Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Europeans on American Food
Such a fantastic point of view.
In this piece, Rick Steves' Italian dinner conversations are delightfully retold. Describing a collection of Italian's perceptions of American food, including a blurb on Americans meeting out for breakfast. See below!
Microsoft drama or databases?
It has been said recently that Seattle and Portland have become the new "suburbs"of San Francisco, which is a statement I'm not too fond of as it implies that Seattle isn't "stand alone" city.
In any case, the SF Gate has been covering Seattle area news and its residents for some time (who's suburb-ing who!). The latest? An article titled "What Paul Allen Really Thinks of Bill Gates." Sounds intriguing, or maybe a bit too tabloidy - this humble poster has not yet decided.
Have a look for yourself below. If not for anything else, the article content is interesting as it discusses bits from Allen's soon to be released memoir, "Idea Man."
What Paul Allen Really Thinks Of Bill Gates.
In any case, the SF Gate has been covering Seattle area news and its residents for some time (who's suburb-ing who!). The latest? An article titled "What Paul Allen Really Thinks of Bill Gates." Sounds intriguing, or maybe a bit too tabloidy - this humble poster has not yet decided.
Have a look for yourself below. If not for anything else, the article content is interesting as it discusses bits from Allen's soon to be released memoir, "Idea Man."
What Paul Allen Really Thinks Of Bill Gates.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
New Restaurant Alert!
Capital Hill is known throughout the Seattle community as having some of the most diverse food and hottest eateries. Well, here is one more to add to your "fav" list - Poquitos (they have certainly made this "spotlight" list). The restaurant is brand spanking new, and seem to have hit the ground running. I was made aware of them via Twitter just moments ago. Find them on Twitter: follow this link, or Facebook here.
Congrats on your opening success, Poquito's! We look forward to hearing many more great things!
Cheers.
Congrats on your opening success, Poquito's! We look forward to hearing many more great things!
Cheers.
Leave it to the PacNW!
Most often times when considering sports, "Green" isn't the first thought to mind (other than the field, of course). Well, that's all changing! Recently six pro teams from our beloved Pacific Northwest have banded together, forming what they are calling a "Green Sports Alliance." This gist? They are thinking big - as the article notes, this isn't just about adding more recycling containers in and around Quest Field (name to be changed soon! See here). For the purpose of this brief introduction, we can call their efforts a movement in sports. A purposeful effort to shift mentalities from consumption towards conservation - one game, one pitch, one stadium dog at a time. And here I thought the new name was a game changer!
See the full article from Forbes.com, by following this link.
See the full article from Forbes.com, by following this link.
Monday, March 28, 2011
"Experiment" gone RIGHT!
Love that they kept what looks to be an original fireplace..
Pacific NW | Seattle Contractor Joe McKinstry's own home is his lab | Seattle Times Newspaper
April Issue - Best of...
True to form, Seattle Magazine's April issue is bulging with wonderfully readable content, local flavor, and of course - reviews!
In the past, I have been especially curious to hear their thoughts on "best neighborhoods," "neighborhood stats," etc.. Now, (on my iPad!) I take my time and enjoy the magazine in its entirety. Sadly, the April issue was not available to download last night, so I hit the computer for an evening dose of the snazzy mag.
"The Best Washington State Wines of 2011" caught my eye. What do you think? Are they on the mark?
In the past, I have been especially curious to hear their thoughts on "best neighborhoods," "neighborhood stats," etc.. Now, (on my iPad!) I take my time and enjoy the magazine in its entirety. Sadly, the April issue was not available to download last night, so I hit the computer for an evening dose of the snazzy mag.
"The Best Washington State Wines of 2011" caught my eye. What do you think? Are they on the mark?
Wine and the Puget Sound
Made aware of this article from Santa Rosa last week! I blame the weeks chaos as reasoning for not posting this sooner.
That said, this really is an interesting article. Two of my favorite things, The Sound, and Washington Wine - it is wonderful to see them recognized in this way (there's even some cupcake talk, just saying).
Published by on the PressDemocrat.com site, this was a near miss of mine. Woops!
Follow THIS link to site, or see article copied below.
That said, this really is an interesting article. Two of my favorite things, The Sound, and Washington Wine - it is wonderful to see them recognized in this way (there's even some cupcake talk, just saying).
Published by on the PressDemocrat.com site, this was a near miss of mine. Woops!
Follow THIS link to site, or see article copied below.
Interesting wines from Puget Sound
Published: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 4:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 4:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 4:01 a.m.
SEATTLE — Greek myths sometimes work to explain mundane events, and as I was sipping my way through a handful of lovely but distinctively different local wines, I thought of Sisyphus.
He was a king whose punishment was to push a huge boulder up a hill, which would then fall back down and he had to start all over again.
The local wines were from the Puget Sound area of Washington, and the passion I witnessed from some of the wine makes here was as enthusiastic as any I have seen.
Problem was, the wines of this region are distinctively different, and not as much mainstream as they are interesting.
And thus my thoughts of the tireless quest to get people to try them.
What is made here is dramatic testament to hard work in both vineyards and wineries, and the wines themselves can be utterly fascinating. Aromas are of fresh fruit and superb varietal character, and the flavors are up-front and paired with superb acid levels, so most of the wines work nicely with food.
The main problem is that many of the wines are from grapes few people outside this region have ever heard of -- wines called Madeline Angevine, Siegerrebe, Müller-Thurgau, and others. There are a few other more traditional wines, but many have a unique regional flavor.
One chore facing these hardy people stems from the fact that many reside on islands unconnected to other nearby islands.
And thus sharing ideas relating to this region isn't as easy as it might be if they were only a short drive away.
Puget Sound, though a legitimate American Viticultural Appellation, remains one of the least known wine-growing regions in the country.
All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Is this a game changer...wait, it's a name changer.
What happened to brand recognition people? First the Kingdom, then Quest Field, now this!
I don't know about you, but this gal can't keep up.
Check out this blurb on the name change from Puget Sound Business Journal below.
Read more: Qwest Field may take on new name after merger | Puget Sound Business Journal
Read more: Qwest Field may take on new name after merger | Puget Sound Business Journal "
I don't know about you, but this gal can't keep up.
Check out this blurb on the name change from Puget Sound Business Journal below.
"Qwest Field may take on new name after merger
Puget Sound Business Journal
Date: Thursday, March 24, 2011, 12:35pm PDT - Last Modified: Thursday, March 24, 2011, 12:39pm PDTRead more: Qwest Field may take on new name after merger | Puget Sound Business Journal
Seattle’s Qwest Field, home to the National Football League’s Seattle Seahawks and Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders, will be renamed after CenturyLink once the telecommunications company’s merger with Qwest Communications closes April 1, the Omaha World-Herald reported Thursday.
All Qwest properties will take on the CenturyLink name after the merger, Danny Pate, who will serve as vice president and general manager for Nebraska operations of CenturyLink, said in a statement, according to the World-Herald.
The report said that Qwest Center Omaha will have its name and all branding changed to CenturyLink by the end of August.
Read more: Qwest Field may take on new name after merger | Puget Sound Business Journal "
Sunday Outing?
Entertainment | Woodinville's birthday celebration and other weekend community events | Seattle Times Newspaper
Head over to "vegfest" this afternoon in Seattle Center Exhibition hall -- see complete details above! (runs till 6pm)
Friday, March 25, 2011
March 2011 Newsletter
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Seattle & the NY Times
From Sea to Shining Sea! We are bicoastal!
Not sure what it is, but lately people in other parts of the country are in love talking about and/or featuring Seattle - be it food, design, tourism, etc. It must be the fresh Spring and Puget salt air enticing people closer to our fabulous Emerald City.
See the NY Times article HERE or find copied below.
Cheers!
Not sure what it is, but lately people in other parts of the country are in love talking about and/or featuring Seattle - be it food, design, tourism, etc. It must be the fresh Spring and Puget salt air enticing people closer to our fabulous Emerald City.
See the NY Times article HERE or find copied below.
Cheers!
36 HOURS
36 Hours in Seattle
Stuart Isett for The New York Times
From left The conservatory in Volunteer Park; the Center for Wooden Boats, where you can rent a rowboat or sailboat; at Sitka & Spruce, the chef and owner, Matthew Dillon. More Photos »
By DAVID LASKIN
Published: March 24, 2011
SPRING comes early to Seattle and lasts long. By the end of February, the rains relent and pastel shades of plum and narcissus initiate a progression of color and scent that lasts months. But new flora is not the only thing popping out of the ground in Seattle these days. Seemingly overnight, whole swatches of downtown and close-in neighborhoods — notably South Lake Union and the Pike-Pine Corridor — have transformed themselves into vibrant enclaves of restaurants, bars and galleries. With so many converted and repurposed buildings, Seattle’s cityscape is starting to look as layered as the wardrobes of its inhabitants. The tarry pitch of the timber port never disappeared; it just got plastered over with grunge flannel, tech money, yuppie coffee, Pacific Rim flavors, and more recently the backyard chickens and chard of urban pioneers. Don’t let a passing shower keep you from entering the mix. This is one of the rare American cities where you can be outdoors year-round without either shivering or sweating.
Multimedia
Friday
4 p.m.
1) PARK TOWER VIEW
1) PARK TOWER VIEW
Volunteer Park (1247 15th Avenue East; 206-684-4075;www.seattle.gov/parks), a 10-minute cab or bus ride from downtown at the north end of Capitol Hill, has gardensdesigned a century ago by the Olmsted Brothers, a conservatory bursting with plants from regions around the world, and a squat brick water tower that you can ascend for terrific views of the city below and the mountains and water beyond. Rain or shine, it’s the ideal place for spring orientation. If hunger strikes, stroll a couple of blocks east through one of Seattle’s oldest and prettiest neighborhoods for a slice of lemon Bundt cake ($3) and a Stumptown coffee at the cozy, humming Volunteer Park Cafe (1501 17th Avenue East; 206-328-3155;alwaysfreshgoodness.com).
6 p.m.
2) COOLEST CORRIDOR
2) COOLEST CORRIDOR
The Pike-Pine Corridor is Seattle’s happiest urban makeover: from a warren of shabby flats and greasy spoons to an arty but not oppressively gentrified hamlet just across the freeway from downtown. When the locally revered Elliott Bay Book Company (1521 10th Avenue; 206-624-6600;elliottbaybook.com) abandoned Pioneer Square to relocate here last year, the literati gasped — but now it looks like a perfect neighborhood fit, what with the inviting communal tables at Oddfellows (1525 10th Avenue; 206-325-0807; oddfellowscafe.com) two doors down, and a full spectrum of restaurants, vintage clothing shops and home décor stores in the surrounding blocks. When it’s time for a predinner drink, amble over to Licorous (928 12th Avenue; 206-325-6947; licorous.com). Behind the shack-like facade is a soaring, spare, just dark and loud enough watering hole that serves creative cocktails (Bound for Glory, with Bacardi, allspice, lime juice and Jamaican bitters, $12) and bar snacks (salumi plate, $12).
7:30 p.m.
3) FRESH AND LOCAL
3) FRESH AND LOCAL
One of the most talked-about restaurants in town, Sitka & Spruce (1531 Melrose Avenue East; 206-324-0662; sitkaandspruce.com) looks like a classy college dining room with a long refectory table surrounded by a few smaller tables, concrete floors, exposed brick and duct work. But there’s nothing sophomoric about the food. The chef and owner, Matt Dillon, who moved the restaurant to the Pike-Pine Corridor last summer, follows his flawless intuition in transforming humble local ingredients (smelt, nettles, celery root, black trumpet mushrooms, turnips, pumpkin) into complexly layered, many-textured but never fussy creations like beer-fried smelt with aioli ($12), spiced pumpkin crepe with herbed labneh ($19) and salmon with stinging nettles ($23). Heed your server’s advice that entrees are meant to be shared — you will have just enough room for dessert (warm dates, pistachios and rose-water ice cream, $6.50), and you will be pleasantly surprised by the bill.
Saturday
9 a.m.
4) ART AND WATER
4) ART AND WATER
There used to be two complaints about downtown Seattle: it offered no inspiring parks and no waterfront access worthy of the scenery. The Olympic Sculpture Park (2901 Western Avenue; 206-654-3100; seattleartmuseum.org), opened four years ago by the Seattle Art Museum, took care of both problems in one stroke. Masterpieces in steel, granite, fiberglass and bronze by nationally renowned artists have wedded beautifully with maturing native trees, shrubs, ferns and wildflowers. Wander the zigzagging paths and ramps past the massive weathered steel hulls of Richard Serra’s “Wake” and Alexander Calder’s soaring painted steel “Eagle” until you reach the harborside promenade. From there continue north to a pocket beach and into the adjoining grassy fields of waterfront Myrtle Edwards Park. It’s all free.
10:30 a.m.
5) URBAN VILLAGE
5) URBAN VILLAGE
The development of South Lake Union into a thriving urban village, brainchild of the Microsoft tycoon Paul Allen, is finally alive and kicking. This former industrial no man’s land now houses the city’s best galleries, an ever increasing collection of dining spots, some nifty shops and the spanking new Amazon campus. Use the South Lake Union Streetcar to hop from Gordon Woodside/John Braseth Gallery (2101 Ninth Avenue; 206-622-7243;woodsidebrasethgallery.com), which specializes in Northwest landscapes, to Honeychurch Antiques (411 Westlake Avenue North; 206-622-1225; honeychurch.com), with museum-quality Asian art and artifacts, and on to the Center for Wooden Boats (1010 Valley Street; 206-382-2628; cwb.org), where you can admire the old varnished beauties or rent a rowboat or sailboat for a spin around Seattle’s in-city lake. Need a (really rich) snack? The newly renamed Marie & Frères Chocolate (2122 Westlake Avenue; 206-859-3534;claudiocorallochocolate.com) has some of the most exquisite chocolate macaroons ever confected.
1 p.m.
6) LUNCH BESIDE THE CHIEF
6) LUNCH BESIDE THE CHIEF
Tilikum Place, with its imposing fountain statue of the city’s namesake, Chief Sealth, is Seattle’s closest thing to a piazza, and the Tilikum Place Café (407 Cedar Street; 206-282-4830) supplied the one missing element — a classy informal restaurant — when it opened two years ago. Understated elegance is the byword here, whether it’s the delicate purée of butternut squash soup with bits of tart apple ($4), the beet salad with arugula and blue cheese ($8) or the light and piquant mushroom and leek tart ($10).
4 p.m.
7) WALK ON WATER
7) WALK ON WATER
You don’t have to leave the city limits to immerse yourself in the region’s stunning natural beauty. Drive or take a bus 15 minutes from downtown to the parking lot of the Museum of History and Industry (2700 24th Avenue East; 206-324-1126; seattlehistory.org) and pick up the milelong Arboretum Waterfront Trail. A network of well-maintained paths and boardwalks takes you through thickets of alder, willow and elderberry into marshy islands alive with the trills of red-winged blackbirds and marsh wrens, and over shallows where kayakers prowl amid the rushes and concrete pillars of the freeway overhead. If the sun is out, you’ll want to prolong the outing with a stroll through the flowering fruit trees in the adjoining arboretum.
8 p.m.
8) LA DOLCE VITA
8) LA DOLCE VITA
Maybe it’s the stylish Italian vibe or the pretty people basking in the soft glow of dripping candles, or maybe it’s the sumptuous, creatively classic food — whatever the secret ingredient, Barolo Ristorante (1940 Westlake Avenue; 206-770-9000; baroloseattle.com) always feels like a party. The pastas would do a Roman mother proud — gnocchi sauced with braised pheasant ($19), leg of lamb ragù spooned over rigatoni ($18). The rack of lamb with Amarone-infused cherries ($36) is sinfully rich, and the seared branzino (sea bass) ($28) exhales the essence of the Mediterranean. Don’t leave without at least a nibble of cannoli or tiramisù ($7).
Midnight
9) THE BEAT GOES ON
9) THE BEAT GOES ON
At See Sound Lounge (115 Blanchard; 206-374-3733; seesoundlounge.com) young and not so young Seattle join forces to party to house music spun by a revolving cast of D.J.’s. There’s a small dance floor — but the compensation is lots of booths and sofas to crash on. The scene outside can get rowdy in the wee hours, but inside the beat and liquor flow smoothly.
Sunday
10:30 a.m.
10) BAYOU BRUNCH
10) BAYOU BRUNCH
Lake Pontchartrain meets Puget Sound at Toulouse Petit (601 Queen Anne Avenue North; 206-432-9069; toulousepetit.com), a funky bistro-style spot near the Seattle Center in Lower Queen Anne. Grab a booth and settle in with a basket of hot, crispy beignets ($7.50 for the large); then indulge in something truly decadent like pork cheeks confit hash topped with a couple of fried eggs ($12) or eggs Benedict with crab and fines herbes ($16). You can cleanse your system afterward with a brisk walk up
the hill to Kerry Park (211 West Highland Drive) for a magnificent farewell view.
the hill to Kerry Park (211 West Highland Drive) for a magnificent farewell view.
IF YOU GO
The best, cheapest way to get from the airport to downtown is the new Link Light Rail; $2.50 one way (soundtransit.org).
The two-year-old 346-room Hyatt at Olive 8 (1635 Eighth Avenue; 206-695-1234;hyatt.com) has hands-down the best fitness center and pool of any downtown hotel; most of the sleekly appointed guest rooms have city views. Doubles from $179 to $279.
Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle (2125 Terry Avenue; 206-264-8111; panpacific.com), which opened in 2006, is a light and airy perch above the evolving scene in South Lake Union, a 15-minute walk to downtown. Doubles from $200.
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