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I've never eaten at one, but one of my favorite travel stories is from the plane returning from Italy - via Milan. A young woman kept complaining the whole way home. Hated Italy, wanted to be home. Her backpack bore the Olive Garden logo. I wondered if she had attended their culinary institute?

Isn't Sunday half off the wine list at Zoe? And it is walking distance...

You can also get a good cake at Metropolitan Market at the top of Queen Anne (while they are still there!)

Macrina Bakery has beautiful cakes. Leslie is nominated for a pastry chef James Beard award, again.

I think you get a continental breakfast from Macrina Bakery & Cafe with your room? If not, that might be fun for lunch/bruch. Then there is Le Pichet or Cafe Campagne, at the Market. Or Monsoon, up on Capitol Hill has what sounds like a killer brunch.

Tighe, I think you need to visit E&O for dessert: White Hot Chai with Bacon-Ginger Cookies!

I imagine Union would be up to your challenge. Rover's has a veg tasting menu, but I found the place too formal in some ways. Lark may or may not be everyone's favorite, but you can do well. Veil could also work well and has the hippest room. They may have the best service I have received in Seattle, and not stiff. I haven't made it to Fork. A lunch - Matt's in the Market for a totaly different experience. Watch out for the Sunday closures. Hotel Andra, Hotel Max, Inn at El Gaucho are good candidates - Ace Hotel is hip, but maybe not what you are looking for. Some new places are coming along - new hotel/condo buildings are springing up, but I don't think any are open. I also would consider Inn at Harbor Steps, though I don't know anyone who has stayed there. There is a new B&B by Greenlake that looks wonderful if you want a place out of downtown. Greenlake Not much in the way of fine dining in the area, Nell's has it, but negative atmosphere. Happy Anniversary!

They only got married a year ago...

Iceburg Drive In is owned by a winemaker - burgers, fries, and shakes. I haven't been, but sounds like a winner.

This timely link came to me today: Walla Walla wine news

I went to S&S a while back - too late in the day for full selection. Wasn't remarkable enough for me to drive back, but if in the neighborhood, sure. So what's being built out in the old Sit and Spin space on 4th just North of Blanchard? Looks like a full bar and lots of space. Can't tell from online info and no sign in the window when I walked by last night.

Anyone know when the episode of Opening Soon featuring Fork is to air? And if it available to view in Seattle? Food Network

Posted that just for you!

A conference was in session at Falling Water/Alexandria's on 2nd space and the for lease sign was gone - Asian I think? Vivace Coffee and Wine Bar across fron REI is almost ready.

Does it seem like there is an avalanche of openings right now? I know I am not up to the task of trying all of them, no less keeping track of them.

Hey! Just noticed the new signature line! Congratulations. Ol' Seattle boy Tom Douglas was in Tokyo earlier this month and mentioned on his radio show that they ate at Robuchon, somewhat accidentally, on their last night and loved it - and the price.

What, you have problem gettin' jiggy with the Vietnamese elevator music? It cracks me up. So where, oh where, on the menu did you find shortribs?!?!?! ← Under rice dishes. Turn the page. ← Were they the thin-sliced across the bone variety of short ribs or the meaty braised short-rib variety? ← thin sliced across the bone, henceforth, a tad dry.

Geez, just the last two batches of leftover parts chicken soup has yielded me two cups that I'll never use. Maybe we just need a cooperative. Wanna buy some schmaltz? I'll meet you on Aurora.

What, you have problem gettin' jiggy with the Vietnamese elevator music? It cracks me up. So where, oh where, on the menu did you find shortribs?!?!?! ← Under rice dishes. Turn the page.

I hit this place late Wednesday night - they were gracious though we were the last diners of the evening. The flour cake is so weird, but good. Eat it while it is hot! Shortribs were plentiful and tasty, though pretty dry. The house vermicelli noodles, served dry, had all sorts of tasty treats - shrimp skewer, chicken, spring roll...and each entree came with a different cup of sauce to pour over. Now the music...well it was happy...but annoying.

What about the chicken stand across from the soon to close Dish D'lish in the Market?

I've heard that Flying Fish makes a good fried chicken...$17.95.

And here Sur La Table

Oh my - is the Market lightening up? This could be a bad precedent, though not a bad decision. ← I've gone by the Market location a few times, far too close to my office. I'm wondering if they got by on the technicality that the Market Location is 'Belle's Buns' and not 'Belle Epicurean'. The actual product is the only thing th two have in common, as the Market location is spartan at best. ← I think I read that they had started the Market process before they opened the "2nd" shop, so they technically didn't have a store when they applied.

Columbia Gorge is also pretty. Washington Wine Commission has this planner: linky