Travel Log: Summer Series 2012
Seattle, Washington
When I travel to a new place, I bring my sense of wonder with me. I look for things to discover and wait to be inspired. I prefer to get to know a city in just four days and three nights.
If you are considering heading north to SEATTLE, here are a few of my highlights.
STAY
Fairmont Olympic Hotel
The Fairmont is a Traditional hotel with stunning Georgian architecture. My favorite feature is the indoor heated pool and spa. (I always try to stay at a hotel with a pool.)
W Hotel – Hip and Swanky
A favorite spot for locals and tourists after work or at play.
Four Seasons Hotel
Perched above the Puget Sound in a beautiful modern high rise. Four Seasons service has never been anything less than superior; consistent, tried and true.
PLAY
By Air, Land or Sea
Ferry
A great way to see the city surrounded by water: All Sight Seeing Tours
Seaplane
Seattle Seaplanes offers charter flights and tours to Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, the San Juan Islands and other locations throughout the Pacific Northwest. Seattle Seaplanes
Walking Tour
The World’s Greatest Walking Tour – The Seattle Walking Tour
MUST
Stroll Pike Place Market
The Market is filled with beautiful flowers and fresh vegetables. Watch the butchers playing catch with large, slippery salmon as they throw the fish over the heads of wide-eyed tourists. Indulge in a sampling of fresh, brightly colored fruit or something sweet from one of the many bakeries. And don’t forget to stop by the original Starbucks. It is certainly true, there is a Starbucks on every corner. PIKE PLACE MARKET
EAT
Try any one of the Tom Douglas restaurants for lunch or dinner. Etta’s, Lola’s and Dahlia Lounge to name a few… each with their own style and cultural flair.
Queen City Grill
A local favorite in Belltown – Old school, comfortable and friendly. Sit and chat with the locals at the bar or enjoy a private booth.
El Gaucho
Every time I visit El Gaucho I see Jim Carey and Cameron Diaz spinning around the dance floor right out of a scene from the movie, “Mask.” Dimly lit, piano being played in the background while chefs and waiters prepare various dishes table side from Caesar salad to flaming kabobs or bananas foster. It’s an interactive dining experience.
SIP
You’ll notice that many restaurants, whether serving breakfast, lunch or dinner each have a bar and serve both wine and spirits. My first guess was because of the colder temperatures. But, during the summer, days go on and on… and it does actually warm up. I could not believe how light it was at 9:00 at night! Bars and restaurants are plentiful. Sip your favorite beverage while overlooking the Puget Sound or at one of the many restaurants located on one of the quintessential alleyways above Pike Place Market.
INSPIRE
Charities define a city’s heart. You can’t walk around Seattle without seeing the “working man” sculpture. The Seattle Art Museum, known to locals as SAM, has an extensive collection of art and rotating traveling shows. A quick peak, for an hour or so, allows me just enough time to see things with a new perspective.
Isn’t that what makes traveling worth the effort?
My last piece of advice… Don’t forget your passport.
Canada is just a few hour drive, away.
There is always so much to discover!
XOXO!! Debbi
Alaska Air: A quick flight from Oakland to Seattle 
Video Training w/Natalie Rees & Sid Lee Jenn and Debbi 
Next Weekend
Summer Series // Beverly Hills
LAX Tournament in LA // Tinsel Town Throwdown!
Pictured: Piedmont Locals – Bert Inch and Chase Betta
who could forget? 
old mother hubbard in her shoe, puff the magic dragon and noah’s arc? 
meet fairyland’s newest friends…soon to be named. stay tuned!
Learning about other cultures fascinates me. I am naturally drawn to Caribbean and Mediterranean cultures… the passion, food and music. So, when the co-owner of Pica Pica Maize Kitchen invited me to experience Venezuelan Christmas traditions, I said, “of course!”
First, I went to a Hallaca cooking class at Williams-Sonoma, Union Square. From my perspective, the Hallaca is a lot like the Spanish tamale. I can see why families would take days to make them… very involved. Adriana Lopez, chef and co-owner, and her crew from Pica Pica made it easy. We rolled the maize, stacked the mixture, and wrapped and tied them in the leaves.
Then I was invited to the Oxbow Public Market in Napa for “Parranda 2011.” (photo above). I experienced more great food from Pica Pica, and tasted unique wines from South America by Taste Vino ( 
Another lesson: Parranda is a musical form from the coastal area of 
I have to admit that after trying the various items on the menu, one of my TOPS is the Yucca fries (you can order them plain or with garlic). They alone are worth making the drive; whether to Pica Pica Maize Kitchen in San Francisco on Valencia Street or at Oxbow Napa.
Next on my list, Flamenco dance lessons with Adriana… There is always more to discover!