The Cat Dish

#CatTravels: Food tour of Seattle — and more

By Catherine Toth Fox • November 6, 2012 • #CatTravels, Food

One of the other reasons I came to Seattle was to visit my girlfriend, Chris, who moved here a couple of years ago.

A trip to see her was long overdue.

We used to work together at the now-defunct Honolulu Advertiser and had done our fair share of traveling, from the chilly summit of Haleakala to watch the sunrise to the wineries of Napa Valley. Now it was time to experience Seattle from her point of view.

Since she knows me so well — smile — she booked a food tour of Pike Place Market with Savor Seattle Food Tours, a local food tour company that takes small groups behind-the-scenes at the historic market (among other places) for $39 per person. It’s a two-hour walking tour that guarantees at least 16 bites and sips, an up-close look at about 10 vendors, and one-on-one time with the famous fish-throwing fishmongers at the Pike Place Fish Co.

It was a great way to learn about the market — and about Seattle’s culinary scene — while eating. It’s a no brainer!

But that’s not all we did.

Here’s what my first day with Chris — and in Marysville — looked like:

Heading to the waterfront

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My girlfriend, Chris, picked us up at the hotel on Sunday, drove Derek to the airport, and was stuck with me for another two days. So we headed back to the city for a food tour she had booked in advance. (She knows me so well!)

#CatTravels: Roomie doesn’t have Internet

By Catherine Toth Fox • November 5, 2012 • #CatTravels

Derek left for Madison yesterday and I decided to stay an extra two days with my girlfriend, Chris, in the northern ‘burb of Marysville.

And neither she nor her roommate, Sammi, a 10-year-old umbrella cockatoo, has Internet.

So I can’t easily update my blog — or much else — in the next couple of days.

But I will tell you what to expect in my new few blogs:

• Chris and I did a food tour of Pike Place Market with Savor Seattle yesterday — and let’s just say I learned a lot.

• We walked around Belltown and the Seattle Center, where we’re heading today for lunch, before heading to my new favorite specialty store in Seattle: Uwajimaya. There are things you can’t get in Hawaii but can get here!

• Of course, what trip to the Mainland is complete without a visit to Trader Joe’s?

• Finally, for the very first time — and despite having lived in Chicago — I actually ate at the Olive Garden. Apparently, when you’re there, you’re family.

So lots to look forward to. I promise I’ll get something uploaded the next time I’m in the vicinity of Internet connectivity.

Until then, soak up that Hawaii sunshine for me. I haven’t seen the sun — what was that again? — in days!

Follow my adventures in Seattle and Portland on Twitter @thedailydish #CatTravels or on Instagram @catherinetoth.

#CatTravels: Wandering Seattle’s waterfront

By Catherine Toth Fox • November 3, 2012 • #CatTravels, Food

Saturday was the only day Derek and I had completely to ourselves.

He didn’t have to attend any seminars; I had nothing planned.

So we caught the bus and headed straight to Pike Place Market, the popular public market overlooking the Elliott Bay waterfront.

This market opened in 1907 and now boasts hundreds of small businesses, craftsmen, merchants, artists, farmers and fishermen. With more than 10 million people visiting this market a yet, it’s become one of Seattle’s most popular tourist destinations.

So of course we had to go, too!

Here’s what our day at the waterfront — and we did way more than eat clam chowder! — looked like:

Pike Place Market

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Open in 1907, this public market boasts hundreds of small businesses, craftsmen, farmers, fishermen and artisans selling their goods, produce, seafood and wares, which attract 10 million visitors a year. It's one of the busiest tourist attractions in the city — and we were on our way!

#CatTravels: The search for food in Seattle

By Catherine Toth Fox • November 3, 2012 • #CatTravels, Food

Seattle has quite a food scene, and I was ready to eat my way through the city.

This coastal seaport, with 3.4 million residents in its metro area, offers the bounty of both the land and sea. Fresh produce, meats and seafood are easily available, and chefs here love to incorporate seasonal flavors to everything from soups to ice creams.

So in between Derek’s presentation at the History of Education Society‘s national conference in downtown Seattle and visiting with his cousins, we hit up some of the city’s best and beloved eateries.

And I came hungry!

Here’s what our second day in Seattle looked like:

Seattle's bus system

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I'm a huge fan of the public transit in Seattle. The buses, the light rail — they were all convenient and affordable. Since we didn't rent a car, this was really our only way around town, and to be honest, it was easy, quick and painless.

#CatTravels: Hello, Seattle!

By Catherine Toth Fox • November 1, 2012 • #CatTravels, Food

I knew about Seattle’s weather — but I still didn’t prepare for it.

And how can you?

The weather report called for temperatures in the low 60s, partly cloudy, maybe rain. But it doesn’t tell you that the rain, well, it doesn’t let up. Even when it’s not raining, it’s still wet. Everything is wet. This place doesn’t dry off!

So I didn’t pack well. I have a wool sweater, a light Patagonia jacket, three scarves and a bunch of tops to layer. But I have to wear all of them in order to stay warm!

Luckily for us, the rain subsided this afternoon and we were able to walk around Capitol Hill and the Queen Anne District, where we’re staying.

This is definitely a cool place to hang. This district — which sits on the tallest named hill in the city and is bordered by Belltown to the south, Lake Union to the east, the Lake Washington Ship Canal to the north and Magnolia to the west — boasts about 32,000 people, most of whom are unmarried, young professionals. Folks here tend to be better educated and wealthier than the rest of Seattle — and the shops, restaurants and bars reflect that demographic.

There are lots of indie coffee shops and bookstores, hip bars, vinyl shops and restaurants on every block.

After Derek’s talk at the American Education Studies Association — it’s one of two conferences he’s attending this weekend here — we strolled around the area. The rain actually let up and we got to see what this place has to offer in the best way: on foot.

Here’s what our first day in Seattle looked like:

Loving light rail

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If you're not a believe in mass transit, you need to ride Seattle's Central Link light rail system. It will change your mind. It cost $2.75 to get from the Sea-Tec Airport to Westlake in the middle of downtown Seattle. Easy schmeasy.