Urban Eats

Throughout October, "Urban Eats" offers you 3-course dinners (appetizer, entrée and dessert) for only $30 at 39 of the Seattle's most esteemed eateries. A good deal for a great meal. Available Sunday-Thursday nights.

Check out the list of participating restaurants:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/urbaneats/

Welcome to Seattle

Opening night!

Am drooling over the opening night caterer's site, so I thought I would share. Expect heavy hors d'oeuvres along with drinks for our always awesome opening night. What a wonderful opportunity to meet others in a very unique space, while noshing on delicious finger food. As great as the carnival in the square was last year, enjoy the upscale tone of this event. And, bring a pen! You'll want to participate in our icebreaker game, so be looking to find 12 people who match the Seattle-themed criteria we've created.

We'll see everyone next week! Can't wait!

Thinking about next year!

So excited to see everyone in Seattle next week, wow! I need to devour these great blog entries about what to do and see in Seattle. In the interim, I've gotten this email from Tasting Table about Minneapolis. And if you can't make it to Seattle, or you know you're going to be in Minneapolis next year, start dreaming about enjoying this food next year.

In the mood for french food?

Just had the most amazing brunch at Cafe Campagne in the Pike Place Market. This place was voted best breakfast brunch in Seattle for 2009 by Zagat.

The picture is their signature dish. Oeufs en meurette.

Two poached eggs served on garlic croutons with pearl onions, bacon and champignons in a red wine and foie gras sauce served with pommes frîtes.

Does not look like much, but tastes amazing.

The cafe is a 10 minute walk from the conference hotel and serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday until 4:00 PM.

Help Josh Help You

Joshua Berger is the principal of Plazm, an innovative and influential Portland, Oregon based design firm. Josh is deeply concerned with the culture and environment in which we live and work and wants our help in understanding what we as institutional designers do to find meaning in our worlds. Here's the question:

Every day we make decisions and take actions, large and small, that influence our lives and the world around us. What do you do, personally, that helps create meaning in your life and your work? What everyday habits do you cultivate?

Post your responses here or feel free to email them directly to Josh at josh@plazm.com. Please let Josh know if he can use your name in the presentation or if you'd prefer to remain anonymous. (Thanks Josh for going the extra mile to make your topic connect. Can't wait to hear the results.)

UW Recommendations

Thanks to Laury Phillips and her colleagues at University of Washington for the latest batch of hot Seattle tips, most within walking distance from the Marriott Waterfront.

Great place for a late night beer with friends:
Virginia Inn
Corner of Virginia and 1st (3 blocks)

Amazing pastries and bread (I can vouch for this one):
Macrina Bakery
1st between Battery and Wall (5 blocks)

Cozy french restaurant (this has now shown up on a couple of lists so draw your own conclusion):
Le Pichet
1st between Virginia and Stewart (3.5 blocks)

Cute jewelry shop:
Fancy
2nd near Stewart (5 blocks)

Great sushi:
Saito's
2nd near Lenora (3 blocks)

Out of the way cocktail lounge:
Alibi Room (how can you not resist that name)
Post Alley near Pike (about 5 blocks)
...across from the gum wall??? don't ask me.

Of designer interest:
http://paperhaus.com
1st and Virginia (3 blocks)

Pike Place Market highlights:
• DeLaurenti Specialty Food (great dolmas)
1st near Pike (about 5 blocks)
• Market Spice (green seafood herb)
1st and Pike (about 5 blocks)
• Beecher's Handmade Cheese (I'm afraid I can attest to this one as well--dangerously good mac 'n cheese)
Pike Pl. and Pine (4 blocks)
• Le Panier Very French Bakery
Pike Pl. and Stewart (3 blocks)
• Piroshky Piroshky Russian bakery (apple tarts)
Pike Pl. near Stewart (3 blocks)

More later. Gotta go find something to nosh.

80 degrees in September

We are experiencing some very warm weather for this time of year. Usually we are in the rainy season. Keep your fingers crossed that this trend continues into October.

Photo taken from I-5 heading north to downtown Seattle at 12:00 PM 9/12/09.

Sponsors, Exhibitors and Goody Bag Participants

Special thanks to all our sponsors, exhibitors and Goody Bag participants that will be taking part in the upcoming conference. Be sure to mark your calendar for Monday, October 5 and make your way to the Resource Center to load up on all sorts of goodies!

Get Schmancy

UCDA member Tom Rask (designer at Case Western Reserve University) contacted us about a fascinating little store not far from the conference site and Pike Place. The name of the store is Schmancy. The owner Kristen Rask, who by coincidence is Tom's daughter, carries a line of quirky toys, collectibles and original art that should get any designers heart racing with excitement.

A great place to visit during free time, and a local Seattle toy shop owner would love for any designers to stop by.