Seattle's best neighbourhood

It took me two or three trips to start appreciating Seattle. At first I wondered what ther was to do in this sprawling new city of which everyone has heard. On second or third visit (I cannot recall), I decided to stay in a typical Seattle neighbourhood. Little did I know I was picking the best one. Don't get me wrong: you'll find bigger houses, pointier gates, larger estates, and more luxurious cars elsewhere but if you have to live in Seattle, it might as well be on Capitol Hill.

Just a few blocks from downtown, the Hill has an assortment of venues to keep your interest and a few charming spots that you'll add to your favorites folder. I stayed at a charming B&B that was run by a delightfully hospitable and sufficiently distant couple who afforded every corner of every room the decorator's touch. With a comfortable homemade feel, teh old Victorian nearly swallowed up our time in Seattle completely. Luckily, hunger brought us out to the very many wonderful seafood restaurants in town, not the least interesting was one whose name escapes me just north of First Street about seven blocks from the water. Two floors, high ceilings, ambitiously prepared seafood, diligent and yet discreet service and reasonable prices classify this still unnamed restaurant as many locals' overwhelming choice as "their" restaurant.

The final stroll took in some of the pier's delights, the furniture shops near the wharf (Arte Forma, the most notable), the flagship Starbuck's, the views of Rainier, and a New York-style dress-shop. Delightfully happy, we were pleased to be back in 'our' neighbourhood perched on top of the hill that evening while reading the innkeeper's fabulous collection of books.