Linda Derschang first gave Hill dwellers a place to party when she opened Linda’s in 1994, and since she’s followed up with other hot spots like Smith and Oddfellows. Though she’s often jetting off to hang in her NYC apartment with dog Jack, home is still where the Hill is—you’re likely to find Derschang sipping coffee at the Pine St Stumptown or sneaking into the Oddfellows cookie stash.

What is your favorite cookbook?
Here’s a short list: Sunday Suppers at Lucques by Suzanne Goin; A16 Food and Wine by Nate Appleman; Momofuku by David Chang; and Pork and Sons by Stephane Reynaud. I have quite a large collection for someone that rarely cooks. Perhaps that’s why I typically choose cookbooks with gorgeous photographs.

When you have out-of-town guests, what restaurants do you take them to?
Spinasse, Café Presse, Corson Building, and Cantinetta are my current faves.

What is your guilty food pleasure?
Cookies! In New York I love the compost cookies from Milk Bar. In Seattle I can’t stay away from the Oddfellows cookies, which is convenient as I’m there quite a bit.

Where is your go-to place for cheap eats?
It’s a tie between Rancho Bravo Tacos and Skillet. And I do love to go to Dick’s for a cheeseburger and a Diet Coke every so often. It’s so old-school Seattle.

What’s your favorite book?
I love to read (and only the old fashioned way—no Kindle for me) so it’s hard to pick a favorite, but I just finished, and absolutely loved, Patti Smith’s memoir, Just Kids. Also, I’m a huge Christopher Isherwood fan and am about to start A Single Man. I loved Tom Ford’s film so much.

What is your staple drink?
Usually a Manhattan made with rye, but that will probably change with warm weather to an Americano or a Tom Collins. With no alcohol involved, I always love an Arnold Palmer. Say that three times fast.