seattle pics

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Volterra

One of Seattle's most well-received chef-owned restaurants is Volterra near the top end of old Ballard Avenue. It is named for the hilltop town in Tuscany where the owners were married and from where they derive inspiration for the heart of their Italian menu. I have loved the food, of course, but especially the great wait staff and the artful touches of the very welcoming interior design, like the handmade art glass windows along the top of main dining room's back wall. It's a place for people to gather and enjoy each other's company and good food. The bright citrus drew my attention to this couple wearing the cool hats at the counter. I would have zoomed in for a more tightly composed shot, but I had a fixed lens and I liked the feeling of spaciousness it conveyed and the way the elements running left from the pendant lamps to the large framed piece to the three framed pieces to the panel door drew my eye, and the fan telling me its a hot day in Seattle. This was after lunch time but before the dinner hour, so seating was easy to come by indoors or out. . .not usually the case!

Hey, I just looked at the calendar and realized Seattle Daily Photo turns 3 years old tomorrow. Come back by to help celebrate!

Monday, July 6, 2009

Puerto Rican Lunch in the Heart of Ballard

A favorite Yankee is visiting the area, and while hanging out and enjoying photowalking in the summer sun yesterday, we sampled some of La Isla Seattle's fare. It is the only restaurant in Washington State featuring Puerto Rican cuisine. The sidewalk seating and interior tables were packed for Sunday lunch, and now we know why. This was a chicken and rice dish with a side of plantains and fresh garlic sauce. Would you like a bite?

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Moonrise Over Thomas & Boren

Like so many cities seem to have done, Seattle purchased street signs that were supposed to be able to be read at night because of their reflective quality. . .but in reality one can't read them at night, or by day (one of my pet peeves. . .but I'm not bitter). To follow up on Friday's moon shot, here the moon was rising on this street scene in a light industrial area of the Cascade neighborhood.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

4th of July Sky

It is Independence Day in the States, a summer holiday much celebrated with neighbor and family gatherings, cookouts, fireworks displays, and remembrances of a great nation's birth and a people's costly struggle for freedom. Before the dark fell and the fireworks above Lake Union began, we were treated to a warm sunset full of pink clouds and fiery glow on a perfect summer evening. Happy Birthday, America!

Friday, July 3, 2009

Skywatch: Moon Over the Mountain

Sorry for the late post! Summer life is turning out to be busy. It is Skywatch Friday again. As the moon rose and the ferries came and went, a fire boat on Elliott Bay was spraying water, I know not why. Tomorrow, for the first time since its inception many decades ago, there will be no 4th of July fireworks display over these waters. Ivar's seafood restaurants announced they are discontinuing the sponsorship of the display their founder started. The fireworks over Lake Union will be the only display this year. Sad for us and our neighbors, as we would just put our lawn chairs in the street (we're on a hill) and watch the Elliott Bay display in the distance. Well, here the moon is on display. Click here to see other Skywatch Friday shots from all over.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

The Counter at Geraldine's

After yesterday's emptiness I heard a lot of you saying, "This is weird. Bring back the people!" So here's some Seattle morning life at the fullest. Geraldine's Counter is a Columbia City neighborhood breakfast favorite. There is seating at comfortable tables and booths, but on a stool at the counter you can get lost in your reading or you can feel like you're in the middle of the action as the staff serves up its great contemporary American fare and a good cuppa joe. More pix and a peek at what we ate at More Seattle Stuff.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Theme Day: Empty

The CDPBlogger's first of the month theme for July is EMPTY. I thought I'd show you that all that coffee Seattlites drink doesn't necessarily keep us awake deep into the night. The java jive subsides at some point and the sidewalks roll up all over town. Even Pike Place Market rests, empty of goods, merchants and shoppers. All is quiet until trucks start arriving for the next morning's work.

To see how cleverly City Daily Photo Blog authors have interpreted the theme, click here to view thumbnails for all participants. I must warn you, though, it may seem as if the world has become deserted. Perhaps you'll find a trace of life somewhere, but it may seem a bit like scenes from an episode of the Twilight Zone, I'm afraid. You know, the one where a neutron bomb has gone off and left everything perfectly intact except the living things :-).