Hotel Andra

When I found out that I’d be traveling to Seattle this spring, I searched & searched for various accommodation options, but nothing was really jumping out at me. I knew I’d want to be near the center of the city, as I wasn’t planning on renting a car, and I kept coming back to Hotel Andra, in the centrally located Belltown neighborhood, for one reason – the entryway pictured above. I had seen a similar photo while searching ‘Seattle’ on Jetsetter, and mentally bookmarked Hotel Andra as a possibility. When the time came for me to decide on where I’d … Continue reading Hotel Andra

Serious Pie

I first read about Serious Pie in a fairly recent issue of the Carolina Alumni Review (one of the chefs went to Carolina!) and added it to my Seattle must-visit list. At first glance of the menu online, it reminded me of our favorite pizza place in Portland, Flatbread Company. I love any and all pizza, but there’s something fun about eating fresh ingredients that aren’t typically served on your pizza- for instance, Serious Pie serves a pizza with yukon gold potatoes as a base, instead of the traditional red sauce. During my research I was delighted to see that … Continue reading Serious Pie

Oddfellows

My friends, Darcy & Carolyn, recommended that I stop in this gem of a restaurant at some point during my weekend in Seattle, and the minute I walked through the Oddfellows doors, I said a silent ‘thank you’ for having friends with such incredible taste. Located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Oddfellows pretty much represents everything I love about dining out – great food, delicious drinks, spot on branding, thoughtful (and quirky!) decor, and an atmosphere that simply cannot be matched. It was Friday night and the place was bustling with people, and though I felt a little … Continue reading Oddfellows

Molly Moon’s

The same friends who suggested I go to Oddfellows insisted that I stop by Molly Moon’s, just around the corner, for some ice cream. Living three doors down from a delicious homemade ice cream shop, I indulge in this frozen treat a lot, a little too much even. Regardless, you don’t really have to twist my arm for me to try a new ice cream place – especially one with a sweet name like Molly Moon’s. There are a few Molly Moon’s locations throughout Seattle, and there’s even a Molly Moon’s food truck, but since I was in the neighborhood … Continue reading Molly Moon’s

Elliott Bay Book Co.

When I began thinking about what to do during my time in Seattle, I asked a few friends who’d either lived in Seattle or visited several times, and they each said that I needed to stop by Elliott Bay Book Co. After walking in the shop, I now understood why three different people recommended the bookstore to me. First of all, the space itself is gorgeous- well lit, warm, and inviting. It was, hands down, one of the most beautiful bookstores I’ve ever remembered visiting. Not only is the space gorgeous, the shop is filled with the best selection of … Continue reading Elliott Bay Book Co.

Macrina Bakery

I wanted to hug my bride, Taylor, for suggesting I pop into Belltown’s Macrina Bakery, fairly close to my hotel. If I had the time, I would have visited Macrina no less than three more times before leaving Seattle – I loved it that much! My friend, Allison, who was visiting Seattle for the first time from San Francisco, joined me for a quick lunch at Macrina after our trips to Elliott Bay Book Co. and the sculpture park. Upon walking inside, my heart melted a little bit and from the looks of the cafe, I just knew I would … Continue reading Macrina Bakery

Black Bottle

After our shoot, Ashley & Patrick, two of my September wedding clients, took Allison & I to one of their favorite restaurants downtown, Black Bottle. We were all looking forward to treating ourselves to a cocktail and some delicious food after the shoot and a day of exploring the city before that! Black Bottle, located in the heart of the city in the Belltown neighborhood, has the atmosphere of many of my favorite urban restaurants – loud, but in that good, bustling-life kind of way, an upbeat ambiance, and an elbow-to-elbow bar. I ordered the Throwback Manhattan, which was so … Continue reading Black Bottle

Gas Works Park

One of my sweet brides, Taylor, who grew up in Seattle was kind enough to send me a few suggestions for my weekend trip. I was so thankful for her recommendations, as each of the ones I tried were a perfect fit for me (and Map & Menu)! High on her list of things to do was to visit Gas Works Park, a former gasification plant on Lake Union with beautiful views of the city. Given that I was beginning to feel like most of my time in Seattle was being spent eating, I was looking forward to an activity … Continue reading Gas Works Park