Madison Park Playground and Beach & Madison Park Bakery.

Summer is gone, pretty much officially, but I didnt want to forget to post about this great duo. Most Seattleites know of Madison Park, but I hadnt been there in ages, and since the last time I had visited, they have redone the playground. Its a great play ground set just above the lakefront beach and also just across the street from the bakery. It was a hot day when I went in, but I still wanted that donut. The apple fritter called to me, but I settled for Z's wish, the one with the sprinkles, instead. a reason to go back I suppose. but, just dont try to head there on a Monday. I have done that once before, gotten Z out of the car seat, carrying him 3 blocks while pregnant, only to find that indeed, they were closed.

On a hot August day, the beach was such a treat. I am only sorry that I didnt bring my suit.

Carkeek Park and oh geez, here goes.. Chicka Latte.

I cant believe that I am going to do this. but, sometimes, things get desperate. I love Carkeek Park. just love it. I have been trying to figure out which coffeehouse to pair it with, and so far, I have stopped at Starbucks and Neptune on the way. The problem with both of these places is that I have to park, sometimes, not nearby, and get my son out of his car seat, only to have to force him back into to it 5 minutes later. not always the easiest task these days. Many times, I am delayed in going anyplace as he loves to 'drive,' and I usually try to honor his request for 20 minutes or so. SO, on the days that I want to have a coffee and to get anywhere in a timely fashion, a drive thru is so ideal. Really, this should be where I invest my money. can you imagine, a nice drive thru, with great coffee, really good pastries, some good sandwiches etc? There ARE a lot of mommys (and stay at home daddys) around, you know. So, today, I tuckered out my little guy at the beach, and on the way home, he promptly fell asleep. what to do, what to do. I could drive the extra 5 miles into Ballard, OR, geez, turn right at the light and voila, eek...cringe...pull into Chicka Latte. gulp. I swore I would never do this. never say never, I guess. Of course, I pulled up to it facing the wrong direction and had to get out of my car to approach the window. there I was in plain view. at the Bikini coffee stand. but, the barista was nice enough, and she could definitely pull off the bikini, so I guess it could have been worse. And, the coffee, it was passable, not bad. I know that I am not the only Mom with the idea to venture here. As I was leaving, I spotted two minivans in line behind me and I had to chuckle.

note: there might be another option coming soon. on Friday, July 16th, Green Bean Coffeehouse is opening in their new location on 85th and Greenwood. AND, it looks as if they might, just might, have a drive up window. I will certainly keep you posted.

Fresh Flours and Woodland Park Zoo.

I cant believe it has taken me this long to write about 2 places I probably frequent more than any other. We live blocks away from the zoo, so going there is such a lifesaver. Its easy, a great park and zoo in one and so convenient. I especially love going there in the afternoons after Z's nap. more so in the summer when you can stay on the grounds until 7pm! Summertime is busy at the zoo, but if you go at between 4 and 5pm, you may almost have the place to yourself. I highly recommend a membership too. that way, you dont feel like you have to make a full day of it. you can just pop in and out when the fancy strikes. for us, it is at least once or twice a week. My lack of posts as of late is in part due to the fact that I have given up coffee. (gasp) Its for good reason though, as I am pregnant again, and honestly havent craved it up until this point. so, we were on hiatus a bit from coffee seeking, but I am slowly getting myself back. While on coffee strike (again, gasp), I still have been frequenting places, but more for the food. I have a real sandwich craving these days, and so I was pleased to see that along with delightful pastries, Fresh Flours also offers a few really great sandwich options. and, let me tell you, they beat the zoo fare, hands down. I admit to have eaten a few zoo cafeteria burgers in the last 3 months, but as of late, I am much more satisfied with the BLAAT sandwich from Fresh Flours. It is a Bacon, Arugula, Avocado, and Tomato sandwich on this thick Brioche bun. something about it, could be the perfect ratio of mayo, hits the spot every time. And, since I dont do much coffee, I opt for their iced green tea latte. powdered matcha with a little sugar and milk. good stuff, but I do admit, sometimes the powder sits unmixed at the bottom of the cup. if they just used a cocktail shaker....

Then, there is the zoo. I cant rave enough about this place. I have been to a few lamo zoos in my time, but WPZ is not one. I admit, some exhibits could use a little more updating and more space for the animals, but the ones that they have renovated are pretty great. Its also a nice park too. lots of grass for running, picnicking and paths for walking. it really is a beautiful space.

If zoos arent your thing, there is also a nice playground just north of the zoo and just south of Fresh Flours. perfect.

and, dont forget to try their pithivier. sausage, cheese and mushrooms encased in a flaky pastry. a few of my favorite things.

Honore Bakery, Lunchbox Laboratory and Salmon Bay Park

I admit, I haven't actually hit up these three on the same outing, but they are all pretty close to each other, and each is a place I recommed hitting up on your travels about Ballard. First, Lunchbox Laboratory might just put you at risk for a heartattack. but, it is so good, you have to try it. The Burgers are at max capacity, even to be featured on the blog 'this is why you are fat.' but, what is one burger, and some sweet potato fries and a nice homespun shake in the whole scheme of things? its good, thats what it is. BUT, if you are just looking for a coffee and a damn good kouign amann (whats that, you ask?), head to Honore Bakery instead. There you will fine some fine pastries, french macaroons (if thats your thing), and some good coffee roasted up by my neighbors at Lighthouse. You will not be disappointed. that is unless, you hit up Honore after 3pm, or on a Monday or Tuesday, when its closed. I do believe Lunchbox is closed Mondays as well.

Now, head to the park.

Salmon Bay Park is just outside the Ballard central area and its a really cute place. a nice green and tree'd area as well as a playground with some cool climbing toys, swings and a sandbox complete with resident trucks and shovels.

A bonus for us when we visited the other day was the neighbor to the South who was having the garage sale of the century with kids stuff galore. It was Z's lucky day, and we made off with a skateboard, helmet and knee pads for 6$. what a deal!

e.t.g. cafe, Fremont Sunday Market

So, this post is kind of a cheat, but I thought I would write it anyway. I didnt really take Z to e.t.g and the fremont market, I went by myself. BUT, I do think that the market can be a fun place for kids, just not the kind like mine that enjoy running amuk. there is too much temptation here for him to want to stay put in the stroller, but to let him out..I just cant imagine what might become of all the fragile glass bongs and vases. that said, if you have an older kid who is crafty, the antique area might be a fun place to get ideas for craft projects, and there are some fun areas to browse thru vintage toys and books. and, there is music here and from time to time some street performers to entertain the crowds. The newest addition to the market that really rounds it out for me is the farmers market. they have added a whole new produce and food section that adds a bit more appeal for me, at least.

and, then there is e.t.g. not sure what that stands for, but it is the cutest little place. i love the feel of it; a tiny cafe tucked almost anonymously between its neighbors. in the same neighborhood as at least 5 other coffeehouses, (Starbucks, Peets and Cafe Ladro to name a few) this place has the most charm by far, not to mention good organic coffee and housemade pastries. 

and, they have the coolest vintage cash register.

Java Jazz: Drive thru #3

Despite not really understanding the correlation between java and jazz, I decided to venture to this drive thru the other day. I dont really know what happened. I left the house on my way to Trader Joes and ended up hitting the drive thru and ending up at a park. this is what happens sometimes when it gets sunny out. All my errands and must do's end up lower on my 'must-do' list. love those Seattle spring days.

and, Java jazz was good, too.

Mighty-O Donuts, Zoka Coffee, Meridian Playfield.

Z and I have been reading alot of a book called 'Who Needs Donuts?' lately and its got me hankering for some, even though the moral of the story is that you don't need donuts when you have love. well, what is wrong with having both? is that so wrong? This combined with the article on Yahoo! about the best donuts nationwide had gotten my fires burning to go check out MightyO, so that is just what we did. Of course, I had to make it worth Z's time too, so we stopped at the Meridian Playground, which is just 5 blocks south. Mighty O is good and as far as donuts go, they arent too bad for you either. I did say, as far as donuts go. If you want a good cup of coffee, head next door to Zoka. I have only been there once, but the coffee was really good, so much so that the barista took a whiff of the pour to check for quality before pouring it into my cup. now, how often do you see that? Meridian park is a really great place too. I love that it is mostly enclosed, although right on 50th, so you feel like you are in a nice park and not, well, right on 50th. There is lots of grass, trees, tables and a nice playground for tots and older kids alike. I tend to forget about this park, as it is just a little further from my normal park walking radius, but now, with Mighty O and Zoka back on the radar as being a short walk away, its back on baby, back on.

Serendipity and West Magnolia Playground

I met with my Moms group today at Serendipity, a little cafe in Magnolia that is extremely child friendly. We happened to arrive to the play area as story time was occurring, and even though kids were screaming all around us, we were shushed for chatting in the play area. My guess is that storytime is between 10-1030, so I think next time, I would come later, if you have other Moms you want to converse with and also, if you want a little space to have a seat while your kids play.
They offer a nice kids menu and have good coffee from Cafe Vita, so it was a place that I would likely return.
Since it was sunny today, I took Z across the street to West Magnolia Park after our visit to the cafe. It was a great little playground. areas for young toddlers, a nice sandbox with trucks and other sand toys. Z had a blast, and I quite enjoyed sipping my latte in the sun.