Bars & Restaurants

Maneki ($$)

Japanese home cooking. Way more to experience here than sushi, although the sushi is great too.

Cremant ($$$)

Bistro fare in Madrona. Prepare to eat at least one stick of butter, maybe two.

Lark ($$$)

Maybe a little less tradition bound than Harvest Vine, below.

Metropolitan Grill ($$$)

Seattle steakhouse with the best happy hour in town.

Harvest Vine ($$$)

Really, really good. Basque style. Not trying as hard as Lark, above.

Salumi ($)

This is the cured deli meats deli that Mario Batali's dad owns. The food is great. However, be aware that it is more of a lunch spot, there are like three tables. The line is long starting at 11:30am and their hours are tues-fri 11am to 4pm. I recommend calling in any sliced deli meat orders ahead of time and going after the lunch rush.

Sichuanese Cuisine Restaurant ($)

Ok, it's not a very original name for a restaurant, but the food is crazy good. Right next door to Thanh Vi.

Thanh Vi ($)

Get your Vietnamese fix on. Right next to Sichuanese Cuisine, above.

Local Favorite Spots

Aqua Verde

This is a great place to go kayaking. Above is an good Mexican restaurant with great mango margaritas. Below is a kayak rental place. So you can do an hour or so of kayaking (around the houseboats) and then return and get your mango margarita on. One warning it can be crowded on weekends and nice days, so get there early.

Rent a Canoe

If Aqua Verde is too crowded, check out the budget option at the University of WA Waterfront Activities Center. Rent a canoe for a few dollars an hour and paddle around the arboretum.

Pike Place Market

Sure its the most touristy spot in Seattle, but I love tourist spots that have to do with food. You can spend a day just going from one place to the next eating. There is always something going on.

EMP

This Frank Gehry built museum is a tribute to music and is a pretty fun place to go. They have revolving exhibits. Also, EMP is at the Seattle Center where there is the space needle (neither of us have still been up that), the Children's Museum, andn the Pacific Science Center.

Central Library

Architecture buffs may want to check out the Seattle Central Public Library, designed by Rem Koolhaas. Located downtown at 4th and Spring. You can't miss it...

Seward Park

Great spot for walking, inner city hikes, and swimming. Don't bother with the official swim beach, just wanter around the south side of the penninsula and pick a good spot!

Volunteer Park

Don't bother with the Space Needle. Head to Volunteer Park and climb the water tower for some great 360 degree views of the city and the mountains.

Alki Beach

Urban beach with great views of downtown. Perfect spot to go cruising with your lowrider or rollerblading in your bikini.

Gasworks Park

Old refinery turned public space provides a fine view of the city.

Olympic Sculpture Park

Already almost-famous sculpture garden.

Ferry to Bainbridge Island.

Great views of downtown and the sound for cheap.