Itineraries: Seattle

Morning:

Check into the Alexis Hotel, a boutique property decorated in “gay man apartment style” (at least that’s what the front desk called it) where vintage meets modern.This recently renovated hotel serves as the perfect home base– within walking distance to Pike Place Marketand my two new favorite home decor shops: Watson Kennedy and Maison Luxe.The views at the legendary Lowell’s Restaurant can’t be beat for breakfast. Make sure not to miss Pappardelle’s Pasta, where you can buy handcrafted dried pastas in such unique flavors as sweet potato and dark chocolate. From there head across the way to Beecher’s Handmade Cheese where you can watch artisans practice the long lost art of open vat cheese-making.

Afternoon:

A trip to Seattle would not be complete without a visit to the Space Needle. You can purchase advanced tickets online, but if you go on a weekday during off-season, you can just walk right up to the ticket counter. A mere 42-second elevator ride later, and you’ll be at the top. Having had a big breakfast, we skipped lunch at the revolving restaurant and settled for coffee. One might think the highlight was seeing Mt. Rainier, the Puget Sound or skyline, but for me, in October, I was just thrilled to sit at a café table with my Seattle coffee (and husband!) and escape in the autumn colors that painted every tree in a 360-degree view.

Evening:

For dinner, Sitka & Spruce, the new “it” albeit, tiny “foodie” haven is not to be missed. The menu changes nightly and is a true “ode to local farmers,” serving what is available fresh that day. Looking for burgers and fries? This is not your place. Here, a perfectly seasoned smelt and tender octopus runs aplenty. Get there an hour before you want to eat. They do not take reservations, but you can leave your name on the list with a cell phone number and they will call when your table is ready. It’s worth, what some might call, the hassle.

SATURDAY

Morning:

Didn’t know Seattle had a wine country? A short 25-minute drive and you will find yourself in Woodinville, WA, home to a wide range of Rieslings that gives Germany a run for it’s money. First stop?  Chateau St. Michelle, the oldest winery in Washington State. Tour the beautiful grounds and estate built in 1912. Care for a tasting? $12 will buy you five of their choice, but ask nice and you can stick to the sparkling wines and the Rieslings. After all, they produce more Riesling than any single winery in the world. Next, head across the street to Columbia. There wasn’t one wine I didn’t like. There are many others to visit if you want to make a day of it, but after two,I was ready for lunch.

Afternoon:

After wine tasting I want comfort food, and the Purple Café & Wine Bar is the perfect place to indulge.Start with the meze plate, an assortment of their homemade spreads including red pepper hummus and kalamata tapenade. Their blue cheese burger with charmoula aioli will hold you over for the rest of the day.

Evening:

After such a huge lunch I was ready to relax for the evening with a drink at my hotel’s bar, the Library Bar and Bistro. Fashioned after the supper clubs of the 1940s, it features faux lizard skin high-back booths surrounded by, what else?…lots of leather bound books.