Savor Seattle

We went on a Savor Seattle tour through Pike Place Market today. Having been there many times, it was a very rewarding experience to broaden my horizons and visit some of the places that I have walked by for years and never even noticed were there. Some notes:

Fonté Café & Wine Bar - Excellent Ethiopian Beloya coffee. Sweet, tastes like berries.

The Spanish Table - I was told that there is such a thing as manchego cheese with a rosemary rind. I must find this. Also, manzanilla olives will probably go well in a martini. If I ever start drinking martinis again, this will be important.

World Spice Market - A staple of Seattle's culinary scene. They have a new offering that they are still tweaking: "chider". It's hot apple cider mulled with chai spices (cardamom, pepper, clove, ginger, cinnamon, and star anise). They mix it with roiboos, which gives it just a hint of nuttiness. Will have to try to reproduce their recipe this year before it becomes nog season.

Bavarian Meats - Gut essen. They have lots of Ayinger in their fridge.

Svedala Bakery - Who knew I'd need to find a Swedish bakery in order to teach me that cardamom bread (a) exists and (b) is delicious. Also, aeropress coffee is unbelievably smooth.

Thoa's Restaurant & Lounge - Upscale Vietnamese within convenient walking distance of the SAM. They had a great softshell crab roll.

Pan Africa Market - Entirely vegan, except for the dishes that aren't. They are waiting on their state liquor license, and now so am I.

KuKuRuza Popcorn - Gourmet flavored popcorn in a tiny little store I must have walked by a dozen times. Excellent cheddar cheese popcorn and their rocky road is heavenly.