So, I’m sitting in the men’s room, doing what one does when one sits in the men’s room, when, from the stall next to mine, I hear it: Rattle. Rattle rattle rattle. Crinkle. *Munch.* Yes. Yes, dear reader. That’s the...
I’m addicted to “discovery apps” — software that learns what you love, then recommends new options based on your preferences. So I was delighted to come across Alfred, an app from CleverSense. Alfred learns about the...
[Photo Credit: Mark McElroy. “Ginja Face.” Lisbon, 2011.] In the photo above, my youngest nephew (Walter), my partner (Clyde), and my oldest nephew (Parks) are sampling ginja, a sour cherry liquor popular in Lisbon, usually served with a...
Guidebooks and locals agree: in Lisbon, the Thing You Must Do is have a pastel de nata — a Portuguese egg custard pastry. They’re easy to come by, since every bakery in town cranks them out by the truckload. You’ll seem them in...
When lunch time came on our drive up to Mt. Rainier, we were at a bit of a loss. Due to AT&T’s limited coverage in the mountains, all our faithful local recommendations apps (Urban Spoon, Trip Advisor) were off-line. What to do...
What to do with a Friday afternoon in Seattle? Wheedle your way into the Theo Chocolate Factory tour, of course! When we arrived at 2:00 p.m., we were informed by the sweet, sympathetic staff that all slots were taken in today’s walk-in tour...
Frankly? I prefer my pizza with a healthy pile of pork toppings. But when eating vegan, sausage and pepperoni (and cheese!) are outta bounds. So we found our way to Pizza Pi, where we ordered the artichoke dip (non-dairy, natch), a veggie pie, and...
This “meat free zone” in Seattle serves up savory vegan cuisine with an Asian flair. For us, it’s a must-do. Today’s treats included steamed veggie dumplings, corn chowder soup, Rama Garden (tofu and veggies in a buttery...
More bakery than cafe, Flying Apron serves up pretty good vegan cinnamon rolls and a tasty shepherd’s pie, among other treats. Not my personal favorite vegan stop in the area, but worth a dalliance if you’re in the neighborhood around...
As quirky as it is colorful, the Firefly Grille offers inventive, casual comfort food in a vibrant dining room lit by Japanese paper lanterns and Christmas lights. If a crew of hobbits watched Mad Max, Blair Witch, and HGTV’s Color Splash...
