Wishing you knew the friendliest park to take your dog? Best place to go on a family vacation? Or who serves up
superior Indian food? From shopping to services to sushi, here are the top picks of our recent survey of our members “best of” choices for Bellevue and Beyond.
From saucy Italian to newfangled Thai, to chicken masala to
hamburgers, and sushi to coffee, here are the top picks for all things delicious.
BAKERY Need to satisfy your sweet tooth? HOFFMAN’S FINE PASTRIES (226 Park Place Center, Kirkland; 425-828-0926) is the place to go. Great for all your wedding and birthday cake needs, as well as pastries, cookies and delicious Danish.
CHINESE If you want the best Chinese food on the Eastside, then be sure to check out YEA’S WOK (6969 Coal Creek Parkway SE, Newcastle; 425-644-5546). Try the KungPao chicken or Beef with Broccoli. You won’t be disappointed!
COFFEE SHOP If you’re from Washington State and in the mood for the perfect cup of Joe, STARBUCKS (multiple locations; www.starbucks.com) is the only place to go to find just about any caffeinated combination you can dream up.
FAMILY & KID-FRIENDLY DINING RED ROBIN (multiple locations; www.redrobin.com) understands that while dining out with children can be stressful, when you find a place that caters to kids it makes the experience much more enjoyable. To help out, Red Robin offers kids their own menu, cup, crayons and
a balloon to take home. No wonder this Seattle-born establishment is continually awarded as the “Best Family and Kid-Friendly Restaurant” in North America.
INDIAN CHUTNEY’S (938 110th Avenue NE Bellevue; 425-467-0867) offers elegant décor, and the excellent lunch buffet and superb dinner entrées
at night makes Chutney’s a tasty choice. Try chicken pomegranate: tender slices of tandoor-roasted breast in a curry of pomegranate and at least a dozen spices. Yum!
ITALIAN An endearing favorite since 1984, SALUTE RISTORANTE ITALIANO (3426 NE 55th Street, Seattle; 206-527-8600) offers tried-and-true Southern Italian-style pizza, pasta, chicken and veal dishes. Share a pizza, don’t miss the Fettucine al Salmone, and end with what else but, tiramisu!
JAPANESE RIKKI RIKKI (442 Parkplace Center, Kirkland; 425-828-0707; www.rikkirikki.com) offers a wide variety of authentic Japanese dishes, sushi and sashimi, in many cases, utilizing their signature dressings, sauces and marinades; also delectable desserts, all in a comfortable and relaxing Japanese-style setting.
MEDITERRANEAN At the MEDITERRANEAN KITCHEN (103 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue; 425-462-9422) authentic Middle Eastern food is served in large portions at reasonable prices. This is a restaurant for serious garlic-lovers. The menu includes grilled chicken and lamb, lamb couscous, and various dips, soups and other grilled meats. Don’t miss the “Farmer’s Dish,” chicken wings marinated in spices, lemon juice and vinegar, then charcoal-grilled and napped with lemon-garlic cream sauce.
MEXICAN A fine Mexican restaurant with a reputation for providing good food and good service, TORERO’S (multiple locations; www.torerosmexicanfood.com) offers appetizers, soups, salads, side orders, a dinner menu, lunch specials, traditional Mexican desserts, drinks and more.
LATE-NIGHT DINING Evoking a dim 1960s supper club, 13 COINS (multiple locations; www.13coins.com) huge menu is served 24-7 and offers such specialties as butter drenched escargots and steaks with pasta. So stop by and get your 3 a.m. fix of liver and onions, lobster tail or New York-style cheesecake.
OUTDOOR DINING In this category, ISLANDER PUB and SALTY’S (shown) tied for first place.
The Islander Pub (7440 SE 27th Street, Mercer Island; 206-232-0174) offers a kid-friendly atmosphere and specializes in good pub food—burgers, chicken fingers and salads.
Known as one of the world’s great view restaurants with long
decks stretching out on top of the water, Salty’s (1936 Harbor Avenue SW, Seattle; 206-937-1600; www.saltys.com) offers guests a beautiful view, great atmosphere and fresh Northwest seafood, steaks, creative salads, pastas and sandwiches.
PIZZA When pizza delivery is in order, PAGLIACCI (multiple locations; www.pagliacci.com) makes it
easy. There’s only two numbers to remember: 206-726-1717 or 425-453-1717. The request goes to the closest delivery kitchen and the rest is history. The sit-down locations are halfway between cafeteria and pizzeria dining. Crusts are thin, toppings are numerous and the pizza is out
of this world. No wonder year after year, Pagliacci is named best pizza
in western Washington!
SEAFOOD SEASTAR RESTAURANT AND RAW BAR (205 108th Avenue NE, Bellevue; 425-456-0010; www.seastarrestaurant.com) is brought to you
by renowned Chef John Howie, formerly of Seattle’s Palisade Restaurant. Seastar provides guests with an amazing array of freshly prepared seafood, great steaks, poultry, pastas and raw bar items. Enjoy the comfort of the luxurious Seastar dining room or the upbeat Raw Bar. Either way, Seastar’s talented staff will help to make you feel right at home, and the food will keep you coming back for more.
STEAKHOUSE, VIEW & LIVE MUSIC VENUE DANIEL’S BROILER (multiple locations; www.schwartzbros.com/daniels.cfm) is no ordinary restaurant. Daniel’s serves USDA prime steaks exclusively. That’s right. If you want the finest steaks available in western Washington, your choice
is simple, Daniel’s Broiler. Add stunning views from every table, outside waterfront dining at Lake Union and Leschi, piano bars at Bellevue and Lake Union, a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list and exceptional service and you can see why Daniel’s defines steakhouse excellence.
SUSHI In this category, I LOVE SUSHI, RIKKI RIKKI and SUSHI LAND tied for first place.
Fresh is the theme of I Love Sushi
(two locations: 11818 NE 8th Street, Bellevue; 425-454-5706 and 1001 Fairview Avenue N, Seattle; 206-625-9604). It is healthy and tasty with a lot of seafood and tofu on the menu. Rice bran oil is used for deep frying and the water is filtered. You will indeed love the sushi.
Rikki Rikki (442 Parkplace Center, Kirkland; 425-828-0707; www.rikkirikki.com) offers a wide variety of authentic Japanese dishes, sushi and sashimi, in many cases, utilizing their signature dressings, sauces and marinades; also delectable desserts, all in a comfortable and relaxing Japanese-style setting.
Sushi Land (two locations: 138 107th Avenue NE, Bellevue; 425-455-2793 and 803 Fifth Avenue N, Seattle; 206-267-7621) is perfect for sushi addicts looking for a quick, cheap sushi fix. Seated around a rotating conveyor belt, you can stuff yourself silly at lunch, dinner or hours in between.
THAI In this category, KING AND I and THAI GINGER tied for first place.
King and I (10509 Main Street, Bellevue; 425-462-9337) is a casual, but nice Thai restaurant in downtown Bellevue. All the Thai dishes you love are here—curries, noodle dishes, satays and veggies—and they’re all done well.
Thai Ginger (multiple locations; www.geocities.com/thaigingeronline) offers the freshest and finest ingredients. Their artfully crafted menu selections reflect influences from all the geographical regions of Thailand. Noodle soups, stir-fried veggies,
curries and satays make up both the lunch and dinner menus. Vegetarians will be pleased with their fresh selections.
SPORTS BAR FOX SPORTS GRILL (1522 Sixth Avenue, Seattle; 206-340-1369) invites guests to relax in a sophisticated atmosphere where a contemporary American menu, diverse wine list and uncompromised sports and entertainment viewing, offers something for everyone.
Washington State offers a cornucopia of attractions to fit the taste of almost anyone. Here are the top picks for what there is to see and do in Bellevue and Beyond.
BEACH Located in West Seattle, about 15 minutes from downtown, ALKI BEACH (702 Alki Avenue SW, Seattle) features stunning views of the downtown skyline and across Puget Sound. It’s a great spot for a walk anytime of year, and in the summer draws joggers, cyclists, volleyball players, beachcombers, sunbathers and strollers enjoying the sun. Whether you want to catch some rays or watch a winter storm roll in, this is a great place to view Seattle from a different perspective.
BIKE/HIKE/WALK TRAIL Located in the heart of Bellevue, MERCER SLOUGH TRAIL (2102 Bellevue Way SE, Bellevue; 425-452-6881; www.cityofbellevue.org/page.asp?view=2106) is situated along both sides of Mercer Slough, just above its outlet into Lake Washington, and encompasses an area formerly occupied by commercial blueberry farms. Much of the trail is an elevated boardwalk, floating on
a mat of vegetation. The centerpiece
is the Continental Bridge over the slough, and a canoe dock, both of which were constructed as part of the Mercer Slough Project in 1994. Mercer Slough Trail is a favored
destination of walkers, joggers and
school groups alike and is recognized as a landmark recreational asset in the Greater Seattle metropolitan area.
COMEDY CLUB GIGGLES COMEDY CLUB (5220 Roosevelt Way, Seattle; 206-526-JOKE; www.gigglescomedyclub.com) offers audiences the best in professional nationally touring stand-up comedians, many of whom have been on HBO, Showtime, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Comedy Central.
DAY TRIP There are only a few places on the continent that offer the scenic beauty of MOUNT RAINIER (360-569-2211; www.nps.gov/mora). Approximately 70 miles southwest of Seattle at 14,411 feet, Mount Rainier can be seen from all over the Pacific Northwest. It is the most-glaciated mountain in the lower-48 states and has been a National Park since 1899. Whether you’re looking for a scenic drive, challenging hikes or mountain climbing, Mount Rainier has something for you.
DOG-FRIENDLY PARK MARYMOOR PARK (6046 West Lake Sammamish Parkway NE, Redmond; 206-205-3661; www.metrokc.gov/parks/rentals/pomjun99.htm) has
an off-leash dog exercise area that
covers 40 acres—bigger than many neighborhood parks. Dogs can run free in this area, while under voice control. The off-leash area has spawned a nonprofit group of dog owners called SODA (Serve Our Dog Areas, www.soda.org) who are dedicated to its preservation.
FAMILY ACTIVITY HIKING is the perfect family activity. Not only does it get everyone off
the couch and away from the TV,
it helps strengthen your bond with your child. Planning your hike is a big part of the fun. Many books exist containing maps of hiking trails. You can also get some excellent ideas on the Web.
FAMILY OUTING PIKE PLACE MARKET (www.pikeplacemarket.org) began on Aug.
17, 1907. Nearly a century after its founding, the market remains a vital part of the region’s social and economic fabric. In 2002, Project for Public Spaces, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and sustaining public places that build communities, named Pike Place
Market a “World Renowned Public Space.” The Pike Place Market is a shopping district like no other. Choose from the freshest in farm produce, unique specialty foods, international grocery items, handmade crafts, antiques and collectibles, books, clothing and much more.
GOLF COURSE Situated on 350 acres with panoramic views of Mount Rainier, the Olympic and the Cascade Mountains, THE GOLF CLUB AT NEWCASTLE (15500 Six Penny Lane, Newcastle; 425-793-5566; www.newcastlegolf.com) consists of two 18-hole public courses (Coal Creek and China Creek), extensive practice facilities and a 44,000-square-foot clubhouse. Designed by acclaimed golf course architect Robert E. Cupp, in consultation with Masters Champion Fred Couples, the tournament-caliber, full-facility complex features challenging fairways and greens, an all-weather driving range, an 18-hole bent-grass putting course, three holes for pitching, putting and chipping, and lessons and clinics for golfers of all abilities.
LOCAL FESTIVAL Presented by the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce, the ISSAQUAH SALMON DAYS FESTIVAL (www.salmondays.org) is the annual celebration of the returning salmon to our lakes, streams and a downtown Issaquah hatchery. The two-day event held annually the first full weekend in October draws crowds of more than 150,000 people. Salmon Days, to be held Oct. 1-2, 2005,
features a weekend full of free fun, including more than 300 artists, the Foods of the World, the Grande Parade, 5K and 10K runs, three stages of live entertainment, the Field of Fun, tours of Issaquah’s hatchery and much more.
MOVIE THEATER Central to Bellevue’s best shopping and eateries, GALLERIA (500 106th Avenue NE, Bellevue; 800-326-3264, ext. 400; www.regalcinemas.com)
is located one block from Bellevue Square. The box office is set apart from the lobby, which is set on an outdoor patio with skyline views of Seattle. Auditorium sizes vary, with seating ranging from 100 to almost 400 people. All theaters have comfortable high-backed, retractable seats with lifting armrests. Screen size varies according to the film’s specs, so no objects are cropped out of a shot. Each theater is equipped with state-of-the-art digital sound, and 88 specially designed headsets are available for the hearing-impaired.
MUSEUM See art from every corner of the world at the SEATTLE ART MUSEUM (SAM) (100 University Street, Seattle; 206-654-3100; www.seattleartmuseum.org), the region’s premier art museum! With an impressive collection of more than 21,000 objects, from Old Master paintings to African masks to contemporary Northwest Art, SAM offers exciting artistic experiences for visitors of all ages. Enjoy a variety of changing exhibitions, free gallery tours, lectures, the Museum Store and the Museum Café.
SKI SLOPES AND SKI RESORT Located in the coast mountains
of British Columbia, WHISTLER (www.whistlerblackcomb.com) is approximately 72 miles from Vancouver, B.C. One of the many things that makes Whistler so special is two unbelievable mountains—Whistler and Blackcomb. Side by side, they represent nearly 8,000 acres of skiable terrain, rising a mile above the valley of Whistler.
Planning a trip? Check out which locations made our members’ picks as the best travel destinations around the globe.
BEACHES Home to some of the most beautiful and best beaches in the world, HAWAII is truly a traveler’s paradise. But the question isn’t whether or
not to head for a beach, but how
to pick the one that matches your mood and energy level. Some beaches offer facilities and parking. Others don’t. Some draw crowds where the idea is to see and be seen, others are remote and supply more privacy. Some are better
for swimming. Others are perfect
for windsurfing and body surfing.
Visit http://gohawaii.about.com/od/beaches/ to find out which Hawaiian beach is best for you.
FAMILY VACATION While most people think of HAWAII as a place for lovers, Club members rank it as the best place to have fun with the entire family. If you choose Hawaii as the destination for your next family vacation, here are some things to consider doing: hike to the top of Diamond Head on Oahu; go whale watching on the waters near Maui; go snorkeling at Molokini
Atol; swim with dolphins in Dolphin Quest at the Hilton Waikoloa on the Big Island; explore the Waimea Canyon on Kauai.
ISLAND DESTINATION With an apparent love for Hawaii as the preferred vacation spot, it should come as no surprise that members chose MAUI as the Best Island Destination. Once home to a thriving commercial whaling port, Maui has gracefully blended its past and present to create a destination rich in culture and varied in possibilities. From the Iao Valley State Park and the serene beauty of the Hana Coast to the excitement of Kaanapali Beach, the upscale Wailea Resort and the strip in Lahaina Town, Maui has become a popular island destination.
WEEKEND GETAWAY In this category, THE BELLEVUE CLUB, LAS VEGAS, and VANCOUVER, B.C. all earned the top choice for Best Weekend Getaway.
The Bellevue Club embraces the convenience of a city center hotel with spectacular facilities that very few clubs can match. More than 150,000 square feet of the Club
is devoted to athletics and fitness, including indoor and outdoor pools, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a full gymnasium and The Spa, which
indulges the guest with a range of natural therapies from around the world. Award-winning suites and bedrooms with handcrafted furniture, imported fabrics and oversized baths produce feelings of comfort and well-being. There is a choice
of dining options: two full-service restaurants, Polaris and Splash; the Cosmos Lounge and Luna Express serving coffee Seattle-style. In addition, there is 24-hour room service. For meetings and conferences, there are five beautifully appointed banquet rooms.
Las Vegas, an ever-changing fantasyland of a city, has seen unbelievable expansion since it emerged from the desert 100 years ago. Thirty-seven million visitors enjoy the sights and sounds of Las Vegas every year. Casinos, naturally, continue to draw tourists to Las Vegas. From penny slots to high-stakes table games in private salons, you’ll find it here. But there’s much more to Las Vegas than gambling. Go for a weekend and experience the choreographed fountains at the Bellagio to the Elvis-a-Rama Museum. In an attempt to appeal to kids, the hotels have spent millions developing technically sophisticated indoor amusement rides like the Race for Atlantis.
Voted the Best City in the Americas for 2004 by Condé Nast Traveler magazine, Vancouver, B.C. is a dynamic, multicultural city set in a spectacular natural environment. No matter what time of the year you
visit, there are indoor and outdoor activities to please adults, families, couples and friends to no end. Vancouver is the proud host of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
WINE DESTINATION Located 50 miles north of San Francisco, the beautiful NAPA VALLEY runs through more than 30 miles
of agricultural land speckled with hundreds of wineries. That’s a lot
of wine! Most offer tours and/or tastings, usually by appointment, so be sure to get a visitor’s guide before you go.
Here are the best of the best when it comes to stores and services in Bellevue and Beyond.
AUTO DEALERSHIP In this category, BMW BELLEVUE (shown) and BARRIER MOTORS took first-place honors.
Whether you’re shopping for a new or pre-owned BMW, or need service on your current vehicle, you’ll find friendly, experienced people ready to help you at BMW Bellevue (13617 Northup Way, Bellevue; 425-643-4544; www.bmwbellevue.com). Their entire staff is dedicated to making sure your experience with them is pleasant and enjoyable.
At Barrier Motors (multiple locations; www.barriermotors.com) your complete satisfaction is their goal ... from the moment you step on the lot ...
to when you place your foot on the accelerator. At Barrier, they deliver the highest level of personal service and attention to everyone. Barrier Motors encompasses eight automobile locations, including Volvo Bellevue, Volvo Southcenter, Saab, Porsche, Audi, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz and Barrier Pre-Owned.
BANK Known for setting higher standards than its competitors, it is no surprise that BANK OF AMERICA (www.bankofamerica.com) is the nation’s leading financial institution. Offering services like personal banking, home loans and wealth management, Bank of America boasts the country’s most extensive branch network, with more than 5,800 locations covering some 30 states and the District of Columbia.
BOOKSTORE Selling over 444 million books per year, BARNES & NOBLE (multiple locations; www.barnesandnoble.com) is the only bookseller with a fully operational multichannel strategy—with retail locations from coast to coast and an online subsidiary, Barnes & Noble.com. In addition to innovations in retailing, Barnes & Noble has also expanded its approach to bookselling and the products it offers through its self-publishing program.
BRIDAL STORE THE BRIDAL GARDEN (10 Lake Shore Plaza, Kirkland; 425-889-2151) offers elegant bridal attire coupled with first-rate service from a family who loves, honors and cherishes the bridal business. Brides-to-be will find a vast, yet distinctive selection of elegantly styled designer gowns in silk, satin, taffeta, crépe and hand-beaded creations by top designers. Accessories include delicate tiaras, veils and hairpins, as well as gloves and purses. Shoes range from pumps to sandals in silk, satin and crepe. Gowns should be ordered seven to nine months in advance of your wedding date.
CLOTHING/SHOE STORE Beginning in 1901 as a small shoe store in downtown Seattle, today NORDSTROM (multiple locations; www.nordstrom.com) is one of the nation’s leading fashion retailers, offering a wide variety of fine, quality apparel, shoes and accessories for men, women and children at stores across the country. They remain committed to the simple idea the company was founded on, earning the trust of their customers, one at
a time.
DISCOUNT STORE An example of what is called a
big-box store, TARGET (multiple locations; www.target.com) has everything in one gigantic space. The nation’s fourth-largest general merchandise retailer, Target is an upscale discounter with a focus on the hottest trend merchandise, the everyday basics that all families need and affordable prices.
FURNITURE STORE You overwhelmingly voted for GREENBAUM HOME FURNISHINGS (multiple locations; www.differentbydesign.com)
as the best place to buy furniture for your pad. Whether it’s a lovely couch or a cute bed for your child’s room that wins you over, this Northwest chain is your top choice.
GARDEN STORE MOLBAK’S (13625 NE 175th Street, Woodinville; 425-483-5000; www.molbaks.com) is a gardener’s haven, prompting even the most urban city dweller to run off to the pea patch. Thousands of varieties of plants and flowers, garden supplies, gifts and patio décor cover the acreage of this nursery.
VINTAGE STORE RED LIGHT (312 Broadway E, Seattle; 206-329-2200) has two huge floors of used and new vintage cloth- ing creating unlimited possibilities for outrageousness. The store’s selection spans many decades. From 1920s jewelry to 1980s soccer shirts, true vintage shoppers will find something.
GROCERY STORE Founded in 1980 as one small store in Austin, Texas, WHOLE FOODS MARKET (multiple locations; www.wholefoods.com) is the world’s leading retailer of natural and organic foods, with 168 stores in North America and the United Kingdom.
HAIR SALON In this category, GENE JUAREZ and PAULE ATTAR took first-place honors.
Gene Juarez (multiple locations; www.genejuarez.com) has been the definitive authority on hair in the Pacific Northwest since 1971. They
offer the highest level of expertise in hair with design and color customized to the individual. Their commitment to quality, training and guest service has not only earned them top ratings with Bellevue Club members, but honors from Modern Salon Magazine, King 5 Seattle Magazine and Seattle Weekly.
Visitors to Paul Attar (10223 NE 10th Street, Bellevue; 425-453-3288; www.pauleattar.com) will be pleasantly surprised as they walk through the doors of this classic, European- styled salon. Offering the latest in hair design services, Paul Attar is a place where you will be gently pampered and encouraged to enjoy the luxurious surroundings.
HARDWARE STORE HOME DEPOT (multiple locations; www.homedepot.com) offers trusted brands, home improvement know-how, design consultations, delivery, installation and maintenance services. You can even rent tools and trucks at Home Depot.
INSURANCE COMPANY Recognized for its financial strength and outstanding service, USAA (www.usaa.com) provides products and services dedicated to helping military members and their families reach their financial goals. In 2002, J.D. Power and Associates awarded USAA with the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Customer Service.
JEWELER d’ORIGINAL JEWELERS (shown) and CREATIVE GOLDWORKS both sparkled in the Best Jeweler category.
d’Original Jewelers (885 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue; 425-454-5559; www.originaljewelers.com) offer online shopping for diamond jewelry, engagement rings, necklaces, bracelets and pendants, and gold, platinum and silver jewelry. They specialize in custom designing unique and distinctive jewelry, as well as offering a large selection of jewelry from designers from all over the world.
Creative Goldworks (500 108th Ave NE, Bellevue; 425-646-8707; www.creativegoldworks.com)
creates one-of-a-kind designs
tailored to each individual’s flair. Known as “Bellevue’s finest jewelery design center,” Creative Goldworks offers diamonds, wedding sets, pearls, gem stones and a large selection of accessories.
KITCHEN STORE Established in 1972 in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market, SUR LA TABLE (multiple locations; www.surlatable.com) carries top-quality cookware and hard-to-find kitchen tools. Known for its cutting edge in the culinary industry, Sur La Table was the first retailer on the West Coast to introduce the Cuisinart food processor.
MUSIC STORE BARNES & NOBLE, SILVER PLATTERS (shown) and TOWER RECORDS all took top honors in this category.
Barnes & Noble (multiple locations; www.barnesandnoble.com) offers a wide selection of classical, jazz, rock and world music. Its online music store has been named the best by Forbes.com for its rich content, including exclusive interviews, free downloads, sample audio clips, music reviews and a roster containing 40,000 artist biographies.
For 20 years Silver Platters (multiple locations; www.silverplatters.com) has been offering people in the Puget Sound area a large, extensive music selection with all the hits you love and rare, hard-to-find items. Silver Platters has the largest selection of Northwest artists’ music available and features in-store perform- ances by those artists.
Since 1960 Tower Records (multiple locations; www.towerrecords.com) has been recognized and respected throughout the world for its unique brand of retailing. Founded in Sacramento, California, the company’s growth for more than four decades has made it a household name. Tower Records stocks a wide selection of music CDs (with selections devoted to virtually all musical genres). In addition, you’ll find videos, DVDs and computer games, as well as posters and music-related books.
SPORTING GOODS STORE GART SPORTS (multiple locations; www.gartsports.com) is the largest full-line, big-box sporting goods retailer west of the Mississippi offering everything the sporting enthusiast could want.
PET STORE PETCO (multiple locations; www.petco.com) offers a complete selection of pet-related products and services, including grooming, obedience training, vaccination clinics and photography. Customers are invited and encouraged to shop at any Petco store with their pet. This makes purchasing the right product easier and a lot more fun!
SHOPPING CENTER BELLEVUE SQUARE (Bellevue Way and NE 8th Avenue, Bellevue; 425-454-2431; www.bellevuesquare.com) features more than 200 of the nation’s finest stores and local boutiques and draws 16 million visitors every year. It is considered to be the premier shopping destination in the Northwest, and one of the best shopping centers in the nation.
VIDEO STORE It should come as no surprise that BLOCKBUSTER (multiple locations; www.blockbuster.com) was given two thumbs up by Bellevue Club members as the best place to rent and buy videos, DVDs and video games. Blockbuster has continued
to improve its service by giving customers longer rental times, more copies of new releases and no late fees.
Looking for the best in luxury
cars, motorcycles, sports cars or sport-utility vehicles? Here are the top choices you might want to add
to your shopping list.
LUXURY CAR Competing automakers have
been trying to catch up with BMW (www.bmw.com) for as long as any of us can remember. They’ve failed because they ignored the thing that makes it a success: it is the ultimate driving machine. Consumer opinions of BMW are all over the map, but the masses seem to agree that all their models are simply a joy to drive. Enough said?
MOTORCYCLE In this category, BMW (shown) and HARLEY-DAVIDSON tied for first place.
The ride is on! Kick your riding
season into high gear with a BMW motorcycle! This year, BMW introduced many new models, including the award-winning R1200GS. The design was awarded the Gold in the Industrial Design Society of America’s IDEA Awards, as well as voted Best All Around Bike by Cycle World. Other new models include the R1200GS, the K1200LT, the F650CS, the F650GS and the F650GS Dakar.
For over 100 years, Harley-Davidson (www.harley-davidson.com) has produced the most enduring and recognizable motorcycles in the world.
No other motorcycle has the look, the sound and the feel of this two-wheeled piece of art. Maybe it’s time to get your own?
SPORT-UTILITY VEHICLE With a 345-horsepower engine, the Cadillac ESCALADE (www.cadillac.com) is the world’s most powerful full-size SUV. One of the reasons Escalade has such a luxurious ride is a suspension system that constantly adapts to road conditions and the way you drive. Take possession of an Escalade and become part of an elite group of drivers.
SPORTS CAR Nearly 60 years after the company was founded, PORSCHE (www2.porsche.com) continues to make some of the world’s great sports cars. Few automobiles are as neatly defined. Porsche says “sports car” by look, name and delivers on a reputation for speed and style in spades.
PHOTO CREDITS Napa Valley Conference and Visitors Bureau; Pike Place Market PDA; City of Bellevue Parks and Community Services Department; Schwartz Brothers Restaurants; Sur La Table; BMW; Tourism Vancouver/Al Harvey; Hartman Photography; Tiger Mountain Photo; Toshi Kawano; Tourism Vancouver/John Sinal; Red Robin; Martin Bydalek; Pagliacci; Fox Sports Grill; Paul Macapia and Susan Dirk; Greg Griffith; NPS; Rob Perry; Hawaii.com; Eduardo Calderon and Ken Shepard; Las Vegas News Bureau; Tom Ryan; Whole Foods; d'Original Jewelers; Nordstrom; Timothy Aguero; Silver Platters
