Sandy's Seattle Top 5

"My Sandy" was here in Seattle for a week in August. Once upon a time her husband and my Dad worked together, and, long story short, she became my Nanny. Thirty years later and our families are practically one, we typically just call each another cousin or aunt/niece and don't explain a thing.

During her visit we went everywhere and did everything! Here are Sandy's Seattle top 5 Seattle treats:

1. Bauhaus Ballard - Best chai tea
2. Eating Laresen's Bakery goodies at Golden Gardens Beach
3. Pike Place Market
4. Ballard Farmer's Market
5. Milkshakes at Lunchbox Labratory

Bauhaus Ballard - Best chai tea

Throughout the week long visit Sandy tested (hot) chai tea in many local coffee shops. The results were compiled and this, the very first one from Bauhaus Ballard, was the winner! 

We also had some sweet and savory pastries to share. One almond, filled with even more almond-y goodness, and one spinach and feta with additional cheese on top, respectively. I can't live without coffee and the cold brew with almond milk was strong and zippy!

Pike Place Market

A trip to Pike Place Market is commonplace for your first day in town, regardless of if you've visited the city or the market before. After an interesting bus ride from Ballard to Pike Place Market, Sandy and I perused the market's offerings. The dahlias at this time of year are nothing less than spectacular!

Once we managed to work up an appetite again we stopped at Lowell's for lunch. It's a gem of the market and consists of 3 floors of dining. The second level is a proper sit-down meal, while floors one and three are more causal. We sat on the third floor overlooking the Puget Sound and the ferris wheel and shared this delicious caprese salad with fresh tomato slices, Beecher's white cheddar cheese, basil, and balsamic vinegar.  

No visit to Pike Place is complete without a shopping spree at DeLaurenti. We snagged fancy crackers, taralli (little Italian treats made of pasta dough, like a pretzel and cracker's baby), salami with fennel seeds, proscuitto, and 2 types of cheese. We threw in some fresh figs, fig jam, and had a mid-afternoon feast. Also pictured, a HUGE pitcher of water, you try adventuring all day and see if you need it!