Destinations – Nooks & Cranberries

Posted on May 28, 2013November 10, 2014 by Sarah & Daytona — Leave a comment

Destination Inspiration: Caffe Fiore

Sometimes neighborhood coffee shops are our favorite places for writing, as they tend to have a familial feel and a welcoming atmosphere whether we know anyone there or not. Such is the case with Caffe Fiore, a coffee shop with several Seattle locations.

Food and Beverages

On our recent visit to the Sunset Hill location, we shared a zucchini loaf and onion pastry. Sarah opted for a chai while Daytona had a latte …

Location and Atmosphere

Located on the corner of 32nd and 85th, Caffe Fiore is a neighborhood gem but is also located along a busline and on the route down the winding road to Golden Gardens, making it both easy to get there by public transportation and a natural destination if you’re looking to warm up after a trip to the beach on a brisk day.

Writeability and Purchased Presence

It seems just as common to see people sipping their coffee as they read or write at their laptop as it does to see families stopping in here as a stop on a walk. Our take is that it’s a great spot for some relaxed writing. Just be sure to be conversational and friendly with the staff and other customers, and order a second drink if you’re going to stick around a while.

Price: $$

Parking

Located at an intersection, there is ample parking on the side streets flanking the cafe.

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Writerâ€™s Tip

Take some time at this cafe to revisit old pieces you’ve put on the back burner. See if spending time with them brings about anything new. A fresh place can bring a fresh perspective.

Find it:

Caffe Fiore, Sunset Hill
3125 NW 85th St
Seattle, WA 98117
Website

Posted on May 2, 2013December 12, 2014 by Sarah — Leave a comment

A Productive April

A beautiful spring here in Seattle has beckoned us to explore sunny nooks and relish pre-summer trips. We’ve been busy learning from other writers and stretching our own craft as we’ve pressed forward, reaching and expanding in our own individual niches.

To begin with, we wrapped up a Destination Inspiration: Portland series with a taste of Powell’sÂ City of BooksÂ and also visited a great placeÂ to catch up as we’d been parted for a while through travel and spring plans.

In Writer’s Kitchen, we celebrate food bloggers who had recently released books. Cheers to our fellow authors!

Finally, and possibly most excitingly, we started our “From the Pros” series in which we are fortunate to have guest posts featuring advice and encouragement fromÂ successfulÂ and inspirational authors. This month we heard fromÂ Lesley Ann McDanielÂ about finding your character’sÂ AchillesÂ Heel.

Posted on April 30, 2013April 29, 2013 by Sarah & Daytona — Leave a comment

Destination Inspiration: Phinney Market Pub & Eatery

We’ll be honest. Sometimes as writers we just need to get together and hang out. To catch up, reconnect, and share a good meal. The two of us did that one recent day at Phinney Market Pub & Eatery. Due to travel, it had been over a month since we had seen each other, and a relaxed dinner at this restaurant in Seattle’s Phinney Ridge neighborhood was just what we needed.

We were excited to discover, also, that with the right timing, Phinney Market can also be a great place for writing. Read on for details.

Food and Beverages

First things first, let’s talk about the food. Phinney Market prides itself on serving local, sustainable, and seasonal food, and their commitment to quality is clear all the way down to the details. The cheeseburger is made with Painted Hills grass-fed beef and Beecher’s white cheddar on a brioche bun from Macrina. Order it with cider-battered butternut squash on the side if only to taste the sweet curry aioli that has the perfect balance of flavors. On the particular night we visited, an excellent bottle of CÃ´tes du RhÃ´ne was available for $20 so we went for it. To top it all off, we ordered crÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e, which was well-executed but nothing unique.

Location and Atmosphere

Located just North up the street from the Woodland Park Zoo, this is a great place to stop before or after a day at the zoo. The atmosphere is classy and open with sweeping windows, glass chandeliers and vintage fixtures and wallpaper. Parents will also really appreciate the children’s corner complete with train table, books and cars. You can relax with a latte while the kids play.

WriteabilityÂ and Purchased Presence

So, here’s where things get fun. If you time it just right, you can probably manage to get in a half an hour or so of writing before the place fills up. Arrive right as the restaurant opens and sit down with your notebook or laptop and do some strategic writing as you wait for your order. As soon as people start to file in, do be mindful, though, of the staff and patrons and don’t linger any longer than you need to. And don’t forget to tip extra well–you’re representing an entire class of writers, after all!

Price: $$

Small plates start at $5 and main dishes run from $12 to $16.

Parking

Located on the main road in a residential neighborhood, you’re bound to find a parking spot within a block or two.

Writerâ€™s Tip

Given its location near the zoo and park, this is a great place to people watch. Try the classic exercise of picking one person who stands out to you and imagining a character profile. If you have time, use that profile to start a short story.

Find it:

Phinney Market Pub & Eatery
5918 Phinney Ave. N
Seattle, WA Â 98103
Website

Posted on April 1, 2013April 2, 2013 by Sarah & Daytona — 1 Comment

Destination Inspiration: Powell’s City of Books & World Cup Roasters

The one thing better than a cafe bustling with writers and book-lovers is such a cafe located inside the biggest bookstore you can imagine. Think that place only exists in your dreams? Think again–it’s World Cup Roasters located inside Powell’s City of Books in Portland.

Food and Beverages

First things first when you arrive at the cafe ready to write: Fuel up! Order a coffee or tea–any beverage that suits the mood. While you’re at it, don’t forget the food. You might as well come hungry and give one of the individual savory pies from Pacific Pie Company a try. Selections vary from bacon, egg, and cheese to chard, GruyÃ¨re, and egg.

Location and Atmosphere

Not far from our first-ever Destination Inspiration profile–Pearl Bakery–Powell’s City of Books is located in the Pearl District, amidst all sorts of stores from Anthropologie to kitchen supplies. With Powell’s labrynth of bookshelves, one could happily and willingly get lost for hours. Few things stimulate the brain of a book lover/writer quite like the smell of books, the feeling of the pages shuffling beneath your finger tips and the endless ideas and possibilities contained inside. Walking into Powell’s will surely have your head spinning and your mind bursting with creativity.

WriteabilityÂ and Purchased Presence

One look as you step inside and you’ll see that Powell’s is a sort of black hole for book lovers, and the cafe is no exception. With shelves of romance novels and paranormal young adult fiction on one side, large windows on two sides, and an entrance to the main part of the bookstore on the other, the cafe is obviously a haven for the many people who sit drinking coffee, reading books, and writing on their laptops in the spacious eating area. The question is whether you can grab the open spot before someone else claims it for the next few hours. Obviously, if you’re planning on sticking around at your seat for hours, please live up to the Nooks & Cranberries Code of Conduct and be courteous and place more orders; if it’s particularly busy, consider giving up your seat and taking a break to browse books for a while before returning.

Price: $$

It’s a coffee shop, and prices reflect that. From coffees for a few dollars to individual savory pies from Pacific Pie Company for about $5, you can fuel up on caffeine and food and still have a budget for the books you’ll inevitably want to take home.

Parking

You’re in luck: Powell’s has a parking garage!

Writerâ€™s Tip

Try a new challenge in this unique bookstore. Explore the section of a genre you are unfamiliar with. For example, if you gravitate toward fiction, check out the travel section. Pick out a book and read a few paragraphs or whatever it takes to get an idea of the voice. With that new tone in mind, try rewriting something of your own, gearing it toward that new genre. You might be surprised at the new spin this gives your work!

Find it:

World Cup Roasters Cafe / Powell’s City of Books

1005 W Burnside
Portland, OR 97209
Website

Posted on March 28, 2013March 27, 2013 by Sarah — Leave a comment

A Productive March

Is the month really almost over? Wow! It seems that March has come and gone as quickly as January and February. Loss of time seems to be a common theme with writers which is why we like to stop and reflect every month to see where the time went. Here’s a sampling of what we’ve been up to this past month.

We explored of some of the writing nooks of our northwest neighbors withÂ Sterling Coffee Roasters in Portland, and enjoyed some Nordic inspiration at Scandinavian Specialties.

We shared more about our writing retreat to Chelan and dabbled in a game of “what if” at the Barrel Feast at Tunnel Hill Winery. We also discussed what some writers have been doing to possibly upset the world of publishing in our Friday Forum.

In the Writer’s Kitchen, we looked back at some of our favorites and shared a great Post-Flight Dinner idea to satisfy the family after an exhausting journey.

All in all, a very busy and successful March! We hope your month has been just as productive. Cheers and happy writing!

Posted on March 26, 2013March 25, 2013 by Sarah & Daytona — Leave a comment

Destination Inspiration: Chocolati CafÃ©, Greenwood

With tasty food and plenty of nooks to tuck away into with a book or laptop, Chocolati is like a home away from home for writers. Take your pick of a large table and chairs by a window or overstuffed chairs by a little fireplace, with plenty of space and an outlet around just about every corner, it’s easy to nestle in and get to work. You may find several hours have passed before you know it!

Food and Beverages

While most people probably come for the chocolate, it would be a shame to stop there. From filled croissants to a delectable zucchini tart, the savory items should not be overlooked. That said, do feel free to order a cayenne hot cocoa or any of a number of artisan truffles. They are, after all, among the items that make this cafÃ© worthy of its moniker.

Location and Atmosphere

Set on a corner just south of the major intersection of 95th and Greenwood, thisÂ cafÃ© in the heart of North Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood is easy to get to, and it’s in a neighborhood that’s extremely walkable. Chocolati has an atmosphere of a study group taking place in a friend’s apartment. It’s not uncommon to find small groups meeting for business or students gathering to study, in addition to the lone writer or friends chatting over their warm mugs.

WriteabilityÂ and Purchased Presence

This place seems made for writers. Having undergone an expansion in the past few years, Chocolati is like a really big apartment with an open floorplan that’s somewhat segmented. The main room is where you’ll order and perhaps grab a window seat if you’re only sticking around for a few minutes. But keep walking through and you’ll find more seating than you ever would have expected just walking by the storefront.

Price: $$

In addition to the usual $3 latte, you can also find a variety of wines for $7 a glass. On the sweet side, truffles run from $1.45 and up andÂ savoryÂ treats starting at $6.

Parking

Between a major neighborhood road and a residential area, you’re bound to find street parking within a block or so.

Writerâ€™s Tip

Bring your laptop and a charger and plenty of tip money–you’re going to want to stay here a while. Before coming, make a list of projects to work on, in order of priority, and start writing!

Find it:

Posted on March 19, 2013March 18, 2013 by Sarah & Daytona — Leave a comment

Destination Inspiration: Sterling Coffee Roasters

Portland holds a soft spot in our hearts. Just a few hours away from Seattle, it’s easy to drive there for a weekend, and it’s a perfect urban getaway for people who like books (one word: Powell’s!), good food, the Northwest lifestyle, and–of course–coffee.

Food and Beverages

Let the flavors shine by keeping your coffee order simple: an espresso or macchiato if you like your coffee mostly straight, or a cappuccino. The flavors are incredibly smooth, while being distinct and bold. This is the way coffee should taste. As for the food, the chocolate-coffee loaf had a moist, spongy crumb, a delicate and not-t00-sweet flavor, and a color as deep as espresso. In other words, it was an ideal accompaniment to the showstopper coffee.

Location and Atmosphere

Described on the website as “Coffeehouse Northwest’s darling child,” Sterling–which is located on Northwest 21st Avenue in the Alphabet District–is a lovely little cafe that’s “afforded every luxury, from the nicest clothes to the best finishing school.” That essence is carried throughout the entire production, from the white tablecloths to the well-dressed staff.

The Alphabet District has a distinct charm in itself. An area zoned for historic preservation, the district is named for the alphabetical progression of street names. With beautiful classic buildings lining the streets, after you’ve enjoyed your visit at the cafe, it’s worth a walk to admire the historic scenery.

WriteabilityÂ and Purchased Presence

To be honest, you probably don’t want to come here with your laptop–there’s simply not enough room for a computer and your order on those charming little white linen-wrapped tabletops complete with centerpieces. But you will want to have a tiny notebook on hand to jot down all the ideas that come to you as you sip your cappuccino in such an inspiring setting.

Price: $$

Coffee and pastries cost the standard handful of dollars. Bring a $10 bill and you’ll be set for a drink and pastry.

Parking

The only complaint about this place is the parking. For a city that–like Seattle–is so focused on bicycles, everyone seems to be driving around here, and street parking seems to be in high demand.

Writerâ€™s Tip

As the space in the cafe doesn’t really afford room for much more than a notepad, try a notepad-sized exercise to get your brain churning on your current project. Whether your project is fiction or non-fiction, see if you can boil the content of your piece down to one or two sentences. The idea of the exercise is to sharpen the message behind your piece and give focus for further critique. If you don’t have a current project, perhaps use the notepad method and work backward to develop a short story from a single nutshell sentence. Happy writing!

Find it:

Sterling Coffee Roasters
417 NW 21st Ave
Portland, OR 97209
Website

Posted on March 12, 2013March 27, 2013 by Sarah & Daytona — Leave a comment

Destination Inspiration: Productivity Winners

What are your go-to places when you need to get a lot of work done in a short amount of time? Ours depend on the situation–do we need a distraction-free place where we can relax, or will our current project thrive on a bustling setting? That said, here’s a look at some of our top destinations for productivity that we’ve featured so far:

Barking Dog Alehouse – Seattle

Nielsen’s Authentic Danish Pastry – Seattle

10 Barrel Brewing Company Pub – Bend

Walla Faces Wine Tasting Room – Walla Walla

Colville Street Patisserie – Walla Walla

Pearl Bakery – Portland

Posted on March 7, 2013March 6, 2013 by Sarah — Leave a comment

Chelan Writing Retreat: The Barrel Feast

It was a gorgeous weekend. The sun was out, the sky was clear and the snow capped mountains were a gleaming backdrop. The best part was that we were viewing all this splendor from the car as we drove out of Seattle and made our way to Chelan for a quick writing retreat.

The kids were set to spend quality time with the dads and the women were off to let the their writing minds take them where they may…well, with a loose itinerary. We were to visit a few wine tasting rooms, meet a press contact for dinner, stay the night at a lovely resort overlooking Lake Chelan and then meet for a “WineÂ Immersion” experience the next morning. Boy were we in for a treat!

By the time we had settled in at The Lake House and tasted some of the wine provided in the room, it was time to meet our contact for dinner. We wereÂ privilegedÂ to meet about a dozen or so people for the intimate Barrel Feast at Tunnel Hill Winery. What a fantastic experience! We arrived and were led into their barrel room in which was set a long table with a silk copper runner, candles and place settings lined by four wine glasses each. After a brief meet and greet, we took our seats and were presented with a four course meal, complete with wine pairings. Our host, Guy Evans, introduced the cook who is the head chef at Cafe Mason.

We poured over the mouth-watering courses with the wine pairings and got to know the people sitting around us. As I looked up and down the long table, the writer in me started to churn…or more accurately, the fiction side of my writing mind. Sure, I could write a compelling piece about how lovely our trip has been and how tasty the local fare is, the travel magazines would surely eat that up. But the fiction-writing side of my brain was looking for something a little more thrilling, mysterious even. ItÂ kept wondering ‘what if’. Like, what if someone left for the restroom and didn’t come back? What if the next person to visit the restroom found the previous person’s body slumped against the wall, dead? Of the people I’ve met so far, who would make the best victim? Who would make the best murderer? Perhaps the congress woman sitting next to me, political motives are often seedy. Or what about the innocent-looking newly wed couple to my right? They do seem a littleÂ too innocent. What could they be hiding? Or this contractor across the table, how far would he go to win a bid? My brain went on like this, humming in the background as I made pleasant conversation and secretly gleaned information for character development.

While I am fortunate to have a steady job as a freelance writer, sometimes the pressure to produce non-fiction material takes over and my fiction muscles feel neglected and atrophe. This trip was a nice opportunity to stretch those muscles and get back in action. I’d like to encourage you, if you have a passion for writing fiction, to allow yourself to let go every once in a while and run with the wiles of your imagination. Of course, do your due diligence, if you have a non-fiction deadline, but then exchange that notepad for your story-telling notepad. Soak up the characters around you and let your mind wander down the path of ‘what if’s’.

Writer’s Tip: Having a restricted setting with a set cast can force you to get creative with your limited options. Â Next time you go to a restaurant, find the table with the most people and use them as your cast of characters. Write a short story that takes place in that restaurant with just that table of people.