Seeking: a good vegan restaurant, a stitch cafe, and even more saunas
+ my mini summer bucket list
Hello! We’ve reached the point in the summer where I start to slightly panic about it being halfway over and begin to review my mini summer bucket list.
For me, that usually includes things like:
Camping ✅
Eating al fresco on our rooftop ✅
Swimming in lakes/rivers (no Puget Sound for me please) ✅
Playing pickleball ✅
Eating juicy stone fruit ✅
Slurping soft serve ❌
Shopping farmers markets ✅
Seeing live outdoor music ✅
Hiking ✅
Going to a Mariners game ✅
Attending Seattle’s many weekend festivals and events ✅
Biking Lake Washington Blvd during Bicycle Weekend ❌
Berry picking ❌
I’m the kind of person who needs to have my intentions written down or else I’ll just… totally forget I wanted to do them. Do you keep track of the things you want to do every summer? If so, what else is on your list?
There’s one more thing I’d like to add to my list which I could use your help with:
🌟 Seek of the week
I really want to watch the Olympics in a communal setting this year. Do you know of any bars or businesses that will be hosting watch parties? Let me know!
I found this guide on Do206, but it only includes three events 🥲
*This post is a little long, so don’t forget to expand if it gets cut off in your email!
💎 Local gems
Bowriders Grill | North Lake Union
I tried to go to Gasworks Brewing with my family last night but it was stuffed, so we walked over to Bowriders instead. It’s tucked in between Westward and the marina and has a surprisingly great view of the city. Plus, it was way less busy.
We got the salmon skewers ($18 for 3), bean hummus ($9), and chicken quesadilla ($13) and it was a good snack for three people. The food isn’t incredible, but it’s solid enough and is exactly what you want to eat after a day on the water (the sandwiches and wraps looked good too).
It’s a great option if you can’t find a table at Gasworks and you want something a little less fancy than Westward.
Box Bar | West Seattle
Last weekend I took myself out for a solo date night in West Seattle. I did a yin yoga class at Dragonfly, got a pedicure at TruNail (you get a complimentary glass of wine if you get the “Tru Girl” pedi), and then finished off the evening at Box Bar.
It’s a very cute vegan restaurant on California Ave with a winery next door (which I’d like to try next). I got the No Bones Crispy Artichoke Sandwich ($16) and upgraded my side to their famous kale caesar (+$5). I’m not vegan and don’t usually gravitate towards vegan food, but I thought this was really good!
I asked my server if the “No Bones” name of my sandwich was a reference to the beloved and shuttered No Bones Beach Club in Ballard and he said that it actually was — the former owner is still turning veggies into delicious crispy things and her creations can be found at different restaurants and grocery stores around the city. Box Bar happens to be hosting a No Bones pop-up on August 5th and 6th if you’re eager to get your hands on the cauliflower wings they’re known for!
👀 On my radar
Stitch Cafe | Capitol Hill
Y’all know how I feel about third places, so I was STOKED to see that a new crochet and knitting cafe is coming to the hill (I even donated to their Kickstarter). In addition to cozy drinks, they’ll be providing yarn, fiber arts lessons, and “an environment to inspire crafting.” I’m a very casual fiber artist, but I love picking it back up every fall.
The pickleball court has been my third place this summer, but I’ve been thinking about what that will shift to once it starts raining. Maybe I’ve got my answer?
The Room @ Central Cinema | Central District
A few years ago my boyfriend took me to see the cult classic, The Room, at Central Cinema. I wasn’t familiar with the lore of the movie or its mysterious creator and star, Tommy Wiseau. But after seeing “the worst movie ever made” where the audience flung spoons at the screen, I had to know more.
I devoured the book, “The Disaster Artist” by co-star of The Room, Greg Sestero, and watched the movie of the same name featuring the Franco brothers. It was strange, hilarious, and still left me with a lot of questions.
This is a niche rec, but I’m telling you all this because Central Cinema is screening The Room on August 10th and Greg Sestero will be present to watch it with you and answer any burning questions! Would be great for any Room newbies or seasoned fans.
At this point, I could probably rename this newsletter Seeking Saunas. After trying Fyre Sauna in Woodinville earlier this year, I’ve been keeping close tabs on all the new pop-ups. Sauna culture is big in Scandinavia and since we share a similar gloom during the colder months, it makes sense that we’re finally adopting the things that make theirs more bearable.
Here are the ones that are newly on my radar:
Bywater Sauna — This traveling sauna has been popping up at Alki, Golden Gardens, and Seward Park. You can book a 60-minute sauna + cold plunge session for $35 on a variety of days and times every week.
Fire & Floe — A GORGEOUS sauna on Bainbridge Island that offers sauna + cold plunge combos but also “HiLoFlo” classes that incorporate fitness into the contrast therapy flow. Would be a fun add-on if you spent a night on Bainbridge.
Space Bar Wellness — Recently taken over by new ownership, this West Seattle studio now offers breathwork and community sessions in addition to their private sauna + cold plunge offerings. It also looks like they’re adding an outdoor space and incorporating a fitness element like Fire & Floe? They have a 7-day trial for $49 which I’m planning on doing so I’ll report back with a review!
Cold Water Collective — Not a sauna but a community of cold plungers that has been collaborating with Bywater on sauna + plunge parties. The Alki brunch plunge potluck on Sundays looks like a lot of fun.
Silent Reading Pop-Up @ Jefferson Park | Beacon Hill
I found this sign while taking my morning walk in Jefferson Park and wanted to share it with my other South Seattleites! I’m not sure who exactly is organizing it, but I support the mission and definitely plan on joining.
Seafab Cafe & Pottery | North Lake Union
I spotted this little waterfront cafe and pottery studio while driving to Gasworks Brewing last night and made a note to research it when I got home. It seems to have started as a metal fabrication company before adding on the cafe and studio.
According to reviews, the cafe has plenty of seating for coworking or meeting a friend and the coffee + food is solid. A studio membership is $250/month, but they also host regular intro classes like an intro to wheel throwing workshop coming up on August 21st.
I’m interested in checking this out for a little coworking + paddleboard combo.
Crema Studio | SODO
Was very excited to see Zoe’s latest video about this curated vintage studio in SODO where you can arrange a private shopping experience (!). The selection looks GOOD and I feel like this could be a super fun girls’ night. They also have open studio nights from time to time — you can stay up to date on their Instagram.
📆 This weekend’s events
Summer at Sam: Live Music & Art | Thursday, 7/25 | Belltown | Free
Jefferson Jumpstart | Thursday, 7/25 | Beacon Hill | Free
Club XCX | Thursday, 7/25 | Fremont | $15
Shannon & The Clams Live on KEXP | Friday, 7/26 | Uptown | Free
Movies at the Mural: Princess Bride | Friday, 7/26 | Uptown | Free
JamFest | Friday, 7/26 | C-ID | Free
Pink Pony Club | Friday, 7/26 | Fremont | $20
STRFKR | Friday, 7/26 | SODO | $30-35
Gorgon City - Enter The REALM | Friday, 7/26 | Pioneer Square | $65
Blastfest | Saturday, 7/27 | Seattle Center | $90+
Vegan Street Fair | Saturday, 7/27 | Magnuson | Free
Alaska Airlines Torchlight Parade | Saturday, 7/27 | Downtown | Free
SWEAT: A Charli XCX Inspired Dance Party | Saturday, 7/27 | Capitol Hill | $5-10
Saturday Night Market | Saturday, 7/27 | Madrona | Free
Olivia Rodrigo Ice Skate | Saturday, 7/27 | Northgate | $14.97
Summer at Sam: Yoga, Live Music & Book Club | Sunday, 7/21 | Belltown | Free
"Signs of Vanishing Seattle" Book Launch | Sunday, 7/21 | Belltown | Free
The String Cheese Incident | Sunday, 7/21 | Carnation | $54.50
Cinci’ Chili @ Tivoli | Sunday, 7/21 | Fremont | Free
Multi-day:
June is the First Fall | 7/25 - 7/27 | C-ID | $20-50
Timber! Outdoor Music Festival | 7/25 - 7/27 | Carnation | $65-186
Shakespeare in the Park | 7/25 - 7/28 | Various locations | Free
Seattle Art Fair | 7/25 - 7/28 | SODO | $35-65
Rewind, Be Kind | 7/26 - 7/28 | Capitol Hill | $15.50-84
Urban Craft Uprising | 7/27 - 7/28 | Magnuson | Free
What’s next:
9/21 | R-Day is coming back to Georgetown and will be celebrated with live music, food trucks, and fun Rainier-themed activities
9/22 | I’ve been a big fan of Fran Lebowitz ever since I listened to her Wiser Than Me episode with Julia Louis-Dreyfus. I was happy to see that she’s coming to Seattle this fall!
10/10 - 10/11 | Clairo has a new album out (I like it!) and she’s got some shows on the books.
🚨 ICYMI
Fremont Brewing is opening up its new Columbia City outpost this Friday. Ben’s Bread started a subscription service so you can avoid the lines. There’s a new EDM club called VICE in the basement of Melrose Market (my Gen-Z brother says it’s alright but 1.75x better than Club Q lol).
To your sauna list, add the Bow Sanctuary up on Chuckanut Drive. I guess it’s not REALLY Seattle, but it’s such a nice drive up. We went on a rainy cool day, sat in the sauna, and then took breaks to walk around the labyrinth in the grass. Really cool.