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Category archives: Washington State

A Day in Olympia, WA

An hour drive away from Seattle lays Olympia, Washington State’s capital.

With population of about 50,000 people, Olympia nestles between the 2 large cities of Seattle and Portland, OR.

We were there for a day of racing and had a chance to visit the quaint downtown, and enjoyed pastries from Bread Peddler and dinner at the Iron Rabbit.

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Early morning, I bought a few pastries to share with DH including my super delicious plump tomato goat cheese tart with juicy, partly dried tomatoes providing sweetness and tartness on an extremely buttery, flaky crust pastry bottom.

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Inn at Langley

*This is another long post, and the menu was not the most current; nonetheless, I believe it still showcases the creativity of the chef and his menu.

Fancy a romantic get-a-way in a quaint little town, yet with emphasis on culinary experience?  Inn at Langley may just be the place for you.

A 3-hour drive includes a scenic ferry ride will bring you to this four-block by three-block all-American town on one of Washington State’s outskirt islands – Whidbey Island; other islands with culinary interest includes Bainbridge and Lummi. Continue reading →

My Amazing Adventure at the Willows Inn

*WARNING: this is a long post.  I let myself go — geeked out and talked about the whole meal.  For this once in a life time experience, I want this to be a record for myself too.  Enjoy.

 

My friend told me how wonderful their dinner was at the Willows Inn, I was 100% sure that one day I would make it there.

Then, their chef, ,Blaine Wetzel, won the James Beard award for Rising Star Chef in 2014; I knew I was 150% sure I was going to the Willows Inn very soon.

Before food, there were a few hurdles to conquer.

First, to stay or not to stay?

I did not spawn to action immediately chasing after this promising food adventure because the journey was going to be long for 1 meal.

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Christmas at Leavenworth

Merry Christmas everyone!

One of the fun things to do around our area during the holiday is a trip to Leavenworth — our own Northwest Bavarian town.

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Yes, some may say it is a little cheesy, and certainly a tourist trap; yet it is one of the most wonderful way to get into Christmas spirit especially with a group of friends.

Leavenworth is about 2-hour drive inland from Greater Seattle area.

It usually snows before the coastal Seattle area, adding another winter whimsical feel.

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The town is super small, and honestly does not have much to do.

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Walla Walla Wine Country Part II

I should explain that I like drinking wine; had my share of tasting wine and analyzing them when I was in school.

However, by no means that I considered myself a wine connoisseur.  Tasting impressions were based on my personal preferences!

With that said, the second day, we set out to check out another highly recommended winery Dunham Cellars.

The ground was beautiful and the tasting room had some beautiful art work by the wine maker.

We tasted several red and white wines, however, not too impressed.

Great aromas, great flavors with astringent and sour aftertaste; seemed to be the theme we were getting from most of the wineries.

The one wine I liked was the 2006 Merlot.  It was really smooth with rounded flavors.  Deep with its age and just wonderful to taste.  However, at $75 a bottle, I passed.

Next, we went to Syzygy.  Little tiny store full of Dutch colors blue and orange.
We tasted 4 reds and immediately fell in love with their basic Red Wine, 2008.

It had bright sweet fruit and smooth; made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec and Merlot.

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