Emerald City, Day 2

Our second day in the Bellevue/Seattle area, we visited Gilbert's. Apparently the best place in Bellevue for brunch. We missed it by 2 minutes. However, their lunch was great. I ordered a turkey club (with vegetarian bacon) sandwich on their tomato bagel. They served each sandwich with a side of dill potato salad and a pickle wedge. Chris had a tuna sandwich. :) I was pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere was quaint and decorated with all the current/upcoming theater shows and local bands posters and fliers.

After we enjoyed our leisurely lunch we took the hotel shuttle to the Bellevue botanical gardens.









I cannot express how gorgeous the fall colors were. We were surrounded by native foliage and streams throughout the gardens. The trails were amazing. I had such a wonderful time taking in the crisp fall air and beautiful landscape.

We then decided to visit Pike's Place Market in old Seattle. We hopped on a bus. Their public transportation was great. That is what Dallas is missing. I grabbed a Starbucks from the place it originated. I promise it tastes better. :D



Pike's Place had an amazing atmosphere. The throwing of the fish was entertaining and the Turkish delight was out of the world! (My favorite dessert)

We had to rush in order to meet our flight so we grabbed the nearest cab to take us back to Bellevue to retrieve our luggage instead of waiting on the public transportation.

It was a great mini vacation. I strongly suggest visiting Seattle if you haven't.

The Emerald City, Day 1

It has been since our Honeymoon that Chris and I got away, just the two of us. On October 21st Chris and I celebrated 3 years of wedded bliss in Seattle, WA. He was being sent there on business and his work surprised both of us by sending me with him! It has always been a wish of mine to visit the North during the fall season. It is my favorite season, but in Texas we have perhaps a week worth of fall weather. We stayed in Bellevue, WA which is across Lake Washington from Seattle. For our anniversary dinner we went to the Sky City in the Space Needle. I managed to no loose my dinner while circling around at those dizzying heights. The view was remarkable. Pictures did not turn out well since it was at night. The food was amazing. Their sparkling city water was a fantastic and complemented their hazelnut oil, sea salt butter and assorted rolls perfectly. Chris ordered the Grilled Kurabuta Pork Chop that was Cider brined with roasted Spaghetti squash, bourbon maple glaze and garlic mashed potatoes with a Dr Pepper, of course. I ordered the Togarashi Crusted Ahi Tuna (seared rare) that had Oregon grown wasabi, Jasmine rice, wilted spinach, blackberry ginger compote. It was devine! We topped off dinner with heavenly molten chocolate gonache cake served with vanilla bean ice cream. I loved it, minus the ice cream. Chris, I think, could have passed on it. It is a must if you are ever in Seattle!