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EAT Volterra www.volterrakirkland.com Tavern Hall www.tavern-hall.com Lady Yum www.ladyyum.com Barking Frog www.willowslodge.com/ barking_frog The Herbfarm www.willowslodge.com/ herbfarm_restaurant
STAY Willows Lodge www.willowslodge.com Heathman Hotel Kirkland www.heathmankirkland.com
PLAY Third Culture Coffee www.thirdculturecoffee.com Bellevue Art Museum www.bellevuearts.org Bellevue Botanical Garden www.bellevuebotanical.org Flatstick Pub www.flatstickpub.com Chainline Brewing www.chainlinebrew.com Patterson Cellars www.pattersoncellars.com Guardian Cellars www.guardiancellars.com
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Richard Duval
The Commons Kitchen + Bar www.thecommonscafe.com CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Lady Yum makes macarons seem necessary. Kirkland has five waterfront parks with beach access, perfect for kayaking on Lake Washington. Woodinville Warehouse District is ground zero for winemaking in the area.
Bar. You will likely have to wait for a table, as this is a popular spot. Trust me, it’s worth it—the bacon is crispy, the pastries are flaky, the juice is fresh squeezed. In Woodinville, wine tasting can begin before noon. Unlike places like Oregon’s Willamette Valley or Sonoma and Napa in California, which often have you traversing long country roads between wineries, Woodinville brings the wine to you. In the Hollywood District, there are nearly three dozen wine tasting rooms, many in the same buildings. The Warehouse District is where much of the wine gets made and bottled and shipped. During busy times of the year, you can see wineries sharing equipment or owners lending each other a hand. Your best bet is to focus your efforts in the Hollywood District, where you can grab bites and sips at a variety of storefronts, all within walking distance. Begin at Guardian Cellars, started by a police officer with a love of wine. Bordeaux-style blends here have names like Gun Metal and Alibi, and they’re delicious. Around the corner, sit on the heated patio at Patterson Cellars and try some truly spectacular wines, including a Sangiovese that tastes much more expensive than the price tag. Head chef Javin Bakke has also creat-
ed “experiences” with food that are totally over the top—pair your wine flight with an overflowing tray of cheese, fruits and crostini, or charcuterie and roasted veggies. Better yet, match them up with jcoco chocolates for dessert. Other tasting rooms, including William Church Wines, aMaurice Cellars and Gorman Winery, will provide you with equal delight. There’s nothing wrong with going old school and checking out Chateau Ste. Michelle, the state’s oldest winery complete with a chateau and beautiful grounds that make you feel like you’re in a more traditional setting for wine-tasting. Should you tire of wine, don’t forget there’s Woodinville Whiskey Company right up the road and Metier Brewing, a special place making very special beer. And for dinner, check out Barking Frog or The Herbfarm, both on the grounds of Willows Lodge. At Barking Frog, you’ll find a comfortable but upscale restaurant with wooden beams and rustic style, but the food is anything but casual—it’s local and modern. The Herbfarm offers nine-course dinners filled with foraged and fresh ingredients and wine pairings. Make sure to stay over at Willows Lodge for a grand finale you didn’t know you needed. www.ontrakmag.com