On a clear October afternoon, we sat outside on the deck at Sirens where you can view the bay surrounded by the bluish white hues of the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges. Celebrate October birthdays like we did with awesome Texas Jalapeno Poppers and a trio of Shrimp Tacos with fresh cilantro and Mexican cotija cheese. Toast the day with a nice selection of Washington wines and IPAs or festive cocktails.
Silverwater Cafe: When there's a slight chill in the air, stop by at lunchtime for a brimming bowl of clam chowder and an Ultimate Grilled Cheese on grilled Pane de Amore hearth bread with Mt. Townsend’s red alder cheese and tomato with basil aioli.
HillBottom Pie: Tucked in the corner at the bottom of the hill in the old Tyler Street Cafe space, come for a pizza pie and stay for a fruit pie--both are homemade and delicious.
The Fountain Cafe: For a fine night out, this lovely little cafe features fresh seafood and pasta. We sampled the zesty Puttenesca - Prawns, capers, olives, eggplant, artichokes, and linguine tossed with anchovy in marinara and topped with parmesan cheese - and the sweet Chicken Marsala with mushrooms and cranberries in a cream reduction.
Lanza's: On our Friday night on the town, after sampling the wines of Italy at Joe Euro's Wine Seller, we opted for Italian fare at Lanza's - a unique twist on old favorites like Chicken Piccata and Penne with sausage, mushrooms, and spinach. Ask for their specialty Italian wedding cake - it's well worth the calories.
And of course, my personal favorite - ChezJude - which isn't really open to the public - yet. Only to close friends who happen to be lucky enough to be treated to her generous hospitality and seemingly effortless homemade cooking. We feasted on her raspberry preserves, scratch muffins, famous pan roasted chicken a la Julia Child, apple squash soup, goat cheese bruschetta, olive oil and powder sugar drizzled delicata squash, and puttanesca meatloaf paired with fine local wines.
We felt pampered and spoiled even before the pear apple crisp for dessert the first night and the ice cream covered in homemade fruit compote the next. (The crisp made a wonderful breakfast treat the next morning.)
Top it off with a soak in the hot tub tucked away under towering Douglas firs and Western Red Cedars with a crisp, clear view of the nighttime sky and Ah! you have the Pacific Northwest at its coziest.
