Food and Wine
From Farmers Markets to award winning restaurants, Seattle has become a central hub for the discriminating pallet. Some may think there’s too much rain in Western Washington, but with all that water, comes the perfect climate for wine. In 2005, the record wine production came to 116,760 tons! One of Seattle’s big events this year will be Taste Washington, the ultimate wine tour! Don’t miss it on April 8th at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center at Pier 30. It’s a one day event with education, wine tasting and fun entertainment. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to TasteWashington.org .
Click here for more Seattle restaurant choices.
Washington Wine
Wine...ery List
For those of you who want to look further into the world of Washington Wines, try taking part in some of the wine and brew tours or visit some of the wineries. Here are a few in our neighborhood.
Tefft Cellars
Welcome to the family at Tefft Cellars. Yes, we are related! If you're ever in Eastern  Washington, stop by and tell them Randy and Eileen sent you and ask for a taste of one of their handcrafted, premium wines. You won't regret it. Click Here to check into Tefft Cellar's on going Specials and Events.
EB Foote Winery
EB Foote Winery is a small place, in a strange location, but with a lot of character...and flavor. They offer excellent, award winning wines. They have a tasting room, tours and private tastings. Twice a year a local theater company, Breeders Theater, performs a play in the midst of wine tasting. It’s a fun evening with good entertainment, food and wine.
Columbia Winery
Washington's first premium winery and voted "Best Washington Winery" by readers of Northwest Palate Magazine.
Januik Winery
Januik produces wine in small amounts to retain quality. Visit their website for information on a schedule of dinners with Mike Januik or go to Woodinville Wine Country to get your passport to Woodinville and to find out more about Woodinville wines.
Owen Sullivan
"From their jury-rigged winery in a nondescript business park near Seattle-Tacoma Airport, Bill Owen and Rob Sullivan are making some of Washington's plushest and headiest reds… They make small lots that just keep getting better with each vintage...” Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator. For questions, events or even to volunteer, be sure to visit their website. They have many unique and excellent flavors so be sure to try them all.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
A very popular place! Offering summer concerts at their grounds in Woodinville, Chateau Ste. Michelle is a great place to hang out and listen to popular artists like Don Henley, B.B. King, the Dave Matthews Band and the Steve Miller Band. Check out our local wine...ery list. Here are a few of the better known wineries in the city that are definitely worth the visit. You can check them all out online by clicking on the link next to their name.  Washington State Wineries   Northwest Farmers Markets
Pike Place Market
Open every day in downtown Seattle. You’ll find anything and everything here, even the very unique. Vegetable, fish and flower stands line the streets in this open air market. You’ll also find unique hand crafted items of all kinds as a variety of artists play for you as you stroll along the sidewalks. Visit the underground shops and discover another world of gifts and treasures to take home with you.
Fremont and Ballard
Fremont is primarily a European-style flea market with a little of everything, while Ballard is strictly a Farmers Market and original crafts. Together they hose over 225 vendors. Both are open Sundays year ‘round.
West Seattle
If you live on the west side, check out the West Seattle Farmers Market on Sundays from 10 to 2pm. There are usually about 35 vendors and you’ll find them across the street from Wells Fargo near the Alaska Junction intersection. There’s always a smattering of fresh fruits and veggies, jams, breads and more.
Issaquah Public Market
The Issaquah Public Market is traditionally held at the Pickering Barn on 1730 10th Avenue across from Costco and will start in April this year. The season runs through October and is open on Saturdays. They feature farm fresh, in-season produce, fresh cut flowers, baked goods, specialty foods and arts and crafts. Master gardeners will also be on hand throughout the summer.
University District
The University District Farmers Market is one of the oldest and largest in the area. Besides the local produce, vendors feature cheese, fresh pasta, wines, flowers and fresh baked goods. Open Saturdays, 9-2pm from May to December.
Olympia Farmers Market
If you’re closer to the south end, you might consider a drive to Olympia. It has been known by some as the best farmers market in the region and has many vegetarian possibilities. This market will run April through December. For the first 7 months, the market will be open Thursday thru Sunday from 10am to 3pm but when the cold air rolls around in November, they will only be open on the weekends.
Healthy Lifestyles
Seattle’s secret is getting out. Because the weather is so mild, Seattle attracts runners, bicyclists, skaters and many other sports enthusiasts. For those who want to taste the healthier side of Seattle, there are many options as well. Health food stores and cafes surround the area. On the east shore of Lake Union, look for Café Ambrosia, for fine vegan dining although Café Flora on Madison street tops our list for vegetarian food,. Visit Dad Watson’s Restaurant and Brewery, for some veggie friendly pub food. Rover’s is a wonderfully relaxed and high unique restaurant. Besides the wonderful food, they say its “created for omnivores and herbivores alike,” they have a five course vegetarian sampling menu. This restaurant is top notch! On the lighter side, Taco Del Mar, offers their famous veggie and vegan burritos and they have multiple stores across the Seattle and Tacoma area. Veggie and vegan burritos; multiple locations in Seattle, Tacoma area. Or pick up a vegetarian wrap or rice bowl at World Wrapps. We also have some great natural grocery stores in the area. The Puget Consumers Co-op (PCC), is a top local health food store with seven locations, including Kirkland. PCC Natural Markets has 8 outlets in the immediate area. The other large natural grocer in Seattle is Whole Foods Market. Although fewer stores than PCC, there are 2 that are conveniently located in Bellevue and one in Roosevelt Square downtown Seattle. Both Whole Foods and PCC hold classes and events for the public. For an eclectic, gourmet style, visit Trader Joe's. Click Here for a location near you. Request my Free Seattle, Redmond and Bellevue Relocation Package. It's packed full of useful and important information about the King County and Washington area. Don't move here without it! Remember: I'll send it to you for free and without obligation. Just fill out the form and I will send it right out... It's our job to know EVERYTHING about Seattle, Redmond and Bellevue! Ask us any question. Or request a FREE information package. There's no obligation, and we promise to get back to you quickly...
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Buying Land and New Construction >Beware of Fat Clay
When building a home, you should have the soil on the construction site tested for plasticity to determine how it will change under different moisture conditions. This is important because some soil is so "plastic" that (if the condition is not corrected) it can actually break concrete floors, crack the walls and destroy the foundation of your home.
Highly plastic soil is sometimes referred to as "fat clay" that swells excessively and loses stability when it becomes wet. Fine-grained soils that contain a high percentage of clay are greatly affected by water, turning to mud when it rains and undergoing large volume changes-sometimes up to 40 or 50 percent, as the soil dries. Not only do clays swell and lose stability when they become wet, but they also retard the drainage of water. If plastic soil is found on your building site, the ground must be over-excavated and replaced with clean gravel. Homebuilders often choose not to include a basement, or to protect the basement walls from excess moisture by surrounding them with a layer of gravel. A fine-grained clay-filled soil with a high plasticity index may require considerable treatment, especially if used in a moist location.
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| Q |
What is the world's oldest wooden structure?
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| A |
The oldest wooden buildings are the Pagoda, Chumanar Gate and Temple of Horyu in Nara, Japan, dating from A.D. 670.
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 See More Real Estate Trivia > |
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