Happy Friday all! We arrived in Seattle last night and took the “train” as The Husband calls it (aka Link Light Rail) to downtown to get to our hotel. He honestly gets so excited like a little kid any place we go that he can take a train ~ how can I say no, let’s take a cab to that? lol.
While checking in, the hotel let us know we missed the daily Wine Hour so they gave us two passes to have free drinks on them ~ nice! The Library Bar is so cool, but, I am waiting for it to be less crowded to take pictures to show you all.
We are staying at the Alexis Hotel right in the middle of downtown and a short jaunt to Pike Place and the waterfront!
The picture of the man on the wall is kinda funky and we both have glanced over a few times like who is that in our room.
Our room is actually pretty nice.
And a little swanky too.
I love our corner recliner….
And the fact that they give you leopard robes with matching slipper socks with a yoga mat should you decide you need any of these during your stay.
I never knew snacks showed your personality ~ I will have to remember this when I show you all what I eat each day 
The first thing on our agenda this morning was a trip to Pike’s Place Public Market. I actually first learned about Pike Place when I was in college and read the book Fish Tales! I have wanted to go here ever since to see the flying fish!
The Husband remembered me telling him this way back when we were dating and that is why he booked this trip for my birthday 
First up, we stopped for breakfast at the Sound View Café.
One of the best things about this place is you get to sit right by the window with views of the Waterfront.
I ordered the veggie omelet without cheese and it totally hit the spot! (SF) – 5 points+
It comes with a side of oven roasted red potatoes and freshly baked sour dough bread.
I shared my potatoes with The Husband because I knew I’d want to eat that bread that just came out of the oven. (SF + 4 WPA) – 5 points+
After lunch, we set out on foot to explore the market. I have to say, the Flying Fish wasn’t what I had envisioned. I thought they threw fish all day long…nope, just when someone buys one lol.
My favorite part of the market ~ any guesses?? The Farmer’s Market!
Seriously ~ all of the produce was amazing just like it is in California during the summer. The farmer’s are right there offering up samples and encouraging you to try everything.
This is the biggest garlic I’ve ever seen ~ it’s practically as big as the broccoli. I totally wanted the brussels sprouts.
And these tomatoes….I told The Husband, we might be coming back just to get good tomatoes in winter.
The Public Market has everything you could imagine from fresh seafood, meats, breads, produce, flowers….
Even places you can pick out any type of pasta you want with vinegars and olive oils.
Once you make it past the farmer’s and food vendors there is another section full of crafts ~ some handmade some mass produced.
I love these guys! They are popsicle puppets ~ you buy a kit and decorate your own.
Or just buy any of the premade ones. I love the fact that she custom made a shirt to store her puppets.
The market just keeps going ~ You can down “Down Under” to the lower levels and there are a bunch of specialty shops.
I bought a Pike Place Cookbook from this Kitchen Basics store.
Stop # 2 on my list was visiting the Original Starbuck’s that first opened in 1965, but, then, was relocated to Pike Place in 1971.
There were too many people to go inside so I am totally going in the afternoon tomorrow.
As we were strolling along the shops across from the market, we came across Beecher’s Handmade Cheese.
This place is really cool ~ not only do they want you to come in and sample all their cheeses, but, you can sit down and watch them make cheese through the glass windows.
I would’ve never thought they used big shovels for spoons.
On The Husband’s list was having lunch at The Pike Pub & Brewery ~ seeing as it’s our last name it is only fitting
Super cool fun fact ~ So, my last name before I got married was Rinkel and his last name is Pike. This sign would “almost” be the perfect description of our union if that “F” in Finkel was an R.
My strategy for this weekend eating Simply Filling is to have something with eggs in the AM, lattes and fruit bought on the fly any time I want them, salads for lunch and a lean protein with veggies and maybe some healthy carbs at dinner.
I really wanted to have this Harvest Pizza ~ doesn’t it sound amazing?
But, I stuck to my plan ordering a cup of the most delicious Lentil Soup ~ it has a such a rich, tomato, veggie flavor. (SF) – 4 points+
With a Market Garden Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette on the side. I didn’t eat all those onions (way too many!) (SF + 4 WPA for the nuts & dressing) – 4 points+
He got a side salad and these BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos. You know, I tried 3 chips and decided they were not worth it. I actually liked my homemade healthy version better.
We spent the afternoon being tourist walking all around downtown to Pioneer’s Square and checking out a few shops before coming back to the room to relax and try out our snacks.
I fell in love with this Beecher’s Flagship Handmade Cheddar ~ it’s a sharp and firm cheese that is so creamy and delicious.
They served it to us on these pear crisps instead of crackers that are made out of nothing but pear.
Totally a dangerous combo ~ sweet, salty, crunchy ~ good!
We bought two Opal Apples that are like biting into Apple Cider. I also picked out berries and a persimmon and could’ve bought so much more.
I am not sure where we are headed for dinner tonight, but, I know tomorrow is going to involve taking either the Ferry to Bainbridge Island or maybe a Seattle Cruise Tour, plus a trip to the Aquarium and waterfront shops.
Stats so far and it’s still early!
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Have you been to Seattle or live here? What would you recommend doing?
We can’t decide if the Ferry + Island is better or just the narrated cruise. Are the Space Needle and Underground City Tours worth it? So far, we love Seattle even though it’s freezing here!
Night all!
Have a awesome time………I was going to suggest checking out the cheese and getting some flowers for your room. Haha, see you posted pixs of both those things. A couple times a year my husband drives me down there just to get new bouquets of the dried flowers for the house. Have fun.
Love The Alexis! We have stayed there twice. In fact, any Kimpton Hotel is top notch. If you want another fun getaway spot not too far from home, try the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Portland. Don’t know why I’m talking about close to home places. I live in Atlanta.
Glad you are feeling better and Happy Birthday Weekend!
I currently live in TX but I’m from Seattle. If you’ve never done the Space Needle it is TOTALLY worth it at least once. In the 20 years I lived there we never did the Underground tour…my family and I did it a couple of years ago and it was great! I would totally go! Also, the Duck tour was really neat. One of the last times we went was to Alki point…you can take a ferry. Pike Place was a great start! Macrena Bakery is a yummy place to go for a bakery. For restaurants we liked the Wild Ginger and the Crab Pot. There are tons of restaurants at Pike Place as well.
Ahh! This is what I get for missing some of your posts! Danica!!! You are in my neck of the woods now! Sadly I work the next two days or I’d totally come track you down.
I highly recommend the EMP (experience music project) down in the Seattle Center area.
If you happen to be over the lake in the Kirkland area let me know! I work at Starbucks and will totally hook you up with your coffee. ~.^
Let’s see..other amazing eats: Green Leaf Vietnamese Restaurant has THE BEST vermicelli bowl you’ll ever eat. I don’t even like noodles and I can finish the whole bowl.
Very excited to read about the rest of your time in the Emerald City!
I live just south of Seattle, it’s nice to see the place I live through someone else’s eyes. How many days do you have? The Ballard Locks are really cool, Le Panier Very French Bakery in Pike Place is yummy and you won’t be disappointed (although not WW friendly!), Space Needle and Seattle Center are a must. I’ve heard the Underground Tour is kind of boring. I like the Museum of Flight, too. If you want to go all-out $$$$ for dinner go to El Gaucho. It’s worth it.
Oh and if you eat brunch/lunch at Pike Place again go to the Athenian Inn inside the market. It looks a bit sketchy on the outside but it has pretty decent food and amazing waterfront views. AVOID the Crab Pot on the waterfront. Very overpriced bland seafood.
Have a great time!
Hey Danica! My husband is from Seattle and we go back there a ton. Definitely love Bainbridge Island and the ferry ride over, but also think Ballard Locks are worth a visit.
I live north of Seattle in Vancouver, BC and I love Seattle! The Space Needle is a super cool experience and I definitely second the recommendation for the Experience Music Project! Have an awesome time!
I recommend talking the Underground walking tour to see what old Seattle was like. And, if you’re a music fan, definitely check out The Experience Music Project (EMP).
Have fun 🙂
Aw man, I could’ve seen you! My office looks right over Pike Place Market (not Pike’s Place – it’s kind of a tourist “tell” to call it “Pike’s”, kind of like the people who pronounce Portland’s Couch Street like the piece of furniture.)
I used to be a cheese maker at Beecher’s, but now I work in their corporate office. You should be able to find Flagship at all of the Safeways close to you soon!
Have fun in Seattle! And I definitely second the recommendation for the Ballard Locks.
LOL Paige – I just said the same thing on FB. Sorry, Danica, we’re only trying to be helpful. 🙂
I don’t think you could do better for a birthday dinner that Dahlia Lounge. Tom Douglas is one of our most famous chef’s because his food and restaurants really are just that good. Palace Kitchen is good too, but I really love Dahlia. You won’t even know how much you love Coconut Cream Pie until you try it there.
Happy Birthday!!!!!!
Never been to Seattle, but it sure looks awesome! Farthest West I go is to Vegas for business…but way have to try it one day after I read/drool/read all the great stops!! Love your plan of what to eat each day! Have fun!!
The Beechers Mac and cheese is eriously to die for !! The best Mac and cheese I have ever had. Went to Seattle a few years ago before an Alaskan cruise and we also went to the space needle. It’s good to go once but it was kind of meh the day we went (cloudy) Also, we never were able to get into the original Starbucks, the lines were always out the door. No problem, just stop at any coffee shop (there is one on every corner) the lattes are amazing no matter where you go. I still dream about the lattes and that Mac and cheese!
The original Starbucks is never not busy. Odd! I echo Ballard Locks! And it’s not healthy, but Top Pot Donuts are so good! We loved Bainbridge and would stay there next time!
Sweet Iron Waffles in downtown – amazing and close to the real thing…sweetironwaffles.com. Yummm
I’ve been to visit Seattle (I’m in Texas) and I’m jealous of all the neat places you have visited! Especially the cheese place. Something I thought was really cool was the Fremont Bridge troll. We also rented a car and drove North to take a ferry through the San Juan Islands. We stopped off at Friday Harbor and had some fish for lunch. I believe it was cod. It was the BEST fish I have ever had. So fresh and yummy.
Have fun. It’s cold here but sunny. Enjoy seeing Mt. Rainier-I never tire seeing that view. Glad you came after Wed or you would have had to wait a long time for a train (Seahawk parade). You will be in a sea of green and blue and you may have to play a game of who doesn’t have a “12” in their window, building, or car. 🙂
Enjoy it all! Welcome to Seattle and the Great NW.
Welcome to Seattle! I just went on a field trip the Underground last week with my son and have done it before……It’s interesting but I just don’t think it’s really worth it – I would definitely do the Space Needle and The Ducks are actually a fun way to see a lot. Any Tom Douglas restaurant for dinner – and they are all relatively close – are very good! And I would say a ferry to Bainbridge over the cruise would be better…..
Enjoy!
There’s a woman at the market (Tamma) who makes the most gorgeous hand painted silk scarves. I think it was called PaintedOnSilk. They’re beautiful! I’m in Michigan so it’s a real treat to go out to Seattle and pick up a few.
Have fun!
Welcome! Fun to see hometown with other’s eyes.
When my husband and I lived in Alaska we would go to Seattle every February/March just to get away from it all and gorge ourselves on fresh fruit and veggies from Pike Place.