Happy {Date Night} Friday!

Happy Friday! I know I owe you a lot of pics, but here are a few from our first date as husband and wife on the Monday after our wedding {also, my birthday redo from being sick the month before}. We headed to Bottlehouse for an early dinner and happy hour on the patio where we dined on yummy food, good wine, and had the patio basically to ourselves. Note to self - Monday afternoon is the best day for an easy happy hour :) Cheers!

pickled egg and seasonal burrata with melon and heirloom tomatoes

mac & cheese and seasonal toast with cucumber & salmon

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Some Random Bar

Last week we headed downtown for a really fun event {more on that later} and on our way decided to stop in Belltown for an early dinner.  After checking out the menus at a few places we landed on Some Random Bar {no really, that's it's name!}, which had happy hour and room for us on their outdoor patio.  We each ordered some summer-y drinks {beer for C and an Aperol Spritz for me} then ordered the Pork Belly Banh Mi Tacos {C} and the Grilled Shrimp Club {Me}, both of which were absolutely delicious.  The vibe outside was fun and with good food and good drinks, I'm guessing we'll definitely be making more stops here on our adventures downtown!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

The Best Skinny Margarita

Christian and I have been on a mission to perfect the at home margarita, and I think we may have finally done it.  We love a good fresh margarita on a Saturday evening to sip while we make dinner and the recipe I found on Simply Real Health for a Skinny Margarita is simple, straightforward, and delicious.  The first step is to have some yummy ingredients - we were fortunate enough to get a bottle of Casamigos tequila and Grand Marnier while Mom's friend was in Nevada {tax free!} but we've made this with Jose Cuervo Silver and it's still pretty tasty.  The second secret?  Big ice cubes - I swear it makes all the difference in a cocktail.  I bought Christian these round ones for Christmas last year and we always keep them filled for when the mood strikes for a cocktail.  Next time you're in the mood for a fresh and refreshing margarita without all the extra sugar and artificial flavor, grab the tequila bottle and make these ASAP.  Cheers!

The Best Skinny Margarita

Ingredients
3oz tequila
2 limes, juiced
3oz Cointreau or Grand Marnier
6oz club soda

Instructions
1. Add tequila, lime juice, and Grand Marnier to a shaker with ice and shake like crazy.
2. Add large ice cubes to two glass and fill about 1/3 full with club soda.
3. Pour margarita over top, splitting between the two glasses.

Serves 2

adapted from simply real health

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Ivar's Salmon House

How was your weekend?  Saturday afternoon, Mom came to the city to see Kiss Me Kate and to spend the weekend with me.  The show was entertaining {though not one of my faves} and afterwards we shopped a little before heading out to find dinner.  Since it would've been Nana's birthday, we decided to celebrate with something she loved - fish and chips.  I suggested Ivar's Salmon House on Northlake remembering that they had a great happy hour, and we ended up with a booth in the bar where happy hour runs 7 days a week from 3 to close - does it get any better than that?  The view was gorgeous watching boats pass by on the lake as we shared some drinks and coconut shrimp, then mom got the obligatory fish and chips while I went with the salmon sandwich {so good}.  It was a fun evening trying out somewhere new and celebrating Nana, and by the time we got home it was time to put on our jammies and watch the M's beat the Rangers - a pretty great end to the day!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy {hour} Friday

Happy Friday!  Last week since Christian was working downtown we decided to meet up for an impromptu happy hour at Elliotts for some yummy oysters and small plates.  I love any excuse for happy hour, especially when it's unexpected and delicious :)  It's been a super busy week at work and I'm excited to have a pretty low key weekend catching up with old friends and snuggling inside.  And maybe catching another impromptu happy hour on a cold and rainy day?  There's nothing better :)

Have a great weekend!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy {Hour} Weekend

Yay for the weekend!  Last weekend, fed up with the rain and cold, we decided to make the most of the day by heading to the theater to see an afternoon showing of The Post, followed by a little happy hour hop through Ballard.  Our favorite?  Ballard Annex Oyster House, which had some amazing mussels in a white wine sauce and a delicious smoked white fish spread which we paired with a dozen oysters and some delicious white wine and beer.  It was fun spending the afternoon eating and drinking with my favorite guy - I can't wait for more weekend happy hours to drown out the rain, and moving them outdoors as the weather gets nicer.

Hope you have a great weekend! Stay healthy!! :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Christmas at The Fairmont

Can you believe that Christmas is only 10 days away?  The season is going by way too fast, but I was still able to find time for happy hour at The Fairmont earlier this week with my coworker.  We've been talking about Christmas drinks there in The Terrace since last year so we finally made it happen, heading out early from work to sip on some holiday themed cocktails {the Holly Jolly margarita was delish} and enjoy the gorgeous tree that lit up the lobby.  Even though the holiday is rapidly approaching, it's nice to take time out to actually enjoy it - that's really what it's all about, right?

Have a happy, holiday-filled weekend!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Ragtime & The Fairmont

How was your weekend?  I woke up to this beautiful foggy view on Saturday morning {more about my super quick trip north later}, then quickly got ready and headed back to Seattle for a fun weekend with Mom.  We started out going to see Ragtime at the 5th, then headed over to The Fairmont where we enjoyed a few glasses of wine and totchos {!} for happy hour at The Terrace bar.  I love the feel of The Fairmont - so grand and beautiful - and as we sat there we spied on two separate weddings taking place at the hotel.  Their happy hour is great, and I can't wait to head back for the holidays when it's all decked out :)

 fancy totchos {nachos made with housemade tots}

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Birthday Happy Hour {Cinque Terre}

Monday night, since I haven't seen Zara in what feels like months, we met up for happy hour after work at Cinque Terre, a new hot restaurant right in between our respective offices.  This place has a great happy hour {just like it's sister restaurant, Barolo} and you can get a glass of delicious wine for less than $5 with italian bar food {think calamari, prosciutto with burrata, and fresh pizza} for half price.  We shared several glasses of wine and plates of food while catching up on the past month or so, and when I left to go to the ladies room, she surprised me by ordering the peach olive oil cake to celebrate my birthday - it even had a pretty gold candle for me to make a wish!  It was one of the sweetest surprises from my Barre bestie, and I love spending time with this girl that can have me rolling on the floor laughing.  I'm so glad she's back in town :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Edgar

Last night was pretty awesome.  I went to happy hour at Barolo with two lovely Bar friends, and as we were sitting in the bar I noticed a Seattle icon, Edgar Martinez, walk through the door.  I was mesmerized to the point where the girls asked "who are you staring at?" and when I tried to explain, my sweet friend who isn't super sports savvy asked "the guy who that street's named after?".  Yes, that's him.  I immediately had to "use the restroom" and as I walked by I tried to snap a few discreet pics.  This was the best I could get :(  I had pretty much convinced a friend we had to go back and get our picture taken with him when I saw him leaving the restaurant.  Next time, I suppose.  I love that living in the city lends itself to chance encounters with local celebrities like this.  It made my day - along with hanging out with 2 fabulous ladies :)

Happy weekend!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Hours with Kelli

A few weeks ago, Kelli came home to spend the weekend with friends and family.  I had her meet me downtown after her flight {in Nordstrom, of course}, then took her to my house so she could see where I live.  After spending some time walking around the garden and showing off my little cottage, I decided to take her on a happy hour tour of Ballard since it was only 4PM.  First stop was The Walrus & The Carpenter, which typically has wait times that can be hours, but since we got there right when they opened, we were seated immediately on the outside patio.  We each had a glass of rosé, then ordered two of my favorite things on the menu - fried oysters and smoked trout.  After that, we strolled down Ballard Ave to Bastille, where we shared a little carafe of wine with moules frites.  It was such a delicious afternoon {and Kelli got her seafood fix} and I love that these yummy restaurants are just minutes from my home.  Thanks for the excuse to try out some great food, Kel!

 our spread at w&c

mussels and fries at bastille

xoxo,
stephanie marie

A Reunion {of sorts}

A few years ago I was part of a committee at work called the RSDC.  We worked on employee engagement and development, which for me was a great way to meet people when I was first starting out at my job.  Those few years I was on the committee I developed some strong and lasting friendships with several other members, and some of my most favorite memories of the past 6 or 7 years {dinners, dancing, trivia, talking until 6am} include these people.  When one of my colleagues suggested an "RSDC Alumni Happy Hour", I was quickly on board, and last night we all got together at Kickin' Boot for drinks, dinner, and A LOT of catching up.  About half of us still work in the same place and half have moved on, and it was so refreshing and insightful to reconnect with these people and remember how much fun we used to have.  I am so grateful we decided to get together and hope we continue to do so {trivia night, anyone?}.  It just reminds me that sometimes friendships come in the most unlikely of places.

i never order bourbon, but this blackberry lemonade was amazing

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Bar Buddies

Last night I met up with some of my most favorite ladies from The Bar Method for happy hour at Mistral Kitchen.  We have been saying for months that we were going to do this, and apparently when you schedule something weeks in advance, it actually ends up happening!  These girls are some of my absolute favorite people - I mean, with how much time we spend together, we would have to like each other at least a little :)  We all have gone through so much together over the past two years {babies, weddings, breakups, death} and are always there for each other for a laugh or a hug whenever it's needed.   While I love having a workout that's so convenient and actually gives me results that I can see, the best part about Bar is by far the people I've met.  These "nooners" are so special to me, and I am so happy to call them friends.  I know they'll be in my life for a very long time :)

love this pic from vanessa

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Local 360 {happy hour}

A month or so ago, Merith and I got together for a catch up happy hour {since it had literally been years since we've done this just the two of us}.  I chose Local 360, a restaurant specializing in locally sourced comfort food, mainly because of their delicious looking menu and outdoor patio {which we ended up not taking advantage of - way too hot}.  We each had a yummy cocktail, then shared some fries, mac & cheese, and PB&J bon bons.  I kid you not - they are little fried balls of peanut butter on a bed of jelly with a shot of milk.  Amazing!  It was so much fun catching up, and while I tend to forget about this Belltown cafe, I'll definitely be heading back soon for their raved about brunch.

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Bottlehouse

Before the Glassybaby party a few weeks ago, Stefanie, Eric, and I met up on the deck at Bottlehouse for some happy hour wine and appetizers.  I know I've written about this place before, but it is fast becoming one of my most favorite spots. We shared olives and bread {with some of the most amazing olive oil for dipping}, and while Stefanie and I sipped on the house rosé {the perfect summer wine}, Eric opted for the Vermouth on tap - cuz let's be honest, how often do you see that on the menu {it was surprisingly refreshing!}.  I can just imagine wasting away summer afternoons on this deck with a crisp glass of wine and great company, which is exactly what we did :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Bar Cotto

Last Thursday, David, Stefanie, and I got together to try out Ethan Stowell's new salumeria Bar Cotto, next door to his Anchovies & Olives on Capitol Hill.  Being the only guests in the restaurant for at least the first 30 minutes, we were treated with quick service and a complimentary plate of salami from the owner himself.  We munched on marinated beets, pork belly with onion mostarda bruschetta (my favorite), and fennel sausage & rapini pizza while drinking wine and catching up.  Halfway through our dinner, Ethan's wife and 5 month old son came in, and we spent the rest of the evening staring at the adorable baby several tables away (he was enamored with David - I think it was the beard).  All in all, it was a great night at yet another fabulous restaurant opened up by one of my favorites :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Canlis {the bar}

Saturday, Mom and I went to see The Music Man.  After the show, we decided to stop off at the Canlis bar for a drink and some appetizers, since I had been promising her every time we drove by for years that we'd go.  Though technically not a happy hour, the bar serves much more affordable plates than the fancy shmancy restaurant.  We grabbed a table next to the piano (which, unfortunately, didn't start playing until right before we left) and took in the gorgeous views of Seattle before sunset and the plethora of men in suits.  We each ordered a drink, and then decided to split the teriyaki tenderloin, Canlis salad, and those famous truffle fries.  Everything was absolutely delicious, and before we knew it, we were stuffed.  As we were walking out of the bar (vowing to come back), I ran into none other than Brian Canlis himself, who graciously reminisced with me about the scavenger hunt we participated in, which now seems so long ago.  Mom was so excited to finally meet Brian, and I could tell from his reaction that he was genuinely excited to see one of the founding members of Menu Impossible back in his restaurant.  He sent his best wishes to the other members of the group (I promise, one of these days I'll recap our adventures for you) and couldn't stop saying how we need to come back real soon.  It was a great way to spend a Saturday evening with my mama :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

The Fairmont {holiday happy hour}

Yesterday afternoon, Stefanie and I ducked out of work for a quick happy hour at The Terrace Lounge at the Fairmont Olympic.  I've been dying to go there for a drink all season to see the hotel decked out for the holidays and it did not disappoint.  We sipped yummy martinis and shared snacks while soaking in the holiday spirit.  It was a great way to celebrate the one week marker before Christmas!

the seattle waterfront in candy, created by the head pastry chef

xoxo,
stephanie marie