Grand Opening: Old Stove Brewing Co.

This mural doubles as an "I-Spy". Try and find all 20 hidden items.

It's official, Pike Place Market has a second brewery in the house! Old Stove Brewing had a sneak peak opening last night and we were lucky enough to be invited to attend. 

The atmosphere is warm, as it should be with a name like Old Stove, and the tables are long and communal (Sarah, as the introvert of the group, would like to point out they also have smaller, more private tables in case sitting with strangers causes you anxiety). The beer is pulled out of taps made from antique stove handles and behind the bar is decorated with beer cans from the 30s and 40s. Our favorite part had to have been the old beer commercials playing on a screen in the corner. It reminds you of a simpler time, when the cure for a man having feelings was a 6-pack of Budweiser.

We liked the decor, but like it should be in any beer-drinking establishment, the people we met were the highlight of the evening. We had the pleasure of meeting the man who built the tables we gathered around and the realtor who worked so hard to get Pike Place a second brewery. We spoke to the brewers and the bartenders, and Kristina had a glass of stout poured down her shirt. Really it was everything a night of drinking should be! 

After doing ample research we decided the NW Wheat and the Pale Ale were our favorites. Go check it out for yourself and let us know which brews you think deserve recognition.  

They donated $2 from each beer to the Pike Place Market Foundation.

Communal tables are great for making new friends. 

Old style beer cans.

Their neon sign keeps with the Pike Place Market tradition.

The Best View in Seattle: Kerry Park

In celebration of its 50th Anniversary the Space Needle was painted orange, the original color from the 1962 World Fair.

No trip to Seattle is complete without a trip to Kerry Park to get your iconic shot of the Seattle skyline. Halfway up the hill in the beautiful Queen Anne neighborhood you can find a tiny one-acre park overlooking the city. This park was gifted to Seattle by the Kerrys in 1927 so that everyone in Seattle could enjoy the beautiful view. So when you visit, say a silent thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Kerry (we like to imagine them as a slightly richer version of the old couple in Pixar's Up) because otherwise we would have to sneak through people's yards to get these photos (Sarah will do anything to get a good photo).

On a clear day you can see as far south as Mount Rainier. Or as Seattleites refer to it, The Mountain.

The view from Kerry Park during a foggy sunrise.

If you want to shoot at night make sure to bring a tripod or use the length to steady your hand! Photo credit: Suzi Alexander

We were recently asked if we recommend visiting during the day or night. We are going to take the easy way out on this one and say, "It depends" and "Both." 

If you have never been to Seattle before it is neat to come to Kerry Park during the day and get a panoramic view of the city. You can see Mount Rainier in the distance on a clear day and identify lots of landmarks from your lookout. At night though, the city offers a whole different experience. The city lights along with the water of Puget Sound glistening as the ferry boats go back and forth is something you can sit and watch forever (realistically more like 10-15 minutes, but it's really nice, okay?)

The park might be small, but there is plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the view!

Changing Form by Doris Totten Chase. 

You can always identify Seattle parks by these colorful signs! 

Insider Tip: Molly Moons Homemade Ice Cream has a location just a few blocks up. On a warm day/night stop there first and walk down with your waffle cone to the park. Don't forget to check out all the beautiful homes in the neighborhood while you stroll.

Halibut Season at Pike Place Fish

We want to see the guys hurl that thing across the counter!

Some of you might have noticed a change in season recently- the sun is shining, the temperature is rising, and, especially for us, we just can't hold in our excitement. That's right folks, it's HALIBUT season. This calls for a trip to Pike Place Market.

THE place to get your sustainable Halibut. 

World Famous Pike Place Fish, located under the main entrance of Pike Place Market, is the only fish market at Pike Place that sells all sustainably caught fish. They are also known for their world class customer service and their fish throwing and catching skills. It also happens to be where Sarah's husband has worked for 16 years, but we mainly shop here exclusively because of the sustainability. The friendly staff is just an added bonus. ;) 

Our connection here does mean we are constantly up-to-date on when certain fish are in season as well as mouth-watering recipes to go along with the goods. Today we are giving you all the insider tips on Halibut along with a delicious recipe from the Pike Place Fish Cookbook. 

Watching the guys throw fish is one of our favorite things to do at the market.

Jake will fillet any fish you would like. 

Insider Tips

• Halibut season runs from March - November, which means you can get this great fish fresh any time except winter.
• Pike Place Fish gets all of their halibut from Southeast Alaska, and it is all 100% sustainably caught.
• Most of the fish weigh roughly 20 lbs, which means it takes a lot of extra effort to chuck one over the counter. When catching a halibut, you must grab onto the body AND the tail. If you don't it will be "extremely hard to land."
• The most popular way people get halibut is a fillet, but the fishmongers advise you to not discount a steak cut. Yes, a steak cut means it will come with a bone, but they say to think of it like a T-bone steak. It will have one big bone that is easy to remove. The benefit of a steak cut is that it will have even thickness, which is helpful for cooking and the bone keeps the fish moist.
• Halibut cheeks (the literal cheek of the fish) is another great way to enjoy this fish. Not every fish market will have them, but Pike Place Fish carries them from time to time. If you are lucky enough to be there when they are in stock, don't miss them!
• Halibut is mild and not super fatty, which means it's very versatile. It is great in tacos, takes marinade really well, and can be baked or grilled. It is also great in stew like in this recipe below!

Caribbean Seafood Stew.

Caribbean Seafood Stew (from the Pike Place Fish Cookbook)

Serves 4-6

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

3 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 pound halibut, cut into 1-inch chunks 

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped

6 garlic gloves, minced

1 jalapeno chile, seeded and finely chopped (use 2 if you want it hotter)

One 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes with juice

One 14 ounce can unsweetened coconut milk

1/2 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish

Bottled hot pepper sauce (optional)

Directions:

Stir together 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, the lime juice, 2 teaspoons of the salt, and the pepper in a medium glass bowl. Add the fish cubes and toss to coat. Set aside.

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a 3-quart saucepan, over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, and jalapeno. Season with remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Cook and stir for 4 to 5 minutes or until onion is tender but not brown. Add the tomatoes and juice and the coconut milk. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Stir in the shrimp, marinated fish, and cilantro. Return to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 5 minutes or just until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the shrimp turn opaque. Don't overcook. Taste for salt and adjust seasoning if desired.

Ladle the stew into shallow bowls over rice. Sprinkle with cilantro and pass hot pepper sauce, if desired.

Ruston Soda Shop

Don's Ruston Market and Deli is home to an adorable 1940s-style soda shop and although we weren't alive in the 40s, we can safely say you step back in time when you sit down at that counter and order a root beer float or a milkshake. It doesn't matter your age, you spin on the stool and when you look over the menu and decide between a float, milkshake, or banana split all stress melts away and you are suddenly a kid again. We decided on a good ol' fashioned coke float, and it did not disappoint. 

This shop has been here since 1917 when it was a simple general store. If you are bad at math, let us point out that means this little shop is turning 100 next year. Ruston is close to Tacoma and this little shop sits close to Commencement Bay and Point Defiance Park, which means it's the perfect place to stop for an afternoon treat after a day exploring outside. So get your butt over there, it's not only fun, it's a little slice of history!

The soda shop boasts an impressive display of Coke bottles from years past.

Take twirl on the counter

This pretty mural is painted on the side of the soda shop