 Hawthorne Hills, the triangle shaped neighborhood just bordering the famed biking and walking trail on the south and Sandpoint Way NE on the east, is the lovely community known for it's Cape Cod style and brick Tudor style homes. Developed from the 1920's  to the 1940's, one of the original seven homes that make up the neighborhood still stands on the southwest corner or NE 60th Street and Princeton Way. The Metropolitan Market, a fresh and slightly upscale corner market, is a busy grocery spot, once the site of Albertson's for many years, and before that, a large dairy farm where cattle grazed in  the 1940's. How things have changed. Many of the streets are named after college towns  such as Stanford, Ann Arbor, Pullman, and Princeton. The area also boasts the Hawthorne Hills Veterinary Clinic and Professional Center side by side, and a great little Chinese Yummy Cafe Restaurant as well. Don't miss the wonderful old fashioned general store City People's. They sell everything from hardware, to boots, to stationary to clothing. And next door, you will find a wonderful moderately wine selection at La Cantina Take a break from shopping and step into the aromatic coffee roaster next door at Gretchen's Place. They offer an array of baked goods and  homemade salads and goodies, too.  The most attractive feature of this vibrant neighborhood is being just a hop, skip, and jump away from a whole slew of restaurants, shops, the University Village, and the University of Washington. The best part of it is, you can access all of these local hot spots by way of the Burke Gilman Trail. Stretching all the way from Woodinville on the north to Ballard on the south, this is a perfect way to travel that is healthy, earth friendly, and avoids all car traffic. What could be more fun? All the more reason to live in the earth friendly and conveniently located community of Hawthorne Hills. Helen ToyodaRealtorHelen@SeattlePowerSearch.com206.383.8182
 Everywhere you drive (if you are inclined to drive, it's a nice day to stay home, and play ... maybe make a snowman?) you can see these merry  winter spirits in front yards and out enjoying the holiday weather! These happy little guys were spotted in Green Lake, where the lake and the park are cloaked in winter white. According to my information there have been numerous snowman sightings in Wallingford, North Seattle, Everett, Ballard, Fremont, the  U District, and in neighborhoods all along the shores of Lake Washington. Tomorrow I will be showing an interesting-looking home in Matthew's Beach, so I'll bring the camera along, and keep you posted!! The weatherman was talking about rising temperatures and some of the snow starting to melt, so we may be in our best snowman-watching mode today, Christmas day! There may be some sighs of relief if the snow blanket does melt somewhat tomorrow, but surely we will regret the loss of our little cheerful snow buddies. Not only that, every house you look at is so inviting. What is it about a bit of snow on the roof and a white garden that makes homes looks so...warm? The roof lines, the trim, everything shows up to advantage in the  snow. The real  estate agent in me took over for a few minutes and I wanted to tell everyone...hey, take a photo of your house now, because if/when you ever put it on the market it will really come in handy! There are a lot of 1920s brick Tudor style homes in Green Lake near the lake, and the snow makes them look like something out of a fairy tale! And as always, hoping to hear back from you and how YOUR snowman is doing... are you where there is snow? If so, please share your snowmen with us too. The agents in our office are talking about making a snowman album, and those from other parts of the country thinking of relocating to Seattle (well, the snowmen, I mean!) would be welcome guests in our album! As for the people relocating, of course we welcome you to our (temporarily) snowy city!! Get in touch and let me know how I can be of help.  Edy Kizaki
Realtor, Team Leader
(206) 331-0152 Labels: Ballard, Everett, Fremont, Seattle snowmen, U District, Wallingford
  All over the city, in every neighborhood, there are little young people and full sized adults leaving impressions of creativity in their yards and sidewalks. Snowmen are made up of all sizes, shapes, some with clothing item  s such as scarves, hats, and earmuff, others with carrot noses, raisin eyes, and even money coined mouths!  How better to celebrate this winter wonderland in the biggest snowfall in recent history? On my quest to find the best and most creative examples of snow art all around north Seattle, I found amusement beyond expectation. I laug  hed  wholeheartedly and was thoroughly entertained by the uniqueness of our local neighbors. What a fun activity to enjoy with the entire family. So, folks, go out in your own neighborhoods, bundle up, grab the kids, and walk around and delight yourselves in your local neighborhood art! I guarantee it will be a wildly interesting ride and so much better exercise than sitting in front  of the television. It is funny how many times you whiz by a place in your car, how different it is and how many more  details you really see from your walk-by perspective. There are so many aesthetic forms of beauty, from plants, smells, architectural and natural characteristics, that you may never even notice from your car. It is like having a fantastic outdoor museum open to the public. Happy Holidays to you all, and to all an  explosion of an artfully good time! 
Helen Toyoda
206.383.8182 Labels: Bryant, Hawthorne Hills, Seattle snow, Wedgwood
 Seattle wants to know. After all, here we were, minding our own business and getting ready for the holidays, when along comes the blizzard!! OK, well, maybe not a real blizzard, but definitely a mini-blizzard. While perhaps fun, and certainly different, it resulted in school closures, bus and airline disruptions, and a whole lot of cold toes.
Satellites might be forgiven for asking ourselves...why?? Here is one reason, as Steve Sato and his friends in Mukilteo enjoy snowboarding in their own backyard!
 Labels: Mukilteo, Seattle snow
 Beacon Hill is a neighborhood in southeast Seattle, WA. Where Amazon.com and the Seattle Division of the Department of Veterans Affairs' Puget Sound Health Care System, calls Beacon Hill home. Beacon Hill offer views of Downtown Seattle, the Industrial District, Elliot Bay, First Hill, Rainier Valley, and if the skies are clear Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains. Beacon Hill also has easy access to Interstate 5, and Interstate 90. Well like the rest of Seattle, Beacon Hill was taken by surprise by this snow storm that just doesn't seem ready to give up just yet. Everyone in my neighborhood of Beacon Hill seems to really be enjoying it,(except for those that have to drive or take the bus to work!)  Snow is always great and fun until you have to go to work the next day. The driving conditions are currently not to good unless you are on the main roads. But the silver lining is that everyone can call in a snow day and work from home. I went for a walk around the neighborhood and snapped a few shots that I thought everyone might enjoy! In the above pics are shots of the Downtown Seattle skyline, from the Jose P. Rizal Park on 12th Ave S in Beacon Hill, the other is a West side shot of Beacon Hill.
So stay bundled up folks, drive cautiously and Happy Holidays!
Carlene Pride
Realtor (206) 619-3117 carlene@seattlepowersearch.com
Labels: Amazon, Beacon Hill, Veterans Affairs
 Shilshole Bay is probably one of the most picturesque pl  aces in Seattle. Located on the western tip of the city along Puget Sound and bordering Ballard and Crown Hill, this is definitely a tourist destination. Some of my earliest memories of my childhood are of going to church with my family and friends and stopping at McDonald's on the way to Shilshole Bay where we would eat our lunches at the beach and feed the seagulls. As I visited the exact spot on the beach that I had many years ago, I watched the children and their parents h  aving a picnic lunch and reminisced. I wistfully thought how lucky they were to be creating new and one day cherished memories of their time together at this beautiful par  k. Originally inhabited by the Duwamish Indian Tribe, Shilshole Bay was a place rich in salmon, clams and other seafood so that the people settled in very comfortably. The name Shilshole in Duwamish means "threading a needle". This is thought to be because of the narrow opening in which Salmon Bay empties into the Bay. After the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, the wood mills set up shop on the water and employed many workers to work in the mills and send them downtown to rebuild the city. One of the destinations that should not be missed are the Hiram Chittenden Locks. It is open to the public and you can actually view the "fish ladder" where the salmon are raised and lowered to adjust to the different levels of the waters. It is fascinating for children and adults alike. Another landmark place is Rays Boathouse Restaurant. It defines the quintessencial Northwest cuisine better than anywh  ere that I know of. Completely demolished from a four alarm fire in 1987 and another one in 1997, Rays was totally rebuilt twice. The freshest seafood from salmon, oysters, halibut and shrimp are prepared e  xpertly by award-winning nationally recognized chefs. Enjoy wonderful dishes while looking at spectacular Puget Sound and Olympic Mountain views. Anthonys Homeport, one of many in the city, also has a coveted spot next to the Locks just down the road. It is another first class Northwest seafood restaurant with an amazing view. Perhaps due to my humble beginnings, I am just as happy as a clam enjoying fish and chips and chowder a  t one of the  many local joints near the beach. Totem House Seafood and Chowder, The Historic Lockspot, Little Coney Island, and Gordo's, are great places to grab take out and enjoy at the beach. Don't miss a little Carribean place called Paseo that just opened across the street from Rays. It is a little pink storefront that sells wonderful barbeque chicken and pork with fragrant jasmine rice and a beet salad. Yummy and satisfying and so friendly, too. There are many condominiums along the beach area in all different price ranges , new and old with and without Puget Sound views. Or, if you prefer, there are moorages for boats so that you can fulfill your dream of living right on the water. Whatev  er the season,  summer, fall, winter or spring, there are always interesting and lively activities going on at Shilshole Bay. Golden Gardens is the place to have a beach party or picnic, no matter how old you are. It is special and unique places in like these in Seattle that really make the city an amazing place to live. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else in the world! Helen ToyodaRealtorHelen@SeattlePowerSearch.comLabels: Golden Gardens restaurants, Seattle Beach, Shilshole Bay
 What comes to mind when I think of the Maple Leaf neighbo  rhood is a Tudor or Victorian style house on a small lot near a reservoir on one of the highest hills in Seattle. Centrally positioned just north of Greenlake and Ravenna and south of Northgate, it is a popular area for home buyers because of it's very convenient location and easy access close to Greenlake, the highway, University, Northgate Mall, downtown, and a quick commute to just about anywhere in town. It is just over 500 feet in elevation at its highest point. It became a part of Seattle in the 1950's, named in part for the many maple trees that grew there. It is known for it's reservoir that runs along Roosevelt Way, and the privately run smaller businesses. The family owned corner  Ace hardware store has been  in the same location for years, and has the congenial feel that corner mom and pop stores used to have. Service is everything. Don't miss the homestyle Chinese homemade dumplings and fare at the Snappy Dragon, run by my friends the Judy and David Fu family. I went to school nearby with the daughter, Mari. My favorite pizza in town has to be the A New York Pizza Place on 5th Ave NE. First opened by my friend Todd, this is classic thin crust pizza and calzone, East Coast style. The salads are great and they even sell the pizza dough to go. If you venture on west a block, you will find yourself way west to the island of Hawaii and at the tropical comfort food of Kona Kitchen. Run by actor Yuji and Angie Okumoto, this neighborhood joint serves great breakfasts all day long, along with the traditional Hawaiian favorite plate lunches with two scoops of rice and macaroni salad,  delicious chicken fried steak and even Portuguese sausage fried rice and Kahlua Pig! Worth the trip to Maple Leaf to catch the wave! Cloud City Coffee seems to attract a good crowd, and on this  particular day, I witnessed customers bicycling, walking and skiing in to get their hot cup of java. Only in Seattle. The classy Maple Leaf Grill and the Jones Bistro and Lounge are tantalizing and inviting with their lovely decor. A little bit of class and great quality steaks and gourmet dishes. And my vote for the most beautiful storefront in Maple Leaf is Maxines Floral and Gift. Beautiful decor and lights that really brighten up a cold winters night. Absolutely stunning displays of flowers, decorations, and lighting.
Prestigious private Perkins School, the Catholic St. Catherine's and the Fairview School, which is the biggest private elementary school in Seattle, all make up a part of the local education system. The newly done Olympic Hills is the public elementary school for the neighborhood. Come and visit Maple Leaf, a very unpretentious simple neighborhood where young families really come and stay for good. Helen Toyoda Realtor
206.383.8182 Labels: pizza, poi, pot stickers, Seattle high point elevation
 Close and dear to my heart, is my own neighborhood, little old Lake City. Annexed as part of Seattle relatively recently in 1954, the larger than city norm properties were used to raise peacocks, minks, and chickens in the earlier years. People livin  g in the city would have their country homes in Lake City and the farming community had a big presence. Thus, there are many older fruit trees and old growth trees in general than in much of the city. There are also Lake Washington views in the eastern section of the neighborhood that border the water. With prohibition in the 1930's came a bootlegging  industry that was prominent at the Jolly Roger's Restaurant on Lake City Way. Tunnels still remain underground at 8721 Lake City Way NE, now a Shell gas station, where the bootleggers would spring for a getaway when the lookout crew on a high tower would spot police arrivi  ng. As the owner/operator of Toyoda Sushi Restaurant, one of the best neighborhood joints in the heart of Lake City for the past 20 years, I have seen the comings and goings of businesses, families, and everything in between. Going to the annual Pioneer Days Parade as a child, a little bit of Seafair that runs through every summer, I wasn't certain that this "country-like" neighborhood was ready for sushi. But ready, it was! I have had the honor of serving our country style Japanese cooking to our much loved entertainers Paul Newman, Joe Pantoliano, Tom Hulce, Alex Borstein, and former Mariner Kazu Sasaki to name a few. Fresh caught fish is truly a treat that people will travel  from every corner of the city for, and from neighboring towns, too. As in most Seattle neighborhoods, we have our own beloved restaurants that we love from Claires Pantry and Flo-Anna's Diner, good old American fare, to the newer Chang Thai and Thai One On, where you won't find a more delicious Thai menu with bright and cheerful decor anywhere in town! Dick's, the historic bu  rger, fries, and shakes, has been flipping late night snacks for us for generations and is still going strong. Of course, Chinese favorites are a must at the northern regional favorite Yu Shan to the Seven Seas and the newly built fast food Panda Express for a quick snack. Our central market is the gigantic Fred Meyer's that sells everything from groceries to electronics to clothing, hardware, to garden supplies. It even has a deli and bakery for another quick meal option. It is where everyone in the neighborhood shops. Don't miss the comfort Vietnamese food at Pho Bin, where nothing beats a hot bowl of Pho noodle soup, spring rolls, and a refreshing cup of bubble tea. And the Jalisco Family of Mexican restaurants is  serving south of the border comfort food and drinks here, too. Pocket parks are prevalent here as well, as is every major bank in town, from Chase/Wamu, to Bank of America, to BECU to Federal Savings and Wells Fargo all within about one block! With the major expansion of Bartell Drugs and huge condominium and townhome development on many corners, the population density has grown substantially. And there at least five great places to get a professional yet budget haircut from Crew Cuts to Hairmasters. Don't forget the quick yet delicious food on the run at the incredible Tub Subs Sandwich place and Manna Teriyaki, my son's personal favorites. The people are always friendly and hospitable.  My alma mater and the school of my two sons, Nathan Hale High School, is undergoing a major renovation and already has an impressive new football stadium and soccer field to boot. With high emphasis on academics, athletics, and a new Performing Arts Center, Hale remains a popular choice among Seattle high schools. Direct bus lines to UW downtown run through, and there are a good sprinkling of dental and medical offices throughout the neighborhood. Of course, Starbucks has a large presence, as does a good smattering of smaller coffee shops. Lake City has developed into more than just a row of car lots and blow up gorillas strung along the suburbs of town, it is a close knit area of young families and retired folks living in a culturally diverse and harmonized community. New condominium and townhome developments are coming to life replacing the older buildings, and with them, a whole new string of fresh and interesting restaurants and specialty shops. It is now the new and improved "Little ole Lake City"! Take off your hats, sit under an old growth tree and stay a while.
 Wonderful Wedgwood. The community just north of Ravenna, View Ridge and the UW was named by Al Balch, the founder of Wedgwood. His wife loved the English inspired "Wedgwood" China and they developed the community just after the great depression in 1929 when much of the area was used for Ginseng farming. Now, on any given morning you will see children walking to scho  ols of which there are many. Although the neighborhood is a bit more spread out and doesn't have quite as much foot traffic, this, too, is changing. My memories of Wedgwood include attending Eckstein, one of the biggest middle schools in the state, and walking to the corner Herfy's burger place for a snack and catching a bus where the bus driver would actually wait for me when I was late and running down the hill. The neighborhood is the home of many highly regarded schools, from the private University Prep, to the Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School and the Seattle Jewish Community School. Connected wit  h View Ridge, it is one of three neighborhoods in Seattle with the highest concentration of Jewish synagogues and schools. Perhaps the focus on education has something to do with the Wedgwood Seattle Pu  blic Library being the second largest and busiest libraries in the city, next to the main branch downtown. Girls and boys soccer games are played year round at the popular Dahl Field, which is located next to the b  iggest public Pea Patch in the city. The field sits on what used to be a bog which was covered with houses until the homes began to sink. Extensive work was put in  and the bog was refilled and is now used as a sports and recreation field. One of the oldest businesses in Wedgwood was McVicar's Hardware store on 85th and 35th NE. I remember going there as a child with my father and picking up a lawnmower and garden supplies. Now, it is the home of a popular dance studio All That Dance that has classes for children of all ages. Pet grooming is right next door at Kristi's Grooming Company. A lovely boutique and gift shop called Fresh, is certainly that and more. Amazingly beautiful and affordable jewelry, bags, and perfect little trinkets to give as gifts or to indulge in for yourself. It is part of the newest complex on the 35th NE area, as is a Starbucks. So, fittingly, Fresh is also the name that I would put on for the new Wedgwood. It is still the comfortable, down to earth, and honest neighborhood that it always was. Just a bit more trendy and new. Helen Toyoda Realtor 206.383.8182 Labels: Revenna, Wedgewood
  Ballard, one of Seattle's most historic neighborhoods once known to be the center of the Scandinavian seafaring community, is still filled with a blend of the old with the new and everywhere in between. The city of Ballard was founded by European settlers way back in 1853 and before that, inhabited by the Shilshole Tribe that lived off of the abundant salmon and clam supply. Today, the Skandinavian roots are still alive in places such as the the Nordic Heritage Museum, the annual community celebration of the Norwegian Constitution Day and the local Viking Bank, to name a few. Being the 7th largest city in Washington state by 1900, Ballard formally became a part of the city of Seattle in 1907. Walking into the doors of the decades old Olsen's Scandinavian Foods, it will feel a bit like walking back in time. Patrons wait for the house prepared pickled herring, smoked fishes, cookies, and other European delights as they have for over 30 years. The refrigerated cases are filled with such a variety of seafood and  delicious looking treats, and you can smell the smoked fishes as you walk inside. Venture on down the  street and you will find a lot of foot traffic with everything from the Secret Garden, a crowded little bookstore that just celebrated 30 years of keeping Ballard attentive with reading about everything from children's to travel and history. Saunter on down the road and fascinate your kids with the latest in fashion at Mon Petit Shoe Shop, a children's shoe and apparel shop that carries the most adorable items in children's clothing that I have seen all in one place! Slow down and relax in your very own local yoga studio at Shakti Vinyasa Yoga. I have never seen such a serene and calming studio! And talk about gift shops. The La Tienda Folk Art  Gallery was filled with intruguing artistic and historic gifts, perfect spot for that hard to find special and unique present. Quality medical care is just around the corner at th  e Swedish Medical Center Ballard, where I actually had the privilege of experiencing the birth of my friend's baby in the nice birthing suites many years ago. And just a bit down the way, Second Ascent for new and used bicycles and outdoor recreational gear continues to keep us supplied with the tools we need to stay in sound physical shape after gorging in all of the delicious eateries. If you have time for a movie, don't miss the Majestic Bay Theater, one of the only independently run cinemas in  the city with the most comfortable seats you will  find anywhere. Teahouses and coffee shops are also so abundant that they seem to bring the people out and hold them together in this friendly and close-knit neighborhood. Once a Ballard fan, always a Ballard fan. Once you come, you may never even want to leave!
Helen Toyoda
Realtor
206.383.8182
 There is a storm slated for today, with possible power outages. Everyone I talked to was busy yesterday making sure they had enough candles, and those with wood burning fireplaces also got some extra wood. I heard he grocery stores were really full during the afternoon, with at least 15 people in line at the checkout stands. As typically happens when the regular routine is broken, we had clients ask to see homes. In fact, we rearranged one appointment from Sunday to Saturday since it was supposed to storm...luckily! So in the morning I was down in Pioneer Square showing a lovely two-floor condo with a "secret stair" right into Pike Place Market...wow, I want it! Then Amy and I trekked around North Seattle in the afternoon with another client who wanted to see six homes. I must admit it's fun to be out when the world is covered with white! But we left it about an hour too long and ended up on the freeway for over an hour and a half instead of 20 minutes on the way home. The ice froze on my wipers so they weren't working, but when I finally stopped and cleared them off it was fine...I'll definitely do THAT sooner next time!  Woke up on the early side, around 6:30, and checked out the window...it's not snowing now but the world is completely covered in white! The snow is not up to the bottom of the parked cars' hubcaps, but it covers the roads so the details are invisible. I see tire tracks so a car drove by the house sometime last night... SUVs with 4 wheel drive are doing fine, my all-wheel drive did fine even on the ice, so it's not too bad. But the weather report says more snow today, and some snow Monday and Tuesday! The Washington State Department of Health puts out a nice Emergency Resource Guide with excellent sections on every possible incident and a section on Weathering Storms. In terms of preparing for a winter storm, three of their tips are to Fill Your Gas Tank Before the Snow Starts Falling, Have Rock Salt on Hand, and Make Sure Your Fireplace Functions. I'm OK on gas, but I'll probably have to burn that chair I've never liked if the power goes out! During a Winter Storm is appropriate for us now, since we have LOTS of snow on the ground, I couldn't see the road to try and drive on it! Here are some ways to make sure things go as well as possible for you and your family - wear several layers of loose fitting, lightweight warm closing instead of one layer of heavy clothing.
- wear mittens rather than gloves
- wear a warm woollen cap
- do not drive unnecessarily
- reduce the temperature in your home in order to conserve fuel
- heat only the areas in your home that you are using
- close doors and curtains or cover windows and doors with blankets
- use alternative heat methods
- NEVER use a gas/charcoal grill, hibachi or portable propane heater to cook indoors or heat the home (noxious fumes)
- when you're shoveling snow be careful as people can overexert themselves
- be sure to eat regularly...food provides calories that maintain body heat
- watch for signs of frostbite & hypothermia...slurred speech, disorientation, uncontrolled shivering, stumbling, drowsiness and body temp of 95 degrees F or less
- IF you become trapped outside, get out of the wind and stay dry. Build a lean-to or snow cave if nothing else is available. Do not eat snow, it will make you too cold.
- if you do go out in your vehicle, make sure somebody knows where you are going & stay on main roads
- if you must stop, remain in your vehicle, use a bright distress flag (or your hazard lights)
- if trapped in a blizzard clear your tail pipe & run your engine & heater for 10 minutes every hour...open your window slightly
- during night hours keep the dome light on in your car so rescue workers can spot it
- keep an emergency kit in your vehicle (include a 3 day water supply & non perishable food that can be eaten without being cooked...include a blanket or sleeping bag, flashlight, cell phone, shovel, sack of sand or kitty litter, booster cables, flare, coffee can with lid & toilet paper.)
Here are some good sources of winter weather news for Seattle:
Seattle Times
Seattle PI
Northwest Cable News
KOMO TV 4
KING TV 5
KIRO TV 7
KCPQ TV 13 And one more good website to check out would be the Take Winter by Storm site for breaking news alerts and updated information. "Take Winter by Storm was created to help you get prepared and stay informed when bad weather strikes this winter. The Web site is sponsored by a partnership that includes King County, the City of Seattle, Puget Sound Energy, State Farm Insurance and QFC." OK, we're ready! Please feel free to add any tips you have in the Comments section here, let's all help each other keep safe. 
Edy Kizaki
Realtor, Team Leader
206-331-0152 Labels: during a storm, Seattle show, winter prepardness
Ravenna is one of those traditional neighborhoods that has gradually transformed in a fresh and upscale way. It is in close proximity to the University of Washington, by foot or a short drive away. It is located directly north of the university district in a picturesque community. Parks, from the beautiful and historic Cowen Park to th  e many pocket parks and scattered greenbelts and ravines, give Ravenna it's breath of fresh air which feels like you are walking through a natural sanctuary. But you are never far from a culturally diverse and interesting mix of small restaurants, coffee shops, book stores, and amazing variety of specialty shops from wine tasting, to bagel bakery, to natural medicines.  The restaurants, intimate and robust with character range from the classic Italian Casa Italia. With a warm and cozy rustic country feel, this family restaurant run by Anthony and Angeli Donatone offers traditional pastas, salad, breads and desserts freshly made with an open kitchen and an on site fresh herb garden in the back. As you walk in and smell the wonderful aromas, you are surrounded by rich and dark woods, counter and table seating with wine bottles set and ready to uncork, and framed old photos of the family giving you that feeling of walking into a cafe in a  quaint street in Italy. They offer musical entertainment and poetry reading nights, perfect for sipping a glass of wine and relaxing with. Speaking of sipping wines, you have your very own wine sipping haven at the specialty wine store, McCarthy and Schiering Wine Merchants that offers wine tasting along with their wide selection of wine. Just down the street on 65th, two modern and sleek Thai restaurants await you. At the bottom of a newly  constructed condominium complex, Bai Pai is one of them. Another excellent family run Thai restaurant on Roosevelt Way is the Royal Palm. The beautiful decor from golden sculptures to more dark woods, whisks you away to the southeast Asian country full of more treasures and delightful aromas. Several Indian restaurants, including the new addition of India Bistro and the older Bengal Tiger give you some more delicious dishes so full of flavor with curries and the vast array of herbs. The Sunlight Cafe, a  unique vegetarian restaurant, offers light, healthy and tantalizing vegetarian creations as they have for decades. And don't miss Salvatores, another first-class Italian restaurant full of homemade classic dishes that are so fun to go out to enjoy, and Jalisco's, another family run Mexican restaurant that dishes out south of the border comfort food with savory rice, beans, guacamole,  and meats washed down with a refreshing margarita. Grocery shopping is also a treat with the new addition of the organic friendly Whole Foods Store. A popular, slightly more upscale food shopping experience, the grocery shopping offers an impressive array of freshly prepared dishes ready to cook, to the hot deli items to the fresh baked goods, to the arfully displayed meats and seafood items. And don't miss the ever popular neighborhood joints for a quick snack at Zeeks Pizza, as close to NY Pizza as they come, and the Bagel Oasis, freshly baked with a shmear of cre  am cheese. After a Sunday stroll meandering through the book selection at Third Place Books and walking your dog in the park, you deserve to treat yourself! Speaking of which, you can really go all the way and truly pamper yourself with the naturally made remedies at The Herbalist. From tree oils to vitamins, to skin care, taking care of your body becomes an indulgence that is worth every pe  nny. And even if you are done with school, don't miss the opportunity to see the $92 million transformation of the city's most prestigious historical landmarks, Roosevelt High School. Highly acclaimed and boasting one of the Seattle Public Schools best academic programs, Jazz Band, strong athletics and drama teams, this school gives private schools a run for their money. An inc redible 91% of Roosevelt High graduates in the last academic year went on to college and universities. And you can actually eat healthy and run to the Rising Sun, the corner open fruit and vegetable market located right next door. The bus system is readily available throughout the neighborhood, as is an I-5 on/off ramp on the west side.There you are. As in all the different neighborhoods that Seattle has to offer, Ravenna has a character unique in its own. Come and visit and if you really feel at home, come and live! Helen Toyoda Realtor Helen@SeattlePowerSearch.com206.383.8182
 Unless you absolutely have to be somewhere on Sunday, I would try to stay at home next to the fire with a cup of hot cocoa; according to an article on SeattlePI, it's supposed to get downright nasty. If you must go out go to Wallmart and get yourselves chains! South Seattle is supposed to get hit the worst of all areas, in terms of the storm anyway. Up in the mountains experts are predicting potential avalanches. Even though weather reports in Washington are always somewhat off, I would still get your emergency candles and your flashlights ready...we could be looking at a dark day! Amy Kizaki Buyer's Agent 206.384.7169 amy@seattlepowersearch.comLabels: weather
 Seattle had a super snowy night last night and it seemed as though everyone was staying in...so we decided to hop on over to Toyoda Sushi on Lake City Way slipping and sliding, for some fresh, much needed Sushi. We thought the place couldn't be too busy since it was such dark weather, but they were actually packed. Toyoda has been up and running for 19 years now, in February it will be 20. Their reputation of having the freshest fish, fun and friendly sta  ff and a very nice atmosphere brings them repeat clientele and gets them referred to on a regular basis. You can tell, because the owners seem to know almost everyone who comes in! Helen Toyoda, owner of the restaurant as well as being one of our team members, pointed out to us a beautiful quilt art piece on one of the walls that a customer made for the restaurant...now that's dedication! Last night we tried the Albacore Tuna Tataki , the Spicy Tuna Bowl along with some sushi rolls. The Toro Tataki is basically lightly seared white fatty tuna pieces (you get a who  le lot of them on a big plate!) that goes great with rice and some soy sauce. The Spicy Tuna is a bowl of tuna mixed with sriracha sauce (best sauce ever) and also goes great with rice. For the sushi rolls we went with Helen's suggestion, the Caterpillar Roll and some Shrimp Tepura Rolls and Futo-makis. I've only had Caterpillar Rolls a couple of times, but this got me addicted...there is some eel in the roll along with other goodies and is topped with avocado. Helen also made us try her own creation of the tempura icecream...I've never tasted anything like it. They freeze a vanilla icecream (wra  pped in a short cake-like, breadded thing) ball overnight and deep fry the ball. It was SO GOOD!! I definitely recommend it as a dessert item, but only if you can share it with someone...the ball's pretty big. Customers love to sit at the sushi bar and talk to the sushi chef, Natsuyoshi Toyoda (the jolly fellow below) who co-owns the restaurant while watching him prepare the sushi and sashimi. He's very entertaining to watch and talk to...and will greet you with a big hel  lo when you first walk in. For those of you who aren't gung-ho on the raw fish, the place also offers yummy teriyaki and noodle dishes as well.  The restaurant is located in North Seattle, in the Lake City community. Lake City Way (also known as Hwy 522) runs east-west, from Seattle to Lake Forest Park to Kenmore to Bothell, and further east to Woodinville and Monroe. The exact address of the place is 12543 Lake City Way NE, at 125th Avneue NE and Lake City Way. Thanks for the always fresh and wonderful sushi...we'll be back soon!  Amy Kizaki Buyer's Agent 206.384.7169 amy@seattlepowersearch.com Labels: Asian foods, Japanese, Lake City, North Seattle, restaurants
 Shoreline, like the entire Seattle area, is having a snow day. Well, two snow days. For the second day in a row schools have closed, and even as I type snow is continuing to fall. Yesterday when I visited Helen in her restaurant Toyoda's (I'll blog on that too!) she told me that a White Christmas is predicted. Great! When I went up to Top Market to pick up some eggs (and some eggnog!) and take a look around, traffic was out and about, but reduced, and  everyone was going much slower than usual. We are not used to much snow in Seattle so it is not usual for people to be very prepared. I hear that  the Home Depot guy told my friend who went in for De-Icer (sp??) that he was about the 100th person who'd asked for it...this was last night before the even heavier snow fall that was happening today. No more De Icer, we were told!  I took my dog Yuki for a walk this morning in Richmond Beach and checked out the scenary. I saw kids playing in the snow at the playground and park at Richmond Beach Library (which is closed due to the weather). Every little fence looks sweet and each leaf is covered with it's own little frosting. There is poetry in the details everywhere you look. Let's face it, it might be harder to drive, but everything has turned magic under the winter white!  A day like this, just taking a walk makes life worth living. And everyone was experiencing the snow in their own way. People were out clearing off their paths or walking their dogs, and sledding down any convenient slope (hey, everything is covered, it really is a winter playground out there!) on a sled, huge tupperware lid, or a snowboard! We might manage a respectable snowman by evening... All I know is that even though my toes got cold, my heart is warmer for that walk through our  snow blanketed neighborhood seeing everyone out there saying hello to each other and playing like snow only comes once a year! (and really, you know, it usually comes four or five times...)
 Labels: Richmond Beach, Seattle snow, Shoreline, Shoreline snow
 Being from Japan, I have a love for authentic Asian foods...lucky f  or me, Seattle happens to be a very Cosmopolitan city. And hands down, one of the best supermarkets that carries all kinds of Asian foods from mochi to kimchi is located in Edmonds, on Aurora Avenue and 228th Street SW. Ranch 99 is a Chinese-owned Asian market and is a destination for several Asian families in the area. I've found sauces, candies, pickles and noodles that I thought I'd never find again here! They carry everything from produce to dim sum, fresh seafood to baked goods, carbs, drinks, and even some Asian household products. They only have two locations in Washington State, the other being in Kent; most of their locations are in California where the first store was opened and they now have several locations all over the state.  Surrounding the market are little Asian restaurants, including a little Vietnamese pho noodle restaurant and a larger Chinese restaurant. Around the corner from it is one of my favorite bubble tea places, Pochi. Pochi serves all kinds of bubble teas, including fruit smoothies, milk teas, normal teas and slushies. You can get them to add "bubbles" (they're little  tapioca balls, like the kind you find in tapioca pudding, but much bigger) in your tea...hence the name bubble tea, aka boba tea. Other goodies are available as well, such as lychee jelly, apple jelly, passion fruit jelly, coffee jelly...the list goes on. Personally my fave is the mango fruit smoothie with the tapioca bubbles, but it runs high on the calories so it's really a treat...usually I stick with normal unsweetened green tea, with bubbles. For those who aren't too familiar with the bubble tea aka pearl tea aka "Boba" tea, it's a tea beverage that contains tapioca bubbles that originated in Taiwan in the '80s. At first it may seem different and scary but trust me it's amazing...I've convinced my friends who were new to it to give it a try and they all love it!  I also love Uwajimaya, another large Asian market in the International District in Downtown Seattle...but that's for another blog, another day. Amy Kizaki Buyer's Agent 206.384.7169 amy@seattlepowersearch.comLabels: Asian foods, Chinese, Edmonds
 Walk around Green Lake, skate, jog, bike, take the 2.8 mile loop around for a great, scenic way to get your fitness moment of each day. Numerous parking areas make this Seattle feature very accessible, and folks who live right near Green Lake, especially at the north and east sides, have a very walkable life indeed.
Green Lake park offers a community center complete with a pool. Around the park you can play soccer, swim, windsurf, skate, bike, play basketball and volleyball, walk dogs & kids, go to the theatre, wade in the kiddie wading pool, sunbathe, nap.
 Larry and I were out for an evening stroll the other day just as the sun dropped below the horizon, and we caught some sunset photos, left.
Homes around Green Lake are often older homes built in the 20's, many of the grandest are the very desirable Craftsman style. In addition, there are new or nearly new construction condos in a great location, some with views, and many Built Green and Leed certified. Lynette Hensley Associate Broker Labels: Green built, Green Lake, neighborhoods, places to visit
I see Richmond Beach as one of those "hidden" communities; not a lot of people, even locals, seem to know about it. It's crazy because in my opinion it has one of the best waterfront parks the Seattle Area has to offer, and the community itself is so calm and has a very peaceful feel to it.  Richmond Beach is located in the northernmost part of Shoreline, right on the Sound and bordering Woodway and Edmonds. From Aurora Avenue it is most easily accessed by 185th Street (which turns into Richmond Beach Road), heading West for about 5 minutes. The foresty road that winds down to the community eventually exposes a gorgeous view of the Sound ahead...the sunsets that can be seen are to die for!  As far as day-to-day living goes, RB has everything you need within the community...a good sized shopping strip can be found on Richmond Beach Road which includes a QFC, a large hardware store, banks, two gas stations, a Chinese restaurant and other little stores...and you can't forget the Starbucks! There are also a couple of little drive-thru coffee stands as well if you're on the wrong side of the road.  In the second shopping strip further down the road you'll find a great Thai restaurant, a small spa, a laundromat and a little mini mart, and across the street you'll find  a bowling alley/grill (great for Family Night) and next to it an adorable drive-thru neighborhood cafe surrounded by Palm trees, owned by two Seattlites who discovered their love for coffee in Italy and Spain and purchased the business when they saw it was for sale. You can drop in for a cup of coffee and a pastry, but the place also serves wine for those in the mood...they also have great hot sandwiches!  On the opposite corner of where you would turn to get to the beach is the famous "Little Store" where locals sit and chat or grab a bite to eat...it's mostly a convinience store but they do have sandwiches and little food bits for those in a hurry. The place is great especially during the summer when you're down at the beach and need a little something, whether it be a bottle of water, juice, snacks, etc. The park itself is currently undergoing some construction but the trail on the bluff is still available to the joggers and dog walkers of the community. Views of the Sound can be enjoyed from this trail, making a walk or a jog extra special. When not under construction, you can drive down to the parking lot a level below and walk over a bridge that overpasses the railroad and down to the beach. Watching the trains go by is always a treat for kids! Here are some pictures of the beach I took today:      Richmond Beach is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Shoreline, and you can see it in the homes. People have torn older houses down to build new homes, however for the most part you'll find homes that are as old as the 1900's and many of them in the '50s and '60s. Real estate prices here in the current market start at around $350,000 for a pretty modest home (although I've seen some crazy short sale deals as well), and condos are also available from under $200,000. Many homes have views of the Sound, and massive waterfront estates can be found on and around Richmond Beach Drive. The current most expensive property in the area is listed at just over $2 million, a gorgeous waterfront estate just shy of 5,000 square feet.  Amy Kizaki Buyer's Agent 206.384.7169 Labels: real estate, Richmond Beach, Shoreline
You won't find another place like this for this price...this is truly a steal. Located right on the point in Alki, one of Seattle's most desirable waterfront communities, this one bed/one bath condo has the whole 10 yards for only $289,950!  This unit offers a fabulous view of the Sound and mountains, French doors to a Juliette balcony facing the back at a nicely landscaped (by nature of course) foresty bluff, new electrical, a brand new titanium Asko washer and dryer, granite countertops, new dishwasher, stainless steel appliances, and...not to mention...it comes FULLY FURNISHED. There is tons of storage, as she had custom made furniture put in the living room and the bedroom. Buy it and get your tenant in here asap; at this price the rent will almost pay for the mortgage, especially with the super low interest rates! Oh, not to mention I have a super motivated seller. She needs this GONE!! If someone can close on this by January somebody can get a FANTASTIC deal. See the virtual tour! Contact me for a private showing: Amy Kizaki 206.384.7169 direct amy@seattlepowersearch.com  Labels: Alki, condos, for sale, real estate, West Seattle
 Since it's much too cold to stay outside (it's currently in the 20's!), thought I'd make up this little Quiz. How well do YOU know Queen Anne?
True or False: - Queen Anne is bounded on the south by the Fremont Cut of the Ship Canal.
- In 1810, David Denny staked a claim to the 320 acres of Lower Queen Anne land.
- Queen Anne is situated just north of Belltown and just south of Fremont across the Lake Washington Ship Canal.
- Queen Anne Boulevard ws intended as a 3-mile loop around the crown of the hill, but the design was never fully executed.
- The hill began to be called "Queen Anne" by 1885, after the Queen Anne style houses that dominated the area.
- John Hay Elementary School has had five different buildings, all on Queen Anne Hill.
- Gary Locke, former govenor of Washington State, resided on Queen Anne Hill.
- In 1962, Lower Queen Anne became the site of the Century 21 Exposition, a World's Fair.
- KeyArena is home of the Seattle Storm
- Fillipino-American author and activist Carlos Bulosan is buried in the cemetary on the north side of the hill.
Answers: - F
- F
- F
- T
- T
- F
- T
- T
- F
- T
Labels: Queen Anne
 Sometimes you want a break from the high energy shopping taking place nonstop at Bellevue Square, and that's the day you head for Old Main, only just a block away but taking you away from the rush into the eternal. This is shopping as it used to be, and as it always should be, both dreamy and sparkley, timeless and very now. This was a low key day weather wise, but the streets felt dressed up and holiday excitement was in the air as I browsed my way down Main Street in the Bellevue downtown, known for it's  ambiance and flair. Old Main is a two block prominade between Bellevue Way and 100th Avenue NE. There are quaint, delightful shops and upscale eateries, as well as day spas, a yoga studio, and even creative energy bodywork (Health Wise), in fact more than 40 business's signs bedeck the streets. (Anyone who knows where the apostrophe goes in that, don't hold back, by all means let me know at your first opportunity!)  Ladies, you will want to stop in Posh on Main for shoes, especially if you like fluffy pink trees and yummy accessories. The rich perfume scented air will transport you to a distinct fashion flash and that is, as you know, often better than a 10 day vacation, especially at this time of year when no one can leave anyway, as we're all too busy wrapping packages. But wait, what about Christi's on Main, La Ree Boutique where you find.beautiful.style, or Title 9 where Sporty is so seductive you'll fill your entire closet with chocolate-and-leaf-green or misty-blue outerwear with an edge and the ultimate running-around running shoes, mandatory to go with your SUV, and equally at home with your lime green superbeetle. And don't forget Ottica, eyewear was never this delicious, and I love their little snowmen gazing wistfully through the glass onto the wet streets (but wait, I'm told we'll have snow tomorrow...). And speaking of delicious, there's restaurants you won't want to miss. Like Bis on Main, Salute of Bellevue Restaurante, 520 Bar and Grill, and the popular La Cocina del Puerco (try the carnitas) with the amazing colorfulful flags, streamers, signs, and fun stuff hanging in the ceiling space...how to chose? I guess it's what you're in the mood for. Or for coffee and desert it could be Belle Pastry with a scrumptious selection in a bakery case, or it could be Amore Chocolate on Main for Italian coffee and the best Espresso Dark Truffles I'VE personally ever had. The propriator explained that the freshness makes the difference...wow! This calls for some serious Christmas shopping NOW. They will soon have a website where you can order these goodies, too, I'm told. You may also want to consider your table's desire to be elegant and drop in at The Sophisticated  Swine for silver, antiques and collectables ( The Sophisticated Swine). Next door is Patina Collections (for the home) with amazing can't-leave-without-it everythings. Or Veritables, home decor...fantastic furniture. Or Ming's Asian Gallery. Or Villa for "fine kitchen and bath cabinets." And you will certainly spend time at the windows of several fine jewelry stores...ok, you get the idea! Let me know how you like it...
 Labels: Bellevue, Bellevue Downtown, Old Main, restaurants, Shopping
 There are better known neighborhoods in Seattle, maybe neighborhoods with a little more edge or more shopping along the main thoroughfare (although I'm not so sure about that) but when I was in Greenwood the other day the answer to this question presented itself over and over again. Seattle PI describes Greenwood as "Seattle's hidden treasure," an old fashioned neighborhood with a trendy edge. In Balderdash Books and Art I chatted with a customer...a librarian from Gig Harbor who has an apartment there with her husband too as he works in the city at the moment. She told me her husband loves it because it's such a distinct community, with activities and trends and established traditions and a definite character. You would never need to go out of the neighborhood to eat, have coffee, shop, or any of the daily tasks and enjoyments of life.
Balderdash was a true neighborhood used book store, with loads of character and a white cat  sitting on top of one of the bookshelves overlooking the shop. They had some great photographs on the wall, and told me all about the first Greenwood Art Walk, scheduled for Dec. 12. You can read about it on the PhinneyWood, a Phinney Ridge & Greenwood Neighborhood Blog. The corner I decided to explore this time was 85th and Greenwood Ave N, where there were so many intriguing little signs and shops that I didn't know where to look first.
 As I strolled around peeking into some of the shops and generally soaking up the atmosphere, I agreed with my new friend's husband. This corner of the city has character and then some, a wonderful place to spend a few hours shopping, dining, and otherwise amusing oneself. The Taproot Theatre offers a seasonal production The Christmas Foundling by Norman Allen, and there is even a Moter Vehicle office to give you a good excuse to stop by, and take care of an errand at the same time.
Olive You, a Medeteranian Eatery, is on the corner of Greenwood Ave N. It not only offers a great menu and impressive bar, free parking, and delivery, but also offers cooking classes! Might be a winner for my  daughter and I, we like to take cooking classes together when we get a chance...why don't some of you join us? Sounds like fun...
Olive You Restaurant is right next to a pair of personality filled shops, Tibet treasures at Pema Kharpo and Emma Jean's Consignments and Antiques. Next door is Sip and Ship, where surely Greenwood residents and visitors will be lined up sipping warming caffinated beverages while waiting to Fed  Ex holiday packages to loved ones. I loved the Greenwood products here, t-shirts, caps, and water bottles all celebrating Greenwood. The water bottle would be a great stocking stuffer (hint hint...).
The espresso and organic chocolate shop Sweet On You is  certainly cute looking enough to make me drive around the block again to find a parking space, but when I checked people's ratings of this shop on Yelp, oops, nobody really liked it, it seems...why not try some of the other places after checking them out on Yelp or another restaurant review site. Well, I could have spent another hour or two just exploring these few places, and that's just about 100 feet worth of sidewalk... Greenwood, I'll be back, probably by Wednesday!  Edy Kizaki
Realtor & Team Leader Labels: bookstores, coffee houses, Greenwood, neighborhoods, restaurants, theaters
Fremont,  Any trip to Seattle deserves an excursion to Fremont The self proclaimed Center Of The Universe(vers,ers,rs). Just thumb through these pictures or follow these links to get only a glimpse of this funky, eclectic, eccentric borough of Seattle or just use a map and find your own way to and through. Fremont The Chamber of commerce site A map of (note the intersection of N 36th and N 34th which in some galaxies would be im-possible ... Not here! (ok so a closer view shows N 36th merges into Fremont Ave N, but where more appropriate for a tesseract than here) in Fremont! View Larger MapView Larger MapDusty strings-- Along Fremont avenue you will find a stairwell and signs pointing to Dusty Strings, if you like American folk instruments Do Not miss this. In business since the 1970s they are manufacturers of fine folk harps, hammer and mountain dulcimers, and they have one of the most playable guitar walls I have ever seen Martin, Taylor, and Collings, to name a few Dusty strings http://www.dustystrings.com/
The solstice parade -- Every year on the Saturday of the solstice week a mini Mardis Gras takes place. Inventive irreverent, (body painted bicyclers are a regular attraction), expression for the eccentric, happens here. Fantastic eclectic food--  Some of the great grubb in town is found here also, Jai Tai, Costas Opa, Café Ladro, to the south across the bridge to the Nickerson Street Saloon or Ponti (bring your gold card) or venture north up the hill to Swingside Café (a quaint name for one of the Finest Rotating menus in Seattle)  Antiques and Arts-- Fremont is Funky Urban Art, and many artists and galleries flourish here and intermix with the charm of a settlement grown from an 1880s milltown to an artists enclave in the 1920s to the present, reflected in the antique shops scattered about. Monuments from Rocketships to Trolls and Karl Marx in-between, the sign post to the Center Of The Universe, and stainless steel vines climb a building at the corner of 34th and Fremont. Labels: Arts, center of the universe, food, Fremont, parade, solstice, universe
 Sometimes Queen Anne can be an all day event, sometimes it's enough just to go over to Silver Platters in jeans and a hoodie and stop by what's arguably the city's best fast food Sushi place, Sushi Land. Silver Platters is a great place for all kinds of shopping now that the holidays are approaching, as you are bound to find something for literally everyone on your list. This is not the downtown glitzy rush, it's more an understated, laid back, Seattle cool kind of a twilight visit. Silver Platters is a music and movie store with four locations in Seattle. The one in Queen Anne is where the old Tower Records used  to be. It's a great store with so much atmosphere they should charge admission, but instead you find great stuff at reasonable prices, and that includes used DVDs and CDs, and they still do videos. Even more fun,  take a few of your cast-offs (in good condition) and get part of what you'll be spending in credit for the old DVDs and CDs that you no longer want on your shelves. They have great selections in every category you can think of, friendly staff and a great deal of knowledge if you have questions or are looking for something. They can also fill you in on various aspects of the Seattle music scene!  We found some cool t-shirts, a documentary about living with wolves, a classic Marilyn Monroe movie, a modern spy film I've been wanting to see, two kids' movies (dragons and transformers, what else) and a kung fu moive...something for everyone! Checking out we got into a fun conversation with the woman at the register which ranged all across the board and included ways of saving bags, whether they still take and sell used videos (they do) and my friend's son's electric guitar. It felt a little strange to walk out without at least inviting her over for dinner some time, but that's how Seattle is, laid back, friendly, eclectic, and people are just plain interesting and pleasant. We walked down Roy Street there in lower Queen Anne where there are at least four Asian  restaurants to choose from all in a row, Thai (Pahn Thai in an old Craftsman), Upscale Pho and Curry (Pho Viet Anh), a Vegetarian  Chinese (Bamboo Garden), and another interesting looking Thai one (Thai Heaven) that served cocktails, but finally decided to go back to an old favorite, Sushi Land. It was so early there wasn't even a wait, which there usually is. Three sushi chefs rapidly arranged delicious maki (rolls) and negiri (the sliced fish on rice), as well as edamame (salty boiled soy beans to pop out of the pods), fried wontons, octobus bites and rolls, and other little treats onto plates color  coded as to price. Waitresses brought drinks, miso soup and whatever else we ordered from the  kitchen. Perched on stools at the counter in front of the conveyor belt, we had a ringside seat! The prices are really great too! The green plates are $1, the pink ones are $1.50, the blue ones are $2, and the purple ones (the really special stuff!) are $3. These include bowls of  Udon (fat noodles in broth), small and tasty. Wow, unbeatable. We had 5 green plates, four pink plates, two blue plates, and my son had the Shrimp Tempura Udon on a purple plate. We also had a Sapporo and green tea, all for under $25.  How does it work? All the little plates are loaded onto a conveyor belt and they circle around in front of the delighted diners who are lined up on stools at a counter in front of the stream of passing sushi! There is the added pleasure of watching the sushi chefs prepare the different dishes and anticipating what's coming around next. You just reach out and take whichever ones you decide you can't resist. Great fun, easy on the pocketbook, and something for everyone! Down 5th Avenue the other direction you will find Crow Restaurant and Bistro, well-known and well-beloved Seattle dining spot, but you'll probably need a reservation several days or weeks in advance, although sometimes it's possible to find an impromptu seat at the chef's counter where you can watch them prepare and assemble the artful plates of heavenly fare. You know who you are, take me there for my birthday!  Edy Kizaki Realtor & Team Leader SeattlePowerSearch.com Labels: Queen Anne, restaurants, Shopping
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Hawthorne Hills, the triangle shaped neighborhood just bordering the famed biking and walking trail on the south and Sandpoint Way NE on the east, is the lovely community known for it's Cape Cod style and brick Tudor style homes. Developed from the 1920's 
to the 1940's, one of the original seven homes that make up the neighborhood still stands on the southwest corner or NE 60th Street and Princeton Way. The Metropolitan Market, a fresh and slightly upscale corner market, is a busy grocery spot, once the site of Albertson's for many years, and before that, a large dairy farm where cattle grazed in 
the 1940's. How things have changed.
such as Stanford, Ann Arbor, Pullman, and Princeton. The area also boasts the Hawthorne Hills Veterinary Clinic and Professional Center side by side, and a great little Chinese Yummy Cafe Restaurant as well. Don't miss the wonderful old fashioned general store City People's. They sell everything from hardware, to boots, to stationary to clothing. And next door, you will
homemade salads and goodies, too.
document of great civic importance, its 
