September 2012
Columbia Valley: Too Big For Its Own Good?
Leslie Kelly explains the enduring power of Washington's largest wine region.
It’s mighty difficult to get your head around the massive Columbia Valley. While the newest American Viticultural Area wine-growing regions (AVAs) seem to effortlessly grab attention—get a load of the sexy sandy loam high up on Naches Heights!—Washington state’s largest grape-growing region often gets left out of the discussion of what’s hot. Some even contend…
The Wurst Place: South Lake Union’s Man Cave
Go here for a stellar beer list, loud rock music and, of course, sausages galore.
Reclaimed wood and tall ceilings, guitar rock playing loudly, an absolutely stellar beer list, a crowd made up almost entirely of men and, of course, sausages galore: The Wurst Place is South Lake Union’s undisputed man cave. Bob Liptak, who co-owns the restaurant with his sister and brother-in-law, Heather and Mike Parent, used to own…
Fonda La Catrina is Just Fine
The menu's not quite there yet at this new Georgetown Mexican eatery.
A couple of doors down from Georgetown icon Jules Maes, the new Mexican eatery Fonda La Catrina makes its home in two plate-glass-windowed storefronts. Inside, stools at tall wood counters face busy Airport Way, offering first-class people watching; a smattering of tables draw families (during early dinnertime) and a wide range of locals. There’s also…
Café Munir is a Worthy Destination
Tucked away in north Ballard, this hidden gem serves up authentic tastes of the Mediterranean.
White stucco, arched doorways and airy interiors accented with wood: Café Munir is a sophisticated oasis tucked away in north Ballard near Larsen’s Danish Bakery. Here, the flavors of Lebanon—lemon and feta, lamb and oregano—work their magic when tucked into pliant flatbread served warm and fragrant. Start with a shareable portion of muham’mara ($4.50), a…
Ray’s Boathouse: Why We Live Here
A new chef tinkers with tradition at Seattle’s quintessential view restaurant.
Ask a local if he or she has been to Ray’s Boathouse and you’re likely to hear a resounding “Of course!” followed by enthusiastic recollections of that time they went in high summer and sat out on the sprawling, glass-wrapped deck, salty wind in their hair, Puget Sound in all its sailboat-in-the-setting-sun glory at their…
Breakfast Sandwiches at Dahlia Bakery
When quality care is given to every last bite, an old fast-food favorite can still be a comfort.
It turns out that my fond memories of McDonald’s Egg McMuffins, usually enjoyed in the backseat of my parents’ wood-sided station wagon while on road trips, don’t make McMuffins eaten now, as an adult, any less disappointing. Some things are best left as nostalgic taste snapshots, I guess. Except when a craving calls, and then…
Consignment Steals in Downtown Kirkland
A designer enclave is well worth the S.R. 520 bridge toll.
Consignment hounds, this designer enclave is well worth the S.R. 520 bridge toll: Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Ragamoffynn’s still reigns as the Eastside queen of consignment; owner Gisela Manning’s shrewd eye keeps the high-end couture stock flush with elite designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Prada and Chanel (boots!). If your wallet is…
Old Bellevue’s Refined Boutique Shopping
Soak up the refined boutique scene of this charming old-town shopping district.
Begin on Main Street, the historical pocket of downtown just south of Bellevue Square, which harks back to the area’s days as a sleepy Seattle suburb, where an independent spirit lives on along a pleasant promenade of unique boutiques and restaurants. Begin at (1) Jarbo, the source of Sharon Roth’s exquisite clothing line, which she…
Houseware and Décor Finds in South Lake Union
Home to Amazon and a slew of great restaurants, SLU is also a hub of mod home furnishings.
Echoing the glitzy sleekness of the neighborhood itself is SLU’s hub of mod home décor shops, ranging from the locally owned Inform Interiors (now located in a larger location at Dexter Avenue N and Thomas Street), with its wide array of funky chairs, stools and metal tables, to the much ballyhooed West Elm, beckoning with…
Queen Anne Shops Offer a Small-town Vibe
With its precious jewel-box shops, the hilltop is still cream of the crop.
Sure, in days gone by, Queen Anne had more bustle (see: departures of the Teacup, Oslo’s and Skookum), but this petite charmer still has appeal. There’s nothing quite beats linking arms and strolling Queen Anne Avenue, peeking into an intimate spot like 2-year-old (1) Charley + May Co., located at the northernmost end of the…
Goldmine for Gifts: University Village
The shops sprinkled in U Village and surrounding area can help you score a gift for almost anyone.
From holidays to graduations, the shops sprinkled in U Village and surrounding area have your back year around. Curving behind the northwest bend of the shopping center, stroll along NE Blakeley to snag a few delightfully irreverent cards at Curtsy Bella; owners Mary Jo Thomas and daughter Danielle Fayette stand ready to help you find…
Stylish Shopping in Madison Valley
Luxurious vintage, global-chic jewelry and unbeatable kids’ consignment are the pride of the valley.
The first stop in the Madison Valley is, hands down, the best place in the neighborhood for an amazing deal. (1) Sugarlump stocks racks upon racks of button-cute and barely worn consignment kids’ clothes, with prices topping out at $40 (for maternity wear), but most falling in the range of $10 or- less. It also…