Todd Jurich's Bistro (And Why Five-Star Can Remain Laid-Back) If there is any reason to throw on one's best outfit and plan an extravagant evening, at least one restaurant in downtown Norfolk proves itself to be worth the expense. Todd Jurich's Bistro is the type of spot that would accommodate any occasion, ranging from…
Toulouse Petit - Breakfast of Champignons! Toulouse Petit brings New Orleans inspired fare to lower Queen Anne. Featuring a unique and flavorful Southern cuisine and ornate Creole decor, Toulouse offers a soulful dining experience from early morning until late evening. Brian Hutmacher, the owner of Mexican restaurant Peso’s, opened Toulouse Petit in 2010. The…
It was a bit like a dramatic Hollywood movie opening. You know, one of those director-was-overly-cheesy moments that “us” girls like. We’re at the hostess stand, and a gentleman taps me on the shoulder and says (for lack of blog-voice availability, insert deep powerful tone), “Your daughter...she’s very happy. No?” As I turn, all…
Happy hour appropriately occurs twice a day at Pintxo, a modern Spanish style tapas restaurant in Seattle's Belltown. There, diners are able to enjoy inexpensive sangria, wines, and beer accompanied by several delicious small plates during two happy hours. The first begins at five and ends at seven. Then break for siesta and come…
On a drizzly Monday afternoon, my sister Alex and I walked into the café. The room was buzzing with conversation and laughter. Every table was occupied with wine sipping guests beginning to unwind from their work days. We snagged a spot at the bar top and immediately studied the wine list. While Portello doesn’t…
The Benson Hotel, Portland, OR Honorable Mention, Portland’s new premier destination celebrating the legacy and culture of sports, is proud to announce the opening of Unlisted, a hidden speakeasy discreetly located within the iconic Benson Hotel. Designed as an inmate extension of the Honorable Mention experience, Unlisted offers a refined, late-night atmosphere that blends elevated cocktails, curated music, and a Continue Reading
Where To Play This Easter in Seattle, Portland, Bend & Boise: Spring Events & Local Picks As spring settles into the Pacific Northwest, Easter arrives with that familiar mix of fresh blooms, community gatherings, and family-forward celebration. Across Seattle, Portland, Bend, and Boise, the holiday takes shape in egg hunts that fill parks, festivals that bring neighborhoods together, and traditions Continue Reading
Boise greets you at 2,840 feet with big-sky light, a walkable downtown, and the Boise River glinting just steps from your hotel. Ten minutes from the airport and you’re already on the Greenbelt, passing cyclists, Basque cafés, and public art. Idaho’s capital has quietly become one of the West’s most compelling small cities — grounded, creative, and always a little Continue Reading
Accessible via Redmond Airport, Central Oregon is framed by pines, peaks, and the Deschutes River. While we’ll call it Central Oregon, the heartbeat of this region sits squarely in Bend, with Redmond and Sunriver rounding out the experience just minutes away. March here is a study in contrasts. You can ski Mt. Bachelor in the morning and sip a craft Continue Reading
With Sea-Tac International Airport serving more than 30 domestic and international airlines, Seattle is one of the most accessible gateways in the West. Light rail connects the airport to downtown in under 40 minutes. Once you arrive, the city unfolds in distinct neighborhoods from Capitol Hill to Queen Anne to Ballard. In March, winter begins to soften. The days stretch Continue Reading