Yesterday i went for Vietnamese fusion, at Made in Kitchen. All except for the name (where else might the food be made? in "bathroom"?), it was spectacular. Affordable, veggie options, many choices of bowls that become rolls. Perfect Jasmine Green tea served with the meal. It was sunny and lovely, and just then it was time to go see the Dalai Lama speak. HH Dalai Lama was visiting Seattle for a few days, and there was a ceremony and speech at the football stadium. Despite being in a stadium of 50 thousand people, i had the peculiar sense that i was sitting there, listening to the Dalai Lama in a dharma talk, not a few feet from him. He has a way about him that makes his messages so comfortable, so understandable. He comes across as the sort of guy you just want to go have tea with, and sit and talk for a spell.
After the visit with the Dalai Lama, i went to other locations downtown, including CyberDogs. Cyber Dogs is the most hilarious, fantastic thing since sliced bread. Its a vegetarian hot dog place, so you get these veggie dogs (more like big soysages - they're large) piled with toppings. And they have lots of fun names for the sandwiches and creative toppings. Incidentally, there's one called "The DoggiLama", which has Sag Aloo and an Indian curry leaning, and signs posted at the entrance of the restaurant taught me that if the Dalai Lama had turned up at Cyber-Dogs, they would give him a free DoggiLama. I also learned that if Bill Gates turns up at Cyber-Dogs, there are no freebies; instead HE must pay 3 times the amount for any item. This is why i love Seattle. Be warned: whatever clean, chic yuppie feeling you might get from the website is entirely absent from the actual restaurant. Its small, gritty, and glorious.
Also, you must check out Nanda acrobat and performance group sometime. If they perform in your area, it will be worth it. Its like kung fu fighting style, meets Bozo the clown. You will not be disappointed.
Lots of reasons why i heart Seattle, but one sunny, full day of Seattle goodness can seal the deal.
