By: Linda Kissam | Photos by: Linda Kissam Mama’s Mexican Kitchen photo, courtesy of Mama’s
The Woodmark Hotel at Carillon Point
The old saying, “You don’t know what you have… until you lose it” hit me smack between the eyes as the town car service picked up my husband and me at Sea/Tac Airport. Our flight from San Diego to Seattle was on time, we found our ride without issue, and we were being whisked away on a beautiful sunny Seattle day by EastSide Town Car & Limousine. What could be a better start to a short getaway than that? Well… maybe our wistful memories of living in Seattle for 11 years, our daughter being born at Northwest Hospital, and a couple of spectacular doctors that helped me survive breast cancer. Yup, it was memory lane time for a short while as we oohed and ahhh’d and pointed out all the places and things we remembered as we headed to our first stop, The Woodmark Hotel at Carillon Point in Kirkland.
Woodmark Boat at Carillon Point Marina
The Woodmark is a four-star experience. Greeted warmly by the reception staff and friendly house Labradoodle mascot “Woody” we were shown to our beautiful room. The Woodmark is located right on Lake Washington. Our executive room allowed us to enjoy stunning views of Lake Washington while lounging either in the comfortable bedroom, large balcony area, or stylish sitting area.
Expect Indulgent bedding, down pillows, feather beds and cashmere throws. Complimentary high speed Internet access, a 37″ LCD Flat Panel TV and a desktop computer docking station lets the technophile feel connected. And every guest bath features a huge soaking tub and soothing rain shower, completing the luxury hotel picture. Also notable, Woodmark is a pet-friendly hotel. They truly welcome your four-legged family.
Fun amenities like in room ingredients for creating your own Martini Bar, a gorgeous on property spa, water activities, complimentary “Raid the Pantry” privileges for lobby access to late night goodies like sandwiches, soups, chips, desserts and soft drinks let you know the hotel has really thought about the perfect guest experience.
We loved the dining options: “Bin on the Lake” for dinner and the “Beach Café” for lunch and breakfast. Chef R. Paul Hyman is a rock star in the making. Be sure and try his Blue Prawns and Lamb Loin. Note that they also have a thoughtfully selected wine list and are just a short boat ride away from Husky Stadium. My husband and I are University of Washington alums so we were in memory lane heaven thinking about the football games and academics that ruled our life for many years. We loved our stay here so much, we’re thinking of coming back and staying for one of the fall special events they hold …dinner and a boat ride to a University of Washington Husky football game. All in all… a great start to a romantic trip.
Now that we had undergone our waterfront experience, we were off to the Willows Lodge in Woodinville to do some wine tasting. Slightly inland, it took about 20 minutes to get there. This is the epitome of relaxed Northwest luxury. Warm, inviting, and lodge-like it’s the right place to go for some seriously fun you and me relaxation time. The guest rooms and suites have stone fireplaces and soaking tubs designed for two. On property soothe your soul at the Spa at Willows Lodge. For sure, book a couples “Thai Herbal Balls” massage.
Hand-in-hand explore the Willows beautiful gardens — just steps from your room — five dazzling landscaped acres created in harmony with the environment. Take a nap in the afternoon sun. Nourish your body, soul and relationship.
Wine & dine comes to a whole new level here. Within walking distance explore many award-winning wineries. At the Willows, Executive Chef Bobby Moore has made a meal an experience at the highly acclaimed Barking Frog restaurant. Be sure and try the Dungeness Crab & Pickled Stone Fruit salad, the Eight Ounce Northwest Beef Tenderloin, and the Peach Melba Coupe …all divine and worth every calorie.
The highlight of our Woodinville Wine Country stay came when we were invited to attend a private guided wine tasting at St Michelle Winery led by the legendary Culinary Director John Sarich in the Chateau’s stylish library. Along with 12 wine writers from the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association we were treated to six wines accompanied by a plate of six appetizing bites. Sarich engaged, informed and delighted us through the tasting, talking about each wine (2010 Riesling, 2009 Eroica Riesling, Horse Heaven 2010 Sav Blanc, Canoe Ridge Estate 2008 Merlot, 2007 Cold Creek Vineyard Cab, and a 2008 Ethos Late Harvest White Riesling ) and the foods that do and don’t match. At the end of the tasting John gave each of us a copy of his latest book, Chef in the Vineyard. This was by far, hands down, the best guided tasting I have ever been to. And when this Wine Diva proclaims that, listen up!
Next morning we were up bright and early. We were off to our final stop – the vibrant Seattle downtown and waterfront area and our lodging Hotel 1000. Book the I Love You package (starts at $319) and let the romance begin. Package includes: Luxe overnight accommodations, Rose petals for bed and bath, Breakfast for two in BOKA KITCHEN + BAR or in-room dining, in-room movie, sparkling wine, chocolate truffles & overnight valet parking. Can you say ahhh?
Boka Restaurant
Pike Place Market is just a few blocks away from Hotel 1000. We’ve been there many times before, so thought we would try something different, a 2.5 hour walking food tour ($39 PP) with Seattle Food Tours. This tour is meant for food lovers and travelers who want to experience Seattle through its fascinating culinary culture. This is not a tourist activity – no headsets, no funky umbrellas, no canned commentary; just an amazing collection of award-winning chefs, restaurants, gourmet shops, food purveyors and farmers. Trust me, you will be entertained, informed and well fed. We sampled our way through De Laurenti’s Specialty Food & Wine, Bottega Italiana, The Crumpet Shop, Pike Place Chowder, Pure Food Fish Market, and Le Buona Tavola. Each place was special, welcoming and …very tasty. Being your wallet…you’re going to be making some serious purchases.
Sometimes hotel restaurants are …shall we say…lacking…in culinary and wine creativity. But, we had such good luck with our last two hotel restaurants we decided to give Hotel 1000’s Boka Kitchen + Bar a try. Glad we did. The dynamic duo of Chef Angie Roberts and Boka Bar Manager Mi-Suk Ahn made it a night to remember. I don’t think I’ve met a more intuitive wine steward that Mi-Suk. While Chef Angie dazzled us with Corn Chowder, Warm Asparagus Soup, Columbia River Sturgeon and Strawberry Shortcake we were blinded by the brilliant wine pairings Mi-Suk came up with. Her call on pairing an ’09 Heinz Eifel “Shine” Sav Blanc with the Warm Asparagus Salad was beyond brilliant. A true culinary & wine experience, make your reservations now.
Mama's Mexican Kitchen, Belltown
On our last day, we decided to take a taxi to Mama’s Mexican Kitchen in Belltown and have our town car service pick us up there to go to the airport. Mama’s must be doing something right. They’ve been in business since 1974…and my husband and I were one of their first customers. Don’t care where hubby and I go, where we’ve been, or who says what, this is our favorite place in the world for Mexican food. This was the first “real” dinner I asked for after completing Chemo. It’s comfort food at its best. They rarely change anything. The menu stays the same, the service is always great. This year they (finally) added a bar – hooray! Just want to make sure they don’t get too impressed with their success and take any wrong turns. We love them…and Seattle just the way they are… fun, funky, sassy, wine savvy, and welcoming.
