Visit Seattle: Shug's Soda Fountain and Ice Cream

After a yummy lunch at Beecher's Handmade Cheese, my friends and I were on the look out for some dessert.  When we discovered Shug's Soda Fountain and Ice Cream nearby, we were instantly won over by their sweet retro ambience.  Shug's recently opened in May of this year and they feature house-made syrups, sauces, and toppings as well as wine and ice cream cocktails!  

When I saw the words Prosecco float, I knew I had to have it.  I customized mine with ice cream instead of sorbet. They use handmade ice cream from Lopez Island Creamery and the lemon ice cream was delicious, amazingly creamy, and paired beautifully with the prosecco.

Shug's also offers decadent sundaes, floats, and shakes as well as coffee, espresso, and sandwiches including a pb&jelly for the kids.

The shop is cute, fun, and complete with soda fountain counter seating and a toy horse ride. They are open daily from 11am to 10pm and located on Pine and 1st Ave.

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Sea-Tac Airport Eats: Runway Grill

I don't mind eating at the airport. These days airports have some great dining options. Sometimes we eat at the airport out of necessity though, as was the case when we flew out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for our most recent trip (early flight, no time to eat breakfast elsewhere).
We ordered food from Runway Grill (S Terminal), a fast-casual eatery that offers quick, yet satisfying eats.

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Burrito

Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Biscuit

French Toast Sticks

Hash Browns

I had the Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Biscuit, along with some Hash Browns.  Everything was good - comparable to most fast food breakfast fare.

Prices are pretty reasonable, and Runway Grill is quite a popular eatery - each time we've ordered food here the lines were long.

If you're at SEA-TAC's S Terminal and hungry for something simple, yet satisfying, check out Runway Grill!

Runway Grill
SeaTac Airport
Seattle, WA
888-376-2416

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WW: Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies

Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies aka the Wild Horses Monument in Central Washington

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Top 10: Conveniences and Comforts of Red Lion Hotel Seattle Airport

I've stayed at the Red Lion Hotel Seattle Airport three times, and I absolutely love staying there. Why? Because of all of the conveniences that make for a comfortable stay.

Here are the top 10 conveniences and comforts:

1. Location - close to the airport, Downtown Seattle, and several popular attractions

2. Complimentary 24-hour shuttle to/from the airport

3. Gregroy's Bar & Grill right next door - they offer a great, inexpensive breakfast buffet!

4. Sealy Plush Pillow-Top Beds

5. Microwave and Refrigerator

6. Free Wi-Fi - you can work from the comfort of your hotel room!

7. Terry Cloth Bathrobe

8. Cafe2Go

9. In-room Coffee and Coffeemaker

10. Business Center

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Visit Seattle: Duke's Chowder House

After a long drive from Post Falls, Idaho to Seattle, Washington in stormy weather, our family was craving a hearty meal, and we found it at Duke's Chowder House at Southcenter Mall.

Complimentary Bread

Surfer's Surf Clam Strips

BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger

Award Winning New England Style Clam Chowder in a Sourdough Bread Bowl

Tatum's Grass Fed Jr. Burger with Cheese and French Fries

Hudson's "Jump in Your Mouth" Chicken Strips with French Fries

Sophie's Grilled Wild Alaska Salmon with Dinghy of Clam Chowder

"I Want You So Bad" Marionberry Pie

We dined during Happy Hour so we took advantage of a few of the specials - the Clam Strips, Chowder, and Burger.

The Clam Strips were perfectly cooked, and were delicious with both the Tartar Sauce and Wasabi Aioli.

I ordered the Clam Chowder.  For a small order, it was still pretty huge, and it was absolutely delicious.  It's no wonder that it's "award-winning" - it was thick, creamy, and full of lots of herbs and clams.  It was ideal comfort food for a cool evening in Seattle.

Kids meals are reasonably-priced and also include a drink.

For dessert, our server recommended the Marionberry Pie.  Since I never had marionberries before, I decided to try it.  Local marionberries were baked into a small pie and topped with Lopez Island Creamery Vanilla Ice Cream.  The tartness of the berries and the sweetness of the ice cream combined to create a very yummy dessert!

Service was excellent, and our meal at Duke's Chowder House was the perfect way to treat ourselves after a long roadtrip.

Duke's Chowder House
757 Southcenter Mall

Tukwila, WA 98188
(206) 243-5200

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Visit Seattle: Red Lion Hotel Seattle Airport

Two years ago I stayed at the Red Lion Hotel Seattle Airport for the first time.  A spacious room, friendly service, and numerous amenities made for a great stay.

Last month our family went back to the Red Lion Hotel Seattle Airport, where we began and ended our road trip through the Pacific Northwest with two one-night stays.

We were pleased that everything about our stays this time-around was once again great.

As soon as I entered the lobby upon our arrival, I sought out the chalkboard which lists staff favorites and recommendations.  I am so happy they are still using this chalkboard - I think it's such a cool idea!

Love this chalkboard!

After receiving our rooms keys we walked through the lobby, which still looks great after it's facelift from a little over 2 years ago.

We opened up the door to a Standard Two Queen Beds Room, that was very spacious, with a work desk and chair, television, mini refrigerator, and microwave.

I liked how the sink/vanity was separate from the shower.

The walls are quite thin, as we could hear our neighbors each stay, so if you're a light sleeper, be sure to bring earplugs.  And if you find yourself in the unfortunate circumstance like we did during our first overnighter, in which our neighbors were talking loudly and laughing hysterically way past midnight with much disregard for any other guests, simply give the front desk a call, and they will make sure the noise stops. 

Once we were able to fall asleep, we slept comfortably on the plush pillow top beds, and in the morning we'd wake up to pretty views of Bow Lake.

If you're hungry, Gregory's Bar & Grill is right next door (you can read my review here - it's the perfect spot to fuel up on breakfast), or Cafe2Go is right in the lobby for quick grab-and-go-snacks and drinks.  There are also numerous eateries within walking distance.

The Red Lion Hotel Seattle Airport also offers a free 24-hour airport shuttle, a business center, free Wi-Fi, and more!

Whether you need a place to stay for one night or several in the Seattle area, the Red Lion Hotel Seattle Airport is convenient and ideal!

Red Lion Hotel Seattle Airport
18220 International Blvd

Seattle, WA 98188

(206) 246-5535

Thank you to Red Lion Hotel Seattle Airport for hosting our stay.  Gratuities were paid on our own. 

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Visit Seattle: Gregory's Bar & Grill

Next to the Red Lion Hotel Seattle Airport is Gregory's Bar & Grill, where we dined on an inexpensive breakfast buffet.

Assorted Breads and Pastries

Assorted Beverages

Potatoes and Eggs

Sausage and Bacon

Waffles

Assorted Yogurts, Cereal, and Fresh Fruit

Although the price has gone up from a few years ago, the breakfast buffet is still a great deal at just $10.95, and kids eat free!

We dined on Bacon, Eggs, Potatoes, and Waffles until we were full!

You can also order items off the menu, but the buffet was too good of a deal to pass up!

Service was efficient and friendly, and Gregory's is definitely a great place to have breakfast in Seattle!

 
Gregory's Bar & Grill
18220 International Blvd
Seattle, WA 98188

(206) 248-8185

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Visit Seattle: Our Pike Place Market Adventure

On my first trip to Seattle (city 36), I was very excited to visit Pike Place Market, Seattle's epicenter of fresh produce, specialty foods, and independent businesses.   The nine-acre historic district is home to more than 200 unique owner-operated shops and over 80 restaurants; a bit overwhelming to say the least for this newbie.  After a lot of Yelp research, I decided to mimic a popular Pike's food tour and make my own.  Here's where we visited:

 1.      Daily Dozen Doughnut Company:  My friends and I shared the half a dozen variety donuts to get a sampling of what they offered.  The donuts were wonderful, soft and warm.  Very yummy.  I wouldn't say it's a must visit, but if you are in the mood for donuts, you won't be disappointed.  Cash only.

2.      Pike Place Fish Company:  The home of flying fish.  We didn't really know what was going on so we just stood around and waited for the flying fish action.  They sell ready to eat crab in cups!  What I really wanted to experience was eating uni fresh out of the shell.  Pike Place Fish Co. didn't have any but suggested another vendor.  We checked them out and they had uni, but it was prepackaged and didn't taste as delicious as we had hoped.

3.      Chukar Cherries:  If you don't make it here, don't fret.  Their pre-packed chocolate covered cherries are sold just about everywhere.  Stop here for gifts to take home and samples!

4.      Beecher's Handmade Cheese:  Home to the world's best mac and cheese!  Absolutely delicious and while you are here, you can watch their cheese-making process as well as pick up a panini and cheese to go.

 

5.      Piroshky, Piroshky:  Get your sweet and savory Russian hand held pies here.  I had the beef and cheese piroshky and also an apple cinnamon roll.  Lines are long, but they move quickly.

 

6.      Original Starbucks:  After we stood in a very looooong line and ordered lattes, we weren't sure what was so great about our visit.  We enjoyed our visit to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room much, much more.  But if you do feel the need to go, make sure you pick up a one of a kind gift card.  They keep it behind the register so you'll have to ask for it.

7.      Pike Place Chowder:  Located in Post Alley, this popular chowder house opens at 11am and the line starts before then.  All of their chowders are winner, but bring friends because getting the chowder sampler of 4 five ounce cups of your choice is definitely the way to go.

 

8.      The Crumpet Shop:  I've never had a crumpet before so my interest was piqued.  A crumpet as it turns out is similar to an English Muffin, but tastes so much better.  It's crispy and buttery, closer to the category of pancakes rather than breads.  The Crumpet Shop offers both sweet and savory crumpets.  There are counters and tables to sit and enjoy your crumpet too. I decided on the organic lemon curd and ricotta cheese.  I loved the lemon curd, but in my opinion, the ricotta cheese overpowered the crumpet.

 

That's just a sampling of some of the great places.  We missed out on the mini cheesecakes at The Confectional because we were just too full.  I loved taking in the sights of the fresh flowers and produce.  Be sure to stop for a picture with Rachel the Pig.  We skipped the Gum Wall due to my sensitivity and hostility towards chewed gum of strangers, but if that's what you're into, knock yourself out. 

 

The Market is open 363 days a year, closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.  Pike Place Market is definitely a must visit when you are in Seattle.

 

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