The Environs
Seattle, like every city, has a core and the suburbs. Everything having to with the conference is located on the University of Washington Campus. The campus is very walkable - you can get from any one point to any other point in 20 minutes or less on foot. Almost everyone's hotels are located around the edge of the campus, and if you are in the dorms you are on campus. Campus is located in the University district, and there are lots of restaurants and other things right there.
But the rest of Settle has so much more to offer. Capital Hill, for example, one light-rail stop away, is full of amazing restaurants and bars. Belltown, which is another stop and a short walk away, has most of the clubs. Pike Place Market, the location of the famous fish market (but has oh, so much more, including a brand new brew-pub) is also in that area.
This is a lovely city. I hope you will have a chance to get out and explore it while you are here at CTD!
Things To Do
Besides attend CTD talks, of course!
- The UW Summer In Seattle web page has a few of the more common sites around town.
- The Underground Tour - Seattle's history, walking tour, one level down.
- The Museum of Flight. We have a Concorde, an old Air Force 1, and the Space Shuttle Trainer.
Where to Eat
Ok. This is tough. Seattle has more restaurants per capita, it feels like, than almost any other city. That said, to sort through and explore, use Yelp for low to mid-range, and Travel Advisor for mid to upper range. Below are listed a few areas of Seattle and where you can find good food. Many restaurants are left off here not because they aren't good, just because we've not had time to get around to them yet!
University Area
University area eateries are mostly aimed towards students.
- Café Solstice - coffee shop that also serves wine and beer, decent wifi, good sandwiches. Right up the block from the conference center. Great place to work the evening away. There is one in Capital Hill as well.
- Shultzy's - Bar and eatery. You want sausages? This is where you should go. All meat all the time. They also have a good beer selection.
- The Ave - the street running up University Way (Solstice and Shultzy's are both on this street) has lots and lots of small places - use Yelp to explore. There are some finds back in here.
- University Village - A mall. Yeah, we know. But you'll find decent restaurants in here - and they can seat larges numbers of peoples. There is also a Molly Moon's, some of the best artisanal ice cream in Seattle. It is a bit of a walk: from the conference center expect about 25 minutes or so.
Capital Hill
This is one of the current hot spots for dining in Seattle right now. Places tend to be more expensive up here, sadly. But the food can be rather amazing. A short bus ride (or one stop on the light rail) from the conference center. These places are all good. And reserve ahead of time - Seattle likes to eat out. Fortunately, if you don't, you'll land in the middle of lots of other places.
- Poppy - Tapas with an Indian influence. Very good cocktails. Some members of the organizing team use this as a birthday dinner location. Honey plantain fry's!
- Monsoon - Vietnamese, fusion.
- Volenteer Park Café - American, but the location is pretty stunning.
- La Spiga - An Italian standby. Fresh pasta.
- Marjorie - The plantains! Oi! Fantastic space, especially if it is a warm evening.
- Bateau - Ok. This place. They have a farm out on Bainbridge island. They "grow" their own cattle. And then they use it. All of it. In the restaurant. Want a non-standard cut? This is the place. And it tastes amazing.
- Plum Bistro - might be Seattle's most famous vegetarian restaurant. Go!
- Pike/Pine corridor - heavy bar activity here, along with some of Seattle's most famous dive bars. And on weekends the place is teaming with people - they often shut down the streets to traffic. Lots of places to explore in here.'
- Molly Moon's - Ok. Ice cream. Pretty much the best in Seattle. There is one place in Portland that is better, apparently, and they will open a branch up here in Seattle soon. But not yet. So. If you like ice cream. Go here.
- Broadway - explore the street. Lots of good places - like Witness, which has amazing cocktails and appi's.
Bell Town
Two stops via light rail or a bus ride. The heart of this is where you'll find most dance clubs. We've not been clubbing in a while, so we'll hold off on recommendations there. But...
- Local 360 - Everything is sourced from within 360 miles of the restaurant. Big plates with just the right flavoring. And on a busy corner in the middle of everything.
- Shiro's - Traditional Sushi. Two seating's per night, no reservation. Line is usually around the block. Was recognized as the top traditional sushi spot in Seattle until the head chef left. Still up there near the top.
- Wasabi Bistro - It is clear they fired their decorator half way through their last renovation. But for a modern take on sushi that still remains mostly true to tradition this place can't be beat.
- Pike Place Market - Yes, it is a tourist trap. But it is one that many locals go to. Lots of great food places as well. And lots of bars that have a storied Seattle history. Also, they just added a new extension so lots of new restaurants and bars to explore. Make sure you visit more than the top level floor!
- Pintxo - Tapas, Basque. Tiny. With amazing cocktails. Highly recommended. Upstairs in the same building is a super-hipster "ish" cocktail bar - they make amazing drinks with about 20 ingredients.
- Bathtub Gin - Small non-descript door along a back alley next to a parking lot leads to four dimly lit floors... and a bar with more than 100 varieties of gin.
