It is very difficult to find the gems of a city among all of the standard big-name restaurants, shops and tourist sites. Usually it takes days of self-exploration, countless tips from the locals, or hours spent rummaging through orthodox guidebooks. Hopefully my list of the most well-hidden, life-changing neighborhoods, restaurants, and shops can serve as a valuable aid in your search for the eccentricities of the city.
.SEATTLE.
Best Vintage and Consignment Shopping
Red Light Vintage ClothingLocation: Capitol Hill, University DistrictLink: www.redlightvintage.com Disco dresses, ball gowns, go-go dresses, wedding dresses, cocktail dresses, blouses, t-shirts, sweaters, coats, swimsuits, pants, bellbottoms, cords, skirts and much more. Red Light is Seattle' largest vintage clothing store. Besides vintage clothing they also carry a varied selection clothing from local designers and costumes. Pretty ParlorLocation: Capitol HillLink: www.prettyparlor.com
'Where Audrey Hepburn meets Judy Jetson'. This store is all about funk and frill. They have an amazing selection of vintage shoes and dresses that relate to every style and era. 'Manland' is the men's fashion-mecca within the store, and offers a wide variety of vintage shirts, ties, shoes, and hats. Pretty Parlor also carries new clothing from some very talented local designers.
Private Screening
Location: Fremont
Link: None
This spot seems to hold the greatest variety of pre 50's frocks, hippie sunglasses, and classic suits. I think, out of all the consignment stores in Seattle, Private Screening has the most decent prices. There are old bureau drawers to dig through for vintage fabrics, Polaroids, and other wonderful knick-knacks. They have a boastful selection of: silk pajamas, feather-trimmed negligees, vintage bathing suits, evening dresses, sports coats, sunglasses, belts and ties.
Best Gelato
Bottega ItalianaLocation: Pike Place Market and GreenlakeLink: www.bottegaitaliana.com
This little cafe serves the most beautiful Gelato in the world. The flavors are raw (untainted by chemicals or additives) and robust. After many visits to Bottega, I am finally able to narrow down my favorites to: Pear, Pistachio, Gianduia, and Chocolate. The Greenlake store serves delicious Paninis, which are full of fresh, authentic-Italian ingredients. Both cafes provide a laid back environment and are perfect for coffee with friends or an afternoon of reading.
Best Italian Restaurant
Bizarro Italian Cafe
Location: Wallingford
Link: www.bizzarroitaliancafe.com
This cafe is down-to-earth and over-the-top. The moment you step into the restaurant, you'll find yourself embraced by the playful and vertiginous vibe that exudes from the artistic interior. The waitstaff are personable, relaxed and the best I have ever encountered. The food, to put it simply, is goooood. Each dish is like a little work of bohemian culinary art. The menu selections are developed using only fresh, seasonal ingredients procured from local farmers in a 300 - mile radius of the restaurant.
Best Sunday Activity
Ballard Sunday Farmers Market
Location: Ballard, baby.
Link: www.fremontmarket.com/ballard
While there are many great farmers markets in Seattle, the Ballard Market offers shoppers the best ambiance as well as a top-notch selection of artisan goods, fresh produce and culinary delights.
Enveloped in the tree-lined canopy of this historic maritime street and laced with the happy sounds of musicians and children and throngs of the Sunday shoppers, Ballard offers a vast selection of just-picked local fruits and vegetables from Washington farms and orchards, as well as wild-crafted items-honeys, mushrooms, sauces, jams, jellies, local nursery plants, spices and herbs. Favorite attractions are the expansive choice of delectable artisan cheeses ( both dairy and goat varieties), pasture-finished, hormone-free meats, seafood, shellfish, free range poultry & eggs, seasonal plants-not to mention dazzling arrays of flowers and hot oven-fresh breads, and two local wine bars and coffee shops for those who want to sit and savor the old-world atmosphere. Adding local brilliance are wonderful craftsmen designers of furniture, ceramics, garden art, jewelry as well as purveyors of hand-made soaps, lotions, perfumes and exotica.
(Ballard Market History. freemontmarket.com)
Most picturesque place to work up a sweat
Burke Gilman Trail
Location: Ballard to the Bothell
Link: www.ci.seattle.wa.us/Parks/BurkeGilman/bgtrail.htm
The Burke Gilman Trail is one of the best recreational trails for walkers, runners, cyclists, skaters and commuters. It runs along the Lake Washington Ship Canal, from Shilshole Bay (in Ballard) to Bothell, and provides lovely scenery to keep you distracted and content during your workout. Sprinkled alongside the 18 mile path are many cafes and stores (in the neighborhoods of Fremont, Wallingford, and U-District), and their close vicinity can be used as an excuse to allow yourself a post-panting reward.
Best Location for Picnics and Photos
Gasworks Park
Location: Between Fremont and the U-District
Link: www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=293
Gas Works park contains remnants of the sole remaining coal gasification plant in the US. It lies on the hilly shores of Lake Union, thus providing you with a great view of the city. The rustic, dirty-chic gasification plant is quite interesting and makes a good background for photos. It is always a bit windy, on the lake, so its best to wear a jacket or bring a kite to keep you distracted from the brisk breeze.
Hippest Cafe to be seen at after Midnight
Bauhaus Books and Coffee
Location: Capitol Hill
Link: http://seattle.citysearch.com/profile/10798083/seattle_wa/bauhaus_books_coffee.html
To me, Bau Haus represents a typical, Seattle cafe. It is full of artists, hipsters, Wi-Fiers and musicians. The walls are lined with 30-foot-tall bookshelves, which gives the brick interior a very warm feel. The coffee is superb, as are the Baristas. My favorite thing about this cafe is how late it stays open.
Hours:
Mon-Fri 6:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m.
Sat 7:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m.
Sun 8:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m.
Where to find a good, quick, French-inspired lunch
Q: Eric, why did you open Baguette Box?
A: Because, I love bread.
We wanted to create a place to hang out. Something simple and casual. A place to get great food without all the fuss. Baguette Box is that place. Like our big sister Monsoon, we use only high-quality ingredients and make everything by hand. Here, it is really all about the food. But, yeah, we have wine too.
I think that pretty much sums up the glory of Baguette Box. Although, I must also rave about their 'House Curred Wild Salmon' sandwich and of course the oh-so-decadent 'Truffle Fries'.
Best Boutiques
Alhambra
Location: Downtown Seattle
Link: http://www.alhambranet.com/
Impulse
Location: Fremont
Link: http://www.impulseseattle.com/
Les Amis
Location: Fremont
Link: http://www.lesamis-inc.com/
Tulip
Location: Downtown
Link: http://www.tulip-seattle.com/
Canopy Blue
Location: Capitol Hill/Madison Park
Link: http://www.canopyblue.com/home.html
Other great stores that deserve mentioning:
*Sway and Cake- Downtown
*Riveted: A Jeans Store- Downtown
*Dream- Fremont
*Le Frock- Capitol Hill
*Strut- Greenwood
*Clutch- Downtown
*Ian- Belltown
*Tweed- Phinney Ridge
*Duque- Ballard
*Damsafly- Ballard
*La Rousse- Downtown
*Velouria- Ballard
