Seattle Food & Wine Experience

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to attend the Seattle Food & Wine Experience, an event celebrating Seattle area restaurants, wineries, breweries, and all things food.  A friend from work has gone for the last few years and had great things to say.  I invited Charli, an army-girlfriend and good friend of mine, to drive with me.  We found pretty close parking which can be a feat in Seattle.  The event was at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall (where we previously attended Zombiecon).

There were tons of booths with delicious bites of food from Seattle-area's best restaurants.  In between, you could sample wine from WA, OR, and even CA.  I tried all different foods and drinks, but the lamb meatballs proved to be my favorite food option.  The Guinness chocolate shots with Bourbon whipped cream blew my mind.

Food Station

Mediterranean lamb meatball

Our group was a conglomeration of my friends from work and my best Army buddy.  We went from booth to booth together giving our approvals and rare disapproval of each tasty treat.  A large group was perfect for sending someone to get you "seconds" of the bites you really loved.  I got to meet Micah Fields, a Top Chef contestant from this season in Seattle.  We had an absolute blast, and I can't wait to bring Mike there next year.  He would have been in foodie heaven yesterday :)

Cheers! me, Charli

I love Top Chef!

Bushel of Apples

There are so many times throughout my 12 hour day in the ICU that I think to myself...I should write this down, nobody would believe me if I told them that this just happened.  The other day one of our patient's wives asked her husband's nurse what she could ever do to repay us.  What can I bring you? After attempting to refuse any gifts, the nurse replied that we always appreciate food.  The grandma asked what kind of food.  Chocolate.  Nurses love chocolate.  Overhearing the conversation, Kalia (another nurse) chimed in: Or fruit, maybe something healthy.  

Days later, the grandma showed up at the nursing station with a brown paper grocery bag.  I received the bag and thanked the woman profusely.  When I took it back to the break room, I was quite surprised at what I found.  There was a box of chocolates, a dozen or so apples, and five oranges.  Oh look Kalia, the grandma listened to you...we have the whole produce aisle.  Kalia responded that she thought the woman might bring in a fruit plate, "not a bushel of apples."  I proceeded to die laughing.  It was a damn good apple though :)

BFF

My best friend Melissa and I have been planning her trip to WA for months.  We skipped Christmas presents and made her trip our joint present.  She arrived late Valentine's Day night, and we stayed up late chatting (as per usual).  Throughout the weekend, we talked, ate, and relaxed.  Of course I had to take her out on the town for at least one day.  Fremont has always been one of my favorite places in Western WA, and I knew Melissa would love a tour of Theo.  I have talked about the Theo Chocolate Factory Tour here before, so I won't elaborate.  I will say that Mike should be looking out for a package soon; it will be packed full of his requests (Trader Joe's treats and Theo Chocolate).

Lookin' Good :)

Melissa and I spent a good deal of time drinking wine and chatting in the hot tub.  Mike's encouragement for us to get the hot tub definitely paid off this weekend.  I am so very lucky to have Melissa in my life.  From Junior High until now, she has always been someone who made me a better person.  Spending the weekend with her was a fantastic break from the ho hum of a lonely February.  And a special thanks to Melissa's hubby Jason for letting me borrow his wife on Valentine's Day weekend.

Fremont Bridge