Travel

Seattle: Land of the Summer Festivals

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Source: Google Images

After speaking to many Seattlelites, there is one common thread in their message:

Take advantage of the summer like there’s no tomorrow. There may be a tomorrow, but probably no sun.

Fun fact: a vast majority of Seattlelites are deficient in Vitamin D.

Not surprising when the sun doesn’t come out to play from September to June…

So what does that mean for Seattle during the summer? FESTIVALS, FESTIVALS, FESTIVALS! (Literally in caps because they jam pack 3-5 each day.)

This past weekend, I attended 3 back-to-back, and all 3 were filled with sunshine-soaking strolling people enjoying the afternoon. Since I got my car towed on July 4th, I have been paranoid when I find a great parking spot - “Am I just lucky? Or am I stupid for parking here…” because finding parking at these festivals can be nasty.

To provide some perspective on the festivals, I decided to do some research for myself and to share, so if you are (or will be) in Seattle, check these out! **For more information, you can click on the events, which will lead you to its website.

Seafair (July-August) A month-long BBQ, airplane flying, boating, kid-zone friendly, community festival that has been going on for 60 years!

Seattle International Beerfest (July 6-8)

West Seattle Summer Fest (July 13-15)

Bastille Day Festival (July 14)

Bastille Bash in Madison Valley (July 14)

Ballard Seafood Fest (July 14-15)

Chinatown-International District Dragon Fest (July 14-15)

Kla Ha Ya Days (July 18-22)

Kirkland Uncorked (July 20-22)

Bite of Seattle (July 20-22)

Vashon Island Strawberry Festival (July 21)

I’m sure there are so many more festivals out there, but here’s a basic list to start, especially for July. If there is more coming up, I’ll be sure to update.

Happy festivalizing!

Unexpected in Madrid: YokaLoka

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One afternoon, Jonathan and I were strolling and browsing through Mercado Antón Martin when we stumbled across YokaLoka. We are obsessed with sushi, but we were in Madrid. And in Madrid, you eat like the Spanish, not the Japanese. After a few minutes of convincing (Jonathan: We’ll just have a few pieces, it’s kind of like tapas, right?), I caved in. After all, it was the first sushi restaurant we had seen so far, and how good can sushi be in Madrid?

Boy, was I wrong. The sake was amazing - it was extremely high quality, and the best part, you could easily taste that it was fresh! I guess that’s the great thing about being located in a fish market in the Iberian peninsula, fresh seafood all the time. Since we ordered the sake (I’m all about the salmon), we had to order the anago too (Jonathan’s all about the eel).

I’m not a huge anago connoisseur, but according to Jonathan, it was great. If you can get his picky approval on eel, then you’ve really done something right.

Unfortunately, there were slight downsides to everything else but the fish - the rice was not properly cooled, the pieces wobbly shaped, and the nori ripped like a 5 year-old. But the Japanese YokaLoka ladies were so kind - they tried to speak English with us, served us complimentary drinks, and even green tea chocolates! It’s hard to come by such hospitality at dining establishments, especially in Madrid.

If you’re a tourist in Madrid, you probably shouldn’t eat a full meal here. After all, you’re in Spain! But if you’re a local, and you just can’t resist some good sushi, YokaLoka is a stop you need to make.

They point to the fish to clarify that “toro” is not bull, “jajajajaja”.

Jonathan excited for sushi!

Steamed Cheeseburgers Are a Thing!

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Steamed cheeseburger and home fries @ Ted’s Restaurant in Meriden, CT

STEAMED cheeseburger?! Yes indeedy! The steamed cheeseburger is a regional thing in central Connecticut. Invented in the 1900s, the steamed burger came to be because there was a huge health craze - everybody wanted everything steamed. So why not a burger… and the cheese! The burger and the cheese are placed into little metal trays, which then sit in the steamer. Once ready, add the toppings and walah, steamed cheeseburger to your liking! I’m guessing the steaming craze didn’t stick around since you don’t find steamed burgers often outside of Connecticut.

So what does it taste like? The burger patty tastes like cooked ground meat, but it’s still juicy and tender. The steamed cheese is the true winner though. Melted, flavorful goodness. I now wish every cheeseburger was made with steamed cheese!