Streusel in Seattle

Last weekend I visited Strudel in Seattle.

This was a doubly exciting trip, not only did I get to see Strudel but…

I got to see Seattle for the first time.

I have had the great pleasure of visiting 43 of these 50 United States (including Washington State) and have visited all the big cities I have wanted to visit except Seattle.

It’s the last city on my list I have longed to see and I finally saw it (some of it anyway).

I was there for 2 full days last weekend and although it rained pretty much ALL weekend, Strudel and I had a great time.

I landed late Friday night and was welcomed with “snacks” from Strudel and her man; artichoke bruschetta, roasted mushrooms, strawberry rhubarb pie and a nice cabernet!

Saturday morning I woke to rain and peeked out the attic window, above is what I saw.

We strolled around Strudel’s Queen Anne neighborhood, had a nice cup of coffee and caught the bus to downtown to enjoy Pike Place Market.

This place exceeded my expectations.

What a wonderfully bustling market. My two favs;

Simply the Best – dried fruit (these folks are directly in front of the famous fish throwers and sadly most people miss this dried fruit place because their backs are turned towards the fish throwers. Forget the fish and try some of this dried fruit. The lady who hands it out is one of the nicest people you will ever meet! I bought cherries and cantaloupe (which you would swear has been dipped in sugar but it hasn’t) – divine!

The pig agrees and stays real close to this place!

Piroshky, Piroshky! – Wow! I first heard about this place on Anthony Bourdain’s show and let me tell you, it is worth standing in line for. Strudel and I shared a potato, onion and cheese. Oh – how it melts in your mouth!

Here’s some other images of the market place…

We visited many shops across from Pike Place including a cheesecake shop where we tried mexican chocolate and salted caramel cheesecake truffles. The mexican chocolate truffle was very good.

Here’s a picture of the original Starbucks – no way I was waiting in a line of 50 people just to get a coffee I can have anywhere in America!

On the walk to the bus stop we also stopped at The Crumpet Shop and tried a fresh crumpet with Ricotta and Lemon Curd. Delightful.

After the busride back to Queen Anne we stopped at The Met Market and bought a bottle of Gruner Veltliner (my new favorite wine thanks to The Crush) and went home and made the Daring Bakers’ July Challenge together. Uugh! You’ll understand when it posts on Wednesday!!

Strudel made reservations that night at Etta’s, one of Tom Douglas’ restaurants.

It was very good. I had salmon medium rare (that was new for me) with a nice corn pudding and the most perfectly seasoned green beans I have ever eaten.

Our Sunday began by walking to El Diablo coffee shop where we had cuban bread toast (the toast took 20 minutes to make but it was the BEST toast I have ever had – REALLY!)

To top it off I had the best latte art sitting atop my cafe con leche.

Then we went to the Comcast Bite of Seattle, where it began to rain again.

If you’ve never been to the Bite of Seattle, food vendors from all over town set up shop around the space needle. In addition to watching the amazing Puget Sound Dock Dogs, Strudel and I tried many great treats…

Blackened Salmon Sliders from Ballard Brothers…