Seattle, the Pacific Northwest’s Emerald City. Home of the Space Needle and Public Market as well as the birthplace of grunge music and Starbucks. This city by the sound is beautiful, lush and a hub for delicious eats. It’s a bustling town of hip and young folks and families, who have built a green and veg friendly metropolis. Seattle is jam packed with special diet friendly options so I’ll be splitting up this town into 3 posts so as to keep from writing a novel! Let’s get started!!
For the week I was in town, I was lucky enough to be able to stay at downtown’s greenest hotel, the Hyatt Olive 8. The first LEED certified hotel in the city, the Olive 8 is a model for eco chic accommodations. Boasting an award winning spa, a fabulous local fare eatery and bar, an indoor salt water pool, rooftop garden and even hypo-allergenic rooms, Hyatt has outdone itself, making sure that every possible detail is beneficial to its guests as well as the environment. I loved the green details of my room such as the room key controlled lights and in-room recycle bins as well as the full scale gym and fantastic service. Dinner and drinks at Urbane was an extra special treat as everything on the menu is locally sourced and features Washington state wines and brews. Oh, and the eatery is totally eco as well as floors made from reclaimed wood from an old bridge and other neat eco accoutrement. The staff is more then willing to accommodate special diet diners and there is even plenty to choose from on their regular menu. Fresh, green and stylish, the Hyatt Olive 8 is the epitome of eco-luxury. I’m definitely staying here every time I’m in Seattle!
If you’re looking for a casual, yet healthy and tasty meal, any time of the day, Chaco Canyon Organic Cafe is the place for you. With 2 locations, Chaco is a haven for special diet diners who want to grub. A giant menu complete with fresh juices, desserts, salads, sandwiches and brunch items, there’s plenty to choose from, no matter what your tastes are. They have tons of raw food goodies and gluten free so I tried items from each of those categories. Their raw enchiladas are to die for and their gluten free french toast is scrumptious. In their U district location, they have a stone wall that showcases all of the people in the community that came together to make that particular location possible. So friendly, so fun and so fresh, Chaco Canyon is a great decision for any meal!
Gastropubs are all the rage and I think I found one of my faves. Located in the original brewery and bar location, Georgetown Liquor Company boasts the same name as it has for over 100 years. In a building full of history in a hip, artsy neighborhood south of downtown called Georgetown, you’ll find this insanely awesome gem of a bar. A bar that makes hand muddled specialty drinks along with old classics and serves up some of the best bar food I’ve ever had. And with that, I declare that I think I died and went to heaven when I sunk my teeth into their vegan french dip sandwich, known as The Picard. The entire menu names it’s delicacies after Sci-fi movies and its characters as the owners mixed all of their passions into their food and booze endeavor. I recommend that when visiting Seattle, get off the pane and head directly to Georgetown liquor Company for a drink and a Picard!
I love breakfast, big or small and Bouteloua Bakery is the place for just the place for a sweet and/or savory treat be it am or pm. Located in Ballard, this adorable bake shop is the pride and joy of a botanist turned vegan baker. Offering fresh, vegan and organic baked goods along with local coffee and tea, you’ll have a tough time choosing just one goody. So I chose a few! I had to have their signature pain au chocolat (chocolate filled croissant) along with her savory Field Roast Sausage croissant. I enjoyed my morning pastry with some fresh squeezed OJ as well as a french pressed cup of local island coffee and wished that Megan, the owner and baker, would just move in to my house and bake for me every day ; ) Pop in for a personal treat or to buy her out to blow your co-workers’s minds at the office, grab a sandwich on freshly baked bread or buy a loaf to last you the week. Either way just go on an empty stomach and maybe walk there and back to burn off the calories!
For a fancy pants dinner with an organic and eco twist, dine at Tilth. New American cuisine prepared with the finest ingredients from local, certified organic farmers, it’s no wonder that this certified organic, sustainable restaurant was named one of the best new restaurants in the country by The new York Times in 2008. With James Beard award winning chef, Maria Hines, at the helm, you’re sure to get a top notch meal. While it’s not a vegan restaurant, they offer a dedicated vegan menu as well as incredible vegetarian tasting menus. The vegan menu sounds as beautiful as it looks and changes seasonally so if you’re itching to try their awesome menu, reservations are suggested for dinner a well as brunch. Cute, cozy, delectable and eco; who could ask for more when it comes to a memorable meal?
And with that, I’ve barely scratched the surface on the jaw dropping tastes of Seattle. More to come next week so come hungry!
