Victoria is so much more than the last time you visited as a kid. Now, there’s gourmet food and desserts to taste, festivals and museums to enjoy, and an abundance of outdoor activities to explore. Our hotel, Magnolia Hotel & Spa, suggested Olo and we weren’t disappointed. Olo is doing things right and was a delightful dining experience. Executive Chef & Co-Owner Brad Holmes buys farm-fresh ingredients from producers on Vancouver Island. He understands the importance of sourcing locally and pushes the envelope by bringing seasonal and regional ingredients to Olo’s menu.
Jennifer Liu
Every first Thursday of each month all year, Seattle (and the surrounding area) celebrates art and history by offering free admission! Who doesn’t like doing things for free? Here’s a list that you can check out this Thursday, July 7th or next month on Thursday, August 4th, or every month after that. The Museum of Glass in Tacoma (worth the drive) is free the third Thursday of the month from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.
Updated 5/8/17.
Late spring is on its way and we’re well on our way to summer. Maybe I’ve said this every year and I’ll say it again—this year has really flown by! Here’s a guide to some of my favorite hikes in the North Bend / Snoqualmie region, about 40 minutes east on I-90 from Seattle.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
For the first time in 40 years, our beloved Pike Place Market is growing with the “MarketFront,” which should be ready for the public in spring 2017 The Market-centric expansion will reclaim an underutilized surface parking lot on Western Avenue, and create a dynamic public plaza with views of Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains, table space for farmers, craftspeople and artisan purveyors, retail space, low-income housing, a neighborhood center and parking.
Orcas Island, nicknamed “the gem of the San Juans”, had everything we needed for a relaxing weekend—a lovely downtown to shop and eat, a stunning shoreline, beautiful lakes, and walking, hiking, and biking trails. There are plenty of lodging options: you can camp, stay in a cabin, yurt, at a resort, or book an airbnb. Once on the island, you can take the ferry to visit the other islands for free, including San Juan Island (Friday Harbor), Lopez Island, and Shaw Island.
Mark your calendar! Feast Portland returns for year five September 15-18
Bon Appétit Presents Feast Portland released its full 2016 festival lineup yesterday, unveiling four new Fun-Size events, a Latin theme for the Night Market, a ballin’ new east side location for the Sandwich Invitational, and over 100 chefs from around the world. This event should not be missed—the weekend is easily better than any food & wine event in Seattle (sorry Seattle, nothing but love for you). Festival tickets will be available to purchase starting at 9:00 am PST today at http://www.feastportland.com/.
Encouraging consumers to live in a more collective, sharing economy.
thredUP is a fashion resale website for consumers to buy and sell secondhand clothing online. Order a free Clean Out Kit, pack it with your gently used or new brand name items, send it back. I’ve tried selling on Poshmark and on Tradesy as well as locally at Plato’s Closet. thredUP ranks third, in front of Plato’s Closet. Here’s my thredUP review.
The lineup was announced tonight at a free party at the Showbox Market. Bumbershoot tickets go on sale Friday at 10! The festival will be held Friday through Sunday of Labor Day Weekend instead of Saturday through Monday in past years. Local favorites Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Death Cab for Cutie will headline the weekend. There is a fair bit of EDM this year: Kygo, Pretty Lights, DJ Snake, Porter Robinson, Zed’s Dead, and Zhu.
Washington’s seaside resort is a premier lodging experience.
Located on the Semiahmoo Spit, the Semiahmoo Resort is located on the pristine shores of Semiahmoo Bay and Drayton Harbor two hours north of Seattle. It features two restaurants, numerous amenities and outdoor activities, and two challenging and highly acknowledged public golf courses (Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club and Loomis Golf Trail Club). The tide pools and estuaries provide a sanctuary for Pacific Northwest wildlife. They recently completed a multi-million dollar restoration last June inspired by its seaside location.
Madison’s quintessential pizza is now available on the hill.
Ian’s Pizza on the Hill opened last fall and offers pizza by the slice, whole pies, delivery, and beer and wine. Located in Zpizza’s old location on Broadway, this smaller chain or “pizza collective” from Madison, Wisconsin is taking familiar ingredients—not commonly used as toppings—and creating new and delicious pizzas. They also offer gluten-free and vegan options.
S E A T T L E I T E 