Breakfast: Crust Bakery. Can’t pass on a pastry from a good bakery and this place didn’t disappoint so give it a try. When I arrived just after their morning opening...

Under new management: The Oystercatcher. From the street it still looks a bit like a burger and beer joint. Step inside and you’ll wonder what’s in store. First taste…you know...

Pays to have local knowledge: Nūba Kitsilano. Dinner with friends and relatives yields…too much food! Since it comes from the kitchen faster than it’s possible to keep up with what’s...

Liquid food: Damsel Cellars. I first met Mari when she was the assistant winemaker at Darby Wines. She’s been making her own very solid wines for the last several years...

Recommendation from a local chef: Pestle Rock. The cuisine is Thai but it’s from the Isan or northeast part of the country. You will recognize the menu but there are...

Great experience: Marlaina’s Mediterranean Kitchen. Part business dinner and part get together with friends. I’d heard about this place from a coworker…whose husband is the chef/owner and it’s been on...

Outstanding xiaolongbao: Din Tai Fung. Quick fact…even though it’s at University Village, this is the first Din Tai Fung in the US! I suspect it had something to do with...

Post ride lunch: Tapped Public House. Expect seafood, burgers and chicken in various forms…and of course beer on tap as well as ciders. They also offer kombucha and sours. Solid...

In the Hood: Ravenna Brewing Co. Located in what was an auto repair shop it’s become well known for their local brews in a city with close to 70 breweries....

On Salmon Bay at Fishermen’s Terminal: Little Chinook’s. Looking for fast/To Go seafood near Discovery Park then check it out. No reservations required and you should expect the usual…cod, oysters,...

Several locations of this Seattle icon: Mioposto. Like the others, the primary offering is wood fired pizza and they do it very well. As a matter of fact, everything here...

If you are looking for French food with a view, this is the place: Maximilien. We were entertaining guest from out of town and it was a beautiful day so...

Has been on my list for several years: Joule. It’s been described as Pacific Northwest Korean and has been around since 2007…not sure why it took me so long to...

Need to experience: Valentine. Looking for a unique experience in Phoenix? Found it. Now how to describe the cuisine…how about New Southwestern? It starts with the wine and cocktail menu....

Spanish tapas: Amada. Part of a group dinner but we had a good sampling of the menu including some items made just for our group. As expected, this is a...

New Southern with a Southwest twist: the larder + the delta. The menu looked interesting and it was a walkable distance from the hotel so, why not? Distance was indeed...