Port Townsend

A few months ago, my sweet Great-Uncle Ralph passed away who had lived in Port Townsend for many years. We attended the wake at his home and enjoyed looking through photos from his youth with his beautiful bride, my Aunt Gladys. On our way home we stopped in town to see the shops. It had been several years since our last visit and noticed some changes. The Tyler Street Coffee House we had so liked was out of business, giving room for other shops to emerge.

 Best Find of the Day: The UnderTown Coffee Bar and Cafe. 

Located in the basement of a brick building, with an eclectic, European feel, 

and plenty of space to find your own corner and enjoy some good 

espresso roasted by Stumptown . Definitely one of the coolest 

coffee shops I've ever been in.

Three rooms altogether connected by brick archways...pretty cool.

 Perfect Ending Cupcakes, rightfully named is the new and only
cupcake shop in town with a simple menu that will make any age
happy. We got to meet the owner LaTrecia who bakes her heart
and soul into these beautiful, sugary treats.

The Rose Theater, a local company dedicated to the arts

offers popular, independent, and foreign films; Special Events including:
plays, operas, orchestras and an annual Film Festival.

Better Living through Coffee, a lively, shop with a view, offers 

live music, locally roasted beans, breakfast and lunch items, special 

events such as: Story Night, Sunday Morning Music and Fiddle Tunes.

A colorful cityscape full of antique charm.

For everything else you need to know about the lovely city, click here.

Queen Anne Neighborhood

Yesterday took us Downtown to meet with our mortgage company--ya...fun stuff, so already being in the city, and the kiddo at Grammy's, we decided to make a day of it. Just a few miles NW of Pike's, a couple turns here and there, up a giant hill sits the regal neighborhood of miss Queen Anne.  

I think this picture sums up Queen Anne Ave.,

probably more bistro tables and chairs per capita 

than any other neighborhood in Seattle. Love it.

 Wink cupcakes, the recent addition to the neighborhood.

 The one we decided on--really delicious frosting, and I am not a frosting girl. 

Other temptuous offerings: When Peanut Butter Met Chocolate 

and Cookies and Cream with an entire OREO on top!

 Blue Highway Games for the gamer in most of us, 

"specialty board and card games for kids, families and enthusiasts"
that you can't buy at Target.

 They have a lot of sample games out to try before buying.

 Nancy's Sewing  Basket, where my Mom comes for specialty fabrics. 

I like to see the latest in the Amy Butler collection.

 An entire Ribbon Room!

 The 5 spot, "offers big flavored food and kitsch from all points of the 

continental US".  We have only eaten at their sister restaurant, 

but friends tell me it's pretty great.

 Pasta & Co, exactly what it sounds like, 

offers a variety of fresh take home pastas.

 There it is, Thursdays 3-7pm--be there.

 So many coffee shops to choose from, 

but this is where we decided to split a tall vanilla latte.
Jeremy described it as strong, but not bitter.
Ya, that's right Starbucks, it is possible.

 Stuhlbergs, a European influenced collection of home, bath, baby and stationary goods.

 Too many shops and cafes to write about, but have to give a shout out to

Macrina Bakery located a few blocks NW of the main strip, 

and Queen Anne Dispatch, a clothing boutique that gets raves from my fashionista sister.

 Queen Anne's Eiffel Tower...or how about KIRO's TV Tower.

The original Caffe Ladro, holds sentimental value for us, 

voted #1 Coffee Shop by Seattle Magazine, 

in the coziest little shop with window seats.

Madrona Neighborhood, Seattle - Part 1

To really experience Seattle life (and not pay for parking), you have to visit the downtown neighborhoods. One of the smaller, overlooked districts, and home to the late Kurt Cobain, is Madrona. This is an unexpected row of restaurants and shops among a residential area, which is why I love it. How fun it must be to walk to the neighborhood coffee shop in your sweats on a Saturday morning. This is a couple hour trip, but if you would like to make a day of it, drop down the hill to Lake Washington Blvd. There are several miles to drive, walk, hike or bike and gorgeous homes to drool over.

 The Hi-Spot Cafe, located in a 1904 Victorian home, 

 has kept their tried and true menu for 35 years, Zagat rated, 

and serving an average of 250 breakfasts on Saturday mornings. 

http://www.hispotcafe.com/index.html

They serve Fonte', a local roasted coffee.

 Their specialty: plate sized Cinnamon Rolls--yum!

 Cupcake Royale, one of the first cupcake shops to hit Seattle, 

has found their niche somewhere between their pink and brown color scheme, 

and good, old-fashioned cupcakes in a fun variety of flavors.

http://www.cupcakeroyale.com/thecupcakes.html

 Quality, hand-crafted coffee roasted by Stumptown

We ordered the Coconut Bunny** sigh**

St. Clouds, also Zagat rated, features live music on
Monday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
http://www.stclouds.com/

 A Turkish Bistro with a 95% Zagat rating and ...bellydancers!

http://www.bistroturkuaz.com/gallery.html

Guesthouse, a fine vintage/gift boutique and interior design consulting studio 

has that amazing blend of rustic and elegant charm.
http://guesthouseseattle.com/

Parisian flee-market style, hand-crafted pillows from London,

gold-flecked chocolates, you need to visit this store. 

Directions
From I-5 South:
Take Exit 164A: Dearborn St./ James St.
Turn Right on James St.
James becomes Cherry St.
Turn Left onto 34th Ave.

From I-5 North:
Take Exit 165A towards James St.
Stay straight to go onto 6th Ave.
Take the 2nd Left onto James St.
James become Cherry St.
Turn Left onto 34th Ave.