belle vue vi sitor guide 2014
top regional cuisine
dramatic day trips
shopper's paradise
enchanting hikes
art-filled escapades
plus MAPS and more
the best local food, wine, and wild wonders
DESTINATION NORTHWEST vi sitbelle vue wa shington.com
2014 INSIDER'S GUIDE
EraGem
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LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN BELLEVUE
EraGem.com 12000 NE 8TH ST, SUITE 101 BELLEVUE, WA 98005 (206) 832-6850
The Belle vue ColleC Tion S E E O U R S T U N N I N G VA R I E T Y of over 200 sophisticated retail stores, where you will find the best-known brands and unique gifts. Plus 25 destination dining options, an array of dynamic entertainment & nightlife and two luxury hotels... all connected by sky bridges and just minutes from Seattle in the center of Bellevue, Washington. The Place To Be For Inspiring Fashion, Artful Dining and Vibrant Nightlife.
B E L L E V U E S Q UA R E
B E L L E V U E P L AC E
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Located on Bellevue Way between NE 4th and NE 10th Streets Experience more at bellevuecollection.com and plan your getaway. 425.454.8096.
BELLEVUE SQUARE 425 454 0952
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Hyatt Regency Bellevue. A perfect weekend date-away. Your urban oasis awaits right outside our doors. Enjoy the ultimate in outdoor activities, shopping, dining, and entertainment when you book your “Date Night” package at Hyatt Regency Bellevue. Starting as low as $205 per night, enjoy a welcome amenity, movie certificate good for two at Lincoln Square Cinemas, breakfast for two in bed, complimentary valet parking and a late 2 p.m. checkout. Also included in the package is a $75 dinner gift certificate valid at over 45 restaurants and lounges within The Bellevue Collection, home to 250 shops. Try something different in 2014. The next time you need a date-away call us at 800 233 1234 or visit us online at bellevue.hyatt.com and reference offer code WA425. Hyatt. You’re More Than Welcome.
HYATT REGENCY BELLEVUE ON SEATTLE’S EASTSIDE 900 Bellevue Way NE Bellevue, Washington, USA 98004-4272 HYATT name, design and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation. ©2014 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.
Welcome
Published by
Visit Bellevue Washington 11100 NE Sixth St | Bellevue, WA 98004 425-450-3777 | visitbellevuewashington.com executive director
Stacy Graven
director of sales
Jane Kantor, CMP
marketing and communications manager
Sharon Linton
marketing assistant
Kaitlyn Brajcich
advisory committee
David Yusen Heavy Restaurant Group, Committee Chair Putter Bert KidsQuest Children’s Museum
Cathy Munson Shops at the Bravern/ Schnitzer West
Jennifer Fischer Bellevue Downtown Association
Sue Popma Crossroads Bellevue
Patrick Foran City of Bellevue
We are so glad you are here. We may be the epicenter of Washington’s tech industry and the state’s fifth-largest city, but most days Bellevue feels more like a bustling town. Wander just past downtown’s cosmopolitan retail core—two of our four major shopping centers are here—and within moments you’ll find yourself in the middle of the stunning, 20-acre Downtown Park. Stroll west beyond Old Bellevue’s quaint Main Street, with its chef-run local restaurants and boutique shops, and you’ll soon arrive at the edge of the nearly 34-square-mile Lake Washington. Bellevue also serves as a jumping-off point for exploring the state’s amazing natural, cultural, and culinary diversions. From here it’s easy to hop a floatplane and head to the islands for whale watching—as our writer did in “Extreme(ly) Washington” (p. 36)— climb aboard a helicopter to drop into the state’s glaciated back country, head for a rain forest, or just ride a gondola for peeks at pristine Mount Rainier. And, there is the local flavor. As the second-largest premium wine-producing state in the nation, Washington is home to more than 750 wineries. From downtown it’s a mere 20-minute drive—or a 90-minute bike ride, as we explain in our “Tasting Tour” story (p. 30)—to Woodinville, the Puget Sound’s principal wine-touring destination. Culture, cutting-edge technology companies, a diverse population, and great culinary explorations are just a few of the reasons we call Bellevue home. We hope you enjoy discovering all that Bellevue and our region have to offer. Welcome, and enjoy the views.
Jerry Stotler The Hotel Bellevue Heather Trescases Eastside Heritage Center
Jennifer Leavitt Bellevue Collection/ Carl Vander Hoek Kemper Development Old Bellevue/Vander Company Hoek Corporation Elizabeth Colin Walker Martin-Calder City of Bellevue Bellevue Arts Museum
Published in conjunction with
SagaCity Media
President Nicole Vogel vice President, custom media Jeff Adams account executives
Colleen Bagdon, Dixie Duncan
senior advertising coordinator
Danielle Williams
senior vice President, editorial & oPerations
Bill Hutfilz
senior editor Julie H. Case associate editor Angela Cabotaje coPy editor Margaret Seiler art director Chuck Kerr
Claudia Balducci Mayor, City of Bellevue
Stacy Graven Executive Director, Visit Bellevue Washington
contributing writers
Amanda Castleman, Paul Clarke, Andrew Collins, Rebekah Denn, Heather Hansman, Melena Jankanish, Dan Raley, Cassie Sawyer, Haley Shapley, Seth Sommerfeld, David Volk, Allison Williams, Jessica Winterbauer, Amanda Zurita Production manager Mary Bradford
Go to visitbellevuewashington.com from your smartphone for maps, event calendars, things to do, and deals. 6
bellevue visitor guide 2014
The Bellevue Visitor Guide is a publication of SagaCity Media in conjunction with Visit Bellevue Washington. For advertising inquiries contact Jeff Adams at 206-454-3007. For editorial inquiries contact Julie H. Case at 206-454-3028. All rights reserved.
FroM Top: MArV HeSTon, SHuTTerSToCk.CoM, SCreenSHoT: CourTeSy ViSiT BelleVue WASHingTon
WELCOME TO BELLEVUE.
Kim Fredericks Bellevue Chamber of Commerce
Donna Rios Hilton Bellevue
oyster perpetual submariner date
rolex
oyster perpetual and submariner are trademarks.
Contents
FEATURES
22 Man Eats World In multicultural Bellevue, global cuisine reigns supreme. Eight expats dish about where they go to get a taste of home.
30 Tasting Tour
36 Extreme(ly) Washington From snowy slopes to clear-blue skies, Bellevue and its surrounds sport plenty in terms of outdoor adventure.
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bellevue visitor guide 2014
FROM TOP: OLIVIA BRENT, RICHARD DUVAL, GARY LUHM / DANITADELIMONT.COM
Drink like a local: Pedal to fine wine by day before strolling to craft cocktails and Northwest spirits by night.
BEST BRAND 100 tasting rooms in Woodinville.
BEST BROKERS
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Contents
DEPARTMENTS
13 BelleViews Explore peaceful parks, terrific trails, and more in town.
13
13
43 Sip & Savor From brunch to burgers, seek out some of the city’s best tastes.
49 Sports & Leisure Discover scenic hikes, winter wonders, and rolling fairways.
53 Arts & Culture The creative scene is hopping with exhibits and theater galore.
Indulge in prime pampering and high-fashion retail finds.
43
49
61 Music & Nightlife Step out after dark for a bevy of live-music venues and bars.
67 Kids & Family Hands-on local fun abounds for kids, teens, and their parents.
70 Resources Directions and where to stay once you arrive.
71 Maps 53
57
Handy maps to help you find your way around the region and city.
ON THE COVER
61 10
bellevue visitor guide 2014
67
Photo by Colin Walker / Bellevue Parks & Community Services
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: courtesy crossroads shopping center, MERRILL IMAGES, COURTESY STEVENS PASS MOUNTAIN RESORT, courtesy the bellevue collection, COURTESY CROSSROADS SHOPPING CENTER, courtesy purple café and wine bar, Courtesy City of Bellevue, COURTESY EARLS
57 Shop & Style
photo: Nick Hall
Come discover what makes Seattle great.
visitseattle.org
FREE TIME The Westin Bellevue gives you lots of ways to make the most of your free time. With the Shopping Package you can spend more time exploring Bellevue—for less, with a $100 gift card per night that you stay to use at the Bellevue Collection. Enjoy all that Bellevue has to offer with the finest shopping in Washington and sleep easy knowing you can relax in our signature Westin Heavenly Bed® www.westinbellevuehotel.com/shoppingpackage
©2014 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Westin and its logo are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates. For full terms & conditions visit westinbellevuehotel.com
BelleViews
Colin Walker / Bellevue Parks & Community Services
Swing On By There’s a reason they call Bellevue a city within a park. The glittering skyline emerges between two lakes and dueling mountain ranges, with Mount Rainier hovering to the south—all surrounding a bustling retail core, a tech epicenter, and parks full of everything from wetland sloughs to treetop zip-line courses.
Discovery Challenge
visitbellevuewashington.com visitbellevuewashington.com
13 13
BelleViews
Kelsey Creek Farm
Bellevue Downtown Park
village greens
Sneak off to the city’s great parks By Amanda Castleman
T
ech tycoons may have built Bellevue into a city of skyscrapers, glittering brightly as a circuit board, but look beyond the mirrored glass to where green spaces recharge visitors’ batteries, including Bellevue Downtown Park (10201 NE Fourth St), which turns 30 in 2015. This 20-acre park lies immediately south of The Bellevue Collection shopping area. The crown jewel in the park system’s emerald necklace, it includes a meadow encircled by a canal and shade trees. Obelisks dot a promenade, and waterfalls cascade into a petite pond. Picnickers gravitate toward the six-acre lawn, which unfurls views of the skyline and Mount Rainier, the Lower 48’s most glaciated peak. Washington’s second-largest downtown center owes this oasis to its visionary former mayor Cary Bozeman, who pushed for a proper park. “Cities have a responsibility to provide open spaces to sustain the quality of urban living,” he says. Bellevue has certainly taken that idea to heart. Parks, trails, and other protected areas make up 12 percent of its land now. And that’s without counting the 60 miles of streams, which help salmon migrate to and from the
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bellevue visitor guide 2014
VUE POINTS
Washington is home to three national parks. Olympic National Park, 142 miles west of Bellevue, has rain forests and mountains. North Cascades National Park, 82 miles north, is home to 300 glaciers. Mt. Rainier National Park, 75 miles south, is where you’ll find ancient forests and one iconic 14,410-foot peak.
Pacific Ocean. Small wonder that locals affectionately call it a “city in a park.” This wonderland lounges along 16 miles of lake shoreline. The best place to make a splash remains Enatai Beach Park (3519 108th Ave SE), where Cascade PaddleSports rents boats from June to September. Watch for beavers, blue herons, and bald eagles. Nearby are the ripening U-Pick blueberry fields of Mercer Slough Nature Park (1625 118th Ave SE), an 1869 farm woven into the park system, alongside 320 acres of wetlands. Today Bellevue’s parks are booming—and only getting better, as the Bellevue Botanical Garden adds a new education and visitor center, opening in summer 2014. In the meantime, plenty of space exists to get your green on.
From left: MERRILL IMAGES, Colin Walker / Bellevue Parks & Community Services
Cheap Thrills Bellevue may be renowned for high-end luxury, but the city on Lake Washington also has deals aplenty for those in the know. Bellevue Arts Museum, located across the street from the art of fashion at Bellevue Square, is focused on design, art, and craft, with free admission on the first Friday of the month. On other days, adult admission is just $10, and the museum also offers family admission for two adults and up to four kids for $25. Not far from downtown, tourists can visit for free Bellevue Botanical Garden (12001 Main St), home to more than 100 species of rhododendrons, more than 100 different kinds of fuchsia, and a swinging suspension bridge; Kelsey Creek Farm (410 130th Pl SE), with its working farm and playground; and the Mercer Slough Nature Park (1625 118th Ave SE), which features a free, guided nature walk every Saturday. There’s no need to skimp on entertainment, either. Bake’s Place (155 108th Ave NE) has free live music most weekdays, while Crossroads Mall (15600 NE Eighth St) hosts bands and performers from 7 to 9pm Friday and Saturday, and from 6:30 to 8pm Thursday. Book lovers can attend author events at University Book Store (990 102nd Ave NE), Barnes and Noble (626 106th Ave NE), and the Bellevue Library (1111 110th Ave NE) nearly every month. Bellevue also offers free familyfriendly outdoor movies at Bellevue Downtown Park (10201 NE Fourth St) on Tuesday nights in July and August, and the free Live at Lunch concert series in downtown runs from noon to 1:30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday July through September. —David Volk
BelleViews
lake to lake
Where to get on the water By Melena Jankanish
L
ake Washington, the state’s secondlargest natural lake (the Duwamish tribe calls it, literally, “greatamount-of-water”), offers a variety of ways to enjoy kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and more as you get on the water this year. From Bellevue, and easily accessible from the I-90 bridge, you can venture out on a kayaking adventure that leaves from Enatai Beach Park (3519 108th Ave SE) June through September. Paddle in a kayak or canoe on the lake to see spectacular waterfront homes, with views of Mount Rainier in the distance. One of the most popular destinations is Mercer Slough Nature Park, an immense, 320-acre wildlife habitat and freshwater ecosystem. Or travel into the heart of the park by water on a threehour guided canoe trip, which leaves from Enatai Beach Park. Priced at less than $20, trips run on weekends May through September and provide a glimpse into the fascinating wildlife of Mercer Slough, including otters, herons, turtles, red-tailed hawks, and eagles. If relaxing is more your style, dip your toes in the water at Meydenbauer Beach Park (419 98th Ave NE), located near the heart of downtown Bellevue. The park is a popular destination for picnics and swimming, with
Meydenbauer Beach Park
a lifeguarded swimming area open late June through Labor Day. A fishing dock here provides opportunities to catch rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and yellow perch. Just be sure you have a current fishing license, available from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov). For a romantic or special evening, take a sunset dinner cruise, offered by Waterways Cruises (waterwayscruises.com). Depart from Kirkland Marina Park (25 Lakeshore Plaza Dr) and enjoy a delicious four-course
dinner served alongside live music and stunning evening views aboard a Waterways yacht. In late November and December, celebrate a Northwest holiday tradition by sailing on the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship (argosycruises.com), departing from various ports, including Kirkland Marina Park. An onboard choir performs two 20-minute concerts of Christmas favorites, and guided activities appeal to children and adults alike. Rumor has it that even Santa might make an appearance onboard.
clockwise from top: merrill images, courtesy the shops at the bravern, courtesy the bellevue collection, courtesy crossroads shopping center
Find Your Center Bellevue’s malls are shopping destinations in their own ways. Here are the hallmarks of three of them—and we don’t even get into the jaw-stretching Reuben sandwiches of Goldberg’s Famous Delicatessen at Factoria Mall, or the 16-lane bowling alley at Lincoln Square. Even with a cheat sheet on hand, we bet you can’t pick just one. —Rebekah Denn
Crossroads Shopping Center
Bellevue Square
The Shops at The Bravern
Vibe Diverse community centered Says it all There are board games on the Public Market tables. For the kids Indie toy stores or WiggleWorks for climbing and bouncing For a cupcake fix New York Cupcakes Dine Korean barbecue, made-toorder Thai food at O’Char’s, croissants baked on site at The French Bakery, Mediterranean hummus, or bubble tea Wild card Branches of city hall, a police station, and the county library Practical Bed Bath & Beyond, Pier 1, and Half-Price Books
Vibe Cosmopolis of shopping Says it all The Nordstrom store has its own cocktail-and-small-plates bar. For the kids LEGO store for play, Janie & Jack shop for high-end apparel, and an indoor play area For a cupcake fix Pinkabella Dine Steaks at Ruth’s Chris, Italian gelato at D’Ambrosio’s, or Indian at Moksha—or head to Lincoln Square for Asian dumplings at Din Tai Fung Wild card A Tesla showroom Practical Both a Microsoft and an Apple store
Vibe Haute couture en plein air Says it all At Vovito espresso shots are pulled on a La Marzocco Strada MP, granting baristas extreme control over the extraction process. For the kids Wednesday storytimes with songs and snacks For a cupcake fix Trophy Cupcakes Dine Asian-fusion at Wild Ginger or dry-aged beef at John Howie Steak Wild card The “junk” workout at David Barton Gym Practical Sur La Table, one floor below Jimmy Choo and Ferragamo visitbellevuewashington.com
15
BelleViews
Mercer Slough Boardwalk (above) and the Bellevue Botanical Garden Ravine Experience
A TALE OF TWO TRAILS
Exotic strolls in the city By Jessica Winterbauer
B
ellevue offers a rustic respite that belies its metropolitan status. With acres of open space and wooded areas, there are plenty of opportunities for an adventure alfresco. Whether a beginner or a seasoned hiker, you don’t want to miss these trails. The Mercer Slough Boardwalk can satisfy your wanderlust with a winding journey through the wetlands of the Mercer Slough Nature Park. Elevated above a peat bog nearly 100 feet deep, the wooden walkway cuts a serpentine path through cattails, water lilies, and rhododendrons. Loops of varying distances make the trail appropriate for a walk, hike, or jog of any level. Pick up a map at the Winters House Visitor Center (2102 Bellevue Way SE) or at the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center (1625 118th Ave SE), where rangers lead guided nature walks every Saturday at 2pm. Follow the Periphery Loop to the Mercer Slough Blueberry Farm for a day of berry picking, or take a trip down Heritage Trail to encounter one of the park’s hidden gems: a beautifully decrepit building. A relic of the 1920s, this old boiler house was originally built to heat a series of greenhouses. Today, pipes jut out from its decades-old walls, and its first story sits below the water, completely submerged in its aquatic surrounds. Take a good look inside, and you can even spot original shelving.
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bellevue visitor guide 2014
Just two miles north is the Ravine Experience, a five-foot-wide, 150-foot-long steel suspension bridge that hangs over a ravine in the Bellevue Botanical Garden (12001 Main St), and a must for adventure-seekers. The bridge immerses visitors in the beauty of the understory without disrupting the flora and fauna of the forest floor. Look down to find
tall Oregon grapes sprouting yellow flowers, lush green clusters of sword ferns, and insects like the banded alder borer with its signature black and white stripes. Look up to marvel at the towering treetops of big-leaf maples and western red cedars. Shutter-happy sightseers will find plenty of photo ops. While portions of the Botanical Garden will be under construction until summer 2014, the suspension bridge and most trails remain open for exploration daily, from dawn to dusk. For the full effect during construction, park at Wilburton Hill Park and take the Lake-to-Lake Trail one-third of a mile to the Botanical Garden’s temporary entrance at Yao Garden. Built to honor the relationship between Bellevue and sister city Yao, Japan, the garden dazzles during springtime when it’s abloom with vibrant azaleas, rhododendrons, and viburnums. Find serenity on one of the many stone benches before making the five-minute walk to the Ravine Experience. As you explore, you may just discover that this experience isn’t just about immersing yourself in nature. Trek across the suspension bridge and enjoy the sensation of walking in moon shoes as you travel deeper into the oldgrowth forest.
FROM TOP: LEWIS TURNER, Merrill images
VUE POINTS
There are countless ways to explore the area on foot. To hit the trail with locals, check out meet-ups such as the Bellevue Running/Walking Club (meetup. com/running-395). Or, to see art, map a path past 123 sculptures and exhibits at visitbellevuewashington.com/aboutbellevue/maps.
BelleViews
OH SO LOCAL
From art to parks to secret libraries, here are some ways Bellevue is one of a kind
One ne
VELODROME
Speed cyclists can take a spin on this 400-meter banked track in Marymoor Park. In August, the velodrome hosts the USA Cycling Masters Track Nationals Championships.
13 13th + 13
anyone can paddle the
320-acre
pHoToS CloCkWiSe FroM Top: eli BroWnell / king CounTy pArkS, CourTeSy MiCroSoFT, SHuTTerSToCk.CoM, CourTeSy liTTle Free liBrAry, CourTeSy CiTy oF BelleVue. illuSTrATionS: SHuTTerSToCk.CoM
best place to live in the United States, according to Livability.com
The Root
40+
sculptures and art installations appear in downtown Bellevue this June through october.
Four
little Free libraries—most —most just bigger than a birdhouse—have popped up in yards around the city. Mark your words at littlefree library.org/ourmap.
wetland nature park, the mercer slough.
4.5
750
square miles of Bellevue’s 36.47 total square miles are water.
ferns are planted in the 53-acre Bellevue Botanical Garden.
7
the city has more than
35 Eastside gaming companies are busy developing the next generation of games and first-person shooters. The Halo franchise’s Master Chief
parks. visitbellevuewashington.com
17
BelleViews
HEART TO HEART
Rock legend Ann Wilson talks about life, music, and her Bellevue roots How does it feel to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? It’s an incredible honor. It’s just really one of those honors that you never think you’re going to get in your life.
started looking out the window and someone came out and said, “May I help you?” So we explained, and they were really nice and let us look around. I hadn’t been in that house for, God, 30 years.
How did growing up here influence you? I think that it’s not a company town. It’s not like L.A. where you go knock on doors and do all this stuff. I think around here, it’s all about friendships. You play music together, and it gets better and better, and you get your breaks. It’s more personal.
Where do you like to play in town? When we were a club band, it was fun to play up at Parker’s, which has been pulled down now. It was a great big roadhouse up on Aurora North. In the ’70s, we used to play what is now KeyArena. In the ’80s, we played more at the Paramount and the Gorge. Now, I like Benaroya. Benaroya is great. For us as a band, it’s more personal and intimate. The big places are a real thrill, and that’s where we play when we go up in Canada and other places in the States, but for Seattle, it’s got to be special.
What do you like to do when you’re back in the area? Last year, when we were pushing our book (Kicking and Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul and Rock & Roll), we were doing an interview with the Sunday Morning show. We went back to the house where Nancy and I grew up, over in Lake Hills. We were standing out in the street with the producer and the camera people, and we didn’t want to bother the people inside. We were out there talking, and the people
Do you and Nancy ever disagree? Not really. We’re pretty good at being dedicated to the song. The songs tell us what is appropriate. The minute you start arguing about whose song is most appropriate, you’re talking about ego.
How is your working relationship? It’s changed many times over all the years. It’s just, you know, life has changed— relationships always change. And that’s a good thing for Heart. We don’t want to just go out there and do the same old same old. We’re always looking to stir things up. What does Heart have planned for 2014? We’re mostly going to just be out there playing. We’re going to go to the Grammy Foundation—they’re doing their first ever Grammy cruise. We play before the ship takes off, and again when it docks. What do you like to do on a day off? Definitely sleep and spa things—feel-good girly things. I like a good massage with acupuncture, then maybe an Epsom salt bath and a steam shower, and then to bed. We know you can rock with the best of them, but do you have any hidden talents? I think Nancy and I have comedy talent that we never show. I think we could probably be a female version of Monty Python.
We don’t want to just go out there and do the same old same old.
Norman Seeff
Nancy and Ann Wilson of Heart
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bellevue visitor guide 2014
LOOKING FOR THE BEST PLACE TO STAY IN BELLEVUE? The Courtyard and Residence Inn hotels in Bellevue have received TripAdvisor’s prestigious 2013 Certificate of Excellence, awarded to us for maintaining exemplary service and features, as described in online reviews and ratings from guests just like you! See for yourself! "OUTSTANDING VALUE WITH EXCELLENT SERVICE!" Alexandra B from Vancouver, Canada We stayed here (2 adults, two teenagers) for the weekend while visiting Seattle. Everything about our visit was first-rate. The staff were helpful, friendly and highly professional. The rooms were impeccable and were well laid out. Would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone visiting the Seattle/Bellevue area. RESIDENCE INN SEATTLE BELLEVUE/DOWNTOWN 605 114th Avenue SE, Bellevue, WA 98004 425-637-8500 · Marriott.com/BVURI
"A WELL-RUN, COMFORTABLE PLACE TO STAY IN DOWNTOWN BELLEVUE" JHBingham from Liberty Lake, Washington The Courtyard Bellevue Downtown is an extremely good choice for a trip to Bellevue. It has easy freeway access, while still being close to all of the action in downtown. Bellevue Square is within walking distance, as are all of the restaurants in the Lincoln Square area. The staff at the Courtyard are very friendly & seem like they want to make your stay enjoyable. My room was quite spacious & had a great view onto NE 8th. The bed was extremely comfortable/impeccable and were well laid out. Would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone visiting the Seattle/Bellevue area. COURTYARD SEATTLE BELLEVUE/DOWNTOWN 11010 NE 8th Street, Bellevue, WA 98004 425-454-5888 · Marriott.com/BVUDT
"GREAT STAY" Rachel G from Dublin, Ireland I stayed here for nearly three weeks while working nearby. I’d definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a central Bellevue location - it is surrounded by shops and restaurants. There’s an Express bus to Downtown Seattle within a 5-minute walk. The property has all the facilities you’d expect. It was spotlessly maintained. All the staff - from reception to bar/ restaurant to cleaners - were friendly and professional. Thumbs up all around! COURTYARD SEATTLE BELLEVUE/REDMOND 14615 NE 29th Place, Bellevue, WA 98007 425-869-5300 · Marriott.com/BVUCH
For Reservations call 1-800-MARRIOTT or visit Marriott.com
Calendar
FEBRUARY 15 Chop Shop: Bodies of Work Awardwinning dancers and choreographers gather for workshops and performances. Theatre at Meydenbauer Center; Feb 15–16; meydenbauer.com 15 VertFest This fundraiser for the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center has backcountry races, demos, and clinics. Alpental; Feb 15–16; summitat snoqualmie.com 21 Dante’s Inferno: The Ballet Follow Dante’s journey through the nine circles of hell in this performance from Shunpike-Burmer Music. Theatre
at Meydenbauer Center; Feb 21–23 27 Wintergrass Bluegrass Festival Performances, music workshops, jam sessions, and dances. Hyatt Regency Bellevue; Feb 27–Mar 2; acousticsound.org MARCH 7 Fragile Fortress and LIFE Whimsical carvings and wood sculptures from Northwest artist Dan Webb, and a 30-piece exhibit of life-size terracotta sculptures from Kathy Venter. Bellevue Arts Museum; Mar 7–June 15 13 Vogue Knitting Live Experience knitting with workshops, fashion shows, and a yarn marketplace. Meydenbauer Center; Mar 13–16; vogueknittinglive.com 15 Tea for Ruby A kidfriendly stage adaption from Evergreen City Ballet. Theatre at Meydenbauer Center; Mar 15–16 28 Sleeping Beauty A fresh take on this fairy-tale classic. Bellevue Youth Theatre; Mar 28–30; Apr 4–6; ci.bellevue. wa.us/byt.htm APRIL 18 Pratidhwani Enjoy a South Asian showcase of classical and contemporary music, theater, and dance. Theatre at Meydenbauer Center; Apr 18–20
26 Sheep Shearing Wool-spinning demos, wagon rides, and animal viewings. Kelsey Creek Farm; Apr 26; farmerjayne.com MAY 2 Peter Pan Join Bellevue Youth Theatre on a journey through Neverland. Theatre at Meydenbauer Center; May 2–4 3 Passport to Woodinville Tasting rooms pair regional wines with bites from local restaurants. Woodinville; May 3–4; woodinville winecountry.com 28 Bellevue Jazz Festival 50 free and ticketed performances from rising stars and national artists. Various locations; May 28–June 1; bellevuejazz.com JUNE 14 Lake to Lake Bike Ride Pedal from Lake Washington to Lake Sammamish and raise funds for Bellevue’s youth camp scholarships. Lake Hills Community Park; June 14; bellevuewa.gov 14 Grand Opening: Bellevue Botanical Garden’s visitor and education center. June 14; bellevue botanical.org 27 Bellwether The biennial sculpture exhibition displays
dozens of works— indoors and out— between City Hall and Downtown Park. Various locations; June 27–Oct 12 28 Bellevue Strawberry Festival This Eastside Heritage Center annual event offers entertainment, food, and family fun. Crossroads Park; June 28–29; bellevuestrawberry festival.org JULY 1 Summer Outdoor Movies in the Park Eight Tuesdays of kid-friendly movies in Downtown Park; July 1–Aug 19; inome.com/ summermovies 4 Bellevue Family 4th Activities, food, and music culminate with a fireworks display. Downtown Park; July 4 4 Bellevue’s Four on the 4th 4k This dog-and-human jog and walk benefits the Seattle Humane Society. Ashwood Park; July 4; belle vuedowntown.org 18 Kirkland Uncorked Regional wine, art, and food on Lake Washington’s shore. Marina Park; July 18–20; kirkland uncorked.com 25 Bellevue Arts Fair Three fairs in one— BAM ARTSfair, 6th
Street Fair, and Bellevue Festival of the Arts. Downtown Bellevue; July 25–27; bellevuefest.org AUGUST 2 Music in the Garden Picnic on the lawn at an alfresco concert. Bellevue Botanical Garden; Aug 2 TBD Taste of Main Sample fine cuisine, dessert, and wine from Old Bellevue eateries. Old Bellevue; tasteofmain bellevue.com SEPTEMBER 6 Aki Matsuri Eastside Nihon Matsuri Association celebrates Japanese culture with taiko drumming, martial arts, and ikebana demonstrations. Bellevue College; Sept 6–7; enma.org 24 Fashion Week This exciting week of fashion features runway shows of well-known brands and innovative independent designers. The Bellevue Collection; Sept 24–28; bellevuecollection. com/fashionweek OCTOBER 11 Farm Fair Old-time activities, crafts, and tractor and pony rides. Kelsey Creek Farm; Oct 11 31 BAM Biennial New works from Northwest artists in the medium of wood. Bellevue Arts
Museum; Oct 31– Mar 29, 2015 NOVEMBER 7 Cultural Crossroads Festival A multicultural celebration with ethnic music and dance, world cuisine, and a bazaar. Crossroads Shopping Center; Nov 7–9; cross roadsbellevue.com DECEMBER 1 Snowflake Lane and Celebration Lane Snow falls nightly around live toy soldiers. Features music and a light show. Bellevue Way and NE Eighth St; Nov 28–Jan 1, 2015; bellevue collection.com Magic Season Ice Arena Chaplin’s Bellevue Subaru Ice Arena is the region’s largest open-air rink. Downtown Park; Nov 28–Jan 11, 2015; magicseason.com Garden d’Lights More than half a million lights create a blooming winter wonderland. Bellevue Botanical Garden; Nov 29–Jan 3, 2015; gardendlights.org TBD KidsQuest Gingerbread Lane Grand gingerbread displays and gingerbread house–decorating workshops for kids. Bellevue; kidsquest museum.org
extended run
Bellevue Family 4th at Downtown Park
FOR MORE EVENTS Check our online calendar at visitbellevuewashington.com/events
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bellevuevisitor visitorguide guide2014 2014 bellevue
Colin Walker / Bellevue Parks & Community Services
January 1 A World of Paper Isabelle de Borchgrave presents more than 50 dresses and accessories, made from paper. Bellevue Arts Museum; through Feb 16; bellevuearts.org 30 Crafting a Continuum More than 60 works in everything from wood to fiber illustrate innovations in craft over the past 50 years. Bellevue Arts Museum; Jan 30–Apr 27 30 Giorgio Armani Trunk Show Shop the Italian fashion house’s fall 2014 collection at Neiman Marcus. The Shops at The Bravern; Jan 30; thebravern.com
2014 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Monsoon East and Facing East (opposite page)
MAN EATS WORLD One writer goes dining with expats and discovers local restaurants seriously transcending borders
BY ANDREW COLLINS
grant gunderson / tAndemstock.com
PHOTOS BY OLIVIA BRENT
VISIT BELLEVUE
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VISITBELLEVUEWASHINGTON.COM
Quynh nguyen at Facing east (far left), and Monsoon east’s bún tôm núong, grilled shrimp with crispy vegetarian roll (left), and dining area (below)
They beckon me to a table that looks awfully large for just the three of us, but then Quynh Nguyen introduces herself and her friend, Vikki Nakamura, and as Nguyen orders some of her favorite dishes, I begin to understand the need for elbow room. Over 90 minutes, a Taiseemingly endless procession of Tai wanese delicacies appears before us: steamed eggplant in garlic sauce, fivespice beef wraps, sliced lamb sautéed with barbecue sauce. We’re at Facing East, a bustling restaurant in a prosaic strip mall a few blocks north of Bellevue Square. It’s a Sunday afternoon, a little past the brunch rush, but still a band of eager customers waits by the front door. This restaurant has a serious buzz among local expats, and now I get what all the fuss is about. For starters, there’s a beloved Taiwanese pork burger—crispy pork belly with chiles and cilantro in a fluffy bao, or steamed bun. And there’s dessert, a condensed milk–capped mountain of shaved ice garnished with red bean, taro root, and pressed barley, which leaves us all licking our spoons. I’ve never been to Taiwan, but I now feel as though my taste buds may have. Nguyen, who was born in Vietnam, lives nearby in Kirkland, where she ran a catering business for several years. She dines often in Bellevue, lured by the city’s wealth of international restaurants. About 28 percent of Bellevue’s population identifies as Asian, and about one in three residents is foreign-born. Whatever you happen to crave on
I wonder if the two women waving and smiling in my direction have mistaken me for somebody else.
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a given day—sweet-corn tamales? spanakopita? tonkotsu ramen?—you can likely find it in this vibrant community of first-rate ethnic eateries. Before we part ways, Nguyen recommends a few more standouts, including Smacha, a new Chinese-Taiwanese tearoom that grows and harvests organic teas, which they roast in the store. And there’s Din Tai Fung, the third U.S. outpost for the accomplished purveyor of creative Taiwanese cuisine (and soup dumplings); and Cantinetta, a trendy Italian spot on Old Bellevue’s Main Street “restaurant row.”
italian goes thai, thai goes vegan Cantinetta’s dark, high-ceilinged space with rustic wrought-iron chandeliers and an exhibition kitchen is both romantic enough for a special occasion and casual enough for a low-key nosh with friends at the curvy marble bar. Or a conversation with a chef. It’s here where, one evening, I enjoy creamy buffalo mozzarella with pears, prosciutto, and arugula, followed by feathery sweet potato gnocchi with soppressata, olives, and tomatoes. And it’s where chefowner Emran Chowdhury fields a few questions about his devotion to Italian food—he operates Cantinetta restaurants here and in Seattle, as well as Bellevue’s Mercato Stellina Pizzeria, and the new Bar Cantinetta in Seattle’s Madison Valley. “I grew up in a truly multicultural city, Toronto,” says the Bangladesh-born chef, “and at a very young age, I came to love Italian food.” As an adult, Chef Chowdhury trained in Tuscany, mastering the simple, seasonal style of Italian cuisine that most strongly influences his approach at Cantinetta, where he changes the menu on a monthly basis. VISITBELLEVUEWASHINGTON.COM
Where Bellevue Goes For
Food
FULLANTHROPY At FareStart, every meal helps fund job training and support for less-fortunate people in our community. Giving
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Chowdhury has his favorite local restaurants, too, including nearby modern Vietnamese bistro Monsoon East. This snazzy space with two sleek, dimly lit dining rooms and a convivial bar with terrific early-evening and late-night happy hour menus specializes in contemporary, fusion-y fare. Think pan-seared Alaskan halibut with peppercorns and the citrusy cilantro-like herb, ngo om, and braised Oregon pork shank with bok choy and a char siu– pineapple glaze. There’s also a list of elaborate cocktails, some using local Headlong White Dog Whiskey from the Woodinville Whiskey Company. Chowdhury recommends the claypot caramelized catfish, as well as the soft egg noodles with oyster mushrooms, and I happily vouch for the deconstructed duck-confit rolls. Just around the corner from Monsoon, on a dazzlingly sunny autumn afternoon, I meet Chilean-born Ignacio Contreras at Araya’s Place, a few blocks south of his office in Lincoln Square, where he works as a user-experience researcher for Microsoft. Contreras is vegan, and he points out some of the challenges of finding both healthy and delicious meatless and dairy-free options at restaurants— many of them use too much oil, salt, or sugar in their vegan options. He’s a huge fan of the balanced, boldly flavorful Thai food at Araya’s, a cheery, informal restaurant decked with paintings, masks, and statuary. You can order à la carte, but we opt for the buffet of spring rolls, panang tofu curry, eggplant with yellow-bean sauce, stir-fried rice noodles, and several other similarly delicious dishes.
the modernists’ cuisine
Spice route’s tandoori chicken (above) and buffet (right)
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Bellevueite Joni Savage, who was born in the Philippines and is now a taxonomist for a major recipe website, mentions International Deli, an impressively stocked Russian market, where I discover plates of smoked eel and whitefish, myriad varieties of caviar, pierogi filled with everything from bacon and potato to sour cherries, decadent cakes slathered in rich frosting, and all sorts of packaged foods with Russian labels—soft drinks and teas, kefirs and farmers cheeses, jams and jellies, candies and chocolates. In this same shopping plaza, Kelsey Creek Center, you’ll find two other restaurants lauded by discerning locals: Szechuan Chef, for its credible Chinese food, and Kukai Ramen & Izakaya, which serves a memorable shio ramen with French sea salt, kelp, and a Japanese citrus base. Not far from Kelsey Creek Center is the warmly decorated, softly lit Indian restaurant Spice Route, which I’ve learned about from Anjana Shanker, a native of Coorg in southern India, and a research and development chef at Modernist Cuisine, the brainchild of former Microsoft exec Nathan Myhrvold. The culinary lab is likely best known for its Leviathan 2,438-page, 52-pound tome Modernist Cuisine: The Art of Science and Cooking. I ask Shanker how working at Modernist Cuisine has influenced where she eats, and how she views different foods and cooking styles from around the world. “My tenure there has refined my cooking technique and palate,” she explains. “I now apply modern techniques to the flavors from my past and remain committed to using local, VISITBELLEVUEWASHINGTON.COM
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The ‘humble and the haute’ strikes me as an apt description of Bellevue’s culinary scene.
lisa Dupar at pomegranate
seasonal, and sustainable ingredients. It’s important for people to know that those two things can go hand in hand. You can love local, fresh ingredients and also modernist techniques.” She speaks highly of the weekend buffet at Spice Route, with its “amazing variety of southern Indian vegetarian dishes,” including dahi vada (lentil “doughnuts” topped with yogurt and spices), gobi Manchurian (fried cauliflower with a house-made Indo-Chinese sauce), and malai kofta (ground veggie dumplings simmered in nuts and a mildly spicy cream sauce). She also recommends the excellent northern Indian grocery next door to Spice Route, Apna Bazar, a cornucopia of spices, chutneys, frozen and jarred sauces and snacks, and fresh produce.
issei influence Chiho Lee, who moved to the States from Japan in 2005 and lives in Kirkland with her husband and two-year-old son, is a fan of I Love Sushi. “Corny name,” she admits, “but you get the same quality as in Japan. I had a wonderful gunkan maki of sea urchin over botan ebi shrimp the other day at the sushi bar. They also offer the osechi box, filled with Japanese traditional dishes for New Year’s—can’t get more authentic than that.” Lee offers a tip for assessing a Japanese restaurant’s culinary chops: “I check to see whether they serve more than one type of miso soup. I Love Sushi has three kinds—Manila clam, nameko (a tiny Japanese mushroom), and Alaskan king crab. That’s pretty impressive.” I give in to temptation, and at I Love Sushi—a sun-filled, split-level restaurant with tables overlooking rippling Lake Bellevue—I tuck into an exquisitely prepared Hokkaido scallop drizzled with white truffle oil.
VISIT BELLEVUE
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a chef and cookbook author tells all Talented chef and cookbook author Lisa Dupar was born in Mexico City, grew up in the American South, and now resides in Bellevue. At her restaurant Pomegranate Bistro, in Redmond, Dupar serves food that reflects myriad influences: her Southern roots, the Pacific Northwest’s seafood and produce, and what she has learned from the cooks who work in her kitchen, many of whom are Hispanic. “I noticed during brunch, the guys would often make and eat these amazing breakfasts—like chilaquiles—and I’d think, wow, we need to get some of these dishes on the menu!” Dupar ranks another cuisine altogether among her favorite Bellevue ethnic spots: Mediterranean Kitchen. “We usually go with our Lebanese friend Sam—he’s a regular there—and let him do the ordering. There’s this incredible shish tawook (charbroiled chicken marinated in lemon and garlic), and all dishes come with a savory yellowlentil soup. I could probably make an entire meal of that.” We talk about her acclaimed cookbook, Fried Chicken & Champagne, which features many favorite dishes from Pomegranate. It’s a literary tour of down-home comfort foods, world-beat treats, and fancier classics—a mix of “the humble and the haute,” she says. This strikes me as an apt description of Bellevue’s culinary scene. Here you can find simple-yet-hearty tom kha coconut soup or huevos rancheros in an informal cafe. And you can savor artfully plated goat-cheese ravioli with orange, fennel pollen, and crispy beets or wagyu beef sukiyaki at an upscale bistro. Bellevue’s diverse, fast-growing community has spawned a tremendous supply of high-quality ethnic cuisine, with options to suit every style and budget. Pretty impressive, indeed.
araya’s Place 31 Bellevue Way ne; 425-453-1366; arayasplace.com Cantinetta Bellevue 10038 Main St; 425-233-6040; cantinettabellevue.com Din tai Fung 700 Bellevue Way ne, Ste 280; 425-698-1095; dintaifungusa.com Facing east 1075 Bellevue Way ne, Ste B-2; 425-688-2986; litadesign. wix.com/facingeastrestaurant i love sushi 23 lake Bellevue Dr; 425-455-9090; lakebellevue.ilovesushi.com international Deli 15015 Main St, Ste 110; 425-865-0439 kukai ramen & izakaya 14845 Main St; 425-243-7527; kukai-ramen.com mediterranean kitchen 103 Bellevue Way ne, Ste 103; 425462-9422; mediterraneankitchens.net monsoon east 10245 Main St; 425-635-1112; monsoonrestaurants.com Pomegranate Bistro 18005 ne 68th St; 425-556-5972; duparandcompany.com/pomegranate-bistro smacha 14603 ne 20th St; 425-643-2117; smacha.com spice route 2241 148th Ave ne; 425-643-4144; spiceroutecuisine.com szechuan Chef 15015 Main St, Ste 107; 425-746-9008; szechuanchefbellevue.com
VISITBELLEVUEWASHINGTON.COM
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Ta sT i ng Tour Drinking in the local liquid culture is as easy as spin, stroll , sip BY PAU L C L A R K E
any worthy imbibing
itinerary should go like this: Begin with an afternoon bike ride to nearby Woodinville—where some of the finest wines, brews, and spirits in the state are within a pedal of each other. Then head back to Bellevue for an after-dark cocktail scene that’s generating some serious nightlife buzz. visit bellevue
visitbellevuewashington.com
RICHARD DUVAL. opposite page: chuck kerr, shutterstock.com
Caption TKTKTK
Matthews Winery
As I pedAl down A quIet sIde street In woodInvIlle’s wArehouse dIstrIct, the sound of trAffIc gIves wAy to the gentle purr of my bIke tIres spInnIng over AsphAlt.
From top: Chateau Ste. Michelle, Fidelitas
It’s a sunny day, and I’m working up a thirst cycling the miles of trails that crisscross the area. Fortunately, this happens to be wine country, just 12 miles north of Bellevue, where some of the best Washington wineries, breweries, and craft distilleries are easy to tour on two wheels. Pedal 7.5 miles on the 520 Bike Trail to Marymoor Park in Redmond (or drive there and park), where the waterskirting Sammamish River Trail ambles north another seven miles to Woodinville. The state’s oldest winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle (14111 NE 145th St), opened here in 1976, and today the city has more than 100 wineries and tasting rooms,
producing around 2.5 million cases of wine each year. Wineries like family-owned Matthews Winery (16116 140th Pl NE), newly opened Fidelitas (14467 Woodinville-Redmond Rd NE), and always-popular Novelty Hill Januik (14710 WoodinvilleRedmond Rd NE) have made this area an oenophile’s mustsip destination. Bolstering Woodinville’s liquid character are breweries ranging from micro to massive, including newcomers like Dirty Bucket Brewing (19151 144th Ave NE, Ste 101) and Brickyard Brewing (5817 238th St SE, Ste 3) and local beer pioneer Redhook Brewery (14300 NE 145th St).
A 2008 change in state liquor laws made it easier for craft distillers to set up shop, and spirit makers like Pacific Distillery (18808 142nd Ave NE, Ste 4B) and Woodinville Whiskey Company (16110 Woodinville-Redmond Rd NE, Ste 3) have added even more drinking allure. With a blossoming booze industry, Woodinville has remained accessible and easy to enjoy by bike. Rides can range from the long and adventurous—such as the 38-mile WoodinvilleSnohomish trail—to the short and leisurely, such as my stop-and-go pedal along bike paths and side streets that meander through Woodinville’s main tasting areas. visit bellevue
sofT Tail spiriTs At the stand-up bar in this distillery ’s small tasting room, I work my way through a flight of grappa—an Italianstyle spirit distilled from pomace, the pressed skins and seeds from wine grapes. Soft Tail, one of the first distilleries to open in Washington following the passage of the 2008 law, works with area wineries to source the season’s most flavorful fruit for its grappa and applebased vodka. The sangiovese boasts a dry scent of autumn leaves and an earthy flavor brightened with the tang of cassis, while the Giallo—a blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and syrah that’s aged in French oak barrels for six to nine months—offers touches of toffee around the bright flavor of baked apples and pears. Lucky for cyclists, the weekday tasting room is about 8.5 miles from Marymoor Park by bike, mostly on the Sammamish River Trail. 12280 NE Woodinville Dr, Ste C (Tuesday–Friday) and 14356 Woodinville-Redmond Rd NE, Redmond (weekends); softtailspirits.com DisTefano Winery
pHoToS By riCHArD DuVAl. THe ColleCTiVe on TAp: zACH AlTenHoFen. illuSTrATionS: SHuTTerSToCk.CoM
Before unlocking my bike, I stop next door at DiStefano Winery, established here in 1983 and one of Woodinville’s first wineries. Owner Mike Newton and his family
PLAN YOUR TRIP
are still making prestigious Bordeaux-style wines from Columbia Valley grapes. I pause at a rustic barrel-based table inside and sample their vino, including a flinty and fruit-bright sauvignon blanc and an elegant cabernet franc–backed Sogno blend. 12280 NE Woodinville Dr; distefanowinery.com The ColleCTive on Tap Next I make my way to The Collective on Tap, a few blocks from Soft Tail and DiStefano via Northeast 175th Street and 177th Place. The Collective covers both bases, with a hearty foundation of pork tacos and Reuben sandwiches to ensure I stay well fed while tasting, plus 41 taps emphasizing Washington brews to keep the liquid theme alive. The tap list is always changing—a webcam lets you view the day’s selection online before riding out for a visit—and during my trip, I drink super local with a Triplehorn Saxon Rauchbier, brewed less than two miles away. 17802 134th Ave NE; collectiveontap.com goose riDge vineyarDs It’s back in the bike saddle again for the last 2.5-mile leg south on the Sammamish River and Tolt Pipeline Trails to Woodinville’s Tour-
Touring wineries, breweries, and distilleries by bike is fun, but it takes some careful preparation. if you’re planning on doing more swigging than sipping, be sure to swap the bike for a bus (most king County Metro and Sound Transit buses
visitbellevuewashington.com
ist District, where a tight cluster of tasting rooms allows for hours of sipping. Near the historic Hollywood Schoolhouse and other outstanding choices like Canon de Sol Winery, Long Shadows Vintners, and Airfield Estates Winery, Goose Ridge Vineyards pours tastes of its Bordeaux and Rhône varietals and blends. I grab one of the leather armchairs next to the fireplace and sample a “reserve tasting ” that includes a bold, earthy 2008 reserve malbec; a juicy and boisterous 2009 meritage blend full of cherry, tobacco, and toffee; and a silky, melon-rich 2010 riesling ice wine. 14450 Woodinville-Redmond Rd NE, Ste 108; gooseridge.com
have bike racks up front), or make alternative transportation arrangements for your return trip. if you’re looking for a more leisurely ride and want to keep your options open, load your bike (and a designated driver, if necessary)
into a car for the round-trip to Woodinville, and use the cycle for neighborhood excursions. Some bike shops offer seasonal rentals or demos, like Gregg’s Cycles (105 Bellevue Way ne, Bellevue; greggscycles.com)
From top: goose ridge Vineyards, The Collective on Tap
and Woodinville Bicycle (13210 ne 175th St, Woodinville; woodinville bicycle.com). Bike paths are abundant here, but trails can be rushhour busy at times. Cycle with care and use designated bike paths or side streets
when possible. To make the most of a cycling exploration of Woodinville, visit the websites for king County Parks (kingcounty.gov/ recreation/parks/ trails) and Woodinville Wine Country (woodinvillewine country.com).
my sIp-And-spIn tour through woodInvIlle hAs left me sAted, but bellevue’s burgeonIng cocktAIl culture beckons me bAck to town.
Bar CoDe
From top: Bar Code, prime 21
This stylish, modern cocktail bar in the TEN20 building debuted in October 2013, bringing a sense of renewed vigor to Bellevue’s nightlife. Fittingly, Bar Code’s menu leans to fresh versions of familiar tried-and-trues—an old-fashioned made from Woodinville Whiskey rye or a Bar Code Tonic that incorporates cinchonaand-citrus-infused gin—as well as more adventurous options like Brews Cruise, a mix of Jamaican rum and house-made cold-brew coffee
liqueur. 1020 108th Ave NE, Ste 100; barcodebellevue.com prime 21 On the 21st floor of Bellevue Place, Daniel’s Broiler has been a Bellevue staple for years, and Prime 21, which opened in the restaurant’s former cigar bar in August 2013, puts the steak house’s liquor credentials on full display. In a clubby, comfortable room with views of the city, bartenders mix spirit-driven drinks for a growing crowd of devoted regulars. Bourbon is the star here, served in original drinks such as the Spirit of 21—mixed with lemon, Italian bitter liqueur, and honey. The menu extends further afield, too, with classics like a rumrich Airmail cocktail and a gin-based Clover Club. For those who prefer their drink neat, the bar features one of the best selections of bourbon and scotch whiskey in the Northwest, including regional spirits such as John Jacob
Rye Whiskey from Seattle’s Fremont Mischief Distillery. 10500 NE Eighth Ave, 21st Fl; schwartzbros.com/danielsbroiler/daniels-bellevue naga aT ChanTanee Thai A Thai restaurant seems an unlikely place to launch a mixology revolution, but Naga’s cocktail menu has earned it a national reputation for being one of the country’s most distinctive drinking spots. This is a good place to let the bartenders off leash; they’re likely to come back with something alluring like a Lady Diabla, made with strawberry-soaked tequila, cassis, and ginger beer; a rosé sangria, made with Brazilian cachaca and elderflower liqueur; or a classic tiki drink (the bar’s specialty) such as a Death in the Pacific, swimming with three types of rum, almond syrup, and absinthe. 601 108th Ave NE, Ste 100A; chantanee.com/bar visit bellevue
FroM Top: Will AuSTin, CourTeSy SCHWArTz BroTHerS reSTAurAnTS
You’re practically guaranteed to find something you like at established standards like Lot No. 3 and Monsoon East, while outstanding newcomers are playing an equally important role in defining the city’s liquid culture. Busy streets and bourbon flights don’t mix well with two wheels, so I swap my bike helmet for a tie and venture out for the night.
the heathman hotel kirkl and and trellis restaurant. The perfect pairing.
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Please call us at 425-284-5900 or visit heathmankirkland.com • 220 Kirkland Avenue, Downtown Kirkland, Washington
HOW TO GET AN OUTDOOR RUSH IN BELLEVUE'S BACKYAR D
E X T REME ( LY )
WASHINGTON BY ALLISON WILLIAMS
H ow high are you p repare d to go? Washington state is at its most glorious from on high, whether viewed from the top of a backcountry ski hill, the front seat of a floatplane, the jumping-off point of a zip line, or even the 14,410-foot summit of Mount Rainier. All it takes is a little gumption.
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V I S I T BE L L E V UE V I S I T B E LLE VUE WASH INGTON.COM
grant gunderson / tAndemstock.com
Heli-skiing the North Cascades
H ell-bent Heli-skiing
North Cascades Heli-Skiing
L ESSER EX T R EMES Think an outdoorsman can’t enjoy a loud, rumbly snowmobile? The machines can quickly cover ground that would take a hiker all day to navigate—and they’re pretty fun to whip around corners. Guided snowmobile tours leave from Mountain Springs Lodge in Leavenworth and head as far as the 5,814-foot-high Sugarloaf Lookout.
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V I S I T BE L L E V UE visitor guide 2014INGTON.COM visitbellevuewashington.com V Ibellevue S I T B E LLE VUE WASH
The North Cascades aren’t close to anything. But that’s the best feature of the angled peaks— all it takes is a little work to access the wildest, most untouched land in the state. And an ASTAR B2 chopper. Before taking off in a helicopter, a skier must cross the north-south Cascade mountain range on Highway 2, then head to the old-timey western town of Winthrop. An epic ski begins, oddly enough, at the elegantly rustic Freestone Inn, home of feather pillows, soaking tubs, and one North Cascades Heli-Skiing Heli Barn crammed with demo gear and skis as fat as snow tires. Don’t take it personally when you’re asked to step on a scale; weight distribution is carefully calibrated. After practice with avalanche beacons and reminders not to wave ski poles near helicopter blades, it’s time for takeoff. Within moments, no houses or cars are in sight, just the occasional glimpse of the snowed-in North Cascades Highway winding between the slopes. After a 10-minute flight, choppers drop skiers among the jagged peaks, below granite spires, and above glades of trees in a 300,000acre zone—and always above perfect, untouched powder. And yes, this is powder. One, two, even three feet of light, airy, sugary snow. It’s into an open bowl one run, onto a tree-covered slope the next, always room for long, smooth turns. Guides direct the bird to the razoredge ridgelines so fine that there’s nowhere to go but down. Skiers need to fuel up at the same time the chopper does, so during lunch the pilot returns to base and leaves the group stranded, gloriously, in the wilderness, the only sounds the whomp of a distant avalanche. A single day is seven runs of about 12,000 vertical feet. Additional runs are available for a fee, depending on the snow conditions. Most skiers will be daydreaming of those feather pillows back at the lodge. From $1,077 per person.
Kenmore Air over the San Juan Islands
OPPOSITE PAGE: grant gunderson / tAndemstock.com THIS PAGE, FROM TOP: COURTESY KENMORE AIR, gary luhm / danitadelimont.com
soar , sail , see whales Like any flight, floatplane routes on Kenmore Air have one seat that’s just better. No, not some exit-row or bulkhead seat, but the one beside the pilot, knees just inches from important-looking dials and switches. For this shotgun view, you have to request it—it’s worth it. From takeoff on Lake Union, powering past floating homes and between sailboats, you’re elbow to elbow with the pilot—who also acts as ticket agent, baggage handler, dockhand, navigator, and flight attendant (so don’t expect peanuts). Then it’s over the Ballard Locks, Elliott Bay, and wide-open Puget Sound for a 45-minute flight. Whidbey Island is a patchwork of small farms to the right, a lighthouse
in Port Townsend is just visible out the left. Rain? No problem. Only fog grounds this 50-year-old seaplane. Landing at Roche Harbor on San Juan Island is smoother than most airliner touchdowns, and it’s time to leave the aircraft in favor of a humanpowered sea kayak on the San Juan archipelago. Sky-blue double kayaks form a floating wagon train that slowly bobs out of the sleepy marina, past docks, beach houses, and pocketsized islands dotted with a few trees. By the time the flotilla reaches Haro Strait, which separates the United States from Vancouver Island, there’s nothing but a distant sailboat here, a passing ferry there, and little wind to disturb the surf.
By law, watercraft cannot venture within 100 yards of marine mammals; too bad the animals never got the memo. Harbor seals, insatiably curious, pop up in dark blue waters, and the black fins of killer whales break the waves. When they’re close, no one breathes—in awe, not fear. The resident orca pods are so familiar to locals that some whales even have names and known personalities. Even if orcas don’t appear, there are waterfowl, otters, lighthouses, and rugged bits of shoreline to distract the kayaker. And one has to dig deep— where are you, core muscles?—to paddle back to Roche Harbor in time for the floatplane trip back to dry land in Seattle. From $242 per person.
L ESSER EX T R EM ES Don’t float? Several outfitters offer boat tours, and captains share sightings, so an orca encounter is almost guaranteed. San Juan Outfitters has kayak and boat tours. Both Western Prince and San Juan Safaris leave from near the Friday Harbor Whale Museum, which houses three orca skeletons.
Kayaking the San Juan Islands
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in the wildflower-laden Paradise meadows. Eventually the route hits a snowfield, which means crunching, slow steps up to Camp Muir, named for the famous naturalist. John Muir was bowled over by the mountain’s beauty on his own climb in 1888, calling it “the grandest excursion of all.” No one sleeps easy at Camp Muir. Earplugs and a facemask help; nerves don’t. The flat step is halfway up a mountain but as busy as the parking lot below, crowded with tents and an old stone hut, and the thin air still carries the chatter of dozens of climbers looking to borrow a cup of noodles or brag about frostbite. Sometime around midnight it’s time to hike again, but now clad in helmets, crampons, and harnesses that tether climbers together. There’s no talk-
ing; because ropes must stay taut for safety, every climber gets a 40-foot island of solitude to step, pause, breathe, and repeat. Mountaineers attempting Everest also often come to Rainier because it has every scary terrain type as that sky-high peak. From Muir on up, there are deep glacier crevasses and dangers on an epic level. It’s too dangerous to even look at the crevasses and caves cut like hatchet marks into the glacier’s icefall; to peer into their eerie light-blue depths is to waste unnecessary seconds on a shifting, lethal mountain. In the dark, it’s hard to tell each person’s tiny headlamp from the stars. Metal crampons hit rock, a screech like nails on a chalkboard—this is Disappointment Cleaver, a promontory as discouraging as its name. Then
L ESSER EX T R EME S Not every hike in Mt. Rainier National Park has to go to the summit; the 5.5-mile Skyline Trail from Paradise’s visitor center delivers spectacular views of the Tatoosh Range; the paved 1.75-mile Alta Vista Trail has glacier and meadow panoramas. Outside the park, Crystal Mountain’s gondola whisks riders to a 6,872foot viewpoint and the state’s highest restaurant.
jamie & judy wild / danitadelimont.com
Step, pause, breathe, repeat. That’s all it takes to get to the summit of 14,410-foot-tall Mount Rainier, as long as you can repeat for seven or eight (or more) hours in the pitch dark and the kind of cold that makes bones ache. The reward is worth every tentative step, but an ascent up “the mountain,” takes careful planning or a spot with one of three local guide companies: Rainier Mountaineering Inc. was founded by local climbing legend Lou Whittaker in 1969, while the newer Alpine Ascents and International Mountain Guides offer similar trips. Climbing can require up to a year of athletic training but no special skills. It starts at Paradise. After gear checks and safety talks, the walking truly begins up the crowded trails
Z i p T ri p
COURTESY ADVENTURA
Mount Rainier
the sun starts to rise, and the long, freezing slog ends at Mount Rainier’s summit crater. In the protected bowl, flat and big as four empty football fields, it isn’t about the view but the company; conversation erupts after hours of silent stepping, and climbers eat candy bars as rewards. Eventually everyone strolls to the highest point, where the wind whips at the tiny American flags that mark the true summit, Columbia Crest. The snow here has been so disturbed it’s as if this were the sight of a snowball fight, and strangers share cameras and pose for photos. Below, the state’s smaller hills and mountains ripple like water, still misty with morning clouds. But on top of Mount Rainier it’s as sunny as high noon. Turns out the climb also ends at paradise.
Of course zip-lining is safe. closed-toe shoes. This tangle of coarse After all, you’re wearing a hel- rope swings in every plane, making met and harness, and two separate the inch-by-inch climb humbling. It carabiners attach to the zip line. Kids looked so easy from below, and now do it. But when the time comes to step you’re flailing like a too-green sailor off a stable 50-foot platform and sail caught in the rigging. through the leafy Washington outBut then, finally, on the sky level doors, it seems preposterous. Who of the play park, stability: a series jumps off a perfectly good ledge? of small platforms, all separated Woodinville’s Adventura adven- by goofy, tricky passages. Travel ture park at Redhook was erected in by grasping a rope swing, navigatthe middle of the region’s winery and ing a tangle of slack lines, taking a brewery playground; it’s an off-the- giant leap, or going hand-over-hand ground jaunt to do before flights of through suspended loops. Every route the chardonnay kind. has a trick testing balance and coorOrientation is kind of like camp; dination. It only takes one fall, and a you’re kitted out with harness and catch by the secure harness, to lose helmet, then asked to the fear. Former strangparrot back instructions ers yell encouragement to master the safety or advice, and no one L ESSER protocol. Practicing the cares anymore about EX T R EMES prescribed routine— their dorky helmets or Discovery Chalhook one carabiner to graceless movement. lenge, inside the thick cable, then Until, of course, it’s Bellevue’s Eastgate the other, and always time to take the zip Park, features with a buddy—sparks line down. The final fall ropes courses and easy camaraderie within isn’t about dexterity, it’s a 150-foot zip line. the group as everyone about letting go. “You The Northwest Trek Zip Wild course, exchanges names before can go upside down,” near Mount Rainier, agreeing that no one the staffer says, as if that has swinging looks good in this odd would make the 50-foot bridges suspended crotch-cradling, bubbledrop more reasonable. above a safari-like headed, getup. And so, halfway down animal preserve. Then it’s up on the to the rural valley floor, Friday Harbor’s Zip San Juan has eight play structure, a ropealmost everyone flips zip lines through and-log jungle gym upside down in a moment the island forest. located five stories off of fast, free, pure, giddy Down near the the ground. The initial abandon. Washington’s Columbia Gorge, ascent up via a rope cargo greenery becomes a blur, Skamania Lodge’s net is the hardest part— and feet hit the hard dirt Zip Line Tour is a canopy trip with an they have challenges of Woodinville while the 800-foot-long ride. like this on Survivor— shriek still echoes off the and the reason you need brewery next door. Adventura
HELI-SKIING Freestone Inn 31 Early Winters Dr, Mazama; 509-996-3906; freestoneinn.com Mountain Springs Lodge 19115 Chiwawa Loop Rd, Leavenworth; 509-763-2713; mtsprings.com North Cascades Heli-Skiing 509-996-3272; heli-ski.com Whale watching Friday Harbor Whale Museum 62 First St N, Friday Harbor; 360-378-4710; whalemuseum.org Kenmore Air 425-486-1257; kenmoreair.com San Juan Outfitters 360-3781962; sanjuan islandoutfitters.com San Juan Safaris 360-378-1323; sanjuansafaris.com Western Prince 360-378-5315; orcawhale watch.com mount rainier Alpine Ascents 206-378-1927; alpineascents.com Crystal Mountain 33914 Crystal Mountain Blvd, Crystal Mountain; crystalmountain resort.com International Mountain Guides 360-5692609; mountain guides.com Rainier Moutaineering Inc. 360569-2227; rmiguides.com zip-lining Adventura 14300 NE 145th St, Woodinville; 866-981-8665; adventuraplay.com Discovery Challenge 14509 SE Newport Way, Bellevue; 425-4524240; ci.bellevue. wa.us/challengecourse.htm Northwest Trek Zip Wild 11610 Trek Dr E, Eatonville; 360-8326117; nwtrek.org Skamania Lodge Zip Line Tour 1131 Skamania Lodge Way, Stevenson; 509-427-0202; zipnskamania.com Zip San Juan 360-378-5947; zipsanjuan.com
GET MORE WITH EVERY STAY! 240 all Suite hotel featuring private bedroom and separate living room Complimentary Cooked-to-Order breakfast Complimentary Evening Reception featuring beer, wine, cocktails & snacks Flexible Meeting Space and Open-Air Atrium
PRECOR Fitness Center Heated indoor pool, hot tub, and sauna Close to world-class shopping, dining, and just 10 minutes from downtown Seattle Cascades Grille restaurant and room service
Embassy Suites Seattle-Bellevue 3225 158th AVE SE Bellevue, WA 98008 425-644-2500 l www.seattlebellevue.embassysuites.com
Palomino 610 Bellevue Way NE | Bellevue, WA 425.455.7600 | palomino.com Bellevue Square Shopping Center 425.454.8497 www.bellevuesquare.oilandvinegarusa.com
Open for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Happy Hour Daily Walking distance to shows, shopping, and validated parking!
Sip&Savor
Lunchbox Laboratory
Between the buns Beefing up our survey of Bellevue’s best burger joints By Rebekah Denn
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he Pacific Northwest may be renowned for seafood, but we do burgers like nobody’s business. Here are a few prime options for independent patty places and local chains.
COURTESY LUNCHBOX LABORATORY
Creative Chops At Lunchbox Laboratory, a burger is never just a burger. Rather, it might be a Dork burger (duck and pork) or a Tear Jerker with “Satan’s tears ketchup” and habanero mayo. No matter the kitchen’s experiment of the day, the results are sure to be piled ridiculously high on a bun. Add even more indulgent goodness—provided your calorie-counter can handle the strain— with a side of hot tater tots and a Nutella shake.
No-Frills Favorite High-tech workers don’t always go for the new glitzy thing. Case in point: the long queues of
Microsoft employees favoring the decidedly old-school pleasures of Wibbley’s Gourmet Burgers. The patties are juicy and grilled to order, the milkshakes creamy, and the fries crisp. Warning: In another old-fashioned touch, no credit cards are accepted.
Majorly Mobile The seasonal Buns on Wheels food truck makes regular Bellevue stops from spring to fall, featuring grass-fed beef patties on buns from Seattle’s Grand Central Bakery, with sides like truffle fries or poutine.
Best Grill Marks Follow your nose through a nondescript strip mall to Broiler Bay, with big, flat, quarterpound patties grilled to order, served on soft buns with mayo, ketchup, tomato, and a sprinkling of shredded iceberg. The place is low on
ambience but high on charbroiler fans; the Zagat restaurant survey recently named it the best hamburger in the greater Seattle area.
Car-hop To It Enter a ’50s time warp at the locally owned Burgermaster chain, where orders are taken from, and delivered to, your car. Old-fashioned burgers come with American cheese, served on a toasted bun. Extra geek points: Microsoft was headquartered next door before moving to Redmond, and one account has it that Bill Gates’s favorite meal—on his secretary’s speeddial, no less—was a Burgermaster burger, fries, and chocolate shake. Broiler Bay 10636 Main St; broilerbay.com Buns on Wheels bunsonwheels.com Burgermaster 10606 Northup Way; burgermaster.biz/bellevue Lunchbox Laboratory 989 112th Ave NE, Ste 105; lunchbox laboratory.com/bellevue Wibbley’s Gourmet Hamburgers 2255 140th Ave NE, Ste B; wibbleys.com
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Sip&Savor
Brunch at Earls (above) and Lot No. 3’s Smoking Pig Bloody Mary (below)
BRUNCH OF CHAMPIONS ... and adult beverages, too By Haley Shapley the most important meal of the day gets its due at these tasty spots for breakfast and brunch:
CLASSIC DINERS For breakfast, sometimes nothing beats comfort. The wood-paneled Chace’s Pancake Corral knows a thing or two about nostalgia, having served up favorites like banana pancakes and pecan waffles since 1958. You can also get the neighborhood feel at The Brief Encounter, a cozy cafe with a sign proclaiming that “all happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast”—its roots also date back more than half a century.
INTERNATIONAL OPTIONS Enjoy the tastes of other countries’ cuisines at places like Paddy Coyne’s Irish Pub— you can’t go wrong on Saturday and Sunday with the hearty Irish Breakfast, including a traditional plate of bangers, black and white pudding, and more. And, in Factoria, brunch makes the rounds in the form of dim sum—think savory dumplings stuffed with cilantro and shrimp, steamed hum bao, and beef shiu mai— at local favorite Top Gun Seafood Restaurant.
A BEVy OF BRUNCH BEVERAGES The food at Eques, inside Bellevue Place, seriously belies its hotel setting. Pair regionally
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inspired dishes like Snoqualmie Oats Pancakes (with a blood orange cream that might inspire you to lick the plate) with a $3 mimosa or fragrant pear cider. Or sidle up to a DIY Bloody Mary bar on weekends. Speaking of bloody Sunday, at industrialchic Lot No. 3, the morning claims-to-fame are the candied Plate O’ Bacon and seven types of Bloody Marys. And Canadian import Earls brings to the States our northern neighbor’s signature drink: the Caesar (vodka, Clamato, and spices).
GRAB-AND-GO GO-TOS If you don’t have time to linger over a meal, there’s still plenty to be had. Pick up a bagel at Blazing Bagels—there are more than two dozen varieties—or drop into Top Pot Doughnuts, where the sweet smell of sugar and bread coaxes you toward the hand-forged delights. Next door, Jujubeet offers up a minimalist environment and healthy smoothies, which you can also get at Evolution Fresh juice bar (press a button on the counter to get the menu to appear on the wall). Blazing Bagels 555 108th Ave ne, Ste C; blazing bagels.com the Brief encounter 2632 Bellevue Way Chace’s Pancake Corral 1606 Bellevue Way Se earls 700 Bellevue Way ne, Ste 130; earls.ca eques 900 Bellevue Way ne evolution Fresh 545A Bellevue Way; evolutionfresh.com Jujubeet 10602 ne ninth pl; jujubeet.com lot no. 3 460 106th Ave ne; lotno3.com Paddy Coyne’s irish Pub 700 Bellevue Way ne, Ste 100; paddycoynes.net top Gun seafood restaurant 12450 Se 38th St; topgunrestaurants.com top Pot Doughnuts 10600 ne ninth pl; toppotdoughnuts.com
in ahead-of-the-curve Bellevue, fast food goes gourmet with eats that won’t skimp on speed or flavor. Don’t expect to find greasy burgers and flash-fried potatoes at the lavender-painted drive-through stand in Factoria. instead, organic juice bar pours a rainbow array of juiced-toorder blends, ginger teas, and organic coffees. Try the fruity, grapefruit-laden pink Sour or the all-about-veg green Slim, infused with kale and cucumber. A slice may seem just like standard fast-food fare, unless it’s coming from old Bellevue’s mercato stellina. The pizzeria tops quick-fired, brick-oven pizzas with a variety of epicurean fixings: think porchetta, farm eggs, pears, and truffle oil. Want good eats to come to you? Pho cyclo café, on the east side of downtown, brings pho—steaming beef broth swimming with noodles and flank steak—to the people. Banh mi sandwiches, crispy and chewy baguettes packed with charbroiled pork or sautéed chicken, are also available for delivery. For the epitome of grab-and-go gourmet, turn to the food trucks. el maestro del taco devotees line up across from the Crossroads parking lot to order rave-worthy tacos, tortas, and burritos filled with classic pollo and asada as well as cabeza (cheek) and lengua (tongue). And check online to see when skillet street food is in town, serving elevated comfort food—a fried-chicken sandwich topped with jalapeño aioli and kale slaw, or a grass-fed beef burger slathered with smoky bacon jam—from a gleaming Airstream trailer. —Angela Cabotaje el maestro del taco 156th Ave ne and ne eighth St mercato stellina 10000 Main St, Ste 104; mercatostellina.com organic Juice Bar 3727 Factoria Blvd Se Pho Cyclo Café 500 108th Ave ne; phocyclocafe.com skillet street Food skilletstreetfood.com
Pho cyclo café
CloCkWiSe FroM Top leFT: CourTeSy eArlS, CourTeSy pHo CyClo CAFé, CourTeSy loT no. 3
The NEW Fast Food
3 UNIQUE EXPERIENCES 1 CONVENIENT LOCATION AT THE CORNER OF 4TH AND 106TH IN DOWNTOWN BELLEVUE Validated parking is available in the Bellevue Towers garage
COMFORT FOOD • CLASSIC COCKTAILS • CRAFT BREWS
CAFE AND WINE BAR
COMFORT FOOD, CLASSIC COCKTAILS & CRAFT BREWS
PRIVATE EVENTS, CATERING & WORKSHOPS
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Sip&Savor
El Gaucho (left) and John Howie Steak (right)
STANDOUT DINING STARS OF THE CITY Great food, totally unchained By Rebekah Denn
Bis on Main It’s tempting to call this whitetablecloth restaurant old school, but it keeps up with the times. A renovation expanded its seating seven years ago, and now it has well-respected chef Tom Black handling its French-American cuisine. There’s romance in the atmosphere, and cassoulet and truffled pommes frites on the plate. Cantinetta The menus change frequently, and different handmade pastas are rolled out on different days, so the tortelli with fava beans served one summer’s eve might well morph into little triangles of pansotti stuffed with roasted cauliflower and sage come autumn. Plus, the rustic-but-refined setting—with iron chandeliers and a generous back bar—makes the restaurant an ideal destination regardless of season. El Gaucho At this special-occasion steak house the service is as unimpeachably excel-
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lent as the food. The restaurant is famed for dry-aged steaks, but no one will frown at diners who go the lighter route with a tableside Caesar salad or a plate of seafood linguine. Gilbert’s on Main The name might sound run-of-the-mill, but Gilbert’s is the real thing: piled-high Reubens; matzo ball soup; breakfast scrambles with lox, eggs, and onions; and an East Coast vibe. John Howie Steak John Howie opened toptier seafood restaurant Seastar here in 2002, when national chains were a more common sight than independent chef-owned destinations. In 2009 he opened John Howie Steak, a modern steak house with rare (no Gilbert’s on Main
pun intended) cuts of beef including Japanese wagyu and a 25-page wine list ranging from two-ounce sips to four-figure bottles. The place appeals to high rollers and budget diners alike, the latter thanks to a happy hour that features a half-pound prime sirloin burger with Kurobata bacon on a house-made bun. Monsoon East Updated twists on Vietnamese dishes and a spacious, chic space make this a place to explore new flavors in comfort. Craft cocktails and a serious happy hour menu keep the bar busy. Purple Café and Wine Bar The selection of New American small and large plates is wide, but it’s the wine list that is the star, with tasting flights available as well as glasses and bottles. What really gets us in a modern wineheavy hangout is the “kid’s flight”—regular, chocolate, strawberry, and caramel milk—so that everyone has a place at the tasting table. Bis on Main 10213 Main St; bisonmain.com Cantinetta 10038 Main St; cantinettabellevue.com El Gaucho 450 108th Ave NE; elgaucho.com/el-gaucho-bellevue.html Gilbert’s on Main 10024 Main St; gilbertsonmain.com John Howie Steak 11111 NE Eighth St, Ste 125; johnhowie steak.com Monsoon East 10245 Main St; monsoon restaurants.com/east Purple Café and Wine Bar 430 106th Ave NE; purplecafe.com Seastar 205 108th Ave NE; seastarrestaurant.com/bellevue
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: amos morgan, courtesy john howie steak, neal golden-lekwa
T
he kind of restaurants that draw culinary tourists to a city began appearing in Bellevue only 12 years ago. Today, they are a matter of course. Here’s where to try some of Bellevue’s best bites:
MONSOON
Just 10 miles north of Bellevue, Woodinville Wine Country is home to over 100 award-winning wineries and tasting rooms.
Out here, good company and great wine are always in season. Check out our exciting 2014 Calendar of Events online now at woodinvillewinecountry.com
10038 Main St. Bellevue, WA 98004 425.233.6040 www.cantinettabellevue.com
Aerial Adventure just minutes from Bellevue! www.adventuraplay.com 866.981.8665
Miles from where you live. Close to how you live. HYATT house™ Seattle/Bellevue, accentuates this sleek and stylish city with easy access to I-90, plus upscale shopping, dining and entertainment in downtown Bellevue. Real kitchens. Real living rooms. Real breakfast and Wi-Fi that really are free. With extras like the H BAR and an indoor pool it’s a place you can live, not just stay. To book visit hyatthousebellevue.com. HYATT House Seattle/Bellevue 3244 139th Ave SE Bellevue, WA 98005 425 747 2705
Hyatt and Hyatt House names, designs and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation. ©2014 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.
Adventure is Calling!
Beautiful Views 900 feet above the Puget Sound Fresh Pacific Northwest Menu English Style Pub with Daily Happy Hour
The Golf Club at Newcastle offers two challenging 18-hole championship golf courses with spectacular views of Seattle, Lake Washington and the Olympic Mountains. Newcastle has more than 8,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting spaces. Located just 15 minutes from Bellevue it is the perfect setting for that next personal or business event. 15500 Six Penny Lane, Newcastle, Washington 98059 | www.newcastlegolf.com | (425) 793-5566
Sports&Leisure
poo poo point
VIEW TO A THRILL
Eastside trails lead to peaks and waterfalls By Heather Hansman
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ead east from downtown and within 30 minutes you can find every kind of hike: amblers past waterfalls, leg-burning climbs, treks to sprawling views, and trails that grant access to high mountain lakes.
greg SHeeHAn
SNOqUALMIE FALLS Offering a beautiful view that’s accessible for almost anyone, the one-mile trip to Snoqualmie Falls is great for families and small children. After an initial incline, the wellmaintained trail flattens out, and the 268-foot waterfall is spectacular. directions Take I-90 east 18.2 miles to exit 25, then turn left onto snoqualmie Parkway. Continue approximately five miles, turn left onto railroad avenue se, and drive half a mile to snoqualmie falls Park.
MAILBOx PEAk Looking for a leg burner? The switchbacks of Mailbox Peak should do it. The trail to the top climbs a lung-busting 3,100 feet in three miles. Mailbox is one of the hardest hikes in the range, but the effort comes with a reward: views of Mount Si and Rattlesnake Ridge from the narrow summit. In the future it’ll get easier. There’s a new trail, which will be longer but less steep, in the works. directions Take I-90 east to exit 34. Turn left onto 468th street and follow it to the junction with the middle fork snoqualmie road. turn right and continue up middle fork snoqualmie road to the end of the pavement.
POO POO POINT Poo Poo Point is popular with paragliders because its wide summit gives them an open
launch site. It also gives hikers an expansive view of Lake Sammamish and, when gliders are active, some added eye candy. There are two routes to the top: You can either hike four miles out and back from the Chirico Trailhead, or take a longer, rolling route from the Issaquah high school, which is seven and a half miles round-trip and winds through oldgrowth forests. directions From I-90 take exit 17 and turn right. after 0.6 miles turn left on e sunset way. in two blocks, turn right onto second avenue se and park near the high school.
COAL CREEk NATURAL AREA A good hike for history buffs, the nearly threemile Coal Creek trail will take you through the remains of a coal mine. You’ll also hike by North Fork Falls, which has visitbellevuewashington.com
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Sports&Leisure
Mount Si
benches where you can sit and take in the view. Directions Take I-90 east to exit 13. Turn right and continue to the Red Town Trailhead parking lot, about three miles away.
Rattlesnake Ledge If you want big views without a long hike, Rattlesnake is the route for you. It’s steep but short, and you’ll be rewarded with vistas of Mount Si and Rattlesnake Lake. Directions Take I-90 east to exit 32. Turn right on 436th Avenue SE and go about four miles to the Rattlesnake Lake parking area.
Burroughs Mountain Loop On a clear day you can see Mount Rainier from the city, but to get the most spectacular views of the highest peak in the state head to Mt. Rainier National Park and the 7.4-mile Burroughs Mountain Loop, where you’ll encounter pica, mountain goats, and wildflowers. Check trail conditions before you go,
because the high-elevation parts of the trail (and the road in) often hold snow through July. Directions Take I-405 south to Highway 169, to Highway 410, to the south side of Mount Rainier. The trail leaves from the Sunrise visitor center. From the Mt. Rainier National Park White River Entrance turn right on to Sunrise Road and follow it 17 miles.
Burroughs Mountain Loop
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FROM TOP: THOMAS HORAN, JESSE STANLEY
MOUNT Si A standard Seattle proving ground, Mount Si is the most heavily used trail in the state, for good reason. The eight-mile trip grants views of the Puget Sound and the whole Snoqualmie Valley. It’s popular with trail runners as well as those training to summit Mount Rainier. Directions Take I-90 east to exit 32. Turn left, drive a half-mile, and take a left on N Bend Way. In a quarter-mile turn right on Mount Si Road.
Sports&Leisure
The Golf Club at Newcastle
Get on the GREEN
Stevens Pass
SNOW BOUND Find thrills and chills in the mountain surrounds By Julie H. Case
FROM LEFT: COURTESY STEVENS PASS MOUNTAIN RESORT, COURTESY THE GOLF CLUB AT NEWCASTLE
I
t takes only a short drive and a good pair of mittens to get into wild, winter fun. These options are all within three hours of Bellevue.
Sno-Parks There are 120 public Sno-Parks in the state, including 10 along I-90. Hyak has 13 kilometers of Nordic tracks and skate lanes, plus a sledding hill. In addition to a sled, skis, or snowshoes (rent a pair at REI in Redmond), you’ll need a Sno-Park permit (parks.wa.gov/ winter/vendors). Go: I-90 east to exit 54, south at off-ramp, left at intersection, then right (45 mi)
Alpental and The Summit at Snoqualmie The family-friendly Summit features night skiing, more than 50 kilometers of Nordic trails, and weekend tubing. Alpental offers more steeps and deeps, as well as 523 acres of backcountry. Don’t miss hand-dipped corn dogs at Bob’s Espresso in a parking lot across from The Summit. Vertical: 2,280 feet Trails: 108 14% easy 45% medium 41% expert Go: I-90 east (45 mi) Stevens Pass Pair groomers with gulches and bowls on two mountains with three separate faces, add in a park full of bonks and boxes, top it all off with night skiing from six lifts, and you have one great destination for skiers and boarders. Vertical: 1,800 feet Trails: 37 11% easy 54% medium 35% expert Go: I-405 north to SR 522 to SR 2 east (75 mi)
Mount Baker Sochi Olympian Angeli VanLaanen still calls this locally owned ski resort her favorite. The hill is huge among boarders and skiers alike, thanks in part to epic snowfalls and trees, bowls, and double blacks galore. Vertical: 1,500 feet Trails: 38 23% easy 35% medium 42% expert Go: I-405 north to I-5 north to WA 9 north to WA 542 east (138 mi) Crystal Mountain This resort is perched in the northeast corner of Mt. Rainier National Park. Ascend beyond more accessible, wide-open runs to above the tree line for lots of steeps and deeps. Don’t ski? Ride the Mt. Rainier Gondola to the Summit House Restaurant for dinner and an up-close view of Rainier’s peak. Vertical: 3,100 feet Trails: 57 11% easy 54% medium 35% expert Go: I-405 south to WA 167 south to WA 164 east to SR 410 east (76 mi) White Pass Southeast of Mt. Rainier National Park, White Pass has dry powder, 1,500 acres of alpine terrain, 18 kilometers of cross-country double-track trails, and some of the state’s best tree skiing. Vertical: 2,050 feet Trails: 45 15% easy 65% medium 20% expert Go: I-405 south to WA 167 south to WA 512 west; WA 161 south to WA 7 south to US 12 east (141 mi) Crystal Mountain crystalmountainresort.com Mount Baker mtbaker.us Sno-Parks parks.wa.gov/winter Stevens Pass stevenspass.com The Summit summitat snoqualmie.com White Pass skiwhitepass.com
Drive through a rustic entryway, past pillars covered with vines, and up a steep, winding road. The fog is so thick, visibility is a challenge. This could be Scotland on a typical golf day. Yet this is Bellevue, where the game comes in ways as imaginative as any in Europe. The Golf Club at Newcastle (15500 Six Penny Ln, Newcastle) is the crown jewel of three fairway offerings located in and around this suburban destination. South of the city center, Newcastle provides a pair of 18-hole courses, Coal Creek and China Creek, with rolling fairways and superb greens. At 900 feet above sea level, the Newcastle complex looks out on the entire Puget Sound region. “We get a lot of people who just want to drive up the hill and have some lunch and see some views,” says Mark Rashell, Newcastle’s director of golf. Non-duffers and families often come for that view, or to hit a round at Rusty Putter, an 18-hole putt-putt course. On the northeastern outskirts of Bellevue, Willows Run (10402 Willows Road NE, Redmond) offers more golf than any course in the Northwest: 63 holes. Owned by Vulcan, Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen’s company, the facility consists of two links courses, a miniature course, and a nine-hole putting course. North of downtown, Bellevue Municipal (5500 140th Ave NE) is a traditional 18, weaving through thick trees, and is one of the busiest courses in the Northwest. A new driving range is in the works, and neighboring Microsoft provides a large source of clientele. “They’ll come in the mornings, play nine holes, and go to work,” says Fred Mabbott, Bellevue Muni teaching professional, of the software engineers. —Dan Raley visitbellevuewashington.com
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Arts&Culture
Elements 1, 2 and 3 by Ulrich Pakker, part of Bellwether 2012
sculpture seasoN
Explore Bellevue’s artistic bounty By Jessica Winterbauer
PHOTOS Courtesy City of Bellevue
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hether it’s grass figures mowed the artwork resides both within and around directly into the lawn, life- the building. From here, the art walk continsize art made out of earplugs, ues through the pedestrian corridor (NE Sixth or plastic bags crocheted into St) and along Bellevue Way. The final destinavines, Bellwether—Bellevue’s tion is fountain-flanked Bellevue Downtown sculpture exhibition—is renowned for its Park. Pack a lunch, grab your camera, and innovative artwork. Since 1992, this biennial marvel at more than 40 unique works of art. event has delighted residents and visitors You can walk at your own pace or tag along for alike by bringing art to the people. Hundreds a free, two-hour tour. Bellwether showcases traditional materiof submissions are pooled from all over the U.S. als—wood, bronze, and stainless and Canada, and the final artwork steel—as well as more unexpected is handpicked by a jury of local City Hall elements, such as woven grass, and national arts professionals. is open Mason jars, and clothespins. ArtThe result is an eclectic collection Monday ists are challenged to consider of sculpture and installation that through VUE Friday, sustainability in their message, transforms Bellevue’s landscape to POINTS 8am method, or material. This year’s from late June through the second 5pm. theme is “connect,” and a number week of October. Downtown Park is open from dawn of pieces reflect upon how humans All of the pieces are located until 11pm daily. connect with each other, the comalong a three-quarter-mile walking Download an art map at visitbellevue munity, and nature. Fittingly, the route through the heart of downwashington.com or exhibit features a strong digital town Bellevue, where whimsical set up a free walkcomponent, including a smartdesigns are hung indoors, arranged ing tour with arts specialist Mary Pat phone app that lets art lovers scan outside, and even built into the Byrne at mpbyrne@ QR codes to learn more about their natural environment. Begin at Belbellevuewa.gov. favorite creations. levue City Hall, where the bulk of
Chihuly chandelier at Lincoln Square
Can’t make the exhibition? While Bellwether traces the route for a future permanent art walk in downtown, there are other ways to experience art in the meantime. The city has more than 120 permanent public art installations. Pick up an art walking map at City Hall (or download it at visitbellevue washington.com) to find an abstract canoe illuminating the night sky with its neon network of wires and tubes or a multicolored Dale Chihuly chandelier dazzling shoppers year-round in the Lincoln Square atrium. Bellevue City Hall 450 110th Ave NE Bellevue Downtown Park 10201 NE Fourth St
visitbellevuewashington.com
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Arts&Culture
Les Misérables at Village Theatre
THEATER WORKS
Local productions steal the spotlight By Melena Jankanish
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a Village Original, went onto Broadway’s main stage in 2010, and many plays staged at Village Theatre have gone on to win Tony Awards. Every season, new works from the Village Originals program are eligible to become part of Village Theatre’s five-show lineup, where they are featured alongside classics.
Village Theatre is one of the few resident theaters in the nation dedicated to the development of new musicals. For a more relaxed and unique theatergoing experience, grab a blanket and pack a picnic lunch to savor the Seattle Shakespeare Company’s “Wooden O” free outdoor classical theater performances, held during the summer months in parks throughout Mercer Island, Sammamish, Issaquah, and also around the Seattle area. Past performances have included
The Tempest and Henry V, and are a testament to the vitality and longevity of classical works that are still enjoyed in the present day. The arts also come alive in Bellevue at the Theatre at Meydenbauer Center, a stateof-the-art performing arts center that hosts community events ranging from ballet and modern dance to arts education and cultural performances reflecting Bellevue’s diverse population. Upcoming shows and concerts include StoneDance Productions’ Chop Shop: Bodies of Work (February 15–16), a contemporary dance festival; Pratidhwani’s Shaadi.CON (April 18–20), a Bollywood-inspired musical; and the annual Bellevue Jazz Festival (May 28– June 1). Also see beloved holiday classic The Nutcracker (December 12–14 and 18–22), presented by the International Ballet Theatre. Seattle Shakespeare Company Wooden O seattle shakespeare.org/woodeno Theatre at Meydenbauer Center 11100 NE Sixth St; meydenbauer.com/theatremeydenbauer Village Theatre 303 Front St N, Issaquah; villagetheatre.org
tracy martin
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rom riveting Shakespeare performances in the park to electrifying, award-winning musicals that rocket straight to Broadway, Bellevue and the Eastside are producing theater in a class all their own. Issaquah’s Village Theatre is a leading producer of musical theater in the Pacific Northwest. With stages in Issaquah and Everett, the unique and exciting productions are garnering national attention thanks to fresh takes on beloved musicals and lively comedies such as upcoming Funny Girl (May 15–July 6) and The Foreigner (January 23– March 2). Village Theatre is one of the few resident theaters in the nation dedicated to the development of new musicals with the Village Originals program, which has workshopped more than 85 new musicals from local and national playwrights since the year 2000. From first table reading to opening night, the program supports new musicals as they blossom into national hits. Million Dollar Quartet,
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Shop&Style
The Bellevue Collection
INDULGE IN BELLEVUE
Explore the luxurious side of leisure By Angela Cabotaje Ferragamo, and Tory Burch. And for those with an Italian-fashion fixation, Gucci’s new 8,000-square-foot showroom—slated to open in June 2014—will be a world flagship location. A few blocks west is The Bellevue CollecSWANKY SHOPS Bookending downtown with dozens of luxury tion, where a brightly lit array of stores cater showrooms are two retail powerhouses: The to both high-end and midrange clientele. One Bellevue Collection—a triple threat com- of the more notable blocks in Bellevue Square begins with candy-colored wares at prising Bellevue Square, Lincoln Kate Spade New York before leadSquare, and Bellevue Place—to the Want to ing to the luxurious leather goods west and European-inspired outpop more of Michael Kors, smart suits at door shopping center The Shops tags? Dig Hugo Boss, and tasteful diamonds at The Bravern to the east. up disVUE counted from Tiffany & Co. Fittingly, this Well-heeled patrons can start POINTS designer stretch of showrooms culminates by strolling The Bravern’s courtduds at Nordstrom Rack in at Nordstrom, a department store yards, where outdoor fireplaces, Factoria (market with local roots and its very own fountains, and stately architecplaceatfactoria. bar, called Habitant. Sidle up to ture embody the storied piazzas com) or North Bend Premium Outlets the counter for a craft cocktail— and public squares of the world’s (premiumoutlets. like the Billionaire, a concoction best shopping cities. Brands of com), 30 miles east of Maker’s Mark, house-made note include the Pacific Northof Bellevue, where 50 shops include grenadine, and lemon juice—just west’s only Neiman Marcus, plus Coach, Banana feet from racks of Prada, Dolce & local outfits of design houses Republic, and LOFT. Gabbana, and Helmut Lang. Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Salvatore
from left: courtesy the bellevue collection, courtesy jarbo
From caviar facials to high-fashion designer styles, this city sure knows how to embrace the finer things in life.
Jarbo
Continue the shopping spree in Old Bellevue, where cozy boutiques dole out hot commodities with a side of charm. Hedge & Vine is filled with everything from handmade Italian pewter and fine crystal to wine and Parisian antiques, while local label Jarbo offers an alluring mix of beautiful basics, from cashmere sweaters to edgy leather jackets. Also here: Fran’s Chocolates, a confectioner doling out heavenly bites of salted caramel and decadent dark-chocolate truffles decorated with a speck of gold leaf. visitbellevuewashington.com
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Shop&Style
Noir Lash Lounge
POSH PAMPERING
The Bellevue Collection Between NE Eighth St and NE Fourth St on Bellevue Way; bellevue square.com Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa 700 110th Ave NE; reddoorspas.com Fran’s Chocolates 10036 Main St; franschocolates. com Hedge & Vine 10028 Main St; hedgeand vine.com Jarbo 10240 Main St; design10301. com Julep 221 Bellevue Way NE; julep.com Noir Lash Lounge 225 Bellevue Way NE; noirlashlounge.com Paule Attar Salon and Spa 10223 NE 10th St; pauleattar.com The Shops at The Bravern 11111 NE Eighth St; thebravern.com
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Fashion designer Aykut Ozen (left), winner of the 2013 Independent Designer Runway Showcase
INDEPENDENT STYLE
Meet three local design stars By Amanda Zurita Independent Designer Runway Showcase In fall 2012 The Bellevue Collection debuted the Independent Designer Runway Showcase, a design competition highlighting the area’s up-and-coming talents. Designers battle it out for a $5,000 cash prize and a monthlong display in the shopping center, but the longterm reward includes help from a team of local experts, who provide feedback to contestants throughout the competition. The winner of 2013’s showcase was self-taught leather designer Aykut Ozen, whose impeccable craftsmanship (one of his jackets can take as many as 80 hours to create) and rock-and-roll vibe won over the judging panel. “[The showcase] helped me share my work and vision with a greater audience and really raised awareness for independent design, as a whole, in our area,” Ozen says. ozencompany.com
Farinaz Taghavi at Bellevue Square As a 6-year-old in Iran, Farinaz Taghavi waited every week to be taken to the fabric market to see the fresh arrival of lush textiles, a passion that became a career when she began designing soon after graduating from college. Taking inspiration from her world travels and the ways different cultures define femininity, Taghavi launched her namesake womenswear brand in 2002. Her collections focus on welltailored shirts and blouses meant to highlight the shape and personality of every woman. “It’s exciting to watch customers wear my clothing, not the other way around,” says Taghavi, who recently opened her flagship store—and only retail location—in Bellevue Square. 2038 Bellevue Way; 425-453-1688; farinaz.com
Holly Zhang pearl gallery at The Bravern Growing up with few creature comforts in rural China, jewelry designer Holly Zhang moved to Beijing as a young woman and fostered her love of fashion as an interpreter for a pearl company. After transferring to an American jewelry import business, she eventually ended up in Bellevue and, in 2011, launched the Holly Zhang Pearl Gallery at The Bravern featuring her own designs. Her modern looks— definitely not your grandmother’s pearls—are perfectly suitable for both a day at the office and a night at the opera. 700 110th Ave NE, Ste 162; hollyzhang.com Holly Zhang
clockwise from top left: courtesy noir lash lounge, JAMI DAVIS, Ilya Moshenskiy
Beauty routines get the VIP treatment in Bellevue, too, with a litany of salons and spas that cater to your every primping need. With Lady Gaga beats blasting in the background, Noir Lash Lounge layers on the style in a neo-Baroque setting. No sterile salon chairs here— contemporary chaise lounges and glossy black décor infuse Noir with a hip, edgy vibe—and the lash menu ranges from the VIP-worthy Addict for the Dramatic to the semipermanentmascara treatment LashDip. A few doors down, local brand Julep lavishes love on nails with premium manis and pedis that come with sea salt scrubs, reflexology massages, paraffin wraps, and a complimentary bottle of formaldehyde-free polish. You don’t have to go far to find other ways to elevate your beauty routine to luxe status. A caviar- and pearlextract-infused anti-aging treatment at Paule Attar Salon and Spa, just north of The Bellevue Collection, runs a cool $149, while Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa at The Bravern tops them all with its $986 Diamonds Are Forever spa package for two, an opulent lineup featuring a 50-minute hot stone massage, a sugar-exfoliating manicure and pedicure, and a microdermabrasion facial that pampers you all the way from head to décolleté.
Shop&Style
Salt Mine Arium
rare treats
Spa days get a boost from Mother Nature By Julie H. Case Precious minerals and seasonal inspirations make for unique and decadent treatments.
PUMPKIN
from top: courtesy salt mine arium, courtesy RED DOOr spa
Why call a truce when it’s all peace and bliss? A pumpkin apple spice treatment at Truce starts with a pumpkin body peel, followed by an all-over herbal spice exfoliate. Then add on a facial, coconut oil hair treatment, and head massage. Once the body has purged its toxins, a berry mask nurtures with antioxidants. All this is followed by a massage and a full body hydration that even includes the lips. The result? A face that glows and elbows that belong on a six-month-old. Of note: Treatments change regularly to reflect what is in season. 600 Bellevue Way NE, Ste 400; trucespa.com
honey Start the day with sun salutations in a room perched above Snoqualmie Falls at Salish Lodge & Spa—yoga classes are held daily— then alternate between hot pools and steam rooms at the spa, before a seasonally inspired treatment. An iced-apple scrub so thoroughly sloughs away layers of dry skin, you’ll squeak. For a truly memorable spring or summer treatment DIY: aestheticians pluck your choice of herbs from the Salish garden (think lavender, mint, or basil), pound them into honey from on-site hives, and mix up a tailored treatment. 6501 Railroad Ave, Snoqualmie; salishlodge.com
SALT Salt has 84 minerals, and while some docs prescribe a brine (it’s an antibacterial), 45 minutes in rooms built of 38,000 rosy pink pounds of Himalayan salt at Salt Mine Arium makes you glow from the inside. Fall into a reverie as a salt mist is pumped into the room, circulating negative-charged ions through the lungs for increased oxygen flow. Recharge beside trickling waterfalls growing salt crystals. Need more? Sprinkle in a rock salt massage or salt scrub. 1850 130th Ave NE, Ste 4; saltminearium.com
Water With 8,000 square feet of spa space, hot and cold hydrotherapy pools, and a couples scrub room, Yuan Spa is where to soak up a day. Red Door Spa
Need more than just an emotional pick-meup? HydraFacials are said to reduce fine lines immediately. Or opt for microneedles: 200 surgical-grade needles rolled across the face for increased serum penetration. 1032 106th Ave NE, Ste 125; yuanspa.com
SEAWEED Think head to toe, and 24,000-square-foot Gene Juarez may come to mind thanks to everything from cuts and colors to Vichy hydrotherapy, but feet really get their due here. Private pedi rooms mean you’re pampered in private. Feet are seriously scrubbed with a seaweed exfoliate—which also contains refreshing lemongrass and spearmint—before being dipped in warm paraffin, deeply massaged, and treated to a glossy polish. 550 106th Ave NE, Ste 105; genejuarez.com
PEARLS The beach has nothing on Red Door Spa. Aestheticians at this spa tucked into The Bravern start the Seawater Hydrating Pearl Facial with an exfoliation gentle enough for even a redhead. Next, a layer of algae-and-pearl concoction loads the skin with minerals, followed by a massage that drives minerals from the seawater pearl potion deep into pores, hydrating the skin. Added plus: Every service at the spa ends with a complimentary makeup application. 700 110th Ave NE; reddoorspas.com visitbellevuewashington.com
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Music&Nightlife
Bellevue Brewing Company
Cheers to That
Where to drink in the neighborhood By Cassie Sawyer
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ant to know where to meet that single, find the best single malt, or just get a taste of the local scene? We explore the best bars for everything from games to shopping to local brews.
will austin
Best single malt Lot No. 3’s impressive drink menu reads like a whiskey lover’s dream. There’s a page dedicated purely to manhattans and the classic old-fashioned, a bundle of boilermakers, and more than 25 scotch choices. Comfort food items like meatloaf, mac and cheese, and pulled-pork sandwiches help balance the booze, and hopefully keep you going until late. 460 106th Ave NE; 425-440-0025; lotno3.com
Best accessory for shopping Our favorite new addition to Nordstrom in Bellevue Square isn’t a new clothing line but a cocktail bar, Habitant. Perfect for a pre- or post-shopping drink, and a place for those non-shoppers (aka spouses) to hang while retail therapy commences. The cocktails are crafted with ingredients such as muddled blueberries and locally made spirits, sure to change the way you feel about “mall bars” everywhere. 100 Bellevue Way SE; 425-455-5800, ext 5010; shop.nordstrom.com
Best in local beers Bellevue Brewing Company opened in December 2012 as a much-needed addition to the Bellevue beer scene. Its beers range from
a floral hop-driven IPA to a full-bodied, nutty Scotch Ale. The industrial space in northeast Bellevue is a nice spot to enjoy a couple of rounds with friends—and even minors are welcome until 8pm. The menu offers revamped brew-friendly grub, from hot sandwiches, hearty salads, and handmade pizzas to an Oatmeal Stout Float with Snoqualmie vanilla ice cream. 1820 130th Ave NE, Ste 2; 425-497-8686; bellevuebrewing.com
Best for the single scene Parlor Bellevue has it all; it’s like an adult Disneyland with 19 pool tables, a comedy club and events space, insane happy hour specials, and a nightclub. In fact, it was just voted by the Bellevue Downtown Assovisitbellevuewashington.com
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Music&Nightlife
ciation as the best place “to see and be seen.” Put all of those things together, and you’ve got one hot spot for singles, especially at happy hour—which runs every day from 11am to 7pm, 10pm to close Monday through Thursday, and all day on Sunday. 700 Bellevue Way NE, Ste 300; 435-289-7000; parlorlive.com
Best dive with games Sometimes you just want to hang out in a dive bar, drink a pitcher of beer, and shoot some pool with friends. With sports on the 15 TVs, pinball machines, darts, and classic pub grub, Mustard Seed Too is the city’s best spot to relax and imbibe on the down-low. 1428 156th Ave NE; 425-746-8852; mustardseedtoo.com
Purple Café and Wine Bar
The
HAPPIEST of Hours
Check out these Bellevue spots for great early-evening and late-night deals.
Koral Bar & Kitchen Happy hour here is seven days a week from 3 to 6pm and 9pm to midnight. That means half off select small plates like smoked salmon deviled eggs, fried-chicken sliders, and artichoke crostini. It’s also 50 percent off select wines by the glass, and $1 off beers on draft. 900 Bellevue Way NE, Ste 100; 425-623-1125; koralbellevue.com
520 bar and grill This neighborhood pub has happy hour seven days a
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week from 2 to 5:20pm (from 3pm on weekends), and again from 9pm to close. Make a toast to wine for $5.20 a glass, or grab a Stella for $4. Prosciutto and fontina grilled cheese sandwiches, lamb gyro bites with tzatziki and feta, and pork sliders with coleslaw and french fries are just a few of the 11 food options available for $6 a plate. 10146 Main St; 425-450-0520; 520barandgrill.com
Pearl Buffalo Trace manhattans, Bombay gin martinis, wine by the glass, and appetizers are half off in the bar 3 to 6pm and 9 to midnight. Do surf-and-turf right with a smattering of small plates: blue cheese steak strips with port demi-glace, pan-seared prawns in a garlic butter sauce, and crispy fried calamari. 700 Bellevue Way NE, Ste 50; 425-455-0181; pearlbellevue.com
Purple Café and Wine Bar
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
From 3 to 6pm daily it’s $2 off well drinks, draft beers, and wines by the glass—of which there are about 80 to choose from. Gorgonzolastuffed dates, mini baked brie, steamed Manila clams with sausage and fennel, and sweet potato fries are some of the snack items that come in under $8. 430 106th Ave NE; 425-502-6292; thepurplecafe.com
The “Sizzle, Swizzle, Swirl” hour runs from 3:30 to 6:30pm daily, and again from 9 to 11pm, except Sunday when it’s 9 to 10pm. The buzz is a prime cheeseburger with fries for a mere six bucks. Of note: specialty manhattans and martinis come in at discounted prices, too. 565 Bellevue Square; 425451-1550; ruthschris.com —Cassie Sawyer
from top: will austin, courtesy purple café and wine bar
VUE POINTS
Mustard Seed Too
Not sure what to sip? Ask your friendly barkeep to mix a cocktail using local liquors, like Westland Distillery’s Deacon Seat whiskey, Captive Spirits’ Big Gin, and Oola Distillery’s namesake vodka.
Barcode Add_Final.pdf 1 1/19/2014 7:32:59 PM
“…DESIGNED FOR THE SERIOUS COCKTAIL DRINKER.” Seattle Times, Jan. 2014
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1020 108th Ave, #100 Bellevue, WA, 98004 425-455-4278 barcodebellevue.com
BELLEVUE’S BEST PLACE TO BE ENTERTAINED
At Bake’s…we’re a little bit different. Not only will you find seasonally-inspired cuisine, a cozy, well-stocked bar serving your favorite beverage and a spacious patio (weather permitting); you’ll discover a place to enjoy great entertainment and relax. Stop by on weekdays for lunch, happy hour and dinner—accompanied by mellow live music in the evening—or make a reservation for one of our energetic dinner shows featuring renowned touring artists on weekends. And catch the game and other special events on our gigantic screen! See our website for hours, schedule and details.
VOTED BEST PLACE TO BE ENTERTAINED + FOR A FIRST DATE 2013
NAMED BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE 2013
bakesplacebellevue.com • 155 108th Ave NE ste 110 Bellevue • 425.454.2776
Music&Nightlife
Bake’s Place
HEARd and scene
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hen it comes to live enter- America building, at Daniel’s Broiler, where tainment it’s easy to make an a pianist plays nightly until midnight. The coolest aspect? Patrons can actually have all-inclusive night of it. Bake’s their drinks served on the piano: 10 seats surPlace is the only restaurant and bar dedicated to bringing in round the clear-top baby grand. And Bellevue’s almost-nightly music. A large open room fea- most unusual concert venue is nestled snugly tures a professional stage and lighting setup, yet in a shopping center. The Market Stage at doesn’t sacrifice its refined lounge feel, making Crossroads Bellevue may have an odd vibe, but it sports a surprisingly solid sound system. this the place to dine and enjoy everything from Where else can you grab any of 18 different jazz and R&B to pop and rock tributes. Another spot, Cypress Lounge & Wine Bar types of ethnic cuisine while watching a set from Pearl Django? at the Westin Hotel, hosts some exceptionally For summer concerts in the open air, chill night music. Every Friday, the fireplaceadorned, low-lit room offers an intimate there’s no better place to be. The region’s space to hear a singer-songwriter. KORAL two best outdoor stages are here. Chateau Ste. Michelle mixes songs Bar & Kitchen turns live and sommeliers by bringmusic into ambience three For summer ing A-list talent to the nights a week (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday) and concerts in the open lawn outside its Woodinfeatures everything from air, there’s no better ville winery. Past acts have included Bellevue’s own Polynesian reggae to a jazz place. The region’s Heart, the Beach Boys, and trio. Blue Martini Lounge two best outdoor Harry Connick Jr. Even has the strongest club vibe stages are here. closer to downtown is Redin town, and even has an elemond’s Marymoor Park, vated stage directly behind the bar. Thursday to Saturday, bands play until which hosts a diverse lineup that has mixed iconic talents such as Willie Nelson with 11pm, followed by a DJ until 2am. modern hit makers like the Lumineers. The The most elevated music in town, however, can be found on the 21st floor of the Bank of massive lawn in front of the stage is the per-
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fect place to sprawl on a blanket and soak in tunes on a warm Northwest night. Bake’s Place 155 108th Ave NE, Ste 110; bakesplace bellevue.com Blue Martini Lounge 700 110th Ave NE, Ste 295; bluemartinilounge.com Chateau Ste. Michelle 14111 NE 145th St, Woodinville; ste-michelle.com Cypress Lounge & Wine Bar 600 Bellevue Way NE; westinbellevuehotel.com Daniel’s Broiler 10500 NE Eighth St; schwartzbros.com/daniels-broiler KORAL Bar & Kitchen 900 Bellevue Way NE, Ste 100; koralbellevue. com The Market Stage at Crossroads Bellevue 15600 NE Eighth St; crossroadsbellevue.com Marymoor Park 6046 W Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE, Redmond; marymoor concerts.com
Marymoor Park
FROM TOP: DANIEL SHEEHAN, christopher nelson
Where to go when only a live show will do By Seth Sommerfeld
La Residence Suite Hotel “Your home away from home”
Best Bellevue Airport Service
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Come stay at our comfortable boutique hotel in downtown Bellevue
1 & 2 bedroom suites with full kitchens FREE continental breakfast FREE high speed internet Next to Bellevue Square Mall, Theaters & Restaurants Near Meydenbauer Center & downtown parks
For Reservations please call 425.455.1475 or visit us at www.bellevuelodging.com
This is MyBellevue
A new app connecting you with the city . . . on the go!
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It all happens in
KidsQuest Children’s Museum
Come explore, play and learn with us
Downtown Bellevue
Treehouse Waterways Real semi truck cab Toddler area Over 650 free programs & special events
www.kidsquestmuseum.org • 425.637.8100 • Bellevue
Bellevue Jazz Festival May 28 - June 1, 2014
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
Bellevue Family 4th of July Celebration July 4, 2014
Argosy Cruises from Kirkland 6th Street Arts and Crafts Fair
EXPERIENCE LAKE WASHINGTON.
July 2 5 - July 27, 2014
• Live-narrated tour around Lake Washington • Sweeping lake views • Departs seasonally from Kirkland’s City Dock
Bellevue Magic Season Holiday Festival November 28, 2014 - January 11, 2015
bellevuedowntown.com
206.623.1445
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Kids&Family
WiggleWorks Kids
Play TIME
torri howard
Keep the entire clan entertained with hands-on fun for tots and teens By Angela Cabotaje where little ones can send scarves whizzing up MORNING pipes, float balls through a network of waterEven the pickiest of eaters can find something ways, and climb aboard a real big rig. delicious to devour in Bellevue, thanks to fluffy For tweens and teens, more active pursuits dollar pancakes from Chace’s Pancake Corbeckon from farther south. The Golf Club at ral, sprinkle- or coconut-covered doughnuts Newcastle’s 18-hole Rusty at Top Pot, and more exotic Putter course features options, like Fuji Bakery’s Little ones can prime views of evergreentasty array of green-tea dancovered hills and glimpses ishes and pastries studded send scarves of Lake Washington for with sweet red beans. whizzing up pipes, some prime family time, Once stomachs are satwhile tweens and while Eastgate Park’s isfied, set out in search of teens can seek an Discovery Challenge ropes some late-morning fun. aerial adventure course is an aerial adventure The younger set can burn high up in the trees. for those 9 and older with a off energy at Factoria’s series of swinging planks, KidsQuest Children’s tightropes, and—opening in April 2014—zip Museum—doors open at 10am Tuesday lines high up in the trees. through Saturday, and at noon on Sunday—
AFTERNOON After all that action, it’s best to fuel up fast. Say buon giorno to gourmet pizza at Pagliacci in Old Bellevue, where slices and whole pies are served with everything from prosciutto and goat cheese for adults to extra pepperoni and fresh mozzarella for kids. Reenergized jumping beans can find plenty to fawn over on the other side of downtown at Kelsey Creek Farm, a charming slice of country life complete with a red barn. Call to reserve a hands-on group tour with Farmer Jayne in advance, or just drop by to admire the flock of furry and feathered friends roaming the pastures every day until 3:30pm. While babies and toddlers nap in their strollers, head back downtown for a laid-back approach to the afternoon. visitbellevuewashington.com
67
Explore the 20-plus acres of Bellevue Downtown Park, which boasts manicured lawns and a cascading water feature that culminates in a reflecting pool—a local hangout for Bellevue’s resident ducks. After naptime, walk a few blocks north to Bellevue Arts Museum,
where children between the ages of 4 and 12 can unleash their creativity during Get Crafty Saturdays, from 1 to 3pm. A museum exhibit serves as inspiration for each week’s guided art project, so kids can make faux stained glass or paper lanterns. Parents and teens can find plenty to admire among the hallways of modern art, including stunningly detailed wood carvings by Northwest artist Dan Webb (March 7–June 15) and a rooftop sculpture garden.
EVENING For dinner, it’s a two-way tie. Take your brood to Bellevue Square for a litany of family-friendly restaurants followed by some après-meal shopping. SouthwestMexican eatery Cactus has Wikki Stix for kids (and margaritas for adults), plus complimentary chips and salsa to quell any hungry mouths. There’s also Moksha, which doles out authentic Indian favorites and vegetarian dishes in a setting so swanky, teens will feel totally grown up. The mall is open until 9:30 most nights, so there’s plenty of time to browse and windowshop after dessert. Set the clan loose to hunt out familiar characters at Sanrio and the Disney Store, plan their next big build at LEGO, or solve some playful puzzles at Marbles: The Brain Store. Plus, on the third floor, Puget
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bellevue visitor guide 2014
Sound–themed Kids’ Cove is a shoes-off play area dotted with a miniature ferry, lighthouse, and tugboat. If it’s fast fare you seek, Crossroads is an equally great option. The Public Market has a diverse array of ethnic eats—from udon, sushi, and Korean barbecue to Thai, Indian, and burritos—along with tried-and-true picks like pizza, pasta, and sandwiches. Another perk? The second Saturday of each month, Crossroads hosts a family evening with chess and board games, live entertainment, free popcorn, and $1 off admission to WiggleWorks Kids, a drop-in facility with padded play equipment for little ones. Bellevue arts museum 510 Bellevue Way ne; bellevue arts.org Bellevue Downtown Park ne Fourth St and 100th Ave ne Bellevue square 575 Bellevue Sq; bellevuesquare. com Cactus Bellevue Square, level 2; cactusrestaurants. com Chace’s Pancake Corral 1606 Bellevue Way Se Crossroads 15600 ne eighth St; crossroadsbellevue.com Discovery Challenge 14509 Se newport Way; 425-4524240 (reservations) Disney store Bellevue Square, level 1 Fuji Bakery 1502 145th pl Se; fujibakeryinc.com the Golf Club at newcastle 15500 Six penny ln, newcastle; newcastlegolf.com kelsey Creek Farm 410 130th pl Se; farmerjayne.com kids’ Cove Bellevue Square, level 3 kidsQuest Children’s museum 4091 Factoria Square Mall Se; kidsquestmuseum.org the leGo store Bellevue Square, level 1 marbles: the Brain store Bellevue Square, level 1 moksha Bellevue Square, level 1; moksha dining.com Pagliacci Pizza 8 100th Ave ne; pagliacci.com sanrio Bellevue Square, level 2 top Pot Doughnuts 10600 ne ninth pl; toppotdoughnuts.com WiggleWorks kids Crossroads, Ste F-15; wiggleworkskids.com
CloCkWiSe FroM Top leFT: CourTeSy CroSSroADS SHopping CenTer, CourTeSy SuSAn STyner, CourTeSy THe BelleVue ColleCTion, CourTeSy lego, JAMie & JuDy WilD / DAniTADeliMonT.CoM
Clockwise from left: Crossroads, Bellevue Arts Museum, LEGO Store, Downtown Park
625 116th Avenue NE Bellevue, WA 98004 PH 425-455-9444 Fax 425-646-0229 www.coasthotels.com
Convenient location 176 rooms Complimentary internet & continental breakfast
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On-site restaurant & bar
BEL
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7500+ sq. ft. meeting space
Business center
Bellevue Parks & Community Services
Fitness center
GET REAL CLOSE! Woodland Park Zoo is located just minutes north of downtown Seattle. Open daily at 9:30 a.m.
Ryan Hawk, WPZ
Guided tours available Wed. - Sun. at 10:45 a.m. For information on zoo tours, call 206.545.2022 or contact us at tours@zoo.org
www.zoo.org
Resources Downtown Coast Bellevue 425-455-9444 Amenities: Fitness and business center, valet laundry, outdoor pool Internet: Free Wi-Fi Dining: The Eastside Bar & Grill, room service, complimentary continental breakfast Guest Rooms: 176
Hotel Bellevue 425-454-4424 Amenities: Athletic facility with three pools, tennis courts, classes, full-service spa, and more. Pet friendly, safe in room, valet laundry, complimentary town car service. Internet: Complimentary wired or Wi-Fi in room Dining: Polaris, Cosmos Lounge, Splash, and Luna Express restaurants Guest Rooms: 67
Courtyard by Marriott Bellevue Downtown 425-454-5888 Amenities: Indoor pool, fitness and business center, 24-hour market, on-site coin laundry, valet dry cleaning, refrigerator, HDTV, safe Internet: Free highspeed Wi-Fi and wired Internet access (DS3) Dining: Breakfast, dinner, lounge, room service Guest Rooms: 253
Hyatt Regency Bellevue 425-462-1234 Amenities: Newly renovated, StayFit gym and lap pool, HDTV, refrigerator, club level Internet: Expanded wired/Wi-Fi (fee), complimentary Wi-Fi in lobby Dining: Eques (breakfast), Koral Guest Rooms: 732
Extended Stay America—Bellevue Downtown 425-453-8186 Amenities: Pet friendly, free parking, free local calls, on-site laundry, fully equipped kitchenettes, newly renovated Internet: Free Wi-Fi Dining: Free grab-andgo breakfast Guest Rooms: 148
La Residence Suite Hotel 425-455-1475 Amenities: Fitness center, laundry facility, free meeting room Internet: Wired and Wi-Fi Dining: Complimentary breakfast Guest Rooms: 24
Hilton Hotel Bellevue 425-455-1300 Amenities: Fitness and business center, outdoor pool with whirlpool, valet laundry Internet: Wi-Fi for $9.95/day Dining: Basil’s Kitchen and Bar, Tully’s Coffee Guest Rooms: 353
Marriott Residence Inn Bellevue Downtown 425-637-8500 Amenities: Full kitchens, fitness center, indoor pool, Microsoft lounge/ business center Internet: Free Wi-Fi and wired
Dining: Complimentary hot breakfast buffet and dinner buffet Monday to Wednesday Guest Rooms: 231 Red Lion Hotel Bellevue 425-455-5240 Amenities: Fitness and business center, outdoor pool, valet laundry, free parking, 24-hour food service Internet: Free Wi-Fi Dining: Jonah’s Restaurant & Lounge, room service Guest Rooms: 181 Sheraton Bellevue 425-455-3330 Amenities: Fitness and business center, HD television, refrigerator, microwave, club level, pet friendly, complimentary parking, local shuttle Internet: Free Wi-Fi in public areas, $10.95/ day in guest rooms Dining: Bellevue Grille & Lounge, Azteca Mexican Restaurant, room service Guest Rooms: 178 Silver Cloud Bellevue 425-637-7000 Amenities: Free parking, complimentary local shuttle, fitness center, valet laundry, microwave, refrigerator Internet: Free Wi-Fi Dining: Complimentary full breakfast Guest Rooms: 98 The Westin Bellevue 425-638-1000 Amenities: 25-meter lap pool, Jacuzzi, WestinWORKOUT, Truce
Spa, valet, laundry, in-room safe, business center, newly renovated Internet: Wired and WiFi high-speed Internet access for a fee; complimentary in lobby Dining: Cypress Lounge & Wine Bar Guest Rooms: 337 Eastgate (South Bellevue) Days Inn Bellevue 425-643-6644 Amenities: Pet friendly, business center, laundry facility, free phone calls to anywhere in North America, unlimited access to on-site exercise room Internet: Free Wi-Fi Dining: Free continental breakfast Guest Rooms: 106 Embassy Suites Hotel 425-644-2500 Amenities: Separate living room in suites; indoor pool, sauna, and spa; atrium with river, waterfall, and ponds; on-site restaurant; large meeting spaces Internet: High-speed Wi-Fi Dining: Cascades Grille, complimentary breakfast and evening reception with beer, wine, and snacks Guest Rooms: 240 Extended Stay America—Bellevue Factoria 425-865-8680 Amenities: Pet friendly, fully equipped kitchenettes, free parking, free local calls, on-site laundry facilities, newly renovated
Internet: Free Wi-Fi Dining: Free grab-and-go breakfast Guest Rooms: 150 Hyatt House 425-747-2705 Amenities: Fitness center w/indoor pool and whirlpool, daily paper, free parking, free shuttle, valet laundry Internet: Free Wi-Fi Dining: Complimentary buffet breakfast, fullservice restaurant and bar open 7 days a week Guest Rooms: 160 Larkspur Landing Bellevue 425-373-1212 Amenities: Business and fitness center, fully equipped kitchenettes, complimentary laundry facilities, free local calls, pet friendly Internet: Free Wi-Fi and wired Internet Dining: Complimentary breakfast Guest Rooms: 126 Silver Cloud Hotel Bellevue—Eastgate 425-957-9100 Amenities: Fitness center, valet laundry, microwave, refrigerator Internet: Free Wi-Fi Dining: Full-service restaurant on site Guest Rooms: 145 Overlake (Northeast Bellevue) Courtyard by Marriott– Bellevue/Redmond 425-869-5300 Amenities: Indoor pool, fitness center, business library, valet laundry, complimentary parking
Internet: Free Wi-Fi (DS3) Dining: The Bistro restaurant, proudly serving Starbucks, breakfast, and dinner Guest Rooms: 152 Extended Stay America—Redmond 425-885-6675 Amenities: Laundry facilities, kitchenette, pet friendly Internet: Free Wi-Fi Dining: Grab-and-go breakfast Guest Rooms: 163 Fairfield Inn and Suites Seattle Bellevue/Redmond 425-869-6548 Amenities: Fitness and business center, pet friendly, indoor pool and spa Internet: Free highspeed Internet access Dining: Complimentary hot breakfast buffet Guest Rooms: 144 Marriott Residence Inn Bellevue Redmond 425-882-1222 Amenities: On-site and valet laundry, safe deposit boxes at front desk, fully equipped kitchens Internet: Free Wi-Fi Dining: Complimentary hot breakfast buffet daily, complimentary hospitality hour Monday to Thursday Guest Rooms: 120 See the map on p. 72 for lodging locations, or browse the latest hotel listings at visitbellevue washington.com/hotels.
getting here
Sea-Tac International Airport
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bellevue visitor guide 2014
Bellevue is just 17 miles north of SeaTac Airport on I-405. Transportation from Sea-Tac is available through Shuttle Express, Shared Ride Vans, STITA taxi, and STILA limousine. King County Metro Transit buses and Sound Transit route 560 provide daily service to and from the Bellevue Transit Center.
Driving
From Seattle Take SR 520 east across the Evergreen Point Bridge to Bellevue Way NE. Go south on Bellevue Way for approximately two miles to downtown Bellevue. Or take I-90 east over Lake Washington, merge north onto I-405, and proceed north to exit 13A west (NE Fourth Street westbound), then continue into downtown. From Everett, Vancouver B.C., and Points North Take I-5 south to exit 182, merge onto I-405 south, and then take
exit 13A west (NE Fourth Street westbound) and continue into downtown Bellevue. From Tacoma, Olympia, and Points South Take I-5 north to exit 154 onto I-405 north toward Bellevue. Take exit 13A west (left onto NE Fourth Street westbound), and continue into downtown Bellevue. From Points East Take I-90 west to exit 10, merge onto I-405 north, then take exit 13A. Take a left onto NE Fourth Street westbound, and continue into downtown Bellevue.
Port of Seattle / DON WILSON
By Air
Bothell (20 minutes)
Woodinville (20 minutes)
ill dinv Woo
greater
522
region Stadiums
Parks
Central Business District
Space Needle, and Pike Place Market are just 12 miles from Bellevue.
3 Redmond’s 640-acre
Marymoor Park has a 40-acre off-leash area, a bird-watching trail, the state’s only velodrome, and access to the Burke-Gilman Trail and Sammamish Slough.
4 Kirkland, about five miles
north of Bellevue on Lake Washington, teems with waterfront parks, boutiques, and restaurants.
NE 202
405
5 Picturesque Snoqualmie Falls is 30 minutes away, while hiking and skiing are within an hour east of Bellevue at Snoqualmie Pass.
Kirkland (10 minutes)
6 Mt. Rainier National Park,
with two visitor centers, hiking, and snowshoeing, is roughly two hours south of downtown Bellevue.
University of Washington Husky Stadium
5
Rd
4
Redmond (18 minutes)
Lake Washington
Marymoor Park
3 Overlake
520
Capitol Hill
W
2
Downtown Seattle (18 minutes) Elliott Bay
E
CenturyLink Field
Safeco Field
405
Bellevue
S
3/4 INCH = 1 mile
Northup Way
Meydenbauer Bay
90
Crossroads
oad ed R Bel-R
NE 8th St.
Crossroads
Kelsey Creek Park Bellevue Botanical Garden
148th Ave NE
Downtown Bellevue
140th Ave NE
N
Bellevue Way
Lake Union
520
156th Ave NE
2 Downtown Seattle, the
1
NE inville-Redmon d Rd Wood
state’s 740-plus wineries, a half-dozen breweries, and four craft distilleries call Woodinville home.
on d
vard ngton Boule Lake Washi
1 More than 80 of the
m ed e -R
Bellevue Shopping Areas
Robinswood Park
Mercer Slough
Lake Sammamish
Factoria Mall
Mercer Island 5
Enatai Beach Park
(23 minutes)
Eastgate
90
To Snoqualmie Pass
Beacon Hill To Sea-Tac Airport
Factoria
(50 minutes)
To Sea-Tac Airport
To Mt. Rainier National Park
(23 minutes)
To The Golf Club at Newcastle (16 minutes)
(2 hours)
6
5
5 Meydenbauer Beach
Days Inn Embassy Suites Extended Stay America Hyatt House Larkspur Landing Silver Cloud Hotel
Eastgate/Factoria Hotel Area, 10 min from downtown (see p. 71)
Main St.
NE 2nd St.
Courtyard by Marriott Extended Stay America Fairfield Inn and Suites-Marriott Marriott Residence Inn
Overlake Hotel Area, 10 min from downtown (see p. 71)
City Hall
City Hall Plaza
Meydenbauer Center
The Bravern
6
2
Hotel Bellevue
Hilton
Red Lion
Sheraton
NE 6th St.
Marriott Residence Inn
Exit 13B
Extended Stay America
Coast Bellevue
Group Health
Exit 13A
405
Exit 13A
Children’s Hospital
Overlake Medical Center
Exit 14
Exit 13B
114th Ave. NE
3/4 INCH = 0.2 miles
S
E
3
Old Bellevue
.5 mile loop
Transit Center
Courtyard by Marriott
Library
Ashwood Park
110th Ave. SE
W
NE 1st St.
4
Bellevue Way NE (104th Ave. NE)
Meydenbauer Bay
Meydenbauer Beach Park
5
Downtown Park
NE 4th St.
Bellevue Galleria
C O R R I D O R
Silver Cloud
108th Ave. NE
N
Park has a half-mile walking loop and a cascading water feature that ends in a reflecting pool.
Bellevue Arts Museum
6
P E D E S T R I A N
Westin
Lincoln Square
NE 8th St.
106th Ave. NE
Bellevue Square
1
102nd Ave. NE
Bellevue Place
Hyatt Regency
NE 10th St.
NE 12th St.
McCormick Park
Bovee Park
110th Ave. NE
4 The 20-acre Downtown
Hospitals
Public Services
Arts & Events
Hotels
112th Ave. NE
La Residence Suite
(encompassing Lincoln Park, on Lake WashingSquare, Bellevue Square, ton, has a fishing dock, and Bellevue Place) feapicnic area, and a sandy tures 250-plus shopping swimming beach. and entertainment 6 The performing and destinations. visual arts are on 2 The Shops at The Bravern display year-round at is home to high-end and Meydenbauer Center luxury shopping. and Bellevue Arts Museum. 3 Old Bellevue, on Main Street, features indeGoddard Park pendent boutiques, galleries, and locally owned restaurants.
1 The Bellevue Collection
Plazas
Parks
Shopping Areas
Pedestrian Paths
116th Ave. NE
112th Ave. SE
108th Ave. SE
Bellevue Way SE (104th Ave. SE)
102nd Ave. SE
101st Ave. SE
100th Ave. NE
WELCOME COMFORT meets WELLNESS
thehotelbellevue.com
Bellevue Botanical Garden
Bellevue Downtown Park
Ask us where to go for a
uniquely local experience in Bellevue.
Your friends at Red Lion are here to make sure you have a local experience to take home with you. We don’t just hand you a map of the city and wish you good luck – our team is excited to tell you all about the favorite local restaurants, family fun, outdoor adventures and local landmarks. Just ask us!
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