7 Greater Seattle Restaurants to take your Valentine

Happy Friday! Today's post is an exciting one for me as I'm sharing my top restaurant picks to take your Valentine in Seattle (or greater Seattle area). Now if you're in Seattle now, you know a snow storm is on its way, but hopefully it doesn't last through the week so you can have a nice night out next week for Valentine's Day. I would recommend making a reservation for spots below (if they're not already fully booked), but would also say these would make great date night locations for any other time of the year! There's a range of cuisines and price points here and I'll definitely share my recommendations!

Miyabi Sushi

One of my favorite restaurants of all time and located in Tukwila, Miyabi has an excellent menu selection of Japanese food including Izakaya dishes, sushi, noodles, entrees, and more. They also have a great drink selection! What I also love about Miyabi is that they have monthly specials, and for February, they have some tasty specials including this Hotate (sea scallop) crudo!

I would recommend trying out any of their special dishes or drinks, but also suggest the following (depending on the mood you're in):
1. Omakase sushi to share
2. Salmon Sunrise or White Tiger rolls
3. Seattle Nabe for soup to warm you up
4. Miyabi Salad topped with fried squid legs. If squid isn't your thing, check out the Kinoko (mushroom) salad.
5. Zaru Soba/Udon


You really can't go wrong with their selection and if you're here at night, you'll get a chance to catch a local guitar/accordian player!

FEBRUARY SPECIALS

Tamari Bar

I've only been here once, but the mood and food selection here is perfect for fun date night. They have specials here that are delicious and frequently change and dishes, such as the Sashimi Tower, that are perfect for sharing. If you also wanted something decadent, you'll have to try their Wagyu dishes as well, my favorite being the Wagyu and Uni (sea urchin) nigiri.

Coltiva Pizzeria e Barra*

I was recently invited to eat here and have to say I really enjoyed my time and meal here! This location is small but has tons of charm with Italian inspired decor, and a beautiful back bar and open pizza kitchen. It's cozy and perfect for a romantic evening out. They are a farm-to-table restaurant that sources from the owner's own farm in Oregon.

Drinks are strong and their pizza is delicious and often changes with the season. Their Burrata pizza is excellent as it is paired with a squash spread that adds a nice touch of sweetness and the burrata is just a rich, delicious layer added. Another delicious pie is the Figura as it is topped with nice and salty procuitto and sweetened with a balsamic reduction.

VALENTINE MENU

*I was invited to eat at Coltiva. This post is not sponsored and all thoughts are completely my own.

The Harvest Vine

This restaurant is located in the cutest little neighborhoods in the city, Madison, and the restaurant itself has a romantic quality to it with the nicey homey and initimate feel. They are a Basque kitchen serving Spanish foods with an excellent selection of wines. I highly recommend the Remolachas (red and golden beet salad), baked egg dishes, Foie de pato (seared foi gras), and really any of their seafood dishes.

Opus Co.

If you enjoy tasting menus but ones that aren't too pricey, then you have check out Opus Co. This is another small restaurant that is very intimate. Another location that caters their menu dependent on the seasons, you can't go wrong with their Opus Feast where you let the kitchen take care of the selection for you. This is a fun way to experience their dishes and is defintitely enjoyable.
Check out my full dining experience at my blog post: Tasting Experience at Opus Co.

Tarsan i Jane

If you're looking for something a bit more fancy and have a higher budget, I would definitely recommend checking out the Valencian dishes/tasting menu at Tarsan I Jane that is also influenced by the local ingredients of the PNW. The food is likely different now than when I went last Spring, but you'll definitely enjoy the wonderful experience, especially if you have a chance to experience the Chef's Table. You'll get to sit up close to the kitchen and see all the amazing work happening while the Chef explains each and every item. It truly is a wonderful experience.

Peyrassol Cafe at Southport

This restaurant is located in Southport located in Renton and has been a favorite of mines for at least 5 years now. It's another small restaurant located by Lake Washington that has small, but delicious menu with Italian and French inspired foods. You can't go wrong with their pasta dishes, my favorite being the Pappardelle with a pork ragu. They also offer a special menu for seasonal dishes which can definitely have some amazing dishes on it. Share a cheese platter and a bottle of wine and you are set.

Happy Lunar New Year | 8 Goals for 2019

 Happy Year of the Pig! Since I missed the traditional 'New Year' (January 1st) post, I thought with the start of Chinese New Year, I could take this time to share a few of my goals this year. I'll be breaking down 8 goals because 8 is a very good number in Chinese culture and it also happens to be a lucky number for me this year!

Macarons by Macadons

1. Create more product/styling content

A big part of my Instagram start was in creating flat lays/knolling images, product styling, and I want to make an effort this year to do more. Last year, I created some but not as much as before and I really do miss the creativity and thought process behind these images! Here's to more #flatlays for 2019.

2. Consistent blog posts

Last year, I truly slacked on the blog post due to many reason including: being uninspired, procrastination, laziness, lack of time, etc. I have the ideas but execution for me last year was difficult so now, I making an effort to be more organized, actually taking time to sit and write my ideas out to bring them to fruition. My goal is to post at least 1x week or every other week, and who knows, maybe I'll even do more! I'd like to continue covering the topics I'm passionate about including food, fashion, and beauty with sprinkles of travel and other fun stuff here and there

3. Continue filming

I have tons of ideas for videos from mukbangs, asmr, beauty, travel, fashion, etc. but this is one where I probably lack the most accountability for. I have made some progress with IGTV as a base, but eventually, I want to be able to do full blown YouTube videos again. Filming and editing is probably the most time consuming but the goal is to develop a schedule to at least get some practice and editing in.

4. Share more food posts

If you follow me across the many handles I have, you know I love food, but I haven't done as much this past year with sharing them and I hope to do more this year! I've tried so many amazing places that I just haven't sat down to share them. This year, I'm making it a goal to include them in blog posts and Yelp reviews even more so than I have in the past.

5. Shoot more photography

With my blog and Instagram, I'm usually in front of the lens, but this year, I'd like to take my skills behind the lens to new levels, whether it is doing more photo shoots at the studio or taking baby/engagement/etc. photos. I've been improving my Photoshop and Lightroom skills and I hope to be able to finally nail down my style.

6. Making more time for friends and family and maintaining relationships

The second half of 2018 was crazy busy and this year will be no different. I want to be able to make more time for myself as well as making time for my friends and family even if it is for shorter visits. As we get older, time has been increasingly hard to come by, but with better time management and being organized with my calendars, I am making it a goal to see friends, both old and new and spending more time with them (and family).

7. Be better with my money

This year, I'd like to make a conscious effort to save more in retirement accounts as well as personal savings. I'm not getting any younger and I have been itching at the idea of buying a house some time soon and in order to do so, I just need to be more mindful of spending including, eating out less, buying items I don't need, purchasing subscriptions that are less valuable, etc. 

8. Find new experiences

The last goal of mine is to get out of my comfort zone and perhaps do things or go places that are new to me. It's easy to get stuck and comfortable with the same things but I want to take a chance this year to try new things, meet new people, and go to new places. We'll see how this one goes!

And that's' it for my 2019/Year of the Pig goals for the New Year. What are your goals this year?

-Kirstie