The International Food Bloggers Conference is taking place in Seattle this year, and a lot of food bloggers from all over the world will be coming to Seattle. Here are just a few of my favorite things about Seattle and some tips for enjoying your weekend here in Washington.
1. Wineries – For me it’s still pretty novel to be able to cycle to wonderful wineries like Chateau St. Michelle. It takes me just twenty minutes on the bike, and it’s such a scenic cycle up on the Sammamish river trail. It’s one of my favorite things to do on a summers evening. Chateau St. Michelle also hosts great outdoor concerts in the summer – you can bring a picnic and enjoy their wine and watch some great bands on the estate. Woodinville is full of wineries and renting a bike and cycling is a great way to get around.
2. Weather – The good news is that we have been having a fantastic summer, and we haven’t had much rain in a while. People had warned me about the rain, and it’s the one thing people love to tell you about Seattle…Oh, it rains a lot there. Believe me; it doesn’t rain half as much as they say. Sometimes we get drizzle and sometimes it buckets down for a little while. But, on the whole, I think Seattle has a great temperate climate. I guess I may be a little biased as I come from Ireland and have lived with rain my entire life, so Seattle is kind of tropical in comparison! My one piece of advice is – wear a hoodie. NEVER carry an umbrella, it’s some weird unwritten rule that you don’t carry an umbrella here. I once used my umbrella and everyone stared at me like I was from some other planet. I have learned my lesson and now every item of clothing in my wardrobe has a hood or is water repellent. Just leave the umbrella at home!
3. Local food – Washington is very proud of their local produce. Supermarkets, farmers markets and restaurants are all excited to tell you about the provenance of their food. Farmers markets here are bursting with local goodies. I personally like Redmond Farmers market, as it’s close to where I live, but all the markets (Ballard, Pike Place Market etc.) are fantastic here. If you happen to be in Woodinvile visiting the wineries, 21 Acres is a wonderful organic farm and market with a lot of good local options.
4. Great Vietnamese food – Once again, coming from Ireland where there are very few Vietnamese restaurants, Seattle is like manna from heaven. We went on holidays to Vietnam a couple of years ago and still crave delicious Vietnamese food. We love Monsoon East for their wonderful scallion and ginger Dungeness crab, beef bo la lot and their scrumptious pho. Pho is pretty popular in Seattle and I never tire of all those creatively named pho places – What the Pho! Phobulous, Pho Shizzle and Pho Sho to name but a few.
5. Hot cakes – It’s a molten chocolate cakery… need I say more. Everything here is made and styled to delight. They serve decadent molten chocolate cakes, deconstructed s’mores, caramel sauces, butter beers and grilled chocolate sandwiches. So, if you are in a need of some sugar therapy over the weekend, head on over to Hot cakes in Ballard.
6. Fish and Chips – Seattle is full of great fish and chip places. It’s kind of a nice thing to do – sit by the waterfront and eat fish and chips. Or even better, Haddock and chips or a cup of delicious clam chowder. Ivar’s is my favorite, and their chowder is divine. So, if you are at a lose end, go down to the water front, order your fish and chips and sit and watch the world go by. It’s very therapeutic.
7. The great outdoors – It would be kind of sad if you came to Seattle city and never saw anything beyond that. Washington is a wonderland of giant green forests, snow capped mountains and glistening lakes. It sometimes feels like Mount Rainer is actually following you around, because no matter where you go, it’s always looming there in the distance. It’s a beautiful state, and if you have time, go and explore. You can get a gondola up to Mount Rainer and see it up close and personal. Or you can take cruises on some of the lakes and experience the thriving boating culture in Seattle.
This is a sponsored post, however all opinions and views are my own.
