Most of the time, when you think about local sourcing in restaurants, you’re not talking about the chef. But that’s not the case for executive chef Maximillian Petty, who grew up not far from The SOMM, a newly-opened hotel and spa in Woodinville, Washington, where he has embraced the challenge of creating unforgettable dining experiences that go beyond locally sourced, sustainable, and artisanal.

His approach incorporates those things, of course, but he and his team–also composed of some locally grown folks–are aiming for food that is whimsical and unexpected, the kind of meal that will make you feel cared for in so many thoughtful ways and leave you with a lingering smile.

Chef Petty has plenty of accolades to his name–including three James Beard semi-finalist nominations during the successful 10-year run of his beloved Queen Anne restaurant, Eden Hill. He brings a wealth of varied experiences across the country as well as the state. Now he’s back in the place it all started, in a place where his creativity can freely shine, and he can focus on the details.

It’s those details that set the dining options at The SOMM apart. As a guest, you have options–from cocktails and small bites in the lobby bar, to the wine cellar inspired restaurant Bin 47,

which serves three elegant meals a day. You can also venture up to The Shed, an industrial rooftop lounge made cozy with greenery. Add in a killer view and a beckoning terrace and you have the perfect recipe for a casual meal or a leisurely drink.

For those looking for a culinary adventure, it’s time to claim your spot at The Summit. This intimate experience hosts only six people, exclusively on Thursday and Friday nights, just once per evening.

You may have enjoyed pre fixe menus before, but likely nothing quite like these 16-course blind tasting menus where nothing is ever the same twice. Chef Petty takes guests on a tour, both literally and figuratively, inviting you into his kitchen, his garden, and his creative process, as well as introducing you to his indispensable team. The Summit is meant to be a journey, starting in the ocean with the freshest seafood, such as a play on Moules Frites in a fluffy beignet.

Guests progress through Northwest-inspired themes of garden, pasture, and mountain. Highlights might include a salad hidden in the kitchen’s hydroponic grow tower, served with a miniature shovel in a custom terra cotta pot, eaten in the kitchen alongside new friends.

You might even encounter a classic from Eden Hill, the Pig Head Candy Bar. Along the way, you’ll enjoy beverage pairings, alcoholic or nonalcoholic, ensuring a cohesive, immersive experience everyone can share. At the end of the evening, you’ll receive a signed menu, not to mention the opportunity to borrow a cookbook from Chef Petty’s custom-curated culinary library featuring over 400 titles.

For Chef Petty, the focus throughout The SOMM’s dining program is on hospitality and taking care of people. “I want guests to feel like they've arrived somewhere they didn't even know they needed,” he says. “Where the wine tells a story, the ingredients shine, and the hospitality feels like someone saved you the best seat at the table."

Chef Petty’s vision fits perfectly into the culture of the hotel, which invites guests to relax in luxurious rooms and a well-appointed spa and to try new things–like blending their own complimentary bottle of wine with a sommelier. The SOMM is a place to come home to after a day of wine tasting, as well as a destination in itself. While you’re here, you’re likely to forget that you’re only 30 minutes away from Seattle.

Many getaways can offer a break, but not all of them deliver a delightful experience in place of your regular life. After all, what’s the point of an escape, if you don’t have something wonderful to escape to? If you’re ready for an adventure, start planning your check-in. We’ll see you at The Summit.