The Go-To Winter Guide

These next level snow adventures go beyond the ski slopes. Also in this issue: The Pacific Northwest's cry for kelp, local gifts we really want, and best new restaurants (to-go and beyond)

In this issue:

Arts & Culture

Ecology Omen

How Does Frank Herbert's Dune Reflect the Northwest?

The book’s huge influence can make you forget its local legacy.

12/16/2020 By Stefan Milne

Book Review

Ijeoma Oluo's Mediocre Unpacks White Male Supremacy

The writer’s follow-up to 'So You Want to Talk About Race' weaves troubled history into current events.

11/30/2020 By Stefan Milne

Quote Unquote

Irene Dubois Takes Drag to an Otherworldly Level

“Drag is a cathartic release of joy."

11/25/2020 By Allison Williams

The Remote Link

What It's Like to Be a Virtual Seahawks Fan

Some lucky 12s offer a glimpse into participating in the “Fan Mosaic.”

10/09/2020 By Benjamin Cassidy

Eat & Drink

WHAT A YEAR

Hail, Brave New Seattle Restaurants of 2020

These restaurants met the moment with trippy bar breakfasts, socially distanced fine dining, and a limited-edition crab roll.

12/10/2020 By Allecia Vermillion Photography by Amber Fouts

Field Notes

Tyger Tyger Brings Big Sichuan Flavors to Seattle Center

The new Sichuan-inspired restaurant burns bright—and not just as a hockey hangout.

12/10/2020 By Allecia Vermillion Photography by Amber Fouts

Field (and Stream) Notes

Fremont's Local Tide Does Way More Than That Crab Roll

But, you guys...that crab roll.

12/08/2020 By Allecia Vermillion Photography by Amber Fouts

There in a Jif

Musang Is Seattle Met's Restaurant of the Year

Melissa Miranda’s stunning Filipino food is only part of the equation.

11/30/2020 By Allecia Vermillion Photography by Amber Fouts

Feature

Seattle's Rocky Yeh Helped Craft America's Cocktail Landscape

He never technically tended bar. But before his death last year, the exuberant local left an indelible mark.

11/20/2020 By Allecia Vermillion Illustrations by Dozfy

In Your Feed

Seattle Restaurant Support Reminds Us, Facebook Has an Upside

How founder Jill Gallagher built Seattle's real talk resource for pandemic dining.

11/19/2020 By Allecia Vermillion Photography by Amber Fouts

Feature

Will Northwest Seaweed Farming Finally Take Off?

The potential is vast—for the environment, for nutrition, for Indigenous food sovereignty.

11/16/2020 By Stefan Milne

Field Notes

Under the Influence of Milk Drunk's Fried Chicken Sandwich

The sandwich intended as a footnote now rules the sidewalk on Beacon Avenue.

11/12/2020 By Allecia Vermillion Photography by Amber Fouts

Field Notes

Phnom Penh Noodle House Makes a Graceful Return

Even in sleek new quarters, the 30-year institution in Chinatown–International District feels familiar in all the right ways.

10/29/2020 By Allecia Vermillion Photography by Amber Fouts

Department of Silver Linings

3 Can't-Miss Menus That Wouldn't Exist without the Pandemic

A cocktail destination redefines itself, spectacular chicken wings land in a legendary address, and a legit butter burger gets even better.

10/28/2020 By Allecia Vermillion Photography by Amber Fouts

Field Notes

Off Alley in Columbia City Is Gutsy in Every Way

A popular popup is now a wee restaurant in Columbia City; and it's about way more than offal.

10/15/2020 By Allecia Vermillion Photography by Amber Fouts

#HellaRice

Herschell Taghap’s Kinda-Sorta Chicken Piccata Recipe

An Italian classic, remade with Sichuan peppercorns.

09/29/2020 By Herschell Taghap Photography by Herschell Taghap

Field Notes

Westward's Waterfront Patio Arrived Just When We Needed It

The Adirondack chairs are gone, at least for now, but Renee Erickson makes one of the city’s great waterfront hangouts feel new again.

09/10/2020 By Allecia Vermillion Photography by Amber Fouts

Health & Wellness

Group Chat

Should Washington Embrace a Four-Day Workweek?

A bill to trim our 40-hour norm didn’t gain traction in Olympia this year. But a political backer and two early adopters say the pandemic may change some minds.

12/03/2020 By Benjamin Cassidy

Feature

How Seattle Volunteers Boosted the World’s Coronavirus Vaccine Hopes

Early in the pandemic, they received the first shots of any coronavirus vaccine. Nobody knew what would happen next.

11/09/2020 By Benjamin Cassidy Photography by Carlton Canary

Home & Real Estate

Habitat

How a Denny-Blaine Craftsman Became a Colorful Pet Project

A photographer’s home makeover brings an eclectic vision to her childhood stomping grounds.

11/05/2020 By Karin Vandraiss

News & City Life

First Person, Last Word

Sarah Leyrer Showed Us How to Live

My friend was a joyful advocate for justice.

12/07/2020 By Kristen Millares Young

Enclaves

Displaced from the Central District

How the lives of two drug kingpins trace a neighborhood’s gentrification and struggle for justice.

11/24/2020 By Levi Pulkkinen

Feature

Santa Is Real—He’s Also My Dad

Dad was never big on holidays. Then a jolly seasonal job gave us a new form of father-daughter bonding.

11/13/2020 By Marisa Comeau-Kerege Illustrations by Franziska Barczyk

Explainer

What Happened to Pier 58?

Charting the collapse and rebuild of a well-trodden waterfront walkway.

11/04/2020 By Annette Maxon

Style & Shopping

GIFT GUIDE 2020

Seattle Gifts We’ll Keep on Giving

Here are the local goods that danced in our heads this year.

11/24/2020 By Seattle Met Staff

Shelf Indulgent

Seattle Gift Stores for Every Type of Shopper

A shop list that’ll make everyone on your list happy—including yourself.

11/24/2020 By Zoe Sayler

Mall Meditations

Pacific Place Refashions Itself Amid Covid-19

A shopping center that helped revitalize downtown considers its future.

11/23/2020 By Benjamin Cassidy

TRAILBLAZERS

Fat Fashion Won't Be Ignored Any Longer

Retail often treats plus-size clothing as an afterthought, but some locals are making it big.

10/27/2020 By Zoe Sayler

Travel & Outdoors

Bright Breaks

Seeking a Sunny Vacation? Here's Where to Find It Near Seattle

This ain’t Baja. But there are some Covid-safe retreats with a few (chilly) rays just a day’s drive away.

01/22/2021 By Allison Williams

SNOW 2.0

Your Guide to Washington Winter

Weather a season of limited skiing, minimal group hangs, and record-high cabin fever. Dig into our complete guide to Seattle snowshoeing, frozen camping, and...

11/25/2020 By Allison Williams

Float On

Washington Guide to Snowshoes and Winter Hiking

Winter’s most accessible sport—with the goofiest footwear—keeps getting bigger. Here's how to do it safely.

11/25/2020 By Allison Williams

earned turns

Backcountry Skiing Is Blowing Up This Winter

Skiers are heading out-of-bounds in droves this season—but all those newbies could snowball into disaster.

11/25/2020 By Allison Williams

Cold Sleep

How to Love Winter Camping

10 tips for sleeping outside in the snow when it's dark, frozen...and surprisingly fun.

11/25/2020 By Allison Williams

Winter walks

10 Best Snowshoe Hikes in Western Washington

Trails look a little different in winter, but with the right footwear there's no reason to stay inside.

11/25/2020 By Allison Williams