Falling in love with the San Juan Islands

Description:

Nine acres of fresh produce, seafood, coffee, donuts, crafts, unique restaurants and friendly vendors, all set against a backdrop of the Puget Sound - that's Pike Place Market, widely recognized as one of the oldest and best farmer's markets in the country. If you only have one day in Seattle, head downtown to get a real taste of the city in every sense. From fresh cheese curds at Beecher's to chowder at Pike Place Chowder, from necklaces and bags to hand-stitched leather journals and hats, from accordions to pianos to hula-hooping guitarists - there's something for your eyes, ears, and nose everywhere you look at the market.

Description:

This casual gourmet restaurant has the best location of any restaurant in Pike Place Market. Located on the third floor of the Corner Market Building, Matt's faces the big neon clock that is the quintessential symbol of the market. Until 2007, Matt's was a tiny cubbyhole of a place, but an expansion has given it enough tables that you can actually get in to eat here on short notice. The menu changes regularly, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients from the market stalls that are only steps away. There's also a good selection of reasonably priced wines. The food reveals whatever influences and styles happen to appeal to the chef at that moment -- perhaps Moroccan, perhaps Southern. However, if the menu happens to list anything with smoked catfish, try it.

Description:

This little ensemble, excellent in spite of or because of frequently rotating list of players and guests, performs programs full of life and imagination. Selections range from 18th century through contemporary pieces. This season's performances include the music of Ukranian composer Valentin Silvestrov and a symposium on contemporary Jewish music. If you think classical music should rattle you as much as it soothes you, then this may be the group for you. Performaces are often accompanied by educational discussions and lectures. See their website for further details.

Description:

Popular music for adults? What a concept! This swanky nightclub is a total novelty in the Seattle club world. It isn't geared toward the 20-something crowd. The music is diverse -- from jazz to world beat, to flamenco, to Maria Muldaur, the Tubes, and Ottmar Liebert. You'll find the club in the basement below the ever-popular Wild Ginger restaurant, across the street from Benaroya Hall.

Description:

This orchestra has a loyal following. Concerts include music by classical masters such as Beethoven, Mozart and Sibelius as well as by contemporary composers. Many performances include an optional one-hour pre-show lecture. The symphony's season runs September through July. Performances take place at Benaroya Hall, which occupies an entire city block and seats 2,500 people. In addition, the 540-seat Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall provides performance space for smaller ensembles and solo artists. Call or check the website for schedule and ticket information.

Description:

Quiet, dark, and intimate, Chez Shea has long been one of Seattle's top restaurants, and with only a dozen candlelit tables and views across Puget Sound to the Olympic Mountains, it's an ideal setting for romance. The menu changes with the season, with ingredients coming primarily from the market below. The eight-course tasting menu is the best way to go. On a recent spring evening, dinner started with oysters on the half shell, followed by a Serrano ham, gruyere, and leek tart. Next came a Washington asparagus bisque with sorrel and roasted-tomato oil, followed by seared foie gras with rhubarb compote and balsamic-pomegranate reduction. Next came halibut with red-pepper puree and Kobe-style beef tournedos with morel mushrooms. Dinner then finished up with a cheese course and espresso pot de crème. Other restaurants may be as fine, but none has an atmosphere quite so romantic.

Description:

What with the fishmongers and crowds of tourists, Pike Place Market might not seem like the place for a romantic candlelit dinner, but romantic dinners are what Il Bistro is all about. This basement trattoria takes Italian cooking very seriously, and in so doing also puts the Northwest's bountiful ingredients to good use. The menu includes such mouthwatering starters as calamari sautéed with fresh basil, garlic, vinegar, and tomatoes. Hundreds of loyal fans insist that Il Bistro's rack of lamb with wine sauce is the best in Seattle, and I'd have to agree. The pasta here can also be a true delight. You'll find Il Bistro tucked away down the cobblestone alley beside the market information kiosk.

Description:

"The art of living" - that's the motto of the Alexis, a hotel dedicated to arts of all sorts, with artwork and a classic, European decor adorning the lobby and the rooms. Many of the rooms are suites, including fireplace suites that feature whirlpool baths. For lovers of literature, the Author's Suite has autographed copies of several books, and the Library Bistro downstairs offers local cuisine in a cozy, library-like atmosphere.

The Alexis Hotel is ideally situated just south of the Pike Place Market and within a few blocks of the Seattle Art Museum, the Waterfront, and Pioneer Square, as well as high-end shopping in Westlake Center.

Our Local Expert Says:

So enjoyable you won't want to reach your destination!

Description:

The country's largest ferry system would have to be in a city surrounded by water. With twenty terminals, eight routes and over 15 million passengers a year, Washington State Ferries are both practical and fun. If you're considering hopping over to Bainbridge, Bremerton, Mercer or any of Seattle's interesting islands, a peaceful ferry ride is a far cry from sitting on a bridge in traffic.

Description:

Seaplanes are a fun alternative to the area's excellent ferry system. This establishment is one of the largest seaplane travel companies in the area. Fly to any of three locations in the San Juan Islands in about an hour. Trips are scheduled three times daily. The company also flies to Victoria, BC. Day trips and overnight packages are available. Call or check the Web site for up-to-date prices and schedule.

Description:

Seaplanes are a fun alternative to the area's excellent ferry system. This establishment is one of the largest seaplane travel companies in the area. Fly to any of three locations in the San Juan Islands in about an hour. Trips are scheduled three times daily. The company also flies to Victoria, BC. Day trips and overnight packages are available. Call or check the Web site for up-to-date prices and schedule.

Our Local Expert Says:

So enjoyable you won't want to reach your destination!

Description:

The country's largest ferry system would have to be in a city surrounded by water. With twenty terminals, eight routes and over 15 million passengers a year, Washington State Ferries are both practical and fun. If you're considering hopping over to Bainbridge, Bremerton, Mercer or any of Seattle's interesting islands, a peaceful ferry ride is a far cry from sitting on a bridge in traffic.

Description:

This casual gourmet restaurant has the best location of any restaurant in Pike Place Market. Located on the third floor of the Corner Market Building, Matt's faces the big neon clock that is the quintessential symbol of the market. Until 2007, Matt's was a tiny cubbyhole of a place, but an expansion has given it enough tables that you can actually get in to eat here on short notice. The menu changes regularly, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients from the market stalls that are only steps away. There's also a good selection of reasonably priced wines. The food reveals whatever influences and styles happen to appeal to the chef at that moment -- perhaps Moroccan, perhaps Southern. However, if the menu happens to list anything with smoked catfish, try it.

Description:

What with the fishmongers and crowds of tourists, Pike Place Market might not seem like the place for a romantic candlelit dinner, but romantic dinners are what Il Bistro is all about. This basement trattoria takes Italian cooking very seriously, and in so doing also puts the Northwest's bountiful ingredients to good use. The menu includes such mouthwatering starters as calamari sautéed with fresh basil, garlic, vinegar, and tomatoes. Hundreds of loyal fans insist that Il Bistro's rack of lamb with wine sauce is the best in Seattle, and I'd have to agree. The pasta here can also be a true delight. You'll find Il Bistro tucked away down the cobblestone alley beside the market information kiosk.

Description:

Nine acres of fresh produce, seafood, coffee, donuts, crafts, unique restaurants and friendly vendors, all set against a backdrop of the Puget Sound - that's Pike Place Market, widely recognized as one of the oldest and best farmer's markets in the country. If you only have one day in Seattle, head downtown to get a real taste of the city in every sense. From fresh cheese curds at Beecher's to chowder at Pike Place Chowder, from necklaces and bags to hand-stitched leather journals and hats, from accordions to pianos to hula-hooping guitarists - there's something for your eyes, ears, and nose everywhere you look at the market.

Description:

The Opera House at Seattle Center houses an innovative opera company. The season of four or five full-scale productions includes a grand-scale summer production. Director Speight Jenkins has created a first-class company of talented performers. Expect Wagner's Ring Cycle, the company's claim to fame, now and then. Opened in 1927, the Opera House has good acoustics and seats more than 3,000. It is also home to the Pacific Northwest Ballet.

Description:

Founded in Kirkland in 1972, this company outgrew two venues before finding its home in 1987 at Seattle Center. Notable shows include Into the Whirlwind, nationally recognized in 1990; the Kentucky Cycle, a Pulitzer Prize winner in 1992; and Three Tall Women, a Pulitzer Prize winner in 1995. The small, highly raked theater has good views of the stage from all seats. All seats cost the same, but ticket prices vary by show and time. The season runs March to December.

Description:

"The art of living" - that's the motto of the Alexis, a hotel dedicated to arts of all sorts, with artwork and a classic, European decor adorning the lobby and the rooms. Many of the rooms are suites, including fireplace suites that feature whirlpool baths. For lovers of literature, the Author's Suite has autographed copies of several books, and the Library Bistro downstairs offers local cuisine in a cozy, library-like atmosphere.

The Alexis Hotel is ideally situated just south of the Pike Place Market and within a few blocks of the Seattle Art Museum, the Waterfront, and Pioneer Square, as well as high-end shopping in Westlake Center.