Editor at Large

James Ross Gardner is the former editor in chief of Seattle Met. During his time as top editor the magazine won numerous awards, including the national City and Regional Magazine Association's award for general excellence, twice (in 2015 and 2018). While at Seattle Met, James's writing has garnered 14 first place awards from the regional chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and has been a finalist for seven national CRMA awards. His work has also appeared in Esquire, GQ, and The New York Times, among others. He lives in Seattle’s Central District neighborhood.

Explainer

How to Make Sense of King County's New Restaurant Health Ratings

In January 2017—after two years of research that included meetings with the public, restaurateurs, and food safety experts—King County Public Health began posting health scores in restaurant windows. Here’s everything you need to decode the ratings.

01/18/2017 By Stefan Milne

Morning Fizz

Spokane Audience Boos Republican U.S. Rep. McMorris Rodgers

Outcry to save Affordable Care Act hints of liberal Tea Party.

01/17/2017 By Josh Feit

Art Walk

Where to Go This First Thursday: January

Start off the year on an artistic note.

01/03/2017 By Seth Sommerfeld

Editor's Note

Our Man in Hawaii

Our 44th president’s biography is but one of the many connections to be drawn between Seattle and Hawaii.

12/20/2016 By James Ross Gardner

Editor's Note

In Plain Sight: Revealing Our Favorite Hidden Seattle Spots

We approached this month’s cover story a little differently.

11/16/2016 By James Ross Gardner

Morning Fizz

Washington State AG Ferguson Wins Major Campaign Finance Case Against Grocery Association

Superior court judge blasts food industry for breaking campaign finance laws, issues $18 million fine.

11/03/2016 By Josh Feit

Photo Essay

The City Is a Canvas: Seattle's New Public Art Makeover

As Seattle grows, artists and teenagers keep its colorful spirit alive, one painted mural at a time.

10/20/2016 Photography by Will Austin By Seth Sommerfeld

Best of the City

Seattle's 100 Very Best Restaurants

Truth is, Seattle has easily twice this number of genuinely extraordinary restaurants. But here, including this year’s new standouts, are the most vivid, gracious, straight-up incredible destinations in town.

10/17/2016 By Kathryn Robinson and Allecia Vermillion

Shifts & Shakeups

This Week in Restaurant News: Ramen on Capitol Hill and Pick-Quick in SoDo

Plus, a new cocktail lounge in the former Coterie Room space.

10/14/2016 By Allecia Vermillion

Editor's Note

Is Seattle the Greatest Food City in America?

“The 100 Best Restaurants” is Seattle Met’s most ambitious measure of the city’s food scene we’ve ever published.

10/12/2016 By James Ross Gardner

Unabashed Gluttony

Slide Show: Feast 2016, A Photo Recap

A look at the chefs, the festivities, and the many many bites of food at Portland's massive festival.

09/21/2016 By Allecia Vermillion Photography by Sara Marie D'Eugenio

Editor's Note

Return to the Double R

Rediscovering Twin Peaks in North Bend.

09/15/2016 By James Ross Gardner

Fall Arts!

The Top Things to See and Do in Seattle: Fall 2016

A season’s worth of must-see events for every personality type.

09/04/2016 By Seth Sommerfeld

Profile

The Dark Roast: Mike McConnell and the Rise of Caffe Vita

Michael McConnell dropped out of school in the 10th grade. That didn’t stop him from creating Caffe Vita into one of the largest independent coffee companies in the country. A few things happened along the way.

08/23/2016 By Allecia Vermillion

Editor's Note

Life, Possible

The joy of coffee lies in the anticipation.

08/23/2016 By James Ross Gardner

Elements of Style

Valerie Nethery Belongs to Seattle’s New Throng of Eco-Friendly Jewelers

Welcome to the new world of sustainable bling.

07/21/2016 By Colleen Williams

Get Out

The State's Best Beaches Are Hard to Reach...But That’s What Makes Them Great

Getting to the good stuff: The journey makes the destination even more rewarding.

07/20/2016 By Allison Williams

Editor's Note

The Coast Is Not Clear

Our beaches are more mysterious than most.

07/19/2016 By James Ross Gardner

Feature

Some Call Blaine Alan Gibson’s Search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 an Obsession

He calls it a quest. After more than a year of traveling the globe, studying ocean currents, and combing beaches, the Seattleite discovered a key part of the missing plane.

07/19/2016 By Matthew Halverson

Best of the City

Top Doctors 2016

Our 11th annual list of the best health practitioners in the Seattle area feature 911 doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and more in 100 specialties.

07/04/2016 By Ariana Dawes