I readily admit that I am an unabashed fan of that Seattle icon, Pike Place Market. I make a point to visit at least once during every visit to Seattle.
My preferred time to visit this Seattle Icon is in the morning, before the crowds. To me Pike Place Market is almost a living breathing creature, and watching it wake is both relaxing and invigorating at the same time. Yes, a paradox.....
There's a mild sense of excitement watching Pike Place wake and take it's first deep breaths of the day.
The variety is quite staggering. From the Hmong flower growers/vendors:
To the wide array of appealing produce:
And of course, the seafood.
I can't remember the last time I saw Razor Clams for sale.....
There's always something new, something you've never noticed on previous visits. And perhaps you may run into Truman:
According to his "Dad", Truman "helps" with deliveries on Mondays, Wednesd
ays, and Fridays.
There are of course many places to grab a bite as well, and I'm sure everyone has their favorite. At times you just need to follow your nose and it will lead you to some good grinds.
In the past, the Missus has literally spent an hour watching the donut machine at the Daily Dozen Doughnut Company.....
In spite of all the choices, it seems that the scents emanating from this shop always draws me in.
This little shop specializes in...what else Piroshky.
Whether you call them Piroshki, Piroshky, or Pirozhki, these Russian stuffed pastries are hard to resist. There over 30 different versions served, ranging from the more traditional beef and onion, to the "Pacific Northwest version", the smoked salmon. Sometimes making a decision can be quite difficult.
After sampling a good variety over the years, we tend to stick to the vegetarian versions, like the Smoked Mozzarella, Broccoli, and Mushroom($4.25):
The Missus didn't care for the caraway-sauerkraut flavor of the Sauerkraut, Carrot, Cabbage, and Onion($3.25). But i didn't mind it at all.
The Potato, Mushroom, and Onion, is another of our favorites, but we were getting full.
We ate as we strolled down the Seattle Harbor Steps, and made our way to Pier 52. Why Pier 52?
Pier 52 is the terminal for Washington State Ferries Bainbridge Island route. A ferry ticket costs $6.70(it has gone up over the years), and I call it the cheapest "tour" in Seattle. During clear days the view is wonderful. Even during overcast days like this, the view was fantastic.
The trip is about 35 minutes each way and the fare is for a round trip.
Of course you can't miss that other Seattle icon, the Space Needle.
Bainbridge Island is a nice place to wander around a bit if you have a chance. But on this day we needed a nap!
Saurkraut with caraway, onion, mushroom and sometimes bacon is a side dish I grew up with...take away the bacon and mushrooms, add in carrots, wrap it in a bread dough...the perfect food! Now I want to go to Seattle!
Posted by: Cathy | Sunday, 29 July 2007 at 08:57 AM
I hope you are enjoying Seattle! Piroshky Piroshky is one of my very favorite places to stop when I'm in the Pike Place area. :)
Posted by: Joanne | Sunday, 29 July 2007 at 11:19 AM
I've heared so much about the Pike Place Market from friends who are from Seattle...must take a trip there one day! I just had a piroshky from a place downtown last weekend, I'm afraid it didn't look or taste nearly as good as yours! :)
Posted by: Kathy | Sunday, 29 July 2007 at 05:40 PM
Hi Cathy - I enjoyed the combination of flavors...but I guess it was a bit much for the Missus!
Hi Joanne - I'm a bit behind on posts, so this is from a few months back. But that doesn't diminish the piroshky's!
Hi Kathy - Knowing your fondness for markets, I have no doubt that you'll enjoy yourself. Is that piroshky place on Fort Street Mall still there? It wasn't very good, but was still a good change of pace.......
Posted by: Kirk | Sunday, 29 July 2007 at 10:24 PM
Kirk, didn't a commentor on a post last year, or perhaps the year before, leave a pronunciation-key on the correct way of saying "Piroshky"? Maybe it was Cathy.
Posted by: RONW | Monday, 30 July 2007 at 03:09 AM
Was this a recent visit? I thought Seattle and the vicinity was suffering from a heat wave?
Posted by: elmomonster | Monday, 30 July 2007 at 11:05 AM
Hi RONW - You know, I kinda remember something....maybe on Reid's blog?
Hi Elmo - This was a few months back....I still have one more Seattle post to go.
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 30 July 2007 at 10:43 PM
Wow thanks for that cool little tour of a part of seattle. Love how you capture the local scene so well. It gives me an idea of what the city is like outside of the fictional world of Grays Anatomy and Frasier ;) those russian pastries sure look good!!! would love to try the saurkraut ones :P~
Posted by: Rachel | Tuesday, 31 July 2007 at 07:09 AM
Hi Rachel - Thanks....we love Seattle. And I forgot about where those shows were based as well....
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 31 July 2007 at 01:14 PM
Man, I gotta stop there when I pass through Vancouver next month. It looks awesome.
Posted by: Chubbypanda | Tuesday, 07 August 2007 at 05:13 PM
Hi CP - Stop by in the morning, before the crowds...it's really a nice place to hang out.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 07 August 2007 at 10:33 PM
I am trying to find the number for the person in the market place that sells the stick people earrings. Can someone give me the phone number or email address?
Posted by: karol losada | Wednesday, 08 August 2007 at 10:19 AM
Oh wonderful...I am on my way to Seattle after an absence of 24 years or so and this is just such a beautiful reminder of a lovely place to visit and EAT...of course!
Posted by: Tenina | Wednesday, 18 June 2008 at 08:50 PM
Hi Tenina - I hope you have a great time. We love Seattle, it is a wonderful city...great folks too!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 19 June 2008 at 07:33 AM