Author: Mariam

Seattle, Day Two

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Part of the reason why I’d wanted to take a trip so badly is because I sorely needed a break, and a relaxing one at that. I wanted the pace of this vacation to be slower than most, so it was okay that I slept in our second morning in Seattle. At around noon, I finally got on my way and walked to the piers, where I was going to take the ferry to Bainbridge Island.

Downtown Seattle

I should mention that Seattle in the winter is bitingly cold (well, at least to me) and even colder while on a windy ferry. Internet, I think even my eyelashes went numb during the ferry ride. It was worth it, though, because the view of Bainbridge Island was beautiful.

Bainbridge Island

Once I got to the island, I must have taken a wrong turn somewhere, because the “scenic hike” looked pretty deserted and not all that scenic. Eh, I came to Bainbridge Island for the ferry ride anyway, so I soon turned back around and caught the next departure back to Seattle.

Back in Seattle, I visited Pike Place Market. It felt more touristy than the last time I’d been there a few years ago, but it was still fun to walk around and admire the seafood and artisinal foods.

Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market

I was getting hungry, so afterwards I met with friends to have some cocktails and try out Serious Pie, Tom Douglas’ pizzeria. We each chose a different pizza and exchanged slices and honestly, I don’t think we could have chosen any better.

Assorted Pizzas at Serious Pie

Between the four of us, we chose the elk sausage, caramelized onions and rustico; the Yukon gold potato, rosemary and olive oil; the cherry bomb peppers and sweet fennel sausage; and the guanciale, soft egg and baby arugula. They were all distinctly different, delicious and the crust was out of this world. The ambience made it even better, with a warm interior, long wooden bar tables, and cured meats hanging from the ceiling. If you’re visiting Seattle soon, I can’t recommend Serious Pie enough.

Full, warm and happy, I stumbled back to my hotel, conveniently across the street, and called it a night.

Seattle, Day One

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When I first got it into my head that I wanted to travel somewhere over the holiday season, Seattle did not immediately come to mind. I was thinking more of an extended weekend trip to Central America – Costa Rica or Ecuador, perhaps. But astronomical airfare brought me back to reality and in the end, I chose Seattle. I’d been to Seattle twice before, but with friends now living there, I thought a new visit was due. Plus, I’d heard the food was good. I was intent on trying out at least a couple of Tom Douglas’ reputed restaurants.

I stayed at Hotel Andra, a centrally-located boutique hotel that through complete coincidence, housed one of Douglas’ restaurants and was across the street from two more. The first thing I did after checking in was to meet with my local friends, who guided me on a walk around downtown as we searched for lunch. It was New Year’s Day, so almost everything was closed. We circled back to our hotel and ate at Lola, Douglas’ Mediterranean and North African-inspired restaurant.

I had the squid kebabs with with crushed chili and chermoula, served with garlic smashed potatoes, griddled pita and tzatziki (which tasted reminiscently like maast-o-mooseer to me).

Squid Kebabs with Crushed Chili and Chermoula

It was delicious. It’s hard to pull off tender squid, but Lola did, and the smoky flavor from the grilling really added to the spices. The tzatziki was the star of the accompaniments: really garlicy, thick, and slightly tart. Oh, Lola, you must have known I’m Iranian.

By the time we finished lunch, it was almost four in afternoon, so we spent the rest of the day (and night) playing video games.

Seattle could wait. There was Rock Band to be played.

Saigon City

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If I had to choose my overall favorite Vietnamese retaurant, Saigon City would be it, hands down. (My favorite in San Francisco is PPQ; they make a fantastic bowl of beef pho). Located in San Mateo along a unassuming street near downtown, Saigon City is always packed regardless of when I visit.

I eat at Saigon City pretty often, so rather than review every dish I’ve ever had there, I’ll tell you about my favorites.

I usually don’t order an appetizer, since their entree portions are large enough on their own, but I love their lemongrass chicken spring rolls. They’re more interesting than standard fresh spring rolls, and the chicken lends a subtle smoky note to each bite.

Lemongrass chicken spring rolls

I almost always order the grilled beef with imperial rolls and rice noodles as my main dish. The beef is charred just right and the mound of shredded carrot and radish pickles on top balance out the heavier flavors. If cold noodles aren’t your thing though, I highly recommend their Saigon-style seafood soup with egg noodles or a Vietnamese grilled beef sandwich (banh mi).

Grilled beef with imperial rolls and rice noodles

To drink, I usually order coconut juice or my favorite – salty plum soda. Be forewarned: it’s an acquired taste, as none of my dining companions ever seem to like it. But if you like sour or salty flavors (like doogh), you’ll probably love this.

Sour plum soda

The service is curt but the prices are cheap and most importantly, the food is good. It’s the latter that has made Saigon City one of my favorite standbys to eat at.

Goat Hill Pizza

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Goat Hill Pizza reminds me of college. I used to go to their Potrero Hill location in San Francisco frequently during grad school, when I lived in the city and the restaurant’s Monday night all-you-can-eat pizza special was a welcome break from working on my thesis.

Nowadays, I visit only once or twice a year, and the lines for a freshly-baked slice or ten are still just as long. Diners can expect to wait upwards of an hour to be seated, but once you’re at a table, the fun begins.

Goat Hill Pizza

The method is simple: Goat Hill Pizza’s waiters come around every few minutes or so with a different kind of pizza. If it looks good, you raise your plate and they give you a slice. Continue until you’re stuffed. It’s fun for the novelty factor, but the pizzas are hit or miss. The ones that are heavy on the garlic are my favorite, but all too often a waiter will come around with a ham and pineapple combo three times in a row, or what seems like an endless supply of only pizzas with bell peppers. Or worse yet, you’ll spot your favorite combination but by the time the waiter gets to your table, they’re all out.

All things considered, it’s a good place to catch up with friends and the atmosphere is lively and fun. It may not be my favorite pizza, but I think I’ll continue to visit every year or so, for old time’s sake.