Bainbridge Island and Blackbird Bakery

A ferry trip from Seattle to Bainbridge Island is one thing that I really enjoy and recommend to visitors. The trip is beautiful and the island experience can't be found just anywhere. We had a light lunch at Blackbird Bakery where they have excellent soups and baked goods with espresso to top it off. The Sante Fe Chowder is a favorite and to our surprise Aidan (now 11) really liked the Red Lentil Curry. Their chocolate chip cookie ranks in my top five all-time and I've got a lot of experience. (Warning; they do not take credit cards...2 ATMs across the street)

The 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle can be very inexpensive if you walk on and from the ferry dock on the island the central shopping district is about a 5-block walk. 2 blocks up the hill and to the left on Winslow Way, the bakery is just 3 blocks down. In summer, the farmers market is in a park about a block behind the bakery.

For overnight visitors I recommend the Best Western Bainbridge Island Suites. This is a relatively new inn that scores very well in all areas and has strong management team.

Update: as an example of a great day on the island...on a recent Saturday we drove up from Tacoma (one hour) and rode the ferry to Seattle and back as walk-ons. This is a beautiful ride for a very reasonable price. On most island trips you pay to get to the island, but there is no fare to return. We then grabbed lunch from Town & Country market, a full-service grocery in the heart of the town of Winslow. After playing catch in the park we walked down to the dock, rented a kayak and spent an hour paddling around Eagle Harbor. Next up, a 10-minute drive to Bay Hay & Feed where we picked out a Mother's Day hanging basket and a few other plants. I'm not a shopper, but I could wander around Bay Hay for an hour easily and find lots of great things from plants and gardening to outdoor clothing to feed store staples.

My favorite Tacoma restaurant - Primo Grill

I am on vacation this week and having fun at home in and around Tacoma. On St. Patrick's Day my wife and I decided to take a vacation from cooking and dined at Primo Grill since Irishman and Chef Charlie McManus reminded me by email about what he had planned for the holiday. We have lived in Tacoma for 7-1/2 years and have tried most of the restaurants and I am firm about my decision that this is my favorite. It is also Zagat rated, so I'm not the only one.

Primo Grill is celebrating its 10th year located at the heart of the 6th Avenue Business District at 6th & Pine. The wood-fired oven in the open kitchen behind the counter where you can sit and watch the action is the focus. The food is excellent, the service professional and knowledgeable; that's all very important and appreciated. I think what sets this restaurant apart is their support of the local community. For example, several of the tables are hand-painted by local artists. Local produce is sourced from Terries Berries, a local CSA farm and pork is raised locally by a farmer who can also be found at farmers markets nearby. In fact, the 6th Avenue Farmers Market is located only a block away from the restaurant and is open every Tuesday afternoon in season.

We really enjoyed a Washington Bordeaux blend from Reininger named Helix Pomatia. Heidi swooned over the Paella while the Lamb Shank with Champs was my perfect St. Patty's Day feast.

Kent Station - restaurants and shops - an outdoor gathering place

Kent Station is a great place to go for lunch or dinner if you're undecided because there are many restaurant choices along with movie theaters, shopping, a Dilletante coffee shop next to a massive outdoor fireplace with comfortable chairs and other services like Kinko's and The Mac Store. Kent Station is also the transportation hub for the City. Sound Transit's Sounder Commuter Rail stops in Kent during commuter hours and King County Metro bus service serves almost any destination.

In 2009, the City of Kent opened ShoWare Center just 2 blocks away from Kent Station. The 6,000-seat arena is home to the Seattle Thunderbirds hockey team of the Western Hockey League. When hockey is not being played the arena is host to many other events.

My top 3 favorite Kent Station restaurants in no particular order:

• If a burger and a beer are what you're after The Ram is the place for you. A casual atmosphere and a menu to please the whole family meet a brew pub with sports on the big screens. I've always had a good experience here and this is one of Aidan's favorite restaurants. (my son)
• Panera Bread is a bakery and cafe, very popular at lunch.
• Mama Stortini's is a local Italian restaurant that serves a very nice lunch or dinner.

Paolo's Italian Restaurant

One of my top 3 restaurants in Kent is Paolo's and the photo shows the owner Paul in the open kitchen. His personal attention to detail is what makes the food and the experience special.

On my first lunchtime visit the Salmon Piccata was excellent. More recently, in March 2010 the Fettucine Paolo with grilled chicken, artichokes and red peppers was very good and reminded me of something I might try at home. I learned recently that they also offer wine dinners and cooking classes.

For our hotel guests from out of town this is also easy to find, about 3 miles east with only one turn; ask at our front desk for directions. Please let them know that you are visiting and how you heard about the restaurant.