THE EMERALD CITY: SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

4/16/2014

THE EDGEWATER HOTEL // INTERBAY // 2411 ALASKAN WAY // $$$
tip. spend the big bucks & get a room with a view, fireplace & balcony. worth every dime. oh, did i mention the beatles, ray charles, stevie wonder, & led zeppelin were just some of the Edgewater's famous guests? take a look at their wall of fame near the lobby to see the full list. visit the lounge next to their Six Seven restaurant. gorgeous views & great drinks. they have all-day room service. get the blackberry buffalo wings & lobster mac & cheese. not renting a car for your trip? bravo, you should UBER your way around anyway. the hotel is walking distance from Downtown, Space Needle, the Piers, etc.

SAVOR SEATTLE FOOD TOUR @ PIKE PLACE PUBLIC MARKET // DOWNTOWN // 1916 PIKE PL // $$
tip. take. this. tour. & take it early in your visit. great way to learn your way around the public market. our tour guide was fantastic [ask for brett]. book the 10 am tour -- you'll be eating samples of the most popular spots for a full 2 hours, so be aware of that before you eat breakfast that morning. at the end of the tour, you get a discount card to a list of places.

FLOWER SHOPS @ PIKE PLACE PUBLIC MARKET // DOWNTOWN // 1529 PIKE PL // $
tip. stop & admire. most beautiful array of flowers, especially tulips. usually $1/stem or $10/dozen. so gorgeous.

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND VIA WASHINGTON STATE FERRY // WATERFRONT // 801 ALASKAN WAY // $$
tip. try going earlier rather than later to BI. the ferry comes by every 30 or so minutes. a sweet getaway for breakfast [visit streamliner diner], coffee with pastries [visit blackbird bakery] & a stroll through downtown or the marina. want to get near the water? head towards the residential area on the right side of the ferry dock. there is a "secret" trail down to the beach.

SPACE NEEDLE // LOWER QUEEN ANNE // 400 BROAD ST // $$
tip. head to the Space Needle sometime before sunset so you can see the city landscape both in the daylight & at night. save your tickets! see Chihuly Garden & Glass below.

CHIHULY GARDEN & GLASS // LOWER QUEEN ANNE // 305 HARRISON ST // $$
tip. head to the G&G after your Space Needle visit. $5 off each ticket after you show them your Space Needle ticket! don't be shy to take out your camera. you can use flash photography if needed, just don't touch the glass ;)

ELLIOTT'S OYSTER HOUSE // WATERFRONT // 1201 ALASKAN WAY // $$$
tip. head to happy hour [monday - friday @ 3pm] 30 min early & get a seat outside or near the bar area. oysters start at 50 cents & increase in increments of 50 cents every half hour. not sure what oysters to choose? ask your server to start you off with 3 types of their recommendations. make sure to get their iced raspberry side for the oysters. oh, & the crab cakes are amazing.

SHIRO'S SUSHI // BELLTOWN // 2401 2ND AVE // $$$
tip. if you have seen Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Shiro's is a must on your food list. Chef Shiro Kashiba called Jiro Ono his mentor & friend. this place is regarded as one of the best sushi places in the nation. head to Shiro's an hour before they open for a seat at the bar [there 's only 11]. want the freshest fish? at the bar, don't order a roll, rather let the chef choose what to prepare for you. don't be afraid to eat with your hands, avoid using soy sauce, make sure your chopsticks are elevated, pointed left & keep your phone in your pocket [hence my lack of photos] -- all acts of respect for your sushi chef.

CANLIS // WESTLAKE // 2576 AURORA AVE N // $$$$
tip. first, my sincerest of apologies on these photos. there was no way i was chugging along my SLR to this classy place. thus, please bear with these iPhone 5s snaps. celebrating something very special? you go here. time to wear your LBD, & your man to wear his sport coat. actually, it's mandatory for men to wear a coat. & don't take it off when dining, they will ask you to put it back on :) ask for a table with a view of Lake Union & make sure they know why you are there.

MOLLY MOON'S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM // CAPITOL HILL // 917 E PINE ST // $
tip. ask for lots of samples, they have some unique & amazing flavors [honey lavender, maple, scout mint...YUM]. if you visit the Capitol Hill location, you can see their cute office right next door.

PIE BAR // CAPITOL HILL // 1361 E OLIVE WAY // $$
tip. sit at the bar. the bartenders [pie-tenders?] are very friendly. the owners are a set a twins, one of which will most likely be working there -- ask about their story & how they fused their two careers together. very clever & unique.

CUPCAKE ROYALE // DOWNTOWN // 108 PINE ST // $$
tip. did you go on the Savor Seattle tour? yes? excellent. Cupcake Royale will give you a 10% discount for doing so. they have amazing flavors. below is lavender & lemon drop.