Seattle: On The Table

"With seafood practically leaping from Puget Sound onto your plate, plus the area's mild growing climate, Seattle's ingredients are fresh, creative and abundant. In fact, it's hard to get a bad meal in Seattle. " So says the March 2004 issue of Traditional Home magazine in its spotlight on Seattle. Come, savor, enjoy!

Pike Place Market – The “heart of the city” celebrated its centennial year in 2007.  Located just blocks from the city’s top hotels, restaurants, theaters, art museum, symphony and other cultural institutions, the market is the oldest continually-operated farmers market in the country (since 1907), occupying a 9 acre national historic district.  Wander on your own or take a guided tour for a look at the market’s inner workings.  Pike Place Fish will pack fresh salmon to go in airline-approved, leak-proof containers.  Market Spice will tempt you with tea.  More than 100 produce vendors offer the best of what’s in season.  Just watch out for those flying fish while you’re distracted by the sights and sounds!

Salmon, Shellfish and Geoducks, oh my! - Sample fresh oysters and other local catches at one of our many top seafood restaurants, such as Emmett Watson's Oyster Bar, Elliott's Oyster House, Waterfront Seafood Grill, Ray's Boathouse or Flying Fish. You won't want to leave town without ordering our delicious salmon at least once. Geoduck (pronounced gooey-duck), a conspicuously large mollusk, is less prevalent on restaurant menus but is a popular photo opportunity at the Pike Place Market.

Beans and brews - Seattle started the gourmet coffee craze more than 25 years ago. Today we serve espresso drinks on nearly every street corner and offer visitors the finer points of coffee culture. Visit top downtown coffee bars, including Monorail Espresso (the city's first independent coffee cart), Caffe Lladro (one of the newer and hippest independent coffee bars), and the original Starbucks retail store in the Pike Place Market. Meet the proprietors and some of the city's top baristas to hear how the gourmet coffee craze began, how it has flourished, and where it may go in the future. Or just enjoy the parade of passers-by while you sip a steaming latte.

Washington wines - In Washington, we know wine. With more than 500 wineries and 350 growers cultivating 30,000-plus acres, Washington State is second only to California in US premium wine production. Numerous accolades include being named “Wine Region of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast Magazine in 2001, the first American region to receive this award. Seattle is a hub for tasting, with noted wine shops, cozy and chic wine bars and gourmet restaurants throughout downtown and many neighborhoods. With more than 80 wineries in and around the Puget Sound area it is possible to tour and taste for many days in the Seattle and Woodinville regions. Cheers!