Anyone ever been to Restaurant Zoe on Capitol Hill? (My bet is on an Unger or Kate & Tom.) 
I definitely want to check it out. 

In other news, my boss is taking some clients out for lunch on Capitol Hill and asked for some recommendations - any suggestions my well-dined friends?  :)  My immediate suggestions are mostly closed for lunch.

Dinner at Arabica Lounge last Thursday night was a well-rounded culinary treat. Loved the entire experience: colors, flavors and community. Thank you Southern Nomad for introducing me.  

Esther and I shared the lime vinaigrette and coriander salad (you see in the bottom corner of the menu) and the most delicious homemade pasta.  For dessert she ordered the rice pudding (which was so picturesque it took her 5 minutes to even take a bite of - no lie), and I finished my meal with a pepper and lime, cardamom and chocolate cake.  Esther may have to correct me on some of these details, or supplement, because I largely let her take hold of the ordering, it being one of her favorite Capitol Hill retreats.  


Though the food was beautiful and delicious, it was the atmosphere tailored by the artisan who owns and runs the store.  It was the bikes that strolled in with their owners, the hugs issued at the door, meals shared at the large wooden table, the community that was evidently central to the business that captured my attention as it had captured Esther's appreciation.  Let us taste authenticity - let us feast on beauty and community - and as artists we will come alive.  And we'll come back again, and again. 

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Things I don't do: Pack the morning of a flight.


Crap.... I need to find a suitcase. And some clothes. :)


Last night's Blueberries practice got "rescheduled" and as a consolation prize, Erik, John (fellow Blueberry), and I met up for a drink on Capitol Hill... which turned into dinner at another place, and then dessert... and suddenly it was 11. By the time I made it home, I was far too ready for bed to even consider packing (okay, I considered, but that was seconds before my eyelids closed). All in all, I think it was worth it though. What a fantastic evening of delicious beverages, food, and wonderful conversation... and games. :)

Kristin - two more places I love on 12th now. I tell ya, that street is Culinary Kingdom. If you live in Seattle, and you've not spent much time on Capitol Hill, please... do me a favor and go to 12th avenue. Park near Madison. Get some breakfast at Presse, coffee at Stumptown, and eat anything and everything else in site!

But now, time to pack, because this girl's heading to the bay area, and she couldn't be more excited that she's going with her sis. Can't wait for the coffee and food, and moments of reading and writing and reflecting... and hopefully changing. I'm not quite going across a sea, but I'm flying all along it, so let's hope somehow that literary sign marks what it ought and I come back free of some things, more impassioned about others, and ready to take on what is next.

It's time for a change... and I'm. Looking. In. The (wo)Man. In. The. Mirror. ;)

(If you aren't signing MJ in your head right now, you so missed out the grandness of what I was trying to do for you.)

Happy Thursday Friends!