Diner en Blanc, in Seattle

Le Diner en Blanc, it's called. Originating in Paris, where 10,000 people had a secret "Gustatory Brigadoon", I would call it a very special feast, and celebration. We came, we brought, we had, we left. It was a secret, and I felt lucky to have been invited. If you haven't heard, it is a super elegant, flash mob of foodies, music lovers, artists, and anyone else, that gets invited. It was creative, organic, and FUN. Like a dream. A very angelic dream...And all in white...People rolled in from their Watercraft, and their Cris Craft...

The Set-Up

The food, and table decor was so much fun to walk around a check out. Considering you have to pack it all in, and pack it all out, the food, and settings were amazing.

Meeting new friends, and old, here is a new friend, (Tracy Wong), who is married to a wonderful woman who collects my art. Small world...

As the evening sky moved in, and with the PERFECT weather, we all stood up and shook our napkins, like a big surrendering to the enemy forces...With beautiful violins playing in the background, (everything from Lady Gaga, to Nirvana, to Mozart), we secretly drank our drinks, and ate our insanely delicious food, all while wondering when, or if, the cops would come and haul us away....Alas, they did not, and we didn't get caught...Ahhh the thrill, of getting away with something? 

Interior designer, and Veritables shop owner, Marie Harris.

Night wore on, and then, hark, a puttering of sparklers were heard, and soon we all were waving them around, and it felt like I was in a serious DREAM...It was beautiful...The water all around was sparkling, too.

It was lovely. I am sure it will be popping up soon in a state near you, I hope so, so that you can enjoy some of this elegant, dreamlike, flash mobbery too. Thanks to Jon Gaetz and Marie Harris for the invite!

See more about this phenom, here.

Betsy Eby

Betsy Eby is a super talented, local encaustic painter who I have been following for years.  Her work is soft, ethereal, and just plain gorgeous. Her new collection, titled "Arrangements" is now showing at one of my favorite,  if not my favorite,  gallery in Seattle, Winston Wachter. It will be up until June 16th....

 

If you are unfamiliar with encaustic work it is primarily beeswax with some paint and possibly other medium thrown in...It is incredibly elegant, rich and layered looking, and is quite a process...Betsy uses a blowtorch, and wears a mask as the fumes can be quite toxic. If it is done right, it can up the ante in any room...

Photo's by me, courtesy of Winston Wachter, Seattle.

See more of Besty Eby on here website, betsyeby.com

Where Tourists and Locals Meet In Seattle

I went to the market a few days back on the way to check out a gallery, and wanted to share with some of you who may not know, a few places around our famous Pike Place Market you have to hit the next time you are here...

You have to go through the madness and stinky smells just for the experience of what an old fashioned market experience is like...There is huge, fresh caught salmon, local (for the most part) veggies and fruit, flowers, handmade cheese, and a great Italian Market that sells everything you would need to make a delicious dinner. ( De Laurenti )







Here we have some giddy nutbags playing Grunge covers.There actually have been some amazing musicians that have played here...These guys were not one of them...

This is one of my favorite little joints in the market. They have super traditional crumpets with authentic toppings that are melt in your mouth delicious...The teas are fantastic too...



Always just coming out of the oven...

This traditional French bistro, Le Pichet is a must if you are near the market.






Tenzing Momo has been a cult favorite that is sort of a hidden gem in the back of the market...If you want amazing smelling oils, or herbs, come here...

REALLY nice and helpful people working here.

If you are a Globe or Map nerd like myself you must pay a visit to Metzger Maps...



The background Peninsula is called West Seattle and is where I live. There is a little ferry boat that will take you back and forth every couple of hours for your market fix. Come and visit me and I will meet you for a crumpet...


All Images by Jennifer Ament.