The Balboa Tapas bar and restaurant Seattle

My husband and I are heading down to Puerto Rico for 10 days over Spring break. There was a good flight out of Seattle so we are taking a red eye from Seatac airport.  We arrived in Seattle at 6:15 so decided to go find something to eat in the university district, usually a good bet, we turned off the free way and drove keeping our eyes peeled for something that looked good.  

Now some people have perfect pitch and can sing each note in tune, or innate rhythm which makes them beautiful dancers, or photographic memories.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I have none of those things, but I do have a 6th sense for restaurants. It really did not look like anything from the outside, but it was calling to me it was Bilbao Tapas Bar and restaurant and I am glad it called.

There was an extensive tapas menu to choose from and a very friendly waiter who turned out to be Peruvian not Spanish.  I ordered a glass of red wine, he asked what type and I asked for full bodied, what came was a very good full bodied red wine better than most you get by the glass.

Then came some very fresh bread (always a good sign) and a bottle of olive oil with hot peppers and herbs in it.

Oil for dipping

 This was not only beautiful to look at it was very tasty to dip the bread in.

Saturday night in Seattle at Tulio

After an exhausting day of shopping, tasting and being over stimulated by the sights and sounds of Pike place Market we headed back to Kathleen's hotel, which was close by, for a glass of wine to recuperate and to discuss dinner plans.

A fish watching me at Pike place market

Due to lack of planning  we find our selves yet again with out reservations, but Kathleen's husband suggested Tulio Restaurant where he had eaten the night before.  He was not joining us as he had a late lunch.  A quick call to the concierge and a booking was made with a enough time left for another glass of wine.

Tulio's was just a couple of blocks away, which was good as the heavens had opened. We waited for a little while in the hotel lobby as we were little to eager and arrived a little too early.

We had a table right next to the open kitchen, always my favourite place to sit.

We started with a couple of salads which were good but not memorable, Connie and I shared arugula with crisp pancetta and hard boiled egg.  It was pleasant and I was glad I had it as my main course did not come with any vegetables

I know it is a little hazy, but frankly I think we all look a little better that way

A day at Pike Place Market - lunch at Seatown

Though the weather was predicted to be monsoon like, it was not too bad Saturday was cloudy and a little drizzly .

So we decided before the heavens opened we would go down to Pike place Market.  We hopped on the trolley which dropped us off just by Nordstrom Rack.  We  had to go in and see what bargains were to be had.  Nancy and I found a pair of boots each that we could not live with out and Connie was our shopping husband holding purses jackets and discarded footwear.  Well it was her idea to go in.

Shopping out of the way down to pike Place Market.  We spent a very enjoyable hour or two wandering through the market taking in the sights and sounds.  There was beautiful fresh fruits and vegetables which was tempting me to cook dinner, but that passed.

Fresh colourful kale

Seattle get away Dinner at Cafe Campagne

Seattle is only 3 hours drive from here (a little longer if the border is busy) so a good weekend getaway if you are looking for city life.   Connie, Nancy and I headed down friday afternoon for a weekend away from reality.

Friday evening we arrived in time for dinner, we did not have a reservation and after a little research and a glass of wine in our hotel room, we headed to Pike Place Market as there were several restaurants of interest and, we figured we would get in to one.  After trying and failing at "The Pink door" we tried Cafe Campagne  just around the corner.