Blogs from Seattle, Washington, United States, North America - page 2

Or as Nicholas Cage says to Sean Connery in "The Rock" regarding Connery's prison hair style, "it is a grunge thing!" This is what Fodor's says about Seattle grunge. Grunge means grime or dirt—which went on to define a new sound coming out of Seattle in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Fusing metal and punk rock, grunge incorporated fuzz effects, feedback, guitar distortion, and anguished lyrics. The music form jumped onto the scene with C/Z Records’ release of Deep Six in 1986, introducing the world to Melvins, Green River, Malfunkshun, Soundgarden, Skin Yard, and the U-Men. Sub Pop, another record label founded in 1986, signed up major grunge players including Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Mudhoney; they’re often credited with kick-starting the “grunge movement.” Although the sounds have changed, grunge (along with flannel shirts and... read more

First leg of the journey: heading for Jamie's house in Medford. Fortunately, the grapes ripened before I left, so I was able to leave some jam behind.... read more

From Mashed (MSN) Shopping can be exhausting, and nothing recharges you faster than a buttery pastry with a heavenly cup of coffee. Le Panier serves authentic French pâtisserie, fresh bread, and offerings like sandwiches and feuilletés, which are puff pastries with savory fillings like cheese, chicken, vegetables, or mushrooms. Don't let long lines deter you — Le Panier is busy because it's one of the best bakeries in Seattle. Every offering at Le Panier is made using traditional French techniques, no surprise since their pastry chef and co-owner is French. Anything you try will be delicious, but url=https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60878-d432598-Reviews-Le_Panier-Seattle_Washington.htmlTr... read more

I can't think of a better city than Seattle as the very first UNESCO City of Literature. The unique and massive Seattle Public Library, itself an icon of literature, stands as a visible reminder of this city's great literary reputation. They say the long, wet, dreary winters, and the abundance of coffee shops make it perfect for readers. For starters, the four decades old Elliott Bay Bookstore attracts readers of all kinds. I love the name of their little cafe' in the back, the Oddfellows Cafe'. Maybe it is staffed by a guy named Longfellow? As you know, I love visiting libraries and bookstores around the world. My favorites are City Lights (San Francisco), Powell's (Portland), and The Last Bookstore (Los Angeles). For rare, and out of print cook books, head to the aptly named Book ... read more

Having been here so many times, we always look for something new and different. Okay, maybe you don’t consider dinner to be an “experience,” but this one definitely felt like it. Flintcreek Cattle Co uses pastured and grass-fed meat, from sustainable small-scale farms, and masterfully creates truly magnificent dishes. This is the restaurant for trying new dishes, particularly proteins like elk, venison, and others. While the restaurant certainly is an upscale experience, it’s still approachable for the average person, and the dining experience is relaxed and luxurious. Might be worth a try? If you love crafting or taking creative classes, you definitely need to check out Mosstangle, a Snohomish wood-burning studio. “You learn a new, creative skill that seems impossible, but Crystal is a great teacher and encour... read more