An important part of being a solo traveler is finding ways of meeting different people from different ways of life as you travel, and if you are passionate about local cuisine, then there are some great ways to meet others and to enjoy good food at the same time. The variety of different food and ingredients that are produced in the Pacific Northwest is very interesting, and there is a strong traditional of 'farm to plate' restaurants to be found in the area.
The social dining experiences available helps to make the area interesting for food lovers, and here are some great ideas on different dining options in the region.
The Capitol Hill Social Dine Around, Seattle
This is a fascinating way to try the cuisine around Seattle and also to get your bearings in the Capitol Hill district of the city at the same time, as it is a food based walking tour that takes in five dishes at five different restaurants as you explore. The courses range in style and cuisine from Italian and French through to modern Japanese sushi, while the final stop of the tour is for a dessert of fresh ice cream. This is a great way to meet others who are visiting Seattle, and to enjoy some great food at the same time.
Holocene, Portland
This interesting venue is a great place to catch a bite to eat and to see a live band or listen to music spun by local and international DJs, and offers a good balance of venue, bar and good simple food to make it an interesting and social place to have something to eat.
The venue also hosts a monthly farm food meeting called InFARMation where local farmers meet city consumers, and get to share a beer as well as discussing the issues affecting local farming.
Willows Inn, Lummi Island
Because you have to take a ferry to arrive at the island, this is a dining experience that really seems to slow everything down, and as well as getting an excellent meal prepared by chef Blaine Wetzel, you can also spend the day exploring the island and meeting some of the producers who supply the restaurant. With only one sitting per night, and a fixed five course menu taking in some of the best ingredients produced in the area, this is a wonderful place for dinner, and the casual drinks that start the meal on the terrace helps to make it a great social experience too.
The Cooking Dolls Dining Club, Seattle
If you are heading to Seattle, it is well worth joining the mailing list for this wonderful supper club in advance, as it offers regular events with a small friendly group of people and a different chef and culinary cuisine each time. Each meal will have a different focus, and the small size of the group means it is easy to introduce yourself and to share your passion for good food with others in the area.
The Matador, Tacoma
A combined restaurant and tequila bar, this quirky venue is a part of a chain of several restaurants in the region, with the Tacoma branch being home to an amazing open fireplace at the heart of the venue where you can sit and talk with others. The Mexican cuisine not only features traditional favorites, but also uses local ingredients combined with the cuisine to make dishes that are unique to this region.
Punch Bowl Social, Portland
Another venue that offers an interesting combination of restaurant, bar and entertainment in one location, this is a great place to try the bar meals and enjoy a craft beer or a cocktail. With the activities in the venue including bowling, a ping pong table and shuffleboard, this is a great place to play games with others and meet people from the Portland area, and to have a good meal too.