name, Populus Seattle. It appeared in print as Hotel Westland. Five  years after the Covid-19 pandemic sent Pioneer Square on a downward spiral — shuttered businesses, closed restaurants, a dearth of people — things are looking up for the city’s first historic district….

Seattle Smashes World Record

Seattle Smashes World Record

The city kicks into the record books with a massive soccer lesson

Seattle officially holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest soccer lesson. On Sunday, June 15, 1,038 people gathered at Pier 62 on the Seattle Waterfront for a 30-minute class led by Sounders and Reign FC alumni, including former Sounders player Brad Evans. Participants practiced footwork and headed the ball under a bright afternoon…

Can We Be Friends? Yes We Can.

Can We Be Friends? Yes We Can.

Evergreen turns to THRED to help students with disabilities form bonds

When Aaron Chasan isn’t running around Seattle wearing a bear suit giving out hugs to help quell the Seattle Freeze, he’s busy running THRED, a company that helps people develop meaningful relationships based on shared interests. Among his favorite and most important clients is the Evergreen Transition Program, a public school that provides services to…

The Pulse: Choppy Waters

The Pulse: Choppy Waters

Teeth made of beads and transit-themed fashion

It’s a heavy time in the country. ICE raids in L.A. continue. Trump has federalized the National Guard — a move a federal judge has called illegal. A military parade in D.C. this weekend feels more about power than patriotism. The House just passed a bill to defund public broadcasting, targeting NPR, PBS, and local…

Restaurant Roundup: Service Charges, Drone Pizza Delivery, and Down Under Dessert

Restaurant Roundup: Service Charges, Drone Pizza Delivery, and Down Under Dessert

Lively Seattle food scene adds Eggslut and New Zealand-style ice cream

Between stories of wage theft, feuding business owners, and demands of 7% to 20% on top of your bill, Seattle’s food scene is starting to feel like the Wild West. Hope you’ve polished your fork and knife, because here are some of the latest bulletins. Please egg-scuse the mess Construction of a new breakfast sandwich…

Must List: Six Fun Things to Do in Seattle

Must List: Six Fun Things to Do in Seattle

Where to take Dad this week

It’s Father’s Day weekend and the school year’s winding down. Congrats to all the graduates, and if you’re still scrambling for a gift, we’ve got a Father’s Day guide to help. Also this week: Some very fancy Swiss chocolate is headed to Tukwila and Bellevue, and we’re ready to indulge. We caught up with the…