Serendipity

Yes, that's the word! Serendipity--an unexpected surprise. We're visiting Dewey's son, Thomas, in Seattle. Thomas has been a great host. Over the weekend, we visited his favorite spots at Pike Place Market to enjoy samples and small bites, had a fabulous first night dinner of local seafood while enjoying a late afternoon view of Puget Sound and we took the ferry to Bainbridge Island for a day of meandering, strolling and hiking through their downtown, the art museum and Bloedell Reserve. 

Some of the beautiful produce at Pike Place Market

Yesterday we were on our own in downtown Seattle. Thomas had to get back to work. We strolled towards the market looking for Piroshky Piroshky, the celebrated bakery known for their piroshky turnovers or buns filled with savory or sweet fillings. This bakery has appeared on travel shows and numerous foodie review sites. We passed by their market stall yesterday, but I was too full of too many bites to try one! Imagine my surprise as we walked right up to a larger second location. I ordered one piroshky and ate it on the go. Yes, it was quite delicious and satisfying, and I'm ready to try another. Serendipity!

Continuing on our leisurely discovery walk, Dewey (who hadn't had a piroshky) was getting hungry for lunch. Struggling to find a restaurant that wasn't filled with tourists, and getting weary from the steep streets that we'd been climbing, we began a visual search. We noticed a small red sign with a French name. Not touristy. Casual, but refined. A perfectly beautiful and serendipitous discovery. Cafe Campagne has been at the Pike Place Market area for 31 years! Their menu reminded me of so many of my own recipes. Very classic French bistro. Dewey enjoyed a Salade Nicoise, and I had a green salad with Roquefort. Remember, I'd already consumed a beef and cheese piroshky!

To try my version of Salade Nicoise, click here. It's made with salmon, not the traditional canned tuna. This recipe is close to the refreshing green salad I had yesterday. Or you might try my radicchio salad with a few more ingredients.

Our hotel had complimentary tickets to the Sky View Observatory at Columbia Tower, the tallest building in Seattle, and only two blocks from the hotel! Yes, that's right, the tallest building in Seattle, taller than the Space Needle and with far fewer tourists. What a treat! What a surprise! Serendipity at work again.

Time for an early dinner with Thomas after work, but where? So much to choose from. We settled on a French bistro-themed restaurant, Ben Paris at the State Hotel, but we weren't confident in our decision. It was within walking distance of our hotel, so we persisted. Serendipity wins again. A beautiful restaurant with an open kitchen where they cooked my king salmon perfectly! How about sauteed Jerusalem artichokes, toasted hazelnuts and sarma for an appetizer! Goodness, quite a treat. Simple, creative, delicious with the casual and inviting feel of a neighborhood eatery.

Summary of other Seattle activity and fun below.