Long Weekend in...Seattle
As a culinary capital of the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is full of great places to eat and drink. From the dimly lit coffee houses of Capitol Hill to the open-air vendors at Pike Place Market, its easy to get swept up in Seattle's rich cultural offerings. If you've only got 48 hours to spend, this is your guide to the most delicious ways to spend them.
Start your trip off right by heading down towards the water to grab breakfast at Le Panier. Take your pick of the beautifully crafted French pastries, paying close attention to the feuilletés (savory puff pastry tarts). If you can find a seat, this is the perfect place to enjoy a cappuccino and plan the rest of your day.
Next, take a leisurely stroll over to the International District where you'll stop at Henry's Taiwan for a mid-morning snack. The beef bing at Henry's may look like a Taiwanese version of Taco Bell's Crunchwrap Supreme, however, the taste is world's different. Dumpling dough is filled with tender chunks of five-spiced infused beef and pan-fried — a serving of beef bing comes with two large dumplings, so pace yourself and split an order with your travel buddy.
From there continue your walking tour by heading upwards towards Capitol Hill, you'll pass by Seattle's train station, public library, and Occidental Park on the way.
Victrola Coffee Roasters in the heart of Capitol Hill. Seattle is a city known for taking coffee very seriously, this roaster and cafe has quite a lot to do with that. Most recently Victrola has garnered attention for its involvement with Nathan Myhrvold's super-cookbook, Modernist Cuisine. The photos included in the book's chapter on coffee were taken at Victrola.
By this time your stomach is probably starting to grumble again, head over to Baguette Box just around the corner to quell your hunger pains. This Vietnamese sandwich shop serves a selection of intriguing banh-mi, soups, and fries. Order the roasted pork loin sandwich with apricot aioli, cilantro, and caramelized onions and a side of truffle fries. The pork, which is slow-roasted in white wine, is so moist that it falls apart as soon as you take your first bite. The crunchy baguette, sweet and tangy aioli, and crisp cilantro harmoniously support the meat.
When you're ready for dinner return to Capitol Hill and head to Quinn's for gastropub fare at its finest. The atmosphere here reflects Seattle's grungy roots but the food is thoughtful and comforting.
Skip dessert at Quinn's and head next door to Caffe Vita instead for an espresso. From there walk over to Tavern Law for an evening filled with craft-made cocktails.
Take another stroll down to Pike Place Market, where you can jumpstart the morning with a cup of coffee at the original Starbucks. By mid-morning Pike Place should be filled to the brim with locals and tourists alike buying fresh fish, flowers, and produce.
Spend the early afternoon taking in the sights around Seattle's city center, including the space needle and the Experience Music Project. After working up an appetite track down Skillet, a mobile culinary gem of Seattle. Order the food truck's specialty, a burger featuring grass-fed beef, cambozola cheese, and bacon jam, and an order of poutine (made with Cheddar instead of cheese curds).
For dinner, Restaurant Zoe is the place to go. Located in the Belltown neighborhood of Seattle, this restaurant offers innovative new American cuisine. From the salads (such as the marinated chickpea with shaved sunchokes, pickled ramps, and egg sauce) right down to the entrees (such as short ribs with preserved lemon, horseradish, and fennel) your taste buds will surely be delighted.