Ben McBee

“There’s never been more to SEA.” That’s the slogan for Visit Seattle’s new campaign designed to encourage people to get reacquainted with all downtown has to offer. With the Perks Pass (free to download straight to your phone), you can enjoy 40+ special offers not only at bars and restaurants but also at hotels, arts organizations, and other businesses. Foodies can dig into deals like 15% off at WeRise Wines (a showcase of underrepresen...

Soon, hordes of out-of-town relatives will descend on Seattle for the Thanksgiving holiday, bringing with them the usual uncomfortable questions and off-base perceptions. Maybe we’re just being cynical and they’re actually fantastic. Either way, whether you’re looking to impress them or get some fresh air when the small talk grows stale, there are plenty of new restaurants popping up around the city to visit and enjoy the great connector...

Whether you're a novice or connoisseur, the knowledgable staff are prepared to answer any questions you have to find the right piece for your needs.
Fall turns the Pacific Northwest into a beautiful painting, with vibrant brush strokes of crimson and ochre. It’s enough to inspire the creative part of your brain, so if you find yourself yearning for more artistic expression in your own home, we don’t blame you. Thankfully, the season is also an ideal time to pay a visit to the many wonderful g...

In celebration of the restaurant's fifth anniversary, "A Culinary Harmony" will bring acclaimed chefs from across the country for two-night residencies.
For all of the incredible food in the Pacific Northwest, you won’t find a single Michelin star restaurant — at least not on our side of the border. While Vancouver, BC has a dozen honorees, Seattle isn’t even listed on the famed French dining guide (which actually follows a pay-to-play model).
Portland isn’t included either, but it is home to...

It’s difficult to write (and likely to read) about eating in Seattle when so many people are about to be hungry after losing SNAP benefits. Toasted Bagel & Coffee, which made headlines last week with their plans for expansion, is doing its part to support the community by launching a free breakfast campaign called “Put It On My Neighbor’s Tab.” Anyone can say the phrase to get a meal—no questions asked—with the business covering the firs...

OK, we’ll say it—we love Seattle Restaurant Week, but it also gives us a little bit of anxiety and a lot of FOMO. There are just so many choices. Hundreds of restaurants, food carts, cafes, and bars can be a tad overwhelming, but 10? That’s a much more manageable number. Thankfully, Secret Seattle put together a quick-and-easy guide to get rid of the guesswork (and thank you for listening to our truth).

Competitors pale in comparison to this Capitol Hill co-working space’s flexible, monthly options, concierge-level services, and opportunities to commingle with peers in other industries.
Capitol Hill is known for lots of things: world-class restaurants, trendy bars, music venues where indie artists make a name for themselves, historic mansions and modern condos. It’s a pretty great place to live, but how is it for work? Strangely, even with all the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, the f...

Meals on Wheels People and New Seasons Market have set their biggest-ever goal for the fundraiser at a time when older adults need support the most.
Try to remember what you had for dinner last Tuesday. Drawing a blank? Don’t worry, this isn’t a memory test but rather a way to say that ending each day with a meal is something we all can take for granted.
It’s much easier to recall past holiday get-togethers that were meaningful not only because of the food but the love you received. Those mom...

Do we detect notes of adventure and originality?
Everyone knows the Pacific Northwest has great wine — but what else does it bring to the table? Well, as it turns out, a whole lot more than charcuterie. From jaw-dropping settings, unique architecture, and outside-of-the-ordinary tours, these experiences elevate wine tasting from the typical “four pours and off you pop” visit to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Good things come in threes — and this full-day itinerary in Southern Oreg...

Branch out from your typical tastings in wine country to try Durant's first olive oil of the harvest season — and see how it's produced.
As you’re traveling the northwest corner of the Willamette Valley, the landscape evokes a certain Italian flair. The beautiful rolling hills. Rows upon rows of vineyards. Villas where the wine is flowing. Cordial people and their pleasant brand of hospitality.
Stopping in for a visit to Durant at Red Ridge Farms during November, those similarities only grow....

Nadi Mama, one of Seattle’s small-but-mighty restaurant groups, is leaving the industry behind. Its last outpost, Mbar, the rooftop restaurant that wowed guests with sunsets and fine foods from the Levant region, will close following its last day of service on Saturday, Nov. 1. Moving forward, owners will focus on grab-and-go mezze and wraps, which you’ll be able to find at local cafes and grocery stores.

While the Mariners hope to hold off a comeback from the Detroit Tigers in the playoffs, many local restaurants are making a comeback of their own, from the College Inn Pub to Bar Cantinetta. There are also a few newcomers making a name for themselves, like the Levant-inspired café Mintish Coffee Shop in Capitol Hill and Pidgin Cooperative in Fishermen’s Terminal. Still hungry for more? These bits of news will surely get you on your feet....

Leaves are changing colors, rain has returned, and you find yourself yearning to expand your PSL horizons. For the uninitiated—really, how big is the rock you’ve been hiding under?—that stands for pumpkin spice latte, and it’s a fabulous beverage no matter how much teasing it attracts. From Broadcast Coffee to Makeda and Mingus, there are plenty of local cafés brewing the autumnal blend (so you don’t have to stand in line at Starbucks).

If you haven’t been to Vancouver, Washington, in a while, chances are it looks quite a bit different than your last visit, especially along the waterfront. There, you’ll find a modern, seven-acre park with a playground and river access, as well as dining and hotel options galore. Grant Street Pier juts elegantly over the Columbia River, offering visitors views of the nearby Interstate Bridge.
Development is ongoing and planners are turning their attention to an even more ambitious project at ...

There's plenty of harvest activities and feasts to dig into.
There’s something about the crisp autumn air that makes you want to do as much as possible before the dreary winter weather returns to the Pacific Northwest. Thankfully, there are pumpkins to paddle, beers to cheers, and shellfish to shuck — and that’s just the beginning. With these suggestions, have no doubt you can fill your weekends with fun until all the leaves fall down.
For a family friendly outing, follow the distant sound of...