6 Reasons To Visit Seattle

I am visiting Seattle for the first time in my life. What I love about traveling is the unfettered freedom it offers me. A glimpse into a big huge world beyond my small suburb. Two days where I step out of my life as mother and housewife, and enter a new place where nobody knows me and nobody calls me mom.

Seattle reminds me a lot of San Francisco with it’s hilly streets, chilly weather and tall beautiful buildings lining the water.  Down every street are unique shops.  Seattle is home to the very first Nordstrom opened in 1901, as well as the first indoor mall.  Chris bought an authentic Irish newsboy hat at an upscale impressive hat shop that carries some pretty unbelievable men’s top hats.  Another storefront specialized in black and white truffles – the mushroom variety.  I would not recommend putting your sniffer into a jar of black truffles.  It is pungent.

Pike’s Place is reminiscent of an older, dare I say, more authentic version of the Ferry Building in San Francisco where local vendors and artisans sharing their special homemade goods.

I had a belt custom sized and buckled right there at Pike’s Place and it was somehow exhilarating.  Maybe because my belt man was quite adorable.

1. You heard it here first on The Hip Mothership people and don’t forget it! Peaky Blinders hair is trending in the 21^st century in Seattle.  Shaved on the bottom, party on the top.  Now I wonder if I can get Chris to get his haircut like that. Not going to happen.

We have also seen many sporting the Peaky Blinders signature newsboy hat. Chris was indeed sporting this look in Seattle.

2.  Every shop and restaurant we visited while in Seattle, we were greeted with smiling faces and helping hands.  It sounds cheesy, but a little friendly hospitality goes a long way when visiting a new city.

3.  The very first ever Starbucks across from Pike’s Place has a lot of it’s original charm; inconspicuous signage, and original hardwood floors and chipped black countertops.  Robin the gay barista stands near the front to offer guidance and answer any “so this is the first ever Starbucks huh?” questions from people like us.  He was pretty awesome.

4.  The best Clam Chowder in the world (seriously, it was voted that) at Pike’s Place Chowder.

But you have to wait in this line to get some.

5.  Since this was my first time to Seattle, of course I had to pay a visit to the famous fish throwers at Pike’s Place.  They are so much fun to watch and really nice guys.  Turn the volume up so you can hear the crowd scream with joy.

6. While here for three days we ate authentic Italian, French, Japanese, and Indian.  They were all totally delicious. If anyone has seen Jiro Dreams of Sushi, you will appreciate that one of Jiro’s longtime sushi apprentices, who is now a Master Sushi Chef, opened up Shiro’s where we dined our first night.  The second night we went to Assaggio’s, where owner Mauro greeted me with a bear hug and a nice sloppy kiss on my cheek.  If you look at the picture of him on his website, you will not be surprised by his outward display of affection on strangers.  The food was delicious if you enjoy things like homemade Pappardelle pasta with strips of filet, mushrooms in a tomato sauce with a hint of cream.

A great city to visit, rain or shine.  We had both.

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Here is my Seattle Haiku:

Seattle grey blues

friendly folks flinging fishes

sip sipping coffee

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*This trip was made possible by the generous gift of childcare donated by our good friends.  You guys are unequivocally the best.  

Until next time, the mothership is signing off.